Baroque Pop
tagStarted 1966Peak 1966-1972Last big hit still active
Located in 2 routes
Pop wedded to Baroque-era instrumentation: harpsichord, string quartet, recorders, French horn and oboe over melancholy, courtly melodies. Arrangements are formal and contrapuntal, vocals plaintive and reverbed. The mood is wistful, ornate and faintly antique — chamber music in three-minute pop form, lush but never bombastic.
History
Born in 1966 when The Left Banke's harpsichord-laced 'Walk Away Renée' and Beach Boys/Beatles orchestration met a wave of literate songwriting. Scott Walker, The Zombies and producers like Curt Boettcher refined it. Revived by The Divine Comedy and indie acts in the late '90s, it remains a touchstone for ornate songcraft.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- AllMusic: Baroque Pop
- Rate Your Music: Baroque Pop
- Pitchfork