I Like Short Songs - February 23rd

Tales from Topographic Oceans - Yes

That album right there... holds some of the most impressive and long pieces of recorded music I've ever heard.

Tales from Topographic Oceans was released in 1973 - and I think it's title is appropriate because the pieces of music are just about as hard to understand. I'm really curious to know how long someone can sit through this album.

Chris Squire's basslines are thoughtful riffs and mostly melodically driven ala Geddy Lee of Rush. Oftentimes we hear two different synthesizers at once, played by wizard and virtuoso, Rick Wakeman. Steve Howe's guitar-work is frenetic, but complementary to the array of melodies we're hearing at once.

On top of two keyboards, one bass, one guitar... and one of the most badass drummers of the era, Bill Bruford, you had Jon Anderson fronting the band with an alto-tenor (high) voice... it's quite a group. Yes were explorers of music, reflecting classical composers and song structures more than pop stars or blues cliches.

another archetype of progressive rock. It need not be reminded, because you already know it.

 Pink Floyd was not really on my mind at the time. It was mostly King Crimson and Yes.
By now, of course - what else need be said? Some things just never lose popularity. There was blues, atmosphere, technicality and emotion. A pretty solid package.
Keep in mind we're still in 1973;

Emerson Lake and Palmer

Controversial opinion, but I think Emerson Lake & Palmer helped start Punk Rock.

They were so over-the-top... so complex... requiring three truck loads of drums, organs and amplifiers, with large bold letters "E L P" emblazoned on its sides to bring to every gig. At this time, Musicians were receiving more money than Movie and Sport Stars - funny, eh?

By 1975, just three years later Wish You Were Here was released. Still a required listen. On the contrary, the underground it seemed was focused on tearing down the idea that you needed to be a prodigy in order to make music and have it heard. Of course, there were other kinds of rock but maybe to many it was not the effective formula of early rock. Link Wray, The Sonics, Doors, and The Who all had an attitude of "punk" in them.

I actually can't compile the amount of bands that would start to form in 1975. By the next two years, it was every "aesthetically punk" band you've probably ever heard of releasing very creative stuff.

Punk Rock approaching the 80s could be described as splintering off into New Wave (electronic), Hardcore (undefinable), and Post-Rock (sloooooww). Obviously it runs deeper with micro-genres, but for the sake of this blog I'm stopping there.

Short Songs - Dead Kennedys

Rick Wakeman, eat your heart out. Progressive Metal came into the fray and all was good for fans of Prog. Larger than life characters had begun to dominate parts of the 80s through MTV, until parts of the 90s tried to tear it down again.
History works in cycles. Where will that attitude be in 2020?

D Rose D Rose D Rose D Rose D Rose D Rose D Rose D Rose D Rose

What is that attitude? Reductionist? Frustration? DIY? Reflections of a sect of society that becomes identified en masse? The times are changing, and with a new sound comes a new kind of dance.

-Fish

Songs:
Tales from Topographic Oceans - Yes
Time - Pink Floyd
Karn Evil 9 Part 2 - Emerson Lake & Palmer
Short Songs - Dead Kennedys

Recommended:
iShyne - Lil Pump
Yogi Horton Drum Lesson - Funk/R&B

a great ride through the different rhythms and dances through the years related to funk, r&b and disco