Top 10 Alt-Rock Videos From 1992

The year after Nirvana released 'Nevermind,' wiped out '80s hard-rock excess and launched the alt-rock revolution was a year of tentative steps. In 1992, record companies were just getting around to scouting for the next big things in gloomy, rainy places like Seattle, while artists — some vets, some newcomers — messed around with both conventions and styles. It was a crucial period in the shaping of indie rock, as we outline in our list of the Top 10 Alt-Rock Videos From 1992.

Morrissey, 'Tomorrow'
The former Smiths singer's first No. 1 modern-rock hit (which spent six weeks at the top spot) comes from his best-ever solo album, the biting 'Your Arsenal.'
The Sugarcubes, 'Hit'
Before Bjork became a swan-wearing weirdo solo artist, she led this group of weirdo Icelandic punks who injected a dance beat and meaty hook into this, um, hit.
R.E.M., 'Drive'
The first single from the band's terrific eighth album was a moody rumination on life, death, politics and cultural shakeups during the first Bush era.
Peter Gabriel, 'Steam'
Gabriel pimps out in this colorful video for his No. 1 modern rock hit about sex. Or at least we assume that's what it's about, since it reminds us of the not-so-subtle 'Sledgehammer.'
The Cure, 'Friday I'm in Love'
Robert Smith wasn't always so chipper (see about 87 percent of the Cure's catalog), but he's positively giddy on one of the band's best songs.
The B-52's, 'Good Stuff'
Who cares if it's basically a rewrite of 'Love Shack'? This party-poppin' hit by the second-best Athens, Ga., band on our list is loads of fun.
Lou Reed, 'What's Good'
The alt-rock boom of the early '90s gave indie-rock veterans like Lou Reed a second chance to flex their eternal awesomeness. As he does on this No. 1 song.
Cracker, 'Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)'
Former Camper Van Beethoven wiseasses jumped on the angst-in-my-pants bandwagon for this tongue-in-cheek look at cashing in on bad attitudes.
XTC, 'The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead'
These post-punk heroes staged their comeback a few years earlier with the great 'Skylarking' album. They show off some of their sharp pop moves here.
10,000 Maniacs, 'These Are Days'
Natalie Merchant always struck us as a stern, humorless artsy-fartsy type. But she lightens up a little on this jangly pop-fueled gem.

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