Why can't Brits stand Archive?

All my Friends and family love them but outside that small circle everyone in the UK seems to find them repetitive and depressing! They are massive in Europe though.

Because they're aren't progressive? It's mellow indie rock.

Nogbad_The_Bad wrote: Because they're aren't progressive? It's mellow indie rock.

I have a feeling the UK can't identify with them because the usually take to an album with 2-4  lead singers. Musically they have a sound but definitely not vocally. Europe seems to be more pro-diversity than us. 

Edited by Matthew _Gill - May 23 2014 at 06:14

ExittheLemming wrote: ^ I quite liked this. Kinda trippy minimalistic electronica with a touch of ambient/glitch which builds very nicely to a (rather predictable) anthemic conclusion which does outstay its welcome a tad. It could be argued there is a smidgin of Floyd and Porcupine Tree in the harmonies. Nothing here to warrant the Prog sticker though.

Edited by Matthew _Gill - May 23 2014 at 07:28

The first time I've listened to one of their songs was on the radio and I thought it was something from tangerine Dream until they started singing. The song was "Bullets" from "Controlling Crowd" which I have later bought.

Nah, didn't really enjoy Dangervisit. Struck me at the start as sorta neo prog meets loop based music/ pale hip hop but this section was overly  repetitive with no redeeming hook. The groove changes feel quite markedly circa 4:19 to a more overtly rawk bent but it's a rather dull kit pattern that seems 'forced'. Is there a Roger Daltrey sample in there somewhere? I found the track to be a succession of decent parts that don't really belong together (especially the ending which just paddles down the sink like a drowned spider) Archive are clearly a very talented band but they just ain't my bag. I'm surprised the UK appears to ignore them as they strike me as having all the contemporary ingredients to be successful there


Edited by ExittheLemming - May 23 2014 at 08:31

Matthew _Gill wrote: octopus-4 wrote: The first time I've listened to one of their songs was on the radio and I thought it was something from tangerine Dream until they started singing. The song was "Bullets" from "Controlling Crowd" which I have later bought. Not all their output is prog, especially the first albums, but Controlling Crowd is a great album which I think is prog enough.  First album was Trip Hop, Rap to normal folk and the 2nd undeniably pop, but the 3rd onwards are impossible to classify without being too eclectic either. The Floyd though started as a live dance act then Psyche outfit then prog, so similar patterns.  Is the music too simple for prog rock fans?

Listening to With Us Until We're Dead right now. Very interesting; trip-hop with a strong cinematic scope. Prog-related would work as a classification, or Crossover.

I have, and love, Controlling Crowds.  It's not prog in the classic sens, but has some resemblance, and enough other interesting stuff to make it very fine.  Heard and liked WUUYD, but didn't make the effort to seek out a copy to buy.  If I could find it in a local store I definitely would!