Best album of the early 90's?

[XemaSab]

Poll question: Best album of the early 90's?

Early 90's here defined as 1990-1994.

And if you don't know who the artists are, you weren't there...

Poll result (93 votes)
Violator	(4 votes, 4%)	Vote
Nevermind	(10 votes, 11%)	Vote
Achtung Baby	(11 votes, 12%)	Vote
Ten	(9 votes, 10%)	Vote
Out of Time	(1 votes, 1%)	Vote
Throwing Copper	(7 votes, 8%)	Vote
Ill Communication	(2 votes, 2%)	Vote
The Downward Spiral	(17 votes, 18%)	Vote
Siamese Dream	(2 votes, 2%)	Vote
All these albums suck!	(30 votes, 32%)	Vote

[bigwillq]

1. "The Chronic"

By Dr. Dre

[XemaSab]

2. Good option

"Doggystyle" is another option.

[bigwillq]

5. Yes indeed.

Snoop's best album, imo.

[Spider Jerusalem]

3. ...

Massive Attack, Blue Lines

[MrScorpio]

49. I saw your post after I posted mine

The answer is so obvious, isn't it?

[Spider Jerusalem]

50. Yeah...

not just of the early '90's, either...possibly of the decade. I can't really think of many others that come close.

[MrScorpio]

53. I remember the first time I heard it

It blew me away

I'm posting videos from YouTube

[Reverend_Smitty]

4. I gotta go for Nevermind...

for the simple reason that it saved me from New Kids on the Block and a life time of "Boy band" following...my musical awakening if you will.

Although Achtung Baby is right up there too

[thefool_wa]

6. Violator is technically late 80s (nt)

[XemaSab]

10. Why do you hate America?

[thefool_wa]

12. Depeche Mode

Is British...so I don't

[Shakespeare]

7. To Bring You My Love by PJ Harvey....

But that's closer to mid 90s (1994). Otherwise, I've gotta go with Nevermind.

[idgiehkt]

56. I think Rid of Me was even better.

As it is, I voted for Ten.

[thefool_wa]

8. Downward Spiral all the way!

Trent Reznor is the greatest songwriter to ever live.

[XemaSab]

11. You, sir, are a True Patriot!

[thefool_wa]

13. WOW, that's a one-two punch

Thank you, thank you. I am as patriotic as any other NIN fan who, in a fit of youthful exuberance, decided to have the band's logo emblazoned upon my chest for all eternity.

I was told by my friends that, when I was 30 I would regret it. Nope! The only thing I regret is putting a square logo on one of my pecks. Now that I am over 30 now and the logo is no longer square

[XemaSab]

14. Marry me?

[thefool_wa]

15. Sorry, already hitched

And madly in love

However, there is always room in my life for more friends

[XemaSab]

26. Word.

[kedrys]

22. Trent Reznor and NIN saved my life

That's all that needs saying about that.

[thefool_wa]

25. that sounds like a story worth hearing

All I ever really got from NIN was a ringin in my ears and a desire to smash something, but in that good way

[XemaSab]

27. Me too

(And no, I'm not being facetious... 1995 was the second. worst. year. ever. and I really wouldn't have made it through but for NIN)

[kedrys]

64. I was in a really really dark place at the time - '94-'95

Trent's music made me realize it was okay to be pissed off and passionate at the same time. It drew the dark out of me where I could look at it and see that it wasn't as bad as I thought.

Other than that, I can't explain. His music literally snapped me out of a long, unrecognized bout of mental illness.

I had a chance to thank Trent at one of his club shows several years back. One of my friends was working the sound board that night, and Trent was sitting next to him taking in the opening act. On his way backstage, Trent walked past me, and I simply said "Trent, thanks for everything". He barely broke stride, but he looked at me and smiled.


I can't listen to NIN in the car, though. It makes me want to run people off the road at insane speeds.

[WCGreen]

30. I bought that album when I was really pissed at Mrs. WCGreen

well, I wasn't that pissed....

I guess I was too old and compfortable to be as effected by that album as most...

[thefool_wa]

37. There was definitely a lack of comfort with that album

The pig imagery, the fact that he wrote it in the Tate Mansion, the hyper-creepy mood to the instrumentals (which Trent hasn't matched yet), and pretty much just the fact that it was over an hour of belligerent noise that somehow managed to also be music made many not accustom to the style afraid of it.

But there are layers to the whole album that beg for contemplation. I happen to think Closer is one of the most beautiful love songs ever written, ever! Many say it is about lust & hedonism, but, if you listen more closely, its not just the physicality he's singing about, but the connection. A connection beyond anything mere pleasures of the flesh can bring.

I long for the day when Gen-X finally gets to rule the world and we have a president who can call himself a fan of industrial music. It may never happen, but a guy has to dream.

(sorry to go on and on, but I could wax philosophical about NINs music for days and days....don't get me started)

[WCGreen]

41. I met Trent back in 1989...

He was in a band called The Exotic Birds, an industrial band here in Cleveland that was heavily influenced by Andrian Belue and Pere Ube... (spelling on both)...

He also worked in a music store and he sold me my first piece of music sofware, Cakewalk...

He sepnt about an hour on the phone with me helping me install the damn thing...

Pretty normal guy, actually....

[thefool_wa]

44. DUDE! We are kindred spirits!

Cakewalk was my first (and still only) music writing software.

I always feel this adolescent pang of jealousy when people talk about meeting Trent. The closest I ever got was 1993 on the second leg of the Spiral tour. I was on the floor and decided that nothing was keeping me from front, center stage and I pushed my way all the way up there. I withstood the crushing force of a thousand fans so I could be less than 10 feet from him for almost the entire set. I finally had a security guard pull me out when I thought my heart would explode (I only missed 3 songs).

He's odd to watch on stage that close up. Its like he wants to make eye contact with everyone that he can see, so his eyes dart and shift and move very quickly. It was un-nerving.

I've seen and read enough interviews with him to believe that he is a fairly down-to-earth guy and probably a very real person - not at all a typical "rock star".

So, check this out. I have never read any kind of published story, article, or interview that claims Trent Reznor to be a pseudonym, BUT...A friend of mine was in the Cleveland area many years ago working utilities and said that several of the large buildings downtown have giant air conditioners on them that are made by, you guessed it, Trent/Reznor HVAC. Do you think this to be a coincidence?

[WCGreen]

59. Could very well be....

He was going by that name at the music store, Pi Keyboards....

I saw him at an Indians game with Mrs. WCGreen and he came up and asked me how the software was working...

That was 1990....

[thefool_wa]

75. 1990?

That was post Pretty Hate Machine's release. It is sad to think he still needed to work at a music store then, but I was one of like 100 people listening to NIN back then, not exactly super-stardom.

Its probably just a coincidence, but if I ever get to meet him, that's the question I plan to ask him

[Blue_In_AK]

67. Yes, indeed...

Trent is a genius.

[NMMNG]

74. Indeed

It's hard to top "Closer".

[SoyCat]

98. Reznor is a genius!

[ghostsofgiants]

9. Fugazi's "Repeater + 3 Songs" gets my vote.

[XemaSab]

16. Do you have a burner?

Can you make me a mix CD?

[ghostsofgiants]

18. I do, and yes I can.

What kind o' mix? Just random stuff?

[XemaSab]

21. Good stuff

Ya know?

[ghostsofgiants]

23. Haha, give me some kind of parameters, because otherwise I have no idea what I'd include.

[XemaSab]

28. Well, I like NIN, Radiohead, and Modest Mouse

but other than that, use your discretion.

[ghostsofgiants]

31. I can work with that knowledge.

[XemaSab]

33. .

[rucky]

81. Steady Diet of Nothing is my favorite of theirs n/t

[swag]

99. "Repeater" was definitely the pinnacle.

Damn, what a great record.

They played a show with Sonic Youth at this DC roller rink right after that was released. Amy Pickering from Fireparty (longtime Dischord stalwart) sang "Suggestion" with them at that show. Fucking incredible.

Anyway, yes. What a good record. Thanks for the reminder.

[ghostsofgiants]

102. Damn, sounds like a good show.

I found a torrent for Fugazi's "Instrument" dvd tonight. Cannot wait to get that downloaded. Haven't seen it in a few years. Probably going to put it on my list of shit to buy soon, too. Been on a bit of a Fugazi kick of late, haha.

[Deja Q]

17. The one not made by Nirvana

[Jamastiene]

20. Them's fighting words, put 'em up.

[thefool_wa]

24. I'm gonna step up with Jamastiene here

Nirvana may not have been the super-talent band of our genereaation, but Kurt knew how to get to people and communicate. Almost too well one might say.

Its really not his fault that simple rythm and lead combined with moping, eloquently poetic lyrics tend to appeal to so many people. If you don't get it, oh well, whatever, nevermind!

[Jamastiene]

19. Nevermind...

Goodbye to those mysoginistic attitudes of the musicians I met. It was nice to be a female guitarist during that whole grunge/punk era. No other time afforded real compliments for a female guitar player, so Nevermind and the whole good guy bands like those were a real inspiration for me. Metal guys never like female guitar players unless we crawl on glass on our hands and knees and kiss their asses. I'm just not good at kissing ass, so punk/grunge is it for me.

[Broken_Hero]

122. Not this metal guy!

I think Female Metal guitar players, drummers, and singers are amazing!...I wish there were more of them, truth be told!...

on edit: to add female!

[datasuspect]

29. vanilla ice/milli vanilli/miami sound machine!!!!!

[Name removed]

32. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JVS]

96. what happened?

[patrick t. cakes]

34. halo benders

"god dont make no junk"

[swag]

100. Don't touch my bikini . . .

[patrick t. cakes]

116. boing!!!

[datasuspect]

35. michael bolton's early work is AWESOME!!!!

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[donheld]

123. .

[Blue-Jay]

36. I'm gonna say that they all suck.

Because that makes me cool.

[datasuspect]

38. nah, they suck because the choices betray an inherent lack of musical taste.

[Blue-Jay]

39. That too.

Still, my original point stands. It's cool to hate stuff that other people like.

[greendog]

42. Not just one of the best albums of the early 90's...

...one of the best albums ever recorded!


Anthem

The birds they sang
At the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Dont dwell on what
Has passed away
Or what is yet to be

The wars they will
Be fought again
The holy dove
Be caught again
Bought and sold
And bought again
The dove is never free

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
Thats how the light gets in

We asked for signs
The signs were sent
The birth betrayed
The marriage spent
The widowhood
Of every government
Signs for all to see

Cant run no more
With the lawless crowd
While the killers in high places
Say their prayers out loud
But theyve summoned up
A thundercloud
And theyre going to hear from me

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
Thats how the light gets in


You can add up the parts
But you wont have the sum
You can strike up the march
There is no drum
Every heart
To love will come
But like a refugee

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
Thats how the light gets in

[XemaSab]

45. Leonard Cohen is the BOMB

The Songs of Leonard Cohen is like, the Best Album Ever.

[greendog]

48. I agree...

...and supposedly, he has a new album coming before the end of the year!

[samdogmom]

43. The albums you listed don't "suck", but there's so much to consider...

How about Jeff Buckley's "Grace" (1994); Van Morrison's "A Night in San Francisco" (1994); or John Mellencamp's "Dance Naked" (1994)? I could keep working backwards and find great stuff from the other years, too. It is very hard to pick....that's why my current iTunes library has over 30,000 songs!

But, your suggestions are all good too. (Just a different genre from my usual tastes.)

[mac56]

46. Of those listed, I like "Throwing Copper".

But my personal fave was:

[MrScorpio]

47. They all Suck

The answer is obviously BLUE LINES by MASSIVE ATTACK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOWtHuQ4a-U



"Perhaps the smoothest, most rythmic album extant."

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Lines-Massive-Attack/dp/B000...

[MrScorpio]

51. Massive Attack - Safe From Harm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRWQiGKmhoM

[Spider Jerusalem]

52. And another..."Unfinished Sympathy"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZOWtHuQ4a-U

[MrScorpio]

54. Another - "Be Thankful For What You Got"

The Old William DeVaughn Classic Remix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIJMiOD17b8

[Spider Jerusalem]

55. And one more: "Daydreaming"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ixfmUntmv_g

[MrScorpio]

57. Case Closed

[sendero]

58. Queer...

.. by the Wolfgang Press. Yeah I know, you never heard of them

[TheBaldyMan]

60. Doolittle by The Pixies

Why isn't that one of the choices?

on edit: The Peel sessions are even better.

[Ksec]

61. I just discovered the Pixies the other day

I saw them on PBS. They were excellent.

I loved them.

Im late, but better late than never.
Which album is their best? Im gonna buy one .

[TheBaldyMan]

62. IMHO Doolittle and Bossanova are their two greatest

if you are totally twisted you might like "Come On Pilgrim" as well.

I suspect there are a few bootlegs of their sessions for the John Peel show on BBC. I remember hearing them in the late eighties and early nineties but I don't know if the Beeb released all the material recorded. Those sessions KO'ed the albums, much rawer and more spontaneous.

[MrCoffee]

112. I'm calling bullshit...Come On Pilgrim is their best work.

Doolittle is a distant third to Come On Pilgrim and Surfer Rosa.

[rucky]

79. That one and "Loveless" from My Bloody Valentine. n/t

[Goblinmonger]

91. LOVE The Pixies

Really thought Kim Deal was sexy.

When I was at a debate tournament at Southern Illinois, the Pixies were performing and stayed across the hall from our room. They were pretty cool. And I slept with Kim Deal. OK, not really, but I had dreams...sweet, sweet dreams I tell ya.

[elocs]

63. I am not sure there is a best album of the early 90s. n/t

[w8liftinglady]

65. Weezer Blue album

with one of my favorite songs

Say it Ain't So

Oh yeah.
All right.

Somebodys heine is crowding my icebox.
Somebodys cold one is giving me chills.
Guess Ill just close my eyes.

Oh yeah.
All right.
Feels good.
Inside.

Flip on the tele... wrestle with jimmy.
Somethin is bubblin behind my butt.
The bottle is ready to go.

Say it aint so a-woah-a-woah.
Your drug is a heartbreaker.
Say it aint so a-woah-a-woah.
My love is a life-taker.

I cant confront you, I never could do...
That which might hurt you.
Try and be cool, when I say:
This way is-a-waterslide-away-from-you-that-takes-you-futher-everyday!
Be cool.

Say it aint so a-woah-a-woah.
Your drug is a heartbreaker.
Say it aint so a-woah-a-woah.
My love is a life-taker!

Dear daddy, I write you in spite of fears of silence.
You cleaned up, found jesus, things are good also I hear.
This bottle of stevens awakens ancient feelings...
Like father, step-father...
The sone is drowning in the flood! yeah yeah-yeah yeah-yeah!

Say it aint so a-woah-a-woah.
You drug is a heartbreaker.
Say it aint so a-woah-a-woah.
My love is a life-taker.

[Blue_In_AK]

66. I love Pearl Jam and Nirvana

but I've got to go with Trent.

[NNadir]

68. John Abercrombie's "November"

It came out just before my son was born. He had colic and was nearly impossible to calm. Sometimes he'd wail all night and had to be held for hours and rocked. Then I started playing him select cuts from "November" and we found our first peace as father and son.

It will always be special for me.

[Odin2005]

69. Nirvana kicks ass!

[LSK]

70. Singles Soundtrack

[Broken_Hero]

71. of the ones mentioned

I would say The Downward Spiral...Ten was good, and so was Metallica's black album...there are a lot of great cds in the early 90's...hard to decide which one overall is my fave...

[mvd]

88. I just don't understand how people could..

say all of them suck. Music is subjective indeed.

[Broken_Hero]

121. yeah, no doubt...

its probably an age/generational difference probably. BTW, was just listening to Ten today...damn good...brings back memories from junior high/high school...

The one that struck me was Achtung baby, I don't knwo many people at all, that dislike that cd...I know of one person IRL that does...

[Skip Intro]

72. I liked NIN's and Nirvana's, but Pearl Jam's Ten reigns in this comparison

great album

[XemaSab]

77. That is the album that spawned this thread

Yesterday I was dirving along the coast and "Alive" came on the radio and I just had to turn it up and appreciate the ability of that song to remain relevant and ROCKIN'.

[XemaSab]

78. I was driving too.

[jobycom]

73. You left off "Chant". nt

[peekaloo]

76. Automatic for the People.

[donheld]

124. My Godddddddddddddd I love that CD

[NashVegas]

80. Julian Cope's "Peggy Suicide"

A masterpiece from end to end.

[OnionPatch]

82. I have to say Pearl Jam but

I'm an old geezer now and was on the brink of it then. There could have been a whole lot more great music going on at the time but being old somehow makes it hard for you to find it all. I was lucky I had them.

[bluedogyellowdog]

83. Um, they all suck

Travelers & Thieves and Four were very good. Faith, Hope, Love was a nice piece of ear candy. One Sided Story was a decent followup to a great late 80s album. Blue Sky Mining and Earth & Sun & Moon were excellent.

But, what's this? Nirvana, Pearl Jam, REM? Too whiny and grungy, all of 'em. And Ill Communication was pretty lame with only one good song - "Tough Guy" - and may be the Beasties' worst. Paul's Boutique and Licensed to Ill were far better.

[Montauk6]

84. I'd like to nominate...

October Project (self-titled)
Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes
Basia - London Warsaw New York
Loreena McKinnett - The Mask and Mirror
Original Soundtrack - The Crying Game
Original Soundtrack - The Piano

[mvd]

85. Except for Ill Communication, Throwing Copper,

The Downward Spiral, and Violator (which I haven't heard a lot of,) I love all of them. Of those, my favorite would be Ten. It's the most varied of the rock/grunge albums listed, and it just barely edges out Out Of Time because it's a bit more consistently great.

[NJ Democrats]

86. They all suck!

[jpgray]

87. They're not really, but Laughing Stock and Fear of a Black Planet

[khashka]

89. Torn between Nevermind and The Downward Spiral

And didn't Boys For Pele come out sometime in there?

But I better go with NIN or my mistress will kick my butt.

Khash.

[XemaSab]

127. hey Khash!

[Left Is Write]

90. Of those choices, it's a toss up between Nevermind and Throwing Copper.

[hyde]

93. Nevermind changed the entire music scene

So ...yeah. I'd go with that.

[Left Is Write]

97. I'm going with my personal favorite "bests."

I realize that Throwing Copper wasn't particularly influential. I just really like it.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

92. Faith No More's Angel Dust.

[hyde]

94. I'd have to agree with Angel Dust as well now that you mention it

[SlavesandBulldozers]

104. welcome to DU. you have impeccable taste;)

[siouxsiecreamcheese]

101. damn straight

although i still love downward spiral, angel dust comes a close second for me.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

103. lol cool screename!

[JVS]

95. THE CHRONIC

[SlavesandBulldozers]

105. oh yeah!

that's like the "Thriller" album for rap. its criminal it took that long for somebody to mention it!

[JVS]

119. Look at reply #1.

But it is criminal that it wasn't in the op

[SlavesandBulldozers]

120. doh!

reply 1 god im an idiot!

[AngryAmish]

106. El Moodio - Eleventh Dream Day

[RandomKoolzip]

107. Shudder to Think: "Pony Express Record"

[Marie26]

108. "Achtung Baby."

First CD I ever bought, and still the best one I have.

[anarch]

109. My Bloody Valentine -- Loveless

imho

[cemaphonic]

110. Tom Waits - Bone Machine

With The Downward Spiral coming in at a close 2nd.

[PVnRT]

111. Of those choices, Ten

I would vote for Purple by Stone Temple Pilots, myself.

[mainegreen]

113. Skinny Puppy: Too Dark Park

For those in the know.

[Initech]

114. "Frizzle Fry" is not on the list? Blasphemy!

[martymar64]

115. Soul Asylum - Grave Dancers Union

I . . . . .want somebody to shooooooovvvvvvvvveeeeeeee.

[Alleycat]

117. Voted for Achtung Baby but....

a few of my other favorites "BESTS" are


Tom Petty "Wildflowers" - every song is great and I never get tired of hearing them
REM "Automatic for the People" - this CD holds memories
Red Hot Chili Peppers "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" - love each and every song on this CD

[musiclawyer]

118. "Chrome"-- Catherine Wheel

If you've not heard it, your education is incomplete

[Lilith Velkor]

125. Psalm 69

[enigmatic]

126. "Spiderland"- Slint

Best album of the 90's too, IMO:

http://www.southern.com/southern/band/SLINT/biog.html

[MrSlayer]

128. Slayer "Seasons in the Abyss", Ice Cube "Death Certificate"

The two best genres of the time.

Alice in Chains "Dirt" also deserves mention.