New Prog

Less theatrical than vintage 1970s Progressive Rock, New Prog grows out and apart from the somewhat limiting song structures of the Alternative genre. Critical favorites like Built to Spill and Tortoise prove that certain elements of Progressive Rock, like multi-section songs, unusual instrumentation and quasi-poetic lyricism -- if there are lyrics at all -- can be successfully woven into the fabric of '90s music. Unlike the mostly humorless '70s Prog, New Prog takes itself much less seriously, as evidenced by the names of its flagship acts and its quirky song themes.