Rock, Alternative, Pop

Rock, alternative, pop music is probably the most popular music preferences that people play in their car stereos these days. This generation’s rock, alternative, pop music genres have more vocal melodies and “loud” expression of artists that many young groups relate to. The popularity can be greatly accounted to “newer” personality traits of the younger age group that surrounds “freedom of expression” in terms of music.

Rock music is music with prominent vocal melodies which are accompanied by drums, guitar, and bass. A lot of styles with rock music also use keyboard instruments like piano, synthesizers, and organ. They usually have a “strong” back beat that revolves around electric guitars.

This type of music date back to the 1950’s period of rockabilly and rock n’ roll music. In the 60’s, it was mixed with folk music to produce folk rock. It was also blended with jazz, creating “jazz-rock fusion”. The 70’s developed several subgenres of rock music like blues rock, soft rock, progressive rock, heavy-metal rock, synth-rock, techno rock, art rock, heavy-metal rock, and punk rock. In the 80’s, other subgenres emerged such as alternative rock, indie-rock, and hard rock.

“Rock N’ Roll” began early 50’s in the US. This type of music originated from “rhythm and blues” and country music. The mainstream acceptance of this genre came in the middle of the 50’s when Bo Diddley made a contract with major labels.

Alternative music or oftentimes called alternative rock is a music genre that surfaced in the 80’s, which became extensively well-liked in the 90’s. The term “alternative” is taken from the 80’s that described “punk-rock” inspired groups on “independent” record labels which didn’t fit the mainstream genre during that time.

Being a particular genre in music, alternative music is includes various subgenres which emerged from the 80’s indie music. This includes Britpop, indie pop, gothic rock, indie rock, and grunge. These genres were combined to the style of ethos punk, laying the foundation for the 70’s alternative music.

Although this music genre is measured as “rock”, its subgenres are greatly influenced by electronic music, reggae, jazz, and folk music among others. Sometimes, alternative music has been utilized as “catch-all” saying for underground rock music in the 80’s.

Pop music is a popular music genre differentiated from art, classical, or folk music. The name indicates its particular stylistic character like having simple melodies, repetitive structure, and danceable beat that people easily catch on and join in. To further increase its accessibility, it often has elements of hip hop, reggae, dance, rock, funk, and R&B. Pop music frequently engages consumer-driven efforts and mass marketing by big record companies, making it a frequently ridiculed genre.

The “dance” factor of pop music may be traced to Ragtime, popular in African-American communities. It mainly spread through player pianos and sheet music. Ragtime developed into Swing, which was an early Jazz form and greatly enjoyed for its mutability and danceability.

In the 50’s pop music was popularized by famous artists like Elvis Presley, who was a very popular artist with the younger generation at that time. In the 70’s, a rise of new music from the “disco” era included the BeeGees, ABBA, Elton John, and Billy Joel. The unique country style of the Eagles, as well as the “rock-influenced” pop of Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac, and Rod Stewart surfaced a new kind of pop.

Rock, alternative, pop music has greatly evolved today from its “humble” beginnings. They’re among the most popular music genres that a lot of people choose to listen to, particularly with the younger generation of today. Various artists of rock, alternative, pop music have created their own unique styles with the music, yet preserving the most important aspect of the genres, distinctive music.