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Top Ten Albums of the 90s

70s Top Ten Albums

80s Top Ten Albums

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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"

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.

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?

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