Just found this rather amusing article...

"Rees sees a progression towards progressive beginning with the rise of the Strokes, followed by the Libertines, Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party, the Arctic Monkeys, Antony and the Johnsons."

Yeah...what island have you been on for the past decade!  I actually remember a CNN brief about the Arctic Monkeys saying they were the "new prog." After a minute or two, they played a bit of their music, which as it turns out, is pure thrash/pop/indie crap! These people appeantly don't know that classical-sounding prog is flourishing now in the same way progressive metal was in the late 80s/early 90s. I think this is the best time for prog since Marillion's peak, disregarding the crap bands (who are not even close to prog) mentioned in the article.

You don't want to.

I'd agree that prog does seem to be making something of a comeback; we may never see the days of Persian carpets, capes and grand stage shows involving cannons and inflatable dinosaurs again (a blessing in disguise, I'm sure you'll agree..) but musically, people are tending to sidestep the barbs and delve into the prog of yesteryear.

I've heard The Mystery Jets' album and am in fact seeing them live in May, however it's not your daddy's prog, so to speak. I do find them a little over-reliant on indie at times, but the ambition is there. I'd say the more psych tinged prog bands like Caravan and early Floyd with a smidgeon of King Crimson was the best reference point. Some songs are pure prog though. They have attempted a 10 minute epic called 'Moonlight Satellite', which is VERY KC, but for a lapse into 'Listen To The Flower People' silliness in the middle...They've also done a prog as you like instrumental called 'Zoo Time', with fiddly time signatures, squiggly synths and angular guitars.

Honestly, blending "indie" with older sounds is a recipe for disaster. The indie kids won't like it, because it's too fiddly and difficult to listen to, and the prog kids won't like it because it's got indie in it.

Any chance of getting them, and a sample, on the site? They sound fairly genuine, especially with the dad in the band, who probably will be less likely to sell out and go mainstream.

Also, regarding that article, I got the notion that the writer knew nothing about prog, and sort of made up for it at the end with the reference to Close to the Edge and Tull. Maybe it's just me though ;)

BL~

Blackleaf wrote: Honestly, blending "indie" with older sounds is a recipe for disaster. The indie kids won't like it, because it's too fiddly and difficult to listen to, and the prog kids won't like it because it's got indie in it. Any chance of getting them, and a sample, on the site? They sound fairly genuine, especially with the dad in the band, who probably will be less likely to sell out and go mainstream. Also, regarding that article, I got the notion that the writer knew nothing about prog, and sort of made up for it at the end with the reference to Close to the Edge and Tull. Maybe it's just me though ;) BL~

I totally agree with you there.

Especially with his reference to Time and a Word and Steve Howe.
Wasn't it Peter Banks on that album?
I feel sure it was.


Edited by ProgBoy

Some people have a very skewed idea of prog- The Strokes, The Libertines, The Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Party?? Lord no- Those acts are about as prog as AC/DC!!

 

"For decades the ancient behemoths of progressive rock were the butt of critics’ jokes. But thanks to new bands like the Mystery Jets, the sound is back"

"Rees sees a progression towards progressive beginning with the rise of the Strokes, followed by the Libertines, Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party, the Arctic Monkeys, Antony and the Johnsons. “It’s a good time for music,” "

this has made my day!......