[Foreign Music] A Guide to Post-Rock: Essential Classics and a Recommended Pick
Post-rock is a music genre that expresses itself through a variety of ideas and experimental approaches, differing from the conventional methodology of rock.
The definition is quite vague and there are many subgenres, but there are plenty of bands and artists within the umbrella of post-rock who have achieved global success, and here in Japan as well, many have been influenced by post-rock’s methods.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of essential albums—perfect as a “start here” for Western music fans who’ve recently become interested in post-rock.
The lineup focuses mainly on albums from the 1990s to the 2000s, the peak era of post-rock, so be sure to check them out!
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[Western Music] A Guide to Post-Rock: Essential Classics and One Recommended Album (31–40)
What Is Your LandmassDianogah
Dianogah is an indie rock band formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1995.
This track is included on the album “As Seen from Above,” released in 1997.
The album was produced by the American singer-songwriter Steve Albini.
Born Into Trouble as the Sparks Fly UpwardA Silver Mt Zion
The second album by A Silver Mt.
Zion, a key band in Canadian post-rock.
Their music features politically charged lyrics, Efrim Menuck’s distinctive guitar work, strings, tape loops, and heavy drum sounds.
Released in October 2001, this work was also used in the climax of David Gordon Green’s film Snow Angels.
The album title quotes the Book of Job, suggesting human suffering.
While expressing grief and a sense of loss for a world that has vanished, it also conveys anger and urgency.
Highly recommended for those just getting into post-rock and for listeners seeking deeply moving music.
IVBadbadnotgood
BADBADNOTGOOD, a group from Toronto, Canada, released their album IV in July 2016—an ambitious work that pursues a fusion of jazz and hip-hop.
Featuring an impressive lineup of guests including Samuel T.
Herring and Colin Stetson, the album evokes the influence of 1970s jazz-rock while adding a modern interpretation for a fresh, innovative sound.
From the drum tones to the interplay between analog synths and brass, the meticulous details create a distinctive atmosphere.
It’s a highly recommended record not only for jazz fans but also for listeners seeking a new musical experience.
Tago MagoCan
Tago Mago, the acclaimed masterpiece by the German experimental rock band Can, is their second album, released in 1971.
Blending psychedelic elements with an experimental approach, the work is highly regarded as a milestone of krautrock.
Damo Suzuki’s distinctive vocals and the band members’ exceptional musicianship weave together sonic experiments that pursue new forms of expression beyond the conventional boundaries of rock music.
The album reflects an interest in magic and astrology, guiding listeners into a trance-like state through its music.
It’s a must-listen for those who want to explore the possibilities of music or experience free expression unconstrained by existing musical frameworks.
FaustFaust
The debut album by Faust, pioneers of experimental music that Germany proudly claims, has cemented its status as a classic of Krautrock.
Released in September 1971, this work shocked the music scene with an innovative sound that transcended the boundaries of conventional rock.
It also took a visually groundbreaking approach, such as printing an X-ray image of a human fist on a transparent vinyl disc.
The album offers an experimental sonic experience that fuses noise, electronic music, and improvisation, exerting a profound influence on later industrial and noise music.
It’s a must-listen for adventurous listeners seeking a new musical experience.
[Western Music] A Guide to Post-Rock: Essential Classics and One Recommended Album (41–50)
De cercle en cercleFly Pan Am
A captivating track with a distinctive acoustic world that radiates outward in concentric circles.
It’s included on the EP “Sédatifs en fréquences et sillons,” released in October 2000 by the experimental Montreal rock band Fly Pan Am.
Spanning over 14 minutes, the piece is notable for its sustained, self-referential self-critique.
You can sense an ambitious attempt to reconstruct the band’s own materials and forge uncompromising new compositions.
It’s a work I highly recommend to anyone beginning to explore post-rock or experimental music.
Members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor also participate, giving you a taste of Montreal’s avant-garde music scene.
SharpshooterFrom Monument To Masses
From Monument To Masses was a San Francisco post-rock band active from 2000 to 2010.
They are known for politically charged content, layered complex riffs, and sounds that incorporate dialogue samples.
This track is included on their 2003 album “The Impossible Leap in One Hundred Simple Steps.”