Classics song, and I don't know why

[Yesspaz]

This came up in "The Ladder" thread. What are songs that are considered classics of prog that you personally just can't understand why they are so beloved. You're not saying they're bad songs, just not that good. This is not an "overrated song" thread, but rather a thread to list and question why some beloved track is in your opinion not that great. Also, try your best to refrain from hijackng the thread into a "let me explain why this song is great" thread. If you really feel the need to defend a song, please start a new thread. I doubt we'll be able to do this, but let's try. Ok, I'll start.


Yes - Heart of the Sunrise
I love this band - even named myself after it - but I don't see the fascination with this song. To me there are so many other better buried Yes songs of comparable length like "To Be Over," "Machine Messiah," "On the Silent Wings of Freedom," "New Languages," "Be the One," "Dreamtime," and "Bring Me to the Power." I like all these songs better than "Heart of the Sunrise" and would rather hear them live.

Genesis - Supper's Ready
Ug, what a bloated piece of boredom this is. I know that it's the single most requested song in the AM library, and that's what blows my mind. I can think of at least 1,000 songs I'd rather hear.

Rush - Cynus X-1: Book II: Hemispheres
Rush - 2112
I'm a big Rush fan, but these extended pieces to me are so incoherant, and in thc case of Hemispheres, monotonous, that I can't see the esteem they're held in. Both of these songs are the weakest side of their respective albums - by far! There, I said it.

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by Yesspaz

Yes - Heart of the Sunrise
I love this band - even named myself after it - but I don't see the fascination with this song. To me there are so many other better buried Yes songs of comparable length like "To Be Over," "Machine Messiah," "On the Silent Wings of Freedom," "New Languages," "Be the One," "Dreamtime," and "Bring Me to the Power." I like all these songs better than "Heart of the Sunrise" and would rather hear them live.

Genesis - Supper's Ready
Ug, what a bloated piece of boredom this is. I know that it's the single most requested song in the AM library, and that's what blows my mind. I can think of at least 1,000 songs I'd rather hear.

Rush - Cynus X-1: Book II: Hemispheres
Rush - 2112
I'm a big Rush fan, but these extended pieces to me are so incoherant, and in thc case of Hemispheres, monotonous, that I can't see the esteem they're held in. Both of these songs are the weakest side of their respective albums - by far! There, I said it.

Heart of the Sunrise has a great, building instrumental section that has layers of sound. The midsection repeats themes in a beautifully structured way. The end is passionate. I think it's one of the best constructed pieces I've heard.

I'm not a fan of Suppers ready, agreed. I did like it when they resurrected it on the 1982 tour, but it was shoved down my throat too much.

As one who eats sleeps and drinks Rush, I can respect your opinion of 2112. But really, it's songs tacked together, not really one theme so I can dig the first three pieces but hate the fourth.

I don't follow your notion that Hemispheres is esteemed. It's a forgotten underrated song. I love the piece, it's well-constructed, and not only logically flows, but builds and ebbs. Each part feeds on the other and wouldn't work without each other.

My vote for overrated song is "Layla". but that's not prog, I just wanted to throw that zinger in.

[Yesspaz]

Originally Posted by Yesspaz

This came up in "The Ladder" thread. What are songs that are considered classics of prog that you personally just can't understand why they are so beloved. You're not saying they're bad songs, just not that good. This is not an "overrated song" thread, but rather a thread to list and question why some beloved track is in your opinion not that great. Also, try your best to refrain from hijackng the thread into a "let me explain why this song is great" thread. If you really feel the need to defend a song, please start a new thread. I doubt we'll be able to do this, but let's try.

Wow, the first reply breaks the rules. It's not an overrated song thread, and we get Layla. Also let's not defend why a song is great but share why we "don't get" a song's popularity. Who would have guess it to be Rick that completely ignores all that?

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by Yesspaz

Wow, the first reply breaks the rules. It's not an overrated song thread, and we get Layla. Also let's not defend why a song is great but share why we "don't get" a song's popularity. Who would have guess it to be Rick that completely ignores all that?

I see. It actually applies to that song for me. It's a rock classic that's beloved. No rule breaking, just misread it.

I don't care for the "overrated" term myself (kind of overrated I think).

My replies to Hemispheres shows why I get the popularity (although I'm not sure it's all that popular). I'm not defending it. You like what you like.

So I am confused. If you state you don't see why Hemispheres is liked, and offer no real discussion except it's "monotonous and incoherent", and I can't "defend" it, well what is there to discuss?

I don't see the popularity of PT Cruisers, but so what?

As for Heart of the Sunrise, all you say is "I don't see the fascination with this song". Well ok, I explained my enjoyment...I wouldn't call it a fascination, that's kind of unnatural

So I'm at a dead end...on to another thread.

[podakayne]

Styx - Miss America
Styx – Come Sail Away
Styx – Crystal Ball

Saens :bang! – Statistical World (Prophet In A Statistical World)
Genesis – Abacab (which is my icon for "wha da hell!")
Genesis – Ma ma

Magma – various selections that i dont know the name but that awful woman is bellowing her bloody lungs out!

okay i know some of these aren't classics but i like the thread and fully expect to see some groups i really like on this thread. which i wont defend but laugh out loud at the discomfort of others.

poda

[sharcnorris]

[podakayne]

please add:

Farpoint – Sojourn

sharc are you commenting on my post or what?

[sharcnorris]

Never my Queen, tis others with the Ying and the Yang

[podakayne]

ELP/TNR - C'est La Vie though greg's voice usually moves me, i could just as easily Turn to Stone(ELO) on this classic the tribute is just a moving.

[Lemur]

Heart of the Sunrise is one of my personal favorites; in fact, I was thinking of posting a thread about it, but I think this will suffice. I agree with you on Machine Messiah--very clever piece.

Also, I agree with Yesspaz on his Rush choices. Honestly, Rush has so much better to offer.

Popular prog that I don't relate to easily would be Pink Floyd. I love a lot of bands that are compared to them, but when it comes to sitting down and listening to Pink Floyd...I usually don't.

[Yesspaz]

King Crimson - The whole first album
Ok, before I get started, I want to say that I really like this album, but I don't know why it's so worshipped. "Schizoid Man" is flawless, but the rest of the album seems like a dry run for the second album. Of the early "mellotron" songs by KC, I think the best is "In the Wake of Poseidon." "Cadence and Cascade" is "I Talk to the Wind" in color. "The Devil's Triangle" is a better long improv than the meandering "Moonchild." "Cat Food" gives you something totally different. And honestly, I find "Pictures of a City" the equal to "Schizoid Man."

In short, I really don't understand why the first album is so loved compared to the stuff Crim would go on to make.

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by Yesspaz

King Crimson - The whole first album
Ok, before I get started, I want to say that I really like this album, but I don't know why it's so worshipped. "Schizoid Man" is flawless, but the rest of the album seems like a dry run for the second album. Of the early "mellotron" songs by KC, I think the best is "In the Wake of Poseidon." "Cadence and Cascade" is "I Talk to the Wind" in color. "The Devil's Triangle" is a better long improv than the meandering "Moonchild." "Cat Food" gives you something totally different. And honestly, I find "Pictures of a City" the equal to "Schizoid Man."

In short, I really don't understand why the first album is so loved compared to the stuff Crim would go on to make.

Those two records are identical. Fripp put out his records like that. Discipline/Beat/Pair, same thing. Poseidon is almost an exact duplicate of Court, is true. Only Cat Food is diffrerent. But "Wind", "Epitath", "Schiozoid", great songs.

Usually when you have a duplicate the first is liked better, that's probably the case here.

They both can be good, can't they?

[Beowulfs_Kin]

I think this is more a matter of personal taste than anything. For example, I love Supper's Ready and don't think it's played enough, thus I will simply say I disagree with you at the outset on that one.

At the same time, I agree that 2112 is overrated. "We are the Priests of the Temple of Tyreese" (or whatever they are singing) just seems stupid to me. If I never hear that song again, I'll be happy.

Personally, I don't know if I'm sufficiently qualified to rate any songs as overrated in any real sense. I can certainly tell you what I like and what I don't like and give you reasons why, but I'm not sure if my opinion is as informed as many other peoples or if I can even say which songs are considered prog classics.

[sharcnorris]

more negative stuff, this thread is about taste and everybody's is different, To trash KCs 1st is just being contrary, a sad state.............this is just an Demon controlled tread, lets forget it.........spaz, get an exorcism

[Yesspaz]

This is not a negative thread. It's just a place to sort of "confess prog sins" for fun. Jim doesn't care for Echoes or Awaken, which I find funny. I don't care for Supper's Ready or 2112, which others may find amusing. I figured it'd be a riot, but everybody's getting their feelings hurt and stuff. What's the big deal? I want someone to admit they don't like "Close to the Edge" just for the heck of it. Why's everyone so tense?

For the record, I'm not trashing KC's first. To quote myself, "...before I get started, I want to say that I really like this album, but I don't know why it's so worshipped." Just going with the name of the thread. I don't get why it's so lauded. Is there anyone out there who thinks that "Close to the Edge" or "Wish You Were Here" are just not that superb? I mean, SOMEONE's got to.