Another Top 20
First it was movies, now bloggers are doing albums of the 1990s. I’m gonna include some late 80s stuff too since that whole era of music was intertwined with the end of glam; rise and fall of grunge; and the new metal sound. My top 20 in no particular order:
1. Korn – Korn: Two words: Kick fucking ass. That bass sound was amazing. Every heavy metal band since Korn sounds like Korn. This album was the last metal concert I went to (I’m too old now and look silly). And the show was just before these guys became huge. It rocked.
2. Alice in Chains – Dirt: Melodic, heavy. Definitely one of the more influential albums.
3. Sepultura – Roots: What happens when a heavy metal band goes and lives with a bunch of South American Indians? This album.
4. Pantera – Vulgar Display of Power: This album, to me, marked the end of glam metal (which is a good thing).
5. Pearl Jam – 10: The beginning and end of grunge.
6. Faith No More – The Real Thing: The album that proved you don’t have to be metal to be heavy. Borden is a bad ass.
7. Metallica – And Justice For All: An awesome album! Unfortunately, it would be the last good Metallica album.
8. Primus – Sailing the Seas of Cheese: Les Claypool is the best bass player ever. Well, at least he’s the most creative.
9. Nirvana – Nevermind: Changed the music scene forever.
10. Ice Cube – Predator: The best rap album ever.
11. The Cure – Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me: The last good album from 80s power bands.
12. Rage Against The Machine: Unfortunately, they were a one trick pony. This album ruled but they had nothing ever after it. And Audioslave sucks too.
13. Sound Garden – Super Unknown: See 12.
14. Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream: Great album but one day you stop smoking weed.
15. Tool – Undertow: This album kicked ass, as did their first one. But after this, all their albums sound the same. That, or you’ve stopped smoking weed.
16. Living Color – Vivid: Who knew black folks could do metal? Vernon Ried is a bad ass. This album absolutely rocked but the band was short lived. Bonus: the singer was in Platoon.
17. Megadeth – Countdown to Extinction: Dave Mustaine is the epitome of heavy metal. This album was their mainstream effort that put thrash on the scene. And it did.
18. System of a Down – System of a Down: Heavy metal meets, uhm, polka? I don’t know what their sound is called but it is different and it is great. Sugar.
19. Jane’s Addiction – Nothing’s Shocking: It had it all. Melody, heavy riffs and creative lyrics.
20. Limp Bizkit – Three Dollar Bill Ya’ll: Before they were huge but no doubt lead to them being huge. Once you get passed the egoism, they rock.
November 16th, 2003 at 11:08 pm
You have quite an eclectic (fancy word eh?) taste in music.
November 17th, 2003 at 12:43 pm
Wow…I’m old. I haven’t heard but a couple of those bands on the list, except for running across them on MTV or whatever. I’ll keep my eyes peeled in the used CD bins.
The Cure: I knew with “Let’s Go To Bed” that they were veering back to pop. I like the song, but pretty much nothing that came after it. I still love “Pornography”-era stuff, though. Or “GRinding Halt.”
It’s a rarity, but well worth the search, is a live version of “A Forest” from a mid-80’s double-45; black with blue writing. Smith does one of the most impressive guitar workouts — using ONLY CHORDS fast strummed and flanged — I’ve ever heard. It’s live and the big sound really suits. Still blows me away.
A band you might look for is Sugar. Huge, thick guitar sound, heavy production, great songs. Especially the first album, “Copper Blue.” Woo.
November 17th, 2003 at 2:58 pm
You haven’t seen eclectic until you’ve seen MY list. 🙂
Actually, there are only about three on Uncle’s list that would be candidates for my list. Living Color’s “Vivid,” Megadeth’s “Countdown to Extinction,” and Faith No More’s “The Real Thing.”
I guess I’ll have to go about compiling my list now. Hint: It will contain lots of artists you likely haven’t heard of.
November 17th, 2003 at 3:05 pm
You’d be surprised. I’ve heard of lots of people 🙂
November 17th, 2003 at 3:51 pm
Galactic Cowboys and Jesse Cook will be on the list, as examples.
November 18th, 2003 at 11:48 am
What, no Rammstein?
November 18th, 2003 at 12:08 pm
Eek! I don’t like rammstein. Man, they are bad.
November 18th, 2003 at 3:35 pm
Ah, found it. I uploaded a page to my website I called “Bands That Rule” (and why). It’s not quite the same as what you have but…
http://www.hollihan.net/bandrule.htm
There’s a few more bands I’d still add, like Catherine Wheel, Ultravox!, and some others.
November 18th, 2003 at 2:10 pm
Best Metallica Album
According to the blogosphere-ubiquitous Quizilla, if I were a Metallica album I would be And Justice for All. Which is, as Say Uncle points out, a fine album. But Say Uncle (whose opinions I respect) also says that it was Metallica’s last good album, …