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Top Ten Albums of the 90s

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


    By: Leo Alberti
    • 10. Dummy by Portishead
      I almost forgot this one, this is the best low key album I have ever heard. Emotion to the fullest.
    • 9. Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails
      Another amazing cd. Trent set a standard for songwriting that not many can touch.
    • 8. Weezer by Weezer
      An out of the blue album when it came out. It was so good. Say it Ain't So is still amazing. To bad I don't like the new cd they put out.
    • 7. Elastica by Elastica
      Just a catchy as hell cd. S.O.F.T. is one of my fave songs ever.
    • 6. American Thighs by Veruca Salt
      One of the last good bands to come out of the Alternative revolution. To bad their band went down the tubes as well.
    • 5. Gish by Smashing Pumpkins
      This is what got me into music. An older kid on my bus when I was in eight grade had a tape and I copied it and listened to that copy for an entire summer till I found it on tape. God that changed my entire view on music.
    • 4. Envy by Eve's Plum
      This is one that I love. Not popular at all but after 8 years I still listen to it all the time. My god, eight years has gone bye:)
    • 3. Live Through This by Hole
      Courtney's crowning achievment. To bad Hole has gone down the tubes.
    • 2. Nevermind by Nirvana
      Kind of explains itself. Brilliant.
    • 1. Siamese Dream by Smashing Pumpkins
      Still my fave cd of all time. I can't explain how important this cd was and is to me.

    My list is always chaning but these are usually in the top ten all the time for myself. But no matter what Siamese Dream by Smashing Pumpkins is my fave of all time. I love every little note played on that album. That is my cd.
    By: Jerry Atricks
    • 10. The Speed of Cattle by Archers of Loaf
      Good music to yell to.
    • 9. Mellow Gold by Beck
      This should be ranked higher, but I don't want to redo this.
    • 8. Copper Blue by Sugar
      There isn't a bad song on it.
    • 7. Factory Showroom by They Might Be Giants
      Good for road trips.
    • 6. O.K. Computer by Radio Head
      I'll jump on the bandwagon here.
    • 5. 69 Love Songs by The Magnetic Fields
      Three part album.
    • 4. Nirvana by Nevermind
      This album changed everything.
    • 3. Keep it Like a Secret by Built to Spill
      You know you love it.
    • 2. Out of Time by R.E.M.
      Probably the greatest band of the last two decades.
    • 1. The Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips
      This came out in 2000, but keep in mind, that's still the 90's.

    Ben Folds Five is also up here.
    By: Laci R.
    • 10. The Bends by Radiohead
      Highlights: Planet Telex, Street Spirit, The Bends, Fake Plastic Trees
    • 9. Yield by Pearl Jam
      Highlights: Wishlist, Given to Fly
    • 8. Achtung Baby by U2
      Highlights: Ultraviolet, The Fly, Zoo Station, Mysterious Ways
    • 7. Secret Samadhi by Live
      Highlights: Heropsychodreamer, Unsheathed, Lakini's Juice
    • 6. Fumbling Towards Ecstasy by Sarah McLachlan
      Highlights: Elsewhere, Mary, Good Enough
    • 5. Distance to Here by Live
      Highlights: The Dolphin's Cry, Sparkle, Feel the Quiet River Rage
    • 4. Pinkerton by Weezer
      Highlights: The Good Life, El Scorcho, Butterfly
    • 3. August & Everything After by Counting Crows
      Highlights: Anna Begins, Raining In Baltimore, Murder of One
    • 2. The Unathorized Biography of Reinhold Messner by Ben Folds Five
      Highlights: Narcolepsy, Don't Change Your Plans, Mess
    • 1. Throwing Copper by Live
      One word: STAGE

    Undertow (Tool - Maynard James Keenen's amazingly beautiful voice), No Code, Ten, Vs. and Merkin Ball (Pearl Jam), Mellan Collie & the Infinite Sadness (Smashing Pumpkins), Mental Jewelry (Live), Geology of Planet Wierd (Bloo), Ben Folds Five, Naked Baby Photos, and Whatever & Ever, Amen (Ben Folds Five), Rattle & Hum (U2), Recovering the Satellites (Counting Crows), Automatic for the People (REM), Wildflowers (Tom Petty), Lost and Gone Forever (Guster)
    By: Kye
    • 10. The Slim Shady LP (1996) by Eminem
      Eminem may suck ass now, but back in 96, he was a god in the underground rap scene.
    • 9. Turn the radio off by Reel Big Fish
      Many songs on this album have been featured on movie soundtracks and in commercials. Sometimes as background music on a tv show. Second album that exposed a lot of people to this ska band.
    • 8. Dude Ranch by Blink 182
      Another band that now sucks, Blinks third album was also their swansong. The one hit, "Damnit," was on MTV before they said goodbye for two whole years. Songs like "Josie" and "Emo" are my favorites.
    • 7. Evil Empire by Rage Agianst The Machine
      Rages second album, got me thinking globally, and made me act locally. Political rap/punk influence. Reminds me of the MC5.
    • 6. Let's Face It by Mighty Mighty BossTones
      Ska/punk with pop sense. Last good album from them. With songs dealing with drug abuse, violence, and racism, it spread a good message. Got people into ska, too.
    • 5. Take Warning: Songs of Operation Ivy by Various Artists
      Cover songs of ska and punks most influential bands! Need I say more. Reel Big Fish, Long Beach Dub Allstars, hell, even the Aquabats cover a song.
    • 4. I heard they suck live! by NoFx
      A great introduction to the band, gives people a feel for what they sound like live. Those drunken idiots make the house go wild with songs like "Linolium," "The Brews," and "Kill all da white man."
    • 3. Seedy by Operation Ivy
      Really an EP. It came out in 92, three years after OpIvy broke up. "Hedgecore" and "Healthy body, sick mind (extended)" are some instant classics
    • 2. Become the media by Jello Biafra
      Spoken word album by Frisco punk Jello Biafra. His opinions are fact. Napster good, Metallica bad. Fuck Democrats and Republicans for the election bungle.
    • 1. ...And out come the wolves by Rancid
      THE most important record in my collection. Personal stories from Tim Armstrong that everybody can relate to (except for "Journy to the end of East Bay). Tight ska guitar rhythms that sound so loose and relaxed. Best Album Ever.


    By: Daniel
    • 10. The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails
      WOW, this is one of the best albums my ears have ever heard. Instrumentals on this are amazing, Reznor sure spent alot of time on this album, and it shows.
    • 9. The Black Album by Metallica
      I really hate this band, but this is a great album. I listen to it before I do some sporting activites.
    • 8. Core by Stone Temple Pilots
      One of my favorite albums in my collection. Deffinatley their best album, 'Purple' would be #11 on my list.
    • 7. Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails
      The first NIN album to real hit mainstream. I love this, though it's not my fav, that would be 'Pretty Hate Machine' which was '89 so not on this list. Closer, Piggy, March of Pigs, amazing album.
    • 6. Evil Empire by Rage Against the Machine
      My personal favorite of the RATM albums. A totally different album from the first. The 'Bulls on Parade' solo makes this top 10 instantly.
    • 5. Siamese Dreams by Smashing Pumkins
      This too has 2 of the 'Top 100 Guitar Solo's'. I love this album.
    • 4. The Chronic by Dr. Dre
      This album has 2 or 3 of the most classic rap songs ever made.
    • 3. Rage Against the Machine by Rage Against the Machine
      A style all its own. Amazing beats, stunning vocals and a screaming guitar. If you haven't heard it, get it.
    • 2. Doggystyle by Snoop Doggy Dogg
      I don't really listen to rap, but this is the greatest rap album ever compiled.
    • 1. Nevermind by Nirvana
      Like every song was a single except maybe 2. Two of the songs are listed on the 'Top 100 Guitar Solo's', best album and a beginning of a revolution in music.

    I think I was the only person on this list to post 'Rap' albums. No pop music either, what the fuck was the person who said nsync, bsb, blink 182 thiking. Was she like 12 or something?
    By: Felicia
    • 10. Crash by Dave Matthews Band
      Very good album, then again DMB are pretty consistent in their quality of music
    • 9. MCIS by Smashing Pumpkins
      Didn't feel like typing it out but im sure ya know it already, 2 great discs of music, too bad they broke up
    • 8. All That You Can't Leave Behind by U2
      Any band that can last as long as U2 and STILL put out good music definitely deserves recognition.
    • 7. The Color and the Shape by Foo Fighters
      Great album by the foo Fighters, no way you can be dissapointed with this album.
    • 6. Happiness...Is Not A Fish That You Can Catch by Our Lady Peace
      Love every song, great band nothing else to say
    • 5. So Much For The Afterglow by Everclear
      THought i would break the britpop trend on the list. Excellent album full of many 'hits' and many other excellent songs, one of those albums you can listen to over and over again.
    • 4. OK Computer by Radiohead
      Thom Yorke is a genius period. Breakthrough album, every song a good one.
    • 3. Good Feeling by Travis
      Awesome, rockin debut album, more known for their single "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" from the man who, but teir debut was a lot more rocking than their last two albums, Great band.
    • 2. Just Enough Education To Perform by Stereophonics
      Excellent album by an excellent band, could've put Performance and Cocktails here or Word Gets Around, but J.E.E.P. is probably the best out of the three, really great band unfortanutely not often played here in the U.S.
    • 1. Definitely Maybe by Oasis
      Greatest band ever, most popularly known for WTSMG? but DM is number 1, excellent debut album, record breaker in the UK.

    It's 1:47 in the morning so the 2-10 arent in any particular order, some other albums i would like to mention are Green Day, Dookie Sheryl Crow, Tuesday Night Music club David Gray, White Ladder Semisonic, Feeling Strangely Fine (thought of as one hit wonders, but the whole album is excellent!)
    By: Stewart P
    • 10. Post Orgasmic Chill by Skunk Anansie
      Near perfect, from the almost heavy metal, to the ballads...so why did they split up?
    • 9. Only Forever by Puressence
      Beautiful atmospheric music, not dissimilar to Radiohead... only better. Shame it seems I'm the only person who's heard of them
    • 8. The Immaculate Collection by Madonna
      It's surely time for a second greatest hits package from Madonna? Worth buying for Into The Groove alone
    • 7. Elastica by Elastica
      Fantastic....it's a shame it looks loke they'll never produce anything as good again
    • 6. Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt
      Perfect ska-punk-pop stuff.
    • 5. Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie by Alanis Morissette
      A bit heavy going at first, but well worth listening to. Even better than Jagged Little Pill
    • 4. Grace by Jeff Buckley
      Absolutley stunning, particulary his version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. RIP
    • 3. Homogenic by Bjork
      Truly innovative music by one of the best songwriters ever
    • 2. The Red Shoes by Kate Bush
      OK, so where's the follow up?
    • 1. No Need To Argue by The Cranberries
      It's a shame The Cranberries subsequent albums haven't been as good as this masterpiece, the best album ever.

    Where the hell is Kate Bush? One album throughout the whole 90's is not good enough
    By: chad
    • 10. River of Dreams by Billy Joel
      it's not The Stranger or The Nylon Curtain but it makes the cut
    • 9. Ray of Light by Madonna
      what a comeback- she gave electronic music substance
    • 8. Cracked Rear View by Hootie and the Blowfish
      it made you not feel sorry about the waning of grunge
    • 7. Under the Table and Dreaming by Dave Matthews Band
      just great
    • 6. Four by Blues Traveler
      featured "Hook", "Run Around" and others
    • 5. Nevermind by Nirvana
      enough said
    • 4. August and Everything After` by Counting Crows
      another album out of nowhere; "Mr. Jones" is one of my favorite songs
    • 3. Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette
      a huge smash- the edgy "You Oughtta Know" is complemented by the deeper "Ironic" and "You Learn"
    • 2. Dookie by Green Day
      awesome, semi-coherent lyrics; great sound
    • 1. New Miserable Experience by Gin Blossoms
      not one bad song; includes "Found out about You", "Hey Jealousy"


    By: thelzdking
    • 10. Christina Aguilera by Christina Aguilera
      Yes, I know, but I like it. And she can actually sing.
    • 9. Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness by Smashing Pumpkins
      Absolutely amazing. The perfect middle point between grunge and straight up rock.
    • 8. Madonna by ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead
      One of the best new bands in ages. Unlike Limp Biscuit and chums these guys actually sound like they really are angry.
    • 7. Loveless by My Bloody Valentine
      Nearly bankrupting their label, this album was literally infinite. Hypnotic, mesmerising. Imagine every single type of music you've ever heard, it doesn't sound like that. Simultaniously the softest and heaviest album ever.
    • 6. Use Your Illusion I/II by Guns N' Roses
      Massive, huge. Everything about this band is big, from releasing two albums at once to making massively expensive videos. I just can't imagine them without imagining them in front of thousands of people.
    • 5. The Chronic by Dr. Dre
      Numbed-up gangsta from the Dr. himself. Nothing chills you out like this. How can you not just kick back while 'Nutin' But A G Thang' is playing?
    • 4. Modern Life Is Rubbish by Blur
      The start of a sub culture. Biting, vitriolic pop at it's best. Told grunge where to go.
    • 3. Screamadelica by Primal Scream
      Amazing, completely inspired. Best album of it's type. This album defined a time. Hard to imagine that they're the same band who made Xtrmntr.
    • 2. Generation Terrorists by Manic Street Preachers
      Sreaming, scissor kicking, glammed up punk. The Manics at their very best.
    • 1. A Storm In Heaven by Verve
      The greatest album of the '90s, probably the greatest album ever. Completely and utterly flawless.


    By: Alex Temple
    • 10. California (1999) by Mr. Bungle
      Vicious attacks on every pop genre since 1965. Completely unhinged, yet curiously listenable.
    • 9. OK Computer (1997) by Radiohead
      Well, yeah, it's a classic and all that. The craft involved in this recording is incredible.
    • 8. Black Foliage (1999) by The Olivia Tremor Control
      The most psychedelic album I've ever heard.
    • 7. What Day Is It? (1993) by Bob Drake
      Hail meets Yes meets early Thinking Plague meets Leo Kottke on crystal meth ... or something... twisted.
    • 6. U Totem (1990) by U Totem
      Avant-garde polystylism at its most accessible.
    • 5. Emergency & I (1999) by The Dismemberment Plan
      The definition of "quirky."
    • 4. Hunger's Teeth (1994) by 5uu's
      Henry Cow + Gentle Giant = 5uu's?
    • 3. Elf :: Gulf Bore Waltz (1996) by Home
      A paradigmatic example of experimental lo-fi indie-rock.
    • 2. On Avery Island (1996) by Neutral Milk Hotel
      The most depressing album I've ever heard.
    • 1. ...A Mere Coincidence... (1999) by The Science Group
      Modernist composer Steven Tickmayer writes for an RIO all-star group featuring members of Thinking Plague, 5uu's, Henry Cow, the Danubians, etc. How could it possibly not be amazing?

    Who'd have thought 1999 was such a good year for rock?

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