I've always looked at Grunge/Alt as the Goldilocks goodness of the rock and roll genre. It's not to cold (early rock, Yacht Rock, 70's), not to hot (Metal, Death Metal, Hair Band) and not to emo (everything on the shelf today). It's just right.
Some people like to say that Grunge and Alternative rock are not the same thing, and I agree. However, they are certainly not two seperate entities either. I always considered Alt Rock as the little brother of Grunge, instead of a son or a cousin. They're almost the same but not quite. In this thread, I will highlight some of the bands, songs and performers I think stood out during (what I consider) the golden age of rock.
The Bands
Nirvana
Grandaddy of em all. Along with the song that kicked it off.
Nirvana--Smells Like Teen Spirit
Nirvana--Lithium
Nirvana--Heart Shaped Box
Kurt Cobain
Long celebrated for his off center and unique lyrics, Kurt Cobain has become one of rock and rolls biggest legends. One needs to go no further than the song Sliver to see how Kurt could turn a mundance and pointless topic into one of the best songs on the charts. An absolute master with words and the conveance of those words, understandable or not, makes Kurt one of the best Rock and Roll front men of all time.
Alice In Chains
One of the longest lasting and highest selling Grunge bands of all time, and my personal favorite.
Alice In Chains--Them Bones
Alice In Chains--Again
Alice In Chains--Man In The Box
Alice In Chains--Rooster
Layne Staley
Layne definitly had one of the defining voices of the generation. He would often double or triple the lyrics on a track to give an added effect to his already haunting voice. His voice is most definitly made the band spin and what helped keep Alice In Chains on top for so long. Layne also has the distinction of making massive progress in the area's of keeping up and comers off drugs by his death. Shortly after the next two video's were shot Layne was found dead in his hotel after OD'ing on several speedballs. A foundation to keep people off drugs has been founded in his memory.
Alice In Chains--Nutshell
Alice In Chains--Down In A Hole
Soundgarden
One of the powerhouse bands of the grunge era, Soundgarden proved to also be one of the most diverse.
Soundgarden--Black Hole Sun
Soundgarden--Superunknown--(NOTE: This was the only video I could find with the song.)
Soundgarden--Jesus Christ Pose
Chris Cornell
One of the most powerful voices in rock at the time and still today, Chris Cornell's vocal range was staggering. Combined with his incredible ability to write lyrics, compose amazing musical pieces and have the incomprehensible vocal talent to pull off literally any song, it is no wonder that Chris has lasted as long as he has and has obtained as much success as he has. He paired up with Audioslave in 2003 and after a very successful run with them, is now looking for new projects. Keep an eye out for Chris, you won't be disappointed.
Soundgarden--Loud Love
Pearl Jam
Considered one of the most influential bands of the 1990s. As of December 2006, Pearl Jam has sold over 31 million records in the U.S. alone. Pearl Jam is one of the few currently active bands from the alternative rock breakthrough of the early 1990s
Pearl Jam--Alive
Peaarl Jam--Better Man
Pearl Jam--Jeremey
Eddie Vedder
The definitive voice of rock in the 1990's, Eddie's talents both vocally and lyrically skyrocketed Pearl Jam to the top. After years of inactivity, Eddie showed once more in early 2006 that he still had it. I hope he keeps it. Eddies impeccable songwriting skills and near perfect performances made him one of the top lead singers of all time.
Stone Temple Pilots
Undoubtedly the band that made the bridge between traditional grunge and the newer alternative rock.
STP--Interstate Love Song
STP--Plush
STP--Sour Girl
Scott Weiland
Controversial and troublesome, everything that a rock and roll front man should be. Scott's unique style and voice bridged a gap between the older grunge and the up and coming Alternative rock, paving the way for more and more up and coming altrock bands to make their way. After launching STP into the rock and roll history books, he has now paired with Slash from Guns & Roses to form Velvet Revolver. With two rock and roll legends in the band, whats not to like?
Some people like to say that Grunge and Alternative rock are not the same thing, and I agree. However, they are certainly not two seperate entities either. I always considered Alt Rock as the little brother of Grunge, instead of a son or a cousin. They're almost the same but not quite. In this thread, I will highlight some of the bands, songs and performers I think stood out during (what I consider) the golden age of rock.
The Bands
Nirvana
Grandaddy of em all. Along with the song that kicked it off.
Nirvana--Smells Like Teen Spirit
Nirvana--Lithium
Nirvana--Heart Shaped Box
Kurt Cobain
Long celebrated for his off center and unique lyrics, Kurt Cobain has become one of rock and rolls biggest legends. One needs to go no further than the song Sliver to see how Kurt could turn a mundance and pointless topic into one of the best songs on the charts. An absolute master with words and the conveance of those words, understandable or not, makes Kurt one of the best Rock and Roll front men of all time.
Alice In Chains
One of the longest lasting and highest selling Grunge bands of all time, and my personal favorite.
Alice In Chains--Them Bones
Alice In Chains--Again
Alice In Chains--Man In The Box
Alice In Chains--Rooster
Layne Staley
Layne definitly had one of the defining voices of the generation. He would often double or triple the lyrics on a track to give an added effect to his already haunting voice. His voice is most definitly made the band spin and what helped keep Alice In Chains on top for so long. Layne also has the distinction of making massive progress in the area's of keeping up and comers off drugs by his death. Shortly after the next two video's were shot Layne was found dead in his hotel after OD'ing on several speedballs. A foundation to keep people off drugs has been founded in his memory.
Alice In Chains--Nutshell
Alice In Chains--Down In A Hole
Soundgarden
One of the powerhouse bands of the grunge era, Soundgarden proved to also be one of the most diverse.
Soundgarden--Black Hole Sun
Soundgarden--Superunknown--(NOTE: This was the only video I could find with the song.)
Soundgarden--Jesus Christ Pose
Chris Cornell
One of the most powerful voices in rock at the time and still today, Chris Cornell's vocal range was staggering. Combined with his incredible ability to write lyrics, compose amazing musical pieces and have the incomprehensible vocal talent to pull off literally any song, it is no wonder that Chris has lasted as long as he has and has obtained as much success as he has. He paired up with Audioslave in 2003 and after a very successful run with them, is now looking for new projects. Keep an eye out for Chris, you won't be disappointed.
Soundgarden--Loud Love
Pearl Jam
Considered one of the most influential bands of the 1990s. As of December 2006, Pearl Jam has sold over 31 million records in the U.S. alone. Pearl Jam is one of the few currently active bands from the alternative rock breakthrough of the early 1990s
Pearl Jam--Alive
Peaarl Jam--Better Man
Pearl Jam--Jeremey
Eddie Vedder
The definitive voice of rock in the 1990's, Eddie's talents both vocally and lyrically skyrocketed Pearl Jam to the top. After years of inactivity, Eddie showed once more in early 2006 that he still had it. I hope he keeps it. Eddies impeccable songwriting skills and near perfect performances made him one of the top lead singers of all time.
Stone Temple Pilots
Undoubtedly the band that made the bridge between traditional grunge and the newer alternative rock.
STP--Interstate Love Song
STP--Plush
STP--Sour Girl
Scott Weiland
Controversial and troublesome, everything that a rock and roll front man should be. Scott's unique style and voice bridged a gap between the older grunge and the up and coming Alternative rock, paving the way for more and more up and coming altrock bands to make their way. After launching STP into the rock and roll history books, he has now paired with Slash from Guns & Roses to form Velvet Revolver. With two rock and roll legends in the band, whats not to like?
Last edited by Cougar (2007-04-26 10:46:54)