I Like the 90’s
I had a brief discussion with my friend Loren about music the other day, and it was kind of a "my music is better than yours", until I realized the bands cited were all 90's bands. So it was really "my 90's music is better than yours". So why was 90's music so good? I'm going to make my case for the 10 best albums of 1990's.
One important caveat: You don't need *me* to tell you that Pearl Jam's "Ten" was great. Nirvana's "Nevermind" literally changed people's lives. Soundgarden was great. The Black Crowes put out two great albums in the 90's. I'm not going to waste time including albums that everyone loves. These are albums you may not have in your collection, but they are at the very least worth an illegal download or a Youtube checkout.
Less Than Jake - Losing Streak (1996)
To me, this was their first great album. They got even better in the 2000's, but this was the best of the 90's. And this was my introduction to ska-punk, which I immediately fell in love with. They put on a great show and still play many songs from this album.
Fun fact: Less Than Jake headlined the 1998 Ska Against Racism tour, which is cool.
Suicidal Tendencies - Lights Camera Revolution (1990)
A hardcore/thrash masterpiece from the classic ST lineup. Mike Muir is a terrible singer but he actually does a pretty good job on this album. "You Can't Bring Me Down" contains one of the great rants of all time - check out the video for this song on YouTube. Alone and Send Me Your Money are also classics.
Fun Fact: In 1984, citing concerns about crowd violence, the group was banned from performing live in the city of Los Angeles. The ban remained in effect until the early 1990s
White Trash - White Trash (1991) and Si o Si, Que? (1994)
There is no way to choose between these two albums. It's like trying to choose between Sarah Jessica Parker and Kirsten Dunst in a hot body, weird face contest (I stole that from Family Guy). I've listened to both these albums regularly since they came out and bought two copies of each for the car and the stereo. Neither album has a clunker on it. They are still going strong, putting out awesome music to this day.
Fun Fact: If you don't have these albums, go buy them. If you don't have the money, I'll give it to you.
Perfect Thyroid - Which One of Us is Me? (1995)
Kingston (New York's, whispered) own Perfect Thyroid. I encountered them playing in the University Union at my school, opening for a local band called Yolk in '91 or '92. I stopped because my then-stepmother had a thyroid problem that she wouldn't shut up about, and thyroids were funny. Then I heard the music. How these guys (and gal) weren't huge is beyond me. I used to listen to their subsequent album, Musical Barnacles, every morning walking down Park Avenue to work.
Fun Fact: My wife and I went to see them at a festival in Poughkeepsie on the water, right by the bridge. At least I think it was my wife.
Faith No More - Angel Dust (1992)
In 2003, Kerrang Magazine listed the 50 most influential albums of all time. Angel Dust was number 1. "Land of Sunshine", "RV" and "Crack Hitler" are my favorite tunes on this album. This was Mike Patton at his finest.
Fun Fact: This album is better than "The Real Thing".
Sublime - Sublime (1994)
"Santeria" is my second-favorite song in the world, so that's enough for me right there. But this album also has "Same in the End" "Under My Voodoo", "Caress Me Down" and "Seed". It has "What I Got", but I don't really like that song.
Not so fun fact: This album was supposed to be called "Killin' It", but Bradley Nowell died right before the album was to be released, so they just called it "Sublime"
The Cranberries - Everybody Else is Doing It, So Why Can't We? (1992)
This could be a greatest hits album. Tack "Zombie" on to it and it would be. The first five songs on this album stand up with the first five on any album I know. RIP Dolores O'Riordan.
Fun Fact: Their original name was "The Cranberry Saw Us". Ugh.
The Bloodhound Gang - Hooray for Boobies (1999)
This is not a joke album. I mean, it's hilarious, but the songwriting and music is incredible, and Jimmy Pop is one of the best lyricists around. And the videos from this album are great - do yourself a favor and check them out. You know "The Bad Touch" - the Discovery Channel song - but that's actually one of the weaker tracks. Check out the videos for "Mope", "The Ballad of Chasey Lain", and "The Inevitable Return Of The Great White Dope".
Fun fact: This band fell off the face of the earth
Megadeth - Youthanasia (1994)
The best metal album of the 90's. Metallica can't touch this. "Train of Consequences" and "A Tout Le Monde" are killer tracks. This is the classic lineup, although it constantly changed because Dave Mustaine couldn't get along with anyone.
Fun Fact: Dave Mustaine is a huge asshole. I read his book and I really dislike him now.
Rush - Roll The Bones (1991)
Have to include Rush, and this is the best of their 90's output. Don't listen to the title track, it's embarrassing, but the rest of the album is great. RIP to the Professor.
Fun fact: I like Rush a lot