History of Rock: Final Quiz (Short Answers)

Please discuss the two different approaches to 1980s rock: the "new traditionalists" and "pastiche." (Musical style, objective, bands, etc.)

"New traditionalists" and "pastiche" were two types of pre-hippie rock in the 1980s. "New traditionalists" was a groundbreaking style and was often about the working class. Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" is an example of new traditionalist music because it features American ethos about the working class. In contrast, "Pastiche" artists such as the Police combined elements of early rock with newer trends and musical sophistication.

Please discuss the music of Bruce Springsteen and his importance in 1980s rock.

Bruce Springsteen's music began in the 1970s, but he gained much of his fame in the 1980s. With his 1984 album Born in the USA, Springsteen sang about the breakdown of American values concurrent with the economic decline of America's industrial heartland. When America faced hard economic times in the 1980s under the Reagan administration, Springsteen's music became increasingly relatable and relevant. Although Reagan used the song "Born in the USA" during his 1984 campaign, Reagan stopped using it when Springsteen informed him that the song was actually about the false promises of the American Dream.

Please discuss the different musical approaches for women in rock in the early 2000s.

Early 2000s was a good time for female rock musicians. Avril Lavigne started out as teenaged pop-punk singer/songwriter from Canada who broke out in 2002 with her album Let Go. Pop rock artist P!nk was known for being edgy and rock focused as she become overall more involved in music production as exemplified in her hit single "Stupid Girls" which lyrically condemns sexism and motivates intelligence in women. Kelly Clarkson was thrusted into the industry limelight when she became the first American Idol winner with rock sound becoming more prevalent in her later music starting with the album Break Away.

Please discuss the musical/lyrical approach of gangsta rap with such artists as Ice-T and N.W.A.

Gangsta Rap artists like Ice-T and N.W.A. used graphic, angry, and sometimes violent lyrics to portray the darker sides of urban life. Ice-T and N.W.A. also used simple music and prominent beats to focus on the lyrical content of their songs. For example, N.W.A.'s song "**** The Police" withholds little to criticize the police, while Ice-T's song "I'm Your Pusher" bluntly describes urban life. Also, these two artists used a storytelling lyrical style with a focus on violence and gang activity, something that N.W.A. called "Reality Rap".

Please discuss the different approaches to rap's early crossover success by both producers and artists.

In the early days of Rap, both producers and artists often sampled Rock music to create a more accessible sound. For example, Run DMC often rapped over rock riffs thus attracting rock fans to rap and producer Rick Rubin used electronic drums and scratching to make an attractive hip-hop sound. Producers Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons with Def Jam Records also produced the Beastie Boys, a band which achieved major crossover success between rap and rock audiences. The Beastie Boys sold the first rap album to hit #1, 1986's Licensed to Ill, by mixing rock with rapping.

Who are Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash? How did they contribute to the development of music in the 1980s?

Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash were disc jockeys who performed in New York City in the 1970s who began their careers at city parties using the power of street lights and spinning records. Initially, Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash would comment on the songs in between records before the two began rapping over the instrumental records. Therefore, Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash were hugely important to the development of rap in the 1980s. Unlike later artists like LL Cool J however, live performances were the pinnacle of Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash's musicianship.

Please discuss the importance of Nirvana in shaping the alt rock movement.

Nirvana was the one band in the 1990s that unleashed a catalyst of other alternative rock with their 1991 album Nevermind. Nirvana reacted against the glitz and glamor of 1980s MTV rock with a simple style in a similar manner to how Punk reacted against corporate Rock in the 1970s. Nirvana achieved an alt-rock aesthetic of very casual clothing and a projection of themselves of amateur do it yourself (DIY) outcasts which was emulated by many other 90s alternative rock bands like Pearl Jam and Weezer.

Please discuss the genre of blending of country and rock music in the 2000s (Musical style, musicians, instrumentation etc. )

Rock-country is country music mixed with old rock styles. Musicians such as Keith Urban usually performed with an electric guitar. Other country rock musicians gained crossover success. One example is American Idol winner Carrie Underwood whose hit single "Before He Cheats", a song about destroying her unfaithful boyfriend's truck, topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for five consecutive weeks, reached the top five on the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart, and became a top ten hit on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 and Adult Contemporary charts.

Please discuss the style of nu-metal and important bands in the genre.

Stylistically, Nu Metal features simple, syncopated guitar riffs with a strong focus on rhythm rather than complexity. Taking much of their influence from rap and funk, Nu Metal sometimes uses DJs to create scratching sounds like with DJ Lethal of Limp Bizkit. Important Nu Metal bands include Rage Against the Machine, Korn, Limp Bizkit, Rob Zombie, Slipknot, and System of a Down.

Please discuss the role of the Beastie Boys in early rap.

The Beastie Boys were a successful 1980s rap group that combined rock with rap. Their 1986 album Licensed to Ill contained the song "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)", which showed a more materialistic message than other rap songs, making them the first group to release a #1 rap album. The Beastie Boys were also one of the first bands to take advantage of digital sampling, which became a vital part of rap music. Overall, the Beastie Boys were an important influence for rap rock and later bands like Limp Bizkit.

Please discuss the Jam Band genre of the 1990s. (Bands, style, important moments etc.)

The Jam Band genre is similar to jazz in that it relied heavily on live performances and improvisation. The Dave Matthews Band is a prime example of a jam band because their music blended genres in addition to using improvisation. The lyrics of their song "So Much to Say" are initially dominant before other instruments such as drums, horns, and strings come in to build on that music.

Please discuss Pearl Jam's battle with Ticketmaster and its significance in the rock music world.

Ticketmaster was an online ticketing service that had a monopoly on concert venues. Pearl Jam was outraged that Ticketmaster was charging more than $20 for tickets so they created their own outdoor stadiums to perform for fans. The band restored faith in rock musicians since they rebelled against corporate interest.