Symphonic vs Eclectic.

Raff wrote: Not an easy choice for me either, but in the end I went for Eclectic, especially on account of the mighty King Crimson. I've never been a big fan of Genesis (growing up in Seventies Italy meant seeing them treated more or less like gods, and that got on my nerves after a while), but Yes and ELP are definitely among my favourite prog bands. On the whole, if we are talking about the two subgenres and not just those two sets of bands, Eclectic wins hands down. Like many people here, I got into prog by way of Symphonic, but I've progressively (pun intended) moved away from it.

For me, symphonic prog has to be done right or it's irritating. Yes, Genesis, and ELP did it extremely well and could get away with the pomp. Eclectic prog has more of a free reign to screw around because hey it's weird: that's what they do. However, it can also lead to some major embarassments.

This was really hard for me. Genesis is one of my favorite bands ever, as is Yes and ELP. However, like someone else said, King Crimson is better than either Yes or ELP (not Geneiss though, I hold to that). VDGG and Gentle Giant are also minor favorites of mine. I love the works of Genesis, Yes, and ELP an incredible amount, but when I consider how much they changed over time, I can't help but feel that the eclectic bands win the battle. I'm on record here as defending Genesis's post-Hacket period as being incredibly valid and artistic, but there's no doubt this change lost them a ton of fans. ELP's post Work's period is remarkably awful, though even on Love Beach there is some worthwhile music. Yes's post Howe period, while still strong, is also definitely a down turn and a time of great confusion (at least Genesis stuck to the same three members, while Yes could barely keep a line up together. The fact that Yes made any good music at all in the 80's, 90's, and 2000's is a testament to their skill). The symphonic bands simply don't hold up as well as the eclectic bands over time.

Symphonic for me. 

No contest for me.

TGM: Orb wrote: My two favourite bands are on the eclectic side.

Hm. Actually, my three favourite albums. And Crimson and Der Graaf Generator are both remarkably consistent.

My two favourite bands are on the eclectic side.

Ooh this is a good thought experiment, and it's killing my brain.  At this moment in time Genesis is my favorite of the whole lot, followed by long favorites King Crimson.  Then it gets tricky.  Depending on the day, it's going to be either VdGG or Yes (I don't think I ever listen to both on the same day).  ELP and Gentle Giant offer the same waffle.  If I could recombine the choices, then . . .  Ah, nuts.  Okay, today it will be eclectic.  (Now if I were to vote again tomorrow . . . .)   

I prefer Genesis and ELP to King Crimson, VDGG and Gentle Giant (although Gentle Giant come close), but I can't stand Yes, so I won't vote.

Eclectic Prog is also eclectic in music appeal: when it's good it's breathtaking, when it's bad, it's horrible.
While my favourite Symphonic bands did a considerable amount of masterpieces, it seems the genre is covering more "middle ground".

No vote.

Epignosis wrote: I'd take just Tales from Topographic Oceans over King Crimson, Van der Graaf Generator, and Gentle Giant.

You got that right

Not even close, "Eclectic" for me. Although i'm a huge Genesis fan.