For those who have become jaded...

[Cozy]

Michael,

FWIW, I think you have a good premise, but I think along the way you say a few things that my experience has found to be a little different.

I don't think it's very fair to call the average music listener a "sheep" because they happen to like the music they are exposed to. If you are going to apply that analogy in other places, are we all sheep because we might read magazines we find on the shelf, books in Barnes & Noble, TV shows on network television, movies shown on 2,000 screens? I'm sure *most* people aren't completely underground with their tastes in personal entertainment, but that doesn't necessarily make them robotic.

Secondly, it's not so much that people don't have the "ability" to enjoy a lot of progressive rock and other complex musics, they are likely more of a casual listener. Music means something a little different to them and they like music that scratches itches other than the ones many prog fans do.

Lastly, a good number of prog fans could be considered very 'comfortable' listeners, relatively speaking. They tend to enjoy music that has a strong tie in sound and aesthetics to the 70s, along with a mixture of other popular rock/AOR/metal they grew up with after that, without really exploring much beyond their already established tastes.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Cozy

Michael,

FWIW, I think you have a good premise, but I think along the way you say a few things that my experience has found to be a little different.

I don't think it's very fair to call the average music listener a "sheep" because they happen to like the music they are exposed to. If you are going to apply that analogy in other places, are we all sheep because we might read magazines we find on the shelf, books in Barnes & Noble, TV shows on network television, movies shown on 2,000 screens? I'm sure *most* people aren't completely underground with their tastes in personal entertainment, but that doesn't necessarily make them robotic.

Secondly, it's not so much that people don't have the "ability" to enjoy a lot of progressive rock and other complex musics, they are likely more of a casual listener. Music means something a little different to them and they like music that scratches itches other than the ones many prog fans do.

Lastly, a good number of prog fans could be considered very 'comfortable' listeners, relatively speaking. They tend to enjoy music that has a strong tie in sound and aesthetics to the 70s, along with a mixture of other popular rock/AOR/metal they grew up with after that, without really exploring much beyond their already established tastes.

Really i Base most of what i said from what i see around me.I feel Most music now is nothing but Corporate music born and breed for one thing money.Music Now is not about the Music its all about money.Case in point Were i work we have a few young kids(18 to 20ish)and i was playing Michael McDermott and one goes whos that?I tell em hes like man he sounds good and sounds a little like Bruce Springsteen.But then another kid comes by and says cool its Springsteen what CD is this from?Then i go to tell him its Michael McDermott and hes like Man what a ripoff this sucks.So im thinking to myself you liked it when you thought it was something you knew yet it sucks now that its not what you thought.Repeat this every now and then and you see why i think like i do.

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by Michael

Really i Base most of what i said from what i see around me.I feel Most music now is nothing but Corporate music born and breed for one thing money.Music Now is not about the Music its all about money.Case in point Were i work we have a few young kids(18 to 20ish)and i was playing Michael McDermott and one goes whos that?I tell em hes like man he sounds good and sounds a little like Bruce Springsteen.But then another kid comes by and says cool its Springsteen what CD is this from?Then i go to tell him its Michael McDermott and hes like Man what a ripoff this sucks.So im thinking to myself you liked it when you thought it was something you knew yet it sucks now that its not what you thought.Repeat this every now and then and you see why i think like i do.

People are in to other things. Most people think of music in a different way. Lots of people are consumed by their jobs, sports, hobbies. Sometimes they're one in the same. They just don't listen to music the way we do.

I see no reason to look at it like that, Michael. Everyone likes money. But most artists, even rock and rollers, are in it for the love of what they do.

I've given up on trying to worry about any of that. I'm sure those who get into gardening, for instance are frustrated by people who just don't get it (not the best analogy, but you know what I mean). Let people like what they want.

Just because I think American Idol is the dumbest thing ever, doesn't mean 90% of the people I know don't watch it. It would give me a headache to argue about it. So I just smile and listen to Ozric Tentacles

[Michael]

Thanks guys!!If you have not noticed im not a big fan of Big biz .Most of the time i go with the Flow about stuff like this and sometimes i come out of my shell and go crazy.I quess i could leave it at this That was THEN and this is NOW .As for alone na there are still(Thanks to the Internet)bastions of free thinking and expression.I put the moon as one of these and you guys as well .Its always good to find people that think sort of alike.

[Andyyyy]

Very interesting article and discussion. I guess it does boil down to HOW people listen to and hear music. Prog is not for the casual listener. If I am playing prog, the music captivates me and I will stop doing what I am doing to listen more closely. That's what is needed to acquire the taste for prog that's not needed with some other types of music with more simple repitition...repitition doesn't require one to listen as closely. Complexity does. Detail does.

When I listen to music I hear bass and drums and hum along to those parts. My wife, who is more of a Celine Dion fan will hear the melody. We hear music differently too... That's what makes the world go round!