Alternative
Noah’s Barks pages relating to the alternative music genre. Combine with other tags for subgenres, e.g. “alternative+rock.”
-
The Raconteurs – “Broken Boy Soldiers” (2006)
Broken Boy Soldiers has a lot of decent to good songs, but not enough great ones. “Steady, as She Goes” is an obvious winner. I also quite like “Hands” and “Intimate Secretary,” but the album gets tiring quickly. I suppose it’s a good thing it’s only 33 minutes total. Though The Raconteurs have some great… (read more)
-
My Bloody Valentine – “Isn’t Anything”
After years of small EPs, My Bloody Valentine release their first album and come out incredibly strong—if cold as ice. (read more)
-
Nirvana – “Nevermind” (1991)
Nevermind‘s praise is definitely deserved, as it contains some of the greatest pop/rock songwriting ever put to record. Any song here could be a single (except for the possible exception of the mellower “Polly”). Even better, the songs are backed by the authentic and relatable emotions of the depressed and alienated frontman and songwriter, Kurt… (read more)
-
Catherine Wheel – “Happy Days”
‘Happy Days’ is overly heavy, thick, generic grunge-y alternative rock. A gigantic step down from ‘Chrome.’ (read more)
-
Catherine Wheel – “Chrome”
Woah, Chrome is pretty fucking cool. Dissonant alternative rock/shoegaze that perfectly captures the aquatic, drowning feel of the album cover. Lyrics are dark, the melodies are catchy and enveloping. A real trip where every song is a stand-out. To me, Chrome is Catherine Wheel‘s greatest album bar none, and one of the best alternative rock… (read more)
-
Blur – “Blur”
“Beetlebum” and “Song 2” are really great songs, so what the hell happened to everything else on Blur? Sounds like they weren’t even trying with the rest and the album is just a vehicle for those singles. What if it is? What if all of it is bad, and I’m just fooling myself? What if… (read more)
-
Various Artists – “Rough Trade Shops: Indiepop 1”
Rough Trade are two independent record stores (Shops!) located in the UK. For a little over a decade now, these stores have compiled several albums of varying genres with song selected by the staff. Eventually, the record chain opened a label to their name, Rough Trade Records. Though typically a minor label, it was home… (read more)
-
Coldplay – “A Rush of Blood to the Head”
Coldplay have been the subject of some controversy amongst more devout music fans ever since their debut album Parachutes garnered them instant success. Despite global success with total album sales of over 55 million records worldwide and universal appeal, the band’s musical style has often been criticized for being unoriginal and derivative of their influences;… (read more)
-
Swervedriver – “Raise” (1991)
There’s good songs on Raise, but they’re severely weakened by some of the worst production of all time. Raise sounds like it was recorded inside of a tin can, and mixed with a mixing board also made out of tin cans. The vocalist sounds like he just got home after a hard day working at… (read more)
-
The Replacements – “Let It Be” (1984)
Let It Be is the weakest of The Replacements “power trilogy,” despite what its reputation may tell you. Too much of the band’s punk phase still lingers without the induction of power pop that earned them their alternative sound and much of their identity. Paul Westerberg’s vocals are rough and grating, and he carries a… (read more)