[Column] The 100 most influential albums in music history: A new music history reconstructed solely by the degree of influence on contemporary music (Part 5, 41-50: Rock innovation and the birth of alternative)
Column en Folk Punk Rock![[Column] The 100 most influential albums in music history: A new music history reconstructed solely by the degree of influence on contemporary music (Part 5, 41-50: Rock innovation and the birth of alternative)](/../assets/images/column-influential-album-05.webp)
5th (41st to 50th)
Why has rock been reincarnated so many times? 10 albums that continue to innovate
In the 1960s, rock music spread around the world as a symbol of youth culture.
However, the reason why the rock genre has remained at the forefront for more than half a century is not just popularity or commercial success.
**Rock has denied himself many times, and each time he has been reborn into a new form. **
A work that transforms studio recording into an instrument.
Works that incorporate literature.
A work that destroyed preconceptions through punk.
A work that embraces electronic music.
And this is a work that updates the very question of “What is rock?”
The 10 albums featured in Part 5 are each albums that marked a turning point in the evolution of rock.
Expansion of expression"] C["Late 1970s
Punk Revolution"] D["1980s
Experiment and fusion"] E["1990s-2000s
Self-deconstruction and reconstruction"] A --> B --> C --> D --> E
As you can see from this flow, the history of rock is not a history of repeating successful styles.
Rather, it is a history of pioneering a new musical culture by continually breaking the common sense that they had built themselves.
All of the works introduced here have influenced not only subsequent musicians, but also pop, hip-hop, electronic music, and even film music and game music.
The ranking consists of the following 10 works.
| Ranking | Album | Historical significance |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | Revolver | The revolution that turned studio recording into an instrument |
| 42 | Abbey Road | Complete album art |
| 43 | Blonde on Blonde | Introducing literary style to rock |
| 44 | Highway 61 Revisited | Fusion of folk and rock |
| 45 | Led Zeppelin IV | World standard of hard rock |
| 46 | Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols | Punk Revolution |
| 47 | OK Computer | A masterpiece depicting the anxieties of the digital age |
| 48 | Kid A | Rock Self-Destruction |
| 49 | Remain in Light | Fusion with world music |
| 50 | Marquee Moon | The origins of postpunk |
If you follow these 10 photos in chronological order, one fact becomes clear.
Rock has always refused to be ““completed’’ and stepped into new forms of expression.
That’s why even now, more than 60 years after its birth, its influence continues to be felt in music around the world.
Now, let’s take a look at the history of innovation starting with No. 41 —Revolver.
5th Part 1 (41st place)
Revolver
“The moment the studio became an “instrument”“
Released on August 5, 1966, Revolver was a work that rewrote not only rock history, but the history of recording art as a whole.
If ““Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” perfected the concept of a ““concept album,” ““Revolver’’ was the album that turned the studio itself into a creative space.
Until then, a recording studio was simply a place to faithfully record performances.
However, after ““Revolver,” the studio transforms from being a place to ““recreate” performances to a place to ““create’’ sounds that cannot be played in real life.
It is no exaggeration to say that the idea of ”“studio works’’ that continues in modern rock, electronic music, hip-hop, ambient, and even film music began in earnest with this work.
End of touring activities and transition to creation
In the mid-1960s, The Beatles continued touring around the world.
However, performances that were drowned out by enthusiastic cheers, new songs that were rapidly becoming more complex, and an overcrowded schedule highlighted the limitations of live performances.
Furthermore, in 1966, John Lennon’s statement that he was ““more popular than Christ’’ caused a huge controversy, and the band suffered a great psychological burden.
Under these circumstances, they no longer had to worry about whether or not they could reproduce it live, and instead put the recording itself at the center of their creation.
Revolver is the first serious effort.
Experiment started at EMI studio
Production took place at EMI Recording Studios (now Abbey Road Studios) in London.
Producer George Martin and engineer Geoff Emerick broke away from traditional recording techniques and actively introduced new sonic experiments.
The main equipment used was a 4-track tape recorder, which was state-of-the-art at the time.
Although the environment is extremely limited in today’s sense, by bouncing (mixing down) the tape many times and recording over and over again, a multi-layered sound was achieved.
They took advantage of limited technology and created a new world of sound through ingenuity.
“Performance” called tape manipulation
With Revolver, post-recording editing became as important as the performance itself.
A typical example is “Tomorrow Never Knows.”
In this song,
- Tape loop
- Reverse rotation recording
- Change tape speed *Artificial Double Tracking (ADT)
- Vocal processing through rotating speakers (Leslie speakers)
Techniques that were unprecedented at the time were introduced one after another.
These were not special effects, but rather the compositional elements of the song itself.
This idea directly led to later sampling, remixing, and music production using DAW.
The origin of the idea of ”“creating music after recording,” which has become commonplace in modern times, can be seen in ““Revolver.”
Authentic encounter with Indian music
"”Revolver’’ is also one of the first important works in which Western rock incorporated non-Western music in earnest.
George Harrison learned Indian classical music in earnest from sitar player Ravi Shankar, and reflected the results in ““Love You To.’’
This is not just an exotic hobby.
It was an attempt to incorporate melody, rhythm, and performance philosophy itself, and was a major opportunity for rock to turn its attention to world music.
Its influence extended to later psychedelic rock, progressive rock, ambient, and even the establishment of the concept of world music.
Leap in composition style
In “Revolver,” each member’s individuality has clearly matured.
For ““Eleanor Rigby,’’ Paul McCartney goes beyond the boundaries of a rock band and employs a string octet to explore the theme of loneliness in a classically sounding way.
On the other hand, with ““Tomorrow Never Knows,’’ John Lennon developed a lyrical world inspired by the expansion of consciousness and Eastern thought, greatly expanding the spiritual scope of rock songs.
Furthermore, George Harrison strengthened his presence as a unique composer, which later brought about major changes in the creative balance within the band.
“Recording” goes beyond performance
Prior to ““Revolver,” the purpose of recording most popular music was to ““record live performances as faithfully as possible.”
However, in this work, that way of thinking is completely reversed.
Recording is no longer a means of preserving a performance; recording itself has become an act of creation.
This philosophy continues to be passed on to today’s DAW productions.
Today,
- Layer vocals dozens of times
- Edit your performance in detail
- Combine samples
- Design the space itself
Productions like this have become commonplace.
However, the origin of this idea lies in “Revolver”.
This album popularized the idea that a ““completed work” and a ““playable work” do not necessarily have to be the same.
Musical perspective that crosses genres
Although Revolver is a rock album, it doesn’t really fit into one genre.
The album includes
- Classic
- Indian classical music
- Motown Soul
- Psychedelia
- Baroque music
- Experimental music
Various elements such as these naturally coexist.
What”s important is that he didn”t just use them as quotations, but completely digested them into the container of rock.
This attitude later established the value that ““crossing genres’’ is the very essence of creativity, from progressive rock, art rock, new wave, and even contemporary pop.
Evaluation at the time of release
Immediately after its release, ““Revolver’’ received high acclaim in the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries around the world.
However, its innovation was so advanced that not all critics immediately understood its significance.
For some listeners who were expecting traditional rock music, this album seemed difficult and experimental.
But the musicians reacted very quickly.
Many artists were shocked by the recording techniques and composition methods, and rock works from the following year onwards rapidly incorporated studio experiments.
In just a few short years, rock sound design itself has changed from before and after Revolver.
Impact on posterity
The impact this work has left is immeasurable.
The idea of viewing the studio as a creative space is
*Pink Floyd *Radiohead
- Brian Eno *Kraftwerk
It was passed down to many innovative artists such as
Furthermore, this philosophy is deeply embedded in the sampling culture of hip-hop, the sound design of electronic music, the spatial design of ambient music, and the multi-layered production of contemporary pop music.
The current production common sense of ““creating music through recording” would not be possible without ““Revolver.”
Position in music history
In this ranking, ““Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’’ is ranked first.
However, that revolution would not have been possible without ““Revolver.’’
If ““Sgt. Pepper’s” is a ““completed form,” ““Revolver” is an ““invention.”
This work, which replaced the studio with an instrument, converted recording technology into creation, and popularized cross-genre ideas, determined the direction of popular music from the late 1960s onwards.
It was here that rock evolved from performance-based music to an art in which the sound itself was designed.
Why is it ranked 41st?
"”Revolver’’ is a historical work that fundamentally changed the concept of studio recording and laid the foundation for modern music production.
Its influence continues today in three aspects: recording techniques, composition methods, and genre fusion.
On the other hand, this ranking ranks ““Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” more highly as a ““completion of album art,” so it was ranked 41st.
Still, without Revolver, rock, electronic music, hip-hop, ambient, and even music production in the digital age would have looked very different.
“‘Revolver’ transformed the recording studio from a mere recording facility to an instrument for creation. We rank it 41st in this ranking as a historical turning point that elevated the act of recording itself to art.”
5th Part 2 (42nd place)
Abbey Road
“The moment when the art form of the album was completed”
Abbey Road, released on September 26, 1969, was more than just a hit album.
It is a historical work that shows that the ““album’’ format was perfected as a comprehensive art form in 20th century popular music.
Ironically, around the time this work was made, interpersonal relationships within The Beatles were seriously deteriorating, and the group’s cohesion was severely shaken.
However, this tense relationship paradoxically brought out the creativity of each member to the limit, resulting in the creation of a work that could be called the band’s final completed form.
"”Abbey Road” was the work left behind by ““a band on the verge of dissolution,” and at the same time, it was also a pinnacle of ““studio art.’’
Band headed for collapse
After The Beatles (White Album) in 1968, the differences in direction between the members rapidly widened.
Conflicts over business management, creative initiative, and interest in individual activities all combined to undermine the sense of unity they once had.
Furthermore, the vacancy caused by the death of manager Brian Epstein had a major impact on the band’s management.
Under such circumstances, producer George Martin is said to have suggested to the members, ““Let’s seriously make an album one last time.’’
As if in response to those words, the four of them worked together towards the common goal of completing the work, even though they kept their distance from each other.
Acoustic leap brought about by the latest technology
Recording took place at Abbey Road Studios in London.
For this work, an 8-track recorder, which was a major improvement over the previous 4-track recording, was introduced in earnest, making it possible to record and edit each part more precisely.
In addition, engineer Geoff Emerick et al.
- High precision multi-track recording
- Precise design of stereo space
- Utilization of synthesizer
- Advancing overdubbing technology
We generously utilized the most cutting-edge technology of the time.
As a result, Abbey Road, despite being a 1960s work, has a crisp, three-dimensional sound that even modern listeners will be surprised by.
Introduction of Moog Synthesizer
One of the notable innovations in this work is the active introduction of the Moog synthesizer developed by Robert Moog.
At the time, this instrument was still mostly used in research institutions and in the field of experimental music, and was extremely rare in popular music.
In songs such as “Here Comes the Sun” and “Because,” the unique soft electronic sounds blended naturally into the songs, showing that “synthesizers can be part of musical expression rather than a special effect.”
This was an important stepping stone for later progressive rock, electronic music, new wave, and synth pop.
The invention of B-side medley
The biggest feature of ““Abbey Road’’ is the approximately 16-minute medley placed in the second half of the B-side.
The method of reconstructing short songs and unfinished ideas into a single flow was almost unprecedented in rock albums up to that point.
The flow that begins with ““You Never Give Me Your Money” and continues through ““Golden Slumbers”, ““Carry That Weight”, and ““The End” transcends individual songs and has a compositional beauty that resembles a symphony.
This idea of designing the entire album as ““one piece’’ had a great influence on later progressive rock and concept albums.
Creative maturity reached by each individual
"”Abbey Road’’ shows that all members have reached a mature stage in their compositional abilities.
John Lennon created a minimalist groove that fused blues and rock with ““Come Together,” and in ““Because,” he completed a fantastical harmony by layering three-part choruses over and over again.
Paul McCartney displayed his talent as a melody maker and played a central role in integrating the entire B-side medley into a single narrative.
And George Harrison provides two masterpieces, ““Something” and ““Here Comes the Sun.”
In particular, ““Something” was praised by Frank Sinatra as ““the most beautiful love song of the past 50 years” and proved to the world that Harrison was an excellent songwriter.
Meanwhile, Ringo Starr also shows off his warm personality on Octopus”s Garden, contributing to the album”s overall balance.
The jacket becomes a cultural phenomenon
Abbey Road’s influence extends beyond the music.
The jacket photo of four people walking across a crosswalk in front of the studio has become one of the most famous artworks in the history of popular music.
Even today, fans from all over the world continue to visit Abbey Road crossings and take photos with the same composition.
This is a prime example of how an album jacket can become more than just a package, it can also become a cultural symbol.
Evaluation at the time of release
Immediately after its release, Abbey Road achieved great commercial success, topping charts around the world.
Although it received mixed reviews at the time, its high level of perfection was widely recognized, and it soon became acclaimed as ““the Beatles’ late masterpiece.’’
In particular, the beautiful composition of the B-side medley popularized the view of rock albums as if they were classical music suites or symphonies.
Impact on posterity
Abbey Road set the standard for subsequent albums.
Artists who have been particularly influenced by:
*Pink Floyd
- Electric Light Orchestra
- Queen *Radiohead
Examples include.
Furthermore, the structure of seamlessly connecting songs and the album’s design, which was designed to be listened to as a single album, were carried over not only to rock, but also to concept albums in progressive rock, ambient, electronic music, and hip-hop.
Position in music history
"”Abbey Road” is the Beatles’ last recorded album, and at the same time it is a symbolic work that shows the maturation of the ““album” expression format.
If ““Revolver” turned the studio into a place of creation, and ““Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” elevated the album to art, then ““Abbey Road’’ brought those two results to fruition through advanced technique and compositional ability.
The production philosophy established here still remains strong in the current album production.
Why is it ranked 42nd?
"”Abbey Road’’ is a work that highly integrates recording technology, performance, composition, composition, and artwork, and presents the complete form of the album medium.
On the other hand, this ranking ranks this work at number 42, as it rates ““Sgt.
However, given its level of perfection and its influence on future generations, there is no doubt that Abbey Road is one of the most accomplished albums in the history of popular music.
“‘Abbey Road’ is a work that has completed the rock album as a comprehensive art form. It ranks 42nd in this ranking as a historical achievement that matured recording technology, compositional beauty, sound design, and the album format itself.”
5th Part 3 (43rd place)
Blonde on Blonde
“The moment rock became literature”
Released on June 20, 1966, Blonde on Blonde is a work that symbolizes the turning point in which rock music became not just entertainment or youth culture, but a form of expression that was discussed on an equal footing with literature and art.
Even before that, Bob Dylan had expanded the possibilities of folk and rock with ““The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan,” ““Bringing It All Back Home,” and ““Highway 61 Revisited.’’
However, in ““Blonde on Blonde,’’ his musicality and poetic world reach an unprecedented level of perfection.
Love, loneliness, desire, religion, fantasy, time, cities, memory…
These themes were woven together in a language full of metaphors and symbols, and rock lyrics evolved from a message to a piece of literature.
Completion of “Electric Dylan”
When Dylan picked up an electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, he received intense criticism from the folk world.
However, he did not give in to the backlash and continued to pursue new music.
He succeeded in fusion with rock with ““Highway 61 Revisited”, and created ““Blonde on Blonde” as an extension of that.
This work was a work that defined Dylan, not ““Dylan who transitioned from folk to rock,’’ but Dylan who was reborn as a completely new expressor.
A new sound born in Nashville
Production took place primarily at Columbia Studio A in Tennessee, USA.
At the time, Nashville was the center of country music, attracting many top session musicians.
By performing with them, Dylan
- blues
- Country
- Rock and roll
- fork
- Gospel
Build a unique sound that is a natural fusion of the two.
Producer Bob Johnston respected the improvisational nature of the performance and created an environment where the entire studio could maintain the tension of a live performance.
As a result, this work is imprinted with human fluctuation and dynamism, rather than mechanical perfection.
The challenge of a two-disc set
"”Blonde on Blonde’’ is also significant as one of the first full-fledged double albums in rock history.
At the time, the two-disc format was common in classical music and jazz, but it was extremely rare in rock.
The reason why such a large amount was required was not just the number of songs.
Dylan envisioned an album not as a collection of short hits, but as a full-length novel.
"”Visions of Johanna,” ““Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again,” and ““Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands’’ are individual stories, yet the album as a whole forms a literary universe.
Lyrics for “Image” from “Meaning”
Dylan’s lyrics were radically different from previous popular music.
While the previous lyrics depicted a story or love story relatively clearly, “Blonde on Blonde”
- Symbol
- Surreal depiction
- polysemous words
- Poetic leap
are continuous.
One interpretation alone is not enough; new meanings arise each time you read or listen to it.
This literary method had a decisive influence on later singer-songwriters and alternative rock lyrics.
An album that elevates “lyrics” to art
There were many great songwriters before Blonde on Blonde.
However, what was groundbreaking about this work was that the lyrics were not an element that complemented the melody, but had the value of being appreciated as a literary work in and of itself.
Dylan moved freely between everyday words and abstract images, leaving listeners open to interpretation rather than giving them a clear answer.
This concept of ““open lyrics’’ was an idea that had almost never been seen in popular music up until then.
It was here that rock evolved from music that conveyed a message to an art form in which readers (listeners) found meaning.
“Thin Wild Mercury Sound”
Dylan later described the album’s sound in the memorable words, “**Thin Wild Mercury Sound.”
It is neither profound nor gorgeous.
It was a sound that was slightly distorted, fluctuated, and unstable, yet had a mysterious propulsion force.
This unique texture is
- Recording with emphasis on improvisation
- Flexible performance by Nashville session musicians
- Dylan’s own free singing
was created by.
The production philosophy of containing the ““atmosphere that can only be created at that moment’’ rather than polishing the perfection has had a great influence on subsequent rock, Americana, and alternative country.
Evaluation at the time of release
"”Blonde on Blonde”’ received high praise immediately after its release and was hailed as Dylan”s masterpiece.
On the other hand, its length, difficult lyrics, and abstract worldview were very different from typical pop albums, so it was not a work that all listeners could easily understand.
However, its innovation was recognized early on by critics and musicians, and it came to be talked about as a work that proved that rock was an expression on par with literature and modern poetry.
In later years, it was selected by numerous rankings as one of the ““best albums of all time,’’ and is considered to represent the pinnacle of Dylan’s creativity.
Impact on subsequent artists
"”Blonde on Blonde’’ changed the very act of writing lyrics.
The impact is
*Bruce Springsteen *Patti Smith *Elvis Costello
- Nick Cave *Leonard Cohen *R.E.M.
It has been passed down not only to rock and folk, but also to all kinds of singer-songwriters who value literature.
Furthermore, the culture of reading lyrics as stories and poems had a considerable influence on the later development of lyricism in hip-hop.
Position in music history
Blonde on Blonde cemented the idea that rock could be an intellectual art form.
After this work, albums came to be seen as not just a collection of hit songs, but as a medium through which a single artist presented his or her worldview and thoughts.
Bob Dylan’s awarding of the Nobel Prize in Literature in later years was a symbolic event in which his literary qualities were recognized beyond the boundaries of music.
Of course, this achievement is not just due to one album.
However, there is no doubt that ““Blonde on Blonde’’ is one of the works that crystallizes that literary world to the highest degree of perfection.
Why is it ranked 43rd?
"”Blonde on Blonde”’ is a historical masterpiece that elevated rock lyrics into literary expression and defined the artist”s image as a singer-songwriter.
In this ranking, works that changed the recording technology or genre structure themselves are ranked higher, so we ranked it 43rd, but from the perspective of the evolution of lyrical expression, it is one of the most important works in music history.
With this album, rock evolved from ““music for dancing” to ““music for reading.”
“‘Blonde on Blonde’ brought literary imagination to rock and established a culture of appreciating lyrics as works of art. It is ranked 43rd in this ranking as a historical work that defined the concept of a singer-songwriter.”
5th Part 4 (44th place)
Highway 61 Revisited
“The moment when folk and rock collided and a new era began”
Highway 61 Revisited, released on August 30, 1965, was one of the biggest turning points in rock history.
With this work, the two worlds of folk music and rock”n”roll, which had previously existed as separate cultures, were brought together in earnest.
As a result, rock music transformed from mere entertainment for young people to an art form capable of expressing social, literary, political, and personal ideas.
"”Highway 61 Revisited’’ was the album that became the gateway.
“Incident” that happened in Newport
On July 25, 1965, Bob Dylan appears with his electric band at the Newport Folk Festival.
The moment Dylan, a folk icon, picked up an electric guitar, the audience erupted with cheers and boos.
There are still various theories as to why. There have been complaints about sound problems and the short performance time, but for many in the audience, it was a big shock to see a folk icon approach rock music.
This event was not just an act of a concert.
It has been passed down as one of the most representative events in the history of popular music, where “tradition” and “innovation” collided head-on.
Highway 61 Revisited was released just a month later.
What Highway 61 means
"”Highway 61’’ in the album title is an actual highway that stretches from central America to the south.
This road is
- Minnesota (Dylan’s hometown) *Memphis *New Orleans
It was also the main artery of musical culture that brought together blues, country, and rock”n”roll.
By using this path as a symbol, Dylan condensed the very tradition of American music into a single album.
The impact of “Like a Rolling Stone”
"”Like a Rolling Stone,’’ which opens the album, is known as a song that changed music history.
Until then, it was common sense for singles for radio to be around 3 minutes long.
However, the song became a worldwide hit despite being over six minutes long.
moreover,
- Lyrics like a full-length novel
- Sounds centered on organ
- Intense snare
- Folding vocals
, it presented a completely different expression from previous pop songs.
This success brought a new common sense to the music industry: ““Excellent music is acceptable, no matter how long or difficult.’’
A new groove born in the recording studio
Recording took place at Columbia Studio A.
Tom Wilson was the producer, with Bob Johnston taking over for some sessions.
The performance was attended by talented musicians who were friends with members who would later become The Band, and the session focused on improvisation.
Dylan placed more emphasis on chance and momentum generated on the spot than on playing exactly as written.
This production style had a great influence on later rock bands, leading to the idea of ”“retaining the vitality of live performances even in the studio.’’
A new language called folk rock
With the success of ““Highway 61 Revisited’’, the fusion of folk and rock became established as a new genre rather than a temporary experiment.
What Dylan presented was not a simple choice between acoustic and electric.
What was important was the idea of delivering folk ideas and words with rock energy.
Under the influence of this
*The Byrds *Simon & Garfunkel *The Band *Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
and others developed folk rock and greatly reshaped the rock scene in the late 1960s.
“Intelligence” dwells in rock
Before ““Highway 61 Revisited,’’ rock lyrics were mostly about love and youth.
However, in this work,
- Bible
- American literature *Surrealism
- Social satire
- black humor
Various elements such as these were incorporated into the lyrics.
Rather than offering answers, Dylan uses symbols and metaphors to pose questions to his listeners.
This style became the driving force that pushed later rock music from mere entertainment to intellectual and artistic expression.
Evaluation at the time of release
Immediately after its release, this work received high praise, but it still received mixed reviews from the folk world.
But rock musicians quickly embraced the innovation.
In particular, ““Like a Rolling Stone’’ shocked the music industry as a work that changed the very concept of a single.
Radio stations were no exception, and the convention that ““long songs cannot be broadcast’’ gradually began to crumble due to the success of this work.
Impact on subsequent artists
The influence of Highway 61 Revisited spread throughout rock from the late 1960s onwards.
especially,
*Bruce Springsteen
- Tom Petty *Patti Smith
- Neil Young *Elvis Costello
They inherited the path of ““literary rock’’ pioneered by Dylan, and each developed it into their own unique expression.
Furthermore, it became an opportunity for the image of the creator as a singer-songwriter to spread worldwide, and determined the direction of rock and folk music from the 1970s onwards.
Position in music history
"”Highway 61 Revisited” is a work that provides a new answer to the question, ““What can rock sing?”
By fusing folk ideas, blues traditions, and rock”n”roll propulsion, popular music evolved into a social, philosophical, and literary vessel.
Considering that ““Blonde on Blonde,’’ released the following year, further deepened its literary quality, it can be said that this work was truly the starting point of a revolution.
Why is it ranked 44th?
"”Highway 61 Revisited’’ is a historical work that fuses folk and rock, bringing literary and social aspects to rock.
"”Like a Rolling Stone’’ also overturned preconceptions about single length and structure, and had a major impact on music industry conventions.
In this ranking, ““Blonde on Blonde’’, which further matures this idea, is ranked one level higher, so it is ranked 44th, but without this work, the subsequent development of singer-songwriter culture and folk rock would have been unimaginable.
Highway 61 Revisited was rock’s first major step from youth culture to contemporary art.
“‘Highway 61 Revisited’ brought together the ideas of folk and the energy of rock, bringing new intelligence and literary quality to popular music. We rank it 44th in this ranking as a historical turning point that decisively expanded the expressive realm of rock.”
5th Part 5 (45th place)
Led Zeppelin IV
“An album that gave rock a new aesthetic called “heavy”“
Led Zeppelin IV, released on November 8, 1971, is a historical work that brought the hard rock genre to completion and established the aesthetics of “heavy sounds” that would continue in subsequent heavy metal, alternative rock, and even grunge.
Loud rock music existed even before this work.
But Led Zeppelin IV doesn’t just make it louder.
By fusing blues, folk, Celtic music, a mythical worldview, outstanding performance techniques, and cutting-edge recording technology at the time, he elevated “heaviness” to a form of artistic expression.
Today, many of the sound images that come to mind when hearing the words ““rock-like guitar sound’’ originate from this album.
Album without title
Interestingly, this work does not have an official title.
Neither the band name nor the title of the work is written on the jacket, and only four symbols representing the four members are drawn on the inner bag.
This was also a reaction to the previous film, Led Zeppelin III, which received harsh reviews from some critics.
Jimmy Page deliberately excluded titles and descriptions because he wanted people to evaluate the work itself.
As a result, the album became known by several names, including “Led Zeppelin IV,” “Four Symbols,” and “Untitled.”
Country house recording revolution
The majority of the album was recorded at Headley Grange in Hampshire, England.
At the time, much of their work was created in studios, but Led Zeppelin actively utilized the natural reverberations of the mansion.
The recordings were made using The Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, a mobile recording system, with the building’s stairs, halls, and stone walls acting as natural reverberation devices.
In particular, the huge drum sound that can be heard on ““When the Levee Breaks” is known to have been recorded with a microphone installed in a stairwell, and its acoustics are still talked about as one of the ““best drum recordings of all time.”
Overwhelming ensemble created by four people
"”Led Zeppelin IV’’ is the highest level of fruition of the four artists’ outstanding performance abilities.
- Jimmy Page’s profound yet delicate guitar
- Robert Plant’s overwhelming high-tone vocals *Bass, keyboards, arrangement by John Paul Jones
- John Bonham’s explosive drumming
With these four members working equally, a dynamic and precise sound was created that went beyond mere hard rock.
The myth of “Stairway to Heaven”
Needless to say, the biggest symbol of this work is ““Stairway to Heaven.’’
This song is about 8 minutes long,
- Quiet acoustic intro
- Dramatic development in the middle
- Amazing guitar solo
- Exhilaration towards climax
With this structure, it transforms from a small piece to a masterpiece within a single song.
Although it was never released as a single, it became one of the most famous rock songs in the world and a symbol of the album-centric era.
"”Stairway to Heaven” once again challenged the pop convention that ““hit songs should be short” and proved that even long songs can move people’s hearts.
A piece that became the blueprint for heavy metal
"”Led Zeppelin IV’’ is often talked about as a masterpiece of hard rock, but its influence extends deeply to the heavy metal that was born later.
especially,
- Heavily distorted guitar riff
- Overwhelming drum sound
- Vocals that make use of the high range
- A worldview that incorporates myths and fantasy literature
- Music structure that dramatically contrasts stillness and movement
These elements became the basic grammar of heavy metal from the late 1970s onwards.
Of course, the existence of Black Sabbath and Deep Purple was also essential for the establishment of heavy metal.
However, ““Led Zeppelin IV” has extremely important meaning in that it presents ““being heavy” not simply as a matter of volume or speed, but as a comprehensive aesthetic that includes acoustics, composition, performance, and mythology.
Evaluation at the time of release
Immediately after its release, this album recorded explosive sales all over the world, making Led Zeppelin one of the world’s biggest rock bands.
On the other hand, some music critics at the time remained critical of the band, with some harsh comments regarding their playing and influence from the blues.
However, the support from listeners was overwhelming.
Led Zeppelin IV eventually became one of the best-selling albums in rock history, and its reputation has only grown over time.
It is now widely recognized as a historical masterpiece that combines commercial success and artistic perfection.
Impact on subsequent artists
Led Zeppelin IV’s influence extends to all areas of rock.
Representative artists who have been influenced directly or indirectly include:
- Van Halen
- Iron Maiden
- Metallica
- Soundgarden *Nirvana *Foo Fighters
Examples include.
What’s more, drum recording techniques remain a textbook for recording engineers today, and the sound from When the Levee Breaks has been sampled and quoted countless times.
Position in music history
"”Led Zeppelin IV” is a work that elevated ““heavy rock” into a universal form of expression, rather than a passing fad.
While starting with the blues, rock evolved into a grander, three-dimensional art form by fusing folk, Celtic music, mythology, and studio technology.
From subsequent hard rock, heavy metal, grunge, stoner rock, and alternative metal, it”s hard to find a genre that hasn”t been influenced by this work.
Why is it ranked 45th?
"”Led Zeppelin IV” is a historical work that perfected the aesthetics of hard rock and heavy metal and established the concept of ““heavy” at the center of popular music.
On the other hand, this ranking ranks works that have revolutionized recording techniques and the album format itself higher, so it was ranked 45th.
However, the profound sound, beautiful dynamics, outstanding performances, and mythical worldview that pervades the entire album remain an ideal form of rock even now, more than half a century later.
“‘Led Zeppelin IV” elevated hard rock to the realm of art and laid the foundation for the aesthetics and sound design of heavy metal. It is ranked 45th in this ranking as a historical work that sublimated “being heavy’ into a form of expression.”
5th Part6 (46th place)
Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols
“An album that broke rock and created an era where anyone could start playing music”
Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols, released on October 28, 1977, is a landmark album that not only symbolizes punk rock, but also overturns the very values of popular music.
The revolution brought about by this work was not an innovation in performance technology or an advance in recording technology.
It was an answer to the fundamental question, “Who does music belong to?”
The Sex Pistols directly challenged the values of the 1960s and early 1970s, which believed that only those with advanced performance skills and musical education could become rock stars.
“You just need to play a few instruments. If you have something to say, form a band.”
This idea was inherited by later indie rock, alternative rock, hardcore punk, and even modern DIY culture.
1970s England era
To understand this film, we need to look at British society in the mid-1970s.
Britain at the time was
- Severe inflation
- High unemployment rate among young people
- Frequent labor disputes
- Decline in industrial competitiveness
- Feeling stuck in the future
It was covered in
Meanwhile, in the music scene, progressive rock and arena rock were becoming huge, and while performance techniques were becoming more sophisticated, they were out of reach for many young people.
The Sex Pistols emerged under such circumstances and became a symbol of ““taking back music from the elite.’’
The gimmick named Malcolm McLaren
Manager Malcolm McLaren was essential to the birth of the band.
Co-owner of the London boutique SEX, he created the Sex Pistols as a cultural phenomenon, integrating not only music but also fashion, advertising and a provocative media strategy.
In addition, costume designer Vivienne Westwood sublimated styles such as safety pins, torn clothes, and leather into fashion, creating the prototype for later punk fashion.
In other words, the revolutionary nature of this work lies not only in the music, but also in the overall culture, including “sound,” “words,” “clothing,” “graphics,” and “attitude.”
Recording and Sound
The album involved multiple recording sessions, with Chris Thomas and Bill Price taking the lead in final production.
Punk has a strong impression of having a rough sound, but the sound of ““Never Mind the Bollocks’’ is surprisingly detailed.
Multiple guitars are layered to create a thick, distorted, wall-like sound, while the vocals and rhythm section are clearly placed.
This production was designed to have a strong impact as a studio work, not just a reproduction of a live performance.
“Anarchy in the U.K.” and “God Save the Queen”
The album includes songs that are representative of punk history, such as “Anarchy in the U.K.,” “God Save the Queen,” and “Pretty Vacant.”
In particular, ““God Save the Queen’’ was released in the year of the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II, and had a huge impact on British society with its provocative lyrics and jacket.
Although the BBC and other broadcasters refrained from broadcasting the song, and many retailers refused to sell it, the single still managed to reach the top of the charts.
This event once again demonstrated to the world that ““music can pose political and cultural challenges to society.’’
Music history changed by “It doesn”t matter if you”re bad”
The Sex Pistols’ greatest legacy is not their playing technique.
What they demonstrated was the idea that “you can express yourself even if it’s not perfect.”
Of course, in reality, experienced staff are involved in the band’s performances and recordings, and the works themselves are meticulously produced.
But the message young people received was simpler.
“I can do it too.”
This one word gave birth to tens of thousands of bands around the world from the late 1970s to the 1980s.
Before punk was a music genre, it was a cultural movement that ““opened up the right to participate in creation to anyone.’’
Birth of DIY culture
After ““Never Mind the Bollocks,’’ a major shift in values occurred in the music industry.
Even if it is not recognized by the record company,
- Record a self-produced album *Rent your own live house *Print the flyer
- Create a fanzine (self-produced magazine)
- Launch an indie label
Such activities spread rapidly.
This trend continued into hardcore punk in the 1980s, alternative rock in the 1990s, the indie scene in the 2000s, and even the self-release culture of the Internet era.
Today’s environment in which artists can record their music at home, distribute it themselves, and deliver their work to the world through social media is rooted in the DIY spirit.
Evaluation at the time of release
At the time of its release, this work divided British society.
Conservative media criticized it as ““dangerous music that disrupts society,’’ and some politicians and newspapers openly condemned the Sex Pistols.
On the other hand, many young people enthusiastically supported them, calling them ““representatives of their voices.’’
It was a commercial success, reaching the top of the UK album charts, and was the driving force behind establishing punk as a culture rather than a passing fad.
In later years, it was ranked as one of the most important albums in rock history.
Impact on subsequent artists
Never Mind the Bollocks’ influence extends far beyond punk.
Representative artists who have been influenced directly or indirectly include:
- The Clash *Black Flag
- Minor Threat *Sonic Youth *Nirvana *Green Day *The White Stripes
Examples include.
In addition to music, he had a great influence on the entire DIY-based creative culture, including graphic design, street fashion, art, publishing, and visual expression.
Position in music history
"”Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols’’ is not a technical or sonic innovation in rock.
However, when asked the question, ““Who is allowed to make music?’’, he completely overturned his previous values.
As rock music in the 1960s pursued performance techniques and studio art, music gradually became more sophisticated and specialized.
In response to this trend, this work presents an extremely simple and powerful answer: ““Music should be more free.’’
This idea continues to be passed down to today’s indie culture and self-produced culture.
Why is it ranked 46th?
Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols is a landmark work that elevated punk rock into a global cultural movement and put the DIY spirit at the center of musical history.
Because it is not a work that changes recording technology or composition theory itself, it is ranked 46th in this ranking.
However, his influence in spreading the idea that ““music is not just for a few talented people’’ around the world is immeasurable.
Without this album, the indie scene of the 1980s, alternative rock, and today’s self-release culture would be completely different.
“‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols’ is an album that revolutionized not the techniques of rock, but the qualifications to participate in it. We place it at number 46 in this ranking as a historical work that spread the DIY spirit to the world and became the origin of modern indie culture.”
5th Part7 (47th place)
OK Computer
“An album that depicts the anxieties of the digital age before anyone else”
OK Computer, released on May 21, 1997, is a work that symbolizes rock at the end of the 20th century.
It’s not just a masterpiece of alternative rock.
The Internet, globalization, information overload, surveillance society, and consumer society.
It was an album that, before anyone else, depicted in music the image of the society we would face in the 21st century.
If Nevermind is the work that represents the early 1990s, OK Computer is the work that bridged the gap between the late 1990s and the early 21st century.
The 20th century optimism that the future is bright is already gone on this album.
What was there was a quiet anxiety about a society where humanity is being weakened in exchange for convenience.
A leap forward from “The Bends”
With 1995’s The Bends, Radiohead established a presence distinct from Britpop.
But members did not want to repeat that success.
Thom Yorke, in particular, felt uncomfortable with the rapidly commercializing music industry and consumer society itself.
Rather than developing traditional guitar rock, the band aims for more experimental, cinematic, and psychological work.
That challenge culminated in ““OK Computer’’.
Choosing to leave a large studio
This work was recorded mainly at St Catherine’s Court, a historic building in England.
The producer was Nigel Godrich, who would continue to work with the band for many years.
He placed emphasis on natural sound and spatiality that could not be obtained in a conventional commercial studio, and utilized the mansion itself as a gigantic recording space.
Also,
- Analog tape recording
- Active use of room ambience
- Performance that takes advantage of chance
- Techniques to minimize digital editing
By combining these, we created a unique acoustic world where warmth and cold coexist.
Acoustic design that goes beyond rock
OK Computer maintains its rock band structure, but its sound transcends genre boundaries.
The work includes
- Ambient
- Krautrock
- Jazz
- contemporary music
- electronic music
- Movie music
Elements such as these are integrated.
However, these are by no means quotations, but are naturally integrated into the framework of rock.
This idea was later taken further with Kid A, and would have a decisive influence on rock in the 2000s.
Suite called “Paranoid Android”
"”Paranoid Android’’, which is representative of the album, is a multi-movement song that lasts approximately 6 and a half minutes.
The structure, which moves from intense guitar rock to a quiet chorus and then to a more profound development, can be said to be an update of the spirit of 1970s progressive rock to the present day.
On the other hand, songs such as ““Karma Police,” ““No Surprises,” and ““Exit Music (For a Film)’’ quietly depict social anxiety and personal loneliness within delicate melodies.
A common thread throughout the album is the question, “Even with technological advances, can humans still be happy?”
In 1997, there were no smartphones or SNS yet.
Nevertheless, the world depicted in this work was a surprisingly accurate prediction of modern society.
“Uncomfortable feeling” rather than admiration for technology
"”OK Computer’’ differs from other future-oriented works in that it does not deny technology itself.
What the album depicts is not a simple story of “computers are evil.”
Rather, the problem is that humans, in their pursuit of efficiency and rationality, end up adapting themselves to the logic of machines.
"”Fitter Happier’’ is an iconic song.
Fragments of text read out by a computer voice are
healthier Be more productive More efficiently
The values of modern society are enumerated in the voice of an emotionless machine.
There is no anger or sadness.
This is why listeners are made aware that their daily lives are already dominated by these values.
This song, which sounded futuristic in 1997, has become a reality in today’s world, where smartphones, social media, and algorithms support our lives.
“One movie” called an album
"”OK Computer’’ is an album whose true value can be appreciated by listening to it as a whole, rather than enjoying it one by one.
The story begins with the hustle and bustle of the city, then moves to anxiety, loneliness, fragments of hope, and a quiet afterglow, with a structure that resembles a road movie or science fiction film.
This idea of ”“drawing one story with the entire album’’ is extremely important in that it inherits the concept albums of the 1970s, but updates them with modern themes.
Evaluation at the time of release
Immediately after its release, OK Computer received rave reviews from critics around the world.
It was a commercial success and became a representative work of the alternative rock genre.
However, its reputation has increased even more since the beginning of the 21st century than when it was first released.
As society moves closer to reality in the direction depicted in the album, such as the spread of the Internet, the emergence of SNS, advances in surveillance technology, and the development of AI, its foresight has come to be recognized once again.
Nowadays, ““OK Computer” is not only an album that represents the 1990s, but is also often talked about as ““the first album that depicted the 21st century.”
Impact on subsequent artists
OK Computer’s influence goes far beyond rock music.
Representative artists influenced by this are:
*Coldplay *Muse *Arcade Fire *The National
- James Blake *Bon Iver
Examples include.
Furthermore, his attitude of viewing rock and electronic music as objects of fusion rather than conflict has had a major influence on indie rock and electronica since the 2000s.
Position in music history
"”OK Computer’’ is a work that presents a new language for rock to adapt to the digital age.
If 1960s rock sang of social change, the 1970s developed the recording arts, and the 1980s experienced MTV and huge industrialization, this is the first historical album that depicts the human spirit living in an information society.
The awareness of the issues presented in this work then develops into an even bolder musical experiment in ““Kid A.’’
Why is it ranked 47th?
OK Computer was the last rock revolution of the 20th century, and the first rock work of the 21st century.
Its influence continues today in terms of the relationship between technology and humans, the album’s overall aesthetic, its sound design, and its fusion of rock and electronic music.
In this ranking, we rate ““Kid A,’’ which developed this idea into an even more radical musical language, more highly, so we ranked this work at number 47.
Still, there is no doubt that OK Computer was a work that determined the direction of rock from the 1990s onward.
“‘OK Computer’ is the first work to fully depict the loneliness and anxiety of humans living in an information society in the form of rock. It is ranked 47th in this ranking as a historical album that anticipates the sensibilities of the 21st century.”
5th Part8 (48th place)
Kid A
“The moment when rock dismantled itself and evolved into the 21st century”
Kid A, released on October 2, 2000, is one of the boldest self-denials in rock history.
Bands that achieve worldwide success usually try to refine their approach.
However, Radiohead, who became the world’s greatest rock band with OK Computer, chose to destroy that success themselves.
"”Kid A,” which deconstructs guitar-centered rock and fuses electronic music, contemporary music, jazz, ambient, and minimalism, is a work that rewrites the very question of ““what is rock?”
This work is not just an experimental work.
It was a historical turning point, symbolizing the trend in which the concept of “genre” is rapidly losing meaning in music production since the 21st century.
Crisis after the success of “OK Computer”
While OK Computer was a worldwide success, the tour took a toll on the members.
In particular, Thom Yorke’s huge success made him uncomfortable with continuing to play the role of ““rock star’’.
Traditional guitar rock cannot express the anxiety and fragmented world we feel in the 21st century.
With this in mind, they worked on a piece that re-examined rock itself from its starting point.
Influence from electronic music
The electronic music of the 1990s had a major influence on the production of “Kid A.”
The members are
- Aphex Twin *Autechre *Boards of Canada
He was avidly listening to IDM such as
moreover,
- Ambient by Brian Eno *Kraftwerk minimalism
- The acoustic world of contemporary musicians such as Krzysztof Penderecki and Olivier Messiaen
- Jazz by Charles Mingus and Miles Davis
I also absorbed a lot from.
What”s important is that they didn”t just quote these things, but that they naturally integrated them into the structure of a rock band.
From “band performance” to “acoustic design”
Production continued once again with producer Nigel Godrich.
Instead of the traditional method of “all members playing at the same time”,
- Sampler
- Synthesizer
- drum machine
- Computer editing
- Tape operation
- Improvisation
The production was carried out by freely combining the two.
As a result, there is little awareness of who is playing which instrument on the album.
What was important was not the performer, but the sound itself.
This production philosophy would have a major influence on later laptop music, post-rock, electronica, and even contemporary pop.
Vocals as a “voice” rather than a song
Thom Yorke’s singing voice also changed significantly for “Kid A.”
Vocoders and digital processing treat the human voice as a single tone rather than a means of conveying lyrics.
Although this technique was not uncommon in electronic music, it was extremely revolutionary that it was fully adopted by a world-famous rock band.
The conventional wisdom that lyrics are the center of rock music is quietly dismantled by this work.
Music that lets you hear “space” more than melody
“Kid A” features elements that have been considered essential to traditional rock.
- guitar riff *Chorus-centered composition
- guitar solo
- Clear chord progressions
etc. have intentionally receded into the background.
Instead, the center of the work is the ““space where sound exists’’ itself.
Silence and noise, electronic sounds and live instruments, repetition and discontinuity are arranged in an exquisite balance, giving the listener the feeling of walking through a single acoustic space rather than listening to a song.
This idea was innovative in that it drew on influences from ambient and contemporary music, but brought them into a rock context.
"”Everything in Its Right Place’’ is a symbol of this.
The piano’s repetition, processed vocals, and compositions made up of subtle changes presented a new musical language that could not be explained in traditional rock terms.
Balancing commercial success and artistic challenge
Kid A released few singles prior to release and did not rely on traditional promotion.
Despite this, the album debuted at number one on the UK and US album charts.
This was a historic event that proved that even cutting-edge experimental music can reach the masses.
Until then, experimentation and commerciality were often considered to be contradictory.
However, ““Kid A’’ overturned that conventional wisdom and showed that even highly artistic works can achieve worldwide success.
Evaluation at the time of release
When it was first released, ““Kid A’’ caused mixed reviews.
Some criticized it for ““throwing away rock,” while others praised it as ““the first masterpiece of the 21st century.”
However, evaluations change significantly over time.
In the late 2000s, many music media began to position this work as one of the representative albums of the 21st century, and its innovativeness was widely recognized.
Many critics now consider it to be as important as, or even more important than, ““OK Computer.’’
Impact on subsequent artists
The influence that ““Kid A’’ left is not limited to rock music.
Representative artists who inherited this idea include:
- James Blake *Bon Iver *Animal Collective
- The xx *Flying Lotus
- Burial
Examples include.
Furthermore, the idea of ”“cross-genre production’’ became increasingly common in indie rock, electronica, post-rock, experimental hip-hop, and even contemporary pop.
Position in music history
"”Kid A” is not a work that shows the ““future of rock.”
Rather, it is “a work that deconstructs the very concept of rock.”
By deconstructing the rock grammar that had been built throughout the 20th century and fusing it with electronic music, contemporary music, jazz, and ambient, they presented a new musical language suitable for the 21st century.
After this work, the boundaries between genres such as “rock music” and “electronic music” rapidly became blurred.
The genre-less production culture in the current music scene can be discussed with ““Kid A’’ as an important starting point.
Why is it ranked 48th?
Kid A is a rare example of a rock band denying their own success and creating a new musical language.
Its influence extended to 21st century indie rock, electronic music, and pop music, greatly shaking up the concept of genre.
On the other hand, in this ranking, ““OK Computer” is ranked slightly higher as ““a work that defined the zeitgeist,” so this work was ranked 48th.
But if you’re just evaluating musical innovation, Kid A is without a doubt one of the most important albums of the 21st century.
“‘Kid A’ presented the musical language of the 21st century by dismantling the rock genre and fusing electronic music, contemporary music, and ambient music. We rank it 48th in this ranking as a historical work that became the starting point of the genre-less era.”
5th Part9 (49th place)
Remain in Light
“The album that opened rock to the world and reinvented the groove”
Released on October 8, 1980, Remain in Light was one of the biggest turning points in post-punk music history.
This album boldly incorporates African music, funk, minimalism, electronic music, and studio collage while maintaining the rock band format.
As a result, the fixed idea that ““rock is music centered around the guitar’’ was greatly shaken.
It”s hard to find a field that hasn”t been influenced by this album, including later alternative rock, post-rock, dance music, and even the 21st century indie scene.
"”Remain in Light” is a historical work that connects rock with ““world music.”
New direction of post-punk
In the late 1970s, punk rock disrupted traditional rock.
However, it was necessary to channel that energy into sustainable creation.
New York-based Talking Heads find the answer in rhythmic cultures around the world.
Vocalist David Byrne had a strong interest in West African music, funk, and Latin music, and thought that ““rock beats could be more freeing.’’
This idea was not just a cross-cultural hobby, but an attempt to rewrite the rhythmic structure of rock itself.
Co-produced with Brian Eno
The biggest feature of this work is the collaboration with producer Brian Eno.
Rather than simply recording rock bands, Eno treated the studio itself as an instrument.
In the recording,
- loop
- Overdubbing
- tape editing
- Improvisation
- Phrase repetition
etc. were actively used.
In particular, the method of layering short phrases played by each person to create a gigantic rhythm was an idea that would later be found in sampling culture and loop-based electronic music.
“Horizontal groove” learned from African music
Rock music at the time was ““vertical’’ music that moved forward based on chord progressions and melodies.
Remain in Light, on the other hand, was influenced by West African music, particularly Afrobeat developed by Fela Kuti, and introduced the idea of creating time through the accumulation of repeated rhythms.
The songs do not repeat flashy developments, but instead make small changes little by little and maintain a groove over a long period of time.
This sense of ““time flowing sideways’’ became an important musical philosophy that would lead to subsequent dance music and minimal techno.
A new pop song called “Once in a Lifetime”
"”Once in a Lifetime’’, which represents the album, is the song that most symbolizes the idea of this work.
David Byrne sings as if he’s talking, and sometimes shouts like a preacher, as the rhythm repeats.
The lyrics depict modern people unconsciously being swallowed up by the flow of society,
“How did I get here?”
This question is repeated over and over again.
This isn’t just a pop song.
It was a groundbreaking work that weaved post-1980s themes of urban life, consumer society, and loss of identity into a danceable groove.
Turned the studio itself into a “composition device”
"”Remain in Light” represents a major change from the traditional idea of ”“writing a song and recording it.”
First, the members hold a long jam session and record snippets of it.
The song was then completed by cutting and pasting, looping, and layering new performances, mainly with Brian Eno and David Byrne.
In other words, in this work, the recording process itself became part of the composition.
This production philosophy was also relevant to later sampling music, hip-hop, house, techno, electronica, and even the modern production environment that uses DAWs (digital audio workstations).
This work is one of the pioneering examples of rock music that presented the production style of ““composing songs while recording,’’ which has become commonplace today, to a high degree of perfection.
Evaluation at the time of release
Since its release, the film has received extremely high praise among critics.
The sound, which stands out from conventional new wave and post-punk, was hailed as a work that showed the future of rock, and was selected as one of the year’s best albums by many music magazines.
A commercial success, Once in a Lifetime became one of the most representative films of the MTV era.
The music video, which incorporates David Byrne’s unique physical expression, also presents new possibilities for musical and visual expression.
In later years, ““Remain in Light’’ became established as one of the most representative albums of the 1980s, and its innovation became increasingly appreciated.
Impact on subsequent artists
The influence of this work is extremely wide-ranging and transcends genres.
Representative artists who have been influenced directly or indirectly include:
*Radiohead *LCD Soundsystem *TV on the Radio *Animal Collective *Foals *Hot Chip
Examples include.
The idea of repeating rhythms also had an indirect influence on Chicago house, Detroit techno, minimal techno, and even modern dance music in general.
This work also has great historical significance in that it lowered the wall that existed between rock and club music.
Position in music history
"”Remain in Light” is a work that proves that ““rock can absorb rhythms and musical ideas from all over the world.”
What is important is not the superficial adoption of African music.
Its innovation lies in its reconstruction of music from multiple cultures into a single new musical language.
Furthermore, his production philosophy of maximizing the use of the studio as a place of creation is directly connected to later music production in the digital age.
This work is an indispensable turning point when discussing rock, electronic music, and dance music since the 1980s.
Why is it ranked 49th?
"”Remain in Light’’ is a historical masterpiece that fundamentally updates the rhythmic structure of rock and fuses African music, funk, minimalism, and studio experimentation.
Although its innovation is extremely great, this ranking ranks works that more directly institutionalized entire genres and works that transformed the music industry itself, so it was ranked 49th.
However, this work is one of the most important works in the history of modern music in the sense that it opened rock to ““world music’’ and foreshadowed the cross-genre music production of the 21st century.
“‘Remain in Light’ fuses rock with African music, funk, minimalism, and studio collage, redefining the concept of groove and recording. As a historical work that laid the foundation for modern music that transcends genres, it ranks 49th in this ranking.”
5th Part 10 (50th place)
Marquee Moon
“Another revolution that gave intelligence and space to punk”
Released on February 8, 1977, Marquee Moon blazed a trail away from the intensity and destructive impulses commonly associated with the term punk rock.
1977 is known as the year that Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols and The Clash had a powerful impact on society.
However, ““Marquee Moon,’’ released shortly before that, offered a completely different future, sublimating the energy of punk into technical guitar ensembles and poetic expression.
If the Sex Pistols proved that anyone could play rock music, Television showed that even a simple ensemble could create intelligent and complex music.
Its influence quietly but deeply permeated later post-punk, indie rock, and alternative rock.
Another face of New York punk
Television was a mainstay of the New York punk scene in the mid-1970s, based at CBGB.
At the same stage,
- Ramones *Patti Smith Group
- Blondie
- Talking Heads
etc. were in attendance.
However, Television’s musical style was very different from other bands.
Rather than a simple chord progression, this is a detailed dialogue between two guitars.
More nervous than angry.
An elation that lasts longer than an explosion.
Although they had a punk spirit, their music itself had a structure closer to jazz or art rock.
Three-dimensional sound created by two guitars
The band’s core members, Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd, did not split the traditional roles of lead guitar and rhythm guitar.
The two play melodies with each other, intertwine, and at times keep their distance, creating a single acoustic space.
This approach was highly original, based on the garage rock and blues of the 1960s, but also incorporating ideas from improvisation and modal jazz.
As a result, the guitar solos on ““Marquee Moon” are not just a demonstration of technique, but function as a ““conversation” that allows the entire song to develop.
Producer Andy Johns and transparent sound
This work was produced by Andy Johns.
He is an engineer known for his work with Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, and he used that experience to record television’s complex guitar ensembles with astonishing clarity.
Rather than pushing distortion to the forefront, the localization and lingering sound of each instrument are carefully arranged so that each melodies can be heard clearly, even when multiple melodies are playing at the same time.
This recording aesthetic would have a major influence on guitar bands from the 1980s onwards.
“Marquee Moon” is over 10 minutes long
The title song ““Marquee Moon’’ is a full-length song lasting approximately 10 and a half minutes.
During the heyday of punk, placing such a long song at the center of an album was extremely unusual.
The song begins with a simple repeating riff, and the two guitars gradually build up the melody, reaching an ecstatic feeling of exhilaration towards the end.
This structure gives a sense of the unfolding form of classical music and the improvisational nature of jazz, while still retaining the driving force characteristic of rock.
The techniques of ““repetition and gradual development’’ found in later post-rock and math rock learned a lot from this work, both directly and indirectly.
5th Part 10 (50th place: Marquee Moon, second half)
Bridge from punk to post-punk
"”Marquee Moon”‘“s greatest achievement is that it greatly expands its expressive range while maintaining the energy of punk.
After 1977, many bands inherited punk’s speed and aggression.
Artists influenced by television, on the other hand, turned toward more complex chord progressions, delicate guitar ensembles, and more spatial sounds.
In other words, this work was not the ““end point of punk,” but one of the ““starting points of post-punk.”
"”Marquee Moon’’ became an important signpost in the subsequent movement of new wave and alternative rock toward musical exploration rather than mere rebellion.
Evaluation at the time of release
Upon its release, the film received extremely positive reviews from critics.
However, in terms of commercial success, they were not as explosive as their contemporaries the Sex Pistols and The Clash.
However, its reputation continues to grow over time.
In the 1980s, it was treated as a “textbook” for the post-punk scene, and from the 1990s onwards, it was reevaluated as the original source of indie rock.
Today, it is often considered one of the best debut albums in rock history, and few critics would dispute its innovation.
Impact on subsequent artists
The influence of ““Marquee Moon’’ is immeasurable, especially in the history of guitar bands.
As a typical influence,
*R.E.M. *Sonic Youth *The Smiths *Pixies *Interpol *The Strokes *Wilco
Examples include.
The contrapuntal ensemble of two guitars also greatly contributed to the development of math rock and post-rock.
This work has also become an important reference point for the New York rock revival of the 2000s.
Position in music history
"”Marquee Moon’’ is a highly original work that combines the free spirit of punk, the intelligence of art rock, and the improvisation of jazz.
After this work, the ““guitar’’ in rock music came to be treated as not just an instrument for accompaniment or solos, but as the center of sound design in which multiple melodies are equally intertwined.
In addition, the method of creating a sense of immersion through repetition and gradual development, without being bound by the length or structure of the song, has certainly been passed down to later post-rock and experimental indie rock.
Not a flashy commercial success, but an album that quietly rewrote the future.
That is the essence of “Marquee Moon.”
Why is it ranked 50th?
"”Marquee Moon’’ is a historical work that evolved punk from mere music of rebellion to a high level of musical expression.
Post-punk, indie rock, alternative rock, and even much of modern guitar music exist on the path blazed by this work.
On the other hand, its influence is mainly concentrated on the rock lineage, and its scope is somewhat limited compared to the works that transformed popular music as a whole, recording technology, and industrial structure.
Therefore, it is ranked 50th in this ranking.
However, the significance of establishing the value that ““rock can be simple and yet intellectual’’ was extremely significant, and this work continues to shine as an important milestone in guitar music even today.
“‘Marquee Moon’ fused the spirit of punk and the intelligence of art rock, and laid the foundation for post-punk and indie rock. As a historical work that greatly expanded the possibilities of guitar ensembles, we rank it at number 50 in this ranking.”
6th preview (51st to 60th place)
How Black Music Evolved from “Self-Expression” to “Culture Core”
In Part 5, we traced the process by which rock expanded its realm of expression while absorbing folk, punk, electronic music, art, and rhythms from around the world.
However, at the same time, another major revolution was occurring.
It was a revolution in which black music moved from the periphery of popular music to the center.
In Part 6, we will explore the history of soul, funk, R&B, and neo-soul, which became not just genres but the foundation of modern popular music as a whole.
What we will discuss is
- 51st place: Songs in the Key of Life
- 52nd place: Innervisions
- 53rd place: Head Hunters
- 54th place: Super Fly
- 56th place: There’s a Riot Goin’ On
- 57th place: Maggot Brain
- 58th place: Black Radio
- 59th place: Mama’s Gun
- 60th place: Channel Orange
Focusing on , we will explain how black music has redefined society, politics, technology, and 21st century pop music.
Last of the 6th → Go to the 7th
Black music evolved continuously into soul, funk, jazz, neo-soul, and contemporary R&B, transforming it into the blueprint for popular music itself.
What was important in this process was that ““individual expression” became ““social records,” which further led to the ““deconstruction of genres.’’
However, this change is not over yet.
The innovations of jazz-funk and black music in the 1970s eventually transformed the urban space itself into music, creating a new cultural infrastructure called clubs.
There, music becomes a “system” rather than a “work,” and rhythm becomes a “technique” rather than an “expression.”
In the next installment, Part 7, we will continue this trend and explore how electronic music became institutionalized and formed the basis of modern club culture such as house, techno, and bass music.
Episode 7 (preview)
Institutionalization of electronic music and the birth of post-clubs
The repetition of jazz-funk, the collapse of dub, and the birth of disco.
Eventually, they were reconstructed in the space of a “club,” and music changed from an individual’s expression to the infrastructure that drives the city.
Unraveling the history of the “institutionalization of electronic music” that continued into techno, house, acid, and bass music.
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