1. Alice in Chains Plaintive, emotive, and occasionally mournful, Alice in Chains pioneered a melodic, intoxicating sound. Quite simply, their moodiness was mesmerizing. Their songs not only dealt with themes of heartbreak and loss, but also tackled big picture issues like war and conformity. As far as rock bands in the 90s go, these legends are the undisputed, often underappreciated, masters of the form. Check out their 1994 epic Jar of Flies.