A very good point: It’s time for grunge to die

April 16th, 2018 | by Alan Cross

Before 1991, the world of alt-rock was a rich and diverse place. The number of sounds, textures, scenes, and genres

The Ongoing History of New Music, Episode 820: The 90s, Part 9: The Festivals

April 13th, 2018 | by Alan Cross

The music festival is hardly a recent creation. People have been gathering in fields to hear music for centuries. In

How are alt-rock stars from the 20th century faring today?

March 28th, 2018 | by Alan Cross

Here’s another statistical analysis by Cameron Gordon at Completely Ignored, this time looking at big alt-rock acts from the 20th

The Ongoing History of New Music, Episode 816: The 90s, Part 5(b): The Hip-Hop Influence

March 16th, 2018 | by Alan Cross

If we look at the state of rock here in the 21st century, it is no longer the main musical

What, exactly, is “alternative music?” Let’s explore the history of that term.

February 18th, 2018 | by Alan Cross

This email from Bob popped in the other day. Hey Alan, Just getting caught up on the podcast. Question- is

Wanted: Toronto alt rock and punk from the ’70s and ’80s

February 12th, 2018 | by Amber Healy

Before CanCon required a certain amount of Canadian music be played on the airways, punk and alt rock musicians did

The Ongoing History of New Music, Episode 811: The 90s, Part 2(a): A Decade of Influential Female Solo Performers

February 11th, 2018 | by Alan Cross

In a less-enlightened time, women were barely tolerated by the rock’n’roll establishment. They could sing, maybe shake a tambourine and

The Ongoing History of New Music, Episode 810: The 90s, Part 1: The Foundational Changes That Made Everything Possible

February 2nd, 2018 | by Alan Cross

Writing history takes a very long time. Sure, you could write everything down as it happens, but that’s only really

Alt-rock’s age problem

January 24th, 2018 | by Alan Cross

On episode 808 of The Ongoing History of New Music, I went through a number of reasons why it’s so

Alternative Rock’s Relationship with the Guitar: A Little Shaky, If We’re Honest

November 3rd, 2017 | by Alan Cross

In the early 80s, the prediction was that the guitar was dead. Synthesizers and all their related machinery was the

The Poster Seeks to Map Out All of Alternative Music History

October 8th, 2016 | by Alan Cross

History does not unfold in a straight line. There are zigs and zags, quantum leaps and annoying gaps. Organizing it

Explaining Why Alt-Rock is Finally Turning Harder with the Return of the 90s

August 25th, 2016 | by Alan Cross

In case you haven’t noticed, the 90s are back. Blink-182, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, Green Day and Prophets

An Essay on the Differences Between the Alt-Rock of the 80s and 90s

August 10th, 2016 | by Alan Cross

I’m in the midst of writing a multi-part Ongoing History of New Music series on the history of indie rock

One Last Time: Why Has Alt-Rock Gone So Soft?

April 14th, 2016 | by Alan Cross

Last week, I was asked to contribute some thoughts about the current soft (read: no guitars or anger) state of

FOLLOW UP: Where are All the Angry Guitars in Today’s Alt-Rock?

April 7th, 2016 | by Alan Cross

I’ve been rabbiting on about the lack of angry, loud, guitar-based music in today’s alt-rock for some time now. With

What’s Wrong with Alt Music Today? Industry Pros Speak Out

March 25th, 2016 | by Alan Cross

If you’re a regular reader of these pages, you’ll know that I’ve been writing about today’s state of rock and

A Serious Question: Where Are All the Angry Rock Songs?

March 16th, 2016 | by Alan Cross

Ever since the birth of rock’n’roll–hell, long before that–political, economic and social situations have moved people to express their anger,

The Most Massive 90s-Themed Alt-Rock Playlist EVER

June 30th, 2015 | by Alan Cross

Hats off to whoever Naxuu is, a Medium user who has carefully constructed an 800 song, 55 hour playlist featuring

The Ongoing History of New Music, Episode 717: Awesome Instrumentals

March 20th, 2015 | by Alan Cross

There have been hit instrumental singles throughout the history of pop and rock from “Tequila” by The Champs to half

Top Ten Most Depressing Alternative Rock Songs

April 6th, 2012 | by Alan Cross

In his most recent newsletter, radio consultant Sean Ross asked for nominations for the most depressing hit song of all time.

It began with a discussion with a program director about a song that tested well, but happened to be incredibly depressing. In Thursday's ROR, we'll revisit some of radio's biggest downers. And we'll look at whether radio can still find love with a hopeless lyric in the tempo-loving PPM era. And we're taking your nominations for most depressing hit song now.

This got me thinking:  What are the most depressing alt-rock songs of all time?  Specifically, what songs from the alt-rock canon can (1) kill any good buzz; and (2) provide the perfect soundtrack to your sad, depressed state? Let me begin with a few thought-starters:

1.  The Smiths, "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want"

If someone has been able to express self-pity and whininess better than this song, I haven't heard it.  How many kids have sobbed along with this song in their bedroom?