The 100 Best Alternative Songs of the 1990s
The best alternative songs of the 1990s highlight the “golden age” of indie/alternative rock. Britpop, grunge, art rock, shoegaze, and more came to the fore.
alternative rock
Between the Grooves of Radiohead’s ‘The Bends’ at 30
Radiohead’s first musically important album, The Bends is 30. It’s where the group’s experimental inclinations initially took flight.
Coheed and Cambria Offer Fresh Ideas on Muscular Hard Rock
Coheed and Cambria are in a contemplative mood, but that doesn’t stop them from deploying their trademark intricate guitar riffs and catchy choruses.
Queens of the Stone Age Played Long Game with ‘Lullabies to Paralyze’
Circumstances surrounding Queens of the Stone Age’s ‘Lullabies to Paralyze’ forced the band to transition and double down on their iconic brand of alternative rock.
Cryogeyser’s Shawn Marom Goes Time Traveling
Alt-rocker Shawn Marom discusses Cryogeyser’s career-peak new record, which is a magical, heartfelt journey through grief and growth.
Bob Mould Wrestles with the Fascist State of the Union
Bob Mould’s reliably brilliant songwriting chops are in top form on Here We Go Crazy as he rages against fascism and shows how anger can keep us going.
Bob Mould’s Righteous Anger and Hope for the Future
Alternative rock legend Bob Mould returns with a very timely, politically-minded album, Here We Go Crazy, a spring tour, and chats about his musical work.
The Tubs Explore Love and Loss on ‘Cotton Crown’
The Tubs’ Cotton Crown deals with darker themes about love, loss, and failure despite their penchant for sunny jangle pop sounds.
Doves’ ‘Constellations For the Lonely’ Is a Bit Surprising
With Jimi Goodwin sitting out on some tracks, Doves create a familiar mood, even if they do not achieve the same level of greatness.
The Wombats’ Pair Less Polish With More Self Loathing
The Wombats’ Oh! The Ocean struggles with authenticity, balancing earnestness and self-critique, yet hints at untapped artistic potential.
Cryogeyser’s Memorable Heartbreak-Inspired Level-Up
Alternative rock’s Cryogeyser pour everything they have into this compelling, 1990s-influenced song cycle.
40 Years of the Cure’s First True Surrealist Pop Album
Forty-year-old The Head on the Door propelled the Cure toward arena stature with its musical cohesion and a collection of hallucinatory yet accessible songs.