Post-Rock

Post-rock is a musical genre that emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It is an experimental sub-genre of rock music that primarily features instrumental compositions and improvisation. The term “post-rock” was first coined by music journalist Simon Reynolds in the late 1990s to describe a group of artists who were exploring new sounds and structures in their music. These artists included Mogwai, Talk Talk, and Godspeed You! Black Emperor, who all rejected traditional rock song structures and instead focused on creating atmospheric soundscapes. Post-rock draws on a wide range of influences, including classical music, jazz, electronica and noise music. The genre is characterised by its use of unusual time signatures, unconventional song structures, and the incorporation of noise, feedback, and distortion. One of the most influential bands in the post-rock movement was Mogwai, a Scottish band who formed in 1995. Mogwai were known for their loud, expansive soundscapes and their use of dynamic shifts to create a powerful and emotional impact. Another key figure in the post-rock movement was Talk Talk, a British band who formed in the early 1980s. Talk Talk were known for their experimental approach to songwriting and for incorporating elements of ambient and jazz music into their music. Godspeed You! Black Emperor were also an important band in the development of post-rock. The Canadian group was known for their use of orchestral arrangements and for their political and social commentary in their music. One of the defining features of post-rock is its emphasis on atmosphere and mood rather than lyrics and conventional song structure. This has led some critics to describe the genre as “cinematic” or “soundtrack-like”. Post-rock has been influenced by a wide range of musical genres, including punk, metal, jazz, and classical music. This has led to a diverse range of sub-genres within post-rock, including post-metal, post-punk, and post-classical. One of the most distinct sub-genres of post-rock is post-metal, which incorporates elements of heavy metal into the post-rock sound. Bands like ISIS, Neurosis, and Cult of Luna have all been associated with the post-metal movement, which has gained popularity in the underground music scene. Post-rock has also been influenced by the minimalist composers of the 20th century, such as Steve Reich and Philip Glass. This influence can be heard in the repetition and layering of motifs in post-rock compositions, as well as the emphasis on rhythm and texture. Post-rock has been a significant influence on many other genres, including shoegaze, dream pop, and ambient music. Its influence can be heard in the work of artists like Radiohead and Sigur Rós, who have incorporated post-rock elements into their music.

Mogwai: The Scottish group, known for their cinematic sound and intricate instrumentals, has been a mainstay of the post-rock scene since the genre's inception. Their dynamic range and ability to shift between soft and bombastic passages have made them one of the most recognizable acts in the genre. Explosions in the Sky: This Texan post-rock band is known for their soaring guitar melodies and cinematic soundscapes. With a focus on instrumental epics, they have become one of the most popular and recognizable acts in the genre, with their music frequently used in films and television. Sigur Rós: The Icelandic outfit, fronted by enigmatic vocalist Jónsi, is known for their ethereal and haunting sound. Their use of bowed guitar textures and atmospheric sonics have made them one of post-rock's most influential acts. Godspeed You! Black Emperor: Hailing from Montreal, this collective is known for their experimental approach to rock music. Their sprawling compositions often incorporate field recordings, spoken word samples, and unconventional instrumentation, making them one of the most unique and innovative acts in post-rock. This Will Destroy You: This Texan group creates a dynamic and immersive sound, blending lush ambience with crushing swells of sound. With a focus on instrumentals and a keen sense of dynamics, they have become one of the most exciting acts in the genre. daysofstatic: The Sheffield-based group combines post-rock with elements of electronic, math rock, and instrumental hip-hop. Their complex rhythms and dense soundscapes have earned them a reputation as one of the most innovative and forward-thinking bands in the genre. Do Make Say Think: This Canadian outfit blends post-rock with elements of jazz and experimental music. With a focus on improvisation and spontaneity, their music often features intricate arrangements and vivid textures. M83: Fronted by French musician Anthony Gonzalez, M83 blends post-rock with elements of shoegaze and synth-pop. Their lush soundscapes and dreamy vocals have earned them a devoted fanbase, and their music has been used in films and television. Tortoise: This Chicago-based collective pioneered the fusion of post-rock with elements of jazz, electronic, and world music. Their intricate arrangements and complex rhythms have earned them a reputation as one of the most innovative bands in the genre. Mono: Japan's Mono creates a dynamic and cinematic sound, blending post-rock with elements of classical music and shoegaze. With a focus on instrumentals and emotion, their music is known for its epic scope and stirring beauty.

1. "Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven" - Godspeed You! Black Emperor 2. "Spiderland" - Slint 3. "The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place" - Explosions in the Sky 4. "Young Team" - Mogwai 5. "Endless Summer" - Fennesz 6. "Laughing Stock" - Talk Talk 7. "Kid A" - Radiohead 8. "Music for Airports" - Brian Eno 9. "Dead Flag Blues" - Godspeed You! Black Emperor 10. "Take Care, Take Care, Take Care" - Explosions in the Sky 11. "Happy Songs for Happy People" - Mogwai 12. "The Tired Sounds of Stars of the Lid" - Stars of the Lid 13. "The Seer" - Swans 14. "The Silent Enigma" - Anathema 15. "The Fear is Excruciating, but Therein Lies the Answer" - Red Sparowes 16. "No Heroes" - Converge 17. "Have a Nice Life" - Deathconsciousness 18. "Eve" - The Appleseed Cast 19. "The Wilderness" - Explosions in the Sky 20. "He Has Left Us Alone but Shafts of Light Sometimes Grace the Corner of Our Rooms" - Silver Mt. Zion 21. "Oceanic" - Isis 22. "Do Make Say Think" - & Yet & Yet 23. "And Their Refinement of the Decline" - Stars of the Lid 24. "Panopticon" - Isis 25. "Leviathan" - Mastodon

One of the most influential books on post-rock is "Repeating Ourselves: American Minimal Music as Cultural Practice" by Robert Fink. Although not solely focused on post-rock, Fink's book offers a detailed exploration of the shared aesthetics and techniques between minimalism and post-rock, and their relationship to cultural and historical contexts. Fink writes: "One could even say that post-rock is a distinctly post-minimalist cultural practice, with its appropriation of canonical minimalist techniques and materials but its refusal of the minimalist social and political agenda." Another notable book on post-rock is "Spirit of Talk Talk" by James Marsh and Chris Roberts. This book is a tribute to the influential British band Talk Talk, who are considered pioneers of post-rock. Marsh and Roberts offer a comprehensive overview of the band's history and musical legacy, and include interviews with former members, collaborators, and fans. In the words of Mark Hollis, Talk Talk's lead singer and songwriter: "The only way I knew how to make music was to start with silence and build up to something that haunted me." This sentiment captures the introspective nature of post-rock, which often prioritizes atmosphere, texture, and emotion over conventional song structures and lyrics. Another seminal book on post-rock is "Post-Rock: International Perspectives on Contemporary Music" edited by Mark Goodall. This book brings together a range of academic and non-academic voices from around the world to discuss various aspects of post-rock, from its sonic and aesthetic qualities to its socio-political implications. One chapter, authored by Simon Reynolds, examines the impact of post-rock on the wider music landscape, arguing that it "opened up a space for a new type of experimentalism in rock." Reynolds also identifies some of the challenges of defining post-rock, noting that it "meant different things to different people in different places." Other notable books on post-rock include "Lost in the Grooves: Scram's Capricious Guide to the Music You Missed" by Kim Cooper and David Smay, which includes a chapter on "The Post-Rock Godfathers"; "Expanding the Horizon of Electroacoustic Music Analysis" edited by Simon Emmerson, which includes a chapter on "The Sonic Morphologies of Post-Rock"; and "Post-rock: Histories and Theories" edited by Andy Brown, which includes essays on post-rock's relationship to politics, film, and technology.

On a social level, the 1990s were characterized by a growing sense of disillusionment and uncertainty in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union and a series of global conflicts. This sense of uncertainty and instability was reflected in the music of the time, which often explored themes of isolation, anxiety, and existential angst. Post-rock emerged as an experimental alternative to the mainstream rock music of the time, offering a more introspective and atmospheric sound that spoke to the mood of the era. Culturally, post-rock was influenced by a range of art forms, from literature and film to visual art and architecture. Bands like Talk Talk and Slint drew inspiration from the minimalist aesthetic of modernist architecture, while the music of Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Mogwai was influenced by the epic scope and emotional intensity of films like Apocalypse Now and Blade Runner. These cultural connections helped give post-rock its distinctive sound, which often featured long, complex compositions that built to dramatic crescendos. Technologically, post-rock was shaped by the advent of digital recording and production tools, which allowed musicians to experiment with new sounds and textures. Bands like Tortoise and Stereolab used digital technology to create intricate soundscapes and textures, while Mogwai and Do Make Say Think used computer software to achieve a more experimental and avant-garde sound. This technological innovation helped push the boundaries of what was possible in rock music, allowing post-rock bands to explore new sonic landscapes and create music that was both intellectual and emotionally resonant. Notable record labels played a key role in shaping the post-rock scene. In the UK, the influential independent label Too Pure helped launch the careers of bands like Stereolab and Pram, while the Glasgow-based label Chemikal Underground was home to Mogwai, Arab Strap, and The Delgados. In the US, the Chicago label Thrill Jockey was instrumental in promoting post-rock bands like Tortoise and The Sea and Cake. Other labels that played a key role in the scene included Kranky, Constellation, and Touch and Go. Journalists also played an important role in championing post-rock. Writers like Simon Reynolds and John Peel helped raise the genre's profile in the music press, while fanzines like The Catalogue and Ptolemaic Terrascope provided a platform for emerging bands. The internet also played a role, with online forums and fan sites helping to connect fans and musicians around the world. Other notable figures in the post-rock scene included producer Steve Albini, who worked with bands like Shellac and Slint, and musician Brian Eno, who was an early champion of the genre. Artists like David Bowie and Radiohead also drew inspiration from post-rock, incorporating elements of the genre into their own music.