Do You Capitalize Psychedelic Rock?
Contents
A quick guide on whether or not you should capitalize the term “psychedelic rock.”
What is Psychedelic Rock?
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that was popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The music is intended to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs, most notably LSD.
Psychedelic rock borrows heavily from Eastern philosophical and religious traditions, particularly from Hinduism and Buddhism. It often incorporates elements ofmodal jazz and peppered with sitar playing by Ravi Shankar and tabla rhythms by Alla Rakha.
The History of Psychedelic Rock
Psychedelic rock, also referred to as psychedelic pop, is a style of music that emerged in the mid-1960s and reached the height of its popularity in the late 1960s. The genre is characterized by its use of electronic and experimental music, as well as diverse range of influences, including Eastern soundscapes and philosophy. Psychedelic rock often uses distorted guitars, sitars, and other exotic instruments to create an “Otherworldly” sound.
The term “psychedelic” was first coined in 1956 by psychiatrist Humphry Osmond. It comes from the Greek words for “mind” (psyche) and “manifest” (delos). The term was popularized in the 1960s by Timothy Leary, who used it to describe the effects of LSD-25, a powerful hallucinogenic drug. The popularity of psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin mushrooms gave rise to a new wave of music known as psychedelic rock.
Psychedelic rock first emerged in the mid-1960s with bands like The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and The Byrds exploring new sonic territory with the help of mind-altering substances. This new sound was soon matched by a visual aesthetic that made use of pulsating colors, swirling patterns, and mind-bending imagery. The psychedelic movement reached its height in 1967 with the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, an album widely considered to be one of the most influential records of all time.
In the 1970s, punk rock signaled a return to basics, leaving psychedelia behind. However, many bands continued to experiment with mind-expanding sounds and visuals throughout the decade. Psychedelic rock made a comeback in the 1990s with bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam bringing elements of the genre into the mainstream. Today, psychedelic rock is enjoying something of a renaissance thanks to bands like Tame Impala and MGMT who are carrying on the legacy of this truly unique form of music.
The Sound of Psychedelic Rock
Psychedelic rock is a subgenre of rock music that emerged in the 1960s and became mainstream in the 1970s. With its distorted guitars, trippy lyrics, and mind-bending sound effects, psychedelic rock sought to replicate the experience of taking hallucinogenic drugs like LSD. The genre is also known for its fantastical and often politically charged lyrics about topics like social injustice, environmentalism, and war.
Psychedelic Rock Lyrics
Psychedelic rock lyrics are very often written in a psychedelic font. This is because the lyrics are meant to be visually stimulating and create an altered state of consciousness. Psychedelic rock lyrics often deal with topics such as love, peace, drugs, and sex.
Do You Capitalize Psychedelic Rock?
There is no one answer to this question since there is no agreed-upon definition of what psychedelic rock is. In general, though, the genre can be described as a type of rock music that emerged in the mid-1960s and was influenced by psychedelic drugs such as LSD. The term “psychedelic” refers to the experience of altered states of consciousness, so it makes sense that the music would be designed to create or enhance those experiences.
Because there is no one definitive answer, it’s up to you to decide whether or not to capitalize the term when you’re using it. If you want to be safe, you can always just use lowercase letters.
