A couple of times in the last week in Uncut and Mojo I have seen references to Yacht Rock. What the fuck is it, who invented it and can someone give me some examples of it?
Yacht Rock
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I asked the same question last year, and the Massive responded:
Sorry @minibreakfast didn’t recall that when I posted – I was intrigued as I have seen it a few times in last week and it is obviously on the verge of becoming an accepted genre.
It was simply ages ago. God knows how I remembered, but I searched “Yacht Rock” on the site and there it was.
I was that soldier. Or sailor.
Some very fine examples of the genre on that thread contributed by The Afterworderati
I vaguely remembered it after you responded but my brain cells ain’t what they were.
It’s probably being used because suddenly it is acceptable to enjoy these smooth AOR sounds.
The soundtrack of Guardians of the Galaxy may have something to do with this.
This may give some useful background.
It’s about time for a Too Slow To Disco thread.
Yep, those Too Slow To Disco comps are the place to to hear the true glory of Yacht Rock.
Not this one then? With apologies to….. well, just about everyone.
Jawbone Press has a book entitled ‘Yacht Rock’ out soon. Seems baffling to me, but I wish them well with it.
Open shirts and medallions. Smart Designer leisurewear. Stubbly chins on obviously well-heeled white men.
Smooth sparkly production on AOR or disco-lite music. Harmony vocals, tasteful guitars and keyboards, ba-doom drumming. Lots of musical pablum but some real gems too. Exotic or at least upmarket video locations. Or dark rainy alleys.
Very White American with the occasional token well-dressed Blacks. Beautiful women in expensive gowns.
Jumpers for goalposts…
There are a series of videos about the genre. Look them up.
A great new wave band from Merseyside.
First album available here`;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0S7WhHoOqI
Members later went on to have further commercial success in the 1980s.
I believe The Christians was one of the subsequent bands.
Box 202 was an excellent single as well from the second album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlxcBAfX3iQ
Big things expected.
Jake Riviera and Andrew Lauder took them, Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello from Stiff when they set up Radar Records.
Only 2 of the 3 achieved any success (can you guess which 2?)
Yachtsman Henry Priest man wrote pretty much all of The Christians stuff.
He’s released two very fine solo albums, and is available for hire to play gigs in your front room.
Mate, were we separated at birth?
Am listening to Dreamboat Annie by Heart and that seems a pretty good example, especially Crazy for You. It’s got a boat in the title!