Ajalon

[moses]

I just got a CD from Ajalon called "On the Threshold of Eternity" and I like it. It's some really well-crafted prog. Sounds great - check them out at http://www.ajalon.net/

[progdirjim(Admin)]

OK, they sound good, I'll check some out...

<later>

The evangelical lyrics are a bit heavy handed and wearying, but the music is pretty darn good. I think I'll be adding them...

[moses]

Oh no, that's nothing... if you want heavy-handed evangelical lyrics, check out the prog-metal band from Iowa, Pursuit... Which is not to say that I don't think they're pretty good.

Or should I start a new thread?

[Yesspaz]

Moses, I just found out about Cprog from this thread. Is there a link to a good overview?

[moses]

Wow... I didn't realize you didn't know there's a whole CProg movement out there! Here are some starter links:

http://www.cprogrock.com/ is the homepage of the Christian Progressive Rock (CP compilations, has links to the artists' sites.

http://home.att.net/~virtuosity/ has reviews and interviews of many many CProg artists, along with a few other 'spiritual' artists (not necessarily Christian).

There is a CProg Yahoo list too, if you want to join that.

If nothing else, check out Iona... Oh wait, you already have.

[Yesspaz]

I know all about Iona, and Ty Tabor's solo stuff. Then there's Kansas, sort of.... but I'm not a huge Kansas fan; just got the basics. Rick Wakeman, but his solo stuff is so hit and miss, I usually avoid it. My fav Yes keyman is Moraz anyway. I'm not really a fan of what-his-face from Spock's Beard.

I know of lots of Christian proggish artists, like The Choir and Kevin Max's solo stuff with Adrian Belew (another convert), Tony Levin, and John Mark Painter. But I haven't found many full-bore prog artists. Iona is about it.

[podakayne]

seek and ye shall find...must be true

http://www.cprogrock.com/ good site and i'm buying stuff again! (i'm bringing my lunch clear thru september)

[moses]

I've got a bunch, but can't be bothered to post links for each and every one. That's what Google is for, right? Anyhow:

Aerial View - proggish hard rock
Ajalon - really good
Akacia - sounds like vintage prog
America Gomorrah - prog metal
Azure (Circle) - old Genesis lite
Cryptic Vision - like a heavier Kansas
Divine In Sight - Rush meets Queen
Echolyn - they're on the station
Farpoint - folky prog, also on the station
Glass Hammer - keyboard driven in the ELP/Yes vein, new album is awesome
Groves - Carl Groves from Salem Hill has a solo album
Iona - well you know... really awesome and beautiful stuff
Kansas - like you said, sort of - some of the 80's output
Livgren/A.D. - Kerry's solo stuff
Morse, Neal - I think it's some of the best prog out there
Proto-Kaw - Kerry Livgren's new/old project, very good stuff
Pursuit - prog metal, mentioned above
Revelation Project - prog metal
Salem Hill - they're on the station, great band
Saviour Machine - scary goth prog
Simon Apple - poppier prog, very well-crafted
Spock's Beard - well, just the Snow album really
Ten Point Ten - another of my favorites - great stuff!
Wakeman, Rick - hit and miss, like you said

Those are the ones I have that come to mind right now.

They do vary on how strongly they display their Christian message, from "very veiled" to "in-your-face" but most are somewhere in between.

[Yesspaz]

Originally posted by moses
They do vary on how strongly they display their Christian message, from "very veiled" to "in-your-face" but most are somewhere in between.

Yeah, I don't mind either extreme as long as the lyrics are authentic. If it's "in your face" for the sake of being in your face, or "veiled" for the sake of reaching a wider audience, I usually don't care for it. I have a quote tacked on my wall from an editorial in CCM back in 1999 that says something along the lines of (not at home right now so can't quote exactly):

"We shouldn't try to write Christian songs, songs about whatever it is we think Christians say and do. Instead we should try to be real Christians, and then right songs about life. That way, our songs will naturally portray our Christianity. We wouldn't have to worry about writing Christians songs, we would just write songs."

I messed that quote up badly, but you get the gist. I guess the difference is the difference between someone who says I'm going to write a Christian song so that everyone will know I'm a Christians and I won't be shy or selling out whatever, vs. someone who simply writes a song from a Christian worldview without pretense. I'll take the second any day. You can see this in say, schlock on most CCM radio vs. the lyrics of Bono, Matt Slocum (6Pence), or Steve Hindalong (the Choir).

Moses, some for you to check out if you aren't familiar:

The Choir - start with Chase the Kangaroo, Wide-Eyed Wonder, and Circle Slide

Glisten - Starlight Wishlist (on song on AM)

King's X - all of their albums deal with Christianity in some measure, from different points of view. On "Ear Candy" compare the songs written by Doug and the songs by Ty and Jerry - makes for a schizophrenic album.

Sixpence None the Richer - Despite the occasional bubble-gum single, this is actually a very arty band. The 15 minute medley that opens their s/t album is a classic in my opinion.

Bellador - on AM, http://www.esperanzaplantation.com/
Questions in Dialect - instrumental,but all four members are Christian and friends of mine. Think Tortoise. Same site as Bellador.

Jeremy - sort of a keyboard solo thing, instrumental, but Christia themed. On AM.