成人另类Adult Alternative

成人另类流行/摇滚是相对于主流音乐的另类摇滚的一个分支, 它具有柔和的旋律和另类柔美风格。成人另类流行具有很强的商业性，但是艺术家并并不是以商业为目的。

他们来自传统的流行吉他音乐，80年代的流行舞曲(正如Gin Blossoms, Barenaked Ladies的音乐)，民谣和传统的歌者(正如Indigo Girls, Tori Amos, Jeff Buckley, Sarah McLachlan, Fiona Apple, Jewel的音乐)，美国传统摇滚乐(正如Sheryl Crow, Hootie & the Blowfish, Dave Matthews的音乐)，时髦的trip-hop电子(正如Portishead的音乐)。成人另类流行/摇滚的产生来自于人们感观的成熟：它有意和无意的成为90年代的主流音乐形式。它使摇滚的形式变得更加松散，更加注重创作技巧。

它的缺点是，成人另类摇滚的灵感仅仅停留在物质表面上－经常在表演中因为刻意追求而变得做作，有意让音乐变得甜美，或使声音变得深沉。但就优点而言，这种风格造就了优秀的需要经典音乐而非凭借大声歌唱的艺术家。

Adult Alternative attracts a wide cross-section of listeners who are looking for something a little different without straying too far from the mainstream.

It's actually hard to say whether new adult contemporary radio formats were created to play this music or whether the music was created for radio airplay. Adult alternative styles -- whether acoustic, electronic, or electro-acoustic -- are heavily influenced by pop, rock, and jazz fusion elements. (Some albums feature a few vocal selections with lyrics, although the main orientation remains instrumental.)

The best artists have a flair for melodic invention, colorful instrumentation, and rhythmic vitality while retaining a strong level of accessibility. At worst, adult alternative releases sound like trite pop songs without words. -- Linda Kohanov