55 Are there different categories of progressive music? part2
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This article is from the Progressive Music FAQ, by Phil Kime(Philip@kime.org.uk) with numerous contributions by others.
55 Are there different categories of progressive music? part2
Fusion
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Explorative jazz-rock: a fusion as the name suggests. Maybe a
little jazzier than most progressive music, but rockier than most
jazz. Quite a established and exciting genre with often virtuoso
playing.
*Examples:* Mahavishnu Orchestra, Brand X, Iceberg, Arti+Mestieri
Krautrock
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Slighltly politically uncorrect term used harmlessly to refer to
a form of usually rather strange rock originating from Germany
in the 70s. Typified by a loose, improvisational style with
a large proportion of experimentation and slightly whimsical
flavour. Often difficult to listen to, quite sinister and covertly
intellectual. Very influential in all sorts of areas even today. Some
people regard it as the precursor to industrial music proper which
is fair: there are similarities but probably as many differences. See
Chris Moon's informative Krautrock guide at:
<URL:http://www.progrock.net/prog/Misc/german>
*Examples:* Can, Amon Düül II, Faust, Xhol, Agitation Free, early
Tangerine Dream, Ash Ra Tempel
Neo-Classical Progressive
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Music that fused 20th century classical music with new rock
structures. Sometimes referred to as "chamber rock, this can be
difficult to appreciate at first as artists of this ilk were way out
on a limb and quite different. Also, it tends to be very complex,
requiring many listens to reach a fair appreciation. One of the
least understood genres about which most people are completely
oblivious yet one of the most rewarding.
*Examples:* Univers Zero, Art Zoyd, ZNR
Neo-Progressive
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Symphonic rock done in a typically simplified or more commercial
format. Often rich and melodious but without the complexity of
traditional progressive music. Mostly an 80's and 90's phenomenon.
*Examples:* Marillion, iQ, Pendragon, Twelfth Night, Aragon, Jadis,
Grey Lady Down
Progressive Folk
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A variety of music that took simple folk songs and did something
quite new with them. There were many forms of this.
*Examples:* Emtidi, Witthüser Westrupp, Malicorne, Mellow Candle
Progressive Metal
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Heavy metal that is influenced by symphonic rock or fusion. Usually
is much more complex than standard metal and emphasising virtuoso
instrumentalists.
*Examples:* Dream Theater, Fates Warning, Watchtower, Siege's Even,
Cynic, Atheist
Rock In Opposition (RIO)
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A name coined by ex-Henry Cow drummer Chris Cutler. This type of
music consistently defies categorization (except for "RIO") and is
extremely challenging and often hard to listen to. However, it is
very rewarding in the long run. The lyrical bent is often political,
especially for those bands Cutler has a hand in. Technically,
bands like Art Zoyd and Univers Zero are RIO as they subscribed to
Cutlers broad musical ethic in its original conception. However,
the label has outgrown its original political connotations and is
now used to refer to artists potraying a similar approach to the
seminal Henry Cow, the central RIO band. See Q's and A's below for a
better description of RIO. See Phil Zampino's (zampino@squidco.com)
Web site for much information on RIO labels and artists at:
<URL:http://www.panix.com/~zampino/rer/>
*Examples:* Henry Cow, Art Bears, Samla Mammas Manna, News From
Babel, Thinking Plague, Etron Fou Leloublan etc.
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