Middle of the road
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- This article is about the radio format. For the Blur single, see "M.O.R." For the music group, see Middle of the Road.
Middle of the road or MOR is a broad term encompassing a number of musical styles. Not technically a genre in its own right, it was, and in some places still is, a popular radio format. Music classed as MOR is broadly popular in outlook, but not cutting edge; it is generally strongly melodic and frequently uses vocal harmony techniques and arrangements involving orchestral instruments. Such music is rarely (if ever) aggressive or abrasive. The Beautiful Music stations of the 1960s and 1970s can be regarded as a form of MOR radio, as could today's Smooth Jazz and Soft AC formats.
Some musical styles frequently included under the general heading of "middle of the road" include:
- Easy listening
- Traditional pop music of the pre-rock & roll era, or later recordings imitative of that style
- Orchestral ballads
- Songs from musical theater
- Light jazz
- Any music with a nostalgic feel.
MOR should not be confused with AOR (Album Oriented Rock).
[edit] Notable MOR musicians
Some artists whose work falls wholly or mostly into the category of MOR include:
- Tony Bennett
- Carpenters
- Nat King Cole
- Perry Como
- Kenny Rogers
- Bing Crosby
- Celine Dion
- Frankie Laine
- Melissa Manchester
- Barry Manilow
- Dean Martin
- Matt Monro
- Anne Murray
- Olivia Newton-John
- Patti Page
- Frank Sinatra
- Barbra Streisand
See also Traditional pop music; Adult Standards
[edit] Contemporary Usage
The term MOR has begun to be used derisively by more dedicated music (or specific genre) fans, towards artists who gain exceptional levels of success because of their trend towards tried and tested formulas of songwriting, or lack of innovative techniques. Basically it is an accusation of 'blandness.' Artists such as Westlife (by pop fans)<ref>http://arts.guardian.co.uk/christmas2003/story/0,,1100163,00.html</ref> or Train (by rock fans)<ref>http://www.nme.com/reviews/train/6019</ref> would generally be considered to fall within this category.
