Popular Prog Bands that you just can't get into

SergiUriah wrote: I just only would like to know a thing. Why some works from Santana (even I only have his first one, and a Greatest Hits and Abraxas I have listened 70´s Lps too...) are named in this page as Prog Albums???

SgtPepper67 wrote: Also, Gentle Giant, I tried with several of their albums but I can't get into them, especially their sung melodies, they doesn't flow at all jumping from one note to another without any melodic sense.

Edited by Henry Plainview - June 13 2009 at 22:38

micky wrote: listen wrote: SergiUriah wrote: I just only would like to know a thing. Why some works from Santana (even I only have his first one, and a Greatest Hits and Abraxas I have listened 70´s Lps too...) are named in this page as Prog Albums??? Well Caravanserai is their most progressive. The other albums are there at least because caravanserai is prog. the two before it were just as progressive.... whether any of them is 'prog' is up to the individual I guess.   To deny they were progressive ..well...  I guess you could...  it wouldn't say much to most everyone else about your knowledge of music though hahha.  Santana is like others before... and others to come.. they probably stretch the limits of what 'prog' is...  but that is not such a bad thing.  The name of the site is exposure.. not just for new, unknown bands... but bands that might need a second look... a fresh perspective on their music..

Snow Dog wrote: I mean Magma fans can't be wrong....can they?

Also, ELP is the only one for me. They might be able to make a good song, and their debut is OK, but really they had the musical ability to make really good music and just didn't.

Otherwise, I like Magma, Gentle Giant, Henry Cow, etc. but I really don't care enough to really like them. Whatever.

Must add the Mars Volta.  Blech!

The Flower Kings
Spock's Beard

and above all else: Dream Theater.

I admit to enjoying the bickering.  It does make this place more amusing, entertaining, and lively. 

What's pretty cool for me is that I have a desire to find common musical ground with people, which is partially a sign of my personal inadequacy methinks, and even though I may not share a huge amount in common with some people regarding likes, I can find quite a bit of musical camaraderie in terms of dislikes with some people whose tastes are not that similar to my own.  That makes me feel closer to the community.

Incidentally, although it's been well-covered already.  I was asked by Snow Dog which Magma album I'd recommend for someone who knows M.D.K. and doesn't much like it.  I agree with Rico that it may be best to start with Kobaia and work ones way up chronologically (incidentally, Kobaia happens to be my favourite though I love most Magma albums -- even Merci has its charms).  For some, though, K.A. would be a better starting point, or Live/Hhai.  I don't listen to the studio version of M.D.K. any more, as I much prefer live versions (I have a particular thing for the Retrospectiw 1-2 version).  It does depend to an extent on what Magma qualities one likes and dislikes for those that don't dig the music that much if one is somewhat familiar with them.  And it depends on the types of music one likes.  I'd recommend the first two to jazz-fusion aficionados.  Before buying albums, though, I'd suggest checking out the streaming mp3s here, checking youtube, and myspace.  I prefer to let my own ears guide me if possible. 

Another option might be to get Hamtaï! Hommage à la musique de Christian Vander (a Magma/ Vander tribute album).  I wrote a lousy review as I get bored very quickly when writing such stuff, but CPicard wrote a good one.  Or maybe get an OFFERING album, or a VANDER, CHRISTIAN one.  He has more than is listed on the PA page, but Les Cygnes.... is a good one.  For some, a good way to get into Magma would be to expose oneself to other Zeuhl bands first, because Magma can prove more challenging than some other ones, but those can lead one to Magma.  ESKATON's début will work for some (listen to the streaming track if you haven't already) -- I happen to love female operatic vocals.  I got rather bored with the album over time, though I used to absolutely love it.  Magma is my fave Zeuhl band, and I still really love Shub-Niggurath and Zao.  I was a Zeuhl completist at one time, but these days in Zeuhl it's mostly about Magma.  There is so much great Zeuhl and Zeuhl-related stuff.  One album that can be put in the Zeuhl universe that had a really big effect on me was Jean-Paul Prat's Masal.  I have a natural inclination towards jazzy progressive rock, though.

EDIT:  And check out Vox Nostra, a heavily Magma-inspired band which has allowed PA to stream all of the tracks from its Anima album: http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=4493

Incidentally, incidentally, Vander is big on Coltrane, and one might want to get Giant Steps.  With MDK, it might help or hinder if one likes Orff's Carmina Burana ("O Fortuna").  Another way to possibly get some more M.D.K enjoyment is by watching this (again thank to Song of Copper for the find).  Very fun, and Magma should be fun (and in turn sublime for me -- won't tickle everyone's funny bones though):



Also check out: http://www.myspace.com/magmabootlegs for Magma crossover tracks.  They have a fairly new to that page track "King Magma" which is good.  I like the AC/DC Magma one.  

Edited by Logan - June 14 2009 at 13:15

Visitor13 wrote: Is this thread about bands we can't get into or bands we don't like?