{"id":12307,"date":"2021-05-18T13:19:11","date_gmt":"2021-05-18T12:19:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/?p=12307"},"modified":"2024-02-06T09:15:12","modified_gmt":"2024-02-06T09:15:12","slug":"the-best-albums-of-the-90s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/05\/18\/the-best-albums-of-the-90s\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Albums Of The 90s"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Unlike a lot of decades, the 90s have aged remarkably well. Friends <\/em>is still one of the biggest shows on television, teens who weren\u2019t even around sport its fashions and the Nokia 3210 is looked back on with the kind of nostalgia usually reserved for major life events.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Even the music of the era has aged pretty well (with some notable exceptions\u201d\u00a6). From grunge to Britpop to hip-hop, the 90s was packed with classics that sound as good as they did back then.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Picking just 10 albums from the 90s is nigh-on impossible\u201d\u00a6 but we\u2019ve had a go anyway.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Nevermind – Nirvana<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Year: 1991<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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https:\/\/youtu.be\/hTWKbfoikeg<\/div>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Kicking off with the iconic Smells Like Teen Spirit<\/em>, Nevermind <\/em>combines the raw energy of punk and hard rock with some surprisingly catchy riffs and choruses\u201d\u00a6 with the odd acoustic ballad thrown in for good measure.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Nevermind <\/em>was a huge commercial success and reached #1 in the US Billboard 200 (although it only peaked at #5 in the UK), but that paled in comparison to its cultural impact. Nevermind <\/em>is a bona-fide classic that is undoubtedly one of the best rock albums of the 90s.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Buy Nevermind <\/em>by Nirvana on the musicMagpie Store<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

(What\u2019s The Story) Morning Glory – Oasis<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Year: 1995<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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https:\/\/youtu.be\/Wm54XyLwBAk<\/div>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The soundtrack to a million singalongs, it\u2019s fair to say that Oasis\u2019 second record has had a huge impact on British culture. Even if you haven\u2019t heard the record before, you\u2019re no doubt familiar with Wonderwall<\/em>, Don\u2019t Look Back in Anger<\/em> and Roll With It<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Although the band\u2019s legacy has been somewhat overshadowed by the antics of Noel and Liam, Morning Glory<\/em> captures what the band does best: huge choruses with a liberal dose of snarling Manc attitude.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Needless to say, Morning Glory <\/em>was one of the best selling albums of the 90s and remains a huge commercial success – it\u2019s sold over 22 million copies to date, which is almost a copy for every home in the UK!\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Buy (What\u2019s The Story) Morning Glory <\/em>by Oasis on the musicMagpie Store<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

OK Computer – Radiohead<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Year: 1997<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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https:\/\/youtu.be\/EqrWX-HeTEk<\/div>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The rose-tinted view of the 90s is one of endless positivity and everyone having a jolly good time with their bad haircuts and baggy jeans. But as the millennium approached (and with it the infamous millennium bug), there was an undercurrent of paranoia too.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

No album captures that late-millenium vibe quite as well as OK Computer<\/em>. Following the success of the guitar-driven The Bends, OK Computer<\/em> sees Radiohead explore more ambitious song structures (Paranoid Android <\/em>is basically a 90s sequel to Bohemian Rhapsody<\/em>) and themes of alienation, consumerism and politics.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s not the cheeriest album but it\u2019s impressive scale, superb songwriting and Thom Yorke\u2019s haunting vocal performance make it a must-listen.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Buy OK Computer <\/em>by Radiohead on the musicMagpie Store<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

2001 – Dr. Dre<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Year: 1999<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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https:\/\/youtu.be\/qb81kdWb5jA<\/div>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Despite its name, 2001 <\/em>was actually released in November 1999 and therefore just makes our list.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Back in 1993, Dr. Dre revolutionised the rap game with the legendary The Chronic. 2001 <\/em>is an evolution of his iconic G-Funk style, with the usual flawless production, smooth beats and tales from LA gangsta life you\u2019d expect.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It also has an extensive features list with Enimem, Xzibit and (of course) Snoop Dogg all making an appearance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Buy 2001 <\/em>by Dr. Dre on the musicMagpie Store<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Dookie – Green Day<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Year: 1994<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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https:\/\/youtu.be\/koyYZc6hS-s<\/div>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you were under the age of 21 at any point before 1999, you\u2019ve almost certainly listened to at least some of Dookie.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Best known for the ridiculously catchy Basket Case<\/em>, Dookie <\/em>is an essential pop-punk album that never gets old. It opened the door for a whole subculture to emerge, one that arguably dominated the mainstream by the early 2000s.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you\u2019ve never heard it before, you\u2019re in for a treat – and even if you have, it\u2019s always worth another listen!\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Buy Dookie <\/em>by Green Day on the musicMagpie Store<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morrisette<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Year: 1995<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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https:\/\/youtu.be\/_DBP9OWIyB0<\/div>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If someone asked you to play one album that summarises the 90s, there\u2019s a strong chance you\u2019d pick Jagged Little Pill<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Jagged Little Pill<\/em> saw Alanis Morrisette take the grunge stylings of Nirvana and shave off some of the edges to create one of the best selling albums of all time (33 million copies and counting\u201d\u00a6)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s not hard to hear why this album is one of the best alternative rock albums of the 90s. Morrisette\u2019s take on the early 90s angst of grunge\u2019s big bands is a touch less downbeat and a lot more catchy, making it as enjoyable for the older generation as it was for grunge\u2019s traditional angsty teen audience.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Buy Jagged Little Pill <\/em>by Alanis Morrisette on the musicMagpie Store<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Ill Communication – Beastie Boys<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Year: 1994<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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https:\/\/youtu.be\/ajbr64jeLjQ<\/div>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Although rap-rock wouldn\u2019t become truly popular until the late 90s, the Beastie Boys arguably pioneered the genre with their early 90s output which mixed live instruments, riffs and rapped vocals.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To call Ill Communication <\/em>a rap-rock record doesn\u2019t do it anywhere near enough justice though. Easily one of the most diverse rap records released in the 90s, Ill Communication <\/em>fuses hip-hop, jazz, funk and even hardcore punk.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Even if you aren\u2019t a hip-hop fan, you\u2019re bound to find something to enjoy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Buy Ill Communication <\/em>by The Beastie Boys on the musicMagpie Store<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Metallica (The Black Album) – Metallica<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Year: 1991<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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https:\/\/youtu.be\/DqDeH3hwxfw<\/div>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Metallica\u2019s self-titled 1991 record (better known as The Black Album<\/em>) saw the band aiming for the mainstream by slowing down, making their songs punchier and even chucking in a couple of ballads.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The result is arguably the greatest heavy metal record of all time. Songs like Sad But True<\/em>, Don\u2019t Tread on Me<\/em> and Enter Sandman<\/em> offer the big riffs fans had come to know and love, while The Unforgiven <\/em>and Nothing Else Matters <\/em>displayed a softer side that threatened to come through on previous records but never fully made it.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Despite some accusations of selling out, the gamble paid off. Metallica <\/em>became the band\u2019s first US number one record, has been certified 16x platinum in the US and is the second longest-charting album in US history!\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Buy Metallica <\/em>by Metallica on the musicMagpie Store<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Automatic For The People – R.E.M<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Year: 1992<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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https:\/\/youtu.be\/7w8VU0qh4KQ<\/div>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

No list of the best 90s albums is complete without Automatic for the People<\/em>, a record that cemented R.E.M\u2019s place as one of the biggest and most influential bands in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If Nevermind <\/em>was the soundtrack to rebellion, Automatic for the People <\/em>captured the moments after that burst of energy. Songs like Drive<\/em>, Everybody Hurts <\/em>and Nightswimming <\/em>are reflective, more considered and emotional than the music put out by their peers at the time,\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Despite its more complex nature, Automatic for the People <\/em>was a huge hit and has sold over 18 million copies to date.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Buy Automatic For The People <\/em>by R.E.M on the musicMagpie Store<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Urban Hymns – The Verve<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Year: 1997<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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https:\/\/youtu.be\/9lOmfg3RfdQ<\/div>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Verve are probably the most underrated band of the 90s, perhaps because they weren\u2019t actually around for that long. After breaking up once in 1995, the band reformed in 1997 for Urban Hymns<\/em> then broke up again two years later (they reformed again in 2007 but, true to form, broke up a year later).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Fortunately, their brief reformation gave us their best album and arguably one of the best albums of the decade. Urban Hymns <\/em>is an ambitious, sweeping and surprisingly melancholy counterpoint to the raucous Britpop of the time.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

You\u2019re undoubtedly familiar with Bittersweet Symphony <\/em>and The Drugs Don\u2019t Work<\/em>, but give the rest of the album a go if you haven\u2019t – it\u2019s worth it.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Buy Urban Hymns <\/em>by The Verve on the musicMagpie Store<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

You can find all of these albums, plus many more, on CD and Vinyl in our Best of the 90s collection. We have hundreds of great albums to choose from, all at great prices, including cheap vinyl records<\/a>. You’ll even get FREE delivery as standard. Check it out!\u00a0<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Unlike a lot of decades, the 90s have aged remarkably well. Friends is still one of the biggest shows on television, teens who weren\u2019t even around sport its fashions and the Nokia 3210 is looked back on with the kind of nostalgia usually reserved for major life events.\u00a0 Even the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":12308,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[159],"tags":[1603,1581,1560],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12307"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12307"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12307\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16785,"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12307\/revisions\/16785"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12308"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12307"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12307"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12307"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}