Prog Wars: Pink Floyd vs. RUSH

[mellowinman]

Originally Posted by Definitely

Yes' most progressive piece was not Close To The Edge by any means, Tales From Topographic Oceans' four epics outweigh Close To The Edge on an experimental level. That album is one of my winners for prog albums of all time, with Hemispheres alongside it. Nothing has touched me musically the way those two albums did, Cygnus Book II had me imagining the story as a movie every time I listened, even Circumstances still makes me picture things, not sure what it is but that album is just everything to me. TFTO is a close second, but in a Rush vs. PF thread that is why I take Rush. PF may have moody stuff, but it just doesn't hit me like Rush's mythical fantasy concepts.

I'm afraid I have to be counted among those in the general public who find "Tales from Topographic Oceans" pretty much unlistenable. I tried to warm up to it, but I just couldn't, and "Relayer" didn't fare much better.

Close to the Edge has all the elements of good Progressive (as opposed to merely Experimental) music; it took chances with time signatures, beat in general, arrangement, form, etc, but it did it while remaining musical and in my opinion, beautiful.

And that is why progressive rock didn't do better. So much of it is really just weird sounds that aren't going to turn many people on.

Pink Floyd had that rare ability to always stay musical while being weird, and no matter how far they'd stray from a concept, they'd always bring it back home.

[zachoff]

Floyd... Especially w/ Syd.

[Splods]

I have listened to heavy amounts of bot Rush and Pink Floyd, and I think Floyd wins.

The album Animals made me extremely depressed, and so far has been the only album to have a severe emotional response to me.


Also, Floyd do prettier live shows.

[Violen]

Put them both on tour together (I know this is now impossible) And everyone wins.

[FretlessMainly]

Originally Posted by Bert Slide

No. That's Glam rock. Art rock is stuff only artists and hipsters can even pretend to enjoy.

Ooops; got my record store placards mixed up in me head. I've spoken out against industry genres in the past. I've now fallen victim to my own dislikes.

[rockosocko]

For what it's worth, I think it is an apples vs. oranges kind of thing; they're both at pretty opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of style to make a fair comparison. However, in terms of musicianship, I would most certainly have to go with Rush.

[FretlessMainly]

Originally Posted by Splods

The album Animals made me extremely depressed, and so far has been the only album to have a severe emotional response to me.

Hmmm. Animals is by a wide margin my favorite Floyd album. There are certainly better Floyd moments (Echoes at Pompeii, for example), but as a complete concept, Animals is spot on. Despite the anti-American message (and why should we be immune to criticism? it's one of the tenants our democracy was founded upon.), it works to perfection to my ears.

It doesn't leave me depressed, it leaves me refreshed with the notion that free speech is alive and well and we'd do well to listen lest we become the lemmings that are the subject of the criticism. Fair weight for a simple R&R album, no?

[Aussie Player]

OP,
With respect, how young are you?

[Rush-2112]

Originally Posted by Aussie Player

OP,
With respect, how young are you?

21

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Rush-2112

Alright, time for a throwdown. Which is the better prog rock band? I've always loved both...but since I predominantly listen to Rush all the time, I've been in a Floyd kick as of late.

Pick a side...or is it a draw?

Is it just my imagination, or are these inane & insipid fanboy threads suddenly popping up all over the place right now? Has anyone else also noticed them as well?

MM

[Duke21]

Rush beats Floyd as a prog rock band.

[JacoLesFlea]

I picked carrots because I enjoy both.

[FreshTrooperXBL]

I'm literally eating carrots while I'm reading this right now ...this particular carrot I just ate was really tasty.


EDIT: yes cranberries are good, but the poll isn't talking about cranberries. We're talking "no food" or "carrots" here. jeez buddy

[Duke21]

I'm eating cranberries... Much better then carrots

[Rush-2112]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

inane & insipid fanboy threads

MM

Ouch. No need for name calling

You didn't have to click the thread ya know...I meant no harm, just wanted to hear some opinion.

[Nev375]

They are both progressive, but in different ways.

I don't think floyd is considered "prog rock", but then I'm not sure if anyone really understands specific genre labels anyway. (at least not enough that those who think they know will agree with each other what they are.)

Sorry, I can't vote. They are both equally influential, yet different and the music world would be worse off had either of them not existed.

[worxforme]

Functional enough people to still be together and outlast most marriages, great musicians, still putting out great new music, still touring and still filling stadiums... and best prog band, one vote for Rush.

[SquierJazz72]

I think they are both progressive, but in different ways.

Both great bands. Always great musicianship, concepts, etc.

If I go by who I have been more inspired/influenced by, or who I listen to most often, Rush takes it, by a small margin.

[macguyver16]

to me, there are a few things you must clear up. 1st, what PHASE of Pink Floyd, as they did everything from space rock to distilled metal. Rush tends to be just pure prog(except for maybe their earlier days, when they were a little more hard rock). 2nd, are we talkin about their virtuosity with their instruments, because, lets face it, Rush would win that. or are we talkin about their affect on music or social culture overall, in that case Pink Floyd would win that. i guess that it is all perspective...

[Spectrum]

Originally Posted by macguyver16

2nd, are we talkin about their virtuosity with their instruments, because, lets face it, Rush would win that.

Drums and bass, agree. But Rick Wright was a better-trained pianist than Geddy, and Lifeson vs. Gilmour makes for an epic guitar battle.

Rush does more on stage with 3 guys than Floyd did with 4 and bunch of backup musicians and singers, though.

Also, Rush has continued to push into new territory whereas Floyd got very stale after Roger left. He was the conceptual heart of the band, while David represented the musical talent.