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Jangle Pop

 
 

Description of Jangle Pop

 
Though the Byrds created some of the most jangly Folk-Rock of the 1960s with songs like "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better," Jangle Pop was truly born in 1981 when R.E.M. recorded their first EP Chronic Town, and its follow-up single "Radio Free Europe." Peter Buck's Byrds-influenced guitar lines set the standard for a genre which reached its apogee in the middle of the decade. The movement was led by such Power Pop-influenced artists as cult legends the dB's, Let's Active (which was led by R.E.M.'s producer, Mitch Easter), and the much-loved Game Theory. Members of these groups continue to record similar music to this day. Featuring chiming guitar patterns, up-tempo rhythms and melodies aplenty, Jangle Pop has remained on the fringe of pop music, though early proponents like R.E.M. have enjoyed significant chart success.
 

Filed Under

 
Alt/Punk  >  Indie/Alternative  >  Jangle Pop
 

Jangle Pop Key Artists

 
Felt

Felt's whispery guitars and
the sing/talk style of
frontman Lawrence
Hayward owes a debt to
Television. Those otherw...

Gin Blossoms

This Arizona band's rootsy
Jangle Pop came with
enough backbeat to keep
alt hipsters happy. The Gin
Blossoms' two big hits, "H...

House of Love

The House of Love's
swirling guitar pop has been
elating fans since the
release of "Shine On" in
1987. Guy Chadwick is the...

Let's Active

Jangle band formed by
indie superproducer (in
1980s terms, at least) Mitch
Easter. Pleasant pop heavy
on the chorus pedal. ey...

Lloyd Cole

This insightful, witty
singer-songwriter
specializes in melodic,
bittersweet rock and Folk
Rock tunes. Cole experie...

Orange Juice

Scottish band Orange Juice
formed in Glasgow in 1976 as
the Nu-Sonics. The quartet
renamed itself Orange Juice
in 1979. Only one single fr...

R.E.M.

R.E.M.'s jangling guitars,
mysterious-but-melodic
vocals and DIY touring
method pretty much
defined 1980s indie rock....

Railway Children

A staple of college radio in
the '80s, this British band's
jangling guitar pop falls
between R.E.M. and the
Smiths.

The Bangles

The Bangles went from the
Paisley Underground to one
of the best-selling acts of
the '80s -- with help from
Prince and MTV. When th...

The Connells

One of many southern
bands inspired by R.E.M. in
the 1980s, they're still
playing a jangly brand of
Power Pop.

The dB's

Seminal early '80s Jangle
Pop band. Simultaneously
ultrapoppy and slyly
experimental, they inspired
scores of bands to come.

The Feelies

Influential indie act whose
aptly titled debut, "Crazy
Rhythms," set an early
standard for college rock.

The Smiths

Formed in Manchester by
Johnny Marr and Morrissey,
the Smiths were the
definitive English Indie Rock
band of the '80s. Morrisse...

The Trashcan Sinatras

The Trashcan Sinatras came
together in Irvine, Scotland,
in 1987. Irvine is just outside
of Glasgow. The Scots are
best known for the jangle...

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