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Art Rock explained.

Mixtape Musings: Art Rock

Art rock is a particularly vague term that has been used since the ‘60s to describe bands that challenge conventional aspects of rock, transforming rock from entertainment to art. It often features experimental and avant-garde instruments and textures—an element that has thrived from the technological advancement of music. Art rock is commonly associated with concept albums, which allow artists to cover a variety of genres and sounds while creating a complete and cohesive piece of art.

The ‘60s and ‘70s saw a rise in the number of bands that incorporated experimental features in their rock music. The Beatles for example used the unusual technique of playing guitar recordings backward in their 1966 album Revolver. David Bowie and Kate Bush, on the other hand, were influential in their use of storytelling through conceptual albums, especially when paired with visual media. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars from 1972 is a brilliant example of how music can be a part of world-building, aided by layered synths to provide that ‘space-age’ feeling. Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love from 1985 was another key album. Tracks such as “Waking the Witch” feel cinematic and vivid, with broken digitalised vocals talking back and forth with the vocal representation of a demon figure. The added dissonance of the church bells brings a striking sense of reality to this song.

On the other side of the spectrum, inspired by the psychedelic phenomenon of the ‘70s, Pink Floyd developed their own style within this rising art rock genre. Their concept album in 1973, The Dark Side of the Moon, has repeated motifs throughout the album to create a whole and cohesive feel, for example, the famous guitar riff found in both “Time” and “Breathe (In the Air)”. “Echoes” from their 1971 album Meddle is often referenced in relation to this introduction of concept albums, as it takes up the entire B-side of the record at 23:33 minutes long. The track journeys through a traditional rock section, blending into experimental synths that evoke the feeling of walking through a dark tunnel, with scattered electronic sounds that give the feeling of animals crying out in the dark, painting a vivid mental image. This abstract portrayal of the world around us is a key element of the genre, but it is also significant that the music evokes a strong emotional response through this freedom of expression.

Read on: [theoxfordblue.co.uk]

Ryo1 8 July 6
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Early Pink Floyd had aspects similar to electronic Krautrock (Kosmische Musik). I don’t know if I’d classify them as art rock. Early Genesis and Yes were as was King Crimson. Genesis and Yes (or Asia?) lost their way into the 80s. King Crimson soldiered on, though well off the charts and airwaves.

Arguably Smashing Pumpkins gravitated toward an art rock sensibility from the popular so called grunge movement of the early 90s.

There are bands like Rush that are more progressive metal. Not sure art rock would apply though they did the long winded concept albums. Mastodon seemed somewhere between progressive metal and art rock.

I don’t like Dream Theater whatever they are. Just thought that needed to be said.

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