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

My WarBLACK FLAG

Black Flag – My War

When discussing the grunge and alternative boom of the ’90s, you can’t overlook the hardcore punk bands that supported the American underground in the ’80s just prior.

Chief among them was Black Flag.

In their early days they were a straight-ahead hardcore band, but on the album My War they shifted to a heavier sound that used hard rock- and metal-like guitar riffs and, compared to hardcore, featured somewhat slower tempos.

This album is often said to have had a major influence on the birth of grunge.

Are You Gonna Go My WayLenny Kravitz

Lenny Kravitz – Are You Gonna Go My Way (Official Music Video)

A song by Lenny Kravitz, an American singer-songwriter who also acts.

In Japan, it’s a track often heard in commercials and the like.

The guitar played in the intro, with pitch shifts and harmonized lines, is used through most of the song, and the drums keep a steady on-the-beat pattern, making it an irresistibly groovy number that naturally gets your body moving.

BlackPearl Jam

Pearl Jam – Black

Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Stone Temple Pilots.

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Many of the popular bands that emerged from the alternative movement of the ’90s were forced to disband or go on hiatus following the death of a member.

In the midst of that, the one band that can truly be said to have continued steadily is Pearl Jam.

They weathered the shifting scene and kept working consistently, and today they’re often regarded as a band that represents America.

Musically, among the grunge scene, their sound leans closer to rock ’n’ roll, and they command a wide range of expression—from aggressive sounds to the calm, seasoned music befitting veterans.

still feel.half•alive

half•alive – still feel. [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

“Still Alive” is a song by half•alive, an alternative rock band from California.

Its funkiness could even give Daft Punk a run for their money.

Above all, the music video is incredibly cool, showcasing unique, highly expressive dance.

They’re not just great dancers—their outstanding vocal ability shows they’re a truly versatile band.

Only Happy When It RainsGarbage

Garbage – Only Happy When It Rains

A 90s masterpiece where irony meets innovation.

Cut from Garbage’s self-titled debut album, released in August 1995, this single is marked by self-deprecating lyrics about only feeling happy when it rains.

While parodying the moody alternative rock that was in vogue at the time, it breathed new life into the music scene with a unique sound that fused electronica and rock.

Formed in Wisconsin, the band saw their profile rise when the music video was selected for MTV’s Buzz Bin, and the track stayed on the charts for 20 weeks.

It’s the perfect song for spending a rainy day alone or when you’re feeling nostalgic for the glittering alternative scene of the 90s.

OneU2

U2 – One (Official Music Video)

A song by U2, the Irish band that holds the record for the most Grammy Awards won by a group.

With a floating, atmospheric quality that conjures up images of Nordic scenery, its structure builds gradually from the opening to the latter half, giving the listener a sense of exhilaration.

It’s a track that showcases the band’s alternative presence, proving that rock isn’t defined by intensity alone.

RocksPrimal Scream

Primal Scream – Rocks (Official Video)

A psychedelic rock band often compared to the Rolling Stones at their peak—that’s Primal Scream.

They’re a band that embodies the ’90s, expanding a diverse sound that flexibly absorbs not only psychedelia but also techno and jazz.

Their catalog spans many styles, but a standout recommendation is “Rocks,” notable for its irresistibly catchy chorus that sticks in your head after just one listen.