Library Rock's Backpages

More Than a Feeling: The 20 Greatest AOR Tracks of All Time!

Matthew Hamilton, Rock's Backpages, July 2009

Author's Note: I have found that most discussions of AOR get easily sidetracked unless it's made clear which definition of the AOR acronym we're using. The original meaning – "Album Orientated Rock" – tends to make people think of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. Whereas I'm going by the late '70s definition – "Adult-Orientated Rock", i.e. catchy, immediate, radio-friendly arena rock with heavy keyboards, restrained but melodic guitar, and passionate irony-free vocals of the kind made famous by Boston, Journey, REO and Foreigner. So here goes...

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Total word count of piece: 2989

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