If you like a bit of art with your rock, then you may enjoy the Bandcamp list article linked below…
WARNING: may contain Henry Cow
Bandcamp – Art-Rock!
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Musings on the byways of popular culture
I knew I’d forgotten something!
https://daily.bandcamp.com/lists/art-rock-album-guide?utm_source=notification
It’s a relatively short read: I suspect Tiggerlion could have written a more detailed treatise…and perhaps he will?
You’ve got me feeling curious. It’s a very readable article.
The term art.-rock does seem to cover a very wide range of artists. According to wiki, it’s a synonym for prog rock, if not even broader @fitterstoke
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_rock
According to wiki…..Critics have defined art rock as a “rejection” of rock music intended solely for the purpose of popular entertainment or dancing.
That doesn’t seem to hold true. Peter Gabriel, who the article mentions, has produced some very danceable tunes and often been very entertaining.
The same goes for Bowie and Roxy Music who are mentioned in the article below which makes the connection between art rock and the British art schools that many of bands emerged from.
https://underground-england.com/art-rock-music-history/
For their video for ART SCHOOL, The Jam, even brought in a few artists to paint away in the background.
If Wiki suggests that art rock is synonymous with prog rock, then Wiki is an ass.
It’s lazy thinking: arguably Wire, Roxy and Henry Cow are all art rock. None of them are prog (well, maybe the Cow – but they’re not exactly Genesis, are they?)
What I think of as art rock is acts who don’t quite fit elsewhere. A vein of VU influence running through quite often. Roxy, Eno. Non-musicians (not really) who want to avoid tge predictable. A certain funk element coming into the white musicians interests. From Bowie through post punk. Avoidance of the blues. It’s a an area I find very appealing. Radiohead as well. Shoegaze, anti-britpop. Prog is not the same thing. It can be catchy though. Not necessarily difficult. Kate Bush is in there.
I strongly recommend subscribing to the Bandcamp emails. They are still a great source of discovery of new and/or forgotten music.