Popular Prog Bands that you just can't get into

Snow Dog wrote: Magma. I keep listening though. Sometimes things "click". I mean Magma fans can't be wrong....can they?

It's not about the fans, and detractors, being wrong or right -- though the fans know Magma more, of course.  It's a matter of taste (styles preferred) and experience.  It's been one of the most important discoveries for me musically, but that doesn't mean that it should be similar for you. There's no bands/ album that everyone should like.  I don't like Spock's Beard and The Flower Kings, but different strokes for different folks -- can't say I've listened to that much of either's stuff because I'm not interested.

But it's different for me, if something clicks I find much more that clicks later, and the appreciation deepens.  Then later on after being into it it might stop clicking altogether as I've moved on to other music and styles.

 Which albums/ tracks have you listened to, and what things click?  For instance, I could imagine someone really enjoying Retrospective 1-2 who doesn't much like Kobaia.  I love both.

EDIT: Just remembered that you started a fairly lively Magma topics four years ago (when you were a fresh noob to the world of Magma).  Topic: Magma? It's a good read.


Edited by Logan - June 12 2009 at 20:46

VDGG and Dream Theatre - given up sorry....

Iron Maiden and Metallica

Magma

Edited by King Crimson776 - June 12 2009 at 20:54

Roland113 wrote: The Quiet One wrote: Roland113 wrote: There are a few that I can understand why I don't like them, King Crimson, Jethro Tull and Van der Graaff Generator to name a few of the classics.  They're either too folksy or eclectic for my tastes. The one that I truly don't understand is Yes.  I don't care for Yes and I don't know why.  I absolutely love Genesis and most symphonic music, but I've tried time and time again to appreciate Yes but it just doesn't happen. What albums have you heard from Yes? I'm sure you've heard their classics, but I'm really curious, since you pretty much adore The Flower Kings, both do share stuff. I either have own or have stolen my father's copies of many of the classics: Close to the Edge Relayer Tales from Topographic Oceans The Yes Album Fragile Union The Ladder Yes Huh, something just occurred to me, maybe I need to pick up a remastered version of something.  Eh, maybe I'll pick  up the most recent remaster of Close to the Edge and see if that helps.  By all means, I should like Yes, I just don't know what it is. The only concrete thought is that I may not like Chris Squire's playing.  I have Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe and love it. Eh, it's a mystery to me. Marillion, for a long time was a similar enigma to me though I'm starting to appreciate them a bit more.

You don't like Squire, but you do like Reingold and Roine's brother bass playing? Wow, that's strange, since both took a lot from Chris...

Try Disc 1 from Tales From Topographic Oceans to work with.

Ivan_Melgar_M wrote: Putting my helmet....   King Crimson after ITCOTCK and Red as an exception Gentle Giant VDGG Camel: Better than valium to sleep, well I like Moonmadness Henry Cow: Like sanskrit to me Now throw the stones, I protected my head. Iván

Nothing wrong with that.  I prefer post ItCotCK albums, particularly Larks' Tongues in Aspic.  I like GG's first eight studio albums, particularly Acquiring the Taste, and Playing the Fool is very good I think, but don't like the final three studio albums.  With VdGG I really like several albums -- Godbluff partiualarly these days, but still have some problem with Hammill's histrionics at times.  I started with "House with no Door" and it was love at first listen.  I find Camel rather boring too, that said the band has some material I really like: Snow Goose is my favourite, and then Mirage, and Moonmadness I don't care for so much.  Not bad, but lacking.  I don't own the debut.  AMongst bands sometimes classified as Canterbury Scene, it's my least liked.  Henry Cow is one of my favourites.  Which Henry Cow albums have you heard, Ivan?  Not that I'd expect you to like any of them.  I did have some trouble warming up to Western Culture at first -- took some patience.  The band would hardly be for everyone.  If you were a Canterbury Scene lover then I'd recommend early Cow.  If you were more into RIO/Avant then later.  Not something I'd generally recommend to nympho, erm, symphomaniacs.

The Flower Kings
Magma (I can appreciate their music, but I don't really properly enjoy it though)
Pain of Salvation
IQ
Tangerine Dream
Marillion
Transatlantic
Ayreon

harmonium.ro wrote: topofsm wrote:   I've taken a couple listens to Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh, and I have to say that it hasn't helped me appreciate Magma at all. So far to me it only sounds like weird chanting and singing. I'm not reviewing the album though until I feel I 'get' what all their fans are raving about.   That's what also happened to me. I can't understand why people recommend MDK as a starting point for Magma. It's very abstract and the chorus sings very agressive. Not a pleasant experience at all. But then it all changed when I got K.A., their latest album from 2004. It's wonderful! A lot of melody and passion, and very enjoyable overall. There's even of large portion of superb fusion on that record. Two weeks ago I saw them live and they were fabulous. It seems indeed they're in great shape in the 00s. Up till now there is only one band which I couldn't get into, CAN. But every time this happened to me I could get over the issue after multiple listens or different approach of the discography. I suppose next time will be easier, like it always is.

mobby wrote: 1-dream theatre 2-vdgg 3-gentle giant 4-zappa 5-flower kings (from stardust we are)

THEATER.
THEATER
not theatre.

For me:

VDGG
The Beatles (if they count)
Camel
Between the Buried and Me
Godspeed You! Black Emperor