Discovolante's Best of: 1993
Aaaand here's where the controversial picks really begin lol. From the beginning of the year to the end, via the Sputnik release calendar. |
| 1 |  | Mazzy Star
So Tonight That I Might See
One of the most mystical and atmospheric albums of the decade, Mazzy Star's crowning achievement, "So Tonight That I Might See" is an album unlike any you will ever hear. A mesmerizing album that will leave you in a daze from start to finish. |
| 2 |  | Smut
Blood, Smut and Tears
Smut was an all-female hardcore band from Minneapolis that in their seven years of activity released two albums, with the best by far being their 1993 debut "Blood, Smut and Tears". Its loud, abrasive and surprisingly diverse sound manages to both shock and awe. |
| 3 |  | Justin Warfield
My Field Trip to Planet 9
Known now as one-half of the cult gothic duo She Wants Revenge, Justin Warfield actually got his start as a solid emcee, releasing his first solo album all the way back in 1993, "My Field Trip to Planet 9", at the young age of 20. Assisted by super producers QDIII and Prince Paul, Warfield's sly and intelligent rhymes mesh together perfectly with the dynamic production, creating one of the most woefully underrated rap albums of the decade. |
| 4 |  | Idiot Flesh
The Nothing Show
Although not necessarily up to par in greatness with their magnum opus "Fancy" which would be released four years later, Idiot Flesh's "The Nothing Show" is still a very entertaining and gripping avant-garde opera that was years ahead of its time. |
| 5 |  | Insane Clown Posse
Beverly Kills 50187
Transitioning from a plain, mediocre hardcore street rap group to one of theatrics sounds like a pretty daunting task. And with their first release as Insane Clown Posse in 1992, "Carnival of Carnage", it seemed like it was an idea that was dead in the water, with highly unfocused ideas and potential that was far from seized. But then the stars aligned in 1993 with their first EP as Insane Clown Posse, "Beverly Kills 50187", which was the first album that saw them really come into their own, for better or, like a lot of you out there may feel, the worse. A 6-track EP that changed the course of underground hip hop in a major way, and officially helped birth and realize one of the most, if not the most, polarizing rap acts ever.
(ICP will be featured on multiple "best-of-year" lists from now on, so you've been warned lol.) |
| 6 |  | 2Pac
Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.
Having the reputation of being the worst album 2Pac released in his lifetime (which I strongly disagree with), "Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z." shows the young rapper taking on brighter topic matter, while maintaining the strong lyrical core that made his previous album "2Pacalypse Now" so damn good. A lighter departure, but still a strong rap classic through-and-through. |
| 7 |  | Primus
Pork Soda
Primus dig down deep in the nitty-gritty and concoct their darkest and most successful album yet. A definite alt metal classic. |
| 8 |  | The Muffs
The Muffs
Light and yet still very filling, The Muffs' self-titled debut is still one of the best pop punk albums of its time by far, and the best album in their catalog as well. |
| 9 |  | Slowdive
Souvlaki
One of the most sacred albums in shoegaze history. Perfection. |
| 10 |  | Bjork
Debut
The album that started the greatest tetralogy in electronic music history, in my honest opinion. |
| 11 |  | Death
Individual Thought Patterns
My personal favorite album in Death's legendary catalog. Absolutely badass. |
| 12 |  | The Smashing Pumpkins
Siamese Dream
One of the top albums in alternative rock history, naturally. |
| 13 |  | Prince
The Hits/The B-Sides
Compiling some of his greatest works with some of his more hidden gems, "The Hits/The B-Sides" is naturally one of the best compilation albums ever because... well, it's Prince. |
| 14 |  | The Afghan Whigs
Gentlemen
Offering a sobering, mature alternative to the influx of grunge of the early 90s, The Afghan Whigs struck gold with the release of their masterpiece "Gentlemen" in 1993. A career-defining effort. |
| 15 |  | Luscious Jackson
In Search of Manny
All-female alt hip hoppers Luscious Jackson made their debut in 1993 with the underground classic "In Search of Manny", which shows the group at their most raw and darkest. A fantastic debut, and one of their best releases in their all-too-short catalog. |
| 16 |  | A Tribe Called Quest
Midnight Marauders
The end of one of the most impressive and iconic trilogies in hip hop history. |
| 17 |  | Cocteau Twins
Four-Calendar Cafe
Widely divisive among their rabid following, the seventh album of dream pop icons Cocteau Twins, "Four-Calendar Cafe", has thankfully been growing in positive reviews. And of course while its much more straightforward pop sound can be a bit jarring when compared to their sound originally, I am of the camp that loves it, with "Four-Calendar Cafe", containing, dare I say, some of the best crafted pop music ever ("Bluebeard" in particular is quite potent). |
| 18 |  | Wu-Tang Clan
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
A rap masterpiece that completely changed the foundation of the genre. |
| 19 |  | Ace of Base
The Sign
One of the best pure pop albums ever, fuck everybody who says otherwise. |
| 20 |  | Snoop Dogg
Doggystyle
Often thought to be one of the finest albums in rap history, Snoop's debut "Doggystyle" is an album of an unparalleled legacy that set the bar up to astronomical heights, which most people claim he has yet to reach again. |
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