Who else thinks prog rock is terribly underrated?

Question

Also, when and how did you become a fan of progressive rock?

Discuss.

Answer 1

Prog is underrated because it challenges the listener to pay attention to what's going on, and most listeners would rather have a magazine or other fans tell them what's good. Within prog itself, the Canterbury school, which grew out of a few groups in that city in the 60's, and produced bands like Soft Machine (considered with Pink Floyd to be the founders of psychedelic music), Caravan, Hatfield and the North, and National Health, is the most underrated and least known. These musicians (many of them still performing in various groups and solo) are characterized by intelligent, witty tunes and lyrics, with impeccable, unostentatious musicianship. If you're unfamiliar with these groups, good albums to start with are Soft Machine, "Third"; Caravan, "Land of Grey and Pink"; Hatfield and the North's title album and "The Rotter's Club; National Health's self-titled album. The best place to read about the bands is Aymeric Leroy's website Calyx ( http://calyx.club.fr/index.html ). Aymeric also oversees the Yahoo Group "What's Rattlin" ( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/whatsrattlin/ ). There are a number of performances on the various video sites, as well as tracks and bios on MySpace. As with any good progressive group, the time you spend listening to Canterbury music will reward you richly.

I became a fan of Canterbury music after seeing Soft Machine on Hendrix's first U. S. tour in 1968. They played a single 30-minute song, unlike anything I'd ever heard.

Answer 2

YES

I became a fan of progressive when I bought an ELP album (Tarkus) because I play keyboard and wanted to hear a rock keyboardist. After that I went and bought Close to the Edge and was overly amazed. And proceed to the local library and rent every single prog album available. What I like about prog is the deep meaning behind the epics. While bands like The Rolling Stones wrote silly little songs. Pink Floyd wrote albums about the problems in the world, internal struggles, and they can take you into another realm for a very long time. You start listening to Dark Side and by the time it is over you are unaware of how much time has passed.

Answer 3

YES, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!
Progressive Rock probably has the most intelligent and talented of rockers, but it often pushed away caus ethe albums have themes and the songs can be a little longer or more complicated. This is why i love Prog rock, but some people just want easy music to listen to...
I became a fan around 5 years ago (when I was 12). I don't remember exactly how, but I'm sure it was cause I was so madly in love with Porcupine Tree I just had to listen to bands that were like them.

Answer 4

It is underrated because prog rock is not the typical three minute, have some cheesy lyrics that radio, MTV, etc is so fond off. Most prog musicians are tremendous players who write meaningful lyrics. Unfortunately due to the length of the songs, etc. it is hard for them to have many hits. The only time a prog band gets radio airplay is usually when they put out a more commercial song to get some airplay. Rush's best songs have never been heard on radio.

Answer 5

I've become a fan of prog rock three years ago, this the time as well that I stopped listening to "nu-metal" and started listening to more adult metals as well. My now husband introduced them to me subliminally. He'd have an album on and I'd ask who it was, he just say "Dream Theatre" "Emerson Lake and Palmer". I just how complicated storys are and the EMOTION that is put into the music rather than some junked up album that is slapped together in 60 minutes or less. I do think it is underrated, but not terribly, people just need to take the time to sit down, and listen to good music. I'd rather see it on my playlists than hear it on the radio or MTV.

Answer 6

I didn't really start getting into prog rock until a couple months ago and I've heard alot of obscure prog rock bands I really liked on SIRIUS radio and I'm now a big fan of prog rock, I do find prog rock to be underrated.

Answer 7

King Crimson is my second favorite band although I know that they don't like to be called prog rock(tough). It's a term that gets bashed a lot and I think that's why most bands try to stay away from it. I've grown up around it since I was a very little kid(thanks uncle Dave) and I still love it.

Answer 8

I've been a Yes fan for years. Bty, I know how old Grateful Jerry was in 1969 when is uncle played the first King Crimson album for him and I'll take cash.

Answer 9

Friend got me to listen to both Yes & Rush the same summer (while at summer camp many yrs back)

I'd already knew the radio hits, but he made me hear the obscure "weird", epics.

I never looked back since!

Prog is underrated, but y'know- I rather see it stay under the radar as opposed to seeing it go mainstream & watered down. (eg: 80s Genesis)

Answer 10

I think 'sculptured provocative' is the most underated style of rock.
Basically because it doesn't even exist.
But I bet Grateful Jerry's uncle Dave would like it if he heard it.