Beyond and Before, Updated and Expanded Edition: Progressive Rock Across Time and Genre

Beyond and Before is a critical overview of progressive rock that argues for its integration of jazz and folk, and the extension of prog in Kate Bush, Radiohead, and Porcupine Tree. It also discusses post-conceptual trends in the 2010s and new fusions of genre that move across global cultures.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 440 pages
Publication date: 24 March 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

The original edition of Beyond and Before, hailed as "the most accomplished critical overview yet" of progressive rock by Record Collector and one of their 2011 books of the year, goes beyond the limited consensus that prog rock is solely English in origin and that it was destroyed by the advent of punk in 1976. Instead, by tracing its multiple origins and complex transitions, it argues for the integration of jazz and folk into progressive rock and the extension of prog into artists such as Kate Bush, Radiohead, Porcupine Tree, and many more. This 10-year anniversary revised edition continues to further unpack definitions of progressive rock, including a brand new chapter focusing on post-conceptual trends in the 2010s through to the contemporary moment. The new edition delves deeper into the intricate creativity of progressive metal and folk, as well as new fusions of genre that transcend global cultures and rework the extended form and mission of progressive rock, including in recent pop concept albums. All chapters have been revised to ensure that the process of rethinking progressive rock remains alive and vibrant as a hybrid, open form.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501370816
Edition number: 2 ed