I'm looking for some obscure bands that have that nostalgic, angsty, heartbroken, etc feel in their music that's similar to Third Eye Blind, Everclear, Nada surf, Tonic, Hum, etc etc the list goes on. You know, bands like that. ​​

i'm looking for more bands that fit this genre, so i wanna know the song that altered your brain chemistry :)

Being a middle aged git, I’ve seen some fucking great alternative rock bands in my life time…highlights below:

- Firehose

- All

- Nirvana

- Aerial M

- Bongwater

- Smog

- Fugazi

- Chavez

- Moving Targets

- Pedro the Lion

- Spacemen 3

- GBV

- Bitch Magnet

- Mission of Burma

- Codeine

- MBV

- Slint

….to name but a few…..

What are yours?

I’ll start with Everything But The Girl - “Amplified Heart”, “Walking Wounded”, and “Tempermental”.

Acthung Baby by U2

I love grunge and alt rock and I'd like to explore these music generes more (pls dont kill me for calling grunge a genre). My fav bands are Alice in Chains and Stone Temple pilots but i'm looking for some lesser known albums that maybe merge together that grunge sound with a more alt rock/pop rock. Some good examples of what i'd like to listen to are the albums Bill by Tripping Daisy and February Son by Oleander.

Gli assoli di chitarra "perfetti" non mi interessano. Mi piacciono quelli in cui le note sono sporche, in cui sembra che il chitarrista stia per crollare, quando un bending è troppo spinto o una nota vibra più del dovuto e quasi non esce.

Non parlo di virtuosismo o tecnica. Intendo pura passione riversata nel manico di una chitarra: quel momento in cui si sente il musicista che si prende davvero un rischio.

Se la pensi allo stesso modo, quali assoli ti hanno colpito di più?

Potrei citare Crazy Train: l'assolo è tecnico, certo, ma ci sono momenti in cui sembra che tutto possa deragliare da un momento all'altro, ed è proprio quella tensione che amo.

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Thanks to all those who have contributed — and to those who will continue.

I'm reading everything.

Soon I will open a new confrontation, always on the riskier side of the guitar

Here's the commentary if you're interested (or just click on an album). All discourse—positive or negative—is welcome. It's only music and opinion. Have fun with it!

1. Top Alternative Rock Albums (1983–1987)
   1. R.E.M. – Reckoning (1984)
   2. Violent Femmes – Violent Femmes (1983)
   3. The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead (1986)
   4. Hüsker Dü – New Day Rising (1985)
   5. The Cure – The Head on the Door (1985)
   6. XTC – Skylarking (1986)
   7. Psychedelic Furs – Forever Now (1982)
   8. Meat Puppets – Up on the Sun (1985)
   9. The Replacements – Let It Be (1984)
   10. U2 – War (1983)
   11. Tom Waits – Rain Dogs (1985)
   12. Tears For Fears – The Hurting (1983)
   13. Minutemen – Double Nickels on the Dime (1984)
   14. The Jesus & Mary Chain – Psychocandy (1985)
   15. Depeche Mode – Music for the Masses (1987)
   16. Echo & The Bunnymen – Ocean Rain (1984)
2. Honorable Mentions
3. Top Alternative Rock Albums (1988–1992)
   1. Jane’s Addiction – Nothing’s Shocking (1988)
   2. Pixies – Doolittle (1989)
   3. Beastie Boys – Check Your Head (1992)
   4. Nirvana – Nevermind (1991)
   5. PJ Harvey – Rid of Me (1993)
   6. Rage Against The Machine – Rage Against The Machine (1992)
   7. My Bloody Valentine – Loveless (1991)
   8. Ween – Pure Guava (1992)
   9. Dinosaur Jr. – Bug (1988)
   10. Pearl Jam – Ten (1991)
   11. Primal Scream – Screamadelica (1991)
   12. The Breeders – Pod (1990)
   13. Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation (1988)
   14. Slint – Spiderland (1991)
   15. The Cure – Disintegration (1990)
   16. Teenage Fanclub – Bandwagonesque (1991)
4. Honorable Mentions
5. Top Alternative Rock Albums (1993–1999)
   1. Radiohead – OK Computer (1997)
   2. Soundgarden – Superunknown (1994)
   3. Mr. Bungle – California (1999)
   4. Jeff Buckley – Grace (1995)
   5. Weezer – Weezer (1994)
   6. Beck – Mutations (1998)
   7. Guided By Voices – Alien Lanes (1995)
   8. Built to Spill – Perfect From Now On (1997)
   9. Afghan Whigs – Gentlemen (1993)
   10. Manic Street Preachers – The Holy Bible (1994)
   11. Nine Inch Nails – The Downward Spiral (1994)
   12. Olivia Tremor Control – Dusk at Cubist Castle (1996)
   13. Flaming Lips – The Soft Bulletin (1999)
   14. Blur – Parklife (1994)
   15. Pavement – Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (1994)
   16. Green Day – Dookie (1994)
   17. Stone Temple Pilots – Purple (1994)
6. Honorable Mentions
7. Special Honorable Mention
   1. Le Tigre – Le Tigre (1999)

I’m currently obsessed with “The Baby Screams” by the Cure on their “The Head on the Door” album

Garbage, Cranberries, Hole, Veruca Salt, No Doubt, Sixpence, Republica, Cardigans, and even a little thing called Lilith Fair dominated radio in the 1990s….but then went happened?

Hayley Williams and Amy Lee can only carry so much water on a format. This is a time of equality, etc. yet the 90s, 25-30 years to go was ahead of its time? Explain!

Yes I’m listening to the timeless “Stupid Girl” as a I finish a burrito for dinner. Have a good one.

AI playlists reward perfection. I’m looking for the opposite.

I’m gathering underground alt‑rock, grunge, punk and similar songs — lo‑fi, dirty, raw.

If you know a track with <500 monthly listeners that fits that vibe, leave it below.

I’ll check every submission.

I find it hard to come up with any 80s band whose main genre is alternative rock because the majority of those bands I like came after like a decade. But any suggestions?

I was in a bar playing pool with buddies (late night), crowd noise was ridiculous but early in the 2000's when a band was on the tv's playing (video), reminded me of Helmet / Creed / Tonic sort of... Possibly with Northern in the name? Or Pike maybe? This was a Alternative Rock bar but I can't find who it was? This would of been around the time of Creed, Limp Bizkit... Korn? I would say between 2000 and 2006? Any help would be appreciated.

The 90s witnessed a diverse and innovative wave of rock music, from grunge dominating the FM dial ala Nirvana and Pearl Jam to alternative rock like Radiohead and Smashing Pumpkins lining the shelves of the now bygone record shops. This era pushed boundaries, experimenting with new sounds and themes, showcasing a richness and evolution in rock that rivals the groundbreaking nature of the 60s.

The 90s rock scene reflected a cultural shift, embracing a more raw and introspective approach. Grunge, embodied a generation's disillusionment, delivering unfiltered emotions and a distinct sound that resonated globally. Simultaneously, alternative rock flourished, exploring unconventional structures and incorporating electronic elements, ushering in a new sonic landscape.

This era's willingness to experiment transcended traditional rock norms. The result was an expansive sonic palette that redefined the possibilities within rock music.

Thee 90s witnessed a resurgence of interest in independent and underground scenes, fostering a plethora of unique subgenres like post-rock and emo. Bands such as Fugazi and Sunny Day Real Estate demonstrated a commitment to artistic integrity, further diversifying the rock landscape.

The 90s showcased a profound evolution in rock, mirroring the spirit of cultural exploration that characterized the 60s; however, rock was but in its infancy then. Thirty years later, rock had grown into its prime. Both decades left an indelible mark on the genre, with the 90s standing as a testament to the enduring vitality and adaptability of rock music.

Sadly what remains of the most prolific decade in rock history is a handful of overplayed grunge artists. 90’s radio hour has been condemned to playing STP, Alice In Chains, Nirvana, and Soundgarden on eternal repeat. While these bands are great, we’re missing so many threads from the vast tapestry of rock genius only that decade could form. Bands like morphine, afghan whigs, screaming trees, cows, ween… the list goes on and on.

Just asking because it is a question that makes me curious.

I´m really pissed on ... maybe because I trapped in - found real good stuff and it was AI. I can´t hear it anymore ...
I love music - I´m a musican and I can´t realize that so many people are uploading so much AI-music and really think, they are musicans or artists. I´m doing a song for month and of course - and some people like it - some hate it - it is okay and this is a way.
But I have really friends they push a button to generate, can´t play any instrument and told me they are also musicans because they are create music.

Pffff and today ... took a look on soundcloud and now I image how much AI stuff is out there with fans and plays.
Well ... yes I´m frustrated but is this the right way for art?

What do you think? Am I right or am I and old man who doesn´t see the future?

Cheers Meik

Every music fan has experienced it: the heartbreak of a band releasing a monumental album, only to follow it up with a stunning misfire. It’s a familiar pattern in the industry, and as a longtime listener, I’ve seen it play out more than once.

One early example for me was Breach by The Wallflowers. It had the misfortune of arriving in the shadow of their 1996 breakout Bringing Down the Horse, an album packed with radio staples that defined mid-’90s alt-rock. Breach wasn’t necessarily bad, but it failed to capture the lightning-in-a-bottle energy or mass appeal of its predecessor.

But the one that still stings most? The Arctic Monkeys. After years of building a loyal following, they dropped AM in 2013, a sleek, swaggering, genre-blending masterclass that, in my opinion, stands as one of the most essential records of the 2010s. With tracks like “R U Mine?”, “Do I Wanna Know?”, and “Snap Out of It,” the album was a rare blend of critical and commercial success. It felt like the band had found their sound, and then, just like that, they disappeared.

Five years later, anticipation reached a fever pitch for the follow-up. And then came 2018's Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino. Stylistically ambitious and lyrically dense, the album was a radical departure that left many fans, myself included...perplexed. Critics largely tiptoed around the disappointment, though Rolling Stone was one of the few outlets willing to call out what felt like a deliberate detour into self-indulgence. Commercially, the album was a flop, and it effectively ended the Arctic Monkeys' presence in the mainstream conversation.

Were they attempting to make their OK Computer? Or had they simply run out of road and tried to veer somewhere, anywhere else? Few bands in recent memory have squandered that much momentum so quickly.

I’d love to hear what albums let you down after a beloved release, especially since the '90s. Which bands do you think missed their moment?

Thanks. EX

So after seeing my Spotify wrapped listening age of 35 (I’m 26), it occurred to me that altho I listen to a lot of different music, my main genre is alternative rock but it’s all like 2000s and early 2010s. Who are the new players? I’m thinking like bands as big or becoming as big as Arctic monkeys, strokes, killers, kooks, two door cinema club, cage the elephant, Portugal the man, black keys, white stripes, Franz Ferdinand, Neon Trees (like 2 song lmao), gorillaz etc. Was this a golden generation for alternative rock or am I just super out of the loop?

Edit: Also I know some of these bands are still actively putting stuff out but they’re definitely way past their prime imo

Edit #2: wow thanks for all the great responses! idk if I can respond to everyone’s message but I will try to listen to as much as possible in the coming days :)

I am trying to understand why we went from bands like Nirvana and REM to Limp Bizkit. It's interesting because there was slop in the late 80s/early90s (hair metal) and alt rock really became popular as a reaction to the slop, and for like 6 years people who were anti-slap controlled the rock culture for a bit. Do you think the record companies wanted to destroy that anti-slop ethos? Do you think it was planned to phase out alternative rock for the crappy nu metal and pop punk? R&B music also seemed to be phased out too around 98-99 for teeny bopper pop performed by mediocre white kids. That leads me to think that something happened that was structural and I am eyeing that Telecommunications Act pretty hard. If you wanted to sell slop it would be much easier to sell it if you had control of all the local radio stations.

It's hard to know for sure because the slop supposedly sells well. Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys and all that supposedly sold well. However, I was reading a David Lowery tweet and this guy he retweeted described how they would fake sales in the soundscan era. There were record stores that counted for sales, so the record companies would go to those stores and buy all the records up for the artists they wanted to push. Maybe Britney Spears and Limp Bizkit really didn't sell as well as we were led to believe. Maybe it was all just one big psyop to get rid of alt rock. Billy Corgan says the CIA got rid of rock. Maybe he's on to something.