What would you say is the best prog band ever? [Archive] - Audio & Video Forums

PDA

View Full Version : What would you say is the best prog band ever?



Kaboom
03-09-2005, 05:13 PM
I would have REAL trouble deciding.
I guess Tull, Pink Floyd and Yes are right up there.
tull is just REALLY COOL
pink floyd is just "right". they kick ass. they might not be the most skilled or fastest musicians, but they sure as hell know what they are doing. The wall, Dark side of the moon and wish you were here are just TOO HARD to beat.
And yes... Close to the edge is currently stapled to my turntable.

basically i like all things prog, but those are just the greatest for me. Not even porcupine tree measures up (who has btw just overtaken Spock's beard in my preference list).

So what do you people think? care to share?

BarryL
03-09-2005, 06:09 PM
I would have REAL trouble deciding.
I guess Tull, Pink Floyd and Yes are right up there.
tull is just REALLY COOL
pink floyd is just "right". they kick ass. they might not be the most skilled or fastest musicians, but they sure as hell know what they are doing. The wall, Dark side of the moon and wish you were here are just TOO HARD to beat.
And yes... Close to the edge is currently stapled to my turntable.

basically i like all things prog, but those are just the greatest for me. Not even porcupine tree measures up (who has btw just overtaken Spock's beard in my preference list).

So what do you people think? care to share?

My vote goes to Yes. The sheer beauty and complexity and innovation in their music from 1971 through 1975 places them at the pinnacle in my opinion.

Of course, there were many seminal bands and records that all contributed to the wonder of progressive rock.

Key highlights from the early years:

1969: King Crimson - The Court of the Crimson King
1970 - The Nice - Five Bridges
1971 - Emerson Lake & Palmer - s/t
1971 - Van Der Graff Generator - Pawn Hearts
1972 - Genesis - Foxtrot
1972 - Yes - Close To The Edge

ForeverAutumn
03-09-2005, 07:58 PM
I'm not as qualified to play this game as some of the other's around here are, but what the hell...

I love all things Pink Floyd, but I'm not really sure that I would classify them as prog. So, I would say that Yes, Kansas and Rush (1975 - 78) would be my choices. Don't make me pick just one.

As far as CDs go, I would also have to place Genesis's Foxtrot on the list. Watcher of the Skies and Supper's Ready are classics.

I'm glad to hear that you're liking Porky Tree. A few other suggestions , based on what you seem to like...
Opeth - Damnation. This was produced by Steve Wilson of PT and you can hear his influence in the music. This disk can get a little boring though. I tend to enjoy it most when it's on shuffle with other disks.
IZZ - I Move. A solid CD IMHO.
Cryptic Vision - Moments of Clarity. You may have to order this one directly from ProgRock Records, www.progrockrecords.com, as I don't think it was mass produced for distribution.

Chrisgnat
03-09-2005, 08:00 PM
I gotta go with Gentle Giant.
They were so talented,clever and creative, virtually untouchable imo.

Yes and King Crimson tied for second and Peter Gabriel era Genesis for third.

Other incredible prog acts that were to good to break through :

Van Der Graff Generator
Univers Zero
Magma
Present
National Health
Hatfield and the North
PFM
Area among many others

progfan
03-09-2005, 08:18 PM
For me, Pink Floyd and Genesis. Many others qualify, depending on my mood. I can't think of any modern prog band I'd place as "the greatest ever" but I think Porcupine Tree deserve a place in the top 40! ;)

Dusty Chalk
03-09-2005, 10:31 PM
Is this a YES/no question? :)
I love all things Pink Floyd, but I'm not really sure that I would classify them as prog.What she said.

unleasHell
03-09-2005, 10:53 PM
YES: In the 70's I loved Yes, saw them 3 or 4 times, but for whatever reason I can't get into them nowadays (or for the last 15 years+). I've had that reamastered 4 CD set, for yes and have never listed to all the CD's..

Tull: I have gotten into more as I have gotten older, didn't care much for them in the 70's, every CD has a few good songs nothing great...

Genesis: saw them on the Trick of the Tail tour, Peter was gone but they were still great, I will argue with anyone to the death, that Foxtrot is the greatest prog Album of all time based on the awesome Supper's Ready.

Pink Floyd: was in stride with three albums: DSOTM, WYWH, and Animals, Meddle was very good too, but the WALL to me was a commercial sell out and they went downhill from there.

Those are all the past, Orics, are (were) good for a few listens, but they are repeating themselves, Porcupine Tree has been very good recent years band, but my pick is for...

Korai Orom: I've talked these guys up until I was blue in the face and I still don't think anyone here knows of them. I have 7 CD's by them, everyone a bit different and they shread, stunning guitar and instruments.

KORIA OROM ....

Gav_2000
03-10-2005, 12:47 AM
Pink Floyd are pretty good but my vote would go for Marillion, Script for a Jesters Tear and Fugazi were 2 of my most played albums as I grew up.

I'd also put in a 2nd place vote for Pallas as The Sentinel and The Knightmoves EP were always keys records from my formative years.

Kaboom
03-10-2005, 01:50 AM
Bingo! whenever i see Pink floyd classified as prog, doubt assaults me. But hey since i've always seen it there i guessed i'd include it in the post. I think they are absolutely untouchable. They had their ups and downs, but except saucerful of secrets and piper, i love all the albums. including the weaker ones such as division bell and final cut.
Btw, anyone know where i can get a copy of Stupid dream without paying 60 bucks for it? listening to such amazing music in 128kbps MP3 is close to making me wretch!

BarryL
03-10-2005, 06:35 AM
Korai Orom: I've talked these guys up until I was blue in the face and I still don't think anyone here knows of them. I have 7 CD's by them, everyone a bit different and they shread, stunning guitar and instruments.

KORIA OROM ....

Where would one go to purchase a Korai Orom? Please reveal your source. :eek:

DarrenH
03-10-2005, 06:52 AM
Is Tull really prog? I mean, they did a couple of album length projects for which I'm sure most are aware but after that (and before) I really wouldn't classify anything they did as "prog". Eclectic? Perhaps. It was all damn fine music and Tull remains my most favorite band.

Calling Porcupine Tree "prog" is also a stretch imo but I really dig them as well. Probably my favorite recent band. I've got everything you could possibly get (legit stuff that is) from Steven Wilson and company. And I was fortunate enough to buy Stupid Dream when it was still in print.

King Crimson is another huge favorite of mine that sometimes gets lumped into the "prog" category. I especially enjoy their live music from the Belew era. Absent Lovers, B'Boom and Heavy Construkction are all excellent live performances. I even get into Fripp's Projekct bands. Great music.

I have to say, "prog" really is an over-used word to describe or classify music.

Anyway, another fairly recent band that I really like is Arena. Very good neo-prog, especially their ealier albums. Their latest effort however has me wondering if they're leaning more towards prog-metal.

Another recent favorite is Isildurs Bane. Mind vol 1 is classic fusion-y music but I also like Cheval and The Voyage and Mind vol 4.

Couple of favorites of mine from the 70's would be Cressida and Barclay James Harvest. Cressida released just two albums but they were classic British proto-prog. Highly recommended to anyone that loves 70's prog. Barclay James Harvest released a bunch of albums but for me their first few (Their First Album, Once Again and Other Short Stories) are the best. Some good moments afterwards but those first three are the ones to own.

Oh, gotta mention Strawbs here as well. Very good and consistant band. They had a string of 5 albums starting with 1971's From The Witchwood and ending with 1975's Ghosts that I'm proud to have in my collection. If you're gonna buy just one Strawbs album then get Hero And Heroine but Ghosts is no slouch either.

I also like Eloy. Early music from them sounded very much like Tull especially on the album Inside. Frank Bornemann sounded just like Ian Anderson both vocally and in his music writing. Everything up to 1977's Ocean is pretty good although I haven't heard 1978's Silent Cries And Mighty Echoes yet.

Never could get into VDGG. I really tried. Pawn Hearts does nothing for me. Doesn't move me in any way nor does make me want to chuck it out the window. I haven't spun it in awhile so maybe it's time for another try.

Gentle Giant is another band I really tried to like but couldn't. I bought In A Glass House and Octopus and never could connect with them. I'll keep trying.

And of course I like Yes and ELP and some Gabriel era Genesis. Those are thee seminal "prog" bands imo.

So, I guess to answer your question, I don't really have a favorite prog band. I just like to many. With that said, if you want to classify Tull as prog then that would be my definitve answer.

Darren

Dave_G
03-10-2005, 06:55 AM
Asking me to name a best ever prog band is impossible.

I'm a progressive rock nut, goob, schmeeb, fanboy, whatever.

I like hard progressive rock, soft progressive rock, and all other types.

The bands I like most though, are:

Kansas
Yes
Genesis
Rush
Marillion
IQ
The Flower Kings
Pallas
Arena
Clepsydra
Galahad
Jethro Tull
XTC
Uriah Heep
Triumvirat

Basically I like it all, even Spocks Beard, but they are weak to my ears.

Dave

shokhead
03-10-2005, 07:24 AM
Whats a prog band vs others?

jasn
03-10-2005, 07:25 AM
I'm not going to suggest that they are the best, but I think Supertramp deserves a worthy mention in this topic.

unleasHell
03-10-2005, 07:29 AM
Where would one go to purchase a Korai Orom? Please reveal your source. :eek:

right here dude:
http://www.synphonic.8m.com/country/hungary.htm

KORAI OROM - Instrumental percussive space
‘95 $16
‘96 $16
’97 $16
SOUND & VISION 2000 $16
SOUND & VISION 2001 $16
RECYCLED - ‘93 & ‘96 (LIVE) $16
REFLECTED $16

Start with '96 or either of the Sound & Visions, but they are all awesome...

Chrisgnat
03-10-2005, 07:31 AM
About the original prog/rock movement in the 70's ie - "The Big Five".

The "Big 5" generally refers to the most obvious, "layman", and familiar progressive rock bands. While everyone might have their own taste, in this context, that's generally irrelevent. Though people can't accept that context and put whomever they want.

The biggest problem with the big 5 is that often times one or two bands get left out, so it becomes the big ?.

But generally, the "Big 5" are regarded as Yes, Genesis, KC, ELP, and (enter argued 5th bands: Tull, Floyd, Rush, VdGG, and Gentle Giant

kexodusc
03-10-2005, 08:11 AM
Wow...best prog band ever? That's sort of an anti-prog question to ask, isn't it? :D

I dunno, for me I think I'd have to give honorable mentions to:

1) Rush
2) Yes
3) Pink Floyd
4) Dream Theater
5) Genesis
6) Marillion
7) IQ


These are all over the map...And everyone of them has some terrible albums as well as some masterpieces. Porky Tree and Arena are really climbing up my list of faves too.

I like a lot of Spock's Beard and The Flower Kings' stuff, but I find both a bit inconsistent so I won't put them in that list.

Prog (and it's cousins/derivatives) seems to be the only genre(s) releasing new stuff that I dig, with a few exceptions...I'm a little upset about the lack of accessibility, if I'm not listening to internet radio I rarely hear about new groups/albums. :(

Troy
03-10-2005, 08:29 AM
Yeah, the BIG 5 list . . .

Floyd, Genesis, Yes, Tull and ELP. That's the big 5 for me. Probably in that order now.

ELP is in 5th for me. I liked them a lot as a teenager, but find them to epitomize all the negative connotations in progressive rock. Still, they were one of the biggest prog acts ever, hence thay HAVE TO be in the BIG 5 list.

When I was a teenager, I was REALLY into Tull. Over the top. I nearly wore a codpiece to school. Cooler heads prevailed. As time passed and my tastes evolved they slipped back, but i still ejoy the band a whole lot.

Yes from 71 to 77 is killer, but they are tarnished by all the bad output later. They should have hung it up or completely re-invented themselves decades ago. Oh, wait, they did, but then they stupidly went right back to the same formula but nver recaptured that studio magic.

Similar comments for Genesis. That band had SUCH a great run in the early- mid-70s. Their sound perfectly epitomizes the prog ideal for me. Great great band. Too bad they released so much bad stuff later. Down a peg for that.

So that leaves Floyd at the top for me I guess. I think Pink Floyd is prog, I know that's a bone of contention with many people. They fit too many of the description points like song length, production values, lyrical content than they don't (virtuosity). Call them spacerock if you like, but spacerock is an offshoot of progressive just as Canterbury is. They released some dogs late in their career, but not nearly as bad as the others.

Not sure how you can pick a 2nd gen band as the best of all time. The ealry 70s bands invented the genre from thin air. Bands like Porcupine Tree and Marillion, however good they might be, really walked RIGHT in the earlier band's footsteps.

Mr MidFi
03-10-2005, 08:37 AM
Hmmm...Hard for me to say. Pink Floyd springs instantly to mind. But The Wall and The Final Cut are such self-centered Roger Waters projects, and their post-Waters output is so spotty, it sort of calls their legacy into question.

Genesis should be considered as two separate bands...with and without Gabriel. Their output was solid throughout the 70s, but started to wane significantly afterward. But their oft-overlooked middle-period (Trick of the Tail, Wind & Wuthering, Seconds Out, Duke) remains a favorite of mine.

No one can argue with the sound that Yes created and perfected on their "big three" records, and a few after that as well. And for sheer creative persistence, you really must admire Tull and Rush.

If you stuck a gun to my head, I'd say Floyd. Or Genesis.

richmon
03-10-2005, 09:14 AM
I'd say King Crimson, although they're not my favorite band or any of their albums my favorite album.
But they were argueably one of the earliest Prog bands, In the court was revolutionary in 1969. They've constantly pushed the envelope of prog, Lizard in 1973, Larks Tongue in 1973, Red in 1974, Discipline in 1980 - all are wildly different from each other and unique for their time.

Genesis, Yes, ELP, Kansas, Rush, Genital Giant, Van der Graff, Pink Floyd, all are terrific and put out some great albums, but not they all stayed within a narrower range, they didn't stray too far from their signiture sound. Crim was the most progressive, always searching, exploring new ground.
That's the measure of a best progressive band for me.

I have Korai Orom's 1984 album, it's good, hypnotic like a more musically achomplished Hawkwind, but they don't make the top ten for me. Hey, I've got over 1500 CD's so I get to be pickey. Just my .02

shokhead
03-10-2005, 09:33 AM
I'd still like to know what is a prog band but it sounds like something like ELO?

Troy
03-10-2005, 10:07 AM
I'd still like to know what is a prog band but it sounds like something like ELO?

ELO was a pop band that used strings. they were closer to The Beatles than anything else. Then they went disco.

Save me the typing: Go to the AMG site and look up progressive/art rock for a good description of the genre.

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE57A19DD4DA57720D4933652C89461F1079040 F58302035840D2B63941881125AE0DA5C6CFB1FA70F878A5FD 2EAE580FC3AA93&sql=77:374

I notice that AMG called ELO (and the Move) progressive. Not sure I get that, maybe the early stuff like their version of "Roll Over Beethoven" could be pretty proggy.

Dave_G
03-10-2005, 12:27 PM
Ya,

ELO ain't no prog band but I still have a coupla their albums.

I forgot to add Porcupine Tree to my listing, I like them a lot, too.

What is prog?

To me, it's bands you generally don't hear on the radio, have lots of keyboards, songs longer than 10 minutes, hippy cool artwork, usually from Europe, and you can't dance to it, and is generally stuff you listen to by yourself at night when buzzed.

Dave

shokhead
03-10-2005, 01:42 PM
I did that with everything like Tull,LZ,Beatles,Grand Funk,James T,Cat S,Mott the Hopple,Clash,Devo,Cars,S Dan,Ten Years After,CSNY,N Young,Blind Faith,Mountain, that would be good for one night of getting high.

Dusty Chalk
03-10-2005, 11:00 PM
My "Big 4" include: Yes, Rush, King Crimson, and ELP.

Really Genesis and Tull are more prog than Floyd, but that's not saying much.

thepogue
03-12-2005, 04:31 PM
My favs...

Pink Floyd (for me the top dogs)
King Crimson (very artful and unpredictable)
XTC (are they prog?? kinda sort'a?...)
Porky Tree (can't get enuff)


I'll be hunting round to hear what's been listed...some I've never heard..


Peace, Pogue

Mark of Cenla
03-19-2005, 07:49 PM
I have been a prog head since the early 70s. The best prog band ever? Objectively I would have to say YES. But I prefer Kansas and Camel. Neal Morse's recent work is very good too. Peace.

cod
03-20-2005, 09:13 AM
For me it has to be Pink floyd, and Echoes of Meddle, is just something far removed from its time, the past or the future, they didnt dazzle with scales and speed. But with honest poetry and emotive powerful music. I love Genesis, im quite young and these were what i listened too when i was a baby, but i love "Wind and Wuthering". that was before the idiot Collins, (We cant dance) ruined the mastery of what Gabriel made and the last hooray for Steve Hackett. Yes had some wonderful lyrics not understood by anyone, yet they now seem like very spiritual new age concepts what he was singing about, (close to the edge). I also Had to put up with ELP, no i liked ELP, And Camel has no mention here, "The Snow goose" was played a lot in our house, and only 5 years ago i came across "Moonmadness", and really loved it.
Of Course dont Forget Modern classics as ahem, U.D.A., (Unnapreciated Dying Artist),
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue6/uda.htm also go here to listen to the first track on that album, this is quite old and the mood gets darker as you go further forward. http://www.sospubs.co.uk/sos/nov00/audio/uda/uda.MP3 Im so lazy though I'll never get rich by it.

But it Will surprise you greatly, read the reviews, I have more like that. I also have 6 to give away if anyones interested in the review and might like it, and also Feel free to burn it and give it to anyone who might like it. Its not about money its about music. Im not bothered i dont sell because I dont want to be rich, just want to not be obliged to do what i dont want to, but it is sad its not being heard , Anyway hopefully this will pass through as im not selling anything, but i think that a few of you guys into long atmospheric, inventive instrumental peices will like it.

BarryL
03-20-2005, 11:11 AM
I also have 6 to give away if anyones interested in the review and might like it, and also Feel free to burn it and give it to anyone who might like it. Its not about money its about music. Im not bothered i dont sell because I dont want to be rich, just want to not be obliged to do what i dont want to, but it is sad its not being heard , Anyway hopefully this will pass through as im not selling anything, but i think that a few of you guys into long atmospheric, inventive instrumental peices will like it.


Okay, sounds like I'd like it. If you e-mail me, I'll email you my address. Are you Andy?

linetsky(at)istar(dot)ca

mad rhetorik
03-20-2005, 12:54 PM
Not a huge prog listener (can't stand a lot of it, including Yes and ELP) but here are my picks:

<b>1. Pink Floyd</b>: Well, duh. They had one of the most amazing runs in all of music, and were way more than the sum of their parts. <b>Meddle</b>, <b>Obscured By Clouds</b>, <b>Dark Side Of The Moon</b>, <b>Wish You Were Here</b>, <b>Animals</b> (my fave), <b>The Wall</b>.. and let's not leave out the Syd-fronted debut <b>Piper At The Gates Of Dawn</b> either. Yes, medigs immensely.

<b>2. King Crimson</b>: These guys practically embody the term "prog." Fripp & Co. always kept their sound moving in new and challenging directions. From <b>In The Court..</b> to <b>Lizard</b> to <b>Larks' Tongues In Aspic</b> to <b>Discipline</b> to <b>THRAK</b> and finally <b>The Power To Believe</b>.. that's quite a progression.

<b>3. Frank Zappa</b>:.. is the man. Name another artist with a career as diverse, adventurous, and challenging as Zappa (Mike Patton? John Zorn?). Bet you can't. Not to mention the fact that he had a wicked sense of humor, was a great satiricist, an even greater guitarist and composer, and was constantly offending the PRMC. And he practically invented "fusion" with <b>Hot Rats</b> and other albums... he's in a class of his own.

<b>4. Porcupine Tree</b>: The best of "neo-prog" by far. Steve Wilson is one of my favorite all-around artists, and the music takes the best of old-school prog, combines it with modern alternative and metal to keep it fresh and interesting. <b>In Absentia</b> is an all-time classic and the rest of their discography fails to dissappoint as well.

<b>5. Opeth</b>: These Swedes probably belong more in the metal camp. However, the prog influences are more than evident in their sweeping epics, combining crushing and bleak melodic death passages with soothing, pastoral folk. Mikael Akerfeldt is one of the best vocalists I've ever encountered anywhere, and they've yet to release a single duff album after about a decade.

Other noteworthy mentions:
Van Der Graaf Generator
Gentle Giant
Magma
The Mahavishnu Orchestra (closer to jazz-fusion territory, but hey, it fits)
Devin Townshend

Mr Peabody
03-20-2005, 02:57 PM
My favorite is probably Kansas. I also have a lot of Pink Floyd and Jethro Tull.

One of my favorite newer bands to me is Ozric Tentacles. If you don't have any of them you have to get some. They are great. I also enjoyed Sylvan's Artificial Paradise and Tangent's The Day the Music Died. Opeth Damnation is a great album but i take points away because that album is not typical of their sound. It would be the same as Pink Floyd putting out an album that sounded like Metallica's style.

MasterCylinder
03-21-2005, 07:03 AM
Good thread.

Love that GENTLE GIANT gets many votes here -- they were simply magnificent -- saw them live in Dallas in 1977 or so.

Zappa not mentioned much but a genre/catagory for him is next to impossible.

Floyd gets the most votes here and I really can't disagree -- however, the material is clearly superior after Gilmore arrived and Waters grew into the new role.

YES is an obvious and another I have to agree with. I must like them because I've caught their live act 14 times...........mostly to watch Squire.

Can't believe it took 17 posts before I saw the name of Dream Theater -- as well-trained technical musicians go, nobody can currently touch these guys.

ForeverAutumn
03-21-2005, 07:47 AM
Can't believe it took 17 posts before I saw the name of Dream Theater -- as well-trained technical musicians go, nobody can currently touch these guys.

Yeah, I was surprised at that as well. And when I saw them mentioned I thought, "DOH! Of course!".

But I guess that when I think of the best prog band EVER, I think of the older bands. The originals of the genre. As much as I love many of the newer prog bands (DT and PT in particular), I can't consider them the best EVER when I can hear so many of the older influences in their music. DT may be technically better than many of the older bands but I don't think that they would be the band that they are without having heard the prog bands of the 70's.

kexodusc
03-21-2005, 08:19 AM
DT may be technically better than many of the older bands but I don't think that they would be the band that they are without having heard the prog bands of the 70's.

Very true, and I think DT would be the first to admit to that, too.

I was a little hesitant to put Dream Theater into a list with Rush, Yes, etc...wasn't sure if they deserved to be there, yett...maybe I should have waited until all is said and done, they're careers are over etc...it's hard to compare groups from different eras. I'm not sure DT will ever have as much impact or influence on the scene as some of the others, but I love what they do.
As Paul McCartney said even the Beatles owe a lot of their success to timing, not just talent. Maybe DT is caught out of time?
I always wonder about the all the "could-have-been" bands out there that didn't get their chance, and what we've missed out on...but that's a different topic.

DT is a different breed of prog with the whole "metal" aspect incorporated in there too, while I think many DT fans can and do appreciate the likes Yes, Rush, etc, I'm not sure many long-time fans of the groups from 70's could just as easily get into Dream Theater (though I've been surprised at few shows now).

I never use influences, or being late to the scene against a group either. Mozart and Beethoven wore their influences on their sleeves too...and the world is better off for it.

MasterCylinder
03-21-2005, 12:39 PM
" DT may be technically better than many of the older bands but I don't think that they would be the band that they are without having heard the prog bands of the 70's"



A big "AMEN" to that shyt, baby.........well said.



After all, prog progresses.

ForeverAutumn
03-21-2005, 03:34 PM
After all, prog progresses.

Oh, now that's deep. ;)

cod
03-22-2005, 04:44 AM
Eyup Mr Peabody How could i forget the Ozrics, bit of a parody of themselves now, but some wonderful work from the early years, and mid to later, naa i still love em

JDaniel
03-22-2005, 06:33 PM
Wonder what Yechy would say??????

Dave_G
03-22-2005, 06:59 PM
Yechy has converted.

He now plays drums for Proto-Kaw.

Dave