I never really understood what ‘Grunge’ really is. Is it an actual genre of rock music? Or is it a term that was created by the record industry to describe a collective of bands that have nothing to do with each other, other than the fact that they are from Seattle. Some are punk, some are metal, some are metal with a progressive touch, some are just classic rock updated for the 90’s. The only musical constant between any of the bands is the vocal style created by Layne Staley known as yarling. Even then, each vocalist had their own way of handling the baritone vocal trend. Curt Cobain took a raw, nasal approach that resembled The Clash and The Sex Pistols. Then there’s Eddie Vedder who’s yarling represents an obvious ode to Bruce Springsteen. Who can forget the awesome power of the one known as Chris Cornell? One of the biggest ranges in all of heavy metal. He can hit lowest of the yarled ‘yeaaahhh’s as well as reach heights only heard from Rob Halford and the like. Of course, the originator, Layne Staley follows in a similar vein. Not quite reaching the heights of Cornell, but certainly outdoing any of the Seattle singers in sheer force. Other than those similar, yet very different singers, none of the bands sound alike.
The wail of Cornell
It’s also clear from this song that Soundgarden is a heavy metal band. Why are they labeled ‘grunge’?
The rawness of Cobain
As you can hear, this band leans far more to the punk end of the rock spectrum. ‘Grunge’? Hmmmmm….
The classic style of Eddie Vedder.
Pearl Jam ultimately is a terrific, updated, classic rock band. Their sound is timeless, not to be put in a box of time with a label such as ‘grunge’.
The power and passion of Layne Staley
Like Soundgarden, Alice in Chains is a heavy metal band. Think, heavy guitars. Fluid, perfectly tuned vocal harmonies. Sludgy, meaty tempo. All the makings of a great heavy metal song. Just listen to that chorus!!
These are only four examples of many many bands that come from the same area. They’re all different. The guitar tones are significantly different. The album productions sound nothing alike. Sure, they’re all rock bands, but most of the similarities end there. I think of the era as simply an evolution of heavy music out of the eighties. Spandex and make-up couldn’t last forever could it? After all, the groups are influenced by all the same acts. Pearl Jam loves KISS as much as Poison does. If you listen with only your ears you just might draw the conclusion that all these labels are for fashion purposes and selling clothes. Motley Crue has much more in common with Alice in Chains than not, yet, they are in completely different sub-genres. Again I ask…What is ‘grunge’ music exactly? Is it really a musical term, or something created by the record industry to alienate and sell records?
