Can anyone give me some sort of semblance of a definition? It used to be easy. "REM, Nirvana, Tool, Living Colour- alternative rock; AC/DC, Motorhead, Deep Purple, Bruce Springsteen- straight rock.'
But now I'm hearing some people call Black Sabbath 'early alternative' just because they "weren't doing what was mainstream" and had jazz and skewed time changes and soft-loud-soft; What is the difference between alternative rock and straight rock?
***Because if it's nothing to do with the sound, but the popularity, then why is the most mainstream rock ever still called "alt rock" while bands like Wolfmother, Radio Moscow, why do they escape the "alternative" label and get trashed by fans of "alternative?" Then why does it backtrack and most providers list any and all bands that even have electric guitar in them and came after 1991 as 'alternative,' like Jet?
*** Is old school rock now alternative, or is alt rock mainly post-punk inspired? Or... Or is it- or...

God, my head hurts!
What the fuck is "alternative?"

I've never listened to Straight Rock before. Is there Queer Rock too?