Alternative Rock

Born in the underground, forged in distortion

What is Alternative Rock?

A rebellion carved in distortion, where sonic grit meets the poetry of the disenchanted.

Definition

Alternative Rock, emerging from the underground indie scene in the 1980s, is a genre defined by its rebellion against mainstream musical norms. Initially associated with non-commercial labels and anti-establishment attitudes, it prioritized artistic authenticity over mass appeal. The genre gained mainstream traction in the 1990s through bands like Nirvana, yet retained its name as a legacy of its "alternative" ethos. Key traits include experimental guitar textures, subversive lyrics, and a defiant stance on social issues.

Grunge

Britpop

Shoegaze

Dream Pop

Bands

Nirvana

Alice in Chains

Soundgarden

Pearl Jam

The Sound of Seattle's Rebellion

Grunge is a raw, distorted rock subgenre born in the late 1980s in Seattle, blending punk’s aggression with metal’s heaviness. It became a cultural movement, defined by its anti-mainstream ethos and gritty aesthetic.

Grunge

Albums

Album Recommendations

《Bleach》

The debut album of

Nirvana

vividly showcases its early raw, wild, and unrestrained style, which is considered by many fans to be the most quintessentially "grunge" album of the band. This album garnered significant acclaim within the underground rock scene in the United States at the time.

《Ten》

Also belonging to the grunge genre,

Pearl Jam

's album differs from Nirvana's "Nevermind" by incorporating a stronger blues influence. Its melancholic yet sharp grunge style sparked a new wave at the time, making it the best-selling album in the grunge scene.

《Live Through This》

HOLE

's album Live Through This stands as a defining masterpiece of the grunge era, blending raw emotional intensity with sharp, unapologetic lyricism. Released in 1994, it captures the band's signature mix of punk aggression and melodic sensibility.

《Superfuzz Bigmuff》

Mudhoney'

s *Superfuzz Bigmuff* is a seminal EP that defined the early grunge sound. Released in 1988, it blends raw, distorted guitars with psychedelic punk energy, creating a gritty, high-energy vibe.

The Sound of British Revival

Britpop, a 1990s UK rock subgenre, fused 1960s British melodies with punk energy. Celebrating British identity, it countered grunge with optimism and catchy, guitar-driven anthems.

Britpop

Bands

Oasis

Blur

Pulp

Suede

Albums

Album Recommendations

Come and See

Songs of a Lost World

The debut album by the Dublin-based band GURRIERS, this could be the best POST PUNK album in the peninsula this year.

The legendary band THE CURE has finally released a new album after sixteen years. ROBERT SMITH pours his current thoughts on parting and death into the album, and he has not lost his ability to write melodies. It is still a substantial album.

This guitar rock band from Dublin has transformed from a newcomer into one of the hottest star bands on the British Isles. After signing with the new company XL and releasing their fourth album.

The Sound of Dreamy Reflections

Shoegaze, a late 1980s UK rock subgenre, blended ethereal melodies with walls of sound created by layers of distorted guitars and effects pedals. Celebrating introspection and sonic landscapes, it countered the era's prevailing trends with a dreamlike atmosphere and immersive, guitar-driven textures.

Shoegaze

Band Members

Bands

The Raveonettes

An indie band from Denmark, consists of two member. They create a powerful wall of sound by blending their vocals and incorporating sharp guitar noise. Their lyrics are haunting, aloof, and lonely, resembling lyrical poetry in the dark.

Honeydip

Honeydip is a band formed in 1995, known for their unique worldview centered around "Pop." They are particularly renowned for their live performances, which oscillate between "depth and cosmos, melancholy and euphoria."

My Bloody Valentine

Founded in 1983 in Dublin, the band is known for their discordant guitars, ethereal vocals, and unconventional production techniques, helping to pioneer the shoegaze genre.

Slowdive

The distinct difference between SLOWDIVE and other shoegaze bands of the same era lies in their unique style and impact. SLOWDIVE has left a legacy spanning only about six years. However, within these six years, they witnessed the rise and fall of the shoegaze genre.

Lush

Lush excels at blending vocals with instruments, and lead singer Miki Berenyi's voice is sweet yet unpretentious, giving listeners a feeling of being in a fairyland. This unique style sets Lush apart from others on the 4AD record label.

Portable Audio Science

Honeydip

Sugar for the Pill

Slowdive

Loveless

My bloody valentine

Darklands

the Jesus and Mary Chain

Shalala

Moses Gunn Collective

Cocteau Twins

Beach House

Galaxie 500

Mazzy Star

A Serenade to the Sublime

Dream Pop, a mesmerizing genre that emerged in the 1980s, weaves ethereal vocals with lush, atmospheric soundscapes, crafting a sonic experience that feels both intimate and expansive. Rooted in the fusion of shimmering guitars, reverb-drenched melodies, and introspective lyrics, Dream Pop invites listeners into a world of emotional depth and sonic beauty.

Dream Pop

Why is dream pop so special?

Sound Characteristics: heavy reverb, layered sounds

Melody and Harmony: use simple yet catchy melodies alongside complex harmonic structures

Lyrics: focus on personal emotions, dreams, and fantasies

Rhythm and Beat: focuses on creating a sense of space

Production Techniques: utilize studio techniques to craft

Milk & Kisses

Cocteau Twins

Bloom

Beach House

浮躁

Faye Wang

On Fire

Galaxie 500

Lesser Matters

The Radio Dept

Alternative Rock?

The introduction is over,

now let's enjoy the music!