Define "prog-lite"

Anteater · 09-19-2012, 09:00 PM

Sorry to interrupt ladies and gents, but I hope lot aren't forgetting some of the cooler groups that qualify as "prog-lite", such as The Alan Parsons Project, Ambrosia, Toto and Saga. :/

Of course, this is under the assumption that "prog-lite" refers to pop-oriented bands with progressive songwriting ideas (or vice versa) as previously mentioned before. To that end, even groups like 10cc would qualify. xD

Trollheart · 09-20-2012, 04:37 AM

I'm really not comfortable with subdividing the prog genre. "Prog-lite" to me seems to be just an excuse to shoehorn in many bands who have little or no relevance to prog into the genre. I mean, many artistes have at one time or another had a longish, epic song with a few changes along the way, but is for instance Springsteen's "Jungleland" or The Eagles' "Long road out of Eden" prog? You'd have to say no. So just having prog leanings, especially only in a few songs, I would think would not qualify a band or artiste as prog.

As for APP, I would definitely consider them prog. They've had some great concept albums ("Tales of mystery and imagination"/"Eye in the sky"/"Turn of a friendly card"/"Eve") and their sound, though it does often tend more towards the pop side, has a lot of heavy prog elements. Even Parsons' solo material has this thread of prog running through it; take a listen to "Mr Time" from his debut solo, or "One day to fly" from "On air", and tell me they're not prog...

Unknown Soldier · 09-20-2012, 12:48 PM

As "Prog-lite" doesn't actually exist its hard to really define it, but if it did Supertramp and 10cc might be two of the best examples.

09-20-2012, 04:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	I'm really not comfortable with subdividing the prog genre. "Prog-lite" to me seems to be just an excuse to shoehorn in many bands who have little or no relevance to prog into the genre. I mean, many artistes have at one time or another had a longish, epic song with a few changes along the way, but is for instance Springsteen's "Jungleland" or The Eagles' "Long road out of Eden" prog? You'd have to say no. So just having prog leanings, especially only in a few songs, I would think would not qualify a band or artiste as prog. As for APP, I would definitely consider them prog. They've had some great concept albums ("Tales of mystery and imagination"/"Eye in the sky"/"Turn of a friendly card"/"Eve") and their sound, though it does often tend more towards the pop side, has a lot of heavy prog elements. Even Parsons' solo material has this thread of prog running through it; take a listen to "Mr Time" from his debut solo, or "One day to fly" from "On air", and tell me they're not prog... __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018