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Why do some progressive bands sound so dated?
- Thread starter ElectroVibe
- Start date
Some folks like the 80's "pop" Yes, and some like the 70's "classic" Yes. I like both, but I much prefer the 70's Yes such as The Yes Album, Close to the Edge album, Relayer, and Going for the One album.
I think you make an excellent point there. I'm 62 years old, and I was in high school in the early 70's and college in the late 70's. That's when I really got into music. Your timing was likely different than mine.
Ah, but 70's Yes music *HAS* endured! It depends on who is doing the enduring!
My thought (or opinion) is, music is like food. Different people like different things. And thank goodness for that, because I would never want to live in a world where everyone likes the same things and has the same personal preferences. It's the *differences* in preferences that makes life so good!
I'm not prog-rock person, true, but I love the mixture of prog-rock with mainstream rock and pop. I can watch the "Owner of a Lonely Heart" video anytime because I consider it one of the single greatest songs and music videos ever. Same with Asia.
My .02:
Listen to a prog cut that you think sounds "dated". Find the year of its release, and listen to the Billboard Top 100 from that year. You'll hear what "dated" sounds like...
Biiiiiiiiiiiiiig +1
There was some *incredibly* awesome music created back in the day.
And, there was some *incredibly* awful music created back in the day.
Asia was a product of the times. Their bands had dissolved, and if you wanted people to come see you, you needed radio play. Radio stations weren’t playing 7 minute songs anymore - you needed to get it done in 4. So that’s what they did. Didn’t stand the test of time, but it paid their bills for a few years.
Yeah, I guess that music that is 40 to 50 years old might sound a bit dated.... Heck, when I was a teenager and listened to music recorded in the 1940's it sounded, believe it or not, old and outdated. Go figure?
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I admit it's a good point about looking at a Billboard list from 1975 or whatever. But I will always love the top 40 music, especially if it hasn't been overplayed on oldies radio.
I guess it's true that I'm not a prog-rock person. I used to play in a worship band with a bass player who was very into prog rock and I would enjoy just listening to the kind of stuff he was making up during soundchecks. I still try to play some of his throwaway stuff from back then just for my own enjoyment.
I guess it's true that I'm not a prog-rock person. I used to play in a worship band with a bass player who was very into prog rock and I would enjoy just listening to the kind of stuff he was making up during soundchecks. I still try to play some of his throwaway stuff from back then just for my own enjoyment.
I sat down the other day with my Sony MDR-7506 headphones and listened to a live version of "Revealing Science of God" by Yes. After the 20 minute song was over, I took the headphones off, stared across the room, and, after about 30 seconds of speechlessness, I said to myself, "holy sh**.......what incredible musicianship."
I had the same reaction when I watched Yes play it live (in person) at one of their concerts. Absolute perfection.
I had the same reaction when I watched Yes play it live (in person) at one of their concerts. Absolute perfection.
OMG - I cringe as I recall some of that 70's awfulness. I dare anyone to go listen to "Seasons in the Sun" "Billy don't be a hero" and "Sunshine on my shoulders." So nauseating.
By the way I have always loved this 1986 documentary from MTV (or maybe VH1) about the making of GTR's first album. It was a progessive/rock band with Steve Howe and Steve Hackett and others, and producer Geoff Downes. One of my favorite music documentaries.
Reminds me of the 2002 tour.
They had a set break halfway thru and I went to use the restroom. Washing my hands after, I turned to a kid about 14 years old washing his hands in the sink next to me.
I asked him how he was enjoying the show and he turns to me with huge eyes and exclaims, "Revealing Science of God is the greatest piece of music ever!".
The next night in Austin, as YES is coming off the big instrumental part before the last "they move fast, they tell me" lyric and it gets quiet, my brother cracks up our whole section by exclaiming "No ******* way!" very loudly.
Sorry for the derail. YES may sound dated,but their music has moved generations of fans.
That's funny, I consider it to be one of the worst.
we are opposite sides of the same coin. the fake orchestra blasts in 'owner...' sound so over-the-top sleazy/cheezy to me that when that song comes on, i skip it. so...i know how you feel, i just feel it differently
Simply awesome!
(And I saw their 2002 tour as well!)
A couple of years prior to that, when I was playing bass in a Yes tribute band, I finally got the lifelong opportunity to meet Yes in person. It was backstage at the Concord Pavilion in northern California after their show. I chatted separately with Jon, Chris, Alan, and Steve (Igor was their keyboardist at the time). Being a Yes fan since 1971, it meant alot to me to finally meet them.
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we are opposite sides of the same coin. the fake orchestra blasts in 'owner...' sound so over-the-top sleazy/cheezy to me that when that song comes on, i skip it. so...i know how you feel, i just feel it differently
I never thought of them as fake orchestra sounds. Oh well.
Not me!
I had never heard of them until we went to see It's A Beautiful Day at a tiny gym on the CWRU campus (April 14, 1973). They blew everybody away! 
That was the Foxtrot tour, their first time in the US.
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