The Arrogant Proggie

Is someone can explain why we seem to debate about what makes the superiority of music ?

Is this form supposed to question id proggies are arrogant ?

For me, the answer is quite simple - they are not arrogant ; they are proud !

-Radioswim- wrote: Ultime wrote: Is someone can explain why we seem to debate about what makes the superiority of music ? Is this form supposed to question id proggies are arrogant ? For me, the answer is quite simple - they are not arrogant ; they are proud ! I'm particularly proud of myself for years and years back asking the question. "Is there more?" Back when I was listening to Nirvana. Green day. etc...  I just got bored of it. I'm proud of myself for taking the time to explore my musical universe. I kind of felt like an Oceanic explorer for a while. I still sometimes do. Is there something wrong with Pop music? Nah. I actually Listen and Enjoy plenty of pop songs. It's rare that I see a great album imerge though. But there is something that bugs me about a person that almost entirely listens to Pop music and 'indie' music and dares to utter the words "I love all music".... I cringe whenever I hear people say this. Cause theres no DAMN way in this day in age, with all of the genre's and exploration of sound, that you sir like ALL MUSIC. Call me a sexist, but I think it sounds even more like Nails on a Chalk board when a Female in her early 20s says it... Maybe I'm just generalising here. Oh Look it's my arrogant proginess coming out

I like all music is code for "I have no taste/analytical abilities."

Edited by Deathrabbit - July 06 2009 at 21:23

Why get angry at people who choose not to explore something in which they limited interest ?

I know many people who "like" music. Most of them are not music freaks, and don't feel any need to spend any time searching for "good" music when they can readily find all the music they want.
 
And as far as "appreciating" music - I appreciate the effort you're making no to sound like you're looking down your nose at these people who "like" all types of music.

I like all types of people who can't be bothered to nit pick on the slightest thing that has absolutely no impact on their life.

I think that pop music and prog have many great vocalists, and poor ones. 

What I do think is that progressive forms of rock is more likely to lend itself to, and interest, classically-trained, musicians and vocalists, as progressive forms of rock is open to a wider range of expression, than generic rock.  Of course academic music informs prog.  I happen to prefer operatic vocals, commonly, to other forms.

There are some vary good famous names doing pop such as Sarak Brightman, or Andrea Bocelli who moved from pop into opera and into operatic pop.   Prog has names such as Topi Lehtipuu of Hoyry-Kone and Caroline Prieto of Kotebel -- the vocalists of Eskaton etc.

Freddie Mercury was very good, though I tend to think of Queen as pop-rock as much as a progressive-oriented band.  I don't know Crimson Glory, but the other bands will be widely not considered prog (by prog purists, and by people who buy their music).

To be fair, I'm not a prog purist. I like to consider as much of the music as possible that I listen to to be prog (not that I unjustly name bands as prog, rather I call a band prog when I hear someone else has) for the reasons that I like the associations attributed to it, and I've only witnessed modern bands in my era of youth.

I don't think the question of arrogance is prog is really valid to be honest. Artists in general must beleive what they are doing has a point, otherwise it is aimless. I think it would be more advisable to say that artistry requires inherent arrogance. Why would someone write music (commercially) if they did not think it has a purpose or value? That being said, the value of said art is subjective, so make of it what you will, and be happy with that.

I agree however, that due to some of the classical, jazz, fusion and technical elements of prog, it attracts a type of person who is not easily satisfied by some music.


Edited by Any Colour You Like - July 07 2009 at 21:24

I think we proggies get more stick than fans of most other music genres, possibly along with metal and they happen to be my two favourite types.  I don't try to say it's superior to any other kind of music, it's just that it sounds the best to me, but it's not for everyone.

sealchan wrote: I suppose given that in many cases the musicianship of progressive rock is better than average pop or rock, this is a natural occurrence especially if you are younger.  These days there is so little musicianship left in pop music (sampled tape loops and whatnot) that it is like apples and oranges to compare prog to rap or dance.

Do you even know what "musicianship" is?  Musicianship is not just about playing an instrument, it's about songwriting as well. Most prog bands are not very good songwriters. And Porcupine Tree use samples and tape loops.

sealchan wrote: 2.  Catchier melodies in pop, especially if producers and other non-musical professionals get involved

No, it's not that. It's just that pop artists are more focused on melodic songwriting. Tunefulness is not one of prog's strongest points.

sealchan wrote: Any justifications for being more of a prog snob?

"prog snob"? Prog-retard is more like it! Prog has far too many flaws to be above any other music.

Streetcleaner, why are you even on this forum?  Posts like that would make a lot of people mad here...

And yes, I do fit the definition of an arrogant progster.  While I'm not a prog purist (I still do really enjoy artists like Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains, and Foo Fighters), I will argue that progressive rock is far superior to many other forms of music, and it annoys the living hell out of all my friends, who listen to much of today's popular rock.  I acknowledge that music is subjective, and I acknowledge that I can be a very arrogant jerk when insulting other people's music.  Call it a character flaw.

One thing that has always baffled me about pop/hip-hop/rap is how people say that a certain song has a "good beat".  I have always found it difficult to enjoy music that is nothing more than merely a single-tone bass pluck in 4/4 time, some electronica, and either some American Idol-ish singer or some sort of monotonous speed lyric.  I see people bobbing or dancing to this "beat" and say that it's really catchy, when I find it to be the most utterly dull noise I've ever listened to.  But maybe then, another part of that is my arrongant proggie nature that prefers irregular beats, or the other part of me that really likes instrumental funk.