What is alternative rock an alternative to?

Question

"What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" is a song by the American alternative rock group R.E.M.

but what are REM an alternative to? Obviously they are an alternative to other bands, they are an alternative to Led Zeppelin, by virtue of being a different band. In that case Led zeppelin are an alternative band to REM, so are they 'alternative' as well. If all bands are alternative to each other, then they are all alternative so there is no alternative.

see the describtion 'alternative rock' was not thought through by anyone, as err.., intelligent as I am.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What%27s_the_Frequency,_Kenneth%3F

Answer 1

You are, of course, right. The term is relatively meaningless. I take it that the term "alternative" can only be used of branches of music, medicine, religion etc that are relatively unknown and unpopular. In other words it is the alternative to the "main stream". However, in time, the "main stream" becomes less popular, the alternative becomes mainstream, and another kind of music, medicine, religion has to be invented. It begins as "underground" - before anyone has heard of it. Then it may be lucky enough to become alternative, if it is even luckier, it will then become mainstream........



It's all a process of evolution.

Answer 2

Alternative rock started out as backlash to all the dumb, meaningless "hair" metal rock of the 80s. Bands that aimed for intelligent lyrics and good music, like Pearl jam, Nirvana, REM, soundgarden, RHCP, Rage, etc etc, they were different and now they've sort of become a genre of their own, despite being obviously very different to each other.



Now any band that sounds a bit like any of them is called alternative..

Answer 3

It means alternative to mainstream rock. Alternative and Indie music are often grouped together and both are supposed to be non-mainstream but some of the biggest bands around are indie and alternative now, so it's kind of become meaningless.

Answer 4

Linkin Park

Answer 5

Hyperbole, Deighton, thought up by overpaid advertising agents intent on a cut.

It's like saying alternative pop. Not quite like alternative medicine.

Answer 6

It's an Alternative to the general crap played by most Radio stations.

Answer 7

alternative usually means not as hardcore, or a little more pop added to it. they may want the words to mean more than the guitar solos and great band. a lot of christian rock bands consider themselves "alternative" e.g. lifehouse, reliant k, switchfoot

Answer 8

I don't think that by any stretch of the immagination that you could call REM alternative rock.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn0PVZtvpgE&feature=related

Answer 9

No you are right. It is a rubbish term that means nothing thought up by some music media hack.

Answer 10

are you trying to find a logical definition of popular musical terms?



lol as if it was a science..