Top Ten Albums in the 90's according to me..





1) Superunknown Soundgarden: One of my favt. groups(not my absolute favt though),
this album is the BEST album of the 90's. Add the best drummer in biznez(Matt Cameron), heavy riffs provided by an underrated Kim Thayil, the best voice to come out of Seattle(Cornell), a pensive bassist- you get a dark opus so compelling, its matched only by the sheer sonic beauty in the whole structure of the album. Indeed, it's the grand placement of songs which elevates this album(over others) to this level. Check this out - after recieving the sonic equivalent of a good kick to the head after listening to the title track "Superunknown", you are immediately drawn into a warm ,fuzzy, yet futile feeling while listening to "Head Down", only to be knocked out by the opus "Black Hole Sun" . Amazzziiinnng. Nary a bad song on this 15-track album, everyone should listen to this.

2) Siamese Dream Smashing Pumpkins: The best album written by perhaps the most musically gifted from my generation(Billy Corgan), the only reason why this is no. 2 and not no. 1 is because the placement of songs isn't as good. The best
production job by Butch Vig, it is James Iha's thick yet highly melodic playing, which conjures up images of using a jackhammer on a crystal xylophone, which makes this album special. What's more, amongst all the albums in the 90's this one actually has some happy songs! Listen to Today , Hummer followed by Rocket, and then Disarm in succession. Sheer Genius.

3) In Utero Nirvana: The best album of the BEST singer/songwriter of my generation.
Beautiful in its simplicity. R.I.P Kurt.

4) Vs Pearl Jam: Great Album, by a truly great band. Can't find a storyteller better than Eddie. Starts off to a rocking start with Go and Animal, leading into  one of their best songs - Daughter, one is sucked into the album, to be treated to gems like rearview mirror(the songs slowly builds into an amazing crashing climax), and of course elderly woman.. . I mean what can I say about this song? Eddie Vedder surpasses himself in this one, and you are treated to a brilliant vocal performance. The only problem with this album is the ending, which is a bit weak. Nonetheless a superb album, worth much more than a casual dekko.

5) Nevermind Nirvana: I don't think I can say much about this album that hasn't been already said. This is art. At the highest level.

6) Unplugged Alice in Chains: The best unplugged performance by far by anyone(including Nirvana's). Compare their original songs with the unplugged ones
and you will see the almost 180-degree transformation. Layne's haunting vocals and Jerry's superlative acoustic guitar playing makes this a near perfect album. If you are looking for an acoustic grunge album, look no further. The last song "Killer is Me" is almost beyond compare. 

7) The Bends Radiohead: ahhhh... We now come to my favt group. Nothing is more annoying than people who jump on to a band's wagon after it becomes famous..
I can proudly claim that I(along with my brother) "discovered" this band with Pablo Honey, on a side street in New Delhi, on a rainy Saturday evening, way back in 1994(ok a year too late), and knew they were destined for great things. The Bends reaffirmed that with an amazing B side to go with a near-perfect A-side.
Even though I claim that Pablo Honey was stronger sonically(more melodies and more rock!), it had some weak songs as well as shoddy production. Not on this one! This is the one in which Thom unleashes his magnetic voice and you are reduced to your knees. Enthralling Experience.

8) No Code Pearl Jam: I personally think that the band crafted their perfect A-side on this album, perhaps the best A-side by any band in the 90's. Remarkable songs one after the other - Sometimes(wish it was wee bit longer), Hail-Hail, In My Tree, one after the other. Very honest, the purity in the sound grabs you by your brain stem.
 
9) OK Computer Radiohead:  "Letdown" itself is a reason to buy this one, maybe the whole Radiohead collection! "This is what you get , when you meeeeeessssss with us"  - Karma Police. Climbing up the walls(one of their best songs), No Suprises, Lucky , I mean I could go on and on...Best Band in the world!

10) Achtung Baby U2: I like the earlier U2 a lot, but this is has too many great songs to leave out. "Whos Gonna ride your wild horses", "Mysterious Ways", "Even better than the real thing" are simply outstanding. Let me not even get started on "One"..



So there it is junta, my top ten albums of 90's. Coming soon, top ten of 2000-present!

Disclaimer: Some among you might have noted that most of the entries on my list
are bands whose music not only compells you to slash your wrists, but also slash your wrists with the rustiest+serrated blade out there.. Thats a good point, so the only way I maintained my sanity was to simultaneously listen to Simon and Garfunkle, The Beatles, The Police and other superb bands, not to speak off a lot of classical Indian and western.. :)