'80s Alternative

[The Unknown Guru]

This is my new favorite genre. I despise pop, and modern alternative is getting closer and closer to the same thing with every new album released. However, I was on my (used) iPod's shuffle listening to just about everything when I discovered the Replacements. "Answering Machine" simply made my jaw drop. I got Let it Be and loved it, then looked up some other 80's alternative bands.

I currently own Meat Puppets II, Let It Be, Tim, and Violent Femmes. Anybody else like 80's alternative? What are your favorite bands/songs/albums?

[Roto13]

I listen to it, but I wouldn't be able to name any of it off the top of my head. I don't really make much of a distinction between 80s alternative and any other decade's alternative.

[Ryth]

A couple are early 90's, and TMBG and Ween probably aren't exactly what you're looking for (but they're still amazingly brilliant). Agreed on modern faux-alternative too, it's pretty much become a fall back for any emo band that doesn't want to be called emo (i.e. My Chemical Romance, Bayside). The Replacements, Violent Femmes, and Meat Puppets are <3.

Surfer Rosa by Pixies
Doolittle by Pixies
You're Living All Over Me by Dinosaur Jr.
Bug by Dinosaur Jr.
Chocolate And Cheese by Ween
The Mollusk by Ween
Lincoln by They Might Be Giants
Flood by They Might Be Giants
The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths
The Smiths (self-titled)
Locust Abortion Technician by Butthole Surfers
Murmur by R.E.M.
Reckoning by R.E.M.
The Perfect Prescription by Spacemen 3


Sonic Youth and indie also appeals to a lot of alternative fans, any of Pavement's first three albums, Built To Spill between 1994 and 1999, Modest Mouse between 1996 and 2000, Flaming Lips between 1990 and 1997, You Forgot It In People by Broken Social Scene, Galaxie 5000, Guided By Voices from 1992 to 1995, The Olivia Tremor Control, and, uh, cool stuff like that. Check it out.

[Araciel]

I consider all 80s music to be pop really.

[Ryth]

Damn those pop-masters Slayer and Kreator!

[Araciel]

Exactly.