Modern "orchestra" rock?

[JeremyEritrea]

I just bought "Andorra" by Caribou from eMusic yesterday. It made me realize that there is an interesting trend in "alternative" music today, that of giant bands with huge numbers of musicians, choral backing vocals, unusual instrumentation, etc.

Sufjan Stevens, The Polyphonic Spree, and Caribou are three off the top of my head that seem to fit the broad category.

What's the deal?

[bmurphyfl]

Wait untill you hear the new Jens Lekman disc. It sounds like it was recorded with a full orchestra.

I think there's been a trend towards chamber pop, in general, and this is just going to the next degree. I'd argue that it's a reaction to the electonica movement in a contrarian nature.

[Crimen y Castigo]

I've called it "kitchen-sink" rock, of which Arcade Fire are ecstatically guilty, as are Broken Social Scene.

Coordinated chaos.

[JeremyEritrea]

I've heard the new Jens Lekman is excellent. I was kind of disappointed that it's not on eMusic yet.

And yeah, the Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene are two others that fit.

I'm not sure if I like the trend or not. It's almost starting to be a cliche. Back in the 70s, I used to like some "prog rock," like Yes, ELP, King Crimson, Genesis, Rush, etc. But at some point I just got sick of it and discovered the simplicity of the Ramones.

I'm not quite sick of this "kitchen sink" or "orchestra" rock, but I can see that happening if the trend keeps growing.

[Crimen y Castigo]

The new Lekman isn't released in the US until early October.

Murph just happens to spend alternate weeks in Gothenburg and Vermont.

[kopiteinkc]

Even the most recent Decemberists record has that feel too -- I term it Alt-Prog :)