Styles Of Rock Music

Rock music has been popular ever since it first emerged with the early 1950's in the music of Chuck Barry. Rock music brings to minds wailing guitars, harsh drums, fierce energy, and rebellion. Rock music is never static but always in motion constantly creating and breaking off into new forms and styles.

Today, rock music is as relevant as ever. It is still rooted in the forms of the past while remaining fresh and exciting at the same time.

Much of today's rock music has origins in the alternative pop/rock movement of the mid 1980's through the mid 1990's. Alternative pop/rock music first appeared in the underground music scene of the 1980's. Many bands were disillusioned by mainstream rock and experimented and created diverse styles. Styles to emerge included alternative dance, jingle-pop, post-hardcore punk, funk-metal, punk-pop, and experimental rock. These bands created a huge fan base through constant touring and released their music on independent labels. Alternative rock music went mainstream in the 1990's with the success of Nirvana's Nevermind in 1991. Alternative rock music's entrance into the mainstream changed from a quirky experimental sound to more synthesized and commercially appealing. Popular alternative rock artists from the period include Nirvana, Pearl Jam, R.E.M, The Cure, The Smiths, Smashing Pumpkins, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nine Inch Nails, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, and Green Day.

In the tradition of rock, current rock music is a variation of past forms of Alternative rock. The most popular forms today are punk-pop, emo, and synth pop/new wave. Punk-pop is a variation of alternative rock music. It combines power pop melodies, speedy punk tempos, and loud guitars. Green Day was the first band to popularize punk-pop in 1994 and continue its popularity with their 2004 album, American Idiot. Other current popular punk-pop bands include Good Charlotte and Sum 41.

Emo is another type of rock music gaining widespread popularity. Emo is very similar to punk-pop. It is characterized by complex guitar work, unorthodox song structures, and arty noise. Emo rock's lyrics are very intimate and personal and range from free verse poetry to confessions. Popular emo rock music bands include My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, and Panic! At the Disco.

Current rock music has also revisited past alternative rock styles of synth-pop/new wave. This style of rock music was very popular in the 1980's and was characterized as pop music with electronics, synthesized productions, and dance beats. A very popular example from the 1980's is the band Duran Duran. Bands reviving the synth pop/new wave styles include Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, and Bloc Party.

Many critics of independent rock groups going mainstream argue that once a band signs with a major label it loses its originality, creativeness, and rebellion against commercial mass appeal. However, innovations in technology such as the Internet have allowed many unknown underground artists to spread their rock music without having to bend to the will of major music labels. One of the greatest aspects about rock music is its constant pursuit of change and reversal to remain homogenized.

Alternative/Indie Rock.  All Music 30 Aug. 2006. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql= 77:4464]

Emo.  All Music. 30 Aug. 2006. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql= 77:4525]

New Wave.  All Music. 30 Aug. 2006. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql= 77:381]

Punk-pop.  All Music. 30 Aug. 2006. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql= 77:2928]

Timeline of Trends in Music (2000-present).  Answers.com. 30 Aug. 2006. [http://www.answers.com/topic/timeline-of-trends-i n-music-2000-present]