Discover the Best Folk Rock Music from Around the World

Discover the best folk rock music from around the world. Featuring artist interviews, album reviews, and more.

Introduction to Folk Rock

Folk rock is a genre of popular music that arose in the United States and Britain in the mid-1960s. The style is a combination of folk music and rock music. Folk rock songs often deal with issues of social concern, such as war, poverty, and drugs. The genre was most popular in the 1960s and 1970s.

What is Folk Rock?

In simple terms, folk rock is a genre of music that combines elements of folk music and rock music. Folk rock generally has a strong focus on acoustic instrumentation and songcraft, and often incorporates traditional folk melodies and lyrical themes.

The genre first gained mainstream popularity in the 1960s, with bands like The Byrds and The Lovin’ Spoonful fusing folk influences with the nascent sounds of rock ‘n’ roll. Since then, folk rock has continued to evolve, taking on new sonic textures and cultural influences from around the world.

Today, folk rock is as popular as ever, with artists like Fleet Foxes, Beirut, and Mumford & Sons carrying the torch for the genre. If you’re looking to discover the best in modern folk rock, this guide is for you.

History of Folk Rock

The history of folk rock is often traced back to the early 1960s, when Bob Dylan popularized the genre with his influential album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. Folk rock developed as a hybrid between traditional folk music and popular rock ‘n’ roll, resulting in a sound that was both unique and accessible.

Since its inception, folk rock has been associated with social and political change. In the 1960s, artists like Dylan and Joan Baez used their music to protest the Vietnam War and advocate for civil rights. In more recent years, folk rockers like Billy Bragg and Ani DiFranco have continued this tradition by writing songs about social injustice and inequality.

Folk rock has also been an important influence on other genres of music. Many of the most popular bands of the 1970s, including Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, and The Grateful Dead, began their careers as folk rock groups. In the 1980s and 1990s, bands like R.E.M., 10,000 Maniacs, and Hootie & The Blowfish helped to popularize the genre with mainstream audiences.

Today, folk rock is enjoying something of a renaissance thanks to a new generation of artists who are carrying on the tradition of using music to address social issues. Groups like Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, and Imagine Dragons are just a few of the many artists who are helping to keep folk rock alive and relevant in the 21st century.

Best Folk Rock from Around the World

Folk rock is a music genre that combines elements of folk music and rock music. It originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Folk rock musicians often use traditional folk instruments such as acoustic guitars, banjos, and fiddles, while also incorporating rock elements such as electric guitars, drums, and bass.

United States

Folk rock is a genre that originated in the United States during the mid-1960s. The genre combines elements of folk music and rock music, and is often characterized by its distinctive vocal harmony style.

Some of the most popular folk rock artists from the United States include Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, The Byrds, and The Lovin’ Spoonful. Folk rock originated in the American folk music revival of the mid-1960s, and was influenced by artists such as Dylan and the Beatles. Simon & Garfunkel’s 1968 album, “Bookends,” which featured the hit song “The Sound of Silence,” is often cited as one of the most influential folk rock albums ever released.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has a long and proud history of folk rock music. From the early days of the genre with bands like Fairport Convention and Pentangle, to more recent acts like Mumford & Sons and The Decemberists, the UK has produced some of the best folk rock music in the world. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best folk rock bands from the UK, as well as some of the most popular songs in the genre.

Fairport Convention is often cited as being one of the first true folk rock bands. Formed in 1967, the band combined traditional British folk melodies with electric guitars and drums. They were highly influential in both Britain and America, and their 1968 album Liege & Lief is considered to be one of the greatest folk rock albums ever made. Some of their other popular songs include “Matty Groves”, “Tam Lin”, and “The Bonny Swans”.

Mumford & Sons are one of the most popular folk rock bands in the world today. Formed in 2007, the band quickly rose to fame with their debut album Sigh No More, which featured hit songs like “The Cave” and “Little Lion Man”. They have since released two more successful albums, Babel and Wilder Mind, and have won numerous awards including a Grammy for Best Album of the Year.

The Decemberists are a unique addition to the world of folk rock. Formed in 2000, they are known for their literate lyrics and grandiose yet catchy melodies. Their 2005 album Picaresque was a critical and commercial success, and features standout tracks like “16 Military Wives” and “The Mariner’s Revenge Song”. Other popular Decemberists songs include “All Arise!”, “There Is No Home”, and “Down by the Water”.

Canada

Folk rock is a genre that combines elements of both folk music and rock music. It originated in the United States and United Kingdom in the 1960s and became more popular in the 1970s. Folk rock songs often deal with social or political issues, and they often have a strong narrative component.

There are many great folk rock bands from around the world, but some of our favorites come from Canada. Great Canadian folk rock bands include The Tragically Hip, Great Big Sea, The Band, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, and Gordon Lightfoot. These artists have all helped to shape the sound of folk rock and make it the unique and powerful genre it is today.

Australia

Australia has always been on the forefront of creating new and innovative music, and folk rock is no exception. Some of the best Australian folk rock bands draw from traditional Celtic and English influences to create a sound that is uniquely their own. Here are some of the best Australian folk rock bands that you need to check out.

-The Waifs
-The bedouin soundclash
-The Lumineers
-Mumford & Sons
-Of Monsters and Men

Conclusion

Folk rock is a genre that combines elements of folk music and rock music. It originated in the 1960s in the United States and the United Kingdom. Folk rock sometimes uses traditional folk instruments like acoustic guitars, harmonicas, and violins, but it also often uses electric guitars, drums, and bass guitars.

The best folk rock music comes from all around the world. In Europe, you can find great folk rock bands like Mumford & Sons (England), The Paper Kites (Australia), The Lumineers (United States), and Of Monsters and Men (Iceland). In Asia, the Japanese band Kenshi Yonezu is one of the most popular folk rock artists. And in South America, you can find great bands like Azucena Maiz (Argentina) and Rodrigo Amarante (Brazil).

Whether you’re looking for upbeat tunes or mellow ballads, there’s a folk rock band out there that will suit your taste. So go out and explore the genre—you might just find your new favorite band!