Alternative Grab Bag V – Part 2

Alternative had its moment in the sun just as I was entering college, and by the end of the century its usefulness to the music industry and mainstream media had run its course. Many of the so-called alternative artists who were inspiring my friends and me before there even was a thing called alternative music are still active today though there’s not much left for them to do except provide nostalgia concerts and maybe churn out a new song or two that sounds just like their old stuff. (No judgement from the Jean- I know these alternative artists have to eat, too, and a Pixies show is still on my bucket list.)

Keane

Alternative used to mean- if anything- bold, edgy, and uncompromising music, but like anything else the genre has become so mainstream and diluted as to have become golden oldies music for my generation (I mean, really, I’m digging Keane who might as well be easy listening music for graying Gen Xers). Heaven only knows what bold, edgy, and uncompromising music the restless teenagers of today have discovered. Are kids even rebelling with music anymore and spending nights alone in their bedrooms getting inspired by secret messages from the underground? I hope so. Here are some more of my favorite alternative songs including garage rock revival, old school punk, noise pop, ‘80s alternative, post-modern pop, alt dance, skate punk, and punk pioneers. Enjoy the alternative! 

Ween

01. X – “See How We Are” (1987)

02. Ween – “Stay Forever” (2000)

03. The Dead Milkmen – “The King in Yellow – William Bloat” (2011)

04. Ween – “What Deaner Was Talkin’ About” (1994)

05. Badly Drawn Boy – “You Were Right” (2002)

06. Ned’s Atomic Dustbin – “Grey Cell Green” (1991)

07. The Replacements – “Alex Chilton (Live)” (1989)

08. Keane – “Chase the Night Away” (2019)

09. Headless Heroes – “Blues Run the Game” (2017)

10. Lick the Tins – “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1985)

11. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – “Vanessa from Queens” (2003)

12. The Replacements – “Darlin’ One (Bearsville Version)” (1988) 

13. Tears for Fears – “Head Over Heels” (1985)

14. Superchunk – “Like a Fool (Acoustic)” (2019)

15. The Raveonettes – “Last Dance” (2009)

16. The Velvet Undergound – “I Found a Reason” (1970)

17. Pixies – “Catfish Kate” (2019)

18. Keane – “Silenced by the Night (Live)” (2019)

19. NOFX – “72 Hookers” (2012)

20. They Might Be Giants – “New York City” (1996)

Pixies

Listen to songs from the playlist on Spotify...  

 

Recommended Links:

Pixies: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert