The “Seattle sound”, a phrase coined for music created by Alternative-style rock bands based in Seattle, is said to contain three (3) basic elements: it is loud, it is honest, and it is borne of musicians that have experienced a degree of difficulty in achieving recognition. The “Seattle sound”, often times referred to as “grunge”, is notorious for being performed at exceedingly high volume. It has been defined as honest music because it is performed in a raw and unrefined manner, without the aid of electronic polishing. Additionally, a common thread of grunge bands is said to be that they suffer from an uncommonly low rate of recognition
The affects of Seattle’s geographical location appears to be an ingredient of the music created by these grunge bands, whether expressed blatantly or subliminally. Seattle exists in a corner of our nation and a great distance from more prominent cities, therefore, a sense of isolationism amongst its citizens is to be expected. Seattle is also subject to an unusually high level of precipitation, most notably rain, one (1) of the few things that the city may be regarded as famous for. An abundance of gloomy days certainly plays upon the psyche of the human attitude. Musicians of grunge bands appear to express this geographical condition in the manner in which they choose their topics for lyrics and deliver their music. Isolation may be cited as an influence in their music with the respect to the style in which they deliver their product, well practiced, yet unrefined because of their lack of hope for recognition. Unrelentingly dreary weather may be responsible for depression among band members that may well be reflected in their music, possibly accounting for their extreme volume (frustration and yearning to be heard) and crude lyrics (unpolished because they expect to remain obscure).
As with any trend, grunge began to lose its followers within a relatively short period of time, or perhaps it simply became excepted to the extent that its label changed from “fad” to “mainstream“. Grunge, much like most trends or fashions, relied upon commercialization to exist as such. When newness fades, replacements are sought and new titles created that are designed to draw popularity to address the apparent human need to represent uniqueness, but at the same time fulfill a desire to be accepted by others with similar likes and dislikes. If one (1) views history with regard to fads, it may be observed that fads do not exist unless there is mass-marketing of a concept or series of events to attain the popular interest of people.
“Why The Grateful Dead Were the Greatest American Rock Band:, BlogCritics, BlogCritics, 2014, web, 16 April 2014
In closing, the undoubtable influence of music, more specifically of Rock ‘n’ Roll on American society is responsible for a number of changes to the status quo. These range from sexual liberation and racial desegregation all culminating with other influences to create an intergenerational identity. Despite the desperate attempts of older generations to smother these influences, these changes ultimately shaped the years that followed, molding the country into what it is today. Along the way these changes as well as individual involvement in them has also eased the lives of many through empowerment and a feeling of community and purpose. Despite a lull and renewal Rock ‘n’ Roll continues to serve as an agent of influence and change in today’s youth culture and continues to burn in the heart of past generations of loyal fans.
The Clash’s third studio album, 1979’s “London Calling,” was arguably one of the greatest musical achievements of the late ‘70s and almost certainly the most significant contribution offered by the punk rock movement to rock as a whole, a contribution acknowledged not only by those who take punk seriously as a genre, but also by mainstream music critics—“Rolling Stone” magazine placed the album at number eight on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time . “London Calling” is full of genre-defining (and genre-defying, for that matter) material and outstanding songwriting, but one track in particular truly stands out as the album’s most prophetic, haunting, and influential. It makes sense, then, that the album was titled “London Calling” after this most compelling song.
The repetitive piano chords, light maraca rhythms and counter melodic backing vocals are comparable to 1960’s pop music (particularly that of The Beatles, The Beach Boys and The Ronettes). Furthermore; the fluctuating drum beats, rhythmic bass and electric guitar melodies and falsetto lead vocals may seem similar to psychedelic rock music of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s (particularly that of Led Zeppelin and The Jimi Hendrix Experience). Although Tame Impala are easily distinguishable from these musicians, the comparability between Apocalypse Dreams and the previously-mentioned international bands makes audiences aware of the expansion and nonconformity of modern Australian
...le genres of music have been accused of selling out during the 80's Heavy Metal and Glam Rock were fused by bands such as Motley Crue and Poison to make Glam Metal which hardcore metal fans hated as it was not deemed authentic due to its over the top and feminine feel.
In conclusion, the emergence of Rock and Roll was one of the most pivotal moments of our nation’s history. It challenged various racial barriers that existed during the 1950’s. With the ever increasing popularity of this genre, white supremacists feared the rise of black influence in the dominant white society. Also, the emergence of the Civil Rights movement fueled the expansion in the popularity of Rock and Roll among teenagers across the nation. This evoked protests from the parents of young teenagers who exhibited over sexualized mannerisms as a result of this genre. Furthermore, popular culture played an important role during the Great Depression, the Second World War, and the Cold War. It allowed society to escape the hardships of war and uncertainty while safeguarding the democratic freedom our nation was built upon.
The well-known riff of Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” opens Andreas Dresen’s movie Changing Skins (Raus aus der Haut, 1997). The film opens in a crowded music club where young people are dancing ecstatically, turned on by pulsing rock and roll. This could be a trite depiction of youth culture if it were not located in a country that suppressed this kind of music: the German Democratic Republic (GDR). It is therefore worth reflecting on the social and political controversy in the former East Germany that, finally in the 1970s, permitted the performance of rock music and even imports from the capitalist part of the world. By the late 1970s, different kinds of rock music were not only an integral part of Western youth culture but also commonly heard but not always accepted in the GDR and the Eastern Bloc.
The biggest influential song on Nirvana’s Nevermind album was the first song, “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” It reached number 6 on the Top 40 Charts. This song was groundbreaking for Nirvana and the alternative music scene as a whole. After the release of “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” white, middle-class youth of the United States finally had a style of music to call their own and express their “teenage anthems” (Stuessy, Joe). This was the first song to emerge from alternative rock and to be known in the mainstream of rock and roll, expressing their generation’s expectations, “...here we are now, entertain us”(Stuessy, Joe). “Smells like Teen Spirit” was Curt Cobain’s “attempt to write the ultimate pop song”(Nevermind, Nirvana). He used the soft-loud dynamics of his favorite band, the Pixies. The insidious hooks also showed his admiration for the Beatle’s John Lennon(Nevermind, Nirvana). The style used in this song is simple, plain, loud, and straight-forward. Musically, there is nothing very “innovative” or difficult. However, the reason it is important to rock history is because it brought America’s attention to the once before underground style of grunge. “A driving drum beat, powered by Novelsek’s rhythmic bass, and a memorable guitar riff and solo, mix perfectly with Kurt Cobain’s depressing yet humorous lyrics” (Kastner, Patrick). While it has certainly been overplayed in the past years, it is still an essential part of Rock history.
Loose sweaters, candles, and rugs that appear on set help to enforce the grunge reference and evidence of grunge influence can be heard in the songs “Soul To Squeeze”, “Strip My Mind”, and “Blood Sugar Sex Magik”. The twang of the guitar in all three of these songs is traditional of grunge music and the rhythmic chanting in “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” along with the melodic oh’s and yeah’s of “Strip My Mind” add to the underground vibe that exudes from grunge
DeRogatis, Jim. (2002). A piece of Kurt Cobain. In JimDero.com. Retrieved July 21, 2010, from
Growing up in a broken home where sturdy spirits of alienation was abound, music became his true escape. Punk rock’s rebellious nature, was the total appeal and inspiration, for creating Nirvana in 1987. He gave the band that name since it means a place of perfect peace and happiness, like heaven. This is also the highest state that a person can achieve; a state of clarification, where someone’s desires and suffering goes away. Nirvana reached number one on the charts with multiple hit songs, including the album “Nevermind”. This band managed to start a grunge, punk rock movement, in the music industry thus causing a whole forthcoming of new grunge rock bands not only in Seattle, but all over the
Firth identifies there are sociological forces present in genre making. He uses Rock FM as an example, classifying rock as “other than pop, album based music for adults”...
So, go ahead; open your eyes and discover that grunge is not gone as it seems, it is still among us. Even though it may be wearing new costumes or listening to a different style of music, it is still the same. It is that counter-current movement that kids of new generations want to embrace as their liberty flag. It is that non-conformist dilemma, the spark that lights the fire of those who believe that mainstream society is not the only one. Grunge is still around, maybe not as popular as before, but stronger than ever.
Lenig, Stuart. The Twisted Tale of Glam Rock. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger, 2010. Print. (Lenig)
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