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ORIGINS OF CORPORATE ROCK

Corporate rock is somewhat unique among musical genres in that it is a term used almost exclusively by critics and musical Purist s. It is used primarily in a condescending and dismissive way by those who feel that corporate rock has little to add to music. The exact origins of the term are uncertain, but by the early 1980s, it was being applied with frequency to bands such as Journey , Foreigner , Styx , and Boston . Although the term has faded from common usage, some people use it to describe contemporary bands who they feel live up to its definition.


CORPORATE ROCK BANDS

As no rock groups identify their music as being "corporate rock," it is obviously difficult to definitively label bands as being a part of this genre. However, one can quite easily list some of the bands which have been vilified by critics (fairly or unfairly) as exemplifying the worst of this genre.

  • As mentioned above, Styx is often given as a prime example of corporate rock. Fans of the band argue that Styx was musically innovative in bringing an operatic style to rock music; critics charge that their melodic hooks and over-the-top style were uncreative and derivative.


  • Journey has often been labelled as corporate rock, especially after their 1981 nine-times platinum album '' Escape '' and its three Top 10 singles. The album was obviously a hit with the public, but critics derided the aggressive, repetitive " Power Ballad s".


  • Bon Jovi has also been labelled as corporate rock, for many of the same reasons as Journey. Critics disliked what they felt were trite, empty power ballads with little to say.


Groups or artists which have been labelled "corporate rock" include:


CONTEMPORARY CORPORATE ROCK

Although use of the term "corporate rock" as a criticism declined through the 1990s, it is applied to a few contemporary bands such as bands such as Puddle Of Mudd , Staind , and Limp Bizkit .


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