Any Prog Rock fans??

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Why did I create this thread????

I have no clue, I'm really digging my music lately and just felt like sharing my recent discovery.

Just wondering if we have any fellow progressive rock fans in here. I know we have a few Dream Theater fans around these parts, any of you guys listen to other prog bands?

For those not familiar with this style, I'll provide a brief description - so you can skip this section if you like:

Progressive rock is rock, but just a bit more complex. Most rock that we grew up listening to and that is out today is based primarily on R&B and Country chords and structure, or at least shares many characteristics with those styles. Progressive rock is based more on classical technique and jazz progressions, making a bit more eclectic, and a good bit more complex in structure.

Some of you older guys may know group like Yes, Kansas, ELP, Rush. While they weren't the first prog groups ever, they pretty much put prog rock on the map as a legitimate genre and were essentially the pioneers of prog rock.

For us younger people, our choices of prog rock groups today are almost endless, though there are far less prog bands in the 'mainstream' music scene. Dream Theater is about as close as the prog world is today to that, and DT is far from mainstream. However, groups like the Mars Volta and Muse are gaining popularity, and may bring people over to the prog scene.

A warning about prog rock, it's difficult for most people to listen to the first couple of times. People start hearing chords that aren't a straight major of minor variation of A, C, D, E, or G and start freaking out - so if you're gonna check out some of this stuff for the first time, give it a few listens before you give up on it. I get the argument that music should not have to be an acquired taste, but if you'll give it a fair chance and try different style of music, it'll broaden your horizons and make your overall music listening experience that much more enjoyable.

DT is what initially turned me on to progressive rock, and I've found several groups so far that I really like, just started listening to this style recently.

For you Dream Theater fans, check out Symphony X - they have a lot in common in terms of overall sound with DT.

A good DT knock-off group is DreamScape. They're not as good, but still better than most of the crap we have to choose from today.

Opeth is also another group to check out - "Drapery Falls" is one of their best songs - if you like it, you'll probably like them, if you hate it, you won't like them.

Muse is another group that falls into the prog rock category, but they're a different style altogether - you'll probably either love or hate them. Check out "Time is Running Out" - that's a pretty good representation of their newer stuff, and is more 'listener friendly' than some of their more complex tracks. Also, if you've heard "Never Enough" off DT's new Octavarium album, check out "Stockholm Syndrome" by Muse, some similarity between the two - No, DT did NOT rip off that song...

Porcupine Tree is a little on the lighter side of things, but they're still a favorite amongst alot of people on the prog scene.

Pain of Salvation is pretty heavy, any of you into a group like Pantera might like their stuff, they've also got a few songs that have a Korn-type sound to them...

Vanden Plas is another DT imitator that is pretty good.

I could go on all day with different stuff I've listened to just within the last week...

Anyone interested in giving this type of music a try should check out www.progarchives.com - there are free samples up there of almost every group, and there are thousands of groups. FYI, no samples of Muse up there, but all their albums can be listened to in full on their website...

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Ah, forgot to mention Spock's Beard. Their "Beware of Darkness" was considered by some to be the best prog rock album of the '90s.

TransAtlantic is Neal Morse from Spock's Beard along with Mike Portnoy from DT along with a couple other prog guys. I'd call it at least similar in sound to Spock's Beard, but at the same time different.

Some people also consider Tool to be prog rock, was just looking and saw them listed on progarchives, but that may be a stretch based on what I've heard from them...

[B3Nut]

Spock's Beard and Transatlantic rock. If you really want to start venturing off the beaten path, check out Gentle Giant and early Camel. Early Genesis is great prog, as is King Crimson and The Nice (Keith Emerson's band before ELP). Triumvirat is neat too, I'm partial to prog with prominent Hammond organ, being a Hammond player. :)

Todd in Beerbratistan

[Demiurge]

Umm, YES!

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Yeah, forgot to mention the early Genesis stuff in there with the classics - they were great prog until Phil started writing all those 'hits'...

I've heard King Cromson mentioned a bit, will have to check them out...

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Umm, YES!

Not sure if that's an answer to my question or you're re-iterating my mention of Yes, or both...but yeah I figured you'd chime in on this thread.

Got any other suggestions beyond what I've mentioned, I assume you do?

[nellis8166]

I am really into Muse's latest disk. It's like Radiohead on steroids. Spirtualized??? If you have not heard them, worth checking out.

[MacLeod]

Im into it pretty big but I only listen to a few bands right now.

Dream Theater is God of course.

Nightwish is my second favorite right now. I love nearly every song they have. For those that dont know, theyre from Finland, play very heavy with a keyboard that sounds like cellos and a classically trained chick singer. Theyre awesome!

Stratovarius is another band Im into.

Queensryche was my favorite band til they sold out and have lost all credibility with me. Plus their last few albums have really stunk up the place.

Rush and Yes of course.

Fates Warning. Gotta love these guys. They were Dream Theater before there was a Dream Theater. Perfect Symetry is an outstanding album.

[George Grand]

The Mothers of Invention. Not only the first double rock album (Freak Out), but progressive to boot. 1965.

George Grand (of the Jersey Zappas)

[uncyogi]

Prog is where it all started for me, it's the genre that first made me love music (and the pricey toys that reproduce it !). Some great bands mentioned here, and tons of great bands omitted!Jethro Tull, Hawkwind, Alan Parsons Project to name just a few. One omission surprises me though, the epitomy of prog, FLOYD!!

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

I am really into Muse's latest disk. It's like Radiohead on steroids. Spirtualized??? If you have not heard them, worth checking out.

Their album 'Absolution' is also very Radiohead-ish.

These guys are quickly becoming my most listend to group. They'll never replace groups like DT or Rush on my all time favorites list, but they're the new flavor of the month for me.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Fates Warning was a cool band. Their singer actually auditioned for the Dream Theater gig before DT hired LaBraie - they actually turned him down...

[wodom1]

I just got into Porcupine Tree. So far I've only picked up their "In Abstentia" album but hope to get some more soon.

[sda2mike]

start @ the beginning....PINK FLOYD....then branch out from there...chances are you will be able to trace the same common thread of all bands since to the beginning

[ND13]

I would have to say the Doors were/are progressive. Marcy Playground is sort of progressive. More to come, back to work.

[avelanchefan]

Well most people here know I am a DT fan. Love Porc Tree, Spocks Beard, and Transatlantic.

Interesting that Tool was mentioned by PolkM. I would most definately consider them a Prog band. Why not? They do everything a prog band should, but in a more "radio friendly" way. Long sections of drumming/riffs/melodies + song's that intertwine with each other. Love Tool.

[ND13]

Tool Rocks!!!!

[Tour2ma]

What? No Roxy Music?

[LessisNevermore]

Definately love the prog.....

Don't forget Kansas. (pre-80's), and the Steve Morse Band/Dixie Dregs
Actually, I would group Mudvayne as a progressive band too.

[seo]

If you like early Genesis - look for a band called - Marillion. Look for an album of theirs called "Script for a Jesters Tear".

Also, the first four Peter Gabriel albums are woth checking out.

I think someone mentioned the Dixie Dregs, but they;re another good prog band.

Definitely check out King Crimson, also stuff from Robert Fripp, Brian Eno.

[slaperre]

A friend turned me on to some of the neo-prog bands our there (Spock's Beard, Opeth, the Flower Kings, Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, Trans Atlantic) over the last couple of years. My interest really took off last summer after I bought my first sub (SVS 31-25).

Internet radio has become a great path to discovery of prog, past and present. Check out http://deliciousagony.com/ and
http://morowblock.free.fr/

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Almost half a year later now since my original post...and I'm still loving the progressive stuff as much as day 1...

I've discovered some new groups and ditched some of the old, but there are a few groups that appear will always be a constant in my collection:

Dream Theater
Porcupine Tree
Yes
Pink Floyd
Rush
Muse
TransAtlantic

There's plenty of others I listen to...but you'll always find at least one CD from each of the groups above in my travel case...

[marker]

Does Queensryche count? One of my favorites.

[MrBuhl]

My introduction to Progressive Rock - My sister (who is 7 years older than I) leaves a few albums behind after a trip home from nursing school - fried my young little mellon...

ELP - can't remember the album though
King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King
Rush - 2112
Yes - Going For the One
Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down

I still love them all - but I think one of my all time favs is

Yes - Closer to the Edge. Just a great lush listen if you have the time.

[Loud & Clear]

Yeah, Yes' 'Close to the Edge' is tough to beat. I wish that it would get the DVD-A treatment that 'Fragile' got. I'd like to hear 'The Yes Album' get a hi-res treatment also.

[Billm57]

Almost half a year later now since my original post...and I'm still loving the progressive stuff as much as day 1...

I've discovered some new groups and ditched some of the old, but there are a few groups that appear will always be a constant in my collection:

Dream Theater
Porcupine Tree
Yes
Pink Floyd
Rush
Muse
TransAtlantic

There's plenty of others I listen to...but you'll always find at least one CD from each of the groups above in my travel case...

If you like Porcupine Tree you might like some of the other bands that Steven Wilson plays in.
a couple of his side projects are
Blackfield and IEM

[Billm57]

Definately love the prog.....

Don't forget Kansas. (pre-80's), and the Steve Morse Band/Dixie Dregs
Actually, I would group Mudvayne as a progressive band too.

Machesney park Il??
I cooked bbq at the Rockin Ribfest there a couple times...

yea i always thought Kansas was underappreciated..one of the few American prog groups..

[zombie boy 2000]

i'm not entirely sure if they fall under the "prog rock" category but:
Mogwai
Trans-Am

these two bands have always kept a CD in the changer, if I'm ever in the mood for extra-extra "critical listening":)

[crazy]

www.distantdream.com

Created my folks who worship Rush, Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree and other prog. rock.

[reeltrouble1]

[QUOTE=Polkmaniac]Why did I create this thread????

I have no clue, I'm really digging my music lately and just felt like sharing my recent discovery.[QUOTE]

PM,

I think its a great thread, the study of how different Genre are put together musically is a facinating subject. Prog Rock is difficult because it takes time to develop and resolve those themes not typical to your ear, as you said, rooted more to classical, where the works take the time to fully develop the musical theme or identity of the modes within a given key. We aint talkin Humpty Dumpty here.

I love talking about that stuff, but I am usually just talking about it to myself, my little town has little to offer in terms of music clubs who study genre.

RT1