Originally Posted by: Jarsew
Its almost like Progressive is simply used if a band uses odd time signatures, odd scales, non-standard song formats, songs that easily go to 8 minutes, etc etc.

Yes, I think you are right. I also see two significant parts: On the one hand Dream Theater together with bands like Opath, Spock's Beard (... the "progressive nation") - and on the other hand Pink Floyd, Marillion, ...
Don't know where the exact definition is, perhaps just the "non-standard".

At first I even didn't like Dream Theater - perhaps because of being non-standard. But if you ever get to the point and "understand" the music ... or "feel" the music ... don't know how to explain. Then you cannot even compare their music to other's - it's just an own world.

So perhaps you give them another try?! ;-) I recommend "Scenes from a memory". Don't listen to one or two songs, just the complete album.