Alternative Rock vs. Indie Rock (3 Viewers)

[Absolutezero]

Both terms are thrown about a bit these days. In some places, the two are almost used synonymously with each other.

Essentially, what do you consider to defines them, and what makes one artist fit one label and not the other? And which do you prefer?

 

[philphie]

the golden age for alternative was definitely the 90s. jeff buckley, smashing pumpkins, sonic youth, radiohead, etc.


i think i'd prefer alt rock, though just from the 90s, there seems to be a better sense of honesty and sincerity than what you find with indie rock bands these days.

 

[darkcounty]

Alternative and indie both have roots in punk, post punk and new wave, synonymous in the 80's. Bands that broke off into the mainstream and developed their own sound were increasing referred to as alternative rock.

Alternative rock vocalists have deeper, more masculine voices, the guitars are layered, have more distortion and have a heavier garage band/grunge feel to it. Whereas, in indie rock, it is less structured, the guitars and vocals are cleaner, more melody orientated and have a more eclectic and ambient/synth sound.

 

[zaxmacks]

I never bother with genre's. I don't see a point... unless you're a musicologist.

 

[occer]

I probably prefer Alt. but the two go hand in hand usually. Alt. is more badass and I agree with darkcounty.

 

[nikilily]

Imo, listening to bands that have been categorized as indie rock vocals are much more lighter and less grungier then say, Daniel Johns or Curt Cubain, like someone previosuly mentioned. But what I want to know is what is Indie. Sure people can define indie folk, indie pop, indie rock to an extent, but what is just indie music if there is just indie music out there (could it just be a collective term for all the genres that indie branches into, indie pop, indie rock etc?). And yes I know indie is a term to describe independence from major record labels but today Indie has sort of taken on more of a genre than a term to describe bands which aren't as mainstream.

 

[occer]

They are really just bands which are almost mainstream but not awful over-produced shit (more or less). + Guitars + Whinier voices.

 

[philphie]

Imo, listening to bands that have been categorized as indie rock vocals are much more lighter and less grungier then say, Daniel Johns or Curt Cubain, like someone previosuly mentioned. But what I want to know is what is Indie. Sure people can define indie folk, indie pop, indie rock to an extent, but what is just indie music if there is just indie music out there (could it just be a collective term for all the genres that indie branches into, indie pop, indie rock etc?). And yes I know indie is a term to describe independence from major record labels but today Indie has sort of taken on more of a genre than a term to describe bands which aren't as mainstream.

they sound like pretty much everything else except no one knows who they are. well actually it's more like having internet fame. everyone watches it, everyone knows what it is, but you don't really talk about it to other people, so you feel as if no one knows who they are, then part of that is taken out of proportion and people will like certain bands and artists because no one knows who they are. underground success can be as large as mainstream, difference is no one talks about it.

 

[Arctopus]

Imo, listening to bands that have been categorized as indie rock vocals are much more lighter and less grungier then say, Daniel Johns or Curt Cubain, like someone previosuly mentioned. But what I want to know is what is Indie. Sure people can define indie folk, indie pop, indie rock to an extent, but what is just indie music if there is just indie music out there (could it just be a collective term for all the genres that indie branches into, indie pop, indie rock etc?). And yes I know indie is a term to describe independence from major record labels but today Indie has sort of taken on more of a genre than a term to describe bands which aren't as mainstream.

Curt Cubain was the singer from Mirvama wasn't he? Didn't he die a happy man from natural causes at an old age too?

Well of course the term "indie" encompasses all it's sub-genres, that goes without saying. Same thing goes for any genre of music.

Philphie pretty much expresses my opinion on what indie is.

 

[occer]

they sound like pretty much everything else except no one knows who they are. well actually it's more like having internet fame. everyone watches it, everyone knows what it is, but you don't really talk about it to other people, so you feel as if no one knows who they are, then part of that is taken out of proportion and people will like certain bands and artists because no one knows who they are. underground success can be as large as mainstream, difference is no one talks about it.

It's only cool to listen to if nobody knows who the hell they are, otherwise we are conformist mainstreamers.

Also lol at the combo of 3 neutral reps in a row due to this thread.

 

[violentdelights]

I always thought the term indie rock was dubbed because the musicians were signed with independent 'no name' record companies i.e. not sony

 

[Arctopus]

I always thought the term indie rock was dubbed because the musicians were signed with independent 'no name' record companies i.e. not sony

Well that's the original meaning the name carried but now it's more known as a style of music.

 

[philphie]

I always thought the term indie rock was dubbed because the musicians were signed with independent 'no name' record companies i.e. not sony

that's how it use to be. some are actualy signed with universal and sony, i'm pretty sure mgmt is signed with sony. a lot of alternative bands are signed up with sub pop and Columbia, other big whigs.

 

[nikilily]

It's only cool to listen to if nobody knows who the hell they are, otherwise we are conformist mainstreamers.

haha totally agree. Though hate it how people don't actually like band, they just say there fans because no one knows them. you gotta like them too

 

[violentdelights]

It's only cool to listen to if nobody knows who the hell they are, otherwise we are conformist mainstreamers.

Also lol at the combo of 3 neutral reps in a row due to this thread.

Let me make something clear, listening to something you like, that many other people happen to like, does not make you a conformist. Conformity is judged by intention. If a person is being pretentious, and is purposely listening to some sort of music, or engaging in some sort of activity that is considered popular in order to lift their status, or some other ostentatious reason, they are conformists.

On the other hand, a person who also purposely pulls away from the mainstream in order to be 'individual', is conforming to non-conformity (therefore they are essentially a conformist), because ultimately, being individual is liking what you like because you really like it, and doing whatever floats your boat.

I hate the word conformity. Too many I-am-all-wise-all-knowing high schoolers have killed the term, 'i is nots a conformity, its teh idnvidualityt.'

/end rant

 

[nikilily]

Curt Cubain was the singer from Mirvama wasn't he? Didn't he die a happy man from natural causes at an old age too?

haha yep thats the one

 

[philphie]

haha totally agree. Though hate it how people don't actually like band, they just say there fans because no one knows them. you gotta like them too

obvious scenster is obvious

 

[nikilily]

what??

 

[violentdelights]

scenester is obvious, is not?

 

[Arctopus]

haha totally agree. Though hate it how people don't actually like band, they just say there fans because no one knows them. you gotta like them too

Hey, look what I just found...

Let me make something clear, listening to something you like, that many other people happen to like, does not make you a conformist. Conformity is judged by intention. If a person is being pretentious, and is purposely listening to some sort of music, or engaging in some sort of activity that is considered popular in order to lift their status, or some other ostentatious reason, they are conformists.

On the other hand, a person who also purposely pulls away from the mainstream in order to be 'individual', is conforming to non-conformity (therefore they are essentially a conformist), because ultimately, being individual is liking what you like because you really like it, and doing whatever floats your boat.

I hate the word conformity. Too many I-am-all-wise-all-knowing high schoolers have killed the term, 'i is nots a conformity, its teh idnvidualityt.'

/end rant

I'm pretty sure Occer was being sarcastic.