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Ast3r10n t1_jam9nop wrote

How is that prog though?

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puzzledgoal OP t1_jaor58w wrote

I think of it as progressive as Lankum are expanding the existing boundaries of the form by introducing elements of metal, post-rock, doom etc.

It’s experimental and the song structures and production aren’t like any other in Irish folk. They take traditional songs and turn them into something entirely new (eg their version of The Wild Rover).

Compared to much Irish folk music, which can be strongly traditional and sometimes conservative.

A bit like how the Pogues reshaped Irish music by introducing a punk ethos (the Lynch brothers were in a punk band back in the day afaik). Not comparable to the cartoonish Irish-American bands.

They are also strongly political in their song choice and their own lyrics, whether singing about anti-fascism, colonialism, inequality or youth suicide. I see them as this kind of progressive too.

That’s why I think they’re such a special band and the most exciting in Irish folk music since the Pogues. Sorry for the long response but wanted to explain my own thoughts.

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Ast3r10n t1_jaorf3q wrote

Progressive is a very specific genre though. This is not really progressive, it’s alternative, basically.

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puzzledgoal OP t1_jaosijt wrote

I’ve tried talking about their music and its context but you seem to just want to be right about a definition. Define it how you wish.

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Ast3r10n t1_jaosxek wrote

It’s not about being right, it’s about being clear. I’m a big fan of prog music and this isn’t it.

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puzzledgoal OP t1_jaotafg wrote

Unfortunately I can’t edit the word prog out if it now.

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GameOfScones_ t1_jdgx18z wrote

Clearly you don't know your prog. Prog started as prog-pop born out of psychedelic bands trying to incorporate other less mainstream genres into pop music.

Prog Rock as you probably know and love is the second wave of prog.

Rush and King Crimson etc don't own the word prog.

Lankum absolutely fit the prog-folk label as they maintain folk roots but add in drone and other niche styles to create something more expansive and layered.

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Ast3r10n t1_jdh1brv wrote

I listened to both waves of prog actually, though I prefer the latter. When described, a clear distinction was made between the first wave (psychedelic rock) and the second one. I hear no psychedelic nor prog here. You do you.

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GameOfScones_ t1_jdh2ng7 wrote

It's not about psychedelic or whatever you're referring to when you say prog.

Originally, prog meant incorporating jazz elements into pop. If we use that definition, most prog rock from the 70s isn't prog.

Honestly the bottom line is lankum take the framework of folk and use other genres peppered in to create an expansive experimental folk sound. Whether you like it or not, this is the core definition of prog and always was. If you care enough, you can DM your prog heroes and show them this description.

Actually the real bottom line is: trying to label genres and subgenres into an experimental sound is futile and constrictive and pretty fucking pointless imo rendering this whole thread redundant.

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Ast3r10n t1_jdh2r0a wrote

If this was actually experimental, I would say you’re right, but I don’t find it so original to be honest.

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GameOfScones_ t1_jdh2uqq wrote

You don't have to find anything. You're entitled to your opinion but plenty of people including versed music critics' agree with my take. Cheerio

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