Music Genres

I do not have obsessive-compulsive disorder, however I am OCD about some stuff. One of these is iTunes. I feel the need to have the proper letters capitalized on each artist and song. Also, I want to have the correct album labeled on there. And then I want to have the album artwork (which I just do about 20 a day...it may take me 5 years), then when I listen to a song I rate it 1-5 stars. And then I have to have the music genre listed. Why I do this I have no idea, but in doing this I have come up with criteria for music genres and how I determine which one each song is labeled. This is boring, so you are free to move on in cyberspace...but if you're interested here it is...

Soft Rock - I define soft rock as music which the instruments are only to accompany and create a melody. They are toned down to clear the way for the understanding of the vocals, or at least to put the vocals as the centerpiece of the song. Ex. Coldplay, Jack Johnson

Pop/Rock - To me this is a category that when the artist was creating the song, they designed it so it would be popular and fit into the mainstream. It may be loud or soft, but the bottom line is they are going for record sales. Ex. Nickelback, Matchbox 20

Rock - This is just a step away of soft rock in that it has more of an emphasis on the instruments. The artist is trying to create a good song number one, and is focusing on being a musician, which separates it from pop/rock. Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam

Hard Rock - The point of hard rock is to be loud. Because of this, the instruments don't usually tone done for the vocals...so it's the opposite of soft rock in those terms. Ex. AC/DC, Gun's 'N Roses

Alternative - This is something within Rock that is unusual or off on it's own. They have created a sound that is unique to them and it is usually well off the mainstream scene. Ex. 311, Radiohead

Country - Uses a steel guitar and/or a fiddle and sings about country music themes: living in the country, drinking, trains, heartbreak, being country, etc. Ex. Toby Keith, Lee Ann Womack

Alternative Country - Uses country themes but presents them in a different style that isn't used by the mainstream. Ex. Neko Case, Colt Ford

Christian - All songs by the artist are about Christianity. The music can span across any other genre but since the artist only sings within this topic, it is a genre unto itself. Ex. Casting Crowns, Hillsong United

Blues - Strictly using slide guitar techniques. Sometimes using drawn-out solos on the guitar with no regard for the sound. Usually sung in short fragments to emphasize the guitar. Ex. Stevie Ray Vaughn, B.B. King

Blues Rock - Based in blues but accompanied by other instruments as a rock artist would use. Ex. ZZ Top, The Black Crowes

Disco - A genre that has now burned-out. Dance music from the 70s. Ex. BeeGees, Donna Summer.

Folk - Basically just using an acoustic guitar and singing politically charges songs. Ex. Bob Dylan

Folk Rock - Base of the folk sound with acoustic guitar and adding a few other instruments and expanding the themes of folk. Electric guitar can be used also in a toned-down form. Ex. Neil Young, Joni Mitchell

Gulf & Western - Music inspired musically by country and reggae and lyrically by the islands or beach. Ex. Jimmy Buffett

Rap - Yelling about some girl he wants to do or money or whatever crap..I don't like rap. Ex. Tupac

Hip-hop - Rap that doesn't totally suck and actually has some musical qualities. Outkast, Q-Tip

Jam - Music that uses saxophones, piano, violin, and other instruments in addition to the usual guitar, bass, and drums. The main concentration is on the music rather than the vocals, and they have improvisations during concerts which make them actually worth attending. Ex. Widespread Panic, Dave Matthews Band

New Wave - Cheesy, synthesized 80s pop and soft rock. Ex. Tears for Fears, Duran Duran

Pop - Anything that has one goal in mind--selling records. Ex. Britney Spears, Celine Dion

Reggae - Steel drums, soft beats, relaxing...the music Bob Marley made famous

Psychedelic Rock - Music that is designed specifically with the drug user in mind. Although you don't have to be on drugs to enjoy it. It may get weird, but it's something different and can be enjoyable. Ex. Pink Floyd, The Doors

R&B - It really doesn't have much to do with the blues, but mostly rhythm since you can dance to it...but it may be slow and you can't dance, it's just sung by a black person. Ex. Usher

Southern Rock - A fusion of rock, jam, blues, and country. Ex. Lynyrd Skynyrd and Marshall Tucker Band

JB