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Archive-name: music/progresive/current-recommendations
Posting-Frequency: triweekly Last-modified: Mon Nov 4 17:35:57 GB-Eire 1996 URL: http://www.cogsci.ed.ac.uk/~philkime/rmp_faqs.html See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge The most recent ascii and postscript versions of these FAQs are available at ftp://ftp.cogsci.ed.ac.uk/pub/philkime/RMP The Web versions are available at: http://www.cogsci.ed.ac.uk/~philkime/rmp_faqs.html All mail addresses in these FAQs should be mailto: URLs so you can mail anyone mentioned in the FAQs easily. (That is, as long as your browser supports mailto: URLs). Newsgroup names should be news: URLs so you can read any newsgroup mentioned here by clicking them (again, providing your browser supports them). Also, some names are links to the Web pages of individuals. This file may be freely distributed as long as it is not modified in any way and contains this notice. *Please Note:* All ftp, and web addresses are given in standard URL format. If you are not familiar with this then read this short explanation. Simple URL format looks like this: ftp://*some.network.address*/some/path/ A URL as given above can be entered as it is into any Web browser. If you intend to use standard ftp, the starred part should be used as the address of the machine to which you should connect and the immediately following section as the directory to look in when you are connected. The part preceding the starred section can be ignored in this case. A question is sometimes put thusly: "I used to be into progressive music in the 70s and was a big Yes/Crimson/ELP/etc. fan. I've heard there is a "revival" of sorts going on. My question is, "Point me at some good contemporary progressive music"." This is a very important and valuable question to ask as it is the basis of a developing taste. So, obviously it is also a valuable question to answer. Just the sort of thing for a FAQ. Of course, this FAQ is going to change a lot because music has an annoying habit of being regularly released. Usually at a tempo permanently one-step ahead of the trickle of pay into your bank. Anyway, this FAQ will take the form of an alphabetical listing of contemporary progressive music that it is recommend you try if you are interested in the way things currently stand. Naturally, this list cannot be exhaustive and will probably fall short of even being broadly representative but it is intended to encapsulate the core of recommended new music that people on r.m.pdiscuss. Each artist is classified by style. This is not a hard and fast classification but has been based on the guidelines in FAQ 4. Its purpose is to orient you around the common colloquialisms that pervade talk about this sort of music on the net and elsewhere There are a few major flowerings of what falls under the umbrella of progressive music today. The last few years has seen an explosion of high quality fusion/RIO from Japan, symphonic music from Sweden, rock from the USA and experimental/RIO from the UK and Europe. All are areas well worth looking into. Below, you will find recommendations for recordings from all of these areas. Many thanks to Pete Thelen (ptlk@netcom.com) and Steve Feigenbaum (cuneiway@aol.com) for much help in creating this FAQ. Thanks also to Dan Barrett (barrett@cs.umass.edu). Gentlemen all. ::Artist:: After Dinner ::Country:: Japan ::Style:: RIO ::Comments:: Light, airy vocals mixed with equally light music that can get surprisingly intense at times. Japanese, but not comparable to most of the other Japanese bands on this list. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: nglagrd ::Country:: Sweden ::Style:: Symphonic ::Recommendations:: *Epilog* ::Comments:: Surprisingly underivative for a symphonic band in the 90s. highly acclaimed by even those hardened due to the degeneracy of the symphonic field in recent years. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Anekdoten ::Country:: Sweden ::Style:: Rock/Symphonic ::Recommendations:: *vemod*, *Nucleus* ::Comments:: Sound very much like *Red* era King Crimson. Very popular on r.m.p. Derivative but good nevertheless. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Arsnova ::Country:: Japan ::Style:: Symphonic ::Recommendations:: *Transi* ::Comments:: Keyboard driven instrumental female trio. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Asgard ::Country:: Italy ::Style:: Rock/Symphonic/Neo-Progressive ::Recommendations:: *Arkana*, *Imago Mundi* ::Comments:: Five piece, English vocals, Hammill/Dream Theater influence. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Bela Fleck and the Flecktones ::Country:: USA ::Style:: Fusion (do not be fooled by the banjo!) ::Recommendations:: *Flight of the Cosmic Hippo* ::Comments:: Truly unique combination of banjo, bass, harmonica, and synth drums. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Il Berlione ::Country:: Japan ::Style:: Fusion/RIO ::Recommendations:: *Il Berlione*, *In 453 minutes infernal cooking* ::Comments:: Eclectic fusion with ethnic Japanese touches. Occasional startling moments of complexity. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Biota ::Country:: UK/USA ::Style:: RIO/Experimental ::Recommendations:: *Object Holder* ::Comments:: Quite difficult, thick, innovative multi-instrument music with electronics ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Birdsongs of the Mesozoic ::Country:: USA ::Style:: Neo-Classical ::Recommendations:: *Fossil Record*, *Dancing On A'A* ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Cardiacs ::Country:: UK ::Style:: Rock ::Recommendations:: *Songs for Ships and Irons* ::Comments:: The word "quirky" was invented for them. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Collage ::Country:: Poland ::Style:: Symphonic/Neo-Progressive ::Recommendations:: *Moonshine* ::Comments:: Very lush and modern symphonic. English vocals. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Deus ex Machina ::Country:: Italy ::Style:: Rock/Fusion/Experimental ::Recommendations:: *De Republica* ::Comments:: Sound like a 1990s Area. Superb vocals. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Devil Doll ::Country:: Italy ::Style:: Symphonic ::Recommendations:: *Sacreligium* ::Comments:: Atmospheric gothic soundtrack collage. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Djam Karet ::Country:: USA ::Style:: Rock/Experimental ::Recommendations:: *Suspension and Displacement*, *Reflections From the Firepool* ::Comments:: They do two very different things: poweful rock and moody experimental electronics. *Reflections* is a mix of both. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Dr Nerve ::Country:: USA ::Style:: Rock/RIO/Experimental ::Recommendations:: *Skin* ::Comments:: Very complex, powerful and highly unique. Almost metal in places. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Echolyn ::Country:: USA ::Style:: Symphonic/Neo-progressive ::Recommendations:: *As The World* ::Comments:: Song oriented, much vocals, complex. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Garden Wall ::Country:: Italy ::Style:: Symphonic/Rock ::Recommendations:: *Path of Dreams* ::Comments:: Hammill influenced English vocals, metal influenced guitar. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Halloween ::Country:: France ::Style:: Rock/Symphonic ::Recommendations:: *Merlin* ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Happy Family ::Country:: Japan ::Style:: Rock/Zeuhl ::Recommendations:: *Happy Family* ::Comments:: Quite unique zeuhl rock. Reminiscent of Magma and Tipographica. Much power. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Hecenia ::Country:: France ::Style:: Symphonic ::Recommendations:: *Le Couleur De Feu* ::Comments:: Very symphonic instrumental four piece, complex at times. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Iconoclasta ::Country:: Mexico ::Style:: Classic Progressive ::Recommendations:: *De Todos Uno* ::Comments:: Classic Italian 70's sound. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Ie Rai Shan ::Country:: Japan ::Style:: Symphonic Prog ::Recommendations:: *Ie Rai Shan* ::Comments:: Lush symphonic rock, female vocalist (Japanese). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Kalaban ::Country:: USA ::Style:: Rock ::Recommendations:: *Resistance is Useless* ::Comments:: Solid accessible progressive rock. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Keneally, Mike ::Country:: USA ::Style:: Rock/Jazz/Bizarre ::Recommendations:: *Hat* ::Comments:: Former Zappa guitarist plays chaotic, intelligent tunes. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Lacrymosa ::Country:: Japan ::Style:: Experimental/Rock/RIO ::Recommendations:: *Joy of the Wrecked Ship* ::Comments:: Unique composed instrumentals. Very challenging. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Landberk ::Country:: Sweden ::Style:: Symphonic/Rock ::Recommendations:: *Lonely Land*, *One Man Tells Another* ::Comments:: Very moody accessible 70s sound in the 90s. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Mastermind ::Country:: USA ::Style:: Rock/Symphonic ::Recommendations:: *Brainstorm*, *Tragic Symphony* ::Comments:: Powerful guitar driven progressive rock. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Mind Gallery ::Country:: Canada ::Style:: Rock ::Recommendations:: *Guilty Until Proven Rich* ::Comments:: Challenging but accessible progressive rock. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Minimum Vital ::Country:: France ::Style:: Progressive Rock ::Recommendations:: *La Source*, *Sarabandes* ::Comments:: Canterbury & folk influenced, very original. Some vocals. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Miriodor ::Country:: Canada ::Style:: Neo-Classical Rock/Progressive/RIO ::Recomendations:: *Third Warning* ::Comments:: Some similarities to Univers Zero with jazz seasoning. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Moorefield, Virgil ::Country:: USA ::Style:: Jazz Rock/RIO/Progressive ::Recommendations:: *Distractions On The Way To The Kings Party* ::Comments:: Multi-guitar based rock with reed & horn section. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Nurse With Wound ::Country:: UK ::Style:: Experimental ::Recommendations:: *Thunder Perfect Mind*, *Rock 'n' Roll Station* ::Comments:: Premier experimentalists. Can be very difficult and powerful. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Ozric Tentacles ::Country:: UK ::Style:: Psychedelic prog-rock ::Recommendations:: *Arborescence*, *Strangeitude* ::Comments:: Like instrumental Hillage era Gong. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Philharmonie ::Country:: France ::Style:: Rock/? ::Recommendations:: *Les Elephants Carilloneurs*, *Nord* ::Comments:: Fripp influenced guitar trio, but better compositions than C.G.T or L.O.C.G. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Phish ::Country:: USA ::Style:: Rock/Jazz/Fusion/Humor ::Recommendations:: *Junta*, *A Picture of Nectar* ::Comments:: Mixes many musical styles into an original, virtuosic whole. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Porcupine Tree ::Country:: UK ::Style:: Psychedelic Prog ::Recommendations:: *The Sky Moves Sideways* ::Comments:: Neo-psych with Pink Floyd touches. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Solstice ::Country:: UK ::Style:: Symphonic folk-prog ::Recommendations:: *New Life* ::Comments:: Similar to It's A Beautiful Day, Renaissance, female vocals. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Thinking Plague ::Country:: USA ::Style:: RIO ::Recommendations:: *In This Life* ::Comments:: Brilliant extended songs with unique rock twist. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Tipographica ::Country:: Japan ::Style:: Fusion/RIO ::Recommendations:: *Tipographica* ::Comments:: Intelligent, complex virtuosity with jazz touches. Incredible. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: U Totem ::Country:: USA ::Style:: RIO - extended songs ::Recommendations:: *U Totem* ::Comments:: Long, eclectic extended songs. "The closest thing to Henry Cow in complexity ... world class playing & singing ... there is nothing else like this now." -Chris Cutler. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Watkins, Kit ::Country:: USA ::Style:: Ambient/Rock - very diverse ::Recommendations:: *Holographic Tapestries* ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: White Willow ::Country:: Norway ::Style:: Symphonic ::Recommendations:: *Ignus Faatus* ::Comments:: Combines symphonic progressive & folkier elements in a fresh way. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: Xaal ::Country:: France ::Style:: Zeuhl/Fusion/Rock ::Recommendations:: *On the Way*, *Seconde Era* ::Comments:: Rock with fascinating zeuhl influence. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ::Artist:: 5UU's ::Country:: USA ::Style:: RIO/Rock - extended songs ::Recommendations:: *Hunger's Teeth* ::Comments:: Very different, original rock with much experimentalism. A highly regarded modern classic. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This FAQ is maintained by Phil Kime(Phil.Kime@ed.ac.uk). Comments, questions, and criticisms are positively always welcome. This text was taken in part from the previous versions of this FAQ, which were maintained by Scott McMahan, and Mike Borella. The FAQs were brought into being originally through the sterling efforts of Malcolm Humes. Many thanks go to all of these gentlemen for their excellent work. -- = Phil Kime (Phil.Kime@ed.ac.uk) = = Centre for Cognitive Science/Dept of Philosophy = = University of Edinburgh = User Contributions:
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Last Update March 27 2014 @ 02:11 PM
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rec.music.progressive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), Part 8/8
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rec.music.progressive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), Part 8/8
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