What is art rock?

Art rock is more or less what is called crossover prog on here. Many of those bands could be labelled art rock. Some examples would be Styx, Ambrosia, 10CC, Bebop Deluxe, Roxy Music, Crack The Sky, Supertramp, etc. Sometimes they do full on prog but usually they are not quite full blown prog. They still have prog elements in their music though. That is my take on it anyway.

Edited by AFlowerKingCrimson - July 09 2023 at 20:56

Good answer. No way ChatGTP can top that.

I understand is basically a glorified search engine. I also think that one can probably refine one's questions to lead it to provide answers you want to hear. My initial question was what is art rock. The answer to that was basically the same as what you would find on Wikipedia---that art rock is another term for progressive rock. So, the follow up on what is the difference lead it to search for answers that lead it to what I copied. If I ask again with maybe a question of examples of a progressive rock bands that are not art rock and vice versa, it could lead to some interesting (or not) results.

It is interesting to me to hear about how the art rock subcategory got split into crossover and eclectic. But that would explain why some less apparent bands would be on PA to begin with, such as Oingo Boingo, Talking Heads, and David Bowie.

On a group like Tangerine Dream, as best as I can recall, I first heard their music in the early 80's and I think they were called electronic and I had not associated them to what I knew as progressive rock back then.

I had posted my opinion about art rock that was partially influenced by ChatGPT answer. This is what I posted there.

So, while I am still considering whether I accept the following, I would say that I did think of the term of art rock to be more expansive than prog rock. The following is an answer generated by ChatGPT to the question of the difference between progressive rock and art rock.

Art rock and progressive rock are often used interchangeably to describe the same genre of music. However, there can be slight nuances in their usage. Art rock is a broader term that encompasses a wide range of experimental and avant-garde rock music that incorporates elements of classical, jazz, and other genres. It emphasizes artistic and creative expression, often pushing the boundaries of traditional rock music. Progressive rock, on the other hand, is a more specific subgenre of art rock. It refers to a particular style of rock music that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Progressive rock is characterized by its complex compositions, intricate instrumental arrangements, and lengthy song structures. It often features virtuosic musicianship, concept albums, and lyrical themes that explore philosophical and literary concepts. While all progressive rock can be considered art rock, not all art rock falls under the category of progressive rock. Art rock can include a broader range of experimental and unconventional rock music that may not necessarily adhere to the characteristics of progressive rock. In summary, art rock is a broader term encompassing experimental and avant-garde rock music, while progressive rock refers specifically to the complex and musically sophisticated style within the art rock genre.

And thinking more about it, prior to visiting Prog Archives, I had thought of Prog Rock as that more specific genre of music that came from the late 60's and 70's that is most closely associated with Symphonic Rock and expanded to include the types of music similar from what comes from the usually accepted "Big Five".

To me, I had not prior to visiting PA considered Jazz Rock Fusion, RIO, Post Rock, or Math Rock as subgenre's of Prog Rock. But Art Rock would. Even something like Post Punk, would be a part of Art Rock.