The Bridges of Prog

The downside of unemployment is the free time to explore music you wouldn't under normal circumstances. Below is the second half of the prog rock exploration I wrote back in April but decided, for obvious reasons of ass-sucking embarrassment, not to post. But after hearing news of a possible Genesis reunion with the original line-up, I'm letting it fly like a three-winged penguin and I'm ready to embrace Phil Collins (as long as he sticks to the drums and Peter Gabriel is on vocals, in flower costume) despite all those old Jew-hating rumors.

Part II. Worm Wars Without Borders
On the surface (and many layers below), prog rock is the antithesis of punk and in no small part the latter was a reaction/rejection of the former. Prog was mocked because it was pretentious, self-indulgent, and overblown. How seriously could you take music school nerds dressed in capes and dove costumes? (Truth be told, that's exactly why I'm enjoying it now.) But take a step back. Does prog deserve the scorn it gets in so many circles? These musicians set out to re-define rock and pop in terms of classical music with all the technical expertise one would expect from a New York Philharmonic performance. Sure, they combined it with absurd fantasy tales but what else is ballet and opera if not that?

Another important point to consider: this stuff was by and large not radio-friendly. (Stick that in your punk rock ethos cap.) These guys were probably the most talented pop musicians of their time and did they decide to cash in and crank out 70's AM Gold shits like Three Dog Night, ABBA, or Cher? Hell no! They had the dignity to at least wait until spawning and influencing other more accessible genres before plunging into that 80's cheese pit of MTV money.

Part III. Hero Returns Home With No Legs (Cooks The Egg, Eggs The Cook)
I think it comes down to this, like jazz, you need a lot of free time on your hands to enjoy prog. Music snobs always say you have to start with certain selections before moving on to the next and with 20+ minute songs involving intricate story lines it takes repeated listens just to figure out what the hell is going. High school, college, and unwanted stretches of unemployment are ideal times to do a prog tour of duty. Alas, I fall into the last category and hopefully it won't last much longer. I doubt I have the stomach to venture much beyond Genesis, King Crimson and Jethro Tull.

And before you completely dismiss all of this stuff, if you're an Eno-phile, remember he ran in these circles with Fripp, Manzanera, etc. Collins contributed to Taking Tiger Mountain and Another Green World while Gabriel asked Eno to add some effects on Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.

Genesis - "Time Table" from Foxtrot (currently #6 album on the all-time Prog 100!)

Previously: The epic must-listen Genesis - "Supper's Ready"