In the 1990s, these bands revitalized and re-imagined the British tradition of tuneful, guitar driven pop. Listen to the best songs from the bands that inspired and pioneered the scene.
A sunny, nostalgia-drenched playlist packed with memorable hits from the ska-punk of Sublime and Reel Big Fish to the pop-rock of No Doubt and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
During the 1980s and '90s, D.C. was the place to be for hardcore. Enjoy the finest bands from that time and place, as well as their latter-day incarnations that branched out in different sonic directions.
Born of the '90s DIY scene in the Pacific Northwest, the riot grrrl movement features bands that combine aggressive vocals and empowering lyrics with thrashing punk instrumentals.
Punk rock was born in New York City, but by the late '70s the genre's infectious primitivism had reached cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, where bands began playing a tougher, thrashier style of punk.
The first wave of punk bands in Britain produced some of the fastest, hardest, and grittiest rock music the world had ever heard. Hold on and get ready for "anarchy in the U.K."
New York City is the birthplace of punk rock, and like the city that birthed it, the punk rock scene in the late 70s was diverse, contentious, noisy and unlike any other in the world. This is the sound of CBGB's and Max's Kansas City.
Born from post-punk and new wave influences, college rock describes the brand of alternative rock that dominated college radio playlists in the 1980s, before alternative rock went mainstream with the grunge movement in the 1990s.
Remember those CD compilations of popular '90s alt-rock radio hits that used to be advertised on late-night cable TV? Relive those days with this playlist of popular '90s mid-tempo hits.
One of the most important and popular developments in rock history, the alternative sounds of grunge and Britpop ruled the airwaves in the 1990s. Get out your flannel shirt and listen to these essential '90s alt-rock songs.
A champion of pop art and the original manager of The Velvet Underground, Andy Warhol left an indelible impression on American pop culture. Listen to songs from the musicians who congregated at The Factory during the '60s and '70s.
In the 1990s, these bands revitalized and re-imagined the British tradition of tuneful, guitar driven pop. Listen to the best songs from the bands that inspired and pioneered the scene.
For those who spent their university days hanging around the campus radio station during the heyday of college radio. Journey back to the time when all the best music could be found to the left of the dial.
Punk rock was born in New York City, but by the late '70s the genre's infectious primitivism had reached cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, where bands began playing a tougher, thrashier style of punk.
Hard-edged, grungy, and melancholy -- while also thoughtful, sentimental and melodic -- these cuts from alternative bands in the '90s and '00s reveal the shared sonic influences (and penchants for loud outbursts) of their creators.
With credible indie bands like Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, and The Black Keys licensing their songs for use on television, it's not selling out anymore.
From Black Flag to Daniel Johnston, this playlist showcases some of the artists who influenced the short but incendiary career of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain.
Fuzzy, noisy, primal rock where passion is paramount has existed almost as long as rock itself. Explore the history of lo-fi from the garage-psych '60s through the post-punk '70s and the DIY '90s until today.
As the '80s became the '90s, Manchester's lively, drug-fueled music scene smashed together dance music and psychedelia with wild-eyed glee. Recall the acts that peaked during 1989's New Summer of Love, as well as the bands that book-ended the era.
Developed in the 1980s, Math rock is a guitar-based genre influenced by progressive and experimental rock known for using odd time signatures, interlocking rhythms and complex arrangements.
Garage rock and other hard-rocking songs from the '60s and early '70s that helped pave the way for The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, and other early punk rock bands.
Some of today's catchiest indie rock combines the sweet harmonies of '50s and '60s pop with the rough energy of early garage rock. Listen to songs by new artists who put their own twist on those vintage sounds.
Born of the '90s DIY scene in the Pacific Northwest, the riot grrrl movement features bands that combine aggressive vocals and empowering lyrics with thrashing punk instrumentals.
If you're ready for some soothing sounds to lull you softly into slumberland, but your tastes run toward the alternative, here's a heaping helping of hushed tunes by indie favorites of yesterday and today.
A sunny, nostalgia-drenched playlist packed with memorable hits from the ska-punk of Sublime and Reel Big Fish to the pop-rock of No Doubt and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Nothing helps a blue mood like hearing from someone who knows just how you feel. From the sensitive singer-songwriters of the early '70s to the gloomy indie rockers of today, this is the perfect playlist when you're in the mood to mope.
As garish as the decade could often be, the 1980s were also a time of musical sophistication. Especially in the post-punk UK, a suave persona and musical creativity were admirable traits even among DIY indie types.
It wasn't all about grunge at the birth of The Alternative Era. Some artists took from the rich history of elegantly-constructed pop and made their own indie-minded version of sophistication.
As the Grunge Age petered out, many expected Sub Pop acts began to disappear as well. But the label has thrived with a less noisy aesthetic incorporating dream pop, alt-folk, electronic and even country influences into its indie rock.
The American punk underground spawned some of the most creative, fiery and fiercely independent bands of the 1980s. Listen to the groups that paved the way for grunge, emo and pop-punk's commercial ascent in the 1990s.
In the mid-'00s, Canada enjoyed an underground cultural renaissance. Immerse yourself in the music that flowered in Montreal and Toronto, as well as fellow countrymen that inspired -- and those that are still inspired by -- those scenes.
Embracing all things melancholy, these post-punk acts unabashedly reveled in the morbid and the miserable. Return to the time before goth became just another uniform choice for aspiring teenage rebels.
Before grunge entered mainstream consciousness in the early 1990s, it was a vibrant, restless rock scene rooted in the Pacific Northwest. Get on your flannels, ripped jeans and Docs and head back.
During the 1990s, the unconventional indie side of the alt-rock boom thrived even as the fortunes of more accessible acts waxed and waned. Guitar-heavy, smart, and often slightly strange, this sound is exemplified by Pavement and its peers.
From the stylish East Coast multi-piece bands to the more playful, slacker-style SoCal scene, here are all your third-wave ska favorites that made the '90s so much fun.
During the 1980s and '90s, D.C. was the place to be for hardcore. Enjoy the finest bands from that time and place, as well as their latter-day incarnations that branched out in different sonic directions.