Neo prog bands, is there a real problem?

The only time labels bother me is when a band falls completely into one and defines all its music by those definitions. Neo-prog does seem to struggle with this a lot, as a number of the bands there jump into that definition and never step out of it. However, bands like Frost* (which apparently is neo-prog? Anyways) don't take the standards for the genre and fit their music into them; rather, they play with them, go outside them, use them as a system of rules to rebel against. This applies to any genre. A progressive metal band that plays only standard progressive metal and never stretches themselves anywhere beyond casual riffing in 19/4 time is just as bad as any neo-prog band that sounds like they wish they were Genesis. It happens in all genres (one could say there is no other way around it in eclectic prog, hehe), and it's unfortunate, but not every band can really push creativity and power themselves on to something outside their genre.

Silver Sable wrote: I usually lose interest when a band puts out essentially the same album over and over again.

There has been a strong push for the multi-tagging of albums.  I am involved with a category where bands are particularly eclectic (both from album to album as well as eclectic on albums).  If one could search effectively by tags, I'm sure one would find albums that would appeal to some extent in every category.  Using Marc Cecotti (who is listed under Neo-Prog), whom I mentioned before, CECCOTTI, MARC http://www.myspace.com/marcceccotti, as an example, his last album appeals very much to me, even though Neo-Prog is one of my least favourite categories on the whole.  He has changed his sound over time, and could be multi-categorised/ tagged.  I'd be interested to hear how the Neo-Prog team would classify his latest as I'm no expert on the "genre".



Edited by Logan - October 03 2008 at 13:54

Silver Sable wrote: @ Ivan - I accept some defining labels as necessary.  And I can understand that there is a huge difference between various forms of music that fall under "prog".  I just don't like when people get so attached to their labels that they don't like things that aren't easily labeled and yet they like to decry anything that is so simplified as to fit into one progressive rock subgenre.  Yeah... I'm kinda jaded by some of the reviewers out there who to some extent define the subgenres and who fits into what.  Maybe it is that or maybe I just like bands that are constantly evolving while keeping a unified sound.  I usually lose interest when a band puts out essentially the same album over and over again.

1. Yes
1. Yes Album: Mainly a Rock album with Prog elements, great tracks as Your´s is no Disgrace, are mainly Blues Rock with ornaments.
2. Close to the Edge: It's a Baroque fantasy
3. Relayer: Probably the most adventurous Yes album, touches Jazz, Avant, Rock, Symph, etc
2. Genesis:
1. Trespass: A dark obscure album where the acoustic guiotar is the main sound
2. Nursery Cryme: An eclectic album, goes from drama and violence (Musical Box) to dark sarcasm (Harold The Barrell)
3. Foxtrot: Their most elaborate album, with an epic that takes all side two for the first time-
4. SEBTP: Friendly, softer and well elaborate.
5. TLLDOB: A total and unexpected change, nothing done previously sounds remotely close.

But yet, all this albums are Symphonic.

stonebeard wrote:

That about says it all.

Windhawk wrote: Logan - I have Ceccotti's latest on my to do list for Progressor - so you'll get my view of it in due time *chuckles*

Excellent; thanks!

I've come to a realization: neo-prog is a lot like James Bond movies. What we have are classic ideas used differently, and sometimes certain releases stand above the rest. However, few actually move beyond the usual standards. Different faces but similar manners of playing out. Once in a long while, a bit of neo-prog plays outside the boundary and confuses some people while exciting others. I don't know. Neo-prog is neat, I just can't dive very deep into it.

Wow, I seem to owe an explanation, so there it is.

Thanks, Logan!