"Radiohead: The Best Of" includes songs such as "Paranoid Android," "Karma Police" and "Creep," which are considered by many critics to be standards for any alternative collection. The group, from the UK, was one of the few alternative bands to originate outside of the Pacific Northwest. "Creep" was one of the first hits to define the alternative sound when it was released in 1992
Nirvana's album "Nevermind" contains a large number of well-known alternative songs that became big The band's performance on MTV's "Unplugged in New York" also drew a positive response from fans and critics.
Smashing Pumpkins' album "Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness," a double CD, pushed the boundaries of the alternative sound. Major hits include "Tonight, Tonight" and "Zero."
Every alternative collection should include at least one CD by R.E.M. "The Best of R.E.M.: 1988-2003," contains a wide selection of the band's most critically acclaimed music. The CD features numerous songs that still receive lots of airplay, including, "Man on the Moon," "Bad Day," "Losing My Religion," "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?," "Orange Crush," "Imitation of Life," "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite," "Stand," "Everybody Hurts" and "Nightswimming." The two-CD set includes extras such as acoustic versions of popular songs as well as a 40-page booklet.
Pearl Jam was one of the biggest selling alternative bands of the 90's, thanks to albums like "10." It contains well-known alternative songs like "Jeremy, "Even Flow" and "Alive."
The group's self-titled album is worth buying if only for the song "Over Now." Another highlight is "Heaven Beside You."
Depeche Mode's "Best of Depeche Mode 1" contains the now classic songs, "Personal Jesus," "Everything Counts," "Enjoy the Silence," "Master and Servant" and "People are People."