Comments about Art Rock Music

Perhaps, it is only fitting that I began to appreciate the work of the art rock groups! My initial experience came with my parents who enjoyed Broadway musicals, big band era music and some Romantic composers, namely: "Tchaikovsky!" I do not consider the music of the art rock musicians that far removed from these other genres. Because I can appreciate and enjoy the music of Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and others; I can also appreciate the music of Rush, Yes, The Alan Parsons Project, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Genesis, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Renaissance and others! I also started listening to the music of the various art rock groups, because I started listening to the music of Rush over 19 years ago. Although, Kansas was the first progressive rock group that I had heard, I still appreciate much of their work, in fact Point Of Know Return is still one of my all-time favorite albums! My progression from Kansas to Rush and The Alan Parsons Project to The Moody Blues & Pink Floyd to Yes to Genesis to Jethro Tull to Emerson, Lake & Palmer to King Crimson to Renaissance to Gentle Giant to Caravan began ultimately because of my appreciation of Rush! For that reason, I detest hearing Rush categorized as heavy metal. To me this conjures up the image of fingernails against a chalkboard, banging trashcan lids or other horrible noises. For this reason, I do not particularly care for the music of: Kiss, AC/DC, Van Halen, or others of this genre! I've always felt that categorization defeats the purpose, although bands such as: Boston, Journey, Queen & others are classified as hard rock or arena rock, I still enjoy some of their music. In fact, I was thoroughly impressed with Boston's Greatest Hits. I also enjoy Agents Of Fortune by Blue Oyster Cult! I have never really cultivated an appreciation of Led Zeppelin, although I do still own a copy of the double album "Physical Graffiti" and I have owned cd and lp versions of "Untitled!" But many times, some of these albums have been overrated by critics. As far as I am concerned, if a band does not have at least 7 great songs out of 8, it does not deserve 5 stars. Although, for a pop-rock group Fleetwood Mac is exceptional! An album with 3 great songs and 5 mediocre ones, should not rate higher than 3 stars, at best!