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progressive rock

Sub-genre of rock also known in short as "prog".

It relies as much on complex, painstakingly composed and arranged structures that rival classical music (Gentle Giant, BMS, Yezda Urfa), as on improvisation that rivals jazz (VDGG, Soft Machine, ELP). It may employ any device to boost its quality (unusual instruments, elements from other genres, non-standard structures), as it is a genre essentially associated with musical freedom. Prog pieces often extend beyond a 5 minute limit, though it is not always the case (Gentle Giant, Jethro Tull).

Its primordial purpose was to bring much-needed credibility to rock'n'roll, while unifying the different realms of "good music" and exploiting its potential to the fullest. Sadly, it has drawn a large amount of snobbish minions in the process.

It thrived in the 70s, after which many of its most brilliant exponents, even Pink Floyd or ELP, not to mention Gentle Giant, just started getting it wrong. It was no longer progressive rock, but a kind of "tired uninspired unchallenging get-with-the-times-old-man sing-along" rock.

Additional Note: Male prog fans who believe this is not a genre enjoyed by those loosely referred to as "girls" need to be more "progressive" so as not to shame their kind. They are suggested to start by not making gratuitous generalizations, and realizing they're looking for female companionship in the wrong place.

P.S.: I'm not even a feminist but that's just lame.

Genesis is one of the many progressive rock groups that have tarnished their legacy by going top 40.

A progressive rock fan should know better than to think like an emo kid.

Me and my girls like progressive rock: we shake our booties to "21st Century Schizoid Man" and sway with the fellas to "Shine on You Crazy Diamond".

by prog-loving GIRL May 10, 2009

65πŸ‘ 18πŸ‘Ž


progressive rock

A genre of music that combines forms of jazz and classical all under the umbrella of rock. Progressive rock is generally distinguished by its use of nonstandard timings, chords, keys, and effects, as well as utilizing other effects that are not generally found in popular music, like feedback.

A common misconception about progressive rock is that it's nothing more than music to listen to when you get stoned, which is not true. Sure, it may be considered trippy or psychedelic, but by no means was it written by or for stoners. In fact, the level of complexity in some progressive rock songs is surprising.

Another misconception of progressive rock is that it's just noise thrown together to sound vaguely like music. This is also not true, or for most bands at least.

Pink Floyd is generally considered to be the first and best progressive rock band of all time, and is defined by their career during the 70s. Their late-60s career is mostly classified as psychedelic rock, and their late-70s to mid-90s career is generally classified as plain old, uninspired rock, or just total crap.

Some other famous progressive rock bands include Radiohead (post-OK Computer) and Dream Theater.

- Dude I got high last night and listened to Pink Floyd records for like five hours! It's the best hippie music ever!
- Umm...okay. Pink Floyd's progressive rock, not hippie rock, but whatever.

by Spença B July 19, 2006

86πŸ‘ 50πŸ‘Ž


progressive rock

Complicated Early-70s extension to Classic Rock.

Girls don't like it! Because:
1) They can't shake their booty to the 7/4 or 5/8 time signatures
2) They can't imagine listening to any Improvisations on Brahms by a long haired ugly hippie in the 70s
3) Why do we want girls to like it. Prog is for solitary listening

Girl: What do you listen to, gangsta rap? Hip hop?
Boy: Na, I like old music
Girl: Ohh... Like Nirvana?
Boy: No, progressive rock. I don't think you'd understand

by Trey24 July 20, 2006

124πŸ‘ 97πŸ‘Ž


alternative acoustic progressive folk rock

emo, emotional, etc.

myspace.com/lanestillcantdance is so alternative acoustic progressive folk rock.

by Metal Ass Tim Bahaha May 20, 2008

1πŸ‘ 17πŸ‘Ž