Interesting topic. I listen to music pretty much every single day of the year. Whether driving, working, or going to sleep at night I find music a most relaxing and healing experience. I listen to many different sub genres of progressive rock. I’m very much into the progressive rock genre. This includes the Classical, Symphonic, Eclectic, Heavy, Psychedelics/Space, Rock Progressivo Italiano, Extreme Prog Metal, Post Progressive, Neo, Crossover, Folk, Jazz/Fusion, Canterbury, Experimental, Blues and Protoprog subgenres etc.
There’s never a lack of progressive rock releases as it takes in so many different forms of music and mixes this with rock in a progressive nature. One could say this is a progressive recipe to begin with. Another important recipe in music is the lyrics. Lyrics are very important in order to hold my attention. I find history, emotions, life experiences, love not sex, battling evil with good, God, good experiences as well as unfortunate, science, ethics, culture, and fictional topics abound in the music I listen to. This is very important.
Music can take on a life of its own that will transform the listener into a whole new sphere. Sadness can be turned into joy or further felt and expressed with the help of music, for example. I’m sure everyone has experienced music lifting one’s Spirits. I find music with lyrics full of substance much more alluring and satisfying. Music can also be educational. Many bands I listen to speak of life experiences, history or science in their lyrics.
The sound waves music produces can also lift one’s Spirits. The opposite can happen too. I find a good balance of music is important as I don’t like or want to be in too much of one musical mood. I listen to extremely happy as well as extremely sad music. What’s important is how the music moves me. Like food I need a good balance. I do like dark music as well as light. I’m talking shades as well as moods and subject matter. I do not listen to nor like what’s called explicit lyrics. I find swearing offensive and uneccesary. This doesn’t mean the subject matter cannot be dark. Life is full of ups and downs. Music can and does reflect life. People use music to express themselves. This is so important and has been true since we first started banging rocks together..
I want to thank the original poster for bringing up this topic. I’ve always loved music. I can remember hearing my father play The Beatles and Deep Purple as a young child. Then my Uncles and bands Ike Led Zeppelin, Yes, Pink Floyd, Genesis(Peter Gabriel fronted.), and Jethro Tull. Also the radio and bands like King Crimson, Jimi Hendrix, and Emerson Lake and Palmer. I loved music the moment I heard it and had a particular taste immediately. Never did I like the music of the moment. I was always a Prog and Classic Rock lover. The punk, disco and new wave fades etc did nothing for me. I’m in no way putting down anyones particular preverance for musical genres. Just commenting on how music is ingrained in my DNA.
I played the guitar growing up. I wasn’t in any way that good at it. Still, the guitar gave me a sense of belonging to something. Music takes on a life of its own. I wrote many songs and the music I wrote was an extension of myself. I miss playing the guitar. I was also in a band for a very short time. We had so much fun. Music was so important during those formative years of life. Music is something all children can benefit from. It’s very therapeutic.
Well, I was going to get into more of the different bands I now listen to. Instead I delved into a little bit of everything. I’ve been through a lot in life and this continues, such is life. Music is healing and helps me get through the ups and downs of life as well as providing a healthy way of passing the time or adding to the time. An all around good outlet and continuing experience. Happy Holidays to all. I could start a whole new topic on Christmas music and how hearing this reminds me of growing up and family. There’s a magic to Christmas music all its own. Peace and Good Will to all.