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Rock music genres

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rock music
popular music genre
heavy metal music
genre of rock music characterized by slack-tuned instruments, and unconventional changes of tonality (key) and time signature (metre)
rock and roll
genre of popular music, early subgenre of rock music
punk rock
genre of rock music
hard rock
genre of rock music often characterized by chordal guitar riffs accompanied by root notes on the bass guitar and "big" drums
grunge
Grunge (originally known as the Seattle Sound) is an alternative rock genre and subculture that emerged during the in the U.S. state of Washington, particularly in Seattle and Olympia, and other nearby cities. Grunge fuses elements of punk rock and heavy metal, and features the distorted electric guitar sound used in both genres, as well as bass guitar, drums, and vocals. Grunge also incorporates influences from indie rock bands such as Sonic Youth, Pixies, and Dinosaur Jr. Lyrics are typically angst-filled and introspective, often addressing themes such as social alienation, self-doubt, abuse
alternative rock
subgenre of rock music
progressive rock
genre of rock music
emo
Emo ( ) is a genre of rock music that combines musical characteristics of hardcore punk with emotional, often confessional lyrics. It emerged as a style of hardcore punk and from the Washington, D.C., hardcore scene, where it was known as emotional hardcore or emocore. The bands Rites of Spring and Embrace, among others, pioneered the genre. In the late 1980s, Maryland bands Moss Icon and the Hated adopted and reinvented this sound, putting less influence on its punk roots. In the early-to-mid 1990s, their influence led emo to be adopted by alternative rock, indie rock, and pop-punk bands, inc
pop rock
music genre
post-punk
Post-punk (or postpunk) is a loosely defined music genre and period that emerged in late 1977 in the wake of punk rock. The concept was originally outlined by Jon Savage in his "New Musick" editorial for Sounds magazine in November 1977. The term has been noted for lacking a universally agreed-upon definition. Post-punk musicians departed from punk's fundamental elements and raw simplicity, adopting instead a broader, more experimental approach that incorporated a variety of avant-garde sensibilities and non-rock influences. Inspired by punk's energy and DIY ethic but determined to move beyond
new wave
music genre that encompasses pop-oriented styles from the late 1970s through the 1980s
psychedelic rock
genre of rock music
blues rock
music genre combining elements of blues and rock
glam rock
style of rock music that developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s performed by musicians who wore outrageous costumes, makeup, and hairstyles, particularly platform shoes and glitter
art rock
subgenre of rock music
post-rock
Post-rock is a subgenre of experimental rock that emphasizes texture, atmosphere, and non-traditional song structures over conventional rock techniques. Post-rock artists often combine rock instrumentation and rock stylings with electronics and digital production as a means of enabling the exploration of textures, timbres and different styles. Vocals, when present, are often used as an instrumental layer, with many bands opting for entirely instrumental compositions. The genre began in indie and underground music scenes, but deviated.
Britpop
Britpop was a British music and cultural movement that emerged in the 1990s. Musically, it produced bright, catchy alternative rock that drew heavily on the traditions of 1960s guitar-based British pop, with lyrics that emphasised national identity and offered commentary on British culture and society. The movement was seen as a reaction against the darker lyrical themes and soundscapes of the American-led grunge and the more introspective shoegaze scene in Britain. It helped bring British alternative rock into the mainstream and became a key part of the broader Cool Britannia phenomenon, whic
shoegaze
Shoegaze (originally shoegazing) is a subgenre of indie and alternative rock characterised by ethereal soundscapes, obscured vocals, and extensive use of guitar effects and distortion. Rooted in Phil Spector's Wall of Sound and psychedelic pop of the 1960s, the style originated in the UK, particularly in London and the greater Thames Valley region, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The term was coined by music executive Andy Ross and was later used by the British music press to describe shoegaze bands' motionless stage presence, during which musicians directed their look down toward their eff
indie pop
genre of pop music within independent music movement
rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music. It dates back to the early 1950s in the United States, especially the South. As a genre, it blends the sound of Western musical styles such as country with that of rhythm and blues, leading to what is considered "classic" rock and roll. Some have also described it as a blend of bluegrass with rock and roll. The term "rockabilly" itself is a portmanteau of "rock" (from "rock 'n' roll") and "hillbilly", the latter a reference to the country music (often called "hillbilly music" in the 1940s and 1950s) that contributed strongly to t
garage rock
subgenre of rock and roll music
jazz fusion
music genre that developed in the late 1960s when musicians combined jazz harmony and improvisation with rock music, funk, and rhythm and blues
pop-punk
Pop-punk (also punk pop, alternatively spelled without the hyphen) is a rock music genre that combines elements of punk rock and pop. It is defined by its fast-paced, energetic tempos, and emphasis on classic pop songcraft, as well as adolescent and anti-suburbia themes. It is distinguished from other punk-variant genres by drawing more heavily from 1960s bands such as the Beatles, the Kinks, and the Beach Boys. The genre has evolved throughout its history, absorbing elements from new wave, college rock, ska, hip hop, emo, boy band pop and even hardcore punk and metalcore. It is sometimes cons
country rock
subgenre fusion of rock music and country music
Krautrock
Krautrock (originally known as ', German for ) is a broad genre of experimental rock and music scene that developed in West Germany in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is also sometimes referred to as the Düsseldorf or Berlin school of electronic music' for two significant centres into which the genre was born — the latter being frequently used both as a synonym and as a meronym. Artists blend elements of psychedelic rock, avant-garde composition, and electronic music, among other eclectic sources. Common elements included hypnotic rhythms, extended improvisation, musique concrète techniques
visual kei
movement among Japanese musicians defined by a strong focus on visual expression through outrageous costumes, makeup, and hairstyles
noise rock
experimental rock music mixed with noise
rap rock
cross-genre fusing vocal and instrumental elements of hip-hop with various forms of rock
soft rock
music genre derived from popular and rock music
doo-wop
Doo-wop (also spelled doowop and doo wop) is a subgenre of rhythm and blues music that originated in African-American communities during the 1940s, mainly in the large cities of the United States, including New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Baltimore, Newark, Detroit, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. It features vocal group harmony that carries an engaging melodic line to a simple beat with little or no instrumentation. Lyrics are simple, usually about love, sung by a lead vocal over background vocals, and often featuring, in the bridge, a melodramatically heartfelt recitative add
post-grunge
Post-grunge is a musical offshoot of grunge that has a less abrasive or intense tone than traditional grunge. Originally, the term was used derisively and indicated mid-1990s alternative rock bands such as Bush, Candlebox, Collective Soul, Live, Foo Fighters, and Silverchair, that emulated the original sound of grunge.
electronic rock
music genre
Neue Deutsche Härte
subgenre of rock music
experimental rock
type of music based on rock
stoner rock
music sub genre of metal
Christian rock
rock music with lyrics related to Jesus and Christianity
dark wave
music genre
beat music
popular music genre, influenced by rock and roll, skiffle, traditional pop music; developed in the UK early 1960s
no wave
music genre or scene
power pop
music genre
dream pop
music genre
baroque pop
fusion genre that combines rock music with particular elements of classical music
space rock
genre of rock music
screamo
Screamo (also referred to as skramz) is a subgenre of emo that emerged in the early 1990s and emphasizes "willfully experimental dissonance and dynamics". San Diego–based bands Heroin and Antioch Arrow pioneered the genre in the early 1990s, and it was developed in the late 1990s mainly by bands from the East Coast of the United States such as Pg. 99, Orchid, Saetia, and I Hate Myself. Screamo is strongly influenced by hardcore punk and characterized by the use of screamed vocals. Lyrical themes usually include emotional pain, death, romance, and human rights. The term "screamo" has frequently
Southern rock
subgenre of rock music and a genre of Americana
funk rock
music genre that fuses funk and rock elements
industrial rock
music genre
acid rock
subgenre of psychedelic rock music
surf music
music genre
arena rock
genre of rock music designed for large audiences
indie folk
music genre
proto-punk
Proto-punk (or protopunk) is music that foreshadowed the punk rock genre, particularly rock music artists during the 1960s and early-to mid 1970s. A retrospective label, the musicians involved were generally not originally associated with each other and came from a variety of backgrounds and styles; together, they anticipated many of punk's musical and thematic attributes.
Madchester
Madchester was a musical and cultural scene that emerged in the English city of Manchester during the late 1980s, closely associated with the indie dance movement. Indie dance (also referred to as indie rave) blended indie rock with elements of acid house, psychedelia, and 1960s pop.
Canterbury scene
music genre and scene
psychobilly
Psychobilly (also known as punkabilly) is a rock music fusion genre that fuses elements of rockabilly and punk rock. It has been defined as "loud frantic rockabilly music", it has also been said that it "takes the traditional countrified rock style known as rockabilly, ramp[ing] up its speed to a sweaty pace, and combin[ing] it with punk rock and imagery lifted from horror films and late-night sci-fi schlock,... [creating a] gritty honky tonk punk rock."
dance-punk
jangle pop
music genre
pub rock
genre of rock music that emerged in the early to mid-1970s in the United Kingdom
instrumental rock
type of rock music