Album-oriented rock

Album-oriented rock (AOR, originally album-oriented radio) is a radio format created in the United States in the late 1960s that focuses on the full repertoire of rock albums and is currently associated with classic rock. The format arose when American FM radio stations decided to play tracks by hard rock and progressive rock artists. In the mid-1970s, AOR was characterized by a layered, mellifluous sound and sophisticated production with considerable dependence on melodic hooks. By the early 1980s, research and formal programming had honed the format's commercial appeal, leading to tremendous popularity.