[Western Music] Start with this one! Classic and popular songs of alternative rock

Hunger StrikeTemple Of The Dog

Temple Of The Dog – Hunger Strike

A track from the album Temple of the Dog by the Seattle supergroup Temple of the Dog.

Born from a project to mourn a departed friend, the song is said to portray discomfort with wealth and power, as well as the resistance of those who have none.

The soul-stirring duet between Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell and Pearl Jam’s then-unknown Eddie Vedder is overwhelming.

The way their voices intertwine feels like a raw cry of the heart against society’s injustices.

Released in 1991, the work later drew attention on MTV and became a big hit.

Why not experience the essence of grunge, which lays bare the turmoil within?

Where is My Mind?Pixies

“The Tale of Pupperoo” – An Original Silent Video for “Where Is My Mind?” by the Pixies

Pixies are the band that could be called the kings of the alternative scene.

They’re indispensable, not least because of the massive influence they had on the bands that followed.

Kurt Cobain of Nirvana was a worshipper of Pixies, and he said he borrowed the dynamic of a quiet verse that explodes in the chorus from them.

Thom Yorke of Radiohead once said about his own band, “We’re just copying Pixies.” Naturally, a band that influenced so many others also produced a lot of great songs, and a particular recommendation is Where Is My Mind?.

The contrast between the wistful melody and the roaring guitars is especially striking.

SundaySonic youth

Sonic Youth – Sunday

Sonic Youth, hailing from New York, can be called one of the bands that formed the very origins of the alternative scene.

Fusing art-pop and punk sounds that reflect the influence of their fellow New Yorkers The Velvet Underground, they created a singular musical style.

Though they were not a band that achieved massive commercial success, they had a profound impact on the scenes that followed and still reign as a group beloved by rock listeners.

This attitude—valuing the pursuit of musicality over commercial success—is the very essence of “alternative,” and the decisive difference from the mainstream.

Would?Alice In Chains

Alice In Chains – Would? (Official HD Video)

A song that epitomizes Alice in Chains, the band that took the world by storm with one of the heaviest styles in the grunge scene.

It’s a deeply introspective track that serves as a tribute to a departed close friend and questions those who judge others so easily.

The ominous bassline layered with heavy guitar riffs, along with the distinctive harmonies woven by the two vocalists, creates a visceral sense of urgency.

Released in June 1992 for the soundtrack of the film “Singles,” the track was also included on that year’s landmark album Dirt.

The album became a massive hit, selling over five million copies.

Its melancholic melody, shining through the raw edge characteristic of grunge, is also a major draw.

When you’re weighed down by helplessness or inner turmoil, why not immerse yourself in its sonic world?

Honey BucketMelvins

Melvins – Honey Bucket (Official Video)

This is a track from Houdini, the classic album released in 1993 by the American rock band Melvins, who are also known as pioneers of alternative rock and grunge.

Their sound blends the heaviness of sludge metal with the breakneck energy of punk—sheer sonic brutality.

The guitar riffs feel like they resonate directly in your brain, and the ferocious drum beats blow away the listener’s rational mind.

The lyrics are mysterious, made up of fragmented phrases, and the creators themselves have said they don’t ascribe a clear meaning.

That very elusiveness may be what sparks the imagination.

The album containing this track reached No.

29 on the charts, significantly boosting the band’s profile.

It’s the perfect song for when you want to empty your head and surrender yourself to the roar.

AlivePearl Jam

Pearl Jam – Alive (Official Video)

This song, whose raw sound carries an explosive, heartrending surge of emotion, is a masterpiece by Pearl Jam—one of the two titans of grunge alongside Nirvana.

Based on vocalist Eddie Vedder’s real-life experience, it portrays the despair and confusion of a boy who discovers the shocking truth about his origins.

The story of how a phrase that initially bore a curse-like meaning transformed into an anthem of hope through being shared with fans at live shows speaks to the power of music.

Released in July 1991 as the first single from the classic album Ten, the track was also featured in the video game Rock Band 2.

When life’s absurdities threaten to overwhelm you, listening to this song’s primal cry will gently accompany your tangled feelings and give you the strength to rise again.

Best Of YouFoo Fighters

Foo Fighters – Best Of You (Official HD Video)

This is “Best of You” by Foo Fighters, led by Dave Grohl, formerly of Nirvana.

From the very beginning, Dave is strumming the guitar while singing, and he sings incredibly well.

It’s one of the classic songs of alternative rock—both heartrending and intense.