Progressive snobbery
January 15, 2009 8:39 am Music(Topic recommended by Ryo-Ohki, based on his thoughts here)
I’ve been a lifelong fan of progressive rock, especially of the progressive metal subtype. I believe this is because I grew up learning and playing music; the fact that I played jazz trumpet for a decade expanded my love of music and its theory even further. So, a form of rock and roll dedicated to musical craftsmanship and finely-honed skill was naturally going to pique my interest.
While many prog fans love to discuss their favorite bands and enjoy hearing about others new to them, there seems to be an equal or perhaps greater amount of them that are close-minded pricks. In their mind, if it ain’t early 1970s prog, then it’s shit. Ironically, that kind of mindset can be summed up in one word: conservative. Which, as know from our politics lessons, kids, is the polar opposite of “progressive”! You even see this behavior when discussing the very specific era of prog rock they enjoy. In that case, it’s only the early work of certain prog rock bands that’s considered quality by these clowns; the bands’ later material just isn’t up to snuff for whatever bullshit reason. (For more details on this, please read the post I linked at the beginning of this entry.)
Personal opinions aside, the automatic denial of other progressive rock just because it didn’t appear in a certain part of a certain decade is rubbish from any logical standpoint. There’s bands that started out in the 1980s (e.g., Dream Theater) whose musical skills have far surpassed their 1970s peers. (I’m sorry, but them’s the breaks.) Moving from the late 1990s into modern times, there are groups that are absolutely stunning (e.g., Ayreon, Into Eternity, Redemption, etc.). For a genre that’s been around for decades, it’s still going strong, while remaining true to its name: progressive means progress. You rarely, if ever, find that amongst other longstanding genres of rock.
Maybe these overly obsessive fans are just a bunch of crabby old guys, channeling their inner Statler & Waldorf. (Minus the comedy.) Whatever the reason, that crap needs to stop. Grow up, fellas. There’s more for you to enjoy out there. Get the damn beeswax outta your ears, and listen.
January 15th, 2009 at 1:24 PM
And don’t forget, any contemporary band that plays in the style of 1970s prog is A-OK to these types.
Sure, many of these bands have superb musicianship and good writing, but guess what? They are regressive bands! They aren’t out to break new ground, they are out to recapture the ‘magic’ of 70s prog.
One notable example is the 1980s incarnation of Marillion, when Fish was lead vocalist. From all I have heard of this music and read of others’ opinions, it is widely accepted that this version of Marillion was a 1970s-Genesis copy band. Heck, “Grendel” is a ripoff of “Supper’s Ready”. Yes, lots of the Fish-era Marillion stuff is great, but it’s regressive rock, with many songs sounding like Genesis songs that never were.
I’m glad that prog is alive and well in the 21st century. Genesis will always be my favorite band, but when I discovered Porcupine Tree, I found a band that was able to excite me in many of the same ways. The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway is a masterpiece, and you know what? So is The Sky Moves Sideways.
As a side note, I’d also be laughed out of the “classic prog” club if I told them that I consider Radiohead art-rock (if not full-fledged prog) especially from OK Computer on, and heck, The Smashing Pumpkins are art-rock to my ears too.
[sarcasm] How dare I listen to such “mainstream” bands and call myself a fan of progressive music! [/sarcasm]