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Old 08-18-2017, 01:50 AM   #7
teh b0lly!!1
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i feel like many successful progressive artists become less "artists" and more "band directors" in their later years.

it's not so much about writing great songs that you're willing to fall on your sword for, but about coming up with clever themes for your next concept record, social-engineering your hired band and handle the management and the tour logistics etc etc. it's more like being a project manager at your own company than being a gritty, driving artist.

it's like the music becomes a streamlined line of work for them instead of being their escape or their art. Devin Townsend kind of got like this too in recent years. the thing about him and Steve here, is that they both keep putting out records that on the surface sound great and are as strong as ever, just because they're so experienced in making music. they've gotten efficient at it, they know how to produce it. but when you really hold it up to the light and pick it apart, you realize that it's just missing something.

it is still arguable, of course, that it's still "their art" because it represents who they are at that point in time - successful, satiated musicians. and that's cool. i dunno just thinking out loud here.

 
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