How would you describe it?

[Ametrin]

How would you describe goth music [goth rock, darkwave or other related styles] to people who don't know it?
After having listened to a lot of goth rock I know and can recognize there's very typical sound and rhythm of the guitars... But how to describe and explain these music styles to people who never heard it? It's quite uncommon and unknown around here [people dressed in black, even if their style isn't very metalhead-like are just assumed to be fans of metal] and if I don't have the possibility of letting people listen to some song at the moment, I don't know how to explain it.  

[Necrodancer Ghost]

Yippee-yi-yay...

Two words ultimately sum it up for me: spooky and atmospheric.

...Yippee-yi-yo!
Ghost Riders in the sky!

 

[Teriyaki Tsubaki]

Deep. I feel like the voices and the instruments are a deeper sound  

[Xahmen]

Just hand them the NIN album "Pretty Hate Machine" and they'll get it.  

[Ametrin]

Ehh I don't think there are any similarities between NIN and goth rock.
But true about the tendencies to deeper and atmospheric sounds; this is frequent in goth bands, and sometimes spooky as well but not always [I would say spooky specially about the deathrock subcategory.]  

[BlutWolfV_V]

It is usually deep. Sometimes it sounds very relaxing though, I think.  

[Xahmen]

Luz Melian

Ehh I don't think there are any similarities between NIN and goth rock.
But true about the tendencies to deeper and atmospheric sounds; this is frequent in goth bands, and sometimes spooky as well but not always [I would say spooky specially about the deathrock subcategory.]

I take you've never actually listened to any of the lyrics on that album
Or even listened to that album.
Oh wait you're right it can't be gothrock, because NIN is actually good.  

[BlutWolfV_V]

Zahmen II

Luz Melian

Ehh I don't think there are any similarities between NIN and goth rock.
But true about the tendencies to deeper and atmospheric sounds; this is frequent in goth bands, and sometimes spooky as well but not always [I would say spooky specially about the deathrock subcategory.]

I take you've never actually listened to any of the lyrics on that album
Or even listened to that album.
Oh wait you're right it can't be gothrock, because NIN is actually good.

Can't we get along here?  

[Xahmen]

ChildoftheMoon14

Zahmen II

Luz Melian

Ehh I don't think there are any similarities between NIN and goth rock.
But true about the tendencies to deeper and atmospheric sounds; this is frequent in goth bands, and sometimes spooky as well but not always [I would say spooky specially about the deathrock subcategory.]

I take you've never actually listened to any of the lyrics on that album
Or even listened to that album.
Oh wait you're right it can't be gothrock, because NIN is actually good.

Can't we get along here?

I'm not entitled to my opinion?  

[Angel of the End]

He is entitled to his opinions, as well as to the right for him to contradict himself, or make rude and offensive comments at us as well as calling some of us female dogs. Since some people here do find him as entertainment, to avoid future clashes with this person, I from personal experience suggest, if you disagree with him, to remain mostly silent about it (or limit your number of responses).
Because, I mean, Heaven forbid we disagree with anyone here... amongst "ourselves", that is.

Just saying. ((p.s. I am not responding after this, so this is not a conversation, this is a statement. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to do some work, make some coffee, watch an injured puppy, and plan out the rest of my week. Maybe my tone would be a bit nicer if respect was mandatory on both sides here, instead of usually just favoring a one.))  

[Teriyaki Tsubaki]

I think that 'gothrock' is, personally, hard to really put a tag on because most people simply associate it with the fashion of 'goth'. Just like with pop music everyone has a different view.
I am guilty of tending to think of certain fashion styles so I have no room to accuse.  

[Necrodancer Ghost]

Teriyaki Tsubaki

I think that 'gothrock' is, personally, hard to really put a tag on because most people simply associate it with the fashion of 'goth'. Just like with pop music everyone has a different view.
I am guilty of tending to think of certain fashion styles so I have no room to accuse.

Yippee-yi-yay...

Gothic rock is a defined music genre.
Whether or not the fashion is associated with what have you by the mainstream media is completely irrelevant.

...Yippee-yi-yo!
Ghost Riders in the sky!

 

[Xahmen]

Angel of the End

He is entitled to his opinions, as well as to the right for him to contradict himself, or make rude and offensive comments at us as well as calling some of us female dogs. Since some people here do find him as entertainment, to avoid future clashes with this person, I from personal experience suggest, if you disagree with him, to remain mostly silent about it (or limit your number of responses).
Because, I mean, Heaven forbid we disagree with anyone here... amongst "ourselves", that is.

Just saying. ((p.s. I am not responding after this, so this is not a conversation, this is a statement. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to do some work, make some coffee, watch an injured puppy, and plan out the rest of my week. Maybe my tone would be a bit nicer if respect was mandatory on both sides here, instead of usually just favoring a one.))

 

[PetreyDish]

Angel of the End

He is entitled to his opinions, as well as to the right for him to contradict himself, or make rude and offensive comments at us as well as calling some of us female dogs. Since some people here do find him as entertainment, to avoid future clashes with this person, I from personal experience suggest, if you disagree with him, to remain mostly silent about it (or limit your number of responses).
Because, I mean, Heaven forbid we disagree with anyone here... amongst "ourselves", that is.

Just saying. ((p.s. I am not responding after this, so this is not a conversation, this is a statement. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to do some work, make some coffee, watch an injured puppy, and plan out the rest of my week. Maybe my tone would be a bit nicer if respect was mandatory on both sides here, instead of usually just favoring a one.))

Jung would have loved to study you.

Also, to answer the question, I'd have to say spooky as well. It also tends to sound aged, I guess. It feels weathered.