Alternative Rock

    Alt rock refers to rock music outside of mainstream, radio rock. Though there is no longer mainstream rock, so maybe it’s just what rock is now?

    Bluefinger

    Black Francis: Bluefinger

    It’s impossible to divorce Black Francis (or Frank Black) from the Pixies and vice versa. There are a...
    Bassanova

    Pixies: Bossanova

    It’s not a good sign that they open the album with an instrumental. I don’t really like instrumentals....
    Synchronicity

    The Police: Synchronicity

    Listening to this, The Police’s last album, in the context of their other albums, you’d almost think this...
    Core

    Stone Temple Pilots: Core

    The minute the first chord burst forth on “Dead and Bloated,” we knew we were in the height...
    Beyond

    Dinosaur Jr.: Beyond

    This thing brought me right back to the old days right out of the gate. Sure, J Mascis‘...
    Come On Pilgrim

    Pixies: Come on Pilgrim

    I’m not sure what’s up with all the foreign language stuff, but this debut by a weird college...
    Doolittle

    Pixies: Doolittle

    “Debaser” is my second favorite Pixies song. I f’n love it. I will play it on any jukebox...
    Surfer Rosa

    Pixies: Surfer Rosa

    From the opening downbeat of “Bone Machine,” Surfer Rosa’s first track, you know this album is gonna kick...
    Trompe Le Monde

    Pixies: Trompe le Monde

    They’ve obviously turned the page here. Where as Bossanova sounded tired, Trompe le Monde sounded refreshed. Refreshed—but different. It’s...
    Guero

    Beck: Guero

    I can’t remember when it was I really stopped caring about Beck. I think it was after Midnite...
    Alligator

    The National: Alligator

    Imagine American Music Club after a venti mochacchino and you pretty much have The National pegged. That’s not...