Fox Reviews Rock

Rock has never been a single sound. It has splintered out over the decades into countless subgenres. Some burn brightly and disappear just as quickly as they arrived, while others last the distance. From Grunge to Metal, to Alternative Rock, the difference between a trend and a lasting movement comes down to cultural timing, innovations and the ability to evolve.

When A Subgenre Captures A Cultural Moment

Some subgenres explode onto the scene because they perfectly capture the mood of an area or a generation. Grunge in the early 90s in Seattle is a perfect example of this. Bands like Nirvana gave a generation of frustrated people a voice in a time of disillusionment.

In a similar vein bands like Rage Against The Machine showcased how social anger and political issues can resonate with wide audiences. Pop-punk thrived when it connected with the youth, bands like Green Day mixed fast guitars with themes of boredom, rebellion and growing up. When a subgenre captures how people feel, it can spread like wildfire.

However it is this connection to this cultural moment that can also cause these subgenres to fade once the generation or trend shifts. This can leave some struggling to remain relevant.

Innovation Helps Genres Survive

Subgenres that endure are those that bring something completely new to rock’s musical style. Heavy Metal introduced darker riffs and a heavier sound than traditional Rock, pioneered by bands such as Black Sabbath. Which in turn became the cornerstone of other ideas and countless other bands.

Shoegaze bands like My Bloody Valentine experimented with layering and guitar effects that later inspired Alternative and Indie bands. Meanwhile Nu-Metal groups like Linkin Park blended guitars with hip-hop and electronic production to massively expand the boundary of Rock.

When a subgenre contributes new techniques, sounds or production styles it leaves a lasting effect. Even if that original wave fades away it tends to get absorbed into another one.

The Ability To Evolve Keeps Music Alive

Evolving is another reason why some subgenres endure. Thrash Metal started as an underground movement but bands like Metallica expanded the style with more complexity and therefore wider appeal.

Alternative rock has been constantly shifted about and put back together. Radiohead pushed the genre by blending Rock with electronic experimentation and odd song structures. Whereas bands like Foo Fighters kept the guitar as the focus while still keeping audiences on the edge of their seat.

Allowing artists to experiment and grow is how subgenres stay relevant. When musicians build on the foundations of a style but don’t simply repeat it is how it then continues to adapt and bring in new audiences. The latest of this for me is Sleep Token, who are so fluid in their sound that they even get called not Rock at all…

Final Thoughts

I think the thing to take away here is that subgenres very rarely fade away completely. They evolve or influence what is to come next. As can be seen in my article last week about Blues and Folk! The lasting movements capture the spirit of the era they are in, innovate and leave room for future reshaping.

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