[Western Music] Start with this one! Classic and popular songs of alternative rock
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!
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[Western Music] Start with this one song! Classic and popular alternative rock tracks (11–20)
Guerrilla RadioRage Against The Machine
A defining characteristic of the 1990s rock scene was the active incorporation of sounds from other genres—such as hip-hop, techno, and jazz—into rock.
In particular, Rage Against the Machine pioneered rap metal by fusing heavy rock with hip-hop, and this genre dominated the rock world throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Where is My Mind?Pixies
Pixies are the band that could be called the kings of the alternative scene.
They’re indispensable, not least because of the massive influence they had on the bands that followed.
Kurt Cobain of Nirvana was a worshipper of Pixies, and he said he borrowed the dynamic of a quiet verse that explodes in the chorus from them.
Thom Yorke of Radiohead once said about his own band, “We’re just copying Pixies.” Naturally, a band that influenced so many others also produced a lot of great songs, and a particular recommendation is Where Is My Mind?.
The contrast between the wistful melody and the roaring guitars is especially striking.
SundaySonic youth
Sonic Youth, hailing from New York, can be called one of the bands that formed the very origins of the alternative scene.
Fusing art-pop and punk sounds that reflect the influence of their fellow New Yorkers The Velvet Underground, they created a singular musical style.
Though they were not a band that achieved massive commercial success, they had a profound impact on the scenes that followed and still reign as a group beloved by rock listeners.
This attitude—valuing the pursuit of musicality over commercial success—is the very essence of “alternative,” and the decisive difference from the mainstream.
Bullet with Butterfly WingsThe Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins—aka “Sma-pan”—achieved exceptional commercial success in the alternative rock scene of the 1990s and, despite repeated breakups and lineup changes, continue to be active even now in the 2020s.
Hailing from Chicago rather than the so-called Seattle scene, and with frontman Billy Corgan—who is of the same generation as Kurt Cobain—being a strong personality, the band often drew criticism from peers at the time.
Still, Corgan’s outstanding songwriting talent and the magnificent band ensemble that powers their sound are the real deal.
Among the many gems produced by the Pumpkins, whose strength lies in their stylistic breadth, this track is packed with the band’s core appeal as an alternative rock act.
If you think it’s cool, go grab the album right now!
1901Phoenix
This is a song whose appeal lies in its distinctive lyrics and catchy melody.
It contrasts past and present Paris, conveying the city’s transformations and a sense of nostalgia.
Characterized by heavy use of synthesizers, its energetic atmosphere is striking.
After being released for free on Phoenix’s official website in February 2009, it was included on the album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.
It gained recognition through extensive use in TV shows and commercials.
Recommended for those who want to reflect on urban life and the passage of time, this work—blending nostalgia with novelty—is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Best Of YouFoo Fighters
This is “Best of You” by Foo Fighters, led by Dave Grohl, formerly of Nirvana.
From the very beginning, Dave is strumming the guitar while singing, and he sings incredibly well.
It’s one of the classic songs of alternative rock—both heartrending and intense.
[Western Music] Start with this one! Classic and Popular Alternative Rock Songs (21–30)
Wonderwall (Remastered)Oasis
A song by Oasis, a British rock band that openly cites influences from classic British rock like the Beatles and The Who.
While it may seem like a simple track centered on acoustic guitar, it features an unconventional structure truly worthy of being called alternative rock, making effective use of Mellotron—an instrument that plays sampled sounds—to produce cello-like tones.
