The current debates about sub-prog genres doesn't seem to take into consideration bands like Styx, Starcastle,Kansas et al & dare I say it Pink Floyd (post WYWH).Therefore is there a case for a sub-genre called AOR Prog, if not where do they fit?
The current debates about sub-prog genres doesn't seem to take into consideration bands like Styx, Starcastle,Kansas et al & dare I say it Pink Floyd (post WYWH).Therefore is there a case for a sub-genre called AOR Prog, if not where do they fit?
AOR is a radio format, not a musical genre.
HuGo"Very, very nice," said a man in the crowd,
When the golden voice appeared.
She was gold alright, but then so is rust.
"Such a shame about the beard."
So its prog Jim, but not as we know it!!!!!
The term "AOR Prog" seems like an oxymoron to me.
I cover this "AOR Prog" concept at length here on RYM.
It's not the focus of the piece, but in effect, that's what it boils down to. American bands that wanted to be progressive, but more or less needed to streamline their sound to be radio friendly (though some ignored this temptation altogether). I'm not overly concerned exactly where it fits in the continuum of music genres, but I personally have found the entire genre utterly fascinating - especially the history and the region it comes from.
If nothing else, you might learn a new album or two
I'd think that the more "adventurous" tracks from the normal AOR bands, and the more "arena rock" tracks from tradition prog bands would fit in this category.
So, you have Boston's "Foreplay/Long Time" here, as well as Yes' 90125, etc.
Music isn't about chops, or even about talent - it's about sound and the way that sound communicates to people. Mike Keneally
90125 is pretty much a strange category unto itself. It's fresh, definitely popular, song based.
But NOT AOR.
So I tried Kansas & Styx again tonight and nope still doing nothing for me, back to Univers Zero and Shub Niggurath
Ian
Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on progrock.com
https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-a...re-happy-hour/
Gordon Haskell - "You've got to keep the groove in your head and play a load of bollocks instead"
I blame Wynton, what was the question?
There are only 10 types of people in the World, those who understand binary and those that don't.
A very comprehensive review of what AOR prog has been. For a certain period of time it was indeed a subgenre -albeit localized in Midwest and Ontario Canada. I would add some heavier bands (bordering on heavy metal), that combined heaviness, progressive rock (mostly Yes & ELP) influences and an FM friendly edge. ALPHA CENTAURI, MORNINGSTAR (more AORish), ALKANA (more metallic) and ASIA (from Dakota) to the list.
And definitively, AOR prog ain't Steve Howe's ASIA and the likes...
Calyx (Canterbury Scene) - http://www.calyx-canterbury.fr
Legends In Their Own Lunchtime (blog) - https://canterburyscene.wordpress.com/
My latest books : "Yes" (2017) - https://lemotetlereste.com/musiques/yes/ + "L'Ecole de Canterbury" (2016) - http://lemotetlereste.com/musiques/lecoledecanterbury/ + "King Crimson" (2012/updated 2018) - http://lemotetlereste.com/musiques/kingcrimson/
Canterbury & prog interviews - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdf...IUPxUMA/videos
Ian
Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on progrock.com
https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-a...re-happy-hour/
Gordon Haskell - "You've got to keep the groove in your head and play a load of bollocks instead"
I blame Wynton, what was the question?
There are only 10 types of people in the World, those who understand binary and those that don't.
Ian
Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on progrock.com
https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-a...re-happy-hour/
Gordon Haskell - "You've got to keep the groove in your head and play a load of bollocks instead"
I blame Wynton, what was the question?
There are only 10 types of people in the World, those who understand binary and those that don't.
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