Ten Flawless Albums From The '90s
By Thoughtis
6. Live Through This by Hole
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD9xK9smth4&w=575&h=390]
I know I should include Nirvana on this list but I don’t wanna. Instead, I’m going to highlight Mrs. Cobain’s album, Live Through This. Released very shortly after Kurt killed himself, the album initially drew criticism for sounding too inspired by their grunge counterparts. What made it different though was, of course, Courtney Love. With her captivating stage presence and raucous punk vocals, she breathed life into her pop punk songs with a fervor. Not only is Live Through This an amazing grunge record, it’s responsible for the continued relevancy of Courtney love. Can’t argue with that.
7. No Need To Argue by The Cranberries
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ejga4kJUts&w=575&h=390]
Speaking of arguing, you can’t think of the nineties without remembering Dolores O’Riordan’s wails on the wildly successful album from The Cranberries, No Need To Argue. The band had become famous with their first offering, Everyone Else Is Doing It So Why Can’t We?, but it was their second record that made them unforgettable. For awhile there, you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing the impassioned cries of “Zombie”, which is actually one of my least favorite Cranberries songs. It should be noted that I was obsessed with this band as a child. I listened to their music over and over, and was enamored with the lead singer. I thought she was just such a badass with her tough lyrics and vocals that would often either terrify me or move me to tears. God, The Cranberries were so ’90s. I think when 2000 hit, the band just blew up.
8. (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? by Oasis
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J033PCUQho&w=575&h=390]
The Gallagher Brothers were the biggest shitheads of the ’90s. They were always getting into fights, taking drugs, and breaking up the band. But people forgave them for it because their music was so good. Their second album, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory, is undoubtedly their piece de resistance. With the midnight sulk of tracks like “Wonderwall” and “Champagne Supernova”, the band ditched the attitude and showed their sensitive side. Every song is good, every song could be a hit. It’s like Noel and Liam went to family therapy, vomited their feelings on to a piece of paper and created a masterpiece.
9. Enema Of The State by Blink-182
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7l5ZeVVoCA&w=575&h=390]
Blink-182 got a lot of crap for making Enema Of The State. Diehard fans complained that the band had abandoned their punk roots for a more radio-friendly sound. To this I say, “LOL”. Have you heard early Blink? It may have been louder, faster, and less melodic, but it was NEVER punk. Besides, the album is an amazing slice of pop punk and spawned so many imitators. And now 15 years later, it’s so cool to love Blink-182. It’s so cool to admit you loved Enema Of The State. So there you go. Everything is cyclical, people are stupid and Enema Of The State is really good.
10. Self-Titled by The La’s
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVd2x0EpnYA&w=575&h=390]
You know The La’s from that song “There She Goes” but there is a 90% chance you haven’t heard anything else from them. That’s understandable considering the band only released one album. What they did put out, however, was spectacular. Today, you would listen to it and be like, “Oh, it’s very Pete Doherty and Oasis” but you have to realize that the album came out before any of those artists got their start. It was influential particularly in the British music scene and inspired a bunch of bands who would later form. Bummer that the band couldn’t get their shit together to record a follow up.