1990s Pop/Rock

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of grunge guitar tone?

• Bright, shimmering clean tone
• Heavy use of slap-back delay
• Raw, muddy, and heavily distorted
• Clean arpeggios with chorus effects

Answer explanation

Grunge guitar tone is heavily distorted and raw, often using fuzz and feedback. This contrasts with the bright and clean tones found in other rock genres.

How do post-grunge song structures generally compare to grunge?

• More traditional verse-chorus-bridge formats
• Less structured, with unpredictable changes
• Emphasis on extended instrumental solos
• More focus on long improvisational sections

Answer explanation

Unlike grunge, which sometimes had unconventional structures, post-grunge adopted a more mainstream, radio-friendly song format.

In contrast to grunge, post-grunge vocals are typically:

• More melodic and polished
• More aggressive and shouted
• Spoken-word delivery with minimal melody
• Auto-tuned and robotic

Answer explanation

While grunge vocals were raw, unpolished, and sometimes screamed, post-grunge vocals were smoother and more melodic, making them more commercially accessible.

What is a key difference in production quality between grunge and post-grunge?

• Grunge has a lo-fi, raw sound, whereas post-grunge has a polished, radio-friendly mix
• Post-grunge uses analog recording, while grunge relies on digital effects
• Grunge recordings are always live, while post-grunge uses extensive overdubbing
• Post-grunge avoids distortion, while grunge relies on it

Answer explanation

Grunge often had rough, unpolished production to maintain its raw energy, whereas post-grunge had more refined production techniques to appeal to mainstream audiences.

Which of the following best describes the lyrical themes of Britpop?

• British cultural identity, everyday life, and personal experiences
• Dark, existential themes with abstract imagery
• Political activism and global issues
• Science fiction and fantasy storytelling

Answer explanation

Britpop lyrics often reflected British working-class life, everyday themes, and cultural references, differentiating them from the darker, existential themes of grunge.

How does Britpop instrumentation differ from electronic dance music?

• Britpop uses synthesized drum beats, while electronic dance music avoids drum machines
• Britpop primarily uses digital sampling, while electronic dance music avoids it
• Britpop emphasizes real acoustic or amplified instruments, while electronic dance music relies on synthesized sounds
• Britpop features MIDI sequencing as a core element, whereas electronic dance music does not

Answer explanation

Britpop avoided synthesized and electronic elements, focusing on traditional rock and pop instrumentation.

Which of the following is NOT a typical musical characteristic of teen pop?

• Extremely repetitive choruses
• Strong hooks and riffs
• Complex, virtuosic instrumental solos
• Auto-tuned vocals in some cases

Answer explanation

Teen pop focused on catchy hooks and simple structures rather than intricate instrumental solos.

Which feature is common to both house and acid house music?

• Use of distorted electric guitar riffs
• Use of the Roland TB-303 for basslines
• Live drum performance rather than electronic beats
• Absence of vocal samples

Answer explanation

Acid house is defined by its use of the TB-303 synthesizer for squelchy, resonant basslines, which was also sometimes used in house music.

In electronic dance music, what was the primary function of MIDI?

• To allow electronic instruments and computers to communicate and synchronize
• To create distortion effects in live performance
• To record and mix audio using analog tape machines
• To enhance acoustic instruments like pianos and guitars

Answer explanation

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) enabled digital communication between electronic instruments and computers, revolutionizing music production.

Which of the following is a typical rhythmic characteristic of drum and bass?

• Fast, syncopated drum beats with sampled breaks
• Slow, sustained drum rolls
• Simple quarter-note kick drum patterns
• Swing-based shuffle rhythms

Answer explanation

Drum and bass is known for its rapid drum patterns, often based on sampled breakbeats played at high tempos.