Blake Morgan’s Response to blog #4:

How has prog-folk, prog-metal/rock helped keep “progressiveness” alive in the past half-century?

Progressiveness spreads its wings to shelter various subgenres or Rock. Symphonic Rock, Theatrical and Psychedelic Rock, and Rave Rock are amongst a few that we have studied in the class so far. So it comes as no surprise that progressive folk, and metal would be included under the title of “Progressive.”

Starting with folk music, such as that created Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell of the 60’s/70’s era, folk has progressed out f a form of country western music that preceded the 60’s era. It is clear that there is a distinct difference between country music and folk, but it is also clear that there are distinct similarities. These similarities stem from the use of particular instruments, the acoustic guitar and harmonica and even the slide technique. And they also stem from the style of song writing. Progressive Rock of the late 60’s and 70’s talks about making love, getting away, and withdrawing from conformity. Progressive folk music, like country music, tells stories. Stories that people can listen and relate to. Joni Mitchell’s famous song, ‘Woodstock,’ talks about walking the land in search of peace and freedom and the ability to express one’s self. It tells a story, “I came upon a child god, he was walking down the road, I asked him, ‘where are you going?’ this he told me....”

What is so progressive about this style of song writing? It’s a call to change. Songs like this and various others written by Bob Dylan, CSN and Richie Havens are asking society to evolve. They point out injustices in the world and demand that people bring consciousness to these aspects of life. Bob Dylan wrote, “The times they are a changing.’” What separate this folk music from the country music it evolved from are its impact on society, and its ability to make people contemplate.

Progressive metal, on the other hand, is quite different. The countercultural metal bands of the late 60’s and 70’s influence bands like Opeth and Dream Theater and even Metallica. Progressive metal bands like Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin all had their influence on society that etched them into metal history. They call out to concepts of chaos and disorder, and a withdrawal from mainstream of ‘strait’ culture.

Well, Metallica and Dream Theater do the same, but the lyrical content of Metallica’s songs, and the tight an complex instrumentation of Dream Theater’s compositions do it in a newer way. Metallica uses aspects of surrealism to relate back to conceptual reality. Enter Sandman, and Master of Puppets refer to the corruption and ill moral values held with contemporary politics or really any form of authority. Dream theater approaches metal in a new way. Stemming from what seems to be classical influences, giving them a sort of medieval or dark ages sort of sound. This points to the despairing and seemingly laborious aspects of living life under the rule of a higher, more authoritative person, who anatomically is no different than you or me. Dream Theater offers an escape from the concept of a boring, and pointless work filled life.