The 5 greatest alternative albums of all time: Who belongs?

Alternative. The loose category used to describe many different genres of music. Some of these genres may be heavily celebrated, while others may only be appreciated by a select few individuals. However, regardless of the name, all these "alternative" artists or bands have one definite thing in common. Regardless of h0w their music varies, they all stray away from the conventional. This genre is defined by it's rebellion from typical mainstream music, incorporating elements in music that would have been considered unorthodox in the past. However, the genre became quite popular overtime as more people came to appreciate it. The popularity of alternative music increased, and now the music industry is saturated with all kinds of alternative music.

However, the origins and specification of the alternative genre is not the main point of discussion in this post. This post dives into what truly makes music alternative by collecting a group of several bands that highlight the genre and serve as prime examples of the capability of this powerful music. Don't think of this list as a ranking, but as a collection of some of the most influential alternative bands of all time.

The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground was, in my opinion, the first true alternative band to ever exist. They were defined by their extremely unconventional and rough sound, often incorporating simple but odd features into their songs. When they first began releasing music in the 1960s, they failed miserably in the mainstream light. The sound they created was nothing like the other hit songs at the time. However, The Velvet Underground became a legendary underground band, many influential musicians list them as a great influence.

Pixies

No band captures the alternative sound in the same way that the Pixies do. When the Pixies began releasing and performing songs in the 80s, many listeners were not sure how to react. The Pixies raw, chaotic yet powerful sound was completely unalike any other up to that point in time. The influence of the Pixies was massive, as they paved the way for many grunge bands of the early 90s.

The Strokes

The Strokes took the influence of the Pixies and creating something truly groundbreaking. The refined Pixie sound appealed commercially quite well, and the strokes dominated the early 2000s. The Strokes influence can also be seen on almost any modern alternative or indie band of the last fifteen years.

Smashing Pumpkins

The Smashing Pumpkins were a sonic weapon that filled the grungy landscape of the early 90s. They possessed similarities to the average grunge band, but upon further listening one will realize the work of this band cannot be properly described in one genre. The gorgeous yet terribly ugly range of sounds this band produces takes the listener for an emotional ride that cannot be replicated.

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Nobody combined hard rock, funk, and blues into a genre like the Chili Peppers did back in their prime. Spanning all the way from the early 80s to now, this band has revolutionized their sound and created a massive brand with their efforts. They evolved all throughout their career and released a variety of alternative music that truly pushed the boundaries of the genre.

These bands paved the way for other bands to develop unique music that would stand out in the over saturated music industry.