Modern rock is a phrase commonly used by radio stations to describe rock music styles that are commonly found on mainstream radio stations. More specifically, it is usually used to describe a "radio-friendly" variation of alternative rock. Many rock radio stations now refer to their format as modern rock.

Modern rock is considered by some to be a separate style of alternative rock. Many fans of alternative and indie rock criticize modern rock as being too homogenized, and merely a poor imitation of the original styles. Some indie rock fans also criticize alternative rock as being no different from modern rock, and consider both to be imitations; however, alternative rock is seen as having once been the same as indie rock, unlike modern rock, which is considered to be a product of radio airplay. Still, despite such criticisms, modern rock continues to be one of the dominant forms of rock music on mainstream radio stations.

As alternative rock's popularity in the mainstream declined, heavy metal, nu-metal, rap metal, and other commercially successful forms of rock music also became labeled as modern rock.

See also

• arena rock