........................................................................... .. .. .. THIEVE'S WORLD .. .. 616/344-2718 .. .. Run on the one, the only, DEC RAINBOW .. .. For the rock connoisseur by the DAREDEVIL .. ........................................................................... A CLASSIFICATION OF ROCK MUSIC This file was prompted by the need for a basic rule by which the users of the music board could judge rock music by. In order to keep the file short only the most common types of music have been listed. A few examples have been listed in most cases to define the ype more clearly. There may be another file coming out soon so keep watch. GENERIC ROCK The first and probably most well known form of rock music is generic rock. Generic rock can be found on any radio station at any given time. This type of music is characterized by a simple, catchy rhythm and lyrics that are easy to learn. The song will be played at least twice an hour, but after you've heard the song about five times it has lost its initial appeal. After about three weeks of constant play the song will completely disappear. People who listen only to this type of music generally have no backbone, and have never been original. EXAMPLES: Invisible Touch/Land of Confusion (Genisis), Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel), True Love (Madonna). REVIVAL ROCK Revival rock contains any song that is thirty years or older and has made an incredible comeback through a movie or by some other means. They also have catchy rhythms and appealing lyrics. These songs can make more than one comeback but it is unlikely. During their haydays Revival rock songs were probably Generic rock. As with Generic rock these songs will only recieve recognition for a few weeks in their comeback. The people who listen to these songs were usually around in the songs previous life. EXAMPLES: Stand By Me (Ben E. King), Twist and Shout (The Beatles). CLASSIC ROCK This category is not known to most kids under 13 because they haven't developed a taste for the real rock classics yet. These "classics" were popular (at least top 10) at one time in their exsistance, but are no longer. Many of the older rockers like to reflect on their childhood and will remember this music. EXAMPLES (They are endless): All BEATLES, and Much of the Rolling Stones. UNKNOWN ROCK This is any rock song that never quite made it to good ole' Kasey Kasem's top forty. Many of these songs have cult like followings and many of them have no following at all. The song can be of any type, it's your preferance. The ironic part of Unknown rock is that many of my favorite song belong in this category. They never got any radio play which is unfortunate but still are great songs. The people who listen to this music have real character and are not afraid to be themselves. EXAMPLES: All of the DOORS songs, Much Led Zepplin, Most Pink Floyd. THRASH Although it's not usually called rock, Thrash music doesn't really fit into any other large category. Thrash can further be divided into Acid Thrash, Nuclear Thrash, etc. In general thrash is characterized by a more violent style with the guitar playing a majir role. The lyrics are either proving a point or telling a story, and many even contain comical stories. A group usually consists of about five people, they most likely aren't widely known, but small concerts are palyed often. EXAMPLES (due to the local nature of thrash some of these groups may not be known in your area): Taking Retards to the Zoo (Dead Milkmen), War (Agnostic Front). There will probably be a complete file devoted to this topic at a later date. HEAVY METAL Also called Hard Rock this type of music is usually associated with druggies which is not always true. It is appealing for any new rock group to try for this ranking mainly because it is an easy place to start and gain acceptance. Although the music is louder and harsher than most rock, it is defined more by the brilliant stage shows, and the somewhat more R-rated lyrics. Don't get me wrong this is not "Dirty Music", just a little more powerful than reg. rock. EXAMPLES (This is not my specialty so once I learn more there will be a sequal): The Beastie Boys, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Ozzy Osborne, Twisted Sister, etc. RAP Another form of rock mainly parcticed in the cities. It's more like a story set to music, the words are changed to fit a rhythm and music is added. There's usually a story behind the lyrics. Well what more is there to say with enough practice almost anyone can learn to rap, there are even rapping fights (quite an experience). EXAMPLES: It's Tricky My Adidas/Walk This Way (Run DMC). LIGHT ROCK Oh, come on, can you really even call this stuff rock. Including this category was questionable, the only thing to be said about this is that it in no way resembles any other type of rock. It's slow, the lyrics are calm and they say something that we could care less about. People who listen to this have had a mid-life crisis or something and are too far gone to help. EXAMPLES: You think I would know? SUB-CLASSES OF ROCK The following are sub-classes of rock that can be added to any of the above categories to fit the song more closely. DRUG ROCK: Any type of rock that was either written while on drugs, or written about drugs effects. Some people also include songs that induce strange feelings while on a drug trip. The lyrics are usually quite strange and have a deeper meaning than what is told. EXAMPLES: Heroin (Lou Reed), Strawberry Fields Forever/Lucie in the Sky with Diamonds (The Beatles). BACKMASKING: Or any other type of hiding subliminal messages in a song. These messages are supposed to induce thoughts into the listeners minds. There was wide publicity of these messages a few years ago but this has now subsided. Many religious groups were claiming that rockers were placing Satanic messages in their songs, which some were doing, but most of the claims were proven false. EXAMPLES: Kashmir/In the Light/Stairway to Heaven (Led Zepplin), (Pink Floyd). INSTRUMENTAL: Not a whole lot of singing in these sogns. One of the recent and popualr groups that did this was The Art Of Noise. Often done with high technology sounds and equipment many of these songs are 'strange' compared to everyday music. EXAMPLES: Peter Gunn/The Chameleon's Dish/Who's Afraid? (The Art Of Noise). PARODY: Simply, a humorous interpretation of a popular rock song. The words are ususally the only difference between this and its predesessor. EXAMPLES: Yoda/King Of Suede (Wierd Al). EPILOGUE Well that's about enough of this. So just get it right when you are talking about rock, 'cause those of us who do know about it are getting disgusted with the rock fools.