Author Archives: tacopepper

     One of the more entertaining rock bands to emerge in the 1990s was Weezer, another southern California act.  If Green Day was the kids you knew in high school who went to punk rock shows and scribbled anarchy symbols on their lockers, Weezer were the dudes who were on the third-place computer programming teamContinue reading “Weezer “Weezer” (The Blue Album) (1994)”

     I debated whether or not to include today’s album, “Live On Planet Earth” by the Neville Brothers.  I have already discussed a live album from the early 1980s at Tipitina’s, and their best studio recording, “Yellow Moon”.  However, as I spent more than a decade searching for their best live recordings, when they releasedContinue reading “The Neville Brothers “Live On Planet Earth” (1994)”

     There is a certain amount of irony in today’s selection, “Illmatic” by Nas, which is rated as album # 44 on Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Albums of All Time, and the #2 Hip-Hop album of all time.  The irony comes from the fact that despite its highly acclaimed status, and my love for goodContinue reading “Nas “Illmatic” (1994)”

     One of the more intense albums I have encountered on this journey is “The Downward Spiral” by Nine Inch Nails.  At this stage in my life, I could not have been further removed from the world of heavy industrial rock, so most of this music was pretty unfamiliar to me, other than the definingContinue reading “Nine Inch Nails “The Downward Spiral” (1994)”

     An album I recall very well from its time of release is “Superunknown”, the next release from Soundgarden.  Building on their momentum from “Bad Motorfinger”, “Superunknown” was their most commercially successful album, with several songs that dominated rock radio at the time.  It is rated as the #4 grunge rock album of all timeContinue reading “Soundgarden “Superunknown” (1994)”

     An important release today, in the sometimes-derided sub-genre that is pop punk.  “Dookie” is the major label debut album from the band Green Day.  It ultimately was a major commercial success, and remains well regarded to this day.  It is rated as album #375 on Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.Continue reading “Green Day “Dookie” (1994)”

     1994 begins with the next release from Alice In Chains.  This is actually an EP (Extended Play) vs. a full album, but it contains seven songs, several of which were very successful for the band.  It is a notable departure from their last two records, with most of the songs based heavily in anContinue reading “Alice in Chains “Jar of Flies” (1994)”

     Yet another round of hip-hop legend today, as we go back to the west coast for the next Death Row Records release, the debut hit from Snoop Dogg, or Snoop Doggy Dogg as he was known then.  Even though this was his first release, he was already a well-known commodity serving as the primaryContinue reading “Snoop Doggy Dogg “Doggystyle” (1993)”

     Another dose of hip-hop style today, with the next album from A Tribe Called Quest, “Midnight Marauders”.  Like their last album, “The Low End Theory”, it is mostly a very soothing mix of low-fi, jazz-based beats that are very easy to listen to.  It was also highly regarded and well received, and is ratedContinue reading “A Tribe Called Quest “Midnight Marauders” (1993)”

     Coming back as a response to the smooth, chill vibes emanating from the west coast hip-hop scene, we are confronted with the in-your-face response from Staten Island, in the form of Wu-Tang Clan, an eclectic mix of rappers who delivered their explosive debut, “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)”.  With an attitude that is basedContinue reading “Wu-Tang Clan “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” (1993)”