Early 2010s Alternative Rock #1 Tracks Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. An intriguing trend in contemporary alternative rock has been the pairing of disturbing lyrics with upbeat, pop-flavored melodies and rhythm tracks. What track by the band Foster the People used this technique to good effect, eventually being ranked the number one Alternative Rock song of 2011 by 'Billboard' magazine?

Answer: Pumped-Up Kicks

Originally released as a free single, "Pumped-Up Kicks" became a breakout hit for Foster the People. It tells the story of a mentally disturbed young man plotting a mass shooting. The song's title, repeated in its ironically catchy chorus, refers to the protagonist's envy of his peers' designer sneakers.

2. Formed in 1994, the English band Muse honed their craft for years, blending rock guitar sounds with progressive synthesizer arrangements, and finally scoring their first number one Alternative Rock cut in 2009. What tune was this that wound up ranked the Top Alternative Rock song of 2010 by 'Billboard' magazine?

Answer: Uprising

Written by Muse singer/guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Matthew Bellamy, "Uprising" has attracted considerable critical attention as a bricolage of various influences. Some liken it to Blondie's "Call Me", with its thumping bass and guitar orientation framed in a New Age sensibility. Others compare it to the earlier Black Sabbath tune "Children of the Grave", while still others think it sounds a good deal like the venerable theme to the television series "Doctor Who".

Perhaps owing to its integration of sports chants, "Uprising" has been used as walkout music for the Sydney Roosters rugby team and Southampton Football Club.

3. Along with electronic and pop influences, "roots" music has also been a major influence on the alternative rock scene. What English folk and bluegrass-influenced band, which sounds suspiciously like a family act, had a chart-topping Alternative Rock track in 2012 with "I Will Wait"?

Answer: Mumford and Sons

Formed in 2007, Mumford and Sons have enjoyed a fine reputation for quality songwriting, scoring two Grammy nominations for best alternative song in 2011 with "Little Lion Man" and "The Cave". In 2013, their collection 'Babel', on which "I Will Wait" appears, won the Grammy for Best Album.

4. Another roots-influenced band, this one with more of a blues orientation, scored number one Alternative hits with "Gold on the Ceiling" and "Lonely Boy", both in 2012. What band, which takes its name from devices used to play "blue" notes in the key of C major, is this?

Answer: The Black Keys

"Lonely Boy" first charted in December of 2011, but continued its run into 2012 for a string of eleven weeks in the top spot. The Black Keys, a duo of guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney, formed in 2001. They paid their dues for years, finally breaking through with number one Alternative track "Tighten Up" in 2010.

5. Some contemporary alternative rock hits are groove-oriented roots music affairs, but others are more sophisticated productions with numerous guest performers. For example, this song by the New Jersey band Fun featured Janelle Mon�e on guest vocals, and hit number one on the Alternative Rock charts in 2012. What song, an eventual Grammy winner for Song of the Year, was this?

Answer: We Are Young

Though technically a trio of Nate Reuss, Andrew Dost, and Jack Antonoff, Fun travels with an extensive retinue of backing musicians for their more elaborate arrangements. In addition to Song of the Year, Fun picked up a Grammy in 2013 for Best New Artist and was nominated for Album of the Year for their collection "Some Nights".

6. British singer-songwriter Alex Clare's 2011 debut album, the dubstep-influenced 'The Lateness of the Hour', featured the impressive cut "Too Close", which would top the Alternative chart in 2012. This tune would be featured in the advertising campaign for what major digital-world release?

Answer: Microsoft Internet Explorer 9

Though raised in a secular household, Clare had a religious awakening in his early 20s. An Orthodox Jew, Clare will not work on the Sabbath (which, starting on Friday at sundown as it does, makes for an interesting touring schedule).

Interestingly enough, the use of Clare's song in the IE9 advertising campaigns preceded the tune's chart success. One could say that the ads were as much for "Too Close" as they were for the ubiquitous browser.

7. In 2013, the apocalyptic-themed "Radioactive" went on a 13-week tear on top of the Billboard Alternative charts. What creatively-named band, founded in 2008, gave us this pessimistic chant with a dubstep beat?

Answer: Imagine Dragons

Formed in 2008, the Las Vegas-based Imagine Dragons released several albums independently before signing with the Interscope label in 2011. Interestingly enough, though the band does use synthesizers extensively on their recordings, they made an early penchant of leaving the digital instruments at home for live performances, relying on the band's multi-instrument proficiencies instead. For instance, regular guitarist Wayne Sermon also plays cello, while drummer Dan Platzman has been known to pick up a viola.

8. Sometimes, everything old is new again. What young band channeled Marc Bolan and T-Rex (along with the Pixies) in 2013, challenging Alternative listeners to "Come a Little Closer"?

Answer: Cage the Elephant

Originally from Bowling Green, Kentucky (home of Western Kentucky University), Cage the Elephant scored early hits with "In One Ear", "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked", "Back Against the Wall", and "Shake Me Down". Their more retro 2013 offering "Come a Little Closer" marked a return to chart form after a three-year drought of Alternative chart-toppers.

9. In 2012, a gentle, ironic ballad by singer-songwriter Gotye (with guest vocalist Kimbra) ended up the biggest Alternative Rock track of the year, helped in no small part by a parody video decrying the revamped 'Star Wars' films. What song, featuring an angsty lead vocalist bemoaning a breakup (and a caustic reply from his former paramour) is this?

Answer: Somebody That I Used to Know

The backing tracks for "Somebody That I Used to Know" are built around a sample from the 1967 Luiz Bonf� song "Seville". Gotye (whose more orthodox name is Wally De Backer) worked on the piece for months in 2011, finally finishing it when he added Kimbra's vocals.

The Teddie Films parody video, which made good use of the original's very effective stop-motion bodypaint visuals, made a case that the Darth Vader character had been robbed of his masculinity by the series' prequels, and mourned the apparent fact that the original films were nigh-impossible to find in their initial state given that George Lucas much preferred to release the digitally-altered versions.

10. Finally, though younger talent does tend to dominate the Alternative charts, fans have respect for their elders as well. What all-time great band, whose classic album 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' was released the same day as Nirvana's 'Nevermind', grabbed the Alternative top spot in August, 2011 with "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie"?

Answer: The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Though the core of the band from their 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' days was still intact 20 years later (Anthony Kiedis on vocals, Flea on bass, and Chad Smith on drums), this was the band's first Alternative number one since replacing guitarist John Frusciante with new member Josh Klinghoffer. Thankfully, the band's funk sensibilities were left intact with this fine infusion of new blood.

Source: Author stuthehistoryguy

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

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