Thus quoth the Raven ...
 SVI> You might remember me
I sure do.
 SVI> I've been following the discussions for two months now, deleting 
 SVI> most of it because I just don't understand what you're talking 
 SVI> about.
Two recommendations here: Patience and a willing to experiment.  Start with a 
few of the big names and find out who you like.  Then start keeping track of 
bands who are more obscure but have been compared to bands you do like.  Ask 
questions.  Find a few people in this echo whose tastes agree with yours and 
ask for advice. Believe me when I tell you that many of us, including myself, 
went through a stage like you.
 SVI> There's so many messages here! And I only know a few groups 
 SVI> you name in your messages (Pink Floyd, Marillion and Alan Parsons 
 SVI> Project)
Here's a perfect example.  Clark Ray is a fan of all these bands, Pink Floyd 
the least of the three.  Ask for his opinion on other bands. I'll name a few 
right off:
If you like Pink Floyd, check out Porcupine Tree, and band that shows an 
obvious Pink Floyd influence.  
Marillion was influenced to a great extent by Genesis, one of the best known 
symphonic Prog bands.  Listen to some early Genesis albums; I'd recommend 
_Selling England by the Pound_ for starters.  Genesis were one of the more 
influential Prog bands.  Contemporaries of Marillion and also influenced by 
Genesis were IQ.  Check out _The Wake_ or _Tales from a Lush Attic_, but 
particularly the former.
For Alan Parsons Project, you might want to try some later Camel, such as 
_Stationary Traveller_.  This album has Chris Rainbow and David Paton from 
APP.  I want to say Ton Scherpenzeel, who is also on the album, was from APP 
but I am not at all sure.
Also, I would suggest two other bands that are THE two most influential Prog 
bands: Yes and King Crimson.  For Yes, I'd recommend _Close to the Edge_ or 
_Fragile_.  King Crimson never settled into one style for long but I'd 
recommend _Red_ for starters.
 SVI> a few days ago, I heard ELP's 'trilogy'. I liked it, but nothing 
 SVI> more. There just wasn't that shock you get when you listen 
 SVI> to music and say: 'Yes, this is IT, ... So I guess I don't 
 SVI> really belong here. Unless you guys can point me out a REALLY 
 SVI> GOOD Progrock album, that can help me to learn to appreciate 
 SVI> it, I think I'm going to leave this Echo
I definitely hate to lose someone like you who is willing to make an effort.  
Don't get discouraged just because one album didn't do it for you.  _Trilogy_ 
isn't ELP's best album and many Prog fans don't like ELP at all.  I'd suggest 
trying at least a few of the band's I've suggested above and see how you get 
along with them.
Hope this helps and offers some hope!  =8)
            Mike
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