Alternative Music

Here at moontheory.net we generally view Moon Theory as a trip hop band. However, they have ties with the indie rock and alternative music scene as well. Let's take a look at the latter, shall we? Alternative music is a rather ambiguous label that encompasses many different genres, like grunge, Britpop, goth rock and indie pop. In general, the term alternative refers to something that constitutes precisely that, an alternative to what the public at large listens to. Madonna, for instance, could never be considered an alternative music act. In fact, most alternative bands were and are signed to independent labels, while relying on college radio airplay and word-of-mouth. However, this doesn't mean that bands that started as alternative music can't find commercial success and critical recognition, in the vein of R.E.M and The Cure.

R.E.M was formed in 1980 and after a string of albums released through now defunct record label I.R.S, they signed with Warner Bros., thanks in no small part to the success of single The One I Love ( on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks). After a strong first outing with their new label, they really hit the big time with their following two albums, Out Of Time and Automatic For The People, which included the hits Losing My Religion and Shiny Happy People; and Everybody Hurts and Man On The Moon respectively. After that they have had some high and lows, but are still one of the most exciting live acts and respected names in the alternative music business, even after parting ways (amicably) with original drummer Bill Berry.

The Cure hails from Crawley, West Sussex in England. After more than thirty years they have released thirteen albums and have changed their sound almost as many times as they have changed musicians, with lead singer and songwriter Robert Smith the sole remaining founding member. Among their thirty released singles, cuts like Boys Don't Cry, Just Like Heaven, Lullaby, Lovesong and Friday I'm In Love stand out as reasons for this band's popularity, which translates into more than 27 million copies sold. Although The Cure has been tagged as post-punk, gothic rock, college rock, and many others, Smith prefers to think that they are not categorizable and simply play "Cure music". The truth is that alternative music, being sort of a vague umbrella term, is probably what comes closer to a definition for this band's musical style.

Sadly, not all alternative music bands can achieve this level of success, in fact, just a few do. That is the case of Moon Theory, though we here at moontheory.net like to think that if you do not accomplish mainstream appeal, you can always reach cult status, and that is how we regard Moon Theory and their contribution to the alternative music landscape.