Author Archives: tacopepper

     I find there to be some similarities between “Vs.” from Pearl Jam and “In Utero” from Nirvana.  In both cases, the band was trying to follow up a massively successful album, and in both cases, they strived for a less polished, rawer and more aggressive sound.  And in both cases, they had a slightlyContinue reading “Pearl Jam “Vs.” (1993)”

     We are starting our second run through the grunge hall-of-fame, as many of the bands we featured in 1992 came out with their next release.  In most all cases, their follow-up was successful, if not as groundbreaking or impactful as the prior release, and also in many cases, it represented the last real highContinue reading “Nirvana “In Utero” (1993)”

     Through the course of my musical wandering and searching for other sounds, certain definitive albums always bring me back to guitar-based rock and roll.  There are five albums in my head that over the years, captured my attention immediately upon the first listen, and held it for an extended period of time.  This oftenContinue reading “The Smashing Pumpkins “Siamese Dream” (1993)”

     Today’s album was an interesting and different album, as I listened to the debut album from Liz Phair, “Exile in Guyville”.  She indicates that the song structures were built and sequenced as a response to “Exile on Main Street” by the Stones, but many of these songs were written over different time frames andContinue reading “Liz Phair “Exile in Guyville” (1993)”

     In the 1980s, there were many artists of the ‘60s and ‘70s who experienced a comeback and renaissance in their career.  In the 1990s, it doesn’t feel like that happened nearly as often, but one act who came back strong after several years on the back pages was Duran Duran, with their second self-titledContinue reading “Duran Duran “Duran Duran” aka “The Wedding Album” (1993)”

     Rolling into 1993, I don’t think anyone would be that shocked that the #1 selling album of 1993 was the soundtrack to “The Bodyguard”, featuring Whitney Houston on the album and in the film.  I have never seen the film, nor do I have any intention to do so, but I respect the magnitudeContinue reading “Whitney Houston & Various Artists “Soundtrack – The Bodyguard” (1992)”

     Indie rock, which is a very broad and wide-open term, was represented by the debut release from the band Pavement on “Slanted and Enchanted”.  As I do with each album, particularly those I don’t know well, I make sure to give it several listens before rendering an opinion.  Even though this album is widelyContinue reading “Pavement “Slanted & Enchanted” (1992)”

     Here we are genre-jumping again, over to the world of gangsta rap with the iconic debut album from N.W.A. alum Dr. Dre, “The Chronic”.  In my opinion, this album is a big step forward from the roots of N.W.A., as we trade in the caustic shouting for the smooth rhymes of Dre and hisContinue reading “Dr. Dre “The Chronic” (1992)”

     Being a devoted fan can be a very communal or private act, depending on the artist.  When you follow a massively successful act like the Beatles or Led Zeppelin, you are literally one of millions who love their music, and that is a powerful and uniting sensation.  However, there are times when an artistContinue reading “The Sundays “Blind” (1992)”

     Today is the end of the line of my journey through the R.E.M. albums on my list.  This is the one album I owned from its initial release, and I have been searching for that elusive R.E.M. album that would pull everything together for me as fan of this band.  I have come toContinue reading “R.E.M. “Automatic for the People” (1992)”