Kung Keno said:
Ninefeet... Can you please tell more about how the whole genre "prog/psych/symph-rock" started and some more about the sub-genres(i found that really interesting)
Well, its not as black and white as i would like it to be, for there are many different interpretations on how the genres started. Some would say the beatles inspired it with sgt peppers and abbey road. Along with the moody blues earlier works, procol harum, and of course early pink floyd. However many other bands could also be factored into this, early yes, and of course king crimson who many would claim made the first real "progressive rock" album in court of the crimson king...which was in 69.
I personally would say that king crimson started the boom of classical elements and longer songs, in more emotional and artsy rock material...for it just makes sense to me. Keep in mind im not necessarily right, or wrong, its just a matter of opinion...and all this is coming from the top of my head, so forgive me if i leave anything important out.
Heres a small briefing of the sub genres and some bands that fall under the category:
Proto Prog - The Beatles, Moody Blues, Procol Harum, etc - The launching point of bands who would later influence progressive rock to become what it did. Had hints of complicated arrangements and time signatures, but mainly derived of its generally artistic and "daring" aproach to rock at the time.
Symphonic Prog - Genesis, Yes, King Crimson, Camel, Emerson Lake And Palmer, etc: typically a genre of progressive rock consisting of classical and complex arrangements and time signatures, with plenty of melody and soloing.
Psychadelia - Pink Floyd, Arzachel, Locomotive, Earth And Fire, etc: Based primarily on the psychadelic music crafted by the likes of cream, jimi hendrix, and others...it used more fuzz guitar and swirling keyboards/organs to create a very psychologicallly "trippy" and surreal atmosphere within the realm of rock.
KrautRock - Agitation Free, Novalis, Magma, Can, etc: Coined from being "German" Prog bands. Highly experimental and often spacey, long and drawn out tracks of musical layers, patterns and soundscapes all somehow cohesive under the rock tag. Some more symphonic sounding than others, more psychadelic than anything else...it varies from band to band. Some having native german tongue as vocals, some featuring english as well.
Progressive Folk - Trees, Spirogyra, Donovan, Linda Perhacs, etc: A sub genre of progressive rock which was deeply rooted (usually) in british folk music, either in the instrumentation or lyrically/vocally...carrying a more "down to earth" and organic feel than symphonic prog and its other like genres. YOull find a lot of acoustic instruments and vocal harmonies in this type of progressive rock.
Canterbury Prog - Caravan, Hatfield And The North, Soft Machine, Matching Mole, etc: Another sub genre of prog, but not to be overlooked. Coined after the town of canterbury england, consisted mainly of a small group of musicians who created a usually tongue in cheek, groovy, jazzy and experimental form of rock. Many times having lyrics that made no sense or at least were very strange and humorous, with long jam out sections, often including horns, flutes or saxaphones as well.
Neo Prog - Anekdoten, Landberk, Paatos, Porcupine Tree, Opeth, White Willow, Anglagard, etc: A debatable and less descript typecasting of bands, but consisting of late 80s, mainly early 90s and then on. The majority of the best in my opinion hail from sweden in this new prog wave, however plenty do come from elsewhere in scandanavia and worldwide as well. Most often taking the elements of 70s prog and re-creating or re-inventing the genre using modern technology and elements and/or ideals, to make something new and fresh, while not compromising the classic sound of the 70s most of us love. Dont let the word "neo" scare you however, these bands are just as good if not better than a lot of the 70s bands.
thanks for checking out all of this, i hope i have helped at least a bit...if you have anymore questions or if anyone has any input, feel free to share.
enjoy
