Science fiction Alternative?
Almost every Subgenre out there has a general theme/tone, Power Metal is often themed around Fantasy & history, Punk is often themed around rebellion & politics, but Alternative being as broad as it is always encompassed a wide variety of emotions & lyrical themes.
Grunge tackled depression & addiction, 90s Alternative Pop Rock was energetic & fun, Shoegaze was often about love & breakups, etc.
But one uncommon theme for Alternative that always fascinated me was Sci-fi.
While not all Alt Rock is depressing, it generally has a lot of melancholy spread throughout when it isn’t mainstream Pop Rock like New Radicals.
A lot of Sci-fi carries a certain sense of melancholy.
Space itself is beautiful, but can feel alienating & isolating when the totality of silence sinks in. (2001 & MOON)
When the future is a Dystopia, generally everybody is unhappy. (A Clockwork Orange & Children of Men)
But if the future is a Utopia, then is there no questions left to be motivated to answer?
The weirdness & surreality of some Sci-fi tales can give off the vibe of hallucinating on psychedelics. (Fantastic Planet & Brazil)
The questions of how hypothetical Artificial Intelligence works can often leave somebody haunted. (Blade Runner & Ghost in The Shell)
The times I have come across Alternative music that explored ideas or metaphors related to Science fiction &/or Space included.
Failure - Fantastic Planet (Space Grunge)
HUM - You’d Prefer an Astronaut (Space Emo)
Radiohead - OK Computer (Melancholic Future)
The Dismemberment Plan - Emergency & I (Surreal Sci-fi)
Incubus - SCIENCE (Weird Sci-fi)
Incubus - Make Yourself (Sexy Space Lounge)
Spiritualized (Space Rock Revival)
Lemon Demon - Spirit Phone (Indie Body Horror)
What do you think of this lyrical style in Alternative music?
Do you have a personal favorite artist/band?
Do you have a favorite album or song in particular?