Alternative Rock

Alternative is almost akin to the old adage about punk rock; it is not as much an actual style of music but an attitude. Alternative is very much an amalgam & sampling of styles as traditional as roots rock to as extreme as experimental noise, with such roadside attractions as independent hip hop and a plethora of dance music. In this department more than any other, understanding is equally encouraged with variety. Alternative is, on it's own a term that was overcooked by the commercial record industry and served to apathetic musical gourmets who knew it would only fall apart. Alternative at WCDB, on the other hand, is the basis of this and all college radio stations: eclectic, freeform, personal, & as fun to listen to as it is to play. Remarkably, one of 90's music's most dreaded catch phrases still describes college music perfectly. It is often said, if there isn't something in alternative that you like, radio is not for you. WCDB Alternative: 11am-5pm & 8pm-11pm weekdays. Where everyone fits in.

Dom Casual's Pix for October:

- Roni Size Reprazent / New Forms / Mercury The album poised to break jungle to the US, or at least one of the best 2 disc albums of the last 4 years.

- Interpreters / Back in the USSA / Freeworld A truly amazing mod-pop album that reeks of the Kinks. Superb song-writing & backups w/ neat and powerful pop styling. Almost perfect.

- Dubstar / Goodbye / Polydor Cement-sounding new-wave stuff from the school of the Smiths & New Order. Excellent harmonic female vox over synth-pop that sounds very 90's indeed. Very few unimpressive songs.

- Promise Ring / Nothing Feels Good / Jade Tree If you don't know Eno, find this record. Spiritual vocals over hardcore original rock that recalls Eno w/o reliving the pretensions. A very emotional effort that shines all the way thru.

- Undead / Dawn of the Undead / Shock Discography of a New York band led by an original Misfit, Bobby Steele. Since 1982 they've put dozens of others (including the Misfits themselves) to shame. Fused Pop-Punk-Skater-Crap, this is what you spiky-headed 12 year olds should be buying. Essential.

- Better Than A Thousand / Just One / Revelation It's time to remember what HARDCORE is, and it certainly ISN'T metal or moshcore. Of all the new bands that remember the true meaning, this is one of the best efforts and one of the easiest to find. Speedy HARDCORE, positive lynes. Add a heavy dose of fury from Ray Cappo (Shelter) & Ken Adle (Battery). Superb.