1990-Sonic Youth-Goo
The ’90s kicked off with Goo from Sonic Youth, a band that had already been around for nearly a decade. Like it’s predecessor Daydream Nation, Goo was met with critical acclaim and features one of SY’s better-known songs, Dirty Boots. See below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdP6UuNNHqA
1991-My Bloody Valentine-Loveless
The worst part about Loveless, the 1991 album from Ireland’s My Bloody Valentine, was that it was the last (as of now) official LP the band ever recorded. From the :01 drum intro on “Only Shallow” (see below) to the fade out on “Soon,” Loveless is a treat from start to finish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyYMzEplnfU
1992–Slanted and Enchanted-Pavement
I guarantee this will not be the last time I bring up Pavement in this blog. Pavement’s run spanned the entire decade starting with Slanted and Enchanted and ending with Terror Twilight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0erh4wbky0
1993-The Breeders-Last Splash
After a successful run with Pixies, bassist Kim Deal branched out with her twin sister Kelley to form the Breeders. After critical (though not mainstream) success with their debut Pod, the Deal twins resurfaced with Last Splash featuring Cannonball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RiJMZQXa2o
1994-I couldn’t pick just one so here’s three:
Built to Spill-There’s Nothing Wrong With Love
Boise native Doug Martsch had already released Ultimate Alternative Wavers with Built to Spill before There’s Nothing Wrong With Love. Check out “Big Dipper” below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULSmNjeioBk
Hole-Live Through This
Before Courtney Love was known for being crazy, she was known for being a legitimate musician, fronting the band Hole. Released just four days after her husband Kurt Cobain’s death, Live Through This has been subject to unsubstantiated allegations that the songs were written by Cobain himself. You be the judge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mEbVJxsMQM
Weezer-Blue Album
Say what you want about Weezer’s releases from the past decade but many would agree that the Blue Album is one of their finest (Pinkerton would probably be the other contender). Check out “Say It Ain’t So,” below. The lyrics, which allude to front man River Cuomo’s father’s alcoholism, are dark yet the song itself is one of his best.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENXvZ9YRjbo
1995-Oasis-(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?
I’d be shocked if you told me you didn’t have “Wonderwall” on your iPod.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAPtTS0TYtU
1996-Beck-Odelay
You can’t have a 90’s album list without Beck. “New Pollution,” below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxugaMpt1vU
1997-I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One-Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo (which apparently means “I got it” in English) is easy listening. The trio have been together for over three decades plus, front man Ira Kaplan and drummer Georgia Hubley are married which is just cute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDgpQBaziy0
1998-Neutral Milk Hotel-In An Aeroplane Over the Sea
The album about Anne Frank. That’s all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhhfJTgHx58
1999-The Flaming Lips-The Soft Bulletin
I tried to find a video for Race for the Prize (Remix), the first track off of Soft Bulletin, but all YouTube gave me was live versions. Not that this is a bad thing, I myself have been to a Flaming Lips show and it was incredible. But Race for the Prize, along with the rest of Soft Bulletin deserves a recorded listen. A great album to close out an incredible decade of music.
Photo Credit:
http://www.examiner.com/generation-y-in-philadelphia/90-s-noteworthy-top…