10. Sebadoh – The Freed Weed, 1990
III, 1991
40 Tracks in lo-fi, Lou Barlow (not under the guitar genus of Mascis), and bare-bones drum parts. The Freed Weed compiles all of Sebadoh’s early work and would act as a perfect precursor to the bands next album, III. III is a more focused effort from Barlow and cohort Eric Gaffney. It expands upon sounds set forth in Weed, and brings in some harder stuff as Barlow harkens back to his Dinosaur Jr. heyday.
9. Nirvana – Nevermind, 1991
9. Nirvana – Nevermind, 1991
This should make any top 10; it’s a fucking good album. Grunge, leaping off of influences like punk, hardcore punk, and Sonic Youth like a bat out of hell, Nevermind was a breakthrough album. Cobain could scream and serenade to an entire generation all at the same time. Buckle up and brace for the sheer energy of “Territorial Pissings” and “Lithium”. Opener “Smells Like Teen Spirit” also made a mark, and stuck us with alternative rock for years to come.
8. Sonic Youth – Goo, 1990
8. Sonic Youth – Goo, 1990
How do you follow up Daydream Nation? Basement hangout sessions would forever be marked by the candle covered album…but what next for Thurston? The answer to that question is Goo. After signing to Geffen, a more prominent label, Sonic Youth created a more abrupt album in Goo. The album also shows them inching more into their experimental latter days, using much more effects on the album as a whole. “Tunic” is a neat throwback jam too Daydream’s “The Sprawl.” The Karen-Moore harmonies on “Mary-Chirst” take on a new sound for Youth also, here sounding more user-friendly than underground, but still kicking ass. The album culminates in the off-kilter “Titanium Expose” which doesn’t let up until Thurston and Karen ballad-out the middle of the song, calling forth the ending to an awesome album.
7. Pulp – A Different Class, 1995
7. Pulp – A Different Class, 1995
If The Smiths’ anthemed for the Working class in the 80s, then Pulp continues that tradition in the ‘90s. Whatever was going through Jarvis Cocker’s mind during the writing of the album is perfect for the masses of people about London. If you want this album to grow on you: "Disco 2000." Blur and Oasis fans might rub against this the wrong way, sure Parklife and Whats the Story (Morning Glory) may have seemed like the heavy weight contenders for the Britpop spot, but Different Class is incredibly timeless and needs no context. This is Britpop, and this is newly defined Britain: Live and live with, not live and let die.
6. Ride – Nowhere, 1990
6. Ride – Nowhere, 1990
The opening cymbal rolls, the guitar screeches, grooving bass line, and cathedralic lyrics on “Seagull” create a beautiful wall of sound. Ride is a defining shoe-gaze band, powerful both during a quiet, beautiful cut and a Herculean one. “Dreams Burn Down,” to me, is Nowhere’s best track with its cascading guitar sound which cuts through the sound mountain to meet the listeners ears, combined with the vocals, which are in perfect volume mix with the rest of the band.
5. Modest Mouse, The Lonesome Crowded West, 1997
5. Modest Mouse, The Lonesome Crowded West, 1997
This is a Long Drive For Someone With Nothing to Talk About, 1996
I hate new Modest Mouse. These two albums are some of their best stuff. Long Drive and West are each filled with amazing tracks, the albums as wholes work perfectly with each other. Issac Brocks vocal writhing on “Breakthrough” match the guitar’s whiny attacks, and the vocals on “Talking Shit About a Pretty Sunset” are whimsically awkward. “Novocain Stain”’s ups and downs let drummer Jeremiah Green play in such a loose, jangly style. West is a bit more of the same stuff. “Long Distance Drunk” is primal fuck-folk whereas “Shit Luck” is an assault of heavy grunge, with punk-like lyrics. Be it the perfect indie formula of “Convient Parking”, the comedic “Jesus Christ Was An Only Child”, or the dance-punk ho-down “Styrofoam Boots,” stop saying you’re a Modest Mouse fanatic because you think “Horn Intro” is neat.
4.Built to Spill – There’s Nothing Wrong With Love, 1994
4.Built to Spill – There’s Nothing Wrong With Love, 1994
Perfect From Now On, 1997
Keep it Like a Secret, 1999
Keep it Like a Secret, 1999
You don’t need to play fast to be cool? That’s right, just ask Doug Martsch. After Treepeople disbanded, Doug would form an awesomely influential band and could even be given the title of a guitar god himself BONUS: the guys got the perfect voice for which emo kids would kill to get their hands on. These guys have a Rolling Stones-esque idea to their music: its just chock full of awesome fucking songs, a preliminary download list might include: “Car”, “Fling”, “Stab”, “Stop the Show”, “Velvet Waltz”, “The Plan”, “Carry the Zero”, “Sidewalk”, and “Else”…now come up for air.
3. Pavement – Slanted and Enchanted, 1992,
Crooked Rain, 1994
3. Pavement – Slanted and Enchanted, 1992,
Crooked Rain, 1994
Hands down one of the most influential indie bands and with two amazing albums in the center of the decade they were certainly paving the way for years of the indie cannon. Malkmus’ vocal mannerisms fall somewhere between Syd Barrett’s pronounced, deliberate mantras and hyphy, tripping-over-itself rants while the guitar work harmonies with it perfectly. “Trigger Cut/Wounded Kite at :17” and “Conduit for Sale” are examples of these. “Gold Soundz” stands out as my favorite as a perfect example of an indie rock song, and coupled with a Dave Brubeck cover it reminds us that art freaks can write a damn good album.
2. Neutral Milk Hotel – In an Aeroplane Over the Sea 1998
Quick, think of what you did yesterday. If you could remember then you could’ve listened to Aeroplane while doing it, if you were unable to remember, listen to this album now and you won’t forget today. Jeff Mangum’s On Avery Island (1996) holds the title for my favorite NMH song, “Song Against Sex” but 1998s Aeroplane is the best album overall. Many people think this album came out in 2004, but it was reissued 6 years after its original release, the reissue is where it gained critical acclaim. First of all: the beginning guitar riff on the two-track “King of Carrot Flowers” movement opens the album with an abrupt acoustic ballad. Soon, moving onto an organ-soaked chant which explodes into a drum and fuzz-bass blitz, the album’s form takes shape. The title track and “Two Headed Boy” each bring the acoustic sing along, the folk rock anthem, and the indie heart-melter to peak. And who could for get the 2,1234 of “Holland, 1945”? This take is definitely “Song Against Sex”’s equal on the album. One of my favorites is “Ghost” with its shuffle drum part and seemingly heavy metal folk sound, plus it has one of the best ending hooks at the 3:00 mark. NMH’s vast arsenal of instruments is a force to be reckoned with also, including the intense Scott Spillane array of brass, short wave radio, accordion, and erie white noises credited to Julian Koster.
Second of all: Anne Frank.
Third, and finally: Go Elephant 6!!!!
1. My Bloody Valentine – Loveless 1991
Shoegaze + Lo-fi + “how the fuck DO they make that sound” = Loveless. Kevin Shields, guitar god by any standards, will not make another album because he is virtually unable to top Loveless…but why? Loveless took 2 years to make and nearly bankrupted Creation Records, but it WAS perfection. The album is definitely an acquired taste, but once you discover its beauty, masked by seemingly annoyingly loud guitars, screechingly tingling riffs, and vocals mixed parallel with the rest of the music, you will understand my #1. “When You Sleep” and “I Only Said” turn the underground into a beautiful pop song. The guitars pitch bend and distortedly sway around Shields’ and Bilinda Butcher’s haunting beauty of voice. “Only Shallow” and “Come In Alone” are straight forward, powerful shoegaze tracks. “Soon,” the albums ender, could be a decade defining song, propelling out of the 80s new wave into a new, brighter indie horizon.
2. Neutral Milk Hotel – In an Aeroplane Over the Sea 1998
Quick, think of what you did yesterday. If you could remember then you could’ve listened to Aeroplane while doing it, if you were unable to remember, listen to this album now and you won’t forget today. Jeff Mangum’s On Avery Island (1996) holds the title for my favorite NMH song, “Song Against Sex” but 1998s Aeroplane is the best album overall. Many people think this album came out in 2004, but it was reissued 6 years after its original release, the reissue is where it gained critical acclaim. First of all: the beginning guitar riff on the two-track “King of Carrot Flowers” movement opens the album with an abrupt acoustic ballad. Soon, moving onto an organ-soaked chant which explodes into a drum and fuzz-bass blitz, the album’s form takes shape. The title track and “Two Headed Boy” each bring the acoustic sing along, the folk rock anthem, and the indie heart-melter to peak. And who could for get the 2,1234 of “Holland, 1945”? This take is definitely “Song Against Sex”’s equal on the album. One of my favorites is “Ghost” with its shuffle drum part and seemingly heavy metal folk sound, plus it has one of the best ending hooks at the 3:00 mark. NMH’s vast arsenal of instruments is a force to be reckoned with also, including the intense Scott Spillane array of brass, short wave radio, accordion, and erie white noises credited to Julian Koster.
Second of all: Anne Frank.
Third, and finally: Go Elephant 6!!!!
1. My Bloody Valentine – Loveless 1991
Shoegaze + Lo-fi + “how the fuck DO they make that sound” = Loveless. Kevin Shields, guitar god by any standards, will not make another album because he is virtually unable to top Loveless…but why? Loveless took 2 years to make and nearly bankrupted Creation Records, but it WAS perfection. The album is definitely an acquired taste, but once you discover its beauty, masked by seemingly annoyingly loud guitars, screechingly tingling riffs, and vocals mixed parallel with the rest of the music, you will understand my #1. “When You Sleep” and “I Only Said” turn the underground into a beautiful pop song. The guitars pitch bend and distortedly sway around Shields’ and Bilinda Butcher’s haunting beauty of voice. “Only Shallow” and “Come In Alone” are straight forward, powerful shoegaze tracks. “Soon,” the albums ender, could be a decade defining song, propelling out of the 80s new wave into a new, brighter indie horizon.
My number one: Debbie, Colm, Kevin, and Belinda.
