Good 'Progressive Pop' bands?

Mascodagama wrote: GreatBeyonder wrote: I feel like if I was a bitter and confused Wall Street broker facing the latest recession crisis, a Steely Dan record would be the soundtrack I blow my brains out to.   And they even wrote a song that is pretty much for that.

thebeastmustdie wrote: siLLy puPPy wrote: Super Furry Animals   yes! first band I thought of...   recommended tracks (bearing OP's request in mind):   Ice Hockey Hair, Mountain People, Citizen's Band, Receptacle For The Respectable, Hometown Unicorn   aglasshouse wrote: 10cc. They're good when they do pop, although they play a variety of things as well. definitely. think Sheet Music and How Dare You are probably the best album examples for this thread. They went very 'normal' pop when Godley & Crème left. - in fact and Godley & Creme's "L" would be worth checking out as well. to me that album is more like 10CC than anything 10CC put their name to after How Dare You...   btw, I've tried hard to get into Alan Parsons Project but aside from loving the album covers, the imagery, the instrumentation, the whole future/retro concepts, etc.. the actual music leaves me a bit bored.

I'm with you on Alan Parsons'. After the first two albums, it was quite a slide. And Godley/Creme's L, I feel, is required listening for this category. Does anyone feel the same about the obscure Random Hold?

Tai Phong perhaps? They had amazing melodies abd harmonies on their first album.

dr wu23 wrote: Mascodagama wrote: GreatBeyonder wrote: I feel like if I was a bitter and confused Wall Street broker facing the latest recession crisis, a Steely Dan record would be the soundtrack I blow my brains out to.   And they even wrote a song that is pretty much for that.     Yes...they did,   and that's one of my favorite tracks from perhaps my favorite Dan album.

thebeastmustdie wrote: Rednight wrote: And Godley/Creme's L, I feel, is required listening for this category. Does anyone feel the same about the obscure Random Hold?   never heard of Random Hold, will have to check them out... cheers

Yeah, two members of 'Hold did great other things: David Rhodes was (and is?) Peter Gabriel's guitarist, among a few, and Simon Ainley provided lead vocals for 801's (Phil Manzanera) Listen Now, one of my absolute favorite albums.

I think this song fits the description!

Fate of Tom Brady FINAL

An attempt to get more exposure for the song Fate by Discomedusa, by putting together some Tom Brady clips...

youtube.com

hopefully this thread may be of some help, no?..

Son.of.Tiresias wrote: Logan wrote: GreatBeyonder wrote: Dellinger wrote: Alan Parsons Project. I've actually never checked them out, though I know Alan Parsons worked on Dark Side of the Moon. Will definitely give their stuff a listen though. :) I think I Robot and Tales of Mystery and Imagination is essential listening. For sure. In a nutshell, "I Robot" from 1977 is Parson´s finest and as progressive as (rock) music can get, from start to finish. One of the finest concept albums in classic prog. To speculate whether it is "pop" or "rock" music is totally irrelevant.

Ummmm finally. People who feel and know just how damn good I-Robot is!

It is my most loved APP album and one of my all time desert island takes.
It's a perfect album for me.

Rednight wrote: For sure. In a nutshell, "I Robot" from 1977 is Parson´s finest and as progressive as (rock) music can get, from start to finish. One of the finest concept albums in classic prog. To speculate whether it is "pop" or "rock" music is totally irrelevant.

As fine an example of hyperbole as ever written in this forum. No, Tales of Mystery' is Parsons' most noted work and falls comfortably within the category of "classic" prog. That can't be said for 'Robot. It is indeed of a primarily "pop" construction with prog leanings. Has the best album cover of all the projects though (thanks Hipgnosis).[/QUOTE]

Edited by Son.of.Tiresias - June 01 2016 at 01:43

Given your criteria of "emphasizes harmony, melody, and accessibility while displaying a fondness for instrumental virtuosity" Frost* might fit the bill. Fronted by Jem Godfrey. I think their second album (Experiments in Mass Appeal) is more poppy than than their first (Milliontown). But both have songs that I'd classify with your criteria.



Saga might lean more toward rock than pop, but some of their songs are pretty accessible while having some pretty neat prog elements. (I'm not a huge fan of Saga, but I'll let you decide.)