Discovolante's Best of: 1991
The hardest year to do since 1987. Sooo much good shit came out this year.
From the beginning of the year to the end, via the Sputnik release calendar. |
| 1 |  | Nymphs
Nymphs
Nymphs were a fantastic band from the sleazy streets of Hollywood that was full of internal turmoil, although they managed to release one album before imploding. That album is full of loud angst and production that makes it feel like you're drowning in alcohol-fueled despair and anxiety. So, so damn good. |
| 2 |  | Lifers Group
#66064
Lifers Group was a unique concept on what it would be like if Scared Straight programs were put on wax. Consisting of emcees who were serving time in prison from a minimum length of 25 years, Lifers Group's mission was to scare the crap out of you with narrowing tales of every day prison life. And that's exactly what they do best with their first EP "#66064", which boasts surprisingly strong production and awe-inspiring skillful bars from the inmates. A release that takes conscious hip hop to a whole new level. |
| 3 |  | Cycle Sluts from Hell
Cycle Sluts from Hell
Making a name for themselves in the tristate area throughout the late 80s, female vocal heavy metal troupe Cycle Sluts from Hell released one album in 1991, which is a fun, camp good time. |
| 4 |  | Carcass
Necroticism: Descanting the Insalubrious
Another homerun for the grindcore pioneers that actually supersedes the greatness of their previous album, the also excellent "Symphonies of Sickness". |
| 5 |  | Howard Stern
Crucified by the FCC
Probably the only non-musical entry on these lists, Howard Stern's "Crucified by the FCC" compilation is legitimately one of the funniest comedy albums of all time. My personal favorite, actually. |
| 6 |  | Cranes
Wings of Joy
Harrowing and gripping, "Wings of Joy" is easily the finest effort of English ethereal alt-goth greats Cranes. |
| 7 |  | Slowdive
Just for a Day
A spectacular release through-and-through that brilliantly set up the stages for their career-defining moment, "Souvlaki", two years later. |
| 8 |  | Esham
Erotic Poetry
Esham is an underground rapper from Detroit that helped pioneer horrorcore, a subgenre of hip hop that is known for its shock value, violence and, depending on the artist, Satanic, overtones. While he made a ruckus in the local area with his 1989 debut "Boomin' Words from Hell" which he released at the young age of 16, my personal favorite era of his was in 1991 with the release of the EP's "Homey Don't Play" and "Erotic Poetry", with the latter being my favorite of the two. The production is admittingly very lo-fi, but the beats are undeniably slick and the lyrical topic matter's perverseness combine to make the listen a totally flavorful experience. It's really up to personal taste on this one as "Erotic Poetry" is one of the most polarizing releases in Esham's vast catalog, but I have always adored it. |
| 9 |  | Daisy Chainsaw
Love Sick Pleasure
Daisy Chainsaw's first EP, "Love Sick Pleasure" is dizzying noise punk at its finest. |
| 10 |  | Primus
Sailing the Seas of Cheese
Another release that proves why Primus are one of the ultimate figureheads of alternative metal. |
| 11 |  | Green Day
1039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours
Before "Dookie", Green Day were concocting some solid pop punk that was starting to connect with the Bay Area. Released back in 1991, "1039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours" was a killer compilation of their earliest releases. Although the quality isn't exactly up to par with their later productions (naturally), the tracks have surprisingly decent production value considering their status at the time. And with tracks like "At the Library", "Dry Ice", "Paper Lanterns" and "Why Do You Want Him?" gracing the album, "1039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours" ends up being one of the best pop punk albums from the early days of the genre. |
| 12 |  | Mr. Bungle
Mr. Bungle
The all-time best avant-garde album, and one that is in my top 5 favorite albums in music history. |
| 13 |  | Blur
Leisure
Hated by not only critics but the band themselves, "Leisure" is typically viewed as a trendhopper of an album, but I am in the minority of those who see it as a fantastic album. The carefree nature of the album with the early 90s alternative aesthetic of "baggy" and minor shoegaze elements makes Blur's debut album one that I personally hold in high regard. |
| 14 |  | Naughty by Nature
Naughty by Nature
Naughty by Nature's self-titled debut was the commercial blockbuster that practically singlehandedly bridged the gap between hardcore hip hop and pop music. |
| 15 |  | Nice and Smooth
Ain't a Damn Thing Changed
Nice and Smooth's second album "Ain't a Damn Thing Changed" takes the unique sound and delivery that was established on their debut, and successfully expands it to all-time highs. Two of the singles on the album in particular, "Hip Hop Junkies" and "Sometimes I Rhyme Slow", are two of the best singles in 90s hip hop. |
| 16 |  | A Tribe Called Quest
The Low End Theory
A genre and band defining moment, A Tribe Called Quest's "The Low End Theory" masterfully takes the alternative hip hop style explored on their debut and elevates it to jazz rap greatness. One of the finest albums in hip hop history, absolutely. |
| 17 |  | Public Enemy
Apocalypse 91 The Enemy Strikes Black
"Apocalypse 91 The Enemy Strikes Black" is Public Enemy's final entry in one of the finest tetralogies in hip hop. |
| 18 |  | Soundgarden
Badmotorfinger
The album that propelled Soundgarden from burgeoning cult grunge hard rockers to superstars, "Badmotorfinger" is a brilliant album that blends a cutting edge hard grunge style with a throwback to early heavy metal. My personal favorite of theirs, even trumping "Superunknown". |
| 19 |  | My Bloody Valentine
Loveless
Possibly the greatest album in alternative rock history. |
| 20 |  | Michael Jackson
Dangerous
The last fantastic Michael Jackson album released in his lifetime. |
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