Big Blog 1, Grunge Music

 Grunge Music - A History and Description

Grunge music is an alternative form of rock and roll which started in the late 1980's and and 1990's. This sub-genre of music is a very unique form of rock, one of which broke out in popularity because of its rough, loud, and gritty lyrics. The sound of the genre overall is very stripped down from the classic over-produced and excess sounds of music in the 80's. The very first bands to popularize the genre included Green River and Soundgarden, which were bands that created the first hit grunge albums to break away from the hair metal that was so popular in the 80's. The Pacific Northwest soon became a hotspot for the sub-genre, and its popularity began exploding as soon as albums like Come on Down and the Deep Six Compilation came out of the Seattle area. Grunge takes a step away from the usual glamorous rock scene of the 80's, and delivers a simple sounding, angsty, and alternative view to rock music that is still popular today. This post will cover the short history of grunge music and how it came to light, as well as the most popular artists who diversified the genre, and the unique sounds that come with it. The videos posted below include hit grunge songs from the groups Soundgarden and the U-men.

The sounds of Grunge include very distinctive riffs, heavy drum beats, dark and open lyrics, and unique, intense vocals. Grunge as a genre has a very unique sound overall, but adaptations of the genre that are still popular today have become very diversified. The word "grunge" originated from the description of the sound of the guitar riffs that are so distinct. These heavy, repetitive, and thundering guitar riffs people would describe as "dirty" or "sludgy" because of how different and heavy they are compared to the normal music of the 80's and 90's. These riffs are also very important to the rhythm of the songs, and help carry the beat of the song. Another instrument that has a lot of specialty in grunge music is the drums. Typical grunge artists usually prefer a simpler drum set up that does not include more than six drum heads. The typical drums used in the 80's and 90's for rock music included a percussion drum set with more than six drums and percussion cymbals, sometimes a foot pedal drum. The significance of this lies in how grunge became so popular with such simple and stripped down musical styles. A recognizable and usually pretty distinct guitar riff along with the simple drum set up allow for a lyric heavy, introspective approach to rock and roll. Bands like Alice and Chains and Nirvana are great examples of the classic musical rhythm of grunge. Here is some examples:

 

Vocal style is also one of the most outstanding features of grunge music. Grunge vocalists added a more sincere and intense vibe in their music. They rejected smooth, tuneful standards in favor of rough, often lamenting, visceral vocalisms. This was an expression of inner feelings, showing the discouragement and hopelessness of that period. Grunge vocalists did not fit into the polished, operatic voices that were common in the popular music of the day. The most popular (and some of my favorite) vocalists who embodied this unique style are Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, Layne Staley of Alice in Chains, and Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. The lyrics reflect this unique style of vocalism as well, they delve into deeply personal, often dark, and introspective themes, exploring issues such as depression, alienation, addiction, and social injustice. These lyrics resonated with a generation grappling with the uncertainties and challenges of the 1990s. The lyrics often have a very bleak style, where the uncomfortable or emotional terms that are in the lyrics are provided in a very thought provoking way. Kurt Cobain's songwriting for Nirvana, for instance, is a great example of this. In tracks like "Lithium" and "In Bloom," he expresses feelings of isolation and inner turmoil. Alice in Chains is another great example of bleak lyrics, through songs like "Down in a Hole" and "Rooster," addiction and its emotional toll are vocalized through a heavy, relatable flow. Grunge lyrics went beyond the surface of the popular, glamorized music of the 80's and 90's, offering listeners a chance to connect with the struggles and vulnerabilities of the artists. They provided a soundtrack for those who felt tired of the superficial world of mainstream music. Here is "Down in a Hole" and "Rooster", some of my personal favorites, from Alice in Chains:

Speaking of Alice in Chains, they are by far one of the most influential grunge groups of all time, with their music still being very popular today. They embody a dark side of grunge that has haunting melodies and heavy, brooding sound. Their lyrics were often about addiction and depression, which connected greatly with the listeners. It is also impossible to overlook the contribution of front man Layne Staley to the grunge scene. He is the lead singer of Alice in Chains, and took the vocal scale of grunge to a place it had not been before. Alice in Chains helped communicate the ugly sides of life that people often choose to ignore. They contributed to the popularization of grunge by leaving a unique impression on people. Nirvana is another group that is very famous in the grunge scene, they have a more direct grunge approach, with many songs being slow, heavy, and having deep lyrics. Their 1991 album "Nevermind" is a key piece of the grunge movement and featured the very well known song "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Cobain's raw lyrics and emotionally charged vocals tapped into the angst of an entire generation, which propelled Nirvana to international stardom and solidified their status as one of the most influential bands in grunge history. Here is some classic Nirvana, including one of my favorites, "Come as You Are":

Overall, grunge is an important sub-genre of American rock and roll that came to be in the 80's and 90's and was propelled to its height of popularity through influential bands like Alice in Chains, Nirvana, and the Foo Fighters. Its heavy and depressing lyrics combined with a heavy guitar riff and minimal drums and percussion make for a unique approach to the common style of American rock and roll.

Work Cited

“Grunge Music Guide: 4 Characteristics of Grunge Music - 2023.” MasterClass, 7 June 2021, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/grunge-music-guide. Accessed 27 October 2023.

Moore, Travis. “The History Of Grunge Music – The Wrangler.” The Wrangler, 20 December 2018, https://www.thewrangleronline.com/30749/showcase/the-history-of-grunge-music/. Accessed 27 October 2023.

“Unleashing the Grunge Influence: A Retro Revival Journey.” Yellowbrick, 24 August 2023, https://www.yellowbrick.co/blog/music/unleashing-the-grunge-influence-a-retro-revival-journey. Accessed 27 October 2023.

Cross, Charles R., et al. “Grunge.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grunge. Accessed 27 October 2023.