It may have started with Hex or Pure, Impure, but I give credit to Radiohead for bringing so-called post rock to the masses. In retrospect, I’d never have imagined a record as surreal, dour, and uncompromising as OK Computer to have been such a huge mainstream success. Heck, the lead single was a 7-minute track without a chorus.
Yet it was a success. In its wake, bands like Tortoise and Sigur Rós found mainstream exposure, and what we called “progressive rock” in the 1970’s was suddenly worth pursuing again.
Fortunately, we’ve dispensed with the 15-minute drum solos, the sequined pants, and the Hobbits. Modern progressive rock is more concerned with pursuing texture and unorthodox structure. Isis prove that heavy metal doesn’t have to be stupid, and Mastodon gleefully prove that it can be darned smart while keeping tongue firmly in cheek.
Then there are the sensitive kids doing instrumental guitar rock sans noodly guitar solos. Continued...