Guilty Pleasure
What is a guilty pleasure? It’s something you enjoy, but are reasonably sure you would experience derision or teasing from others if they knew about it. Liking the blues is not a guilty pleasure. Liking “art rock” is. The blues is a cool thing to like, as is jazz or classic rock … these are all credible, reputable musical art forms, well-rooted in tradition and represented by popular icons and their product. “Art rock” is something else again, an aberration perhaps, certainly a concept often steeped in over-indulgence, self-delusion, pomp and pompousness, bombast, silliness and excess.
I was driving up north this week and listening to a Genesis CD .. old one called Trespass, when Peter Gabriel was still the front man for the group. I was engrossed, entertained, and almost thankful there was no one else in the vehicle, because I’d expect someone else to say something like, “This is pretty weird” or just talk over the music to render it ineffectual background. My pal Dino might say, “This is dreck!” See? Guilty pleasure.
Of course, art rock has been its own worst enemy. Many an atrocity has been committed in the name of art rock. Horrendous epics about wizards, fairies, several species of furry creatures, mushroom cities and cloud castles. Art rock tunes tend to be suites, patchwork compositions that drift from quiet acoustic intros to cathedral choir grand finales, and everything in between. Some art rock is simply real bad. But I could say that about anything, so it’s not an issue. Some art rock is good, some is phenomenal. So, how do I define the genre to begin with? And who do I see as models of credible art rock?
Quoting from Wikipedia: Art rock is a term used to describe a subgenre of rock music with “experimental or avant-garde influences” that emphasizes “novel sonic texture.” [1] Art rock is an “intrinsically album-based” form, which takes advantage of the format’s capacity for longer, more complex compositions and extended instrumental explorations.
The Golden Age of Rock lectures define art rock as “a piece of music in the rock idiom that is appealing more intellectually or musically, that is, not formulated along pop lines for mass consumption. It’s usually somewhat experimental. It often employs a long structure with several themes like classical music, though sometimes it’s a suite of individual songs. One unifying feature is that Art Rock almost always features keyboards more than guitar.” As well, art rock is “not so much for dancing as for listening and it often tells a story or has a philosophical theme to the lyrics.
I remember when Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band hit the scene; it changed everything. Suddenly, musical exploration was all the rage. When the Beatles were recording it at Abbey Road, Pink Floyd were in another studio in the same building creating their first LP. Musical explorations took the form of psychedelia, burlesque, baroque, jazz fusion, Celtic folk, sitar-laden eastern ragas, you name it. Along came the aforementioned Genesis and Pink Floyd; King Crimson; Emerson, Lake & Palmer; Moody Blues; Yes and others.
Later, came a “glam” offshoot characterized by David Bowie, Roxy Music, Eno and Be Bop Deluxe.
Still later, it was Moby, Mars Volta, Radiohead, and Peter Gabriel hanging in there.
At its best, art rock evokes incredible mental imagery, aural textures, tales and masterful composition. At its worst: those atrocities I’ve mentioned above. So, I boldly propose to undertake a project in the name of art rock.
For the radio show I present (Roundtrip) on WNRB-LP (93.3 FM, Wausau) on Thursday nights (7-9:00), I propose to put together a 2-hour tribute to the genre. This I will do within a couple/few weeks. I may need help with material and suggestions. My own library is not comprehensive by any means. Pal Dino tells me Sonic Youth is art rock … I have none and am essentially clueless about them.
Over the next week or so, I will provide updates on plans for this program, and ultimately I invite you to tune in for the show when it’s ready for prime time. I guarantee I will do everything I can to avoid atrocities.
andrewcarey said:
Art rock is nothing to be ashamed of listening to! To hell with everyone else if they don’t “get it”. Although, perhaps listening to it in the car rather than on a vinyl is something to be ashamed of. (Hey, I’m guilty too; no finger pointing here.)
I think “Hoist that Rag” by Tom Waits would be an especially appropriate song to play.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:27 am #
Tom Neal said:
Hey Andrew (my middle name!),
On my show last night I played Tom Waits’ Blue Valentines in honor of V-Day. Ah yes, vinyl, a medium that often supplies its own distinctive ambient sound. I have this Arthur Brown album (Journey) on vinyl … very arty indeed … a curious and engaging mix of heaven and atrocity.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:51 pm #
Barry Liss said:
Hey Tom, I think you’ve already answered this - is there a way to get ahold of your show from the internet? Is there a backup?
cheers, Barry
February 16th, 2008 at 10:22 am #
fivefourfoursevenfour said:
Cool article. I’ll make the argument that Rock is Art, end of story.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:18 pm #