[Western Music] Start with this one! Classic and popular songs of alternative rock

Active club DJkento
Active club DJ. With over five years on the front lines of the club scene, they freely cross over from dance music to US hip-hop and Japanese rap. Blending in their own edits with assured mixing, they craft a unique groove that captivates the floor.
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

Even for those who love rock, it’s not easy to succinctly explain what alternative rock is.

As rock history produced a variety of genres, the term “alternative rock” emerged as music that stood against the mainstream—an underground counterpart.

It might even be more accurate to think of it not as a genre, but as a musical attitude that the musicians themselves embody.

In this article, we’ve curated a selection focusing on iconic Western tracks from the 1990s—songs through which alternative rock upended trends across the global music scene.

If you’ve recently become interested in alt rock, be sure to check them out!

[Western Music] Start with this one song! Alternative Rock Masterpieces and Popular Tracks (111–120)

No One KnowsQueens of the Stone Age

Queens Of The Stone Age – No One Knows (Official Music Video)

No One KnowsQueens of the Stone Age

One genre that has been steadily growing in popularity since the mid-2000s is stoner rock.

It’s characterized by a gritty, grainy sound that overlaps with grunge and is sometimes described as “desert rock.” The undisputed kings of stoner rock are Queens of the Stone Age.

They’re a veteran band active since the ’90s, with a hard rock sound reminiscent of Led Zeppelin and a thick, sludgy groove that’s irresistibly addictive.

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Far From OverRev Theory

Rev Theory – Far From Over

Far From OverRev Theory

The song starts with a quiet guitar, then suddenly explodes into an intense alternative rock number with distorted guitars.

The vocalist’s singing ability is absolutely incredible.

On top of that, the melody is great, making it a track you can listen to all the way through.

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PlushStone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots – Plush (Official Music Video)

PlushStone Temple Pilots

Among the alternative movement of the 1990s, one of the bands that achieved particularly great commercial success was Stone Temple Pilots.

Their popularity in the United States rivaled that of Nirvana and Pearl Jam, and their first four albums in a row went multi-platinum.

After the departure and death of their original vocalist, Scott Weiland, they continued by welcoming Linkin Park’s Chester as their new singer.

Sadly, Chester also passed away, leaving their future uncertain.

Even so, I believe that STP, having overcome the turbulent waves of the alternative movement and the profound hardship of losing members, will surely rise again.

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Ready To Let GoCage The Elephant

Cage The Elephant – Ready To Let Go (Official Video)

Ready To Let GoCage The Elephant

The song is Ready To Let Go, included on the album Social Cues released in April 2019.

It’s their fifth album, following their huge success from the debut.

The track incorporates plenty of ’70s funk, giving it a nostalgic feel! They even won a Grammy in 2015, and with their current momentum, we can’t take our eyes off them!

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War of ChangeThousand Foot Krutch

Thousand Foot Krutch: War of Change (Official Music Video)

War of ChangeThousand Foot Krutch

It’s an upbeat alternative rock track by the heavy rock band Thousand Foot Krutch.

The song starts with a slightly wistful melody, but builds toward the chorus into something louder—catchy, melodic, and cool.

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In conclusion

Even if we look only at the masterpieces and popular songs born in the 1990s, when alternative rock sparked a major movement, their approaches and methodologies are remarkably diverse.

Perhaps alternative rock can be described as music imbued with a free-spirited ethos that can embrace any genre.

I hope this article serves as a gateway to the world of alternative rock, which continues to evolve in new forms even in the 2020s!