[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 (31–40)

EvenflowPearl Jam

Pearl Jam – Even Flow (Official Video)

EvenflowPearl Jam

Hailing from the same Seattle scene as Nirvana, they are a quintessential alternative rock band that transformed the early 1990s music landscape.

Despite lineup changes, they are one of the few bands that have never disbanded and have continued their activities well into the 2020s.

Frontman Eddie Vedder—whose voice is often compared to that of Jim Morrison—was hailed, alongside Kurt Cobain, as a spokesperson for Generation X.

Yet, as you can hear in the classic Even Flow introduced here, early Pearl Jam in particular is characterized by a dynamic sound built around 1970s-style hard rock riffs.

It’s a track that captures this great American rock band in their youth, so be sure to crank it up loud!

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HurtNine Inch Nails

Nine Inch Nails: Hurt (live) (1995)

HurtNine Inch Nails

Among the figures often considered most important in the genre of alternative rock is Trent Reznor.

In recent years, Trent—now also renowned as an outstanding film composer—has continued to lead Nine Inch Nails, whose industrial rock–driven sound, intense stage performances, and intellectually introspective worldview have exerted immense influence on generations of artists.

Hurt, included at the end of their 1994 masterpiece The Downward Spiral, is a gem of a song that unfolds with a tranquil sound entirely different from the band’s typically hard-edged image.

That said, beneath its beautiful melody lies a painfully raw portrait of Trent’s inner landscape.

Take your time with it, and listen closely while engaging with the lyrics.

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Lo/HiThe Black Keys

The Black Keys – Lo/Hi [Music Video]

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.

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11 Minutes ft. Travis BarkerYUNGBLUD, Halsey

YUNGBLUD, Halsey – 11 Minutes (Official Video) ft. Travis Barker

11 Minutes ft. Travis BarkerYUNGBLUD, Halsey

This is the song 11 Minutes by YUNGBLUD, a rock singer from the UK.

It’s a collaboration with the charismatic pop singer Halsey.

His vocals, reminiscent of ONE OK ROCK’s Taka, have an edgy feel.

In fact, there are rumors that YUNGBLUD might be Halsey’s new boyfriend.

I’m curious where that will go, but in any case, their collaboration makes for a really cool track.

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Chlorinetwenty one pilots

twenty one pilots – Chlorine (Official Video)

Chlorinetwenty one pilots

The unintelligible lyrics make it pop in a way! This is “Chlorine” by Twenty One Pilots, an alternative hip-hop duo from the United States.

They won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.

The monster that appears in the music video is cute! I’m really looking forward to their future work.

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