I freely admit it. I have a number of guilty musical pleasures: songs and bands that I would be slightly embarrassed that anyone knew I adored or enjoyed sneaking a listen to from time to time. One of those passions is for classic prog rock, or at least, a subset of it.
Now, Deeper Into Music doesn’t feature a lot of prog rock – yeah, there’s a little Genesis and a couple of Yes tunes, but it’s certainly not a staple. However, in the mid 70s when I was about 14 or 15 I began a secret love-affair with prog. It started with Styx and Kansas (both of which I can no longer bear to listen to) but in time journeyed beyond to Yes, early Genesis, a few select Rush tunes, then Gong, and King Crimson. The complex rhythms, the sci-fi over- and undertones, the lack of pat 3-minute expressions was transporting to my young ears.
When punk came along I didn’t feel the urge to tear down this pomposity, I felt these musics could co-exist and there was a time when I’d play a Ramones album and follow it with “Supper’s Ready.” Yet, I was rather publicly quiet about my secret. It wouldn’t do to be progger at college radio!
These days when I listen to prog, it’s normally out of nostalgia more than anything else. I’ve tried to listen to modern prog bands (and there are a slew of them), but I often feel like they’re .. well… trying too hard. They are often too full-on prog and forget to slap in a melody or allow a song greater depth via quiet passages. That’s overgeneralizing, yes. But, thus far, I haven’t had a great deal of patience with neo-prog. I really felt my prog days were over and the sort of thing you come back to when you remember high school, or something…
Starcastle - Fountains of Light
And, so, it was a surprise to me when I logged in to Napster the other night to take a look and listen around to some tunes that I decided quite by chance to check out Starcastle. I knew there were sort of B-level 70s prog band from around Chicago often compared to Yes but I’d never really spent much time with them. I’d read that “Fountains of Light” was considered among their top works. So, I clicked on it.
As the sounds spewed out of my speakers, I could not help smiling. It did sound like a “great lost 70s” Yes album in many respects. And it’s better than B-level. It’s not for everyone and I’m sure that some of you are rolling your eyes or shouting out your disgust. But, for me, at least, this is a warm-fuzzy discovery and it brought back a little of the nearly overwhelming joy that I used to experience when I’d find a new sound when the worlds seemed fully of new sounds.
Now, I still hear new sounds that are awe-inspiring. But, there’s something about discovering or re-discovering something that feels at once familiar and fresh. Like finding an old photo album of your childhood.
Do you enjoy listening to classic prog rock (ala Genesis, Yes, King Crimson)?
- Yes, and I don't care who knows! (67%, 4 Votes)
- No comment (17%, 1 Votes)
- Only at gunpoint (17%, 1 Votes)
- Yes, but don't tell anybody (0%, 0 Votes)
- You must be joking - no way (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 6
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I’m 35 and the term “progressive rock” scares a lot of the younger generation. I’m not sure that they understand, as much of the music that they’ve been listening to would have been “progressive rock ” 25 years ago.
King Crimson tends to be a bit lengthy, but I’d be willing to bet that more than a few of them would enjoy ‘Yes’ singles. And the “Genesis” that they are thinking of is probably pre-Peter Gabreiel and post 1986 Phil Collins. Don’t be discouraged.
I’m a pretty big Floyd fan and many of our community greatly enjoy a band called “Porcupine Tree.” I highly suggest you give em’ a shot if you haven’t already.
If ‘Radiohead’ (especially recent) isn’t prog rock, I don’t know what is. And ‘Muse’?
Excellent points Bumr50. Thanks for the contribution.