Found this idea while listening to many new Progressive Rock tracks. From oldies to new things, I listened to a dozen albums (it’ll be another article), until something materializes…
…between four “poles”, inside a square, showing me what I seek in this music.
ONE
The first pole is Esthesis. A very clean sound, changes, interesting instruments. But there’s a weakness, a strange one: chords and harmonies are static, and they are… simple. And if they change, it’s to come back immediately into “simple”.
It’s quiet, pleasant, harmless, it’s “simple water”.
TWO
The second pole is Dream Theater. Take any track. It’s fast, powerful, always changing, fireworky (listen loud!). But they build nothing! Watch the drummer…
It’s “complicated water”. No taste, bland, nothing-music, only energy. Technicians virtuosity, “things”…
THREE
The third pole is Fish on Friday. Suddenly more… comfortable. Much more quiet, like the first group, almost bland. But, like in the last Pink Floyd albums, they know something about giving pleasure harmonically.
It’s a good little thing. Like a petit four.
FOUR
The fourth pole is Flower Kings. A 27-minutes piece where they try to build something. Forget the nincompoopy lyrics, go to 20’20”, and watch them building something. They have pleasure! The bassist knows how to wait or accelerate. The drummer is present (instead of pattering like an idiot). And at 23′, the infinite modulante Puccini-esque crescendo gives me goosebumps.
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Well this is a square, a four-points machine, a structure. You can study poetry or photography, love or sex, anything with that.
- Simple bland?
- Complex boring?
- Simple tasty?
- Complex tasty?
Each one has advantages! A good glass of water is great. Dancing on big DJ music is cool. Enjoying a complex whisky in winter is perfect. Having a 6 hours conversation with someone who likes it is fantastic.
But everywhere, a little tenderness, OK?
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Merry Christmas, thanks for reading!
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Complex Tasty “too much too much more more I like it” example:
a french toolbox 
Merry christmass JP ! I’m glad i found your blog this year (I’m an old follower!) I’m searching for a russian painter you once praised (i think he’s russian) Who paint the russian country side, with old trees, branches and grass and ponds, intricated, it’s all messy. A kind of realistic romantic, but way more realistic than romantic. Like tchekhov you see. Do you remember it?
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Hi! Thanks for your message. It’s probably Levitan!
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This is him! thank you!
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Technical prog is quite boring. I love the Esthesis album, it’s maybe “simple” but always with very beautiful arrangements. No matter if the songs are in 4/4 or if chords are quite simple.
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