SR V: To boldly go where no room has gone before

Henry Plainview wrote: I will never understand why everyone thinks In Abstentia is a progressive masterpiece. Blackest Eyes sounds like a Breaking Benjamin song!

Henry, have you read my review of that album? I think it's everyone minus one...

I remember your review, Robert, and agreed with it 100%... The album is good, but nothing like the second coming of prog that so many people seem to believe. And I prefer Deadwing anyway.

I dislike most of Deadwing and find it a very weak album.

Fear of a Blank Planet is better though.

I've not heard In Absentia, so cannot comment on it.

I don't find Deadwing particulary proggy either.  FoBP is proggier though in places but again, still not completely prog.

Now Deadwing is a masterpiece of prog music. 

James wrote: I've not heard In Absentia,

I find this surprising James.

I don't find most of PT proggy, but I don't care. Something being prog doesn't make it better for me. In fact most of my favorite bands arent' prog. I find it funny how a lot of people seem to think that an album has to have prog elements to be good. (not saying any of you are like this)

I also don't generally like proggy albums by non-prog bands. The Decemberists being a good example.

James wrote: I've only heard Deadwing, Fear of a Blank Planet and Coma Divine Live.

I think now is the right time to listen to In Absentia and Lightbulb Sun.

You know, like Zilly, I don't give two hoots if an album is prog or not... If you look at my review pie chart, the highest number are Prog-Related albums, many of which are not even THAT related - and a good deal of them got five stars from me. As I am sure many of you will attest, there is an awful lot of bad prog around, stuff that makes you wish you had no ears (and that I have to review for another site). PT, thank heavens, are not a bad band by any means, though I would hesitate to call them favourites of mine. I just object to their being hailed like the best thing since sliced bread.

Simon is mesmerized by your avatar James.

Oh and I don't care if a band is prog or not prog, as long as I enjoy their music.

I've said it before but a lot of the bands under RIO/Avant-prog aren't actually prog.

Univers Zéro... are they really prog?  It's debatable.
Stormy Six?  The only reason they're under this genre is 'cause they were RIO.  They're more like prog folk with a few avant-garde tendencies.

However, Die Knodel and Six Cylindres en Vie I don't feel are that prog, yet the'yre usually called avant-prog.

All four of the above bands are awesome though and their prog (or lack of) credentials do not bother me.