Saturday, 24 February 2007
Christian: Top 10 Rock Albums of the 90s
During one of our frequent discussion about music, Pete Tabberer and I decided to try and compile a list of the top 10 most influential and/or popular rock albums of the 90s. Subsequently, I've mentioned this list to a number of people, and everybody has a slightly different opinion of what should be on the list. Here's what we came up with (not in order):
- Nirvana — Nevermind
- Pearl Jam — Ten
- Green Day — Dookie
- Weezer — Weezer
- Live — Throwing Copper
- Alice in Chains — Dirt
- Smashing Pumpkins — Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
- Metallica — Metallica
- Collective Soul — Collective Soul
- Beck — Odelay
Some nominations on this list are pretty obvious. I haven't talked to anybody yet who hasn't nominated Nevermind, Ten, Dookie, and Weezer. Most people seem to agree on Metallica and Throwing Copper. A few people have suggested Alice in Chain's Jar of Flies over Dirt, or have suggested Collective Soul's Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid in place of the self-titled album.
The most contentious entry thus far has been Mellon Collie; many Pumpkins fans have argued that Siamese Dream was a better album; however, the majority of people have agreed that in terms of overall influence, Mellon Collie was what really propelled the Smashing Pumpkins to so much success.
Finally, Odelay occupies the most argued-over spot. I nominated Odelay because its influence in many other genres of music in addition to rock is very substantial. Pete nominated the Red Hot Chili Pepper's Blood Sugar Sex Magik, which I can maybe agree should be #10 instead. Pete also nominated R.E.M.'s Automatic for the People, and I have to agree with him again that a top-of-the-90s list without R.E.M. seems incomplete. It's also interesting to note the absence of U2; while I'm definitely a fan of U2, their only possible 90s nomination is Achtung Baby, but it really isn't at the same level as the other albums, we decided (sorry Jules).
As many people have noted, there are many other worthy nominations that didn't make the cut. Some nominations: Radiohead (OK Computer), The Offspring (Smash), Nine Inch Nails (The Downward Spiral), Counting Crows (August and Everything After), etc. There are many other potential nominees too: Stone Temple Pilots, Alanis Morissette, Oasis, Sublime, Jane's Addiction, Soundgarden, No Doubt, Rage Against the Machine, Dave Matthews Band, Hootie and the Blowfish, etc. And obviously, this list doesn't include very worthy nominations from other genres; we restricted it to rock/alt-rock only.
What are your thoughts?
What other people had to say
Jon wrote:
I really debated whether or not to suggest Jane's Addiction after I got home last night. I like them (it took me a while to acquire a taste), and I think they paved the way for some of the nouveau-punk/alt-rock (which I certainly don't care for and change the channel quickly when I hear). Sublime *did* opened the door to some "groove/funk" rock, but that might be niche enough that you would have to include Faith No More's "The Real Thing" even though it came out in late 1989. They cleared a path for all the delightful "nu" metal groups of the late 90's (hate that term). And what about Blind Melon? Ah, I always have fun discussing this topic.
Jules wrote:
No sorry necessary. As much as you know I love (okay, adore and worship) U2, I can muster enough perspective to agree that they don't belong on the top 10 of the 1990's list (maybe top 20? Certainly if we're talking 1980's). My first reaction upon reading the list was that you pretty much nailed it -- I only thought to ask where the Chilis were, until I got to your next para. And then I had to agree that, yes, Automatic for the people should be on there too. Could the #10 slot be a two-way tie (I would slide Beck into #11)? Also, where the Pumpkins are concerned, I think you're right: Mellon Collie was by far the more wide-reaching album, even if Siamese dream is the purist's preference. I'm totally behind you on the other nominees, too -- August and Everything After, OK Computer, etc. Personally, I don't remember Dirt being on my radar, but maybe I just missed the Alice in Chains wave. And where's Soul Asylum's Grave Dancer's Union? Overall, though, I'd say you guys nailed it.
Julie wrote:
As far as the Smashing Pumpkins dilemma goes - I think it depends on whether you are talking about the album's influence on the musical scene or on the general populace. I think Siamese Dreams (or maybe even an earlier album) belongs more in the first and Mellon Collie in the second.
Megan wrote:
One can't help but notice how male the list is. I'm glad you mention Alanis, but I think she deserves a spot on the list, especially as it is a list of most influential artists of the 90s. It seems to me that Alanis's 1995 success with Jagged Little Pill opened the floodgates for angry or contemplative female voices. Would Jewel, Joan Osbourne, Lisa Loeb and others have found a spot in popular consciousness without her?
Or, not that this fits the list of albums, but what about Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair which she began precisely because men dominated radio play and concert venues....
Ben wrote:
What about Bush? Most people overlook this band, but they have some classics.
Phil wrote:
Wow, I really DID spend the 1990s off in my own little corner of the world.
The top ten most popular/influential albums in the 1990s in the world of my brain:
1. Over the Rhine, Good Dog Bad Dog
2. Radiohead, OK Computer
3. Yo La Tengo, I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One
4. My Bloody Valentine, Loveless
5. the innocence mission, Glow
6. Bjork, Homogenic
7. Emmylou Harris, Wrecking Ball
8. Guided By Voices, Under the Bushes Under the Stars
9. Tori Amos, Little Earthquakes
10. Weezer, Weezer
I discovered many of these late, of course--it took me an unconscionably long time to fall in love with Yo La and Guided By.
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