Post-rock has been a recent development in rock music. Well, calling it “recent” wouldn’t technically be correct since its roots lie way back in the 60’s but the genre remained in hibernation for decades and is still only taking form. With bands like Sigur Rós featured in popular TV series Game of Thrones for the song Rains of Castamere, the genre still remains to lie in the shadows.
In case you’re wondering if I could help pinpoint the origin of the genre then here’s a little inside scoop, there is none. The origin of post-rock remains unclear as it evolved over the decades, drawing heavily from the droning music of American band The Velvet Underground.
However, the term ‘post-rock’ didn’t come into use until 1994. It was coined by Simon Reynolds in Mojo magazine’s March 1994 issue. Reynolds first used the term “post-rock” in a review he had written for the album Hex by Bark Psychosis. From Reynolds’ point of view, the term meant to use instruments mainly used in rock music for non-rock purposes.
He later discovered that the term already existed, having been used by American journalist James Wolcott. Wolcott had used the term in a 1975 article although, his usage defined a completely separate genre.
Post-rock remains unbound by the shackles of distinctness and boasts its ambiguity which is probably the strongest weapon in its arsenal. Bands who associate with the genre have used a variety of instruments, some play only instrumental music like Dorena while other bands like Sigur Rós have developed a “language” (Hopelandic/Vonlenska) which features Jónsi Birgisson’s falsetto to give the droning music an ethereal appearance.
Avid listeners describe post-rock as enigmatic but, what they can tell you is the sensation of transcendence that follows when the music hits one’s ears. Here are the top 10 post-rock bands which will literally change the way you do anything at all.
Yndi Halda
Sigur Rós
Dorena
Caspian
We Lost The Sea
Mono
God is an Astronaut
65 Days of Static
This Will Destroy You
Mogwai
