Alternative music has changed a lot from the 90s when alt rock became all the rage around the world. Bands such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, U2, Green Day, Soundgarden, Nirvana, Jane’s Addiction, Radiohead, and many others blasted their way into the public consciousness and made alternative rock what it is today. Today’s alternative artists are different in may ways but also essentially the same.
What is alternative rock? Alternative rock is now so mainstream that to even continue to call it “alternative” is a misnomer. Alternative rock replaced the Arena Rock bands of the 70s and 80s like Guns ‘N Roses, Cheap Trick, Def Leppard, Poison, and other big hair bands. Alternative rock was more about the lyrics and the melody and not so much about pounding, driving beats and anthems. Many young people rebelled against the corporate arena rock titan bands that ruled the airwaves and wanted to hear more introspective songs that mirrored more closely their own real lives. Identifying with the lyrics and zoning out on the melodies was what these kids wanted and in fact, alternative artists began to appeal to all ages in a way that arena rock never did.
Today’s alternative artists include such stars as John Mayer with his bluesy guitar riffs and sexy voice. Mayer’s style came from listening to other artists like Chris Isaak, though he would probably never admit it. Jack Johnson is in the same basic vein, albeit with a more tropical twist. These guys owe a lot of their success to artists such as Joe Jackson, Boz Scaggs, and Van Morrison.
None of the alternative artists owes as much to Van Morrison as the Counting Crows. The Counting Crows from Berkeley, California first exploded onto the alternative rock music scene with their album “August and Everything After” which was produced by the great T-Bone Burnett. The hit song “Mr. Jones” is still a fan favorite around the globe and can be heard on radio stations and nightclubs everywhere.
Some of the great alternative artists of today are bands like Kaiser Chief, who had breakaway alt hits with songs such as “Ruby” and “Everyday I Love You Less and Less”. The Bravery is in the same vein, though they hail from the East Coast and not from England like the Kaiser Chiefs. The Bravery’s huge hits include “Believe” and “Time Won’t Let Me Go”. Another great alternative band that is rocking today is Interpol. Their brand of non-conformist rock is getting more and more airplay. Deathcab for Cutie is another of today’s awesome alternative artists that are just coming into their own with songs like “Soul Meets Body” and “I Will Follow You Into the Dark”. The Killers have taken alternative charts by storm since they first came out with “Mr. Brightside” and are still going strong. Franz Ferdinand scored big among alternative artists with their monster hit “Take Me Out”. Modest Mouse is one of the newer American bands still coming up in the alternative rankings.
All in all, this is a great time for alternative artists and rock music in general. We are lucky to be able to listen to these fantastic musicians on a daily basis. Who said rock was deadWhat is today’s alternative rock? Alternative rock is now so mainstream today that to continue to call it “alternative” is a misnomer. Alternative rock replaced the Arena Rock bands of the 70s and 80s like Guns ‘N Roses, Cheap Trick, Def Leppard, Poison, and other big hair bands. Alternative rock was more about the lyrics and the melody and not so much about pounding, driving beats and anthems. Many young people rebelled against the corporate arena rock titan bands that ruled the airwaves and wanted to hear more introspective songs that mirrored more closely their own real lives. Identifying with the lyrics and zoning out on the melodies was what these kids wanted and in fact, alternative artists began to appeal to all ages in a way that arena rock never did.Alternative music has changed a lot from the 90s when alt rock became all the rage around the world. Bands such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, U2, Green Day, Soundgarden, Nirvana, Jane’s Addiction, Radiohead, and many others blasted their way into the public consciousness and made alternative rock what it is today. Today’s alternative artists are different in may ways but also essentially the same.
Today’s alternative artists include such stars as John Mayer with his bluesy guitar riffs and sexy voice. Mayer’s style came from listening to other artists like Chris Isaak, though he would probably never admit it. Jack Johnson is in the same basic vein, albeit with a more tropical twist. These guys owe a lot of their success to artists such as Joe Jackson, Boz Scaggs, and Van Morrison.
None of the alternative artists owes as much to Van Morrison as the Counting Crows. The Counting Crows from Berkeley, California first exploded onto the alternative rock music scene with their album “August and Everything After” which was produced by the great T-Bone Burnett. The hit song “Mr. Jones” is still a fan favorite around the globe and can be heard on radio stations and nightclubs everywhere.
Some of the great alternative artists of today are bands like Kaiser Chief, who had breakaway alt hits with songs such as “Ruby” and “Everyday I Love You Less and Less”. The Bravery is in the same vein, though they hail from the East Coast and not from England like the Kaiser Chiefs. The Bravery’s huge hits include “Believe” and “Time Won’t Let Me Go”. Another great alternative band that is rocking today is Interpol. Their brand of non-conformist rock is getting more and more airplay. Deathcab for Cutie is another of today’s awesome alternative artists that are just coming into their own with songs like “Soul Meets Body” and “I Will Follow You Into the Dark”. The Killers have taken alternative charts by storm since they first came out with “Mr. Brightside” and are still going strong. Franz Ferdinand scored big among alternative artists with their monster hit “Take Me Out”. Modest Mouse is one of the newer American bands still coming up in the alternative rankings.
All in all, this is a great time for alternative artists and rock music in general. We are lucky to be able to listen to these fantastic musicians on a daily basis. Who said rock was dead?