Back in the day, I wondered for a long time what the "prog" in prog rock stood for, before I was enlightened and learned it meant progressive. I still didn't get it exactly but I felt a tiny bit less dumb. I wonder if progressive rock was aligned with progressive politics? - mister anchovy (guest) 6-12-2011 4:08 pm
Prog Rock is fairly apolitical. The lyrics tend to be escapist or mystical, or in the case of Hocus Pocus, clearly incomprehensible.
I think the label "Progressive" was first applied simply to distinguish it from what came before, and although this label is imperfect at describing it, we're stuck with it now. I think the language devolving into "Prog" is more appropriate, a neologism describing something which is kinda escapist, mystical, and incomprehensible.
VB's Sunday Prog-Rock Assortment
Van Der Graaf Generator- A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers
I just wanted to say the title of this song.
Focus - Hocus Pocus
Swell yodelling solo.
Soft Machine - I Should've Known
Featuring a young Robert Wyatt on percussion and vocals. Nice light show.
COS (Classroom) - Achille
Obscure Belgian jazz-math, set to clever found footage.
- VB 6-12-2011 3:49 pm
Back in the day, I wondered for a long time what the "prog" in prog rock stood for, before I was enlightened and learned it meant progressive. I still didn't get it exactly but I felt a tiny bit less dumb. I wonder if progressive rock was aligned with progressive politics?
- mister anchovy (guest) 6-12-2011 4:08 pm
Prog Rock is fairly apolitical. The lyrics tend to be escapist or mystical, or in the case of Hocus Pocus, clearly incomprehensible.
I think the label "Progressive" was first applied simply to distinguish it from what came before, and although this label is imperfect at describing it, we're stuck with it now. I think the language devolving into "Prog" is more appropriate, a neologism describing something which is kinda escapist, mystical, and incomprehensible.
- VB 6-12-2011 6:01 pm