Hobbit Rock

Hobbit Rock is term used to refer to late '60s and early-to-mid '70s prog rock, or most any music group that includes fantasy, fairy tale, medieval and related lyrics, imagery or sounds. Many songs and/or albums by Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, Yes, King Crimson, Rush, Gentle Giant and others. The music is characterized by rapid tempo changes, rushed flourishes, folky breaks, long solos, exuberant stage sets and costumery, and instruments such as lutes, flutes, glockenspiels, pipes and crumhorns; i.e. a perfect expression of goofy 1970s rock excesses. While technically proficient and rather endearing as a time capsule, most of the bands associated with Hobbit Rock went downhill by the 1980s and suffered from weak songwriting and regrettable production values shared by other contemporary acts, such as stereotypical '80s-era guitar and drum effects. Hobbit Rock was especially popular in Italy, and enjoyed enduring popularity with nerds and libertarians.