[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! Classic and popular tracks of alternative rock (41–50)

To Here Knows WhenMy Bloody Valentine

My Bloody Valentine – To Here Knows When (Official Music Video)

To Here Knows WhenMy Bloody Valentine

One of the genres that was popular in the alternative scene of the ’90s was shoegaze.

The leading example is My Bloody Valentine.

Their music centers on a thick wall of noise that feels like it’s closing in on you, and the guitar sound of My Bloody Valentine’s guitarist, Kevin Shields, was especially beloved.

Their shows are said to hand out earplugs because the sound is so noisy that there’s a risk of “bursting the audience’s eardrums” (lol).

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RocksPrimal Scream

Primal Scream – Rocks (Official Video)

RocksPrimal Scream

A psychedelic rock band often compared to the Rolling Stones at their peak—that’s Primal Scream.

They’re a band that embodies the ’90s, expanding a diverse sound that flexibly absorbs not only psychedelia but also techno and jazz.

Their catalog spans many styles, but a standout recommendation is “Rocks,” notable for its irresistibly catchy chorus that sticks in your head after just one listen.

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GloriaThe Lumineers

The Lumineers – Gloria (Lyric Video)

GloriaThe Lumineers

This is the song Gloria by The Lumineers, a band from the United States.

They perform in the folk rock genre, which is still relatively unfamiliar in Japan.

The Lumineers had a major breakthrough with their 2012 release Ho Hey.

The vocalist, Wesley Schultz, has an unforgettable, wonderful voice once you hear it.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to while camping!

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High HopesPanic! At The Disco

Panic! At The Disco – High Hopes (Official Video)

High HopesPanic! At The Disco

It’s the song High Hopes by Panic! At The Disco.

Personally, when I first heard it, I thought it was a K-pop group’s song.

That’s how well-arranged it is.

The emotional melody that comes in partway really hits home.

Brendon Urie’s vocal performance, covering every part, is also a must-hear!

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DownfallTrust Company

TRUSTcompany – Downfall

DownfallTrust Company

This is “Downfall” by Trust Company, a band that plays heavy rock in the post-grunge vein.

The heavy guitar riffs are cool and melodic, with some shouts mixed in, making it fair to call this a very cool piece of alternative rock.

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