Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Prog Rock Revisited

Website:
http://www.progarchives.com/Progressive-rock.asp

I think this website will be particularly useful for defining the progressive rock genre. The website calls progressive rock "an ambitious, eclectic, and often grandiose style of rock music which arose in the late 1960s principally in England." Progressive rock was a European movement which drew its influences from classical music and jazz. This jazz influence is certainly noticeable on DSOTM. The website admits that "progressive rock is difficult to define in a single, conclusive way." At the same time, however, the site attempts to outline some key characteristics of the genre, including long compositions ("Echoes"), lyrics that convey themes such as "science fiction, fantasy, religion, history, war, love, madness," concept albums (Dark Side & The Wall), electronic instrumentation, and the linking of music and visual art. If we consider these characteristics, it is safe to say that Pink Floyd is a progressive rock group.

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