[Egon]

There were a few bands who thought this might be a good idea in the 70s. It wasn't.

Right back at'cha.

It's kind of priggish to say that bands that experimented with bringing intricate melodies into modern music failed, too.

I happen to have very fond memories of Queen, not to mention the guitar riffs of Steve Vai.

[Belial]

It's kind of priggish to say that bands that experimented with bringing intricate melodies into modern music failed, too.

Fair enough. That said, everyone knows prog rock was crap! ;)

Seriously though, nothing wrong with intricate melodies. Songs about unicorns, a moog for every mood, music in time signatures that make a six-legged calf look graceful...

Radiohead is a good example of progressive music that isn't crap. They have two good songs in 10/8 and two good songs with passages in 7/8, and you would barely know it, because the playing and melodies are organic to the music.

[Miss Marple]

I happen to have very fond memories of Queen, not to mention the guitar riffs of Steve Vai.

One of the reasons I have always liked Queen is the complexity of their music, and their obvious borrowing from the classical masters.