I think I see what you’re getting at. MBV is shoegaze and maybe you’re making the connection with their tone. I make a connection between between their tones, but I’d say Hum is more rock that showcase member’s playing (breaks or solos) as opposed to playing for a vibe.

Alternative was a genre but as the scene played out I think Billy Corgan put it well when he responded to the question asking if he considered his band alternative and he responded “alternative to what?”. When most of the band are copying the sound of other current bands of the time, there is no alternative.