Best albums of 1991

A school friend brought this album to my house one day insisting we listen to it. It blew my mind & partially contributed to a major revision in what I liked about music. Originality in music now became dear to me, and Primus has always been a beacon for originality.

Favorite song: "Is It Luck?"

Soundgarden never sounded better than on Badmotorfinger. They may have branched out their sound on the albums that followed but that made for uneven albums. This one is pure perfection from start to finish.

Favorite song: "Searching with My Good Eye Closed"

Why Ned's wasn't one of the most popular bands of the '90s I'll never understand. God Fodder is easily my favorite, largely because it got me into them. I'm still bummed that I never managed to see them perform live.

Favorite song: "Less Than Useful"

Every song here flows perfectly into the next, making for a very rewarding listen. Hell, there's hardly a breath between each song the way they fit together. Easily my favorite RHCP album of the bunch.

Favorite song: "Sir Psycho Sexy"

No explanation necessary.

Favorite song: "Why Go"

If I'm honest with myself, this is the only perfect SP album there is (Mellon Collie has one song too many IMO, but I usually forgive them for that). Love the psychedelic influence here, which they later mostly abandoned (unfortunately).

Favorite song: "Window Paine"

If you can listen to this album & not be moved at all, you might be dead. Even I can't help but dance around while listening to it.

Favorite song: "What?"

One of the most underrated bands of the '90s, mostly due to the fact they didn't make music most people enjoy listening to. I can never decide which album is my favorite between this, Liar, and Shot.

Favorite song: "Monkey Trick"

My first R.E.M. album & one I still listen to even now. The older I get, the more appreciation I have for their music whereas in my younger days I often grew easily bored with some of their mellower songs.

Favorite song: "Low"

An excellent soundtrack for an excellent movie.

Favorite song: "When the Music's Over" (not surprising since it's my favorite song EVER)

Underrated.

Favorite song: "KYEO" (though really I could pick any song on here & it'd work)

Overrated, but still an excellent album nonetheless. I can't deny that it held power over me for a while, but I was never as in love with Nirvana as a lot of people were (and in some cases still are). Personally when I listen to Nirvana I hear their influences come through (some of which I prefer over them), and while it may have been appreciated at the time the way this album brought "alternative" music to the mainstream it also yielded a slew of shitty bands stealing from the artists that became popular as a result. Not to mention the fact that every year music critics have to remind everyone how "great" this album was & bitch about how no band has made music this good since. Pfft. Plenty of bands have made plenty of great music since (much of which I vastly prefer over Nevermind), and if you're unwilling to let go of the past & move on that's your problem.

Favorite song: "Drain You"

There are a couple of filler tracks which are OK when listening to the album as a whole, but are easily forgotten the moment the album ends. Otherwise, yes it's great.

Favorite song: "Stoned Is the Way of the Walk"

A brutal listen, largely due to the long running times of the songs. Fortunately all the songs have some dynamics to them so it's not just the same thing over & over throughout, and so my only fault with the album lies with the filler tracks (does it really need a track of dead air?). Bonus points for the brilliant song titles.

Favorite song: "Xero Tolerance"

Went back & listened to this one recently & couldn't stop dancing in my seat while it played. More fun than Suicidal Tendencies' albums & funky as hell.

Favorite song: "Infecto Groovalistic"

Their final album has some weak moments, but overall is still better than most albums by other bands.

Favorite song: "U-Mass"

GNR's split double album is admittedly bloated & could use some trimming. The alternate version of "Don't Cry" and covers should have been b-sides instead of on the albums, and probably the closing track on II could've been one as well since it doesn't really fit in. However, in my youth I spent so much time listening to both albums & enjoying them that I can't drop either one below a 9/10. Blame nostalgia.

Favorite song: "Coma"

Favorite song: "Locomotive"

Rough & raw, but still a rewarding listen from start to finish.

Favorite song: "FBLA"

This EP came from Gish, and the non-album tracks here are every bit as good as the ones that made the album.

Favorite song: "Slunk"