50 Years Later, Prog Gets Its Own Chart
Prog rock, one of those genres that goes in and out of fashion (and one of the big reasons for the backlash that resulted in punk rock back in the 70s), is finally getting its own chart. Hey, it’s only been 50 years. The Independent reports:
It’s almost 50 years since the first be-caped musicians elevated rock music to a symphonic level of virtuosity. Now “prog rock” has finally come of age with the launch of the first Official Progressive Chart, compiled by the company which publishes the Top 40.
Derided during the punk era as portentious musical indulgence married to pseudo-mystical lyrics, prog is undergoing a critical and commercial revival.
The Official Charts Company has given the genre the stamp of approval by launching a new, monthly Official Progressive Albums Chart, based on vinyl & CD sales, downloads and streaming.
However those who associate prog with 70s titans such as Genesis, Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer may be surprised at the cutting-edge acts which dominate the top ten.
The first prog chart-topper is Currents, the new album by Tame Impala, the Australian psychedelic rock band formed by Kevin Parker in 2007.
Read more as you enjoy this from Tame Impala.
OK, this is not even news to prog-metal fans who have seen a 15-year resurgence of our music strengthening into an integral part of the Metal scene. There were six prog-metal acts in the lineup for this last year’s Heavy Montreal, including vets Deven Townsend, Neurosis, and the mislabled Faith No More. I just came from a show last night with Cult of Luna and Kylesa and to other progish bands. Tea Party and Tesseract are touring again this fall, and there must be at least a dozen prog metal bands who will filter through my town in the next 6 months. The movement has always been there. The mainstream, enraptured with their Taylor Swifts and the other dross, never knows what’s going on in the real world.