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My Top 10 Favorite Albums from the 1990s (No Nirvana or Pearl Jam)
myself | 10/22/2006 | Pyro7480

Posted on 10/22/2006 10:42:07 AM PDT by Pyro7480

I was born in 1980, which is considered either to be the tail-end of Generation X, part of Generation Y, or part of the so-called "MTV Generation," or the XY Cusp. I was only a pre-teen when grunge appeared, and a teenager and/or college student when the current wasteland of music started.

There are ten albums, which after 8-14 years, are still great, at least to me. Some of them I actually found out about years after they came out, but I consider them to be "classics" of the decade.

Here are the ten albums, organized in alphabetical order by artist (not by ranking).

1.) Jeff Buckley - Grace
It was around the year 1995, when I was listening to the now-defunct rock station, WDRE, out of Philadelphia, that I heard a track called "Last Goodbye," which is track 3 off "Grace." Though I only heard a handful of times, it made a huge impression on me. Jeff Buckley had such a memorable/haunting voice. I heard the track again years later when I was in college, and I ended up buying the album. It was the only full album he release before his premature death in 1995. My favorite tracks are the title track, "Last Goodbye," "Corpus Christi Carol," and "Dream Brother."

2.) Foo Fighters - The Colour and the Shape
Released in 1997, this album is the second release for the Foo Fighters, who was founded by Dave Grohl, the former drummer of Nirvana (which means this isn't a "completely" Nirvana-free list, but I don't think this counts). While it has three or four well-known tracks, the rest of the album's track don't disappoint either. The highlight of the lesser-known tracks is "February Stars." Of course, most who followed rock at the time can't forget the track "Everlong," which is one of my all-time favorites from the 1990s.

3.) Gin Blossoms - New Miserable Experience
I was probably 13 years old when I first heard this entire album. I loved it then, and I love it now. I had it on tape at first, but when I lost my copy in 1997, during a trip to Europe, I bought the CD used. From start to finish, even with two weaker tracks ("Cajun Song," which I happen to like, and "Cheatin'"), is a work of art. Everyone remembers "Hey Jealousy," but I like "Found Out About You" much better. Of the lesser-known tracks, "29" (track 10 on the album) is my favorite.

4.) Dave Matthews Band - Under the Table and Dreaming
I remember when the track "What Would You Say" came out on the radio. It was definitely "different" from most stuff played on "alternative" radio. My sister and I got into their music soon after. Though a lot of modern music listeners aren't fond of DMB, for one reason or another, I truly like this album. It is well-crafted, and while all of the tracks have the same "sound," they all have unique qualities. My favorite tracks are "Warehouse" and "Satellite."

5.) Portishead - Roseland NYC Live
This album probably stands out from the rest, since it can't be categorized as "alternative" at all. It is also the only live album out of the ten I've chosen. During my last two years of high school, and in college, I got into the whole "electronica" music thing. While most of the music of that category from the 1990s were of the "danceable" type, Portishead cannot be labeled as such. The mix of a live orchestra, a DJ scratching on a turntable, electric organ, and other instruments is truly unique. I really don't have a favorite track on this album, except maybe the very first track, "Humming," since it's good from start to finish.

6.) Radiohead - The Bends
Other than hearing the tracks that received radio play, such as "High and Dry" and "Fake Plastic Trees," I didn't hear this entire album until a few years after it was release, probably around 1998. While the afforementioned tracks are great, the rest of album cannot be considered mediocre, in my opinion. "My Iron Lung" is my favorite of the lesser-known tracks. A friend of mine has said that a riff in that track is similar to Jimi Hendrix's "Foxy Lady," and I know what he means.

7.) Radiohead - Ok Computer
This is Radiohead's "masterpiece." I bought the album shortly after it came out in 1997, and actually wrote a review of it in my high school's student newspaper. While "Karma Police" is the most well-known of the tracks on this album, and I really like it, I consider "Airbag" and "Lucky" are my favorites on this album. Radiohead really changed their sound after this album, so "Ok Computer," when put in context of "The Bends" and the subsequent album, "Kid A," really is a transitional album.

8.)Stone Temple Pilots - Core
This album was actually one of the first CDs I ever got, after I got a CD boombox for Christmas, early in the 1990s. The Wikipedia article on the album (link above) states that some critics saw this album as a rip-off of the other grunge bands of the time, but I agree with the others who say that the album is "a true symbol of the movement, and it is generally thought of as a staple of the genre." Everyone remembers "Plush," of course, but that doesn't take away from the rest of the album.

9.) Sunny Day Real Estate - Diary
Real "emo" isn't the stuff that is often labeled as such by many music reviewers. Real "emo" is the music on "Diary," Sunny Day Real Estate's debut album from 1994. While they came out of the same Seattle scene as the more popular "alternative" bands (this album was released by "Sub Pop" Records, the same label Nirvana started out on), their sound can't really be considered to be grunge. I actually didn't hear this album until about a decade after it came out. But in retrospective, this album should be considered to be a "classic" of the 1990s. Most of the tracks follow a "standard" model of having a slow and/or soft section, alternated with a louder/faster section, which became common in the subsequent "emo," "screamo," and related bands.

Weezer - Weezer (The Blue Album)
Though I like all ten of the albums in this list, this album (or maybe Gin Blossom's "New Miserable Experience") is probably my favorite out of the bunch. I like all of the tracks. I don't think any of them are weak. I've seen Weezer the most times of any band in concert (out of the bands on the list, I never got to see Jeff Buckley and his band, Portishead, or Sunny Day Real Estate in concert; 7 out of 10 isn't bad at all). I can't say much more about it. If I had to pick a favorite track, it would be "My Name is Jonas."


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: 1990s; foofighters; jeffbuckley; music; radiohead; rock; triphop; weezer
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To: lesser_satan
Smash... by the Offspring

"You stupid dumb s**t g***mn mother f***er!" LOL! There are some good albums I forgot about that people are mentioning.

41 posted on 10/22/2006 1:17:52 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world." - Pope Blessed Pius IX)
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To: I Hired Craig Livingstone
"Ill Communication", Beastie Boys

Never owned the album, but the video to "Sabotage" has to be one of my favorites from the decade.

"Siamese Dream", Smashing Pumpkins

Also never owned that one, but "Rocket" and "Today" were great.

42 posted on 10/22/2006 1:19:03 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world." - Pope Blessed Pius IX)
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To: Clemenza
"Buddy Holly" was the GREATEST video of the 90s as well.

Love that video. :)

My favorite single of the 90s: "Never Met a Girl Like You Before." I can't remember the name of the artist, however.

That was Edwyn Collins. It was in a few movies from the 90s.

43 posted on 10/22/2006 1:21:54 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world." - Pope Blessed Pius IX)
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To: dirtboy
Tori Amos Little Earthquakes

"Silent All These Years" is a great track and video.

Live Throwing Copper

That would have been #11. :)

44 posted on 10/22/2006 1:24:25 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world." - Pope Blessed Pius IX)
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To: CaliPhant
Why no Pearl Jam; at least Ten should be included.

I never got really into them. I have one live album by them. I decided that I should list albums outside of the stereotypes for rock during the 1990s.

45 posted on 10/22/2006 1:25:23 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world." - Pope Blessed Pius IX)
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To: Pyro7480

Thanks. Edwyn Collins was one of the great one hit wonders, and an essential part of the soundtrack to my sophomore year in college (along with "I Will" by Live and STP).


46 posted on 10/22/2006 1:25:30 PM PDT by Clemenza (Why live anymore?)
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To: Caramelgal
I’ve seen DMB twice on concert. Will go see them again

I've seen them twice as well, the last time in 1999. I tried to see them this past summer with my sister (who is a huge fan), but it sold out.

47 posted on 10/22/2006 1:27:00 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world." - Pope Blessed Pius IX)
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A few more....

Bone Machine, Tom Waits

The Black Rider, Tom Waits

American Recordings, Johnny Cash

The Good Son, Nick Cave

48 posted on 10/22/2006 1:27:47 PM PDT by Mr. Mojo
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To: Caramelgal
...Evanescence – The Open Door (Amy Lee – probably one of the best female rock voices ever)...

That's definitley on my "buy" list. I bought Fallen the day I first saw the Going Under video on Fuse. Her voice is incredible. I love their whole metal/ goth/ classical music blend, they're incredibly talented.

49 posted on 10/22/2006 1:31:27 PM PDT by lesser_satan (EKTHELTHIOR!!!)
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To: Pyro7480
I love that song. It reminds me of myself driving in rush-hour every day.

Hey man you know I'm really okay
The gun in my hand will tell you the same
But when I'm in my car
Don't give me no crap
Cause the slightest thing and I just might snap

When I go driving I stay in my lane
But getting cut off it makes me insane
I open the glove box
Reach inside
I'm gonna wreck this f#$ker's ride

[Chorus:]
I guess I got a bad habit
Of blowin' away (Yeah, Yeah)
I got a bad habit (Yeah, Yeah)
And it ain't goin' away (Yeah, Yeah)
Yeah (Yeah, Yeah)
Yeah (Yeah, Yeah)

Well they say the road is a dangerous place
If you flip me off I'll get in your face
If you drive on my ass
Your foot's on the gas
And your next breath is your last

[Chorus]

Drivers are rude
Such attitudes
But when I show my piece
Complaints cease
Something's odd
I feel like I'm god
You stupid dumbs$!t go$%^mn motherf%^$er!

I open the glove box
Reach inside
I'm gonna wreck this f#$%er's ride

[Chorus]

50 posted on 10/22/2006 1:38:42 PM PDT by lesser_satan (EKTHELTHIOR!!!)
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To: lesser_satan; Caramelgal
bought Fallen the day I first saw the Going Under video on Fuse

Though it's outside the "1990s" criteria, Fallen is one of the best albums of the past 5 years, in my opinion. I remember hearing "Bring Me to Life" for the first time (it was the "original" version, without the unnecessary rapping; I have that version on mp3). I got to see them perform not long afterwards while Ben Moody was still with them. It was a great show.

The Open Door is probably an album that will need to grow on me. I got to preview it online, and after a first listen, I wasn't that impressed overall. "Lacrymosa" is a neat track though, with the excerpt from Mozart's Requiem. I think I'll end up getting it with the expected gift cards to Borders that I usually get for Christmas.

51 posted on 10/22/2006 1:43:57 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world." - Pope Blessed Pius IX)
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To: Pyro7480
You say no Nirvana but Foo Fighters come pretty close! That Foo Fighters album is one of my alltime favorites as well. They never really matched it since.

Gin Blossoms "New Miserable Experience" is great as well, never gets tired after all these years.

The Radiohead albums creep me out. When "OK Computer" came out, I was listening to it as I drove by a fatal car wreck near my house minutes after it happened. Turned out to be a teenager that lived down the street from me. That kind of ruined the album for me and everytime I hear it, especially "Airbag", I'm reminded of that car wreck.

52 posted on 10/22/2006 1:51:18 PM PDT by SamAdams76 (The Program is Morally Good)
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To: MotleyGirl70
I actually like Down on the Upsidebetter.

Others on my list would be

Beck Odelay
Oasis Definitely Maybe
The Black Crowes The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion
Presidents of the United States of America Self Titled (its dumb I know but it is fun)
RATM RATM
And Temple of the Dog would make it but I think it is 1989.
53 posted on 10/22/2006 2:03:13 PM PDT by Mr. Blonde (You know, Happy Time Harry, just being around you kinda makes me want to die.)
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To: Pyro7480

BTTT


54 posted on 10/22/2006 4:00:21 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world." - Pope Blessed Pius IX)
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To: Pyro7480

I was amazed by how great Jeff Buckley's voice was when I first heard it. Hallalujah is incredible. It still blows me away.


55 posted on 10/22/2006 6:32:18 PM PDT by Mr. Blonde (You know, Happy Time Harry, just being around you kinda makes me want to die.)
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To: Pyro7480

I'll add a couple that others haven't mentioned:

No Doubt "Tragic Kingdom"
Yeah, yeah. I know. Gwen Stephani's gone kinda goofy in recent years, but this CD shows that they did have some musical chops behind them.

They Might Be Giants - "Flood"
Yeah, yeah. TMBG isn't for everyone. But this is still a heck of a CD. At the very least, it reintroduced "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" to the listening public. An honorable mention to "Apollo 18" as well.

Barenaked Ladies "Gordon"
While they didn't hit it big in the US until 2000's "Maroon", BNL's debut CD was filled with songs that are still catchy a decade later.

The Refreshments "Fizzy, Fuzzy, Big and Buzzy"
Okay, I might be the only person who even remembers these guys, but I'll mention them anyway. The Refreshments were an Arizona band with a southwestern college rock type twang. Only one song of theirs ("Banditos") ever got much nationwide airplay (Although I heard a good chunk of the CD played on Denver radio) but the band seemed poised to explode... and then they vanished. (Okay, technically they released a second CD, broke up, and the lead singer formed a new band which is still around, but that's close enough for jazz.) Right now, the band is best known for the theme song to "King of the Hill". (And if you listen to the commentary on the pilot episode you can also hear Mike Judge talk about how the staff thought these guys would be huge.) But if you listen to the CD, you can hear a bunch of songs that'll make you say "Why didn't they ever play this on the radio?"


I'll give some "not classic, but still darn good" nods to INXS' "Welcome to Wherever You Are", "Empire Records", "Everyone Else is Doing It so Why Can't We?" by the Cranberries, and "Garbage" or "Version 2.0" by Garbage.


56 posted on 10/22/2006 6:50:58 PM PDT by Starter
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To: Starter
Garbage" or "Version 2.0" by Garbage.

There are definitely classic tracks on both albums.

57 posted on 10/22/2006 7:02:03 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world." - Pope Blessed Pius IX)
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To: Mr. Blonde
I was amazed by how great Jeff Buckley's voice was when I first heard it.

It really was amazing.

58 posted on 10/22/2006 8:29:41 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world." - Pope Blessed Pius IX)
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To: Pyro7480

Drat! I always miss the fun discussions. Anyway, here are some of my favorite oddball selections for the 90's:

Cocteau Twins "Heaven or Las Vegas" - dreamy, hazy guitars + some woman singing gibberish lyrics!

Pixies "Trompe le Monde" - Bizarro World Nirvana? Songs about aliens, brine shrimp and Alec Eiffel.

Curve "Doppelganger" - Redefines "Wall of Sound". Dream pop with all amps turned to 11.

Laika "Silver Apples of the Moon" - Electronica + marimba/flute/etc. + whispered vocals?

Broadcast "Work and Non-Work" - More electronic stuff, lots of analog synths + cool airy female vocals.

Pram "North Pole Radio Station" - Even weirder electronic stuff, lots of theremin/chimes/horns/whatever added.

Stereolab "Emperor Tomato Ketchup" - Electronic French Pop etc.

Flaming Lips "Clouds Taste Metallic" - Off-kilter alt rock from crazy Oklahomans.

Nick Cave "Henry's Dream" - More of Nick's tales from the dark side of humanity.

There is plenty of good music, you just have to search it out.


59 posted on 10/22/2006 11:41:00 PM PDT by NoAction
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To: NoAction
That's some selection there! You must like "shoegazing" type music, between the Cocteau Twins and the first Curve release. Ever hear of Lush? Their first EP and single came out in 1990, so they could be considered to be "1990s." Within the past year, I saw an old video of Lush on the VH1 Classic channel, and ended up getting their first compilation album, Gala from a used CD site.
60 posted on 10/23/2006 8:40:39 AM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world." - Pope Blessed Pius IX)
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