TGWTG User Blogs

Ahh, the 90's. It was the decade of alternative rock and grunge, bubblegum pop and boy bands, the war between east side and west side, and most importantly, it was the decade that even white boys had to shout, "baby got back!". Reflecting back on these monumental ten years in music, I present to you the top ten albums of the nineties. Why not eleven? Because that's the Nostalgia Critic's schtick, not mine. And before yougo looking for it, no Nevermind is not on here. Flame me if you must, but I just don't really like Nirvana.

10. ElectricLarryLand by The Butthole Surfers

This band typified the mid nineties. Though they were together since the 80's, they didn't get mainstream notice until the early-mid nineties. Playing post grunge punk while maintaining an air of self deprication, they were what we call now an "ironic" band. Sure, the music they made had an acquired taste about it, but I just cannot let this album go without being somewhere on the list.

Best song on the album: Pepper

9. The Division Bell by Pink Floyd

True, not their greatest album by any means, but Pink Floyd's The Division Bell still holds a place on this countdown, mainly due to the fact that its freakin' Pink Floyd. Their latest album released, the album proved to be classic Floyd. Atmospheric, moody, and most of all, dark. Perhaps the first lyrics in the albumbest describe how you should listen to this album. "As you look around this room tonight, settle in your seat, and dim the lights."

Best song on the album: High Hopes

8. Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette

Indeed, she had an at best loose notion of what the term "ironic" meant, but rest assured this Canadian sonstress knew her chops. Though I wasn't into the whole, "Im a woman, and I'm PISSED" scene, I took comfort in the fact that those who did, were listening to a good artist.

Best song on the album: You Oughta Know

7. Turn The Radio Off by Reel Big Fish

Almost guarenteed to be on no one elses list, but this is MY list so screw off, RBF's going on here. I remember the days when being punk meant you could have a brass section and no one thought you were wussies for having it, and RBF was the band to go to for premium trumpet and trombone ska. And any band that does what they do with a sense of humor definitely goes up in my book.

Best song on the album: Everything Sucks

 6. Dirt by Alice in Chains

Finally, some grunge. Though more typified as a metal band than a grunge band, they fit into the grunge scene quite nicely. Toned down guitars, dark lyrics, and enough flannel to cover the state of Alaska. Dirt was Alice in Chains masterpiece, and only one listening to one spin of the record will tell you why.

Best song on the album: Rooster

5.  Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness by The Smashing Pumpkins

Billed as Generation X's answer to The Wall, it couldn't even come close to scraping the magnitude of The Wall's greatness. But, that doesn't mean that Mellon Collie was a bad album. Far from it. Incredible tracks, all flowing together near seamlessly I might add, lend an atmosphere of delicious somberness and desparity.Coupled together with a steam punk vibe, and you got yourself a classic album.

Best song on the album: Tonight, Tonight 

4. Blues for the Red Sun by Kyuss

Another unexpected album on the list, Blues for the Red Sun is just plain...metal. Like pouring the heat from the desert into a toned down Jackson Kramer, it captures the pure, raw, unadulterated, and heavy sound of true metal. This album is best played while you are cruising down a lonely stretch of desert highway in a battered, old camaro...or your cool, air conditioned room if a c amaro isn't available.

Best song on the album: Green Machine

3. Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt

Remember when Gwen Stefani was cool, and not annoying or putting out ear-gratingly bad songs? Yeah, it seems so long ago, but believe it or not, she was. Almost every song on here was a classic, proving once and for all that this shit, is NOT bananas.

Best song on the album: Don't Speak

2. Odelay by Beck

Beck is famous for changing his sound for every sequential studio album, but his sound on Odelay was beyond compare. Trippy sounds, experimental lyrics, it was like cotton candy in audio form. You just can't get enough!

Best song on the Album: Where It's At

1. Sailing the Seas of Cheese by Primus

I do not care what anyone says, Primus is greatness and anyone who says otherwise just doesn't get Primus. Probably their heaviest album, Sailing the Seas of Cheese has one of my most favorite songs, though they never made a video for it (damn).

Best song on the Album: Those Damn Blue Collar Tweekers