Grunge (from “grunge” — grime, dirt) arose in Seattle as an antithesis to the glossy rock of the 1980s. Its sound is deliberately raw and heavy, with powerful dynamic contrasts (quiet verse — loud chorus) and sincere, often anxious, introspective lyrics.
The breakthrough was Nirvana's album Nevermind (1991) with the song Smells Like Teen Spirit and its leader Kurt Cobain. Alongside were Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains. Grunge became the musical voice of “Generation X” and for several years defined the face of world alternative rock.
