The Public Opinion Soapbox

Torgo · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:44 pm Post subject:

I think prog rock is by definition, uh, wait for it, hard to define. Nowadays, it's the "genre" everyone falls into who defies easy categorization.

Going by your description, I can't really think of ANY modern prog bands. But there's tons with prog influences.

I mean, it's all highly orchestrated music, but not really what I'd call orchestral. I think nowadays most of that classicly trained melodic sensibility lives in the speed metal genre, and Yngwie's codpiece. Whereas, the odd time signatures and extended highly arranged pieces can be found all over the place (what I call 'math rock.')

I don't know if I'm getting this across. But that's what I'm getting at with The Mars Volta, Tool, Muse, Umphrey's and the like...

PS - Who was band with the yodeling flute/keyboard player? That crazy long annoying yodeling song? Man, I saw a mid-70s clip of that on YouTube and damn near fell outta my chair laughing. Was it Poco?
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Punchmo · Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Over Here

LOL, Hocus Pocus. I've seen that sorry, ridiculous you tube video too.

I've you ever listened to Poco?

You are right, prog rock ain't what it used to be. I like your "math rock" definition because it is probably a closer definition of what it now is but, this is what I was referencing when I said that "some of this (music) is not pleasant to listen to...by cramming as many notes as possible into 4 beats".

The bands you have mentioned I would define as rock bands. I enjoy Tool and have for a while, a very original rock band and listen to mars volta and muse. Never heard unphreys. I also agree that today, prog rock most likely is any rock band that has a different sound.

I mean, it's all music and it either does something for ya or not. It's about our emotion, experiences and respective perspective (that ain't easy to say Laughing

) when we listen.

It's only rock n roll and I like it Laughing

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Torgo · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:18 pm Post subject:

LOL, right! The song was called "Focus?" Utter silliness, but also a pretty rocking song when guitar player cut loose.

I was into Yes, Rush, Zappa, Deep Purple, when I was younger. Not so much King Crimson or Genesis, though. Then I got old and rediscovered acoustic music, and started getting into old school country and bluegrass, lol...

So now I'm pretty much all over the place. Certain players will drag me along with them as well.
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"The Master would not approve..."

Punchmo · Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Over Here

The original released recording of "Focus" was a bit more enjoyable than the live you tube video.

I believe old school country and bluegrass are and have been experiencing a well deserved revival, for many reasons. (Could be another great thread.)

Have you heard Johnny Cash's "American Recordings" produced by Rick Rubin?

As I have gotten older, I listen to a wider variety of music too.
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anonymous_coward · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 549

Torgo · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:26 pm Post subject:

Punchmo · Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Over Here

Trent is certainly a guy with a different musical vision. I haven't heard all his stuff but I can enjoy the studio production techniques of his musical ideas.
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cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2136 Location: shippensburg

trent!

i am currently in love with 'year zero' and have it on at my studio when i work...keeps the creative juices flowing. great album....

Punchmo · Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Over Here

Tele · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 52 Location: Chambersburg

Here are some bands/artists I've been listening to lately. Rilo Kiley, Band of Horses, My Morning Jacket, Josh Ritter, Feist, Gary Jules, M. Ward, Jose Gonzalez, and Galactic.

anonymous_coward · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 549

i love m. ward. I kick myself that I missed the tour that he, Jim James, and Connor Oberst did. I've never heard Gary Jules, Jose Gonzalez, and Galactic, what are they like?

Tele · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 52 Location: Chambersburg

M Ward is amazing. I would love to see him play. Just curious, but do you know what M stands for?

Galactic is pretty much a funk/jam band. Mostly instrumental, but their last album that actually did with some hip hop artists for their vocals. Interesting stuff.

Gary Jules is a folk/acoustic artist. I'm not sure what I'd compare him to. Maybe, somewhere between Nick Drake and Elliot Smith(acoustic)? Not nearly as good as Nick Drake, but I can't think of anything to compare him to at the moment. His most recognized song is actually a cover song called Mad World by Tears for Fears. I believe it was in a movie or commercial.

Jose Gonzalez is also a folk/acoustic artist. I'm not really sure how to describe his music. It took me a few listens before I got into it, but now I really enjoy it. He kind of has a dark, haunting feel to a lot of his songs. I would recommend his latest album(In Our Nature) if you've never heard him, but they are all good.

Sorry, for the lengthy post and I hope that it helped a little at least.

Punchmo · Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Over Here

m. stands for Matt. This I derived from a google search to have a listen. Very nice stuff. I also searched for My Morning Jacket and enjoyed that as well. I had never heard of these artists before...many thanks Very Happy

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Tele · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 52 Location: Chambersburg

My Morning Jacket is one of my absolute favorite bands. I'd recommend At Dawn or It Still Moves as a first album to buy. "Z" is really good too, but not as good as either one of those IMHO.