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smart rock

a made-up categorization, term and catchword for multiple rock genres like psychedelic rock, experimental rock, prog rock, post-rock, space rock, art rock etc. (the same applies to metal genres) that tend to be more complex and diverse both lyrically, musically and technically than most genres of mainstream music, the lyrics tend to be more sophisticated and than your average pop song and common themes include:

philosophy, social criticism, psychology, politics, spirituality, poetry.

Although it is not uncommon for songs of these genres to be instrumental, as they are letting the music itself tell the story rather than vocals.

the music itself is more complex technically and longer and tends to focus more on the ambience (timbre) and technicality of the piece, rather than instrumentation and melody, although some genres are also known for being melodically and/or harmonically complex. Since this music is not intended to be mainstream, most of its listeners are a niche audience. So although "smart rock" is very good, not many people know it since it's usually anti-mainstream, but nonetheless it's still good music.

Although there are differences between those genres, the one similarity is that they all lean on experimentation and inventiveness.

Bands that could potentially fall into this categorization are bands like:
Tool, pink floyd, the doors, king crimson, porcupine tree, rush, radiohead, etc.
Dude 1: What music do you listen to?
Dude 2: Rock
Dude 1: Oh, you listen to AC/DC, Guns n'Roses, right? Maybe some Nirvana? Those are great bands man!
Dude 2: Nah, i'm more into psych rock, prog rock, you know all of those genres.
Dude 1: Oh, so you're into smart rock.
Dude 2: Yeah, man! (puts on headphones and listens to 35 minute prog rock track with 67 solos in one minute, talking about dragons and fantasy)
by Pajcho October 31, 2023
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teh rock

dwayne 'the rock' johnson but the 'the' is misspelled.
Person 1: which actor do you like the best?
Person 2: dwayne teh rock johnson
by SeaweedBrain69 October 14, 2020
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rick rocked

The opposite of rick rolled. Commonly associated with Rick Astley rock hit ‘Somebody Loves Me.’ This is in no way a trick and is the highest form of flattery know to man.
Steven sent an email the other day and I totally thought I was going to to get Rick rolled, but I totally got Rick Rocked. I never knew Steven cared for me so much.
by Toilet Pizza May 6, 2018
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River Rock

Illegal Mexican immigrants that drown trying to cross the Rio Grande river into the US
Cletus: I'm sick of those fucking river rocks coming and taking our jobs
Clint: Damn straight. Now pass me the chewing tobacco
by My_Real_Name_420 July 14, 2017
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pie as a rock

to be so fried that you cannot move. variations on rock can and may include stick, doornail, stump, rat and many others
dude.. im pie as a rock right now
by #@@@@@@ March 27, 2020
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jingle rock

Modern "Indie" or "rock" music that plays on commercials. Bands like Imagine Dragons, Capital Cities and Portugal The Man.
Jingle rock is another term for "Corporate Rock"
by fartfootnugent November 18, 2017
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Man Rock

A dime piece; A unicorn; A woman who is so gorgeous that you have to have her on your arm.
by dreamteamer November 13, 2011
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