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The purpose of this blog is to investigate the origins and development of the genre known as Artrock. It will trace (in a vaguely chronological manner) the development of a form of music which is inherently difficult to define in acompletely clear manner (as opposed to say, Reggae). The format will mainly consist of a look at key albums and movements in this genre of music.
Given the questionability of a precise definition of what has come to be known as Artrock, I will (initially at least) seek to investigate what is our modern understanding of Artrock. Early in the life of rock music - before it ate itself - Prog Rock bands such as Genesis were referred to as Artrock, but for simplicity and good taste’s sake we will focus at first on the understanding of the genre which is, generally speaking, strongly influenced by the Punk and Post-Punk movements of the late-70s/early-80s. Alongside the more overtly ‘rock’ acts that are generally thought of in with regard to influencing todays Artrock bands, figures such as Brian Eno will also be considered, as well as the contemporary Classical composers such as LaMonte Young, Karlheinz Stockhausen and others that certainly had their part to play in influencing these more adventurous figures in Rock music. Other Popular Music movements such as Disco, Dub, Hip-Hop and so on have most certainly had their part to play and so will also get fair consideration. However, it should be noted, due to the current proclivities/influences of what we call Artrock today (as in the bands that are featured in Artrocker), there will certainly be a reasonable bias toward Post-Punk, not least because it is my own area of expertise, a ‘genre’ that is as disparate and extensive in output as its own influences. It should also be noted that this weblog is not to be taken as a serious, academic, or even particularly level-headed study of Artrock (although one will attempt to be as neutral as possible) - it’s primary purpose is to get people listening to things that they may not have heard before, or maybe just forgot about.
One of the greatest pleasures, I believe, one can have in life is to discover something new, and one of the best ways to do this (certasinly when it comes to music) is to see who influenced who and how, and then to investigate them yourself. So, think not of this as a serious of lessons, but as a series of starting points to discover new and exciting music!
There may be the odd distraction here and there if I make a new discovery of my own (a reissue or, heaven forbid, a new album) that particularly excites me, so pardon me if the chronological form is occasionally deviated from. I’ll also do the odd blog on Art itself, jsut to remind you what the word means.
And of course, dear readers (if there are any of you) please suggest your own ideas for what I should look into. There’s a fair chance it’s upcoming or I’ve rejected it already - but it can’t hurt, getting conversation going would be marvellous.
The next blog will be the first installment proper, in which we will look at the seminal album that is perhaps the strongest candidate to be the originator of Artrock (I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of that word already) - The Velvet Underground & Nico.
A.R.H.
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Art Rock was invented by Syd
Art Rock was invented by Syd Barrett. He was the first to give an avant-garde and experimental approach to the pop and rock music of the 60s, just listen to any of Pink Floyd's really early material, you'll see what i mean. Bowie was influenced by him, as were the velvet underground and Marc Bolan etc. etc. and subsequently so were alot of the post-punk bands of the 80s. In more recent times you can hear Syd's influence in bands such like NEiLS CHiLDREN and Ipso Facto.
Now, it’s interesting you
Now, it’s interesting you should mention Syd, as I was just listening to Piper At The Gates Of Dawn (onto Sunn O))) now, - very, um, similar artists, I’m sure you’ll agree) and it’s absolutely going to get featured, probably quite soon, so as to keep to the vaguely chronological thing I’m going to try to go for. Not heard any Syd Barret solo records, as yet, so that may need to wait a bit. As for the rest of Floyd’s oeuvre, I’ll be putting that off as long as possible…! And with regard to Barrett’s influence on Post-Punk - who could forget Television Personalities classic ‘I Know Where Syd Barret Lives’ - touching, wonky, child-like pop at its best. Now, I’d best stop answering these comments and get on with finishing this bloody V.U. post…Two people have read it
And two Brian Eno fans. Afterall I was an early adopter of Windows 95.
Well, he’s certainly going
Well, he’s certainly going to be mentioned more than a couple of times, from the next article on… He turns up everywhere! Maybe he is the patron saint of Artrock? Having said that, his association with U2, Coldplay etc. probably excludes him from canonisation…Omnipresent Brian Eno.
Dude, can the living be patron saints? Just sayin'.
Omnipresent Brian Eno
Good point… Okay, that’s the other obstacle. U2 might almost be a bigger one though!U2?
OK, name three miracles Bono (and his apostles) have performed. And maybe you'll have my blessing.
Hmmm… No, U2 are
Hmmm… No, U2 are definitely the biggest obstacle to Eno’s canonisation.Yes I so get it. Even so,
Yes I so get it. Even so, it's a beautiful day. Smirk.
I disagree
His work with the group on Achtung Baby and Zooropa stands up. His more recent decision to work with Coldplay and become a 'rent-a-stadium-producer' is what troubles me more.
Yes, the
Yes, the ‘rent-a-stadium’ thing is troublesome indeed, I take your point. He seems to be the producer of choice for acts that want to garner themselves some more artistic credibility. He should go back to producing albums like ‘No New York’. But then, I guess there’s not much money in that…If a band can *precisely* be
If a band can *precisely* be identified as Artrock, then technically speaking, can it be Artrock at all? Kapish?
Well, that’s certainly a
Well, that’s certainly a good point, and is possibly a good explanation as to why it is questionable that any precise definition could actually be applied to how we define this, often nebulous, term ‘Artrock’, quite apart from the fact that practically all acts that are termed as such can have plenty other genres applied equally so.Although would be fun to
Although would be fun to attempt defining the Artrock *sound* as precisely as possible.
PS: How the *bleep* do you do italics here?
Art Rock
'Prog Rock bands such as Genesis were referred to as Artrock, but for simplicity and good taste’s sake we will focus at first on the understanding of the genre which is, generally speaking, strongly influenced by the Punk and Post-Punk movements of the late-70s/early-80s'
This notion I must contest. For simplicity's sake, perhaps but for whose simplicity? For no explanation of Art Rock, which by its very definition - a subgenre of rock music with experimental/avant-garde leanings, could be complete without an analysis of such groups, however 'fashionable' or otherwise they may be. Art rock, as you studiously note, is of course, heavily inspired by classically-influenced arrangements and prog rock groups such as Genesis, Pink Floyd & King Crimson (two of which have strong connections with the aforementioned Eno) were the first to overtly display such influences. Therefore, to consider the genres of disco, dub & hip-hop and then to casually ignore progressive rock is a highly subjective view of the genre, and does not afford it a fair treatment.
Post-punk is of course, a different genre again and though related is not an interchangeable term with art rock. Perhaps your blog could be renamed 'an introduction to post-punk.'
I think you should read the
I think you should read the second paragraph more closely, MGM, although it may be my own fault for not being detailed/clear enough. I did not say that I will completely disregard Progressive Rock, but that at first I will be focusing on the Post-Punk side of things, as it is the emphasis of the current Artrock movement(s). It is also not least for practical reasons I have considerable amount of resources at my disposal which relate to this area and few with regard to the other. So, without dipping into illegal manners of music consumption/shoplifting books, it’s difficult for me to give this area the full focus that it warrants, as you point out. So, King Crimson will certainly get their time, and I’ll do my best to approach (at least, early) Pink Floyd. Might take a while to get to Genesis though.woo
A great idea.
Not much I love more than digging through art rock history. Can't wait for Here Come the Warm Jets!
Merci
Ah! Thank you. I now know at least one person has read it… And an Eno fan to boot. Excellent. Hopefully won’t be too long until the next installment, so stay tuned!Post new comment