Rock
Noah’s Barks pages related to the rock music genre. Combine with other tags for subgenres, e.g. “alternative+rock,” “noise+rock,” and “indie+rock.”
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Ashra – “Belle Alliance”
Like the colorful cover suggests, Belle Alliance is goofier and more playful than previous Ashra releases. Its genre is still progressive electronic, but it has the spirit of synthy, ’80s new wave pumping through it. The synthesizers sound like children playing with toys, but because of the lighter nature of Göttsching’s guitar, they fit in… (read more)
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Mercury Rev – “Yerself Is Steam” (1991)
Yerself Is Steam is a big pool of stereotypical early ’90s alternative rock noise to get lost in. If you’re a fan of the aesthetic as I am, it’ll make you feel just at home. This is best viewed as a collage though; focus on anything specific and you may realize there isn’t much in the way… (read more)
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The Clash – “Cut the Crap”
Okay, everyone makes fun of the obvious irony in Cut the Crap‘s title, but really, the self-awareness here is killin’ me. Let’s take a look at the lyrics for “North and South”: “We ain’t got lifeDon’t want a cardboard cut-outDon’t want a plastic knife Now I know time can marchWith its charging feetNow I know… (read more)
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Chuck Berry – “Berry Is on Top”
The timeless hip-shaking racket of ‘Berry Is on Top’ is enough to give you nostalgia for an age gone past—even one you may have never lived in. (read more)
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Miles Davis – “A Tribute to Jack Johnson”
After loving Sketches of Spain, I thought my relationship with Miles Davis was beginning to blossom in a positive direction, but I’m brought back down with how cold—or hell, aggravated—A Tribute to Jack Johnson made me feel. Combined with my perfectly lukewarm reception towards In a Silent Way, it would seem Davis’ jazz fusion isn’t… (read more)
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The Mahavishnu Orchestra with John McLaughlin – “The Inner Mounting Flame” (1971)
Two fantastic songs here with “Meeting of the Spirits” and “A Lotus on Irish Streams.” The former has a slow, brooding, dark ambiance to it rarely heard from its era. I had just finished a gothic metal album before starting The Inner Mounting Flame, and I had to do a double take to see if… (read more)
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Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Fever to Tell” (2003)
Rebellious girl rock is such a great concept with me, so why do I have the damndest time finding any I truly can’t resist? On Fever to Tell, Yeah Yeah Yeahs sound like X-Ray Spex with less balls. Fortunately, they use that extra space to get their groove on with some repetitive dance rhythms; but there’s never… (read more)
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TV on the Radio – “Nine Types of Light” (2011)
I love Dear Science for taking post-punk the closest to the dance floor it’s ever been, as well as just being a great update of R&B-inspired rock, but that’s not enough for me to call myself a TV on the Radio fan. Return to Cookie Mountain didn’t impress me much, so I tested my loyalty by going on to… (read more)
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Guided by Voices – “Tonics & Twisted Chasers”
Tonics & Twisted Chasers is an oft-forgotten Guided by Voices album, but it isn’t due to its quality. The album was originally a fan club-exclusive release and although it’s been reissued since, finding a copy is still difficult. It’s natural to assume that this is a collection of bland, “throwaway” songs for hardcore fans, but… (read more)
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Flamin’ Groovies – “Shake Some Action” (1976)
With Shake Some Action, Flamin’ Groovies attempt a ’60s pop rock throwback in particular vein of The Byrds. If imitation is the greatest form of flattery, then Shake Some Action must be the most flattering album of all time, as its insistence and success at sounding exactly like a pop rock album that could have… (read more)