The alternative to what exactly? (MTV 2)

Member Name: theanarchistkid

Product:	MTV 2
Date:	28/02/01 (265 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good music

Disadvantages: But only on digital TV

MTV2 is often known as Alternative Music Television because the music and bands that it has on it tend to be stray away from the mainstream. MTV has its benefits but if you're after slightly alternative music then it's got to be MTV2.

MTV2 tends to feature what many people may call 'strange' music but I think now that the majority of the UK is starting to appreciate the fact that 'rock' is becoming popular again. MTV2 caters for far more musical tastes than any other music channel and I've been very impressed with it recently. Basically, if you're into anything like Nu-metal, punk rock, indie rock, prog rock, goth rock and even some hiphop, you'll probably find something that you like on MTV2.

Unlike MTV which normally only focuses on new tracks, MTV2 tends to play a lot of older and more obscure tracks. I love punk rock and often I read stuff about bands in magazines and I wonder what they sound like in reality. When I had analogue satellite TV I could never get to hear them because I only had standard MTV. Making the transition to Sky Digital though, I suddenly became aware of the wide array of music available on MTV2. It makes a nice change from the Britneys and Christinas of this world to be able to see acts such as Rancid, Sex Pistols and many other good bands regularly.

MTV2 has also opened my eyes a bit and allowed me to experience different genres of music that I would never normally have listened to. For example, I never used to listen to any kind of metal; be it Nu-metal or any other kind. Now though, having seen bands such as Spineshank and System of a Down on MTV2 I enjoy listening to heavier music than just punk rock. I often wonder how many people that are currently listening to Eminem and Britney Spears would actually enjoy heavier music. In the alternative music press the journalists often complain about the lack of mainstream attention that the genre receives but with the advent of MTV
2 this seems to be changing.

Recently on Top of The Pops, (yes, I'll confess to watching it), bands such as Papa Roach and Green Day have been featured on it, which makes a very nice change from Steps and the Spice Girls. It's also refreshing to see that many heavier and alternative bands are receiving mainstream success. For example, Papa Roach are doing very well in the charts at the moment. This does bring bad things with it however.

For a start, punk rock has always been an elite group and is the complete opposite to following trends. The problem is now that pop punk bands like Wheatus and Green Day are bringing a large number of fans to the genre which are only there because it's fashionable at the moment. When something like this happens, it compromises the whole meaning of a movement like punk and I think that this is a real shame. When kids go around saying how Green Day play punk rock, I really get annoyed. This isn't because I'm trying to make it elitist at all, it's just that I get frustrated that we're getting a bunch of "trendies" on the scene. In the future, I can honestly see Britney Spears being considered as 'Alternative' and I'm not sure that this is a good thing.

Of course it would be very obtuse to blame the downfall of a musical movement on a TV channel but I do believe that MTV has contributed to it. The truth is that for a lot of people MTV2 is their first glimpse into the world of rock music and I think that this is a good thing. If people have a passion for the music then I have no problems with this situation. When it becomes a fashion however, that is when I get frustrated.

The programmes on MTV2 include 'Viewers Choose', 'Alternative Music Television', 'Most Wanted Chart', and 'All Time Most Wanted'. Viewers Choose is exactly what it's name would suggest. This give the opportunity for viewers to choose what tracks they
want to see on the TV. Often the tracks are very good and it's a good chance to see some older videos. Alternative Music Television is OK, but it isn't always particularly alternative. Bands like Travis shouldn't really be on this in my opinion and they take time away from good (IMHO) bands such as punk rock groups. This can be very annoying at times. Most Wanted Chart is when the channel shows the videos that have been requested most frequently and they tend to be to everyone's tastes. It's great to see all of my favourite tracks packed into a small space of time and I particularly like this programme. All Time Most Wanted is exactly the same except that instead of the week's most popular videos they have the all time favourite videos. This is a good chance to see some older videos again.

One thing that really catches the viewer's eye about the channel is its whole look and feel. It's very simplistic but it's actually incredibly good. There are loads of clever little animations that unlike some channels, never become dull or infuriating. It's all very attractive stuff. The MTV2 website (www.mtv2.com) looks very similar to the channel design and although it is a little slow, it is simple to use and offers you the chance to choose what tracks to watch.

Overall I would rather watch MTV2 than MTV any day and I've been well impressed with it recently. As far as music TV channels go, I believe that it is by far the best and if you're really interested in alternative music I would probably reccommend that you upgrade to Sky Digital just for the extra music. If you don't like music like this though, you won't find anything on this channel particularly interesting.

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