Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Top 90s Albums 20-30

Ok I'm a sucker for all lists, so I couldn't help myself, I had to respond to Nick's challenge. But 25 for the full decade that I know best? Please; I would kill myself over picking 100. So this entire enterprise is compromised from the beginning; selecting these albums is such an impossible task that I haven't pulled hairs as much as I would for, say, my top 25 for a single year. So basically I will list 30 albums that I looooove from the 90s, in a general order. But there are LOTS that I have forgotten and ignored that deserve this honor equally. So for today I will simply list 26-30, and give a BRIEF description of 21-25.

30. Sebadoh-Bakesale (1994)
I Know, not the seminally-listed III, but Bakesale is my favorite Sebadoh album. Meanwhile Dinosaur Jr released the amazing Green Mind and How Ya Been, but Lou Barlow is in my top 3 lyricists of the 1990s (with Malkmus and Tweedy). They make the top 30 fo sho.
29. Sonic Youth-Washing Machine (1994)
My favorite 1990s Yoof album, with one of my top 5 SONGS EVER looming on the last side of the LP (which I own). If you don't know it, get "The Diamond Sea" immediately. The longversion, released on the new B sides collection, is preferable.
28. Inspectah Deck-Uncontrolled Substance (1999)
My favorite WuTang solo outing. Jesus Deck has mad flow on this one, and Masta Killa sounds better than he does anywhere else. Rap is pretty criminally underrated on this list, but I had to put this one on.
27. Smashing Pumpkins-Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995)
Billy Corgan is just enough of a dick to release this sprawling masterpiece, so ambitious and so successful. You all know it.
26. The Chemical Brothers-Dig Your Own Hole (1997)
The best breakbeat album ever (not that great of an accomplishment) beautifully combines e-based rave culture and LSD-based psychedelic culture (that great of an accomplishment). Seriously, listen to "Private Psychedellc Reel" and tell me the Bros. sound dated.
25. Silver Jews-American Water (1998)
"Blue Arrangements" is one of my favorite songs of the 90s, and it's barely my favorite song on the album.
24. Wilco-Summerteeth (1999)
Do I have to say something about Wilco, really? My fav album of theirs, though. I'm a sucker for alt-country, and also when alt-country folks go off and do better things.
23. Blur-Modern Life is Rubbish (1993)
My favorite Blur album has two of my favorite love songs ever: "Blue Jeans" and "Miss America." I loved Brit-pop through highschool, and now, going back through my oasis and supergrass records, I can't believe I did. My only solace is Blur, the band that stands the test of time and proves that even super-dated subgenre fads can produce transcendent talent.
22. Ryan Adams-Heartbreaker
Ry-Ry is so fake and melodramatic, and I LOVE it. I do not apologize for loving it either; I am sorry to people who got too caught up in this album and hate everything else he has done. His talent, after all, is faking everything so well, with such talent, that we all buy it. And we shouldn't feel hurt by that, but instead enjoy it; this is one of the best sad albums ever, whether Ryan was actually sad or not.
21. Ride-Nowhere
Best guitars on an album in the 1990s (My Bloody Valentine doesn't count). Third-best shoegaze album (best subgenre ever). And: "Albatross"
20. The Lemonheads-It's a Shame about Ray
It's a shame about the Lemonheads after this album. Talk about a breakdown. But if I were to release an album that ruined my career/life, I would want it to be akin to the sublime alterno-daze pop of this album.

2 comments:

Dan Solberg said...

Nice list so far. I agree with what I've heard and that shoegaze is the best rock subgenre. Btw, if you're looking to add more music into your "Spaz" genre folder, I suggest the Dan Deacon album. I'm going to need to see your next group on this list before I can really begin to make predictions on the top 5. Are you doubling up on anyone or just 1 LP per band?

Nick said...

Heartbreaker is 2000. Are you one of those that counts this as the 90s???? My list is screwed up...

It is a good list so far.