Discovolante's Best of: 1995
From the beginning of the year to the end, via the Sputnik release calendar. |
| 1 |  | Whale
We Care
Whale is generally regarded as a one-hit wonder due to the unexpected success of their 1994 single "Hobo Humpin' Slobo Babe", which was accompanied by one of the most memorable music videos in 90s music. Brimming with potential, they ceased it all with the release of their debut album "We Care", which is chockful of disjointed and offbeat rhythms and melodies, regularly mixing in elements of trip hop, grunge, pop and ear piercing noise rock to create one of the most delightfully eclectic albums of not just 1995, but the entire decade. |
| 2 |  | Lunachicks
Jerk Of All Trades
After their mediocre sophomoric release "Binge & Purge" in 1992, Lunachicks took some time off and returned in 1995 on top of things once again with "Jerk of All Trades". While not as hardcore as their previous two albums, "Jerk of All Trades" starts to insert some pop punk influences that would reach its pinnacle in 1997 with their follow-up "Pretty Ugly". A brilliant transitional album and return to form. |
| 3 |  | 2Pac
Me Against the World
The final great 2Pac album in my opinion, this was him at his most down-to-earth and vulnerable, and it remains one of the finest pieces of hip hop ever. A damn shame this side of 'Pac would never be seen again in his lifetime. |
| 4 |  | Big L
Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous
Big L recorded only two albums in his lifetime before his untimely death in 1999 at the young age of 24, with only one of them being released while he was alive. That was his debut "Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous", which, with its grim outlook and clever storytelling, was an instant classic. |
| 5 |  | Ol' Dirty Bastard
Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
Without a doubt the most interesting member of the ginormous Wu-Tang squad, the late, great Ol' Dirty Bastard is a name that has won many of hearts due to his frazzled flow and animated, humorous, over-the-top lyrics. His solo debut, "Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version", remains one of the oddest rap albums to break the top 10 and go platinum, as well as one of the most memorable. With the classic Wu-Tang production backing him and ODB's batshit delivery, the end result is rap gold. |
| 6 |  | Alanis Morissette
Jagged Little Pill
The ushering of a new kind of sound and era, Alanis Morissette amazingly evolved from mediocre Canadian teen idol to one of the most popular and beloved songwriters of the decade, thanks to this classic right here. Although she has released some quality stuff since, nothing she has ever done has ever recaptured the brilliant lightning-in-a-bottle that "Jagged Little Pill" was. Classic. |
| 7 |  | Bjork
Post
Bjork managed to whimsically blow right past the greatness that was 1993's "Debut" and rocketed near-career highs with "Post". With a sound that was less dancy and more artistic and experimental, "Post" remains one of her most solid albums yet. |
| 8 |  | Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
E 1999 Eternal
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony had some pretty big shoes to fill when it came to topping their stellar 1994 EP "Creepin On Ah Come Up", but holy hell did they deliver big with their follow-up full length "E 1999 Eternal". Part gritty horrorcore, part pop-rap brilliance, the duality of the album satisfied pretty much any rap fan who listened to it since its release, and its quality has never fully been duplicated, by Bone Thugs or anyone else. |
| 9 |  | Switchblade Symphony
Serpentine Gallery
Gothic trip-hoppers Switchblade Symphony made their mark in 1995 with the release of their first full length album "Serpentine Gallery", which is probably their grimmest of their three albums as well. Blending a subtle, slick trip hop foreground with a strong post-punk influence still lingering, "Serpentine Gallery" is widely regarded as their finest work by critics and fans alike. |
| 10 |  | Prince
The Gold Experience
After the release of the subpar album "Come", Prince made another one of his comebacks with the release of "The Gold Experience", which saw him going back to basics with solid songwriting and a soulful R&B foundation. A brilliant effort that is widely regarded as his finest album of the 1990's, alongside the perfect "Love Symbol Album" from 1992. |
| 11 |  | Dubstar
Disgraceful
"Disgraceful" is one of the most underrated albums out by one of the most underrated groups ever, Dubstar. Dubstar was a trio (later duo) from England that made some of the most beautiful electronic-tinged pop music ever. Case-in-point, their debut "Disgraceful" from 1995, which remains their crowning achievement both critically and commercially. The music on here is otherworldly and practically indescribable until you listen for yourself. A group that deserved so, so much more love. |
| 12 |  | Green Day
Insomniac
"Insomniac" was the red-headed bastard child in Green Day's catalog, probably due to its pressure of following up a behemoth of an album of "Dookie". I actually am one of the few that prefer "Insomniac" though due to its heavier, darker sound, along with it containing some of my personal favorite songs of theirs, specifically the underrated "Geek Stink Breath". An album that, while certainly different and heavier, is just as good as "Dookie" at the end of the day, or even more-so. |
| 13 |  | Insane Clown Posse
Riddle Box
In October of 1995, Insane Clown Posse hit their stride big with the release of "Riddle Box", which is an album I would gladly put on "best rap albums" any time. The production is top notch and the storytelling ranges from far-fetched and silly to downright disturbing and gripping (two of their best bleak tales, "12" and "The Killing Fields", are on here). Although they would come close to matching its greatness, nothing ever really matched the quality and charm of "Riddle Box", and today, it is widely regarded and understandably so as their definitive album. |
| 14 |  | Mystikal
Mind of Mystikal
"Mind of Mystikal" is the polishing his previous self-titled album needed to really achieve greatness. With all the wrinkled ironed out, "Mind of Mystikal" is one of two quintessential albums in his all-too-brief catalog. |
| 15 |  | Mr. Bungle
Disco Volante
The musical equivalent of severe unhinged schizophrenia. Beautiful madness, and something that pushes the already vague avant-garde label to its max. |
| 16 |  | The Smashing Pumpkins
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
Legendary. |
| 17 |  | Addis Black Widow
The Battle of Adwa
Before Die Antwoord, there was Addis Black Widow. Addis Black Widow was a Swedish duo that initially thrived on surrealistic, puzzling, undecipherable lyrics and having an odd style to them overall. They would later take a break and come back as a plain R&B group by the turn of the millennium (which kinda sucked), but their sole effort as a straight hip hop act, "The Battle of Adwa", remains one of the best alternative hip hop albums ever. |
| 18 |  | Sugar Hiccup
Oracle
Hailing from the Philippines, Sugar Hiccup is a band that many don't know but should. Having an ethereal blend of progressive rock, shoegaze and a pinch of new age, their debut "Oracle" is one of the most painfully underrated albums in 90s music history due to it being released in a limited market. One hell of a hidden gem. |
| 19 |  | Eazy-E
Eternal E
A compilation tailor made for THE West Coast hip hop icon. |
| 20 |  | Eraserheads
Cutterpillow
Eraserheads make Filipino rock history with the release of their defining album "Cutterpillow", which would prove not only to be one of the best rock albums the Philippines have ever released, but one of the best alt rock albums of the decade. |
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