Anybody think Alternative has gotten stale.
 

I take daily trips to Riverside, CA and much of the acoustic guitar acts are playing tunes similar to what I've heard before. I get that an acoustic guitar and drums are part of the alternative/indie genre but do you think something more could be done to make the genre exciting again?

'Alternative' has been stale since 97.

What do you see as alternative? When I think of alternative I think Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead and REM. Do you mean just acoustic singer-songwriters? Can you give us some examples?

Radiohead, REM and Red Hot Chili Peppers I like. I see alternative as an experimental mix of instruments in order to form a sound of angst and immersion. Those people are able to channel their experiences to create something new.

What I'm talking about is those with a common sound that fail to convey their experiences. Their cords are only slightly different and the sound feels familiar after you've taken a huge sample of them.

I don't know how to explain it better but that's what I've heard.

One alternative that HAS NOT gone stale is They Might Be Giants.

Maybe it's time for an alternative to Alternative.

It's not for everyone, but have you listened to The Dear Hunter? It's definitely different.
TDH songs to sample:
- City Escape
- The Procession
- A Night on the Town
- Red Hands
- The Dead Don't Starve
- He Said He Had a Story
- Too Late

For me, it's the lyrics that have gotten stale. There's a lot of really good music happening but the lyrics just seem to be missing the authenticity that alternative bands from the 90s had. You should check out Yuck's first album (self titled). That album sounds like it was a lost 90s gem but it came out in 2011.

Since '96 for me. :laughing:

I see where you're coming from. As to melodies/lyrics, there are still plenty of untaken possibilities, however almost all will have hints within that have the same vibe as something of another genre. But I've seen this with most songs, and some "similar pairs" were before '97.

Most likely the fact that new alternative musicians are a rarity means that only older bands remain, some of which are recycling older ideas, making a song from 2015 sound a little like their song from 94.