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| My Top 30 Rock Albums from 1990 to 1994
I can't speak for others; but for me, the early 1990's were what I consider to be formative years. Unfortunately, I spent the majority of 1990 to 1994 in High School, at a restrictive private school that was more focused on upholding their image (i.e., strict rules on dress code and hair length, no facial hair, etc.) than allowing us to become the awesome individuals we are today. However, during that time I was lucky enough to be exposed to some great rock music. During this time, 80's hair metal fell on its sword and the grunge explosion spread across the US. It was certainly a time of in with the new (grunge and alternative) and out with the old (dinosaurs of rock). Even with respect to political and socio-awareness, and of course fashion (no more bright, multi-colored clothing). Without further adieu, the following are my top 30 rock albums from 1990 to 1994. | | 30 |  | Ugly Kid Joe
America's Least Wanted
Indeed, the 1991 song "Everything About You" (and MTV video) helped herald in the transition from hair metal to alternative. This album also had their timeless cover of "Cats in the Cradle". Several of the songs here are heavily drenched in Black Sabbath riffing, with poignant and sarcastic vocals. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea; but funny enough, this album holds up with time better than some others from this period. As do their more recent EP "Stairway to Hell" and album "Uglier than They Used To Be". | | 29 |  | The Offspring
Smash
This album, which came out in 1994, was unlike anything I had ever heard. Sure, I had heard punk before. We all had (and some cringe at the thought). But The Offspring brought their own unique twist to the genre. Although they later honed their sound in subsequent albums (e.g., Ixnay on the Hombre); the songs "Come Out and Play" and "Gotta Get Away" are prime examples of what make this band great. This album expanded the scope of popular rock music, and helped bring punk-influence and D.I.Y. attitude more into the mainstream. | | 28 |  | THe Smashing Pumpkins
Gish
The guitar tone on this 1991 album, as well as on Siamese Dream, was dreamy in spots and had attitude and crunch in others. A great mix of light and dark, as Led Zeppelin championed. I am partial to the songs on the first half of the album, but a great listen all the way through. | | 27 |  | Helmet
Meantime
hen i started learning how to play guitar, Helmet became one of my favorite bands. The majority of their riffs are in dropped D tuning and crunchy, yet clean. Also, the chord progressions and rhythms are simple but catchy. "In the Meantime" is a great song to kick off this album, and "Unsung" and "Better" are mid-album highlights. | | 26 |  | Jane's Addiction
Ritual De Lo Habitual
This album is an absolute classic. Personally, my favorite songs are "Stop", "Been Caught Stealing", and "Three Days". Its shocking to believe that this album was released in 1990, as it (as well as "Nothings Shocking") are so ahead of their time. Just reinforces that Jane's Addiction are progenitors, and helped spearhead alternative music and bring this genre to the forefront. | | 25 |  | Red Hot Chili Peppers
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
In retrospect, RHCP has gone through several musical shifts over the years. Not that their most-recent albums are bad; but I consider this album to be their last great album before they achieved great levels of success. This album was raw, funky (with killer bass work by Flea), and had some of the best rap-rock rhymes by Anthony Kiedis of the time. "Give It Away" and "Suck My Kiss" were my favorite songs, but the whole album hops and grooves. | | 24 |  | White Zombie
La Sexorcisto-Devil Music Vol. 1
Whether you like this 1992 album really comes down to, in my opinion, whether you are a fan of haunted houses or not. When I was a kid, I vividly remember going to small amusement parks in my area. The highlight of the park, for me at least, was the haunted house. It was one of those where you sat on a small coaster and moved slowly through an automated horror show. This album recalls some of those memories, based on the extensive use of horror movie audio samples and the menacing tone of the music. Definitely not an album for most...but it is one of a kind. Best songs are "Thunder Kiss 65" and "Black Sunshine", but all are rather unique. | | 23 |  | Toadies
Rubberneck
his 1994 album was a personal favorite. Until AEnima was released in 1996, I held this band as high as Tool (one of my favorite bands). The Toadies are out of Texas and have their own unique sound. Its hard to pick a favorite song off this album, as they are all good; but "Backslider", "Quitter", "Tyler" and "Velvet" are awesome. So is "Possum Kingdom", their hit off this album that you may recognize. | | 22 |  | Queensryche
Empire
Grunge wasn't the only great music to come out of Seattle. Queensryche released a landmine album in 1990, capitalizing on Geoff Tate's extreme vocal range and diversity, and the expert musicianship of the rest of the band. This album included great heavy songs ("Jet City Woman", "Empire"), great introspective and slower songs ("Silent Lucidity", "Anybody Listening"), and an incredible cover ("Scarborough Fair").
I also forgot the song "Della Brown", which is one of the best on here. Check out MTV Unplugged. | | 21 |  | Pantera
Vulgar Display of Power
During the early to mid 1990's, everyone thought that metal was dead. Popular 80's hair metal bands, that had once sold out stadiums, could barely sell out a club. Only one band, from Texas, chose to be the "alternative to the alternative", and created an ever increasingly brutal mix of metal and hardcore. Something never heard before...and honestly, not heard since. This album, "Vulgar Display of Power", was heavily drenched in groove. Although not as groundbreaking as the 1990 and 1994 bookends, this album has produced some of the most timeless Pantera songs in "A New Level" and "Walk". Like the cover indicates, this album is like a punch to the face (eardrums more likely). Listeners beware... | | 20 |  | Stone Temple Pilots
Core
Many people compared this 1992 album to the work of Pearl Jam, and there are some similarities. However, Core is a standout album that helped usher in a mix of "grunge" and "alternative" genres. My favorite songs on this album are "Sex Type Thing" and "Crackerman". R.I.P. Scott Weiland. | | 19 |  | Nirvana
Nevermind
I can recall listening to Nirvana during my sophomore year in high school. This 1991 album kicks off with "Smells Like Teen Spirit", which still grabs hold of you, even to this day is. This album ebbs and flows all the way to the end, incorporating the best of Kurt Cobain's vocal and guitar stylings, the bounce and loopiness of Krist Novaselic's bass, just slightly behind the beat, and the immense drumming of Dave Grohl. Although only three people, the melding of these three are potent and huge on this album. My next favorite songs are "Breed" and "Territorial Pissings". | | 18 |  | The Smashing Pumpkins
Siamese Dream
A groundbreaking album from 1993. I was introduced to this album by a friend in Karate. This guy was a huge Smashing Pumpkins fan, talked about them non-stop, and I couldn't help but get pulled in. A bit tall, and gangly, this guy even looked a bit like Billy Corgan (with hair). Don't know what happened to him, but glad he introduced me to this album. "Cherub rock" and "Quiet" kick this album off, followed by a string of great songs (including "Today" and "Disarm"). | | 17 |  | Temple of the Dog
Temple of the Dog
This 1991 album brought together members of Soundgarden and Mother Love Bone, to mourn the passing of Andrew Wood (lead singer of Malfunkshun, Mother Love Bone). At this time, Soundgarden was breaking out of the Pacific northwest, and the members of Mother Love Bone were rising from their sadness and ashes to form Pearl Jam. The scene had not exploded yet. As such, this is an honest snapshot, before the fame of these two bands became widespread. Most people have heard "Hunger Strike", one of the first songs to feature Eddie Vedder. However, the remaining deep cuts on this album are equally as excellent. R.I.P. Chris Cornell. | | 16 |  | Peach
Giving Birth To A Stone
Released in 1994, this album had an unbridled, raw energy, which was just barely containable in CD format.. Justin Chancellor of this band would later join Tool as the bassist, and the groundbreaking 1996 album "Aenima" would result. However, this album stands on its own with great songs including "You Lied", "Spasm", and "Peach". | | 15 |  | Alice in Chains
Facelift
This album often does not get the respect it deserves, given the greatness of the follow-up "Dirt". But this 1990 album has some true classics including "Man in the Box", "We Die Young", and "Confusion". I remember (excitingly) picking up this CD at a short-lived record store. It was a great find at the time, in the early 1990's. AIC played an infectious mix of grunge and metal, and was one of the first grunge bands to break out. | | 14 |  | Nirvana
In Utero
Has there ever been a more dissonant album to make it big? Actually, that is what makes this 1993 album great. From the start, it is painfully apparent that Nirvana aimed to make an aggressive, discordant, indigestible follow-up to Nevermind. Songs like "Scentless Apprentice", "Tourette's", and "Radio Friendly Unit Shifter" are examples of songs, which by design were meant to turn casual fans off. This album also had two classic tracks in "all apologies" and "heart-shaped box", which appealed to their broad audience. Personally, I think it's a great and unique album, which harkens back to their punk roots and is similar to early Mudhoney. | | 13 |  | Rage Against The Machine
Rage Against The Machine
This 1992 album was the soundtrack to morning swim team practices when I was in high school, as well to rock climbing expeditions when I was in College. It would always get you pumped up! "Bombtrack" and "know your enemy" were my favorites, with the latter including a guest vocal by Maynard J. Keenan of Tool. | | 12 |  | Skid Row
Slave to the Grind
Say what you will, but this album is a tour de force. The first 1989 Skid Row album was definitely a sign of the times, and as such, was nothing special. However, this 1991 album "brought it" with a fury, capitalizing on Sebastian Bach's incredible vocal range, and the heaviness and gritty nature of the band. All the songs are enjoyable, and even the ballad "Wasted Time" is awesome. I ended up selling this album back in the mid 1990's, during the grunge/alternative days, but couldn't do without it. I ended up purchasing it again in the early 2000's. | | 11 |  | Pearl Jam
Ten
This 1991 album was unlike anything at the time. Rising from the ashes of Mother Love Bone and pulling in Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam took the world by storm. I can still remember watching the video for "Alive" over and again while playing pool in my High School's game room. When the wave starts to crash, at the beginning of the video, you know its on. This album has some of Pearl Jam's greatest songs, including "Evenflow" and "Black", and starting on Track 7 takes one on a trip through deeper cuts. | | 10 |  | Tool
Undertow
There was nothing quite like this at the time. I remember, in high school, a friend of mine purchasing this tape shortly after it first came out in 1993. The sound on the tape was not great, but one could hear immediately that this was not your parent's rock music. The combination of Maynard J. Keenan's vocals and the bands power and aggression, made this truly a compelling listen. All the songs are great, but I prefer "4 Degrees" and "Undertow". | | 9 |  | Alice in Chains
Dirt
Looking back at the lyrical content (and knowing the history of the band), this album came from a pretty bleak time. But back in the day, this 1992 album was groundbreaking! I listened to this album constantly, had around 4 to 5 cassette copies of it (for various vehicles), and even rocked it for my date during my junior prom. She noted "sounds like Black Sabbath" and tolerated it, but I'm sure she was not a big fan. Although I am still a hug AIC fan, I usually only listen to this album when the mood fits. | | 8 |  | Faith No More
Angel Dust
Similar to Nirvana's In Utero album, this 1992 album bucked Faith No More's previous album, previous sound, and their fan's expectations. Most people, expecting a second "The Real Thing", were grossly dissapointed. There were no "big hits" on this album, like "epic", and it was a quite unconventional listen.
This is one of those rare albums where, if you had a wreck and totaled your car while listening to, you would want to make sure you pulled this out of the tape deck. It was that good and infective after a few listens. "Malpractice" is, to me, the crowning jewel on this CD and showcases the various nuances of this album. | | 7 |  | Soundgarden
Badmotorfinger
Time is a funny thing. In the early 1990's; I liked this album, and I loved the songs "Outshined" and "Rusty Cage", but this album would not have made it into my top 10. However, over the years, this 1991 album has aged very well. Where some of the other grunge classics of this time are not always an easy listen, this album is one of my mainstays to this day. This album is the cumulation of early Soundgarden, as best represented in earlier albums Ultramega OK (1988) and Louder than Love (1989). Badmotorfinger, with strong Black Sabbath type riffs and masterful lyrics from Chris Cornell, stands at the pinnacle of their late 80's/early 90's sound. | | 6 |  | Kyuss
Welcome to Sky Valley
Best album you've never heard of. Honestly, I hadn't heard of it either back in the 1990's. Totally went under my radar until the late 1990's, when I heard Tool cover them, and then continued under my radar for another 15 years or so. When one thinks of a truly great album, it is not just one or a few good songs, but instead it is the collective whole that makes it great. This is that album, where the entire album takes you on a meandering journey through different textures, light and dark, instrumentals, and the like. It is truly hard to (1) peg the style of this album, as it varies significantly, or (2) pick favorites. Although "Demon Cleaner" may represent the apex of the album near the midpoint.This album has enough sound to fill up an entire canyon in the California desert, running only off a single generator. Take a listen and enjoy the trip, as it is one worth taking. | | 5 |  | Nine Inch Nails
The Downward Spiral
This 1994 album reminds me strongly of my freshman year in College. My roommate and I listened to this halo constantly, along with all the other assorted NIN halos. Let me warn you, this album is not for everyone. The lyrical subject matter can vary from dark to disturbing. However, the musical landscape created by Trent Reznor in this halo is unparalleled. No other industrial artists, in my honest opinion, have even come close to matching the conglomeration of soundscapes on this halo. Although great halos came before (Pretty Hate Machine) and after (The Fragile, etc.), nothing else that NIN has done compares to this one. My favorite tracks were "March of the Pigs", "Reptile", and "Piggy (nothing can stop me now version)". | | 4 |  | Ozzy Osbourne
No More Tears
This album was a true resurgence for Ozzy, who was falling behind before this dropped in 1991. Riding on the bluesy and southern-rock influenced riffing of Zakk Wylde, coupled with an incredible rhythm section; this album was chock full of great songs. "No More Tears" and "Desire" rip it up, while "I Don't Want to Change the World" burns and simmers. This album also included some of the best slow metal songs out there in "Mama, I'm Coming Home", "Road to Nowhere", and "Time After Time". This album will always hold a high spot in my memories from high school. I don't recall having a copy until I was a wee bit older, but I can vividly remember seeing the various music videos on MTV over, and over, and over. | | 3 |  | Metallica
Metallica
Need I say more...This album is an absolute classic. This 1991 album was a tour de force. Every song was masterful, combining well-crafted solos and guitar work, with some of the most crushing riffs of all time (e.g., Enter Sandman, Sad But True). In addition, this album shaped my guitar playing for years to come, even when all I had was an acoustic guitar. | | 2 |  | Guns N' Roses
Use Your Illusion
There is not enough to say about this 1991 double album. Together, it is a masterpiece and the albums provide something for everyone. From the punk-influenced songs (Double Talkin Jive, Garden of Eden, You Could Be Mine) to the introspective songs (Don't Cry, Civil War),to the covers (Knockin' on Heavens Door, Live and Let Die), and to the masterpieces (November Rain, Estranged, Coma); this double album brings it all. Even the deep tracks are engaging and add to the overall greatness.There has always been debate over which of the Use Your illusions is better. Personally, Use Your Illusion I is my favorite of the two, as it is generally harder and faster. But both are great. | | 1 |  | Soundgarden
Superunknown
Released in 1994, this album was a mix of grunge and progressive metal, all rolled into one. Most tend to focus on the hit songs (Fell on Black Days, Spoonman, Black Hole Sun) and I do have my own deep cut favorites (4th of July, The Day I Tried to Live), but this album is an incredible listen all the way through. To me, this album is Soundgarden's crowning achievement and still holds up today. I can still recall listening to this album on my Walkman in my last years of high school, and it was one of the few albums that was both easy and a pleasure to listen to for the full 70 minutes. This also was one of those albums where the packaging was equally as innovative as the musical content. The distorted photographs and imagery within the booklet always captivated me, making this album both an aural and visual experience. R.I.P. Chris Cornell. R.I.P. Walkmans and CD packaging/booklets. | |
wham49
04.20.18 | 18 is 1 | widowslaugh123
04.21.18 | damn this is a list and a half. 25 is 1. 14 is also great | Royl123
04.21.18 | Nice picks dude. The black album also inspired me to play guitar. | Dewinged
04.21.18 | Nice, most of these picks I would have chosen them myself. And good job with the write-ups man. |
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