Alternative rock (also called alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative) is a genre of rock music that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular in the 1990s and 2000s. In this instance, the word “alternative” refers to the genre’s distinction from mainstream rock music. The term’s original meaning was broader, referring to a generation of musicians unified by their collective debt to either the musical style or simply the independent, D.I.Y. ethos of punk rock, which in the late 1970s laid the groundwork for alternative music. At times, “alternative” has been used as a catch-all description for music from underground rock artists that receives mainstream recognition, or for any music, whether rock or not, that is seen to be descended from punk rock (including some examples of punk itself, as well as new wave, and post-punk).
Alternative rock is a broad umbrella term consisting of music that differs greatly in terms of its sound, its social context, and its regional roots. By the end of the 1980s magazines and zines, college radio airplay, and word of mouth had increased the prominence and highlighted the diversity of alternative rock, helping to define a number of distinct styles (and music scenes) such asgothic rock, jangle pop, noise pop, indie rock, indie pop, grunge, industrial rock, alternative hip hop, and rap rock. Most of these subgenres had achieved minor mainstream notice and a few bands representing them, such as Hüsker Dü and R.E.M., had even signed to major labels. But most alternative bands’ commercial success was limited in comparison to other genres of rock and pop music at the time, and most acts remained signed to independent labels and received relatively little attention from mainstream radio, television, or newspapers. With the breakthrough of Nirvana and the popularity of the grunge and Britpop movements in the 1990s, alternative rock entered the musical mainstream and many alternative bands became successful.
By the end of the decade, alternative rock’s mainstream prominence declined due to a number of events that caused grunge and Britpop to fade and led to the hiatus of the Lollapalooza festival. Nevertheless, post-grunge remained commercially viable into the start of the 21st century, with the commercial success of Creed and Matchbox Twenty; Radiohead‘s critical acclaim, and the success of some post-Britpop groups like Coldplay. Emo attracted attention in the larger alternative rock world, and the term was applied to a variety of artists, including multi-platinum acts. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, several alternative rock bands emerged, including The White Stripes, The Strokes, Arcade Fire, Franz Ferdinand, and Interpol, that drew from post-punk and new wave. Post-punk revival artists such as Modest Mouse and The Killers had commercial success in the early and mid 2000s.
Newest Alternative Albums & Song Releases
Billy Talent
Afraid Of Heights
The EndReleased 07/29/16
Velvet Crush
Pre-Teen Symphonies
OmnivoreReleased 07/22/16
Good Charlotte
Youth Authority
MDDN/KobaltReleased 07/15/16
Biffy Clyro
Ellipsis
Warner Bros.Released 07/08/16
Switchfoot
Where The Light Shines Through
VanguardReleased 07/08/16
The Rave-Ups
Town & Country (Expanded Reissue)
OmnivoreReleased 07/08/16
Bat For Lashes
The Bride
Warner Bros.Released 07/01/16
Blink-182
California
BMGReleased 07/01/16
Augustines
This Is Your Life
PIAS AmericaReleased 06/24/16
The Bangles
Ladies And Gentlemen…The Bangles! (Reissue)
OmnivoreReleased 06/24/16
Misfits
Friday The 13th (EP)
MisfitsReleased 06/17/16
SWANS
The Glowing Man
Virtual Label Group/Young GodReleased 06/17/16
They Might Be Giants
Phone Power
IdlewildReleased 06/10/16
10,000 Maniacs
Playing Favorites
OmnivoreReleased 06/03/16
Imagine Dragons
Smoke + Mirrors Live (DVD+CD)
Eagle RockReleased 06/03/16
The Kills
Ash & Ice
DominoReleased 06/03/16
Beth Orton
Kidsticks
ANTI-Released 05/27/16
Real Friends
The Home Inside My Head
FearlessReleased 05/27/16
Summer Cannibals
Full Of It
Kill Rock StarsReleased 05/27/16
Suns Of Thyme
Cascades
NapalmReleased 05/27/16
Saosin
Along The Shadow
EpitaphReleased 05/20/16
Donots
¡CARAJO!
OK! GoodReleased 05/13/16
Nothing
Tired Of Tomorrow
RelapseReleased 05/13/16
Pierce The Veil
Misadventures
FearlessReleased 05/13/16
Holy White Hounds
Sparkle Sparkle
Razor & TieReleased 05/06/16
The Virginmarys
Divides
Wind-UpReleased 05/06/16
White Lung
Paradise
DominoReleased 05/06/16
Candlebox
Disappearing In Airports
PavementReleased 04/22/16
7Horse
Livin’ In A Bitch Of A World
CENReleased 04/15/16
The Hellflowers
Come On Let’s Dance (EP)
Hellflowers MusicReleased 04/15/16
The Dandy Warhols
Distortland
Dine AloneReleased 04/08/16
Smile Empty Soul
Shapeshifter
PavementReleased 04/01/16
Enrique Bunbury
El Camino Mas Largo (DVD)
Eagle RockReleased 03/25/16
Plague Vendor
Bloodsweat
EpitaphReleased 03/25/16
Iggy Pop
Post Pop Depression
Loma VistaReleased 03/18/16
Soul Asylum
Change Of Fortune
Entertainment OneReleased 03/18/16
RNDM
Ghost Riding
Dine AloneReleased 03/04/16
Violent Femmes
We Can Do Anything
PIAS AmericaReleased 03/04/16
Wintersleep
The Great Detachment
Dine AloneReleased 03/04/16
Colours
Ivory
VictoryReleased 02/26/16
Santigold
99¢
AtlanticReleased 02/26/16
Wakey Wakey
Overreactivist
The EndReleased 02/26/16
Dr. Dog
The Psychedelic Swamp
ANTI-Released 02/05/16
Game Theory
Lolita Nation (Expanded Reissue)
OmnivoreReleased 02/05/16
John Cale
Music For A New Society/M:FANS
DominoReleased 02/05/16
MONEY
Suicide Songs
Bella UnionReleased 01/29/16
Night Beats
Who Sold My Generation
PIAS AmericaReleased 01/29/16
Savages
Adore Life
MatadorReleased 01/22/16
The Jam
About The Young Idea + Rockpalast (DVD)
Eagle RockReleased 01/22/16
Crippled Black Phoenix
New Dark Age
Season Of MistReleased 01/08/16
The Music Enthusiasts 