The Great Genre Debate

Rock or Not? One Decade at a Time 🎸🤔

Rock has always evolved, bending and breaking its own rules. But where’s the line? Some bands embrace rock’s energy but flirt with other genres—do they still belong? This week, we’re diving into six decades of borderline rock bands, where the debate never ends.

And because B-sides tell the real story, we’ll throw in one deep cut per band that might change your mind.

🎻⚡ 1970s – Electric Light Orchestra (ELO): Rock or Orchestral Pop?

ELO fused classical music with rock, crafting symphonic anthems that felt epic but polished. While their biggest hits (“Mr. Blue Sky,” “Evil Woman”) had rock DNA, their orchestral arrangements made purists question: Were they too polished for rock?

🔥 Verdict: Rock... but with violins.

🎶 B-Side Gem: “Dreaming of 4000” – A heavy, riff-driven track that proves ELO could rock hard when they wanted to.

🇦🇺 1980s – INXS: New Wave or Rock Royalty?

INXS straddled the line between new wave, pop, and rock, delivering stadium-sized grooves with a funk edge. With Michael Hutchence’s swagger and “Need You Tonight” dominating MTV, they felt like rock stars—but were they really rock?

🔥 Verdict: Rock with a dance-floor twist.

🎶 B-Side Gem: “The One Thing” (Extended Mix) – A deeper, edgier groove that showcases INXS’s rawer side.

🎤 1990s – Oasis: Britpop or Classic Rock Revival?

Oasis worshipped The Beatles, The Stones, and The Who, but Britpop was its own beast. Tracks like “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger” felt rock anthemic, yet their pop hooks made purists roll their eyes. Were they too polished for rock?

🔥 Verdict: Rock, but through a Britpop lens.

🎶 B-Side Gem: “Acquiesce” – A no-holds-barred anthem that proves Liam and Noel could do full-throttle rock.

🎰 2000s – The Killers: Alternative Rock or Indie Pop?

The Killers exploded with “Mr. Brightside”, but was it really rock? They played festivals, but their synth-driven sound leaned into new wave and indie-pop vibes. Yet, albums like Sam’s Town and Battle Born screamed Springsteen-esque American rock ambition.

🔥 Verdict: Rock… but with eyeliner.

🎶 B-Side Gem: “Under the Gun” – A hidden track that leans into their grittier, darker rock side.

🐉 2010s – Imagine Dragons: Arena Rock or Pop Masquerading as Rock?

Big choruses. Massive beats. Thunderous production. But where’s the grit? Imagine Dragons top rock charts, yet their ultra-polished sound has some crying “That’s not rock!” So, are they the modern face of rock, or a pop band in disguise?

🔥 Verdict: Pop with power chords.

🎶 B-Side Gem: “Selene” – A lesser-known track that actually leans into darker, grungier vibes.

🇮🇹 2020s – Måneskin: Rock Revival or TikTok Trend?

They dress like rock stars, play guitar solos, and revived 70s glam attitude. But is Måneskin the real deal, or just a stylish rehash? Some say they’re reviving rock; others say they’re a fashion-forward nostalgia act.

🔥 Verdict: Rock, but with a social media edge.

🎶 B-Side Gem: “Touch Me” – A deep cut that leans into bluesy, raw rock energy.

🤘 Final Thought: Where’s the Line?

Rock isn’t just a sound—it’s a feeling, an attitude, a rebellion. But as genres blur, the question remains: Who belongs in the rock pantheon, and who’s just visiting?

Who do YOU think belongs (or doesn’t) in rock history? Drop your takes below!

Genre-Bending & Label-Defying Bands in Rock

1. Faith No More – Blended metal, funk, and alternative rock, influencing bands from Korn to System of a Down. Were they metal? Were they alt-rock? Fans still debate.

2. Talking Heads – Fused rock with new wave, punk, and world music, often called post-punk or art rock. Hard to categorize, but undeniably innovative.

3. Rage Against the Machine – Punk energy, rap delivery, and heavy metal aggression. Rock? Hip-hop? Protest music? All of the above.

4. Beck – From slacker rock to folk to electro-funk, he refused to be pinned down. Albums like Odelay and Sea Change are worlds apart.

5. The White Stripes – Garage rock, blues, punk? Jack White blurred the lines, bringing raw, lo-fi energy to a mainstream audience.

6. Radiohead – Started as an alt-rock band (Creep), but later became pioneers of experimental electronic and art rock (Kid A). Some fans think they abandoned rock altogether.

What are your thoughts? Any other bands that split the line between genres? Let's hear your stories.

Follow for more of rock’s untold stories and hidden gems. Next week, another chapter in our "Rock Around the world" features. Monday we touring Canada. Stay tuned.