What are your top ten favorite albums from the 90s?

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By: Joe Simonetti
• 10. Crash by Dave Matthews Band
  As stunning as it is musically diverse. It intimates a great deal of authenticity for a studio recording, certainly top 10 material.
• 9. Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness by Smashing Pumpkins
  This multi-dimensioned album is a tour-de-force of one of the decades most accomplished rock bands. Although most bands falter when it comes to creating an album with such broad artistic range, The Pumpkins seem made for such a setting.
• 8. Living In Clip by Ani Difranco
  The defining feminist voice of the decade. Not just a singer, but a multiple personality that we can all, in some way identify with. This live album is Ani at her best.
• 7. Welcome To The Cruel World by Ben Harper
  Often overlooked debut album supplies the essence of this artist. The album is also a testament to the power of acoustic music.
• 6. Nevermind by Nirvana
  The album that redifined the notion of alternative rock. "We never set out to knock Michael Jackson off the top of the chart. We simply wanted something we could live with." -Kurt Cobain
• 5. Automatic For The People by R.E.M.
  Lyrically dark, but musically outrageous. This classic album is full of candid 90s themes such as death, memory loss, AIDS, and suffering, while avoiding that popular 90s theme: Indifference.
• 4. Grace by Jeff Buckley
  Words cannot accurately describe this album,it must be heard to be appreciated. Anyway, I'll give it a shot: Angelic, Swirling, Etheral, Tormented, Seductive, and above all a musical tidal wave.
• 3. August and Everything by The Counting Crows
  The "Astral Weeks" of the 90s. Boasting the #1 hit, Mr. Jones, this album draws the listener in with its poignant narratives about sleepless nights, windowshades, rain falling, angels, a girl named Maria and words unspoken. Although these desolate images of life's experience might leave the listener asking, "What is the point?", THAT IS the point. "We all want to be big stars, but we don't know Why and we don't know How," lead singer Adam Duritz explains during Mr. Jones.
• 2. O.K. Computer by Radiohead
  Essential to anyone who desires more than just the same attention-deficit-dissorder remedies that passed for music throughout the 90s. It recieved a mountain of acclaim from critics and musicians as well.
• 1. Urban Hymns by Verve or The Verve
  Besides being a masterful musical journey unto itself, it also delivers a strong statement of individuality that other 90s bands have so tirelessly sought. The difference: Instead of hitting the same three chords and throwing a tantrum (ala Nirvana or Blur), The Verve take a much more creative and introspective approach, "I've got to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me," says frontman Richard Ashcroft in Bittersweet Symphony.

Albums are in no particular order. Although other albums deserve to be listed, I just can't justify bumping one of these to make room.

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By: br0n
• 10. Voodoo by D'Angelo
  
• 9. The Bends by Radiohead
  
• 8. Achtung Baby by U2
  
• 7. Dookie by Green Day
  
• 6. Nevermind by Nirvana
  
• 5. My Life by Mary J Blige
  
• 4. Siamese Dream by Smashing Pumpkins
  
• 3. The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest
  
• 2. 40oz to Freedom by Sublime
  
• 1. Enter the Wu-Tang by Wu-Tang Clan
  



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By: Camille
• 10. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness by Smashing Pumpkins
  Umm, its the Pumpkins! Great album. . .
• 9. Ten by Pearl Jam
  This was my first concert. Well Pearl Jam was. And this is my favorite album that they have done.
• 8. Dirt by Alice in Chains
  What more can I say?
• 7. My Own Prison by CREED
  Great "debut" album. . . the first album of a band will always be the greatest. Practically every song is well written.
• 6. Sublime by Sublime
  Excellent piece of work before Bradley's death. . .
• 5. Live On by Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
  Here again, every song is amazing
• 4. Neon Ballroom by Silverchair
  Great CD, no matter what anyone says
• 3. Trouble Is. . . by Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
  Every song is great. Its an album you can listen ALL the way through, rather than skipping around. . .
• 2. Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
  Always a classic. . . Its great
• 1. Nevermind by Nirvana
  How can you NOT like this CD??? It basically opened the flood gates for music today, and finally got rid of GLAM-ROCK!

There are so many albums that I think are awesome, but there just isn't enough space to right it all. . .There are a lot of albums that come close to these, but for me, these are the ones that I always take with me and that I always have in my cd player.

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By: RollingStoner
• 10. Nola by Down
  This Pantera, COC, Eyehategod and Crowbar side project is New Orleans-style metal at its finest.
• 9. Chemical Brothers by Dig Your Own Hole
  This made techno music a viable commercial form, although I think sales are the only thing stopping this from being legit underground dance.
• 8. Burn My Eyes by Machine Head
  Machine Head's first release, it's melodic and ferocious but not quite as catchy as The More Things Change.
• 7. Rage Against the Machine by Rage Against the Machine
  This album made everything that followed possible.
• 6. Times of Grace by Neurosis
  This is the soundtrack to my nightmares. Dark, intense, crazy trip - best if fueled by drugs. Sickly heavy.
• 5. Fumbling Toward Ecstasy by Sarah McLachlan
  Amazing talented woman, hella catchy songs, angelic voice.
• 4. Badmotorfinger by Soundgarden
  Chris Cornell and company released an amazing batch of intricate grunge masterpieces that would've pushed the band through the roof if it would have been released 2 years later.
• 3. Aenima by Tool
  Amazing band that everyone has heard. No need to say more.
• 2. Blues for the Red Sun by Kyuss
  Redefined the entire "stoner rock" genre as we know it ... absolutely amazing piece of work. Only the lackluster "Thong Song" keeps it from #1.
• 1. The More Things Change... by Machine Head
  Heavy yet melodic, intense as hell and completely off the hook, Machine Head's second album slays everything else released this decade.

I wish I woulda had room to put a Slayer album or maybe the first Monster Magnet CD. Also Bjork - she's a friggin' genius. Oh well - maybe in a top 20.

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By: Meghann Hintz
• 10. New Kids On The Block by New Kids On The Block
  
• 9. Brittney Spears by opps I Did It Again
  
• 8. Billy Gillman by Billy Gillman
  
• 7. Nsync by Nsync
  
• 6. Backstreet Boys by Backstreet Boys
  
• 5. Peter Eddie by Peter Eddie
  
• 4. Britney Spears by Britney Spears
  
• 3. Backstreet Boys by Millenium
  
• 2. Blessed Union of Soul by Blessed Union of Soul
  
• 1. Nsync no strings attached by Blessed Union of Soul
  



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By: zoey
• 10. deftones by around the fur
  
• 9. aenima by tool
  
• 8. remedy by basement jaxx
  
• 7. homogenic by bjork
  
• 6. mellon collie and the infiante sadness by smashing pumpkins
  
• 5. still in hollywood by concrete blond
  awsome
• 4. galore by the cure
  so i snuck this one in. its a compilations , but it was re-released in 97 with 1 new song for the album
• 3. the fragile-or everything by trent by nine inch nails
  one of the most complete and diverse albums ever written
• 2. post by bjork
  eccentric lady land, shes great,soo cute
• 1. little earthquakes-really everthing by tori by tori amos
  shes the godess of music



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By: Erik Heggem
• 10. Machine Head by Burn my eyes
  blows (almost) every any other band of stage
• 9. Weezer by Pinkerton
  yeah! great band
• 8. Motorpsycho by Angels And Daemons At Play
  norwegian rock/indie band. deserves world domination
• 7. Deftones by Around the fur
  another classic album.
• 6. Nofx by Punk in Drublic
  the best (punk) band ever
• 5. Korn by Korn
  Also a groundbreaking album!
• 4. Beastie Boys by ill communication
  mixing hip hop, punk and other styles makes them my heroes
• 3. Marilyn Manson by Mechanical Animals
  manson did a great album and provoced a lot of people :)
• 2. Fear Factory by Demanufacture
  the only realy good industrial-metal album
• 1. Pantera by Vulgar Display of power
  Groundbreaking, classic album from the one few true metal bands



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By: Peter Barker-Huelster
• 10. A Tribe Called Quest by The Low End Theory
  A great album. Danceable, funky, influential, and full of thought-provoking (but still funky) rhymes, "The Low End Theory" worked to fuse jazz and hip-hop.
• 9. Weezer by Weezer
  We all know exactly why this album is on the list. Everyone likes it. Punks like it because of the screaming guitars, teenyboppers love it because of the cute, catchy lyrics. Any album that can work so much into such a neat package deserves recognition.
• 8. Dr. Dre by The Chronic
  Aside from being tremendously influential, "The Chronic" showcases amazing writing abilities and has a wicked wit. It's truly one of the most important albums in the history of popular music.
• 7. Soul Coughing by Ruby Vroom
  Full of fast, funky songs with cryptic lyrics, "Ruby Vroom" will have you hooked from the first listen. An exceptionally talented band, Soul Coughing sound like absolutely no other group on the planet.
• 6. Blur by Blur
  This record has "Song 2" on it -- the greatest pop song of the 90s. Representing a sharp departure from their earlier, poppier, lighter records, "Blur" incorporates grungier elements from American indie rock (see Modest Mouse above) and has many of the bands best songs on it. Worth a listen.
• 5. Nirvana by In Utero
  I always liked this a bit better than "Nevermind". "Nevermind" might be more important from an influence standpoint, but "In Utero" is, to me, the best effort from one of the 90s best bands.
• 4. Beck by Odelay
  Beck seems to always know exactly what he is doing. He is certainly one of the most influential artists of the 90s. "Odelay" is probably his best album, though the recent "Midnite Vultures" and "Mellow Gold" could easily compete.
• 3. Belle & Sebastian by Tigermilk
  Belle & Sebastian are another band that would dominate this list if all their great albums were represented. Based out of Scotland, B & S recorded "Tigermilk" in '95 (I think) and released only 1000 copies on vinyl. Those first-run copies of this masterpiece now change hands for hundreds of dollars. "Tigermilk" is the best showcase of B&S's unique style and irreproachable songwriting. If you don't have it, get it.
• 2. Modest Mouse by The Lonesome Crowded West
  Modest Mouse is an indie rock band out of Seattle, WA. Combining punk, grunge, and folk influences with incredible songwriting, Modest Mouse sounds like nothing you've ever heard before. "The Lonesome Crowded West" is their finest album; their most recent release is also fantastic. Themes of lost love, a need for escape, anger, and self-loathing combine seamlessly with more "sensitive" songs to make an album that is custom made for a road trip. Get it on vinyl for the bonus track, "Baby Blue Sedan".
• 1. Radiohead by OK Computer
  I had to limit myself to one album per artist on this list; otherwise Radiohead would have taken up a third of the places. "OK Computer" is the best of three of the 90's greatest albums, all by the same group. In their writing and in their sound, Radiohead better represents life and humanity at the end of the 20th century than any other group. From the first second to the last, this album is nothing short of a masterpiece.



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By: Kevin Schneider
• 10. Metallica by Metallica
  Definitely a classic. My kids will listen to this CD, and right now Im 19
• 9. King for a Day, Fool for a lifetime by Faith no More
  They do it again, completely change their sound, but keep producing some of the best, detailed and smartest music on the market.
• 8. Album of the year by Faith No More
  their last album, and truelya masterpeice. Why did they have to break up? Oh yeah i remember now
• 7. Nirvana by nevermind
  i don;t need to ay anything else about this one
• 6. Mr. Bungle by Mr. Bungle
  This record is a great intro to the world and sounds of Bungle. Wonderfully themed, and the tunes can make you want to dance, headbang, or puke. No one can match Mr. Bungle
• 5. Freakshow by silverchair
  Can you argue with silverchair. Everyone likes them, and they are still very young. This album is awesome and they have so much potential still.
• 4. Odelay by Beck
  Beck is such a solid, sound musician. On Odelay, he creates a groove to and get high to rhapsody of notes and noises. A+
• 3. Disco Volante by Mr. Bungle
  Bungle is again able to redefine music and create a sound never heard before, and only they can duplicate it. They are the best band of the 90's
• 2. S.C.I.E.N.C.E. by Incubus
  "redefine" sets the bar for the rest of the album. Science is wonderfully themed, and nearly a musicla masterpeice.
• 1. California by Mr. Bungle
  I agree, everyone should have this album. Bungle keeps outdoing themselves, and California is an instant classic.

I judged my choices on creativity, and overall talent of the band. Record sales do not determine if a band is really good or not. It s not what you sell, it what you make. I am biased to bands that can produce a sound unique to only them. i.e. Mr. Bungle, Incubus, Beck

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By: Nathan
• 10. ChimChim's Badass Revenge by Fishbone
  Chaotic and manic set from these delightfully insane ecletics. These guys have the most energy of any band on this list. They are incredibly underrated...they have also endured despite an industry that likes to put black artists in the inescapable R-and-B/rap box. This album is their least commercial, but it is their best! Oh yeah, this band is the best live band EVER.
• 9. Wish by The Cure
  Beautiful melodies with alienated morose lyrics. The result is an album that can move you to tears if you're not careful. It is very easy to relate to this too, which is a little scary to think about.
• 8. BloodSugarSexMagick by Red Hot Chili Peppers
  The funkiest album of the 90's. They need to make another album like this and drop the pop crooning of Californication. Easily the best album from a group of Hollywood freaks who became famous and mainstream. Maybe there is some justice in the industry.
• 7. Ritual de lo Habitual by Jane's Addiction
  The best album from a band that unfortunately self-destructed. (Lemme guess...was the reason drugs? Yawn...)Amazing dichotomy of sublime beauty and utter decadence. Perry Farrell is one of the best frontmen in the last 30 years.
• 6. Achtung Baby by U2
  U2's successful reinvention hasn't aged a day since its release. Wonderfully crafted futuristic Euro-edged pop, with the occasional classicist U2 song.
• 5. Henry's Dream by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
  Cave in top apocalyptic form. Angst ridden, cathartic, gothic blues with heavy drama. Occasionally veers on the edge of melodrama, but still a powerful and compelling effort from a great band and an incredibly underrated (and possibly a bit disturbed) performer/poet/vocalist. Formerly of the goth-punk pioneers the Birthday Party.
• 4. The Night by Morphine
  The last effort from a great band. These guys had so much more offer, but unfortunately Mark Sandman passed away too soon. This album is their most beautiful and far-reaching, but all of them are great.
• 3. OK Computer by Radiohead
  This album is stunningly beautiful. If you're in the right mood, this one can always make you cry. A breathtaking masterpiece from a band that is continuing to push the envelope. (See "Kid A")
• 2. And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out by Yo La Tengo
  A luminary act of the indie community that has sustained its integrity. The Velvet Underground of the 80s and 90s. This album is their best.
• 1. Mule Variations by Tom Waits
  Tom is an absolute genius, and his latest release proves it convincingly.

Honorable mentions: Julian Cope "Jehovahkill", the Slackers, Beck "Mellow Gold" or "Odelay", Bad Brains "Spirit Electricity", Nirvana "Nevermind" (for none of the obvious reasons), Living Colour "Stain", Tom Waits "Bone Machine", RHCP "One Hot Minute", Butthole Surfers "Independent Worm Saloon"...Lastly, I would like to add that this listener is largely disgusted with the sacharrine, uninspired state of pop music and the pre-packaged nature of the majority of the artists on the charts. There needs to be some type of musical movement that destroys these corporate foundations. "What can I say about politics...I'm an anarchist." -Angelo Moore, Fishbone
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