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| Progressive rock is a style of music that combines
classical music's sense of space and monumental scope
with rock's raw power and energy. There is frequent
inclusion of other musical styles such as classical,
R&B, jazz, folk, avant-garde and world music.
Arrangements are typically complex, dynamic and
multi-dimensional usually featuring intricate keyboard
and guitar playing. Many of the early progressive rock
bands incorporated a Mellotron or string synth to
simulate an orchestra backing. Dynamics are also an
important part of progressive rock. A mixture of loud
passages, soft passages and musical crescendos add to
the emotion of arrangements, as do extended instrumental
solos, which may involve some improvisation. It is also
not unusual for bands to compose lengthy, yet
structured, multi-movement compositions that center on a
core musical theme. Lyrical content may draw from
science fiction, mythology, fantasy and utopian
literature. |
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Sub-Genres in Detail |
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Canterbury: |
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This
sub-genre was spawned from a specific region of England
of the same name. Canterbury music involves very complex
and intricate arrangements, often including elements of
jazz. Even within such busy, serious music, an air of
humor usually lingers about.
Caravan, National Health, Gentle
Giant, Nathan Mahl, Echolyn |
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Electronic: |
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Sometimes called "new
age," much of this music was in existence well before
the term was coined. The music is typically very
explorative and characterized by the use of almost all
electronic equipment. There is often a concentration on
sonority and texture over and above other musical
attributes. Often very spacious and ethereal, it can
sometimes be quite powerful in a dark way, but without
sounding industrial.
Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze,
Kit Watkins, Jean-Michel Jarre |
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| Fusion: |
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In relation to
progressive rock, fusion takes on the form of highly
improvised guitar and keyboard interplay punctuated with
jazz drumming. Vocals are few and far between, but there
is usually enough going on musically that they are not
missed. At first listen, fusion can sound monotonous or
tedious, but with a few listens, the true complexity and
talent begins to shine though. Like RIO, it can be an
acquired taste.
Bruford, Allan Holdsworth,
Mahavishnu Orchestra, Scott McGill |
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Krautrock: |
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"Krautrock" is a term
used to refer to a form of usually strange rock
originating from Germany in the 1970s. Music of this
genre is typified by loose, improvisation with a
significant amount of experimentation and sometimes
dark, whimsical flavor. Krautrock can often be difficult
to listen to as it can be quite sinister and covertly
intellectual.
Amon Düül II, Faust, Agitation
Free, Ash Ra Tempel, Can |
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| Neo-Prog: |
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Evolving from the late
'70s Genesis sound, neo-progressive melds the strong
melodies of symphonic progressive with the harder,
guitar edge of the early and mid-80s. Although fantasy
themes were still used, more modern- day topics were
explored in the lyrics. Strong musicianship is
important, but the up-front virtuosity is often not as
evident as in the other genres. Many neo-prog songs are
shorter in length and are often more accessible to the
average music listener.
Marillion, Pendragon, IQ, Iluvatar,
Crucible, Collage, Nexus |
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Prog Metal: |
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Progressive metal came
into full realization during the late '80s as the
guitar-heavy mainstream met with old school progressive
sensibilities. Hard progressive rock bands like Rush and
Deep Purple and heavy metal bands like Metallica and
Iron Maiden were of equal influence in the creation of
progressive metal. Largely guitar- based, the music is
characterized by powerful riffs, blazing solos,
occasional time changes and heavy metal vocals.
Sometimes called "pomp rock," progressive metal bands
will also include indulgent intros and outros and even
the token ballad.
Dream Theater, Fates Warning,
Symphony X, Ayreon, Gordian Knot |
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| RIO: |
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RIO, or
Rock-In-Opposition, is a sub-genre of progressive rock
that is as difficult to describe as it can be to listen
to. That is not a criticism, but merely a fact. RIO
bands tend to be influenced more by 20th century
classical music rather than the earlier classical that
influenced the symphonic bands. The music is extremely
challenging complex and, for most, is an acquired taste.
Henry Cow, Univers Zero, Thinking
Plague, Birdsongs of the Mesozoic |
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Space Rock: |
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Born in the '60s with an
early Pink Floyd, space rock is typified by swirling
guitars and keyboards, sometimes with a minimalist
approach. While some of the music from this sub-genre is
soothing and relaxing, others take a more aggressive
approach incorporating incessant grooves and wild
guitar, keyboard or even flute solos. Many space rock
bands are all instrumental, but those with vocalists
often focus on very cosmic themes. Ambient and
electronic music is sometimes labeled as space rock.
Hawkwind, Ozric Tentacles, Ship of
Fools, Quarkspace, Korai Orom |
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Symphonic: |
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This category of
progressive rock is where most of the well-known bands
fall (aka Art Rock). The symphonic bands execute their
arrangements with a great deal of orchestration,
sometimes creating extended songs in the form of
multi-part suites. Elements of classical and jazz music
are often prevalent as well. It is also common for an
abundance of musical virtuosity to be exuded in the form
of long solos, frequent time changes, shifts in tempo
and strong sense of dynamics. Typically, lyrical content
involves philosophy, mysticism, the abstract or science
fiction.
Yes, Genesis, ELP, King Crimson,
PFM, Banco, Spock's Beard, Flower Kings |
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| Zeuhl: |
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Essentially created by
French seminal band, Magma, Zeuhl is a very unique and
very challenging form of music incorporating chanting,
dissonance and loud rock. Stylistically there are
elements of Bartok, Stockhausen, Duke Ellington, blues
shouting and even original spoken languages!
Magma, Eskaton, Shub-Niggurath,
Honeyelk, Musique Noise |
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References:
1. "The Progressive Rock Files" by Jerry Lucky
2. "Rocking the Classics" by Edward Macan
3. rec.music.progressive FAQ |
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Above article from
http://ghostland.com/ghostland/about_progressive.asp
back to prog rock
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