A term that first gained currency in the late 2000s, Dad Rock began as an irony-laden put-down for younger acts that still adhered to the lessons and values of their guitar-toting predecessors from a previous generation. Yet for the songwriters and fans who still found plenty to discover and enjoy in heritage acts like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Bruce Springsteen, Dad Rock has become a badge of honor, one that’s proudly worn on denim jackets while their owners are out pushing strollers or attending Little League games. What’s more, many of the acts who fly those colors treat the canon as a springboard for their own explorations and innovations, whether it’s My Morning Jacket’s cosmic country, The National’s emotive and epic anthems, or Wilco’s ever-shifting take on Americana and more. Clearly, these dads still mean business.