Forum Home Forum Home > Progressive Music Lounges > Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Is anyone else getting kind of sick of Pink Floyd?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Is anyone else getting kind of sick of Pink Floyd?
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 56789 15>
Author
Message
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
A B Negative View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: May 02 2006
Location: Methil Republic
Status: Offline
Points: 1594 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A B Negative Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 04 2010 at 06:48
I haven't read most of the posts here but I'll give my opinion anyway.
 
PF was the first prog band I heard  (DSOTM when I was very young) and one of the first bands I listened to when I became "serious" about music in my early teens (roughly 1980-81).
 
Then I didn't listen to them for years because I'd overdone it.
 
Then I started listening to them again and realised how much I enjoyed them.
 
Then I overdid it again.
 
Then I gradually came round to liking them again.
 
And I realised, I like them when I want to listen to them.
 
And I don't enjoy them as much when I don't want to listen to them.
 
Wink
"The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar.... Now, that's my idea of a good time."
Back to Top
Blacksword View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: June 22 2004
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 16130 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Blacksword Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 04 2010 at 07:11
I guess it's been pointed out already, but Floyds music is simple, and easy for non proggers to digest. It washes over you, like the sea, unlike Gentle Giant, Crimson or VDGG, where you need to understand the psychology of the band and what their trying to do, before you can appreciate their music. Perhaps..

Lets look at the bands componant parts:

Lead guitar: Melodic. You can almost remember note for note solo's from songs like Comfortably numb' and Another brick..partII' as if they were lyrics. People are suckers for melody over heroics any day of the week.

Bass: Nothing of note, just solid bass lines providing the back bone to the melodic guitar work and lyrical concepts.

Drums: Pretty simple really. Not much in the way of intricate beats or odd time signatures to confuse people.

Vocals: A good combination of clearly sung lyrics about 'real human' issues, put across with the right balance of sensitivity and 'look at my tortured soul'. Always a winning combination.

I'm not putting Floyd down. Indeed, they're one of my favorite bands, but it's obvious why they have such a big non prog following. They're formula is pure gold. They knew what they were doing every step of the way. They are brilliant business men.

Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy!
Back to Top
TODDLER View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar
VIP Member

Joined: August 28 2009
Location: Vineland, N.J.
Status: Offline
Points: 3126 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TODDLER Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 04 2010 at 11:28
Originally posted by classicprogsovereign classicprogsovereign wrote:

There is one thing I want to say; there's a difference between recognition and popularity. Well, there's a difference between POSITIVE recognition and popularity; I don't see the Velvet Underground selling thousands of records a day. Influence and recognition go hand-in-hand, but recognition and popularity do not, if that makes any sense.
I understand totally where you are going with this. It's very difficult to not offend a Pink Floyd fan when making an observation that may be factual based. You end up crossing that barrier in which many defend personal preference as opposed to feeling open and discussing facts. The truth is that the Floyd sold out just like anybody else from their genre. But this happened long ago and the bulk of society does not seem to give the reality much weight. My point is plain and simple minded like meLOL You most likely will not find many to agree with you based simply on the odds. I personally was turned off by Floyd because the radio was cramming it down my throat. There are about 3 generations of people who grew up on the Pink Floyd light shows with flying pigs or if not that, fathers that played the music of specifically later Floyd material for their kids who are now into their 30's and 40's. It's quite a population of people. To make an honest statement about the band's popularity and how certain things seem unjust to the world of prog regarding that popularity, is not only a tough call to make but daring in nature. 
Back to Top
Henry Plainview View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: May 26 2008
Location: Declined
Status: Offline
Points: 16715 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Henry Plainview Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 04 2010 at 13:40
Originally posted by Anthony Anthony wrote:


Oh, how pathetic. "He likes something I don't like, so he's a troll"  Apparently I'm not the only one who's not an adult.
The point is not what you like, but how your tone and statements contradict previous statements. It's pretty clear to me that, on some level, you're trying to lead us on, but that doesn't really matter if people are willing to be led on, so I'll let you be.
if you own a sodastream i hate you
Back to Top
M27Barney View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: November 09 2006
Location: Swinton M27
Status: Offline
Points: 3136 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote M27Barney Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 04 2010 at 14:14
Originally posted by Dean Dean wrote:

Originally posted by M27Barney M27Barney wrote:

Are Pink Floyd overrated?
Almost certainly YES if you are defining them as a symphonic prog band. But not if you are defining them as a pop band.....................Cool
your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken.
What record is broken and who broke it ? I reckon that snidey paranoid Waters is to blame !!!!
Anyway, my biggest gripe with Floyd is their reinforcement of the dogma that Education is the root of all evil, when in fact pig-ignorance and the avoidance of enlightenment through education is what will eventually be the downfall of the human-race !!!!
Back to Top
Vibrationbaby View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member


Joined: February 13 2004
Status: Offline
Points: 6898 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Vibrationbaby Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 04 2010 at 14:25
There were so many cool bands out there and  Floyd was one of them. Classic Rock Radio and all these dumb music mags  has killed their mystique. Back in the seventies we didn't even know what they really looked like. 

For the most part I avoid these mediums so I still enjoy throwing albums like Pompeii, Meddle or Atom Heart Mother on the turntable and Animals remains a favourite.  

I think The wall was the death knell of the cool obscure aura Floyd had built up. That's my theory and it is mine. Ahem.
Back to Top
Anthony View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: April 08 2006
Location: Netherlands
Status: Offline
Points: 774 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Anthony Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 04 2010 at 14:48
Originally posted by Henry Plainview Henry Plainview wrote:

Originally posted by Anthony Anthony wrote:


Oh, how pathetic. "He likes something I don't like, so he's a troll"  Apparently I'm not the only one who's not an adult.
The point is not what you like, but how your tone and statements contradict previous statements. It's pretty clear to me that, on some level, you're trying to lead us on, but that doesn't really matter if people are willing to be led on, so I'll let you be.

LIke I said before, a lot can change in a year. Have you never in your life ever changed your mind about something? In that case, I envy you. Seriously. I'd wish I was that lucky.
Future prosperity lies in the way you heal the world with love
(Introitus - The hand that feeds you)
Back to Top
A Person View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: November 10 2008
Location: __
Status: Offline
Points: 65760 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A Person Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 04 2010 at 14:56
Originally posted by M27Barney M27Barney wrote:

Originally posted by Dean Dean wrote:

Originally posted by M27Barney M27Barney wrote:

Are Pink Floyd overrated?
Almost certainly YES if you are defining them as a symphonic prog band. But not if you are defining them as a pop band.....................Cool
your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken. your record appears to be broken.
What record is broken and who broke it ? I reckon that snidey paranoid Waters is to blame !!!!
Anyway, my biggest gripe with Floyd is their reinforcement of the dogma that Education is the root of all evil, when in fact pig-ignorance and the avoidance of enlightenment through education is what will eventually be the downfall of the human-race !!!!

I think Waters was only against the education system that he grew up with, and that it was later taken out of context. In fact, the purposeful double negative could indicate the exact opposite.
Back to Top
Petrovsk Mizinski View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: December 24 2007
Location: Ukraine
Status: Offline
Points: 25210 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Petrovsk Mizinski Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 04 2010 at 15:13
Pink Floyd simple? Hmm, not really.
At first I was more wowed by the virtuosity driven bands of the classic prog era (Yes and that bunch, as well as the fusion bands), but as time wore one, I realized how lacking in subtlety and nuances it all was compared to Pink Floyd.
On the surface Pink Floyd appears more "simple", due to a lack of high speed keyboard solos, "simple" drumming etc.
But I found upon repeated listens that the devil was truly in the detail with Pink Floyd.
They possessed a level of detail that few bands from the era could match.
Being able to play like Nick Mason and David Gilmour for example, that's really HARD stuff. Yeah, it wasn't fast and flashy, but being able to capture those kind of nuances and subtleties they had in their playing is deceptively difficult. It truly added up to highly detailed and EXTREMELY complex music. when it you looked past the individual elements and saw it all holistically.
It's just little things like those that cause me to hear new things each time I hear Pink Floyd, even though I've been listening to them for years and years now.
I think it's also partly because I've made the shift from the "flashy" prog metal bands like Dream Theater etc to the more riff based and more "minimalistic" (not that they really are, but Dream Theater make them look like they are) metal bands like Isis and Pelican etc and that I tend to appreciate longer musical ideas more than I do shorter, more rapidly changing ideas of Dream Theater, Yes etc that I've really grown fond of Pink Floyd's much more atmospheric and at times, textural style compared to the bands of their era.
Back to Top
Raff View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: July 29 2005
Location: None
Status: Offline
Points: 24429 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Raff Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 04 2010 at 15:21
Originally posted by Petrovsk Mizinski Petrovsk Mizinski wrote:

Pink Floyd simple? Hmm, not really.
At first I was more wowed by the virtuosity driven bands of the classic prog era (Yes and that bunch, as well as the fusion bands), but as time wore one, I realized how lacking in subtlety and nuances it all was compared to Pink Floyd.
On the surface Pink Floyd appears more "simple", due to a lack of high speed keyboard solos, "simple" drumming etc.
But I found upon repeated listens that the devil was truly in the detail with Pink Floyd.
They possessed a level of detail that few bands from the era could match.
Being able to play like Nick Mason and David Gilmour for example, that's really HARD stuff. Yeah, it wasn't fast and flashy, but being able to capture those kind of nuances and subtleties they had in their playing is deceptively difficult. It truly added up to highly detailed and EXTREMELY complex music. when it you looked past the individual elements and saw it all holistically.
It's just little things like those that cause me to hear new things each time I hear Pink Floyd, even though I've been listening to them for years and years now.
I think it's also partly because I've made the shift from the "flashy" prog metal bands like Dream Theater etc to the more riff based and more "minimalistic" (not that they really are, but Dream Theater make them look like they are) metal bands like Isis and Pelican etc and that I tend to appreciate longer musical ideas more than I do shorter, more rapidly changing ideas of Dream Theater, Yes etc that I've really grown fond of Pink Floyd's much more atmospheric and at times, textural style compared to the bands of their era.


ClapClapClap

That says it all, really. One of the best analyses of PF's music I have ever read. Great job, HarryThumbs Up!




Edited by Raff - January 04 2010 at 15:24
Back to Top
Matthew T View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: February 01 2007
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 5291 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Matthew T Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 04 2010 at 15:22

I love Pink Floyd and have never tired of hearing them and for innovation and originality you can't go past DSOM when it was released there was nothing like it at the time. The reason they are so popular is because of that album and ask anyone my age and they will say oh yeah what an album. When it was released they basically were an underground band here in Australia. Sure they had the early psych singles but I really cannot remember them getting air play here and I listened to the radio heaps when I was a kid. The albums pre DSOM had zero airplay but apart from Meddle and Atom Heart Mother which are my 2 fave from that period you have to admit what a difference DSOM is to those albums. One bit of interestingt trivia when the album was released down here the first song given airplay was Brain Damage and then Money. Essential prog for me.Smile
Matt

Back to Top
Dean View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Retired Admin and Amateur Layabout

Joined: May 13 2007
Location: Europe
Status: Offline
Points: 37575 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dean Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 04 2010 at 15:31
Originally posted by TODDLER TODDLER wrote:

Originally posted by classicprogsovereign classicprogsovereign wrote:

There is one thing I want to say; there's a difference between recognition and popularity. Well, there's a difference between POSITIVE recognition and popularity; I don't see the Velvet Underground selling thousands of records a day. Influence and recognition go hand-in-hand, but recognition and popularity do not, if that makes any sense.
I understand totally where you are going with this. It's very difficult to not offend a Pink Floyd fan when making an observation that may be factual based. You end up crossing that barrier in which many defend personal preference as opposed to feeling open and discussing facts. The truth is that the Floyd sold out just like anybody else from their genre. But this happened long ago and the bulk of society does not seem to give the reality much weight. My point is plain and simple minded like meLOL You most likely will not find many to agree with you based simply on the odds. I personally was turned off by Floyd because the radio was cramming it down my throat. There are about 3 generations of people who grew up on the Pink Floyd light shows with flying pigs or if not that, fathers that played the music of specifically later Floyd material for their kids who are now into their 30's and 40's. It's quite a population of people. To make an honest statement about the band's popularity and how certain things seem unjust to the world of prog regarding that popularity, is not only a tough call to make but daring in nature. 
... and ultimately pointless.
 
The popularity of any band does not affect the popularity of any other band, so bashing a popular band isn't going to make other bands more popular, neither is lamenting over those bands' relative unpopularity. Rock Music is not a competitive sport, Progressive Rock doubly so.
 
If a band is popular it is not their fault nor is it the fault of their fans so any negative reaction by the fans is understandable. "Selling out" is no guarantee of success and more often than not is a recipe for disaster, if writing a hit was so easy we'd all be doing it, to write a hit and keep your integrity is even harder, write something you believe in and it finding success after the event is not selling out, it's serendipity, fate, luck, hardwork and a lot of other random events, like doing the right thing in the right place at the right time - however unlikely that may appear to be by chance alone, it happens and no one can predict with any certainty how things become popular or if things will become popular. I defy anyone to show how popular Prog bands like Floyd, Yes, ELP and Genesis arrived at their fame and popularity by any planned, orchestrated and manufactured route - they all had a degree of popularity (at least in their home country) long before any stadium success or radio over-play: Tales From Topographic Oceans was Yes's first #1 album, Atom Heart Mother was Floyd's, Tarkus was ELP's, Stand Up was Tull's ... SEbtP hit #3 (they had to wait for Duke for a #1), King Crimson's first two albums entered the top 5... all those albums were released long before any claim of selling-out could be levelled at them ... and all of this without national radio-play.
 
If a band is being overplayed on the (US) radio it's not their fault or even the fault of their fans, blame the radio station's narrow-minded playlist or your finger for being unable to find the tunning dial, but don't blame the song for being too popular. If your dad played them too much when you were growing up, it's his fault, or perhaps yours for not buying him something else on father's day.
 
 
What?
Back to Top
SgtPepper67 View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 17 2007
Location: Argentina
Status: Offline
Points: 530 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SgtPepper67 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 04 2010 at 16:16
Originally posted by Dean Dean wrote:

 
If a band is being overplayed on the (US) radio it's not their fault or even the fault of their fans, blame the radio station's narrow-minded playlist or your finger for being unable to find the tunning dial, but don't blame the song for being too popular. If your dad played them too much when you were growing up, it's his fault, or perhaps yours for not buying him something else on father's day.


Clap

In the end the love you take is equal to the love you made...
Back to Top
Pekka View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: August 03 2006
Location: Espoo, Finland
Status: Offline
Points: 6457 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pekka Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 04 2010 at 23:35
Great post Dean Clap
It's on PA!
Back to Top
M27Barney View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: November 09 2006
Location: Swinton M27
Status: Offline
Points: 3136 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote M27Barney Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 05 2010 at 02:41
Originally posted by Petrovsk Mizinski Petrovsk Mizinski wrote:

Pink Floyd simple? Hmm, not really.
At first I was more wowed by the virtuosity driven bands of the classic prog era (Yes and that bunch, as well as the fusion bands), but as time wore one, I realized how lacking in subtlety and nuances it all was compared to Pink Floyd.
On the surface Pink Floyd appears more "simple", due to a lack of high speed keyboard solos, "simple" drumming etc.
But I found upon repeated listens that the devil was truly in the detail with Pink Floyd.
They possessed a level of detail that few bands from the era could match.
Being able to play like Nick Mason and David Gilmour for example, that's really HARD stuff. Yeah, it wasn't fast and flashy, but being able to capture those kind of nuances and subtleties they had in their playing is deceptively difficult. It truly added up to highly detailed and EXTREMELY complex music. when it you looked past the individual elements and saw it all holistically.
It's just little things like those that cause me to hear new things each time I hear Pink Floyd, even though I've been listening to them for years and years now.
I think it's also partly because I've made the shift from the "flashy" prog metal bands like Dream Theater etc to the more riff based and more "minimalistic" (not that they really are, but Dream Theater make them look like they are) metal bands like Isis and Pelican etc and that I tend to appreciate longer musical ideas more than I do shorter, more rapidly changing ideas of Dream Theater, Yes etc that I've really grown fond of Pink Floyd's much more atmospheric and at times, textural style compared to the bands of their era.
Emperors new clothes ???
I am not a muscian myself, but I reckon that a bunch of tyro musicians would be able to cover Floyd songs a lot sooner than they would be able to copy Genesis/Yes/DT/TFK.
I am not denying that simplicity cannot be genius - the fact of evolution through natural selection is a startling example of how simplicity can lead to things that bogle the mind with their complexity.
I have spent 30 years listening to prog - and a reasonable time digesting Floyd's output and would give a lot of credit to Gilmours "atmospheric" guitar work (especially on SOYCD), however I would also posit that Hackett was/is also a guitarist with that "Ghostly" guitar atmospherics that is even more impressive. I know a few floyd/pop fans who haven't even heard one note of Hacketts work dismiss him as shyte....thats what ALSO gets up my nose.
Back to Top
TODDLER View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar
VIP Member

Joined: August 28 2009
Location: Vineland, N.J.
Status: Offline
Points: 3126 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TODDLER Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 05 2010 at 14:34
Originally posted by Dean Dean wrote:

Originally posted by TODDLER TODDLER wrote:

Originally posted by classicprogsovereign classicprogsovereign wrote:

There is one thing I want to say; there's a difference between recognition and popularity. Well, there's a difference between POSITIVE recognition and popularity; I don't see the Velvet Underground selling thousands of records a day. Influence and recognition go hand-in-hand, but recognition and popularity do not, if that makes any sense.
I understand totally where you are going with this. It's very difficult to not offend a Pink Floyd fan when making an observation that may be factual based. You end up crossing that barrier in which many defend personal preference as opposed to feeling open and discussing facts. The truth is that the Floyd sold out just like anybody else from their genre. But this happened long ago and the bulk of society does not seem to give the reality much weight. My point is plain and simple minded like meLOL You most likely will not find many to agree with you based simply on the odds. I personally was turned off by Floyd because the radio was cramming it down my throat. There are about 3 generations of people who grew up on the Pink Floyd light shows with flying pigs or if not that, fathers that played the music of specifically later Floyd material for their kids who are now into their 30's and 40's. It's quite a population of people. To make an honest statement about the band's popularity and how certain things seem unjust to the world of prog regarding that popularity, is not only a tough call to make but daring in nature. 
... and ultimately pointless.
 
The popularity of any band does not affect the popularity of any other band, so bashing a popular band isn't going to make other bands more popular, neither is lamenting over those bands' relative unpopularity. Rock Music is not a competitive sport, Progressive Rock doubly so.
 
If a band is popular it is not their fault nor is it the fault of their fans so any negative reaction by the fans is understandable. "Selling out" is no guarantee of success and more often than not is a recipe for disaster, if writing a hit was so easy we'd all be doing it, to write a hit and keep your integrity is even harder, write something you believe in and it finding success after the event is not selling out, it's serendipity, fate, luck, hardwork and a lot of other random events, like doing the right thing in the right place at the right time - however unlikely that may appear to be by chance alone, it happens and no one can predict with any certainty how things become popular or if things will become popular. I defy anyone to show how popular Prog bands like Floyd, Yes, ELP and Genesis arrived at their fame and popularity by any planned, orchestrated and manufactured route - they all had a degree of popularity (at least in their home country) long before any stadium success or radio over-play: Tales From Topographic Oceans was Yes's first #1 album, Atom Heart Mother was Floyd's, Tarkus was ELP's, Stand Up was Tull's ... SEbtP hit #3 (they had to wait for Duke for a #1), King Crimson's first two albums entered the top 5... all those albums were released long before any claim of selling-out could be levelled at them ... and all of this without national radio-play.
 
If a band is being overplayed on the (US) radio it's not their fault or even the fault of their fans, blame the radio station's narrow-minded playlist or your finger for being unable to find the tunning dial, but don't blame the song for being too popular. If your dad played them too much when you were growing up, it's his fault, or perhaps yours for not buying him something else on father's day.
 
 
Believe me I know the radio industry all too well and I agree with you totally. For about 30 years now in Philadelphia and South Jersey, the after hour radio programs which once aired the music of Van Der Graff, Camel and Univers Zero are now defunct. All the examples you gave such as Topographic Oceans, Atom Heart Mother etc;  had a degree of popularity true. This is another point taken well. Much of the frustration brought forth originally in this thread has more to do with prog fans that find the instrumentation or playing of Pink Floyd lack-luster. Why are they placed in a monumental height whenever the term prog is used? Some fans might be confused due to their expectations of notes. I can't relate  with that personally. Floyd made their mark with a different musical approach. But on the other hand lack of promotion through radio and record company distribution has cause a zillion kids to investigate the playing of Eric Clapton and not Mike Bloomfield. So in that fashion alone it causes unjustified and overwhelming terms to enter the life of great underdog guitar players. Why would your family member (who might be brainwashed by media), go out of his way and introduce the guitar playing of Pat Metheny, Terry Kath or John McLaughlin to you, when Eric Clapton is God? It's so much easier to give Clapton the ole' spin. Why bother educating your kid when you know darn well he is interested in being a true player?

Maybe it's not intentional for a father or fam member to do this. But as Doctor Grant from Jurassic Park III says: Some of the worst things imaginable have been done with the best intentions. And this is surely one of them that has corrupted the open mind process of the child searching for the ultimate music outlet. This has zero to do with those that like Clapton or Floyd as a personal preference. No it is not their fault regarding success. But many people feel confused as to why anyone would have a negative comment to say about them. I would never force feed the music of Univers Zero or Steeleye Span to anyone and I can also clearly understand why people dislike their music. But with Floyd fans it seems a touchy subject. Floyd are huge and they are icons to a mass. My point is that you will never reach that many Floyd fans with this analogy. Regarding writing a hit? And if it were easy, why wouldn't we all be doing it? Do you honestly think that rock musicians or any type of artists write good earthy hit songs today? I can see Earth, Wind and Fire writing great hit songs and well structured or even Elton John. But people just don't seem to write beautiful hit records like that today. Sly and the Family Stone or 10CC? Dave Mathews yes, but not many can actually do it to perfection.  It's so easy to cop out and write a simple or just plain stupied ballad or dance tune. It doesn't take much talent to do it. It never did. Not even in the early 70's. Songs that the drunk on the street corner could master on the guitar because it only contains 3 chords. Simple is beautiful but only if it is written with taste. That was the huge difference between Beatles hit songs and some of those dreadful bubblegum music hits in the 60's. A song like Paperback Writer or I Feel Fine was a relief to hear after the 1910 Fruitgum Company's Simon Says. Maybe some prog fans in this world feel the same way about Pink Floyd. Maybe that lack of rapid playing. Their expectations are too high of the Floyd and they are let down and confused about the fuss?    
Back to Top
Dean View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Retired Admin and Amateur Layabout

Joined: May 13 2007
Location: Europe
Status: Offline
Points: 37575 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dean Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 05 2010 at 17:43
Originally posted by TODDLER TODDLER wrote:

Believe me I know the radio industry all too well and I agree with you totally. For about 30 years now in Philadelphia and South Jersey, the after hour radio programs which once aired the music of Van Der Graff, Camel and Univers Zero are now defunct. All the examples you gave such as Topographic Oceans, Atom Heart Mother etc;  had a degree of popularity true. This is another point taken well. Much of the frustration brought forth originally in this thread has more to do with prog fans that find the instrumentation or playing of Pink Floyd lack-luster. Why are they placed in a monumental height whenever the term prog is used? Some fans might be confused due to their expectations of notes. I can't relate  with that personally. Floyd made their mark with a different musical approach. But on the other hand lack of promotion through radio and record company distribution has cause a zillion kids to investigate the playing of Eric Clapton and not Mike Bloomfield. So in that fashion alone it causes unjustified and overwhelming terms to enter the life of great underdog guitar players. Why would your family member (who might be brainwashed by media), go out of his way and introduce the guitar playing of Pat Metheny, Terry Kath or John McLaughlin to you, when Eric Clapton is God? It's so much easier to give Clapton the ole' spin. Why bother educating your kid when you know darn well he is interested in being a true player?

Maybe it's not intentional for a father or fam member to do this. But as Doctor Grant from Jurassic Park III says: Some of the worst things imaginable have been done with the best intentions. And this is surely one of them that has corrupted the open mind process of the child searching for the ultimate music outlet. This has zero to do with those that like Clapton or Floyd as a personal preference. No it is not their fault regarding success. But many people feel confused as to why anyone would have a negative comment to say about them. I would never force feed the music of Univers Zero or Steeleye Span to anyone and I can also clearly understand why people dislike their music. But with Floyd fans it seems a touchy subject. Floyd are huge and they are icons to a mass. My point is that you will never reach that many Floyd fans with this analogy. Regarding writing a hit? And if it were easy, why wouldn't we all be doing it? Do you honestly think that rock musicians or any type of artists write good earthy hit songs today? I can see Earth, Wind and Fire writing great hit songs and well structured or even Elton John. But people just don't seem to write beautiful hit records like that today. Sly and the Family Stone or 10CC? Dave Mathews yes, but not many can actually do it to perfection.  It's so easy to cop out and write a simple or just plain stupied ballad or dance tune. It doesn't take much talent to do it. It never did. Not even in the early 70's. Songs that the drunk on the street corner could master on the guitar because it only contains 3 chords. Simple is beautiful but only if it is written with taste. That was the huge difference between Beatles hit songs and some of those dreadful bubblegum music hits in the 60's. A song like Paperback Writer or I Feel Fine was a relief to hear after the 1910 Fruitgum Company's Simon Says. Maybe some prog fans in this world feel the same way about Pink Floyd. Maybe that lack of rapid playing. Their expectations are too high of the Floyd and they are let down and confused about the fuss?    
You've said a lot here and not much that I can agree with,
 
If all a kid hears while he is growing up is Clapton and that does not inspire him to go and explore other guitarists then he's not a music fan. If someone hasn't by this stage in the game worked out that there are many flavours of Progressive Rock, of which Pink Floyd is but one example then they are not a Progressive Rock fan: if someone likes Gentle Giant or Van der Graaf Generator then they are not going to have false expectations of Pink Floyd unless they've lived in a GG & VdGG only vacuum for the past 40 years; similarily if a symphonic rock fan doesn't think Floyd sounds Prog to them then they need to get out more. Whether you compare The Beatles with 1910 Fruit Gum Company or Simon Dupree And The Big Sound matters little when all of them had hit singles, you need to compare them to all the millions of wannabe failed pop songs to get a true picture of how difficult it is to write a hit.
 
Progressive rock fans gauge their music on merit and merit alone, we are (relatively) immune to promotional advertising and hype, we make our own minds-up based on what we hear. If Pink Floyd were a fly-by-night one hit wonder then I'd agree with your incredulity at their success, but that they have acquired this acclaim over the course of 40 years, long after the EMI/Capitol publicity machine had ground to a lumbering halt, then I cannot agree; that they have acquired fans young and old along the way without excessive hype, pretty-boy posters, charismatic front-men and dayglo lunchboxes in Wal*mart suggests to me that it is the music alone that is doing this, that somewhere in that lack lustre musicianship and technoflash guitar playing, the music is enough and that the music is Prog enough. (Look through the 5-star reviews for any PF album ... most of them are not by die-hard Floyd fans)
 
Floyd fans are not touchy, they are not confused, nor do they place them on some mythical Prog pedestal. Floyd fans are well aware of the band's problems and limitations. After all they've been told enough times, some of it must be getting through by now. Wink
 
What?
Back to Top
el_macleod View Drop Down
Forum Newbie
Forum Newbie
Avatar

Joined: November 18 2009
Location: Singapore.
Status: Offline
Points: 25 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote el_macleod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 05 2010 at 20:09
Originally posted by Dean Dean wrote:


Progressive rock fans gauge their music on merit and merit alone, we are (relatively) immune to promotional advertising and hype, we make our own minds-up based on what we hear. If Pink Floyd were a fly-by-night one hit wonder then I'd agree with your incredulity at their success, but that they have acquired this acclaim over the course of 40 years, long after the EMI/Capitol publicity machine had ground to a lumbering halt, then I cannot agree; that they have acquired fans young and old along the way without excessive hype, pretty-boy posters, charismatic front-men and dayglo lunchboxes in Wal*mart suggests to me that it is the music alone that is doing this, that somewhere in that lack lustre musicianship and technoflash guitar playing, the music is enough and that the music is Prog enough. (Look through the 5-star reviews for any PF album ... most of them are not by die-hard Floyd fans)
 
Floyd fans are not touchy, they are not confused, nor do they place them on some mythical Prog pedestal. Floyd fans are well aware of the band's problems and limitations. After all they've been told enough times, some of it must be getting through by now. Wink
 

Amen.
... Yes, that was Random.
Back to Top
Textbook View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member


Joined: October 08 2009
Status: Offline
Points: 3281 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Textbook Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 06 2010 at 02:10
Pink Floyd are an excellent band but I've either outgrown them (in that they're too simple now- back then they were mind blowing but now my taste/mind has developed further and they're comparatively quaint, or that the emotions they expressed are no longer powerful and captivating to me now my life is full of other things) or I just heard the songs so often they're burned into my brain. Whatever it is, while I love them and have their whole catalogue committed to memory, I never listen to them at all anymore.
Back to Top
someone_else View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar
VIP Member

Joined: May 02 2008
Location: Going Bananas
Status: Offline
Points: 24638 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote someone_else Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 06 2010 at 02:51
Originally posted by Textbook Textbook wrote:

Pink Floyd are an excellent band but I've either outgrown them (in that they're too simple now- back then they were mind blowing but now my taste/mind has developed further and they're comparatively quaint, or that the emotions they expressed are no longer powerful and captivating to me now my life is full of other things) or I just heard the songs so often they're burned into my brain. Whatever it is, while I love them and have their whole catalogue committed to memory, I never listen to them at all anymore.
 
I feel the same way. I don't get kind of sick of them (this may happen when I get kind of sick in my mind), but I seldom listen to them anymore because I know their whole catalogue by heart. It is not because they are too simple because whether I like a band or not is not determined by the level of complexity or virtuosity.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 56789 15>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.262 seconds.
Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.