Reply #84: To quote alterna-gadfly Steve Albini

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http://www.chicagoreader.com/hitsville/pander.html

To whit:

In your rush to pat these three pandering sluts on the heinie, you miss what has been obvious to the "bullshit" crowd all along: These are not "alternative" artists any more than their historical precursors. They are by, of and for the mainstream. Liz Phair is Rickie Lee Jones (more talked about than heard, a persona completely unrooted in substance, and a fucking chore to listen to), Smashing Pumpkins are REO Speedwagon (stylistically appropriate for the current college party scene, but ultimately insignificant) and Urge Overkill are Oingo Boingo (Weiners in suits playing frat party rock, trying to tap a goofy trend that doesn't even exist). You only think they are noteworthy now because some paid publicist has told you they are, and you, fulfilling your obligation as part of the publicity engine that drives the music industry, spurt about them on cue.

The Punkins were radio-friendly unit-shifters of 90s hard rock, suitable to blast out of dorm room windows on warm spring days, but ultimately vapid. "Important" angst-rock for upper-class teenagers who think the music of Queen is dangerous, or that Nirvana was "too punk-rock". Critically acclaimed in their day, but not stylistically original enough to be remembered decades later.