The rock bands of the 90s extinguished the raging fire that was late-80s hair metal. Gone were the spandex and eyeliner, and in came a wave of flannel shirts and torn jeans. Previously marginalized music styles suddenly exploded into the spotlight, taking over the radio waves with dark and depressive themes. There are so many innovative artists from this time, that this list could be hundreds of albums long. But, there are definitely a few that stick out with 90s music lovers. And though many of the artists have since been lost to overdoses or suicide, their music continues to live on. Here are some of the top 90s rock albums of all time.
Alice In Chains – Dirt (1992)
Following the huge hit “Man In The Box” from their debut record, this album had very dark overtones, focusing on war, death, heroin, anger and depression. Sadly, it was also the last album to include all original members – bassist Mike Starr was fired the following year, reportedly for drug abuse. Although vocalist Layne Staley contributed two songs, the release was really driven by guitarist Jerry Cantrell with “Rooster,” “Would” and “Down In A Hole.” It was their biggest career album, and deserves to be listed as one of the top 90s rock albums.
Jeff Buckley – Grace (1994)
Unbelievably, Grace was Jeff Buckley’s one and only full studio album released prior to his untimely death by drowning in the Mississippi River in 1997. One can only wonder how he might have changed the musical landscape had he been on this earth longer. Buckley released the album to critical acclaim from everyone including today’s biggest artists like Jimmy Page (“my favorite album of the decade”), Bob Dylan (“one of the great songwriters of this decade”) and David Bowie (“one of 10 albums I’d bring with me to a desert island”). The album didn’t really reach the mainstream though until years later, when his cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” surfaced again and again in TV and films. The single was finally released in 2007 – ten years after his death.
R.E.M – Out of Time (1991)
“Losing My Religion” anchored R.E.M.’s seventh studio album and catapulted them to international superstar status. Selling 18 million copies worldwide and garnering the band three Grammy Awards, the album also cemented R.E.M. as Alternative’s elder statesmen, in particular, poet/lead singer Michael Stipe. “Shiny Happy People” was one of three songs featuring vocalist Kate Pierson of the B-52’s, and was a nice balance to the first single.
Guns n’ Roses – Use Your Illusion (1991)
This is technically two albums, but both were released on the same day as companion pieces. With the epic 7:42 recording of “Civil War,” the arguably best cover of Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” plus rockers “Yesterdays,” “Estranged,” and “You Could Be Mine,” Use Your Illusion II initially edged out Use Your Illusion I, but Use Your Illusion I soon became its equal with the also epic 8:57 “November Rain,” a cover of Wings’ “Live and Let Die” and the power ballad “Don’t Cry.” The four year wait after Appetite for Destruction proved to be worth it.
Soundgarden –Superunknown 1994)
This was Soundgarden’s breakthrough album and incorporated a heavy metal sound with a punk rock sensibility, and angelic yet growling vocals from Chris Cornell. Superunknown was a potent mix of the best of those genres. “My Wave,” “Fell on Black Days,” “Spoonman” and “Black Hole Sun” led on the radio airwaves, and their tours cemented their legacy.
Oasis – (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)
On their second album, the warring Gallagher brothers put down their swords, and by all accounts, were harmonious while recording this album from Oasis in a record 15 days. Flush with the success of their first album, Definitely Maybe, the previous year, the band embraced their Beatles-inspired Brit indie cred, and established themselves as an enduring and powerful rock n’ roll force with songs like “Wonderwall,” “Roll With It” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” The world seemed to be craving another hit band from the UK – the album sold over 22 million copies.
Green Day – Dookie (1994)
Coming off two independent punk-leaning albums, Dookie was also the band’s first major label release. Currently, it has racked up more than 20 million copies in sales worldwide, and won a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 1995. With songs like “Welcome To Paradise,” “Basket Case” and “When I Come Around,” the band stole the hearts of teens everywhere and continued with their goofy antics onstage. They are still sighted as a major influence for punk bands today.
Metallica – Metallica (1991)
What makes this considered to be one of the top 90s rock albums? Also known as “The Black Album,” there may not be a more perfect metal album ever made. Five singles were released from the album – “Enter Sandman,” “The Unforgiven,” “Nothing Else Matters,” “Wherever I May Roam,” and “Sad but True” – and all became hits. The album is one of the best selling albums worldwide (over 30 million copies) and since 1991, when SoundScan began tracking real sales data (not inflated shipping data) it is the #1 best selling album in the U.S., with 16,830,000 copies scanned.
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)
Produced by Rick Rubin, Blood Sugar Sex Magik is generally regarded as the album that brought the Chili Peppers to the masses. Recorded in magician Harry Houdini’s mansion in the Hollywood Hills, the entire band (with the exception of drummer Chad Smith who declared the house “haunted”) stayed in the home for more than 30 days without leaving, to entirely focus on the “vibe” of the record. Incorporating punk and funk, the record generated five singles – “Under the Bridge,” “Give It Away,” “Suck My Kiss,” “Breaking the Girl,” and “If You Have to Ask” and became an Alternative Rock staple.
Pearl Jam – Ten (1991)
Pearl Jam broke out onto the grunge scene with their debut album, Ten. Focused on lead singer Eddie Vedder’s lyrics describing depression, loneliness and suicide, Ten was also somehow uplifting, and carried with it a rock sensibility. Vedder’s growling vocals were immediately recognizable, and Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament’s songs were flat-out hits. With choices like “Once,” “Evenflow,” “Alive,” “Black” and “Jeremy,” the band was hard to ignore. Their brilliant live shows cemented them as the real deal.
Nirvana – Nevermind (1991)
Nirvana’s Nevermind is the album that changed music. With its release, 80s metal was decimated, grunge was born, and genuine music made a comeback. Kurt Cobain infused the album with pain, punk and primal power chords, along with sensitive musings. The album also introduced us to the power of Dave Grohl behind a drum kit. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” kicked off Nirvana-mania, and threw the band and in particular, Cobain, into a whirlwind of hype, press, and pressure. It’s generally considered to be one of the top 90s rock albums of all time.
