When Brian Wilson recorded the 1992 track that satirised his mental decline
“Is it cool?”
Alternative Rock
Alternative rock is a broad rock music genre that emerged from the independent music scenes of the 1970s and 1980s before achieving mainstream success during the 1990s.
Characterised by its willingness to experiment beyond conventional rock music, alternative rock encompasses a wide range of styles, including grunge, shoegaze, Britpop, indie rock, dream pop and noise rock. The genre was popularised by influential artists such as R.E.M., Pixies, Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Radiohead and The Smashing Pumpkins, who challenged the dominance of mainstream rock with distinctive songwriting and innovative sounds.
Although highly diverse, alternative rock is united by its emphasis on artistic individuality and creative freedom. It remains one of the most influential and enduring genres in modern popular music.
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Influences way beyond the ‘alt-country’ world.
More About Alternative Rock
Alternative rock is a broad genre of rock music that developed from independent music scenes during the 1970s and 1980s, encompassing a wide range of styles including grunge, shoegaze, Britpop and indie rock.
Some of the most influential alternative rock bands include REM, Nirvana, Radiohead, Pixies, Sonic Youth, The Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam and Foo Fighters.
Alternative rock is a broad musical genre that includes many different styles, while indie rock originally referred to bands releasing music through independent labels before evolving into a distinct sound and aesthetic.