What is prog? (really)

 

If defined as a genre, then it is not truly "progressive" at all as shown by the neo (retro) prog (note: I have not widely listenned to neo-prog, therefore I may be entirely wrong, but what I have heard bores me to death, I find it way to derivative and not at all fresh, Frank Zappa's phrase "death by nostalgia" comes to mind), this regressive nature seems completely against the mindset of the prog rock from the seventies. Also I think the bands that have been most progressive in the last fifteen years are the ones that sound least like the sympho-prog of the seventies. These bands include Radiohead, Sigur Ros, Hella, Phish (yes, Phish), and TriPod.

 

However, if it is simply a mindset/attempt, then not only is neo prog is not prog, but niether is other less experimental (but still very good) bands from the seventies, such as Rush (though you may argue that Rush was experimental, as I have not listenned to much of them I am hardly an expert)

 

I believe a better classifiacation system would be to define certain genre that arrose out of the prog movement (which I do not believe died in the seventies), for example, I see much of neo-prog to be better classified simply as sympho rock, rather that calling it prog (though as I said I haven't heard much neo-prog)

 

I understand that this is badly researched and badly written (i.e. not comprehensive, or cohesive) but I would appreciatete comments or criticisms

 

Well Said Xenoxen. I am new to this sight but xenoxen statement really pulled me in to reply.

 

there are 10000000000 topic like this!!!!!!!!   

What is prog? ladies and gentlemen, are you sitting comfortably? then i will begin...

 

Far away in a place called  "En-ger-land" the mighty Prog Dinosaur, successor of a long line of wild warrior kings from far away such as Blues, Rock'n'Roll,  Beat, Pop and Psyche, ruled happily and peacefully for many years. Prog Dinosaur held court with the Great Emperor Heavy Rock and they feasted and made merry together and eventually became very fat, and after the great Prog/Punk war of 1976, in which the mighty Prog Dinosaur was mortally wounded, the New Wave Punk Gremlins held sway for a very short time and were in turn defeated by the NWOBHM Army, who were in turn destroyed by the Britpop Trolls, but meanwhile the son of Prog Dinosaur "Neo Prog" and his many followers came out from exile and settled in En-ger-land, where they preached the new Prog and soon found many new followers from all over the world. They formed an alliance with the Fiery Metal Dragon, the Krautrock King, the Jazz Giant and many others. They spread their peaceful message across the world and still continue to gain great influence with many young warriors and elders alike. Nowadays the elders sit by the fire and remember many gigs and battles fought during the great days of the Prog Dinosaur - may we remember him and may his new family of descendants prosper - and all hail to that i say!!!! ALL HAIL!!!