[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! Classic and Popular Alternative Rock Songs (21–30)
Killing In the NameRage Against The Machine
Rage Against the Machine—aka Rage—shocked the music scene with a sound that fuses hip-hop, funk, punk, metal, and hardcore, and with raps that put their political convictions front and center, channeling unflinching anger at all forms of power and injustice.
Charismatic Zack de la Rocha’s vocals; Tom Morello, a Harvard-educated intellectual with an innovative guitar style no one else would conceive; Tim Commerford’s rock-solid, groove-forging bass; and Brad Wilk’s drums—together they create a sound only Rage can produce from a simple band lineup.
For anyone who wants to experience that unique sound, start with this one track.
You’ll understand that Rage’s fury still resonates—and remains effective—in today’s chaotic world.
Driving SouthStone Roses
This is a famous song by The Stone Roses, hugely popular in the UK, that even influenced members of Oasis.
With danceable drums and driving guitars, it’s an incredibly cool alternative classic.
It’s no surprise it had a massive impact on the British rock bands that followed.
[Western Music] Start with this one song! Alternative Rock Masterpieces and Popular Tracks (31–40)
One Armed ScissorAt The Drive-In
Lastly, let me introduce At The Drive-In, a post-hardcore band from Texas.
Their defining features are an explosive, barely contained intensity and a chaotic sound that seems to swallow up everything from punk to noise rock.
They later became the foundation for The Mars Volta, and their musicianship is exceptionally high.
Ace of SpadesMotörhead
It’s a feel-good track by Motörhead, a band you could call the original alternative rock group.
With its fast beat and sense of speed, it’s the kind of song that might make you accidentally drive a little too fast.
The raspy vocals are incredibly cool.
PainThree Days Grace
It’s a classic by Three Days Grace that plays a slightly dark, loud alternative rock.
The band is impressive and cool for powerfully and emotionally singing about loneliness, sorrow, and pain.
The backing sound is heavy and cool as well.
Lo/HiThe Black Keys
It’s a song called Lo/Hi by The Black Keys.
It’s short, but the fuzzy distortion and the languid vocals are as great as ever.
Their last release was the 2014 album Turn Blue.
This is their first new song in five years, and it really raises expectations for a new album.
Basket CaseGreen Day
A song by Green Day, a rock band formed in 1987 in California, USA.
With a simple three-piece lineup, each part stands out within the straightforward sound, making it easy to listen to and the kind of track that can hype up any rock fan.
Interestingly, the title of this song means “a person who is incapacitated,” but the music has a bright, uplifting vibe that blows away those kinds of feelings.
