What defines the sound of AOR?

Interestingly enough, I picked up an issue of Classic Rock Presents AOR (Issue 5 from October 2011) and I finally got around to starting to read it this morning.  Not sure if it is a case of rewriting history or not, but they seem to indicate that bands like Def Leppard, Motley Crue, KISS, and Bon Jovi are AOR.  I suppose that I can see the connection, but these bands were mostly considered to be hair metal or glam metal back in the day.  I don't know that I would have necessarily included these bands under the AOR umbrella, but it does make a certain sense to me as my music collection consists of as much of these type bands as it does the traditionally thought of AOR bands like Foreigner, Asia, Journey, Toto, Night Ranger, etc...  Definitely one of my favorite genres, if not my favorite. 

After this thread I ended up watchin Eric Cartman singing "Heat Of The Moment".

Mutez wrote: Ha ha , like i said in my OP, it seems to be a rather debated genre, and its showing in the replies here.   Some generes out there are very debated.  Pop Metal is another example.  Many metal fans dont even wanna accept "pop metal" as a sub genre, they think the two words should never belong in the same sentance.   Im not familiar at all though with what pre 80's AOR is meant to be, im only knowledgable on what 80s onwards kind is meant to be.   I was a big huge metal fan in my late teens till my late 20's, but since hitting my 30s ive moved away from it more, even to the point i dont consider it my favourite genre anymore.   I mean with the AOR band examples i mentioned in my OP, i listen to stuff like that, and then if i try and listen to bands like Metallica, Slipknot, System of a Down, Sepultura ect, ill sit there and think "ummm where's the melody?".   In my opinion, Hair Metal (which isnt true metal) and AOR gives a decent level of crunchyness and hi energy, but gives you plenty of melody and vocal lushness aswell.

you should check out Cannata, very dramatic AOR, it is on PA, and it is very glossy and produced

also maybe want to check ACT, progressive AOR rock, with influence from Toto, Supertramp, Dream Theater, Queen, Abba, and other cool bands with AOR touches,

also It Bites, progressive AOR rock

Ha ha , like i said in my OP, it seems to be a rather debated genre, and its showing in the replies here.

AOR is kind of hard rock with high standard production (contrary to "garage"/"grungy"/dirty sound)
music could be any kind of rock-influenced styles (rock-n-roll, boogie, blues, slow bluesy ballad, etc )
Generally, it is addressed to older age listeners, who grew up on good old rocknroll

also, it could be considered as "post-prog" (de)evolution of retired prog bands :-)



Edited by awaken77 - April 06 2012 at 09:27

Fox On The Rocks wrote: richardh wrote: Boston Nah, more like REO Speedwagon.

Nah I was right in the first place

my favourite album is Isolation, a firce technical AOR album, it will blow of anyones hair, cause it is insanly technical and complex

aginor wrote: AOR is the mix of heavy rock, arena rock, west coast rock and prog into what it is, flamboyos, grand, full of harmonies, laud, direct but also catchy, singable and danceable, one of my favourite bands are Toto who are one of the most tallented bands to grace this world, technicly they can and could shake the hands with the most skillfull prog bands, without blushing,

I wanna second praise for Toto. Jesus, Lukather's work on IV is fantastic and has actually become a favorite listen of mine.

Very commercial, user-friendly American Rock music that is highly polished with no rough edges and very glossy production qualities.  The AOR (album oriented rock) tag is a little misleading, as the music is very much suited to singles and day time radio play.  A better name would be something like.... Professional Establishment Rock...

While AOR is not my favourite genre, but it is one I like. It is great music to listen to when driving long distances (especially on long and lonely African Highways).

What defines it sound? First of all, the lead vocalist usually can sing really well! Something I cannot say for all prog bands. The sound is a mixuture of hard rock and pop which borrows the bombastic sounds and atmosphere often found in Porg Rock. The production is usually very professional and sometimes can border on the “over-produced”.