Top 40 radio nearly died in the '90s. Pure pop music was replaced by a crazy combination of rap and grunge and all kinds of sounds that were classified "alternative." This gave us plenty to choose from, and also plenty to hate. This is probably the hardest decade to get a consensus, but here are the Top 10 albums of the '90s as chosen by the Songfacts community.
10. Ok Computer - Radiohead
1997
Key Tracks:
Paranoid Android (in video)
No Surprises
Karma Police
Music critics swooned over Ok Computer, putting it on just about every best-of list. The album was recorded in Jane Seymour's mansion while the actress was busy filming her show Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.
Nominated by RockyRaccoon
9. Metallica - Metallica
1991
Key Tracks:
Enter Sandman (in video)
The Unforgiven
Nothing Else Matters
Known as "The Black Album," this was Metallica's commercial breakthrough. It didn't thrash as hard as their previous work, which alienated some fans but brought them many more.
Nominated by Dappled
8. Monster - R.E.M.
1994
Key Tracks:
Bang and Blame
What's the Frequency, Kenneth? (in video)
Crush With Eyeliner
R.E.M. made it to 1994 with no member changes and their artistic integrity intact. They stayed hungry, and made this classic album that they called their "Rock and Roll Record."
Nominated by skybluesky
7. Weezer aka The Blue Album - Weezer
1994
Key Tracks:
Say It Ain't So
Buddy Holly (in video)
Undone - The Sweater Song
This was Weezer's first album, and a lot of people found it snarky, stupid or lame. History has validated The Blue Album, however, and we at least see it as a groundbreaking work that holds up wonderfully.
Nominated by Bertrand
6. Out Of Time - R.E.M.
1991
Key Tracks:
Losing My Religion
Shiny Happy People (in video)
Radio Song
R.E.M. did themselves a favor by not trying to follow up Green with another big-seller. They had some fun, worked pressure-free, and were surprised when it sold a million copies in 10 days.
Nominated by Edna
5. Ten - Pearl Jam
1991
Key Tracks:
Alive
Jeremy (in video)
Even Flow
Pearl Jam's first album, it was named after the number worn by a basketball player named Mookie Blaylock, who was a favorite of the band. At one point, the band was named Mookie Blaylock.
Nominated by Viaene
4. (What's The Story) Morning Glory? - Oasis
1995
Key Tracks:
Wonderwall (in video)
Don't Look Back In Anger
Champagne Supernova
In the UK, they could sing along to just about every track, but making the album brought out some serious sibling rivalry: The Gallagher brothers fought like crazy, and at one point Noel took a cricket bat to Liam.
Nominated by Bertrand
3. Jagged Little Pill - Alanis Morissette
1995
Key Tracks:
Ironic
You Oughta Know (in video)
Hand In My Pocket
In 1995, as we were tiring of Grunge and Gangsta, Alanis gave us something new and different and Canadian.
Nominated by Lucky
2. Nevermind - Nirvana
1991
Key Tracks:
Smells Like Teen Spirit (in video)
Come As You Are
Lithium
This one also makes our mildly controversial covers list. Kurt Cobain described the sound as "The Bay City Rollers getting molested by Black Flag." Just three years later, Cobain would be dead and the band would be gone forever.
Nominated by RonJon
1. Blood Sugar Sex Magik - The Red Hot Chili Peppers
1991
Key Tracks:
Under the Bridge (in video)
Give It Away (in video)
Breaking the Girl
Released the same day as Nevermind (September 24, 1991), the Chili Peppers secluded themselves for a few months in Laurel Canyon to focus on making music. With the help of producer Rick Rubin, they avoided temptation and created an intricate and varied album where they bared their souls.
Nominated by The Lizard
February 16, 2011
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