Spirit of the Ages

fuxi wrote: ^ I don't see that it makes much of difference being male or female. I'm a bloke, but I also think I "never analyze those elements separately, but rather as part of a whole". For example, silly lyrics are ONLY ever a problem if they are sung overbearingly, as with The Flower Kings. They tend not to bother me if they are sung sweetly, as with Discus (Indonesia's prime prog band, for those who are not yet in the know). So yes, you could say the entire context matters. A lot.

It may not make a lot of difference for you, but generally it is recognized that women tend to see the whole, and men to break things into smaller units. This is the impression I got from some of the posts above mine - it was not meant to be a sexist remark in reverse.

Being a woman, I usually listen to the whole picture, so to speak. In order to be aware of the various elements that make up a given song or album, I have to sit down and pay attention, which is not always possible - this is what I do when I start work on a review. For me, it is the best way to really 'get' the music. However, I never analyze those elements separately, but  rather as part of a whole. I don't know if it is a clear enough explanation, but this is how things go for me.  

First of all I have to like the recording. It has to have some visual space (drums in the back, guitar in the left front.. etc). The treble/mid/bass has to be good and the recording mustn't be too rough or even worse too polished. The guitars must sound full and the synths mustn't sound 80's like.

Then come the clichés. If I can predict everything that's going to happen the music I dislike the record. Good prog must be original for me. Drums should not be to dominant and I like it when I can hear a clear bass-guitar.

Then comes the technical abilities of the musicians and the compositions themselves. It doesn't matter which instruments are dominant, as long it is done in a way the qualities of the band-members are in place.

After that I will try do listen to lyrics and concepts. I like bands with a vision, bands like King Crimson, VdGG and a lot of Italian bands. Random instrumental and vocal parts without vision are not that interesting.

Conceptual feel of the album. Does the album have a satisfactionary begin and end feel. Does the emotional development of the album feel right? Godbluff is an album with such great a development, as many others.

Well.. that sums it up I think. Important throughout is that I have to hear at least some moments that touch me right away (as in some majestic prog atmospheres).

An interesting question! I think I follow the same process as you, but vocals play an important role as well. If the singing is over-emphatic (as with the Flower Kings, or early Spock's Beard) the band automatically moves down a notch in my appreciation, and if the lyrics are childish or plain "wrong" (same two bands) the same thing applies. If the singing merely annoys (as with the Tangent), ditto.

This is why I was so impressed by the latest Big Big Train album, which I've only just explored. (Thanks to Progarchives.) Not only are the compositions great, and the playing inspired, but the singing is exemplary (if you don't mind the inevitable Phil Collins influence, which I don't), the lyrics are subtle, and the cover art is among the best I've seen.

I just couldn't believe my luck with that album. So far I've only played it twice, but I think it may be the most satisfactory prog album to come out of the English-speaking world in thirty years!