Jangle pop

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Jangle pop is a musical genre that began in United States during the middle of the 1960s, combining angular, chiming guitars and power pop structures. The first and most famous jangle pop band was The Byrds, whose style was also referred to as "folk rock," and who eventually became one of the biggest bands in the world during their prime. Much of their work features prominently Roger McGuinn's electric Rickenbacker twelve-string guitar. They are considered the basis for jangle pop's diversification later in the 20th century. Jangle pop is closely related to the power pop genre that developed in the 70s, including bands like The Raspberries and Big Star, who blurred the line between the two styles.

Jangle pop became an important force in the development of alternative rock during the early 1980s, as exemplified by early albums of R.E.M., The Smiths, The Connells and The Beat Farmers. It was initially a southern/midwestern US phenomenon, though a group of bands called the Paisley Underground led a more psychedelic movement on the West Coast. Globally, there were also vibrant scenes in the UK (Brilliant Corners, Jazz Butcher, Monochrome Set, The Popguns, Loft, The Family Cat, Felt, James), Australia (The Go-Betweens, Hummingbirds, The Church) and New Zealand (The "Dunedin Sound" of bands such as The Clean, Mad Scene, Jean-Paul Sartre Experience, The Bats, The Chills). To this day, bands continue to be influenced by and perform this style of rock.

Essential to the genre is the sound of Rickenbacker guitars, particularly 12-string models, whose bright, chiming tone creates the "jangle" for which "jangle pop" is named. Rickenbacker guitars were first popularized by George Harrison's playing on The Beatles' 1964 album "A Hard Day's Night", particularly on the title track. The Byrds began using similar guitars after seeing them played in the film A Hard Day's Night. Other groups such as The Who (in their early "Mod" years), The Beach Boys, The Hollies, and Paul Revere and the Raiders continued the use of the brand.