The PROG/POP Spectrum

Scanning this fabulous site it becomes apparent that there are many different tastes in Prog music (what exactly "Prog Music" is, is another hotly contested debate altogether).

Some feel that Prog music should not be easily accessible, that it should not appeal to the masses, not be popular at all (High Prog/Low Pop). Others like their music to be progressive, but easily acessible at the same time (High Prog/High Pop). Still others want their music to be accesible and predictable (Low Prog/High Pop). And then there are those who don't like either Prog or Pop (Low Prog/Low Pop).

Using these differing musical tastes as boundaries for the whole Prog/Pop spectrum (and yes, this is a gross oversimplification) I came up with the nine musical varieties as listed in the poll above. In order to more clearly define the nine categories (more clearly, not more exactly), I used Genesis albums as examples of the nine points on the spectrum (fully expecting some debate regarding my choices, and admitting some might not be in the right category).

Where does your musical taste fit in?

JrKASperov wrote: I don't know Genesis that well, where does Yes (Fragile, Close) fit in?

I'd say that "Close to the Edge" is Mid Prog/Low Pop. "Tale of...Oceans" would be High Prog/ Low Pop, "90125" would be Low Prog/High Pop, "Fragile"...Mid Prog/Mid Pop.

Hope this helps.

Arbiter wrote: Joren wrote: Arbiter, I don't want to offend you, but I think this poll is REALLY SILLY. Ahh! That would make you High Prog/Low Pop/Wooden-shoe-up-the-ass!

ok, ok! I surrender! I think I'm High Prog/Mid Pop

High Prog/Low Pop I guess... since "Nursery Cryme" is my favorite GENESIS album... but still, relying on the GENESIS productions is quite arbitrary to define the type of prog I enjoy most...  

Interesting poll though...

Mid Prog/Mid Pop ( eg. "Wind And Wuthering") Mid Prog/Low Pop (eg. "A Trick Of The Tail")

Well, I voted for High Pop/Low Pop (Better if NO POP), but that's not the point.

I always thought that W&W is a far more prog' album than Trick of the Tail (except for Your Own Special Way, which IMHO is crap). Trick is a great album but is much more lighter and friendly than W&W which I believe is a return to the roots, especially because Steve composed a lot of stuff there.

Longer songs, more complex lyrics and amazing guitar is the main characteristic of W&W, while ATOTT is mainly a collection of fairy stories and friendlier songs.

But it's only my opinion, maybe I'm wrong.

Iván

asuma wrote: i think music should be easy or somewhat easy to get into, but it shouldn't always follow a certain formula.

Well said, I completely agree !

This poll was meant to establish whether what is often suggested in reviews and comments on this site is how the majority feels - i.e., that it is somehow wrong if Prog is accessible, or the more commercial it is the worse Prog it is, the more 'out there' it is the better the Prog it is.

"Dark Side of the Moon" is fairly progressive (especially for it's time) IMHO, yet has out sold many Britanny, Mariah, Celine, etc., albums.

For me music can be as accessible or inaccessible as it wants or needs to be, so long as it is good enough to reach me on a deeper emotional level, and keep me interested indefinitely. Mid/Mid usually does that for me.

I LIKE IT when I have to make a little effort to like music.

Agree, I loved A Trick of the Tail at the first listen and couldn't understand Nursery Cryme, but my actual all time favorite Genesis album is Nursery.

Even worst I hated Relayer (The most complex Yes album) now I simply love it.

Iván