Second tier bands

According to the Cambridge dictionary, second tier is "used to describe a product, organization, etc. that is not among the biggest, most successful, or most important of its type". Despite how accurately one thinks the term is being used here, questions about the usefulness of the term, and its boundaries when describing something, I don't see it as an insulting term here, and of course not being the biggest and most successful in terms of sales and popularity/ knownness does not equal saying that it is of lesser quality. One might (subjectively) argue that bands in this list are more successful and important from an artistic perspective than more commercially successful projects.

Anyway, voting for Gong in this list is an easy choice for me.

Gong

dwill123 wrote: Focus.  I don't know how a band that has Jan Akkerman on guitar can be called 'second tier'.

AFlowerKingCrimson wrote: Lewian wrote: AFlowerKingCrimson wrote: Anyway, I would like to apologize to fans of Banco, Kayak, Wishbone Ash, Hawkwind, Grobschnitt, Le Orme, Soft Machine, Ange and all the other second tier bands that were not included. ;) Art Zoyd, Cardiacs, Talk Talk, Amon Düül II? Seriously, don't strive for completeness and don't be apologetic. You have chosen this because this is what you want us to vote on, and who complains should do their own poll.  Well, if I added AD2 I would have to add Can as well. I didn't add Can because to me they are more krautrock. Anyway, it seems when I do these kinds of polls there are always whiners who say "how come such and such is not on here?" I just thought I would let them know some of the other bands not mentioned in the poll are good too. Some of the ones you mentioned are not classic prog kinds of bands and are post golden era. I could have added IQ and Spock's Beard among others for that matter.

I think you didn't get the main message of my posting.

Caravan

Eloy = PFM

BaldJean wrote: AFlowerKingCrimson wrote: [where does "first tier" end and "second tier" begin? ] First tier ends with King Crimson. Second tier begins with Gentle Giant.  Just my opinion? Not really. It seems to be consensus based on all the time I've spent on prog forums over the years. Also, it seems that the whole tier thing is more about popularity and exposure than anything else. It's in no way meant to suggest that the lesser known bands don't have great albums that are in some cases as good as the so called first tier bands.  yes, just your opinion. once again, the term is meaningless for me. not only that, it is in my opinion an insult to call a band "second tier". "oh dear, you're just second tier hrmph hrmph". popularity is not an indicator for quality, as you yourself remarked. I would have had no objection had you called your post "less popular bands". but "second tier"? a big NO

Edited by AFlowerKingCrimson - January 21 2018 at 15:23

I actually agree with most of these bands being "lower-tier," although Storia Di Un Minuto is still one of the best albums out there, prog or otherwise. Nektar wins for sheer consistency and sincerity. 

Logan wrote: According to the Cambridge dictionary, second tier is "used to describe a product, organization, etc. that is not among the biggest, most successful, or most important of its type". Despite how accurately one thinks the term is being used here, questions about the usefulness of the term, and its boundaries when describing something, I don't see it as an insulting term here, and of course not being the biggest and most successful in terms of sales and popularity/ knownness does not equal saying that it is of lesser quality. One might (subjectively) argue that bands in this list are more successful and important from an artistic perspective than more commercially successful projects. Anyway, voting for Gong in this list is an easy choice for me.

Actually, I believe even the members of the bands listed here would agree that they are not first tier. I don't see any of them believing they were actually bigger than Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, ELP. Though I suppose bands like Focus or PFM were really huge in their own countries.

Renaissance, followed by Caravan.