Category Archives: Uncategorized

     For some reason, the Stone Temple Pilots came on to the scene with a very negative connotation.  Many listeners looked down on them as some kind of 2nd rate knock-off of Pearl Jam.  I never shared that opinion, and I think the argument could be made that the quality of songwriting and their overallContinue reading “Stone Temple Pilots “Core” (1992)”

     From the frivolous back to the intense, we return to the continued evolution of grunge rock with another outstanding album, “Dirt” by Alice In Chains.  Not only does this record contain my all-time favorite track from any of these artists, it is the #1 all-time rated grunge album on loudwire.com, even over higher profileContinue reading “Alice In Chains “Dirt” (1992)”

     As you may recall, among the albums included on this list are the #1 selling album in the U.S. every calendar year.  In some years, those choices are obvious.  With some other years, the choice of the people is a bit more confounding.  With all of the innovative and emerging music of 1992, theContinue reading “Billy Ray Cyrus “Some Gave All” (1992)”

     So many acts come out with a single album that goes big, and then you never really hear from them again.  After the Beastie Boys hit the big time with “Licensed to Ill”, it wouldn’t have been hard to envision that scenario with their novel sound.  In contrast, they continued to expand their skillsContinue reading “Beastie Boys “Check Your Head” (1992)”

     One of the most important components of listening to all of these albums is making sure I give them sufficient consideration.  While some albums grab your interest from the beginning, others are more of an acquired taste.  That is definitely how I would label today’s record, “Vulgar Display of Power” by Pantera.  Taking anotherContinue reading “Pantera “Vulgar Display of Power” (1992)”

     I’m still not really quite sure what to make of today’s album, “Loveless” by My Bloody Valentine.  It is our second day in a row with an Irish band, and perhaps there are shadows of this sound in where U2 and others were headed, but I did not expect to discover a new sub-genreContinue reading “My Bloody Valentine “Loveless” (1991)”

     Another intense grunge rock masterpiece today, with our first look at Soundgarden, fronted by the incredibly powerful voice of Chris Cornell.  As I have noted previously, each of these Seattle grunge rock legends came from different origins, and both Cornell and the sound of his band draw more deeply from the depths of heavyContinue reading “Soundgarden “Bad Motorfinger” (1991)”

     Another extension of my search for alternative music in the early 1990s was the southern California band we still know today as the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  For the second day in a row, we have a very bass-centric sound, as the Peppers have always been driven by bass player Flea and his remarkableContinue reading “Red Hot Chili Peppers “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” (1991)”

     Today is one of those days when I’m really glad I give each album several listens before I render my opinion.  Not that I didn’t like “The Low End Theory” by A Tribe Called Quest, but after several streams, I absolutely love it.  Coming from the same sound and style as De La Soul,Continue reading “A Tribe Called Quest “The Low End Theory” (1991)”

     With the second half of our grunge blockbuster, we have the large-scale debut from Nirvana, “Nevermind”, with their classic lineup of Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl on drums.  With some similarities and some distinctions in sound, Nirvana helped to reinforce Seattle as the epicenter of grunge rock in the early 1990s.  TheirContinue reading “Nirvana “Nevermind” (1991)”