It is the best of times, it is the worst of times, but above all is music. Defined in the 1980’s by punk-rock groups, which performed under independent record labels and promoted a completely subversive music genre full of contra-accords, melancholic, black verses and Indie sounds, alternative music has provided us with many commercially successful songs and groups.
To my view, the best alternative songs ever (in alphabetical order) are:
1. Bloc Party – Two More Years (single 2005): purely crystal punk rock sounds calling to mind the solid rock beauty of the 1980’s in the UK. Moody, yet powerful, Two More Years is a perfect pop song transformed into a melancholic alternative melody, which strains the mind and makes you want to dance.
2. Blur – Song 2 from the album Blur (1997): projecting a fearless melody, progressive sound and experimental mood, Song 2 is a profoundly creative song full of emotions and meaning.
3. Cure – A Forest from the album Seventeen Seconds (1980): the most depressing, yet defining sound of The Cure. Fading out in a bass-heavy lament, A Forest is the most recognizable song of the 1980’s, evoking emptiness and doubt.
4. Echo & The Bunnymen – The Killing Moon from the album Songs to Learn and Sing (1985) : reflecting the Liverpool sounds of the 1980’s, The Killing Moon is a solid, new wave sound.
5. Foo Fighters – Best Of You from the album In Your Honor (2005): pure rock alternative sound, consistently strong and memorable.
6. Good Charlotte – Dance Floor Anthem from the album Good Morning Revival (2007): punk-ska beats, furious guitar riffs and noisy grunge, combined with crystal, new wave vocals.
7. Kaiser Chiefs – Every Day I Love You Less and Less from the album Employment (2005): sharp sounds, reflecting London mainstream groups, Every day I love you and less is a pure punk rock song balancing love and hate.
8. Linkin Park – Crawling from the album Hybrid Theory (2000): solid grunge sounds, angry screaming, energetic guitars, awkward rhythms, and strike verses, representing new American rock.
9. Magneta Lane – The Constant Lover from the album The Constant Lover (2004): purely dark, garage sounds from Canadian rockers rooted in rock & roll, mixing punk with soft vocals and reverse guitar chords.
10. My Chemical Romance – Demolition Lovers from the album I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your love (2002): one of the darkest songs of alternative rock, Demolition Lovers brings together aggressive sound with introspective lyrics.
11. New Order – Bizarre Love Triangle from the album Substance (1987): a groundbreaking pop song, reflecting exactly how a punk rock band should perform. Rooting in the melancholy and self-distraction of Joy Division, Bizarre Love Triangle has philosophical lyrics, which affect the listener uniquely.
12. Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit from the album Nevermind (1991): the song that changed rock sound in the 1990’s and made alternative rock mainstream. The immense personality of Curt Cobain reflected in humongous guitar sounds and reminiscent screams.
13. Organ – Brother from the album Grab that gun (2004): a post-punk female band, significantly influenced by The Cure and similar bands, The Organ produce dark style melodies, accumulated in pop-infected sounds.
14. Placebo – Every you, Every Me from the album Without You I’m Nothing (1998): one piece of art, with strong lyrics, introspective sounds and reverse guitar riffs, logically extending the glam of the 70’s into a post-punk ambient.
15. Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Otherside from the album Californication (1999): describing the problems ex-drug addicts have with their prior addictions, Otherside encompasses consistently melodic guitar chords, lyrics and bass-lines.
