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| + | Alternative refers to a variety of music from the 1980s to present. Initially designed as the alternative to mainstream music (hence the name), alternative heavily popularized in the 1990s. Due to this, many underground rock fands turned to [[Indie]]. |
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| − | Alternative is essentially a catch-all term for post-punk bands from the mid-'80s to the mid-'90s. Though there is a variety of musical styles within Alternative, they are all tied together since they existed outside of the mainstream. In some ways, there are two waves of alternative bands, with [[Nirvana]]'s success in 1991 acting as a dividing point. In the '80s, most alternative bands were on independent labels; if they were on majors, they didn't receive as much support as most of the label's mainstream acts. During the '80s, alternative included everything from jangle pop, post-hardcore punk, funk metal, punk pop, and experimental rock. After Nirvana's popularity in the '90s, alternative included all of these subgenres, but many of the edges were sanded off because the music was now being marketed as part of the mainstream. Hard rock and punk-derived music were more commercially successful than the left-of-center pop that dominated late-'80s alternative, so alternative lost some of its quirkier tendencies in the '90s. Most experimental bands were relegated to indie rock. |
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| + | Alternative began in the eighties with bands like [[REM]] and [[U2]] providing underground rock among the mainstream [[New Wave]] and [[Synthpop]] artists. The popularity of [[MTV]] skyrocketed the genre's popularity. [[Nirvana]] brought [[Grunge]] into popularity with their breakthrough album [[Nevermind]]. |
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| + | During the nineties, alternative began to break into the mainstream, becoming more pop-oriented. Bands like the pop-punk band [[Green Day]] and [[Barenaked Ladies]] helped continue its popularity. |
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| + | [[Category:Genres]] |
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Revision as of 15:16, 22 October 2011
Alternative refers to a variety of music from the 1980s to present. Initially designed as the alternative to mainstream music (hence the name), alternative heavily popularized in the 1990s. Due to this, many underground rock fands turned to Indie.
Alternative began in the eighties with bands like REM and U2 providing underground rock among the mainstream New Wave and Synthpop artists. The popularity of MTV skyrocketed the genre's popularity. Nirvana brought Grunge into popularity with their breakthrough album Nevermind.
During the nineties, alternative began to break into the mainstream, becoming more pop-oriented. Bands like the pop-punk band Green Day and Barenaked Ladies helped continue its popularity.