[Foreign Music] A Guide to Post-Rock: Essential Classics and a Recommended Pick

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!

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!

[Western Music] A Guide to Post-Rock: Essential Classics and Recommended Picks (51–60)

Been a Long Time CousinHella

HELLA – Been a Long Time Cousin

Been a Long Time CousinHella

Hella is a rock band formed in Sacramento, California, in 2001.

They currently perform as a duo consisting of guitarist Spencer Seim and drummer Zach Hill.

This track is included on their first LP, Hold Your Horse Is, released in 2002.

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look at that car, it’s full of balloonsA Minor Forest

A Minor Forest – look at that car, it’s full of balloons

look at that car, it's full of balloonsA Minor Forest

A Minor Forest is a math rock band formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1992.

They are known for a sound influenced by pop music, progressive rock, and punk rock.

This melodic track was released in 1998.

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GenevaRussian Circles

Russian Circles – Geneva

GenevaRussian Circles

Russian Circles is an instrumental band formed in 2004 and based in Chicago.

This track is the title track from their third album, released in 2009.

The album was produced by Brandon Curtis, a member of The Secret Machines.

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Bright TomorrowFuck Buttons

Fuck Buttons – Bright Tomorrow

Bright TomorrowFuck Buttons

Fuck Buttons are a British electronic music duo active since 2004.

This track is included on their debut album, Street Horrrsing, released in 2008.

The album was produced by John Cummings, guitarist of Mogwai.

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In conclusion

Even if you were to listen to all the landmark albums by the bands and artists introduced here, it would still be far from enough to grasp the full scope of post-rock.

With derivative bands, numerous subgenres, and labels that have released many classic post-rock records, the deeper you dig, the more there is to enjoy.

I hope this article serves as a first guide to the world of post-rock and that you find pleasure in exploring it further!