There’s No Such Thing as Indie Rock
Now That’s What I Call Indie! It was only a matter of time. Incidentally quite a few bands on this comp are on major and not independent labels. Indie is the new alternative, a word thrown around with no real meaning other than a marketing label. It is not a genre of music.
See also No Alternative circa 1993
This is not an alternative rock collection. “Alternative” rock does not exist. It is a myth on par with Elvis sightings, quality airline food and stress-free relationships. No, what you’re listening to is simply nineteen songs. It is our belief, however, that these songs simultaneously create one beautiful clamor and serve as a soundtrack to this suspended moment in time. As an oft-labeled, seldom understood generation, we have no better voice than a community of bands, many of whom you’ll find on this record. It is the bands making up No Alternative–along with dozens of others whether they’re reinvigorating rock and roll or helping to transcend musical and cultural boundaries–who have helped awaken the world to the fact that music not only has the power to speak to a generation but for a generation.
Incidentally comps like these and shows like the OC are why I have to listen to 15 year old girls at Jolie Holland and Neko Case shows giggling over drinking their parents’ schnapps and musing who is more popular, her or “like oh my god Jenny (Lewis)” instead of digging up real analogues like Memphis Minnie or older Loretta Lynn. Additionally, there’s no such thing as alt-country but that’s another discussion altogether.
