A guide to progressive Rock music, this volume includes everything from the history and the critical thrashing to the complex development the musical genre has gone through from its beginning in 1967. Also included is a comprehensive A-Z listing of over 1400 Progressive Rock bands.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A consumer's view of The Progressive Rock Files,
By amfonda@promail.com (Aruba, Caribbean) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Progressive Rock Files (Paperback)
I have really enjoyed reading "The Progressive Rock Files". I have read the recent books by Macan, Stump and Martin... all very informative and insightful... I liked Macan's the best because it is the most complete and best organized. I also have the Billboard Guide to Progressive Music and it is good, but I like "The Progressive Rock Files" better because of the great timeline History section, the Definitions section and also the timeline Map on p.299. And of course the A-Z listing is a great guide for band info. and discographies. I have referred to the band listings so many times that the pages are getting worn. It has turned out to be an invaluable reference in researching bands and artists. I recommend the book to intermediate and advanced prog rock fans who do not need a lot of opinions thrown at them. The author is very clear on his intentions to be factual and complete without succumbing to personal preferences. He is also striving to make a complete definition of prog rock, not in an effort to 'box in' the genre, but to settle the argument so that we can go on and just enjoy the music. With this as a guide, I know I will for many years to come.
14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Comments on the Progressive Rock Files,
This review is from: The Progressive Rock Files (Paperback)
This is a good book, certainly a valuable resource for anyone interested in the prog genre's more obscure offerings over the past thirty years. My only complaint is mainly "cosmetic" in nature: My copy of the book (purchased here at Amazon.com) literally fell apart after only a few days. I had to glue it back together...seems questionable for a book that lists at $26.95. As to the content, this books looks like a labor of love, put together on a limited budget. I for one appreciate the author's efforts...he's created a database of information that would be hard to come by anywhere else. I would have liked to see some critical analysis and recommendations of particular albums, but I understand that this would be beyond the book's focus. I also have a comment on the author's definition of progressive rock. While I agree with some of his listed attributes, I feel that he is leaving out at least one important element (see below). My own definition of prog would include the following: 1. Virtuoso musicianship; 2. Complex song structures; 3. Willingness to incorporate diverse musical styles, particularly classical; 4. Poetic, less literal lyrics; 5. (This is the one that I've not seen listed, in this book or elsewhere) A sense of optimism. Think about it...prog never focuses on the negative, dark, depressing themes that often characterize other rock music. (Even the name "Yes" is positive!) Progressive rock is uplifting in its message, emphasizing the world of nature and mankind's potential for greatness...that's why the jaded, cynical music press turned on prog: It was too positive for their bleak world-view. 6. A willingness to take music in new directions...hence the term "progressive". My complaints about this book are minor...it's definately worth owning if you have an interest in prog. Buy this book, but more importantly listen to progressive rock music!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well Researched and Very Informative,
By "flakecosmo" (Brantford, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Progressive Rock Files (Paperback)
Jerry Lucky obviously knows his stuff when it comes to progressive rock. His chronological history is very thorough, as is his encyclopedia-like listing of prog bands (which takes up half the book and features everything from the classic bands to some bands that even the most die-hard of prog rock fans may have never heard of). My only criticism of this book is the enormous amount of time and energy he puts into defending his favourite genre of music. Admittedly, it's easy to see where this is coming from. Progressive rock has been one of the most maligned and criticized musical genres of the last 20 years, and as Jerry Lucky so thoroughly and elegantly points out, its bad reputation is quite undeserved. It needed to be said, especially by someone as informed as Mr. Lucky is, but I question the forum. This is a book, lovingly put together by a prog rock fan, for prog rock fans. It seems to me that he's preaching to the converted. Still, I did find the various journal excerpts he includes quite interesting, and the rest of the book was completely enjoyable.
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