Neo-Prog ==> Melodic Progressive

Melodic Prog Rock (or Melodic Prog, though I prefer the former) would be better, since some might argue that a lot of the music is not really progressive (I use progressive by itself in an adjectival sense).  It would still lead to confusion since, say, Symphonic Prog (which is also a misleading term) is commonly melodic.  So I'd just keep it as is unless there was a really descriptive title (and that is not intended an invitation to "colourful" (i.e. derogatory) language describing Neo Prog).

I was confused with the term Neo-Prog about ten years ago as I first thought it equalled something like all Post-classic Prog, but people who don't know the categorisation Melodic Rock might also be confused.  As for New Prog (aka Nu Prog), I have suggested that as a possible category or designation here before and practically got flamed for it (I still think it a useful designation, if not as a  category proper, but just generally so).

Edited by Logan - October 12 2012 at 13:23

I don't think the two terms are synonymous so I would say No, although I understand your intention

What is melodic prog ? a mix of prog and AOR ? I remember once I was in a record store, and I started discussing with someone about Jorn lande's project, Ark. The guy tried to convince me that "progressive" is synonym of "melodic"...

firstlensman wrote: With the advent of "New Prog" (Radiohead, Mars Volta, et. al.), should this site consider changing the name of the category "Neo-Prog" to "Melodic Progressive" in order avoid confusion for new aficionados of Progressive Music?

Whose gonna confuse either Radiohead or The Mars Volta with Marillion or IQ?

Dean wrote: The name "Neo Prog" has historical significance, even if it was seen as derogatory by many. New Prog is (at present) journalistic laziness since non-Prog bands like Elbow, Coldplay, 30 Seconds to Mars and Doves also get tagged with this epithet because they get a bit "diverse" and use string arangements in their productions - the "problem" for me is seperating those bands from those we recognise as being Prog if we subject them to a nebulous categorisation based upon lazy journalism rather than musicological definitions. For me, Melodic Prog would be far to board a category to be of any practical value, since that would encompas too many existing Prog subgenres, such as Symphonic, Crossover, Eclectic, Prog Folk, Electronic and Neo Prog - all of whom have melodic bands in their number.

Edited by kenethlevine - October 21 2012 at 18:48

Dean wrote: The name "Neo Prog" has historical significance, even if it was seen as derogatory by many. New Prog is (at present) journalistic laziness since non-Prog bands like Elbow, Coldplay, 30 Seconds to Mars and Doves also get tagged with this epithet because they get a bit "diverse" and use string arangements in their productions - the "problem" for me is seperating those bands from those we recognise as being Prog if we subject them to a nebulous categorisation based upon lazy journalism rather than musicological definitions. For me, Melodic Prog would be far to board a category to be of any practical value, since that would encompas too many existing Prog subgenres, such as Symphonic, Crossover, Eclectic, Prog Folk, Electronic and Neo Prog - all of whom have melodic bands in their number.

Agreed.

Anaon wrote: Hi! How would you describe progressive rock which is not technically complex, without being space or art rock?

I wish some people would stop turning their nose up at the genre tag, even some of the bands labelled it! It is not an instant negative, nor does it sell them short or make then any inferior to other genres of progressive rock.

Plenty of times for me I like to know a band is Neo styled, gives me an instant idea of what to look forward to hearing from them.

Snobbery, dismissal and people's attitude towards the Neo Prog tag is what needs to change!

Thanks! It's interesting  i'm asking because I'm searching for the best way to describe my music, I've been reviewed in the crossover section on ProgArchives but I feel people don't really know what it means outside the prog circles.

Just saw this thread and actually fully agree with all above.Neo Prog is already a classic term, that shouln't be changed, these bands came straight out of the need for the survival of Prog music, while Coldplay and Muse's sound is even questionable ifbeing prog.Additionally tons of symphonic and crossover bands and albums are melodic, so we should also split them to melodic and non-melodic as well.Frustrating work to say the least.