Jangle Rock

tagStarted 1965Peak 1981-1989Last big hit still active

Located in 2 routes

The rock-weighted side of the chime: 12-string Rickenbacker ring and arpeggiated treble guitars driving fuller-bodied, mid-tempo rock rather than featherweight pop. Atmospheric reverb, propulsive rhythm sections, often moody or widescreen. The shimmer stays bright but the band hits harder, with anthemic builds and dusky, yearning vocals.

History

Born from the Byrds' electrified folk-rock and refined by Tom Petty's '70s radio guitar sound, jangle rock matured in the '80s through Australia's Church and Go-Betweens and America's Long Ryders. It pushed the jingle-jangle tone into substantial rock songcraft, bridging classic-rock muscle and indie chime, and still echoes through guitar bands worldwide.

Defining artists

Essential listening

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Sources

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_(band)
  • https://www.allmusic.com/style/jangle-pop-ma0000004436
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Go-Betweens