Art-Rock Guide: A Brief History of Art-Rock

Art-rock is a musical style known for avant-garde experimentation, musical and lyrical sophistication, and meticulous production. Art-rock albums are often themed around a concept or story. Art-rock puts a careful focus on craft with only secondary regard for pop radio success. Art-rock’s revolutionary focus on craft and creativity in musical production aligns it with many other genres, like progressive rock, punk rock, post-punk, psychedelic rock, new wave, indie rock, glam rock, experimental rock, and neo-classical music. Notable art-rock artists include The Velvet Underground & Nico, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, The Moody Blues, and Emerson Lake & Palmer.

Here is a brief history of art-rock:

• Origins in the early 1960s: The origins of art-rock can be traced back to the early 1960s when producers like Phil Spector and Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys established themselves as detail-oriented musical creative directors. Rock groups began viewing albums as cohesive stories rather than a collection of singles. Some ground-breaking concept albums from this period are: Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles, and Freak Out! by Frank Zappa’s first band The Mothers of Invention.
• The first “art rock” band: In 1967, The Velvet Underground & Nico released their self-titled debut record, which was executive produced by visual artist Andy Warhol. Many considered this to be the beginning of the art-rock movement, partially owing to the influence of Warhol. The Velvet Underground & Nico nonetheless brought a heightened sense of purpose and experimentation.
• Prominence in the 1970s: Before long, art-rock bands became showcases for their players' virtuosity. Groups like King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, The Moody Blues, and Emerson Lake & Palmer were among the most recognizable players of their generation. The music these bands played often rejected the commercial convention of an infectious pop hook. Instead, the players of these bands would show off their musical talents in long, artful instrumental passages.
• Art rock in the 2000s: Art rock continues to thrive in the indie, post-hardcore, and post-rock scenes. Radiohead, Wilco, Joanna Newsom, The Roots, and Talib Kweli are among the artists who have embraced art-rock hallmarks—like concept albums and heady, intellectual lyrics—as a central part of their work.

The art-rock and progressive rock genres both share concept-driven lyrics, experimentation, and musical virtuosity. They originated around the same time, and are often confused with one another. However, art-rock is considered to be more avant-garde and experimental. Progressive rock (or prog rock) sticks more to classic musical compositions and conventions.

Art-rock shares several key traits across many subgenres.

1. 1. Concept albums: Many art-rock groups have embraced concept albums with a unified narrative or message. Such records include The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars by David Bowie, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway by Genesis, Quadrophenia by The Who, The Wall by Pink Floyd, and the Ambient series by Brian Eno.
2. 2. Embrace of new technology: Art-rock musicians often employed new instrument technology. Virtuoso keyboardist Keith Emerson was a master of piano and organ, but also experimented with synthesizers. The German band Kraftwerk was singularly devoted to synthesizers, which became synonymous with the Krautrock subgenre.
3. 3. Literary references: Art-rock lyricists like Lou Reed, Kate Bush, and Neil Peart often reference literature, poetry, mythology, and science in their songs.
4. 4. Incorporation of visual stagecraft: For many art-rock groups, the live show was an essential element of their overall artistic look. Performers like Roxy Music, David Bowie, and Peter Gabriel-era Genesis made costumes a key part of their stage show. Under the direction of singer/guitarist David Byrne, Talking Heads made a concert video, Stop Making Sense, that was a postmodern deconstruction of a rock concert. Byrne's synthesis of visuals with music has endured in his solo career.

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