bands you don't like but know you should
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46465
Printed Date: January 15 2025 at 05:44
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Topic: bands you don't like but know you should
Posted By: laplace
Subject: bands you don't like but know you should
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 12:06
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I can write off a band that doesn't have a single musical element I
appreciate, ie. Dream Theater, Mogwai, Marillion and marillions more (sorry kiddos), but when every
sign indicates that I *should* enjoy what I'm hearing, well... there's a feeling I get when I realise an important artist or band's music is lost on me - I come to believe that it's my fault for having terrible taste, so I read their biography and look through their lyrics, and especially I read as many of their reviews on this site as I can. Basically, it's torture, scanning through hundreds of elated testimonies and not sharing any enthusiasm. =( I'm stuck with Soft Machine in particular, because they do experimental, jazzy music (I'm not particularly into jazz but I seem to love musicians who love jazz and take it odd places) and they include Hopper and Wyatt, who's music I have enjoyed separately to Soft Machine. They impacted the entire Canterbury scene and so have inspired tens of bands I do like. Basically, I'm distraught that I can't appreciate them. Also, there are artists and bands like Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, Battiato (along with the even more peculiar Wakhévitch) and so forth which my ears just don't seem to be receptive to - I read reviews and they all focus on inner dynamics and textures, rhythms and such things - and I can't pick up any of these. Another area in which I can admit I'm a simpleton. *frown* Are there any bands that you *need* to like, but which constantly elude you? ------------- FREEDOM OF SPEECH GO TO HELL |
Replies:
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 12:31
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i have the same problem with Soft Machine. and i love jazz and fusion. ive listened to all their best albums but nothing has struck me to want to have repeat listenings. maybe i'll go back and try again, but for now, i cant get into them. i used to have that problem with Weather Report. They were the second jazz-fusion band shown to me after RTF, and i liked Birdland and Black Market the song but couldnt get into anything else. then after exploring the genres of jazz and jazz-rock, i went back to Weather Report and they're now one of my favorite bands as well as The Zawinul Syndicate (which is IMO better than Weather Report) ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm 
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Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 12:38
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I have that with Yes, it has all the ingrediants that I addore from other bands (well, except for the fact that I think Jon Anderson is a useless singer and lyricist) but their usic never seems to click with me, except Sound Chase, which is an excellent song, to the point where they are among my least favourite bands. However, this is not a problem on my part, Yes should have done better.  ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005 
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Posted By: Lofcaudio
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 12:47
Van Der Graaf Generator
I own Godbluff and Pawn Hearts and have listened to them both numerous times, yet fail to be satisfied with what I am hearing. Hammill comes across as a histrionic vocalist who takes pleasure in dissonance. I continue to be completely baffled by those of you extol the virtues of A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers and consider it to be one of the very best epics, when all I hear is a bunch of stilted sounds smashed together with lyrics that border on gibberish. What am I missing here?
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laplace wrote:Posted By: epictetus1
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 12:52
| Of the highly touted bands on this site, I cannot get into ELP, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Hawkwind, VDGG and Mike Oldfield among others. |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 12:52
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I hope my friend Laplace will forgive me if I say that I am not too keen on the premises of this very interesting thread. What I mean is, I don't really think there is anything I "should" like, and I can't account for my tastes being what they are. If I can make an example taken from a different kind of art, though people flock from all over the world to see St Peter's in Rome, it has always left me quite cold - in spite of being sort of 'supposed' to like it. In my case, having been into prog since I was a pre-teen, I should probably like Genesis much more than I do - in particular the celebrated "Supper's Ready", which instead does next to nothing for me. However, this is how things are, and I'm not overly worried about it. |
Posted By: cuncuna
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 12:52
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I really think the problem is on expectations. Anyway... ¿why should anyone like something by force?. I love VDDG, specially that Lemmings song. It is sweet and sad and concise. ¿Don't like it? buy something you'll enjoy. also, most of the times your current playlist gets in the way of enjoying diversity. ------------- ¡Beware of the Bee! |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 12:55
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ive know about VDDG for years but never checked them out.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: stonebeard
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 13:07
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Mahavishu Orchestra is any band. I just hated the guitar tones. I suppose you could include Romantic Warrior in there too.
------------- http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want! |
Posted By: BaldJean
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 13:07
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let me phrase the topic slightly differently: "bands which are approved by many but not by you". I like this better because I don't see why I "should" like any band I don't like. a band that would come to my mind with this slightly rephrased topic is Rush. I honestly don't understand what people see in them
-------------  A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: OGTL
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 13:09
| Pink Floyd? |
Posted By: laplace
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 13:10
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To clarify, I don't mean bands that others should expect you to like... I mean bands, based on your tastes, that you think you should like. But keep your responses coming, no matter your variation on the thread title. ;)
------------- FREEDOM OF SPEECH GO TO HELL |
Posted By: heyitsthatguy
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 13:24
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Indukti they just don't do anything for me and feel what they're doing has already been done before a lot ------------- 
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Posted By: BaldJean
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 13:29
one could also say: well, what else is "Supper's Ready" but a bunch of stilted sounds smashed together with lyrics that border on gibberish? or am I missing something here? I don't know what you expected of VdGG or "A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers"; all I know is that VdGG are one of the most complex bands out there. just listen to how the "Maelstrom" passage of "A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers" evolves from the previous passage, with one half of the instruments continuing the slow riff while the wild piano riff of "Maelstrom" settles in (this is a specialty of VdGG, by the way; they often have passages in which a slow and a fast riff overlap; on "Pawn Hearts" this also occurs in "Man-Erg"). and Hammill does NOT specialize in dissonance at all; just listen to the opening bars of APOLK ; he sings absolutely beautifully there. what he does though is depict the whole range of feelings with his voice, and some of these are quite dark feelings, so his way of singing is the best way to depict them. I really dislike singers who sing "I hate Her so much" and "I love Her so much" with the same voice. does that explain what you are missing with VdGG? ------------- A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: jimmy_row
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 13:31
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...and we barely made it over 70 minutes... ------------- Signature Writers Guild on strike |
Posted By: laplace
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 13:37
Teehee. Cunningly, because I based this topic on our *own* expectations, not being able to justify our own tastes is a side-issue that this thread was semi-designed to bring up, because it's a subject I've thought hard about. I'm glad there are those of us that can admit a little confusion over how we got to where we are. =) ------------- FREEDOM OF SPEECH GO TO HELL |
Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 13:49
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Tool. I should like them much more, but their brilliance alludes me. I do like some of their music and I have seen them live as well, but I could quite happily live without them. I also don't like Rush. They have all the right ingredients, but for some reason, I cannot get into what I've heard by them. As for ELP, well I don't like pompous bombast and unnecessaryness, so I don't think I was meant to like them all that much in the first place. -------------   
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Posted By: everyone
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 13:50
We all have bands we do not like because of one thing or another. Opinions are like arseholes, everybody has one...some are lucky to have two. 
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 13:53
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*Bites tongue* on certain members' continuous need to bash Rush at every opportunity possible.
However, not surprising given tastes on the opposite end of the spectrum, VDGG is one band that I just don't like, and probably for all the same reasons others like them. On the couple of albums I have heard I find both Hammill's voice and the horn playing to be quite annoying. ------------- 
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Posted By: ghost_of_morphy
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 14:03
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I have never understood why I should waste a moment of my precious music listening time on Gentle Giant. |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 14:05
| VDGG I got Pawn Heart and think the vocals are horrible the music is just ok to be 20 min an 10 min. |
Posted By: unforgivable74
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 14:13
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I don't get ELP at all and I find Zappa very hit and miss. It's all well and good to be technically complex and intricate but if it doesn't move me, it's worthless.
------------- Laughs as I clean my teeth, laughs as I rub at my eyes. |
Posted By: Statutory-Mike
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 14:16
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Tool (aside from Lateralus)...I love Lateralus and I think that I really should appreciate Aenima and Undertow but it just lacks something I can't put my finger on... ------------- 
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Posted By: BaldJean
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 14:17
just to make it clear: my comment was not meant as "Rush bashing" at all. I know and respect many people like them. what I don't quite get is why. sure, very good musicians. they definitely had potential, and I will gladly admit that they know how to play their instruments and are pretty good at it. but unfortunately they did not use their potential fully; they played it safe instead. that's the big problem I have with them; I prefer risk takers ------------- A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 14:21
I am afraid this thread is turning into a bashing of bands we don't like, rather than into the constructive discussion Laplace would have liked us to develop. With the exception of a few posts (like Jean's above mine), it seems to me that all people are doing is saying which bands or artists they consider to be a waste of time - which was not the point of Laplace's original post.
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Posted By: 1800iareyay
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 14:21
I'd say they took some big risks. They drastically vary their sound about once a decade, almost right after fans get used to their current sound. |
Posted By: 1800iareyay
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 14:22
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I feel like I should like Magma, but I can't get over those vocals. *braces for impact of STC* |
Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 14:27
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I've tried to appreciate Van Der Graff Generator, but the music is just bit too 'out there' for my tastes. I'm pretty conservative by nature, which is reflected in my music tastes. I thought I didn't like Jethro Tull; however, I did hear the beginning of Thick As A Brick and I actually liked it. E ------------- 
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Posted By: laplace
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 14:30
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Yes, it wasn't my intention to create the forty fifth "bands you don't like" thread. If you wanna slate a band's album then I'll gladly read your one star review of it. For everyone who's confused, go back and read the opening post. =)
------------- FREEDOM OF SPEECH GO TO HELL |
Posted By: aapatsos
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 14:36
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I think ELP is my answer to this question... apart from their first and at most their second, I can barely stand the rest... |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 14:50
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To clarify my previous post to bring it more into context with this thread's purpose, I find my tastes to be pretty wide open, and yet narrow in the sense that if it is considered prog and it is on this site I should like it. There are certain subgenres that I have determined are not for me, or at least that I am not interested in or ready to explore at this time. The one subgenre that is a bit of an enigma for me is the Eclectic subgenre. There are a number of bands in the Eclectic subgenre that I really like, but the three best known and most popular are King Crimson, Gentle Giant, and VDGG, and all three of these bands I can take or leave. King Crimson and Gentle Giant are two bands that have their moments for me but generally don't do anything for me, but I don't dislike them. The VDGG that I have heard on the other hand I just don't like. Given that I generally like what I have heard in the Eclectic subgenre I think that I should like VDGG, but I don't. I haven't closed the door on them. There is still a chance that they might grow on me but at this point I'm in no hurry to go back and try to listen to them again. There are 3 other bands that I have tried because of PA and didn't really like, but I really don't feel that I should like any of them because their styles of music aren't to my taste or just aren't within my comfort zone.
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Posted By: Yorkie X
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 15:05
On some level I like / love most of the big name prog bands I certainly like very much most of the bands mentioned so far. Some of this stuff takes time to digest and the willingness to push through preconceived ideas you maybe first had before venturing into the band in question, given repeated plays and even if you dont like the singer or something else there's always a story in every book to discover and discovery is the spirit of prog so keep those minds open !  |
Posted By: scruffydragon
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 15:11
Gosh,this is a little embarasing.
Afraid to say its two of the biggies.Pink Floyd,and Genesis.Both of these bands have great sounds,but for some reason I cannot listen to them for that long.I keep trying,but just cannot find that little key piece which will make me more open towards their music.It's one of the reasons I have for finding it hard to get into some of the new forms of prog.Just keeping fingers crossed that one day things will just click.Such a shame really.
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Posted By: Avantgardehead
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 15:30
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Van der Graaf Generator, definitely. I like dark things and I love Peter Hammill's voice, but none of the albums manage to hold my interest. I really like "Refugees" but it seems that's the only song from them I can get into...
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Avantgardian |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 15:42
| can't really get into Frank Zappa, VDGG. Being son and brother of totally zappa fans I can never get into thinking that is rubish but it isn't just like sub-genre says. Although happily I can appreciate Zoot Allures and many seperatly songs. |
Posted By: khammer99
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 16:20
At the risk of being tarred, and feathered, no matter how many times I listen to Pink Floyd or King Crimson, I just don't see the attraction. I mean to a drug free mind. 
------------- Genius is always allowed some leeway, once the hammer has been pried from its hands and the blood has been cleaned up. - Terry Pratchett |
Posted By: Visitor13
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 16:26
Because chances are Gentle Giant are better than whatever you spend your precious music listening time on I guess I should theoretically like Univers Zero and Art Zoyd more, but they sound to me as if they were more interested in proving they can compose and play this kind of complex music than in the actual music itself. Which is not the case with the aforementioned Gentle Giant, for example, or Henry Cow. Different music, sure, but still. |
Posted By: Avantgardehead
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 16:33
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Also, it's frustrating to me that the majority of avant-garde bands seem to dwell in dissonance and Dadaism rather than melody.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Avantgardian |
Posted By: Visitor13
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 16:38
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^ I'd like to hear an expert comment on whether 'dissonance' and 'melody' are mutually exclusive... and it seems to me when people talk about 'melody' they have a very limited definition of it in mind, one that probably ignores musics from certain parts of the world in which melody is understood somewhat differently. |
Posted By: Avantgardehead
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 16:42
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Uh oh...
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Avantgardian |
Posted By: Visitor13
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 16:43
 Precision is a good thing. |
Posted By: jimmy_row
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 18:15
I've always felt that I'm greatly missing out on the whole Zheul scene, I've found some quality '70s French bands that play that style of chamber rock, and I come away thoroughly impressed each time (especially by the willingness to try anything...and the musicianship), but I don't seem to get the urge to listen to Magma et al. very often, and it's frustrating because they're a great band (even if I make fun of them sometimes ).------------- Signature Writers Guild on strike |
Posted By: cuncuna
Date Posted: February 22 2008 at 18:40
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To think that you shuld like something because of your musical taste is to think that your musical taste is something that won't change or respond to very defined paterns. For example: "I'll like anything that sounds like Jethro Tull", "I like a band from Italy, so I'll like all bands from Italy"; "I like moog, I'll like anything that has a moog on it". This is not considering some elements, like, for example, your reaction to the same stimuli, wich will decrease it's intensity after an eternity of exposure. Once a rock flute; cool. A hundreed rock flutes, boring. ------------- ¡Beware of the Bee! |
Posted By: Hercules
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 09:09
Nothing. You've summed up exactly what I feel about them too. Hamill is the problem; shame, cos Hugh Banton is great. ------------- A TVR is not a car. It's a way of life. |
Posted By: oracus
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 09:25
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I really can't get King Crimson. Everybody seem to like them and everybody (ok, almost) seem to consider Court of the Crimson King a milestone record but i can't find enything interesting in their music. First of all i can't stand Fripp's guitar tone and everything sound so cold and experimental. Also, i can't understand what a song like 'i talk to the wind' has to do in an album like In the Court of the Crimson King. ------------- 
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Posted By: paloz
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 11:32
| Nearly all the pure jazz music... I know I should like it, but still I can't understand it... |
Posted By: BaldJean
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 11:36
Hammill is a case of love or hate. I hated his voice at first at first (the first album I heard of VdGG was "Godbluff"), but loved the rest, so I endured the voice. and suddenly it all made "click" for me, and I realized that the way Hammill sings is the ONLY way for this kind of lyrics with this kind of music, and now I simply love his voice and am amazed of what he does with it and how he expresses feelings with it. yes, he sometimes shouts, croaks, shrieks and whatever one can do with a voice, and it does not sound "nice", but then the things he sings about aren't nice either, and he perfectly displays all the states of the soul with his voice. these states are very often negative states, but how wrong it would be to express these negatives states with a so-called "beautiful" voice. realize that, and all will fall into place, and you will begin to love Hammill. if you don't grasp that concept, you don't have a chance with him. to see what he can do with his voice in a "beautiful" way just listen to "House With No Door" from "H to He", which is just a sad song, and he neither shrieks nor does any of the other things people hate about him in that song. you will realize what a fantastic voice he has then ------------- A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: Gentlegiantprog
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 15:14
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Van Der Graaf Generator , not that I dislike them, the songs on prog archives are great. I love Gentle Giant, Genesis and King Crimson so they should be a perfect fit, but I can't bring myself to but any albums.
Also Rick Wakeman... I'm well into Yes so I got his cuban DVD and love it, but can't bring myself to buy his albums, though I figure I'd love Arthur, because the songs from it I like the most on the DVD. Bands I should like but don't = gong. Flying Teapot sounds like marvelous idea, but I don't see it in my collection Also Caravan, I love ITLOGAP but don't bother to explore further. Usually if I like one song I'll have all a bands albums within half a year. But for some reason that seems like enugh Caravan. ------------- Let the maps of war be drawn ! 
http://kingcrimsonprog.wordpress.com/ |
Posted By: Jimbo
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 18:39
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Seeing as how my tastes are often all over the place, I find it hard to think of something 'specific' that I should like, but actually don't. In any case, one such artist is probably Kevin Ayers - despite being an avid Canterbury fan, the alleged brilliance of this man has so far managed to elude me. His music is not bad by any means, just not particularly fascinating either. Also, I love Magma, but I find Koenjihyakkei mostly irritating (might be the keyboards). Should give them another try one day though. ------------- 
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Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 18:46
I know what you mean about Court, it's so legendary it almost has to disappoint at times ..'I Talk to the Wind' was of course a Giles,Giles&Fripp tune that somehaow made it on to the most important prog album in history |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 18:50
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for me.. Genesis ..Genesis.. and Genesis again they are good no doubt at what they do... elevator prog.... but I'll be damned.. they simply put me to sleep. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: laplace
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 18:51
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You can't glean any enjoyment from Harold the Barrel? =)
------------- FREEDOM OF SPEECH GO TO HELL |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 18:58
no.. tried it.. very hit and miss... I like some specific songs.... and one album as a whole.. but some of the reviews I've read here.. I listen to albums and think to myself... hundreds (seemingly hahha) of prog fans can't be wrong.. so it's got to be me I guess. I posted here.. but I wouldn't say I dislike Genesis.. they just aren't my style. Who was it.. Ryan noted in RPI the divide between the harder more aggressive groups and the more subtle .. light if you will ...prog groups. Never took those groups either. It is more a stylistic thing I guess. .and Genesis is just the poster boy for that style of prog. Just not my thing I guess.. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: laplace
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 19:05
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Well, I don't like *much* of Genesis' work either (and I one-starred "Lamb" because I'm mean when I'm angry) but I thought Harold the Barrel was a good example of a song that stayed too quick to become pastoral and muzak-ish. Besides, don't you like ELP's goofy moments? ;)
------------- FREEDOM OF SPEECH GO TO HELL |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 19:16
I love those moments... but in contrast to the HEAVY aggressive moments like Tarkus... or Trilogy.. or Toccata (love the T's hahha) It that it works perfectly.. which is exactly what ELP was trying to do and what many people refuse to see.. it was about dynamic contrasts.. not filler ...or an urge to merely be clever or goofy.. but and extenstion of the notions of the days of vinyl when albums were meant to be taken as a whole. Those contrasts made tracks like the 3 T's there.. all the more powerful... much more so than further attempts to bludgeon the listener. Take Balletto di Bronzo's YS.. what.. 30 odd minutes of non-stop beatting over the head... could ELP have done that. .sure.. but the albums simply wouldn't have been as good. Anyway.. just mentally masterbating. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 19:38
The same here. Having few exceptions with songs from LLDOB. But the rest really bores me. Don't know really why . 
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Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 19:43
| Perhaps what I really enjoy when they're with Collins although being popy I think I can pay more attention. |
Posted By: Wallium
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 20:10
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I'm another Genesis non-getter. My friends always try to get Selling England by the Pound and Foxtrot down my throat, but it doesn't work. There just seems to be something..... missing from theor music. ------------- Mens sceptrum totus 
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Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 20:18
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^ there is something missing, typical rock aggression.. I like it |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 20:31
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exactly David. I think that is probably the main reason for the few that don't really dig Genesis.. look at Raff and I. Have the same opinions on the group.. and were both 'rockers' before we both really got into prog. Not to say that all rock and rollers won't dig Genesis.. but might explain why some don't. Hell... you were a bit of a rocker in your day brother hahhaha
------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 20:34
oh I was a friggin headbanger for days.. the Bay Area metal scene was kickin back then |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 20:37
 that it was... ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: laplace
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 23:52
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That's true. I think rock is dorky and I love Genesis' "Nursery Cryme" so much I could squeal whenever its name is mentioned. o:)
------------- FREEDOM OF SPEECH GO TO HELL |
Posted By: Drew
Date Posted: February 23 2008 at 23:57
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Genesis (older of course) That's about it. ------------- |
Posted By: heyitsthatguy
Date Posted: February 24 2008 at 00:00
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it's odd because The Musical Box's middle section almost strikes me as proto-metal, at least the leads and to a lesser extent the galloping rhythm
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Posted By: laplace
Date Posted: February 24 2008 at 00:10
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It does have a gallop, but it's amiable and flooded with mellotron that it rushes by, and I giggle through it all. Hogweed has rock moments, too, but they're just so... so... upper-class that I don't mind them. Gentle Giant are exactly the same way. I can giggle through the bluesy-rocksy section of Peel the Paint because of what it's surrounded by - sheer exuberant nonsentricity. =) ------------- FREEDOM OF SPEECH GO TO HELL |
Posted By: burritounit
Date Posted: February 24 2008 at 00:21
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I think I have a problem with most of the classic prog bands. I just can't get into them. It's really strange for me to really get into one.
------------- "I've walked on water, run through fire, can't seem to feel it anymore. It was me, waiting for me..." |
Posted By: WaywardSon
Date Posted: February 24 2008 at 02:32
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There are 3 very popular bands that I can´t get into
1 TMV- Really don´t get it at all, just a din!
2 Tool-Too alternative
3 Opeth-Still working on it
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Posted By: Queen By-Tor
Date Posted: February 24 2008 at 03:44
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Post-rock. Anything Post-Rock I just cannot understand. Post-Metal on the other hand is quite good quite good. |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: February 24 2008 at 04:06
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Though I am aware that personal taste can't really be explained, I think it would be interesting to know why we can't get into the bands or artists we have mentioned so far - especially if they are in some way close to what we usually dig. This, if I have understood correctly, was the actual point of Laplace's thread... Personally, I found the results of the Ultimate Prog Tournament quite interesting in this respect, particularly as regards the ELP vs Camel poll. With ELP being one of the founding bands of the whole prog scene of the early Seventies, it is amazing (to say the least) that there are so many prog fans who dislike them to the point of preferring a pleasant yet ultimately uninfluential band like Camel. While, to my way of thinking, it is perfectly understandable for a fan of Camel or Caravan not to 'get' Opeth or Mastodon, it is much less so for a Yes fan not to get ELP. I realise explaining our tastes is far from easy, mainly because they have a definitely irrational component - however, it would make for a much more interesting discussion, don't you think so? |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: February 24 2008 at 04:20
| indeed Raff, very interesting points, the subtle but vast differences in tastes are a mystery.. I know I liked Yes and Tull many years before ELP or Genesis, which makes little sense, though maybe Yes and Tull provided a rock'n roll doorway into Prog that I could relate to (namely an emphasis on the guitar) ..and just when I think I know someone else's taste they surprise me |
Posted By: A B Negative
Date Posted: February 24 2008 at 12:35
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It's one of those "if you like X and Y you should like Z" scenarios for me. I love Gong, Hawkwind and Steve Hillage but Ozric Tentacles leave me cold. When I saw them at the Reading Festival in 1993 (?) I fell asleep. ------------- "The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar.... Now, that's my idea of a good time." |
Posted By: laplace
Date Posted: February 24 2008 at 12:45
I think it's a consequence of a group of bands who aren't necessarily all that similar being placed in a genre, because although both bands are flagships for symphonic prog, there's not much overlap between EL&P and Camel beyond the fact that both bands employ REALLY annoying keyboard sounds. ;P Browsing through last.fm I often see people with Yes, Tull and King Crimson all high on their charts, and those bands can differ wildly. Meshuggah, Dream Theater and Anathema are a popular trio of prog metal bands who end up together in the same way, but should really appeal to entirely separate audiences. Secondly, in our effort to offer explanations as to why we should and shouldn't like certain music, we forget that the songs are important, too! UK's a band packed full of my favourite musicians, playing the *style* of music I appreciate... I just don't like their songwriting! =P ------------- FREEDOM OF SPEECH GO TO HELL |
Posted By: rudderhead
Date Posted: February 24 2008 at 23:00
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indeed Raff , very interesting points, the subtle but vast differences in tastes are a mystery..I know I liked Yes and Tull many years before ELP or Genesis, which makes little sense, though maybe Yes and Tull provided a rock n roll doorway into prog that I could relate (namely an emphasis on guitar) ! ________________________________________________________________________________! NONSENSE I think ELP sound much more rock n roll than jethro or yes. They sound much more aggressive and boisterous despite being keyboard based. I think ELP are one of the most creative, adventurous and exciting progbands there is. Lot of fun too. Not as boring as King Crimson with Robert Fripp's never-ending noodling. What a snooze-fest. Keith, Greg and Carl are the proggods
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: February 24 2008 at 23:08
Welcome to the forum... that is what is called.. announcing your presence with authority. Not bad.. but King Crimson boring? Cold, mechanical... soulless? ..perhaps... but boring. Nah. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: DJPuffyLemon
Date Posted: February 25 2008 at 00:34
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I have a few bands like this, for one of two reasons: 1) THey aren't my style.Here fits bands like Rush, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Pain of Salvation.
2) I haven't listened ot them enough.
Here lies Soft Machine mainly....All I hear is a bunch of aimless jams, however I think that's because I've only heard a half dozen of the tracks on volume 1+2 put together and only the first halves of the first two tracks on Third.
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Posted By: MusicalSalmacis
Date Posted: February 25 2008 at 01:27
| I am surprised to see so many people dislike so many bands. When I listen to music I enjoy it if it's good, I don't have a particular "style" or anything. And about rockers not enjoying Genesis, that sounds very weird to me because before I got into prog I listened mainly to rock & metal and the first two prog bands that clicked for me was Genesis (w Nursery Cryme) and VdGG (w Pawn Hearts). |
Posted By: A B Negative
Date Posted: February 25 2008 at 02:45
What about Emerson's never-ending noodling? ------------- "The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar.... Now, that's my idea of a good time." |
Posted By: laplace
Date Posted: February 25 2008 at 14:16
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I've never heard Fripp noodle or play anything without consequence - even when he improvises, he's providing structure! His guitar playing is a model of restraint and that's why a lot of the "shred" guys don't appreciate him. ok, I lied. Fripp plays on Islands and Beat and I think those albums are fairly inconsequential. teeheehee ------------- FREEDOM OF SPEECH GO TO HELL |
Posted By: keiser willhelm
Date Posted: February 25 2008 at 15:32
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Genesis. I love Yes and ELP especially along with early KC and really felt like i was missing something everybody else was hearing so i bought Foxtrot and Nursery Cryme but to no avail. Its not bad, its just uninspiring and . . . flat sounding. im trying though. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/KeiserWillhelm" rel="nofollow - What im listening to |
Posted By: darkmatter
Date Posted: February 26 2008 at 11:45
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I got At War with Self's album Torn Between Dimensions for Christmas. I got it based on recommendations from Amazon (I think) for Gordian Knot. I haven't listened to it all that much, but I don't like it too much. It's not the musicianship (which is very good), and it sounds similar to Gordian Knot. But I can't get into it, and I'm not sure what exactly I dislike. It didn't seem very dynamic, but that's all I can think of at the moment. Also, I can think of Ozric Tentacles. I have three of their albums (Erpland, Jurassic Shift, The Floor's Too Far Away), yet I feel I should like them more than I do. The first three songs on Erpland are exceptional, but it seems to go downhill after that, plus the album really drags on for too long. I haven't given the other two enough listens, so I certainly won't say I dislike them yet. |
Posted By: Sckxyss
Date Posted: February 27 2008 at 02:22
I used to think Genesis didn't rock... until I heard The Knife 
Now that I think of it, Genesis is a band that I like, but probably shouldn't - the exact opposite of what laplace was talking about
 . I say this because I generally seek the more agressive, experimental, and difficult music (and dislike neo prog, which apparently is largely influenced by Genesis)... but alas, they are one of my favourite bands.I guess Rush is one that would be a band that I don't love as much as I should. I listen to them occasionally, but not nearly as much as other similar bands. Maybe it's the vocals...
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Posted By: VanderGraafKommandöh
Date Posted: February 27 2008 at 04:52
Camel were a big influence on Mikael Akerfeldt though, Raff and he even uses the intro from a Camel song in an Opeth song. I do understand what you mean though, because it does seem that both bands are completely alien to each other. As to the subject premise, well for me, I do not like the digital keyboard sound of the 1980s all that much, so the majority of neo-prog bands pass me by. It is also not only a case of the keyboards though, I quite often dislike the vocalists style too. I have tried listening to some Fish-era Marillion (especially as they influenced by VdGG) and it is mostly Fish's vocal style that does not work for me. Marillion, I must admit, play good music (when it's not the poppier style) and they do not have that grating keyboard sound as much, but in their case, I believe it's mostly Fish's vocals. Also, because I am not really a fan of Genesis (again, it's Gabriel's vocalisation I do not like) that much, it is quite often difficult for me to get into a lot of neo-prog, especially those who have what I deem, an unexciting vocalist. Genesis, as has been mentioned, are also quite mellow at times. I have the same issue when it comes to Camel, but The Snow Goose is an excellent album, even if I do not listen to it all that much. I prefer heavier music in general, probably because I was brought up on my father's records, like The Rolling Stones, The Faces and The Small Faces, as well as the blues of Clapton and Green (Fleetwood Mac). Mellower music for me, makes me drift off, but I do not mean in a daydream way either. I switch off entirely a lot of the time. That is why I have difficulties with post-rock too, especially Godspeed You Black Emperor's Lift Your Skinny Fists..., which I really cannot get into. Having said that though, I am getting into more classical music (and mellower compositions too), but for me, classical music is completely different to a lot of the mellower prog that is around. As for my reasons for not really grasping Tool or Rush, well in Tool's case, it's a lack of originality on their more recent albums, plus the use of swearing, which I find quite derogatory. I do not want to hear the F-word all the time, especially in music of that nature. With Rush, it's mostly Geddy's voice, but also a bit of noodling and the occasionally odd decision to play cod-reggae (which also ruins Yes's Roundabout for me, by the way). I guess a lot of it has to do with preconceptions too. I hated Phil Collins-era Genesis and still do and that era of the band has meant I find it much harder to get into the Gabriel-era albums. I will try again though. -------------
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Posted By: scruffydragon
Date Posted: February 27 2008 at 06:13
Still can't explain why I do not like certain bands/artists when I should.Been trying to put my finger on it.But cannot.Perhaps its the vocals,keyboards or just the way the music comes over.When i come onto another new band/musician,I usually pick up on something good or interesting,may it be vocals,instuments,or the compositions themselves,just something which is gonna get you to put the album back on for another listen.Perhaps the bands i cannot get into don't offer what i'm seeking.I sometimes wonder if its production methods,the way the albums were recorded giving at a much more smoother sound,or the way the bands wanted to come over on record.Don't really know.Could be that my tastes need a little more than what these band offer,due to pushing out my own musical boundaries over the last few years.Could even be overplay,via radio or tv when I was growing up. errrr.....I think i'll give up trying.
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Posted By: Zargus
Date Posted: February 27 2008 at 06:24
That was the reason Gabriel started with the masks and make ups, people where falling asleep on the shows.
 To be honest i hade the same problem when i started with Genesis, my first album was Selling England, and i dont think i culd have picked a worst starting album (it was all thx to seeing it in the PA top 100 list back in 05 when i joined) it was so horrible dull and boring i just culdent get into it, anyway i bought some more early albums and finally with Tresspas and Foxtrot it clicked, i whuldent say they are one of my realy favorites, but i do like Genesis nowdays, even tough i like to bash em sometimes yust to anoy thiere army of fanboys.
 A band i dont realy like but know i shuld whuld have to be Deep Purple. ------------- 
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Posted By: Evans
Date Posted: February 27 2008 at 07:15
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I have an album like that, and that's Pawn Hearts. I adore Van der Graaf Generator, and i like dark, chatotic, slightly dissonant music, but "A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers" just won't find it's place in my mind, though i do enjoy it when i am listening to it. Funny thing is that it was my first VDGG album and i didn't really like it that much back then, and after three albums more which i liked a lot, and with VDGG on the top list of my favourite bands ever, i still can't get into it. ------------- 
'Let's give it another fifteen seconds..' |
Posted By: debrewguy
Date Posted: February 27 2008 at 10:52
Give World Record a try. I do find Pawn Hearts O.K., but repeated listens have yet to reveal its' supposed "classic" status as affirmed by many at PA. ------------- "Here I am talking to some of the smartest people in the world and I didn't even notice,” Lieutenant Columbo, episode The Bye-Bye Sky-High I.Q. Murder Case. |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: February 27 2008 at 11:07
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Well, I don't know if I actually 'should' like them, but I think no one here ignores that Dream Theater are not exactly my favourite band. Though I own most of their studio albums (minus Six Degrees... and Octavarium), plus the live Once in a Livetime (my first introduction to the band), I've never been able to actually warm to them, or even listen to them for pleasure - with the sole exception of Images and Words. There are various reasons for this attitude of mine - mainly that the band's music never manages to capture my attention long enough in order for me to distinguish between the tracks. As I wrote in one of my DT reviews, whenever I listen to them, I get the impression of a 'wall of sound' that after a while ends up sounding the same - and of course there is the matter of LaBrie's voice, which I find annoying to say the least. This is all quite odd, because DT's major musical influences are all favourites of mine - Yes, Rush, Metallica, even Kansas. I think their 'art for art's sake' approach puts me off, since I find their music devoid of real emotion, unlike that of the above-mentioned bands. |
Posted By: rudderhead
Date Posted: February 28 2008 at 12:52
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Gentle Giant!!!!
I have often listened to this band, but I just dont like em. I think it has a lot to do with the voice of the singer. He sings in a slightly moronic way that irritates me a little. This is not intended as an insult but he sounds like the local village idiot starts singing in a band. The music itself sounds a bit too pseudo-happy like Canturbury bands do. That kinda lets be funny for the sake of it, I dont like that.
I prefer VDGG much more than GG. I think Peter Hammil's voice has a real majestic tone to it. Absolutly the greatest progrock singer ever. I dont understand why some people dont like him. He sounds very natural to me. I liked Pawn Hearts the moment I heard it
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Posted By: JLocke
Date Posted: February 28 2008 at 16:35
Dragonforce,  Every time I hear them , I think I'm watching the intro to Power Rangers.
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Posted By: Verwuestung
Date Posted: February 29 2008 at 07:40
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for me it's almost the entire symphonic prog genre ruled out for me I used to think it's weird I don't like Genesis & Yes at all, I used to dig ELP but that passed me like a bad cold I can find a song or two of genesis I would like (on SEBTP) but I just hate those bands I used to think it's weird but now I realise I just don't like the symphonic side of prog, though I realise its merits |
Posted By: kenmartree
Date Posted: March 02 2008 at 07:55
Because chances are Gentle Giant are better than whatever you spend your precious music listening time on Quote Define BETTER, or do you mean that he should be listening to GG because you like them? I don't get it.
Or is it the music you listen to and like is better, how open minded- and I like GG it has nothing to do with that
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: March 02 2008 at 08:40
As I've noted several times in the years I've been around as well... Genesis is just too hit and miss for me. They have some really great songs on those early albums.. but lots of stuff that that is akin to staring at the ceiling and wating for the whole thing to be over. SEbtP.. even with it's weak tracks.. has enough incredible music on it to be rated a classic by myself. But the others... they simply don't. Supper's Ready? come on... Yes had at least 3 maybe 4 epics alone which tower over that. ELP several as well.. .that doesn't even get to the epics that are well known among hard core prog fans ..but maybe not the tweeners here like Zarathrustra, Aria, and Oro Caldo, to name just a few, that if not better.. are damn sure as good. The problem is.. when seemingly average albums.. and in my mind... all of them but SEbtP ARE average prog albums are hailed on par with albums that simply are in another league. Preference rules the day though... and they were good at what they did... so it is just fun to take good natured shots at them. Now Deep Purple.... you should them check out... ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Evandro Martini
Date Posted: March 02 2008 at 08:51
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VDGG!
------------- "You’ll never make any money playing music that people can’t sing.” Keith Emerson's father |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: March 02 2008 at 08:55
I have to ask... which albums have you heard... ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: debrewguy
Date Posted: March 02 2008 at 11:24
If someone starts out by stating that any activity is a waste of their time, you have to wonder how they got to that opinion, i.e. GG - if you've listened to them & found their music wanting, then why continue. Unless something has piqued your interest, or some other music has caused some reflection back on , in this case, GG, it is up to you to determine whether you have other things that YOU prefer to do. ------------- "Here I am talking to some of the smartest people in the world and I didn't even notice,” Lieutenant Columbo, episode The Bye-Bye Sky-High I.Q. Murder Case. |
Posted By: Visitor13
Date Posted: March 02 2008 at 13:26
The words 'waste of time' and 'Gentle Giant' don't go together at all. There is no disputing the fact that these guys are responsible for some of the most intelligent rock music ever, not to mention just how dedicated they were as musicians. Obviously you don't have to like them - but to describe their music as a 'waste of time' is unfair and ignorant to say the least, not to mention that it's rude to the band members, in view of how much they did to make sure that their music was not a waste of time. Case in point - a band which I 'should' like, but don't, is Magma. It's a band whose music I consider inferior to that of their two major influences - Coltrane and Sun Ra - but I would never describe it as a 'waste of time', since their skills and dedication are still significant and there to be heard. I'm actually glad I got to listen to their music, even if I don't see myself revisiting it often. |
Posted By: harrold the barrel
Date Posted: March 02 2008 at 14:27
interesting thread! what I don't get though is why so many people feel that genesis don't rock! I guess it's all a matter of taste but I'll be cruising in my vehicle rockin out to mastodon  (y'know steady finger and foot tapping along with the heand bangin) and then put in genesis and I go from constant tapping and banging to controlled humming and finger tapping followed by uncontrollable hand jestures and head bangin!! man they can just get me going along with elp! but back to the question at hand I feel like I should enjoy devin townsend and opeth have two cd's by both, given each probably close to 10 listens just not fallen for them yet |
Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: March 02 2008 at 14:42
Often seeing a band live can change your opinion quickly and dramatically (Hint GG) . In terms of recordings, one that keeps stumping me all these years in Museo Rosenbach "Zarathustra" ! I LOVE the Italian school (cause I speak the language enough to "capish"!) but I just cannot get their heavy symph vibe (maybe "You gotta gettin , to get out" over & over until it happens) . I tried day, night, wine, grappa, various drugs, pills, zen, yoga,standing, sitting, with dinner, fasting ! and Niente!  . Still in my collection , though, taunting me! ------------- I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth. |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: March 02 2008 at 16:12
Pretty much how I feel about Nektar. I just can't get into them. I know they're revered by many, but I can't. I listened to them a bit in the early '90s, and again more recently at a good friend's insistence, but Nektar, to me, sounds like a band without its own sound. One song sounds like a take on The Moody Blues, another sounds like Pink Floyd or Yes, yet another sounds like Eloy...is it just me? For the record, I'm not into GG, but at least they have their own sound. ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |