- Avant-pop
Avant-pop refers to music that employs conventional pop idioms -- engaging melodies and harmonies, a straightforward verse-bridge-chorus structure, accessible hooks and changes things up by putting an exotic, unpredictable spin on things. This can be accomplished through the addition of unexpected and unconventional instrumentation, tape effects and
electronic instrument s, studio trickery, stylistic curveballs, or any other wacky innovation an artist can dream up. When done right, this approach creates a pleasing and exciting tension between the catchy and thedissonant . The first real instances of avant-pop can probably be found in theBeatles andBeach Boys ' warring experimental opuses of the late '60s.Brian Eno andDavid Bowie 's mid '70s albums also fall into this category. More recent examples include the catchy left-field gems ofThe Wedding Present , the wry free-associative tunes of Pavement, and the layered experimental melodies ofThe Flaming Lips and the many bands of theElephant Six collective .Artists in the avant-pop genre
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Aspera
*Bablicon
*Buffalo Daughter
*Cornelius
*Danielson Famile
*Richard Davies
*Deerhoof
*Enon
*Lambchop
*Mecca Normal
*Migala
*Mirah
*The Olivia Tremor Control
*Ooberman
*Pavement
*Martin Rev
*The Silent League
*Solex
*Sparks
*Sufjan Stevens
*The Sunshine Fix
*Mary Timony
*TV on the Radio
*Xiu Xiu
*Yo La Tengo
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