The Best of 90s Alternative and Grunge Music
Contents
The Best of 90s Alternative and Grunge Music is a blog for anyone who loves the 90s music scene. You’ll find posts on your favorite 90s bands, albums, and songs, as well as news and updates on what’s going on with 90s music today.
Introduction
The 90s were a great time for music, with a wide variety of genres and styles to choose from. Alternative and grunge music were two of the most popular genres of the time, and there were some amazing bands and artists in both genres. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best alternative and grunge bands and artists of the 90s.
Best of 90s Alternative
The 1990s was a decade of incredible music. One of the most popular genres of the time was alternative rock, which encompassed a wide range of styles. From the grunge of Nirvana to the pop-punk of Blink-182, there was something for everyone. In this article, we’ll countdown the best of 90s alternative music.
Nirvana- Smells Like Teen Spirit
Nirvana was one of the most influential bands of the early 1990s and their ground-breaking album, Nevermind, changed the course of popular music. The lead single from that album, “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” is one of the most iconic songs of the grunge era. With its infectious guitar riff and angsty lyrics, the song encapsulates the frustration and dissatisfaction of a generation of young people. Nirvana’s music was raw and emotional, and “Smells Like Teen Spirit” perfectly captured the zeitgeist of the early 1990s.
Pearl Jam- Even Flow
“Even Flow” is a song by the American rock band Pearl Jam. It is the second single from the band’s debut album, Ten (1991). The song peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, number two on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and number one on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song was included on Pearl Jam’s 2004 greatest hits album, rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991–2003). Despite being one of Pearl Jam’s best-known songs, “Even Flow” was considered a “album cut” and was not initially released as a single in the United States. In 2018, Rolling Stone ranked “Even Flow” as the 66th best song of all time.
In an interview with Guitar World magazine, Vedder said that he wrote “Even Flow” about “feeling homeless, even when you have a home.” He explained: “It’s about somebody who is destitute and has nothing—not even themselves… You see somebody with their head down on a cold sidewalk, and instead of walking by like everybody else does, you stop for a second and think about what their story might be…”
Soundgarden- Black Hole Sun
Released in May of 1994, “Black Hole Sun” was Soundgarden’s biggest hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was included on the band’s fourth studio album, Superunknown, which was also a huge success, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 and selling over five million copies in the U.S.
The success of “Black Hole Sun” helped propel Superunknown to even greater heights, and the album remains one of the most iconic and influential releases of the 90s. Along with Nirvana’s Nevermind and Pearl Jam’s Ten, Superunknown ushered in a new era of grunge and alternative rock that would dominate the airwaves for years to come.
Best of 90s Grunge
One of the most important aspects of grunge music is the distorted, overdriven guitar sound that defined the genre. With its heavy, detuned riffs and dark melodies, grunge music became the perfect outlet for the angst and disillusionment of a generation of young people. If you’re a fan of grunge music, check out our list of the best grunge songs of the 90s.
Alice in Chains- Would?
Alice in Chains is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1987 by guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney, who later recruited bassist Mike Inez and lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was cantrell on guitar, kenny on drums and family friend staley providing vocals. The band’s name derives from staley’s previous group, glam metal band glamour boys.
The would? Ep is the second extended play (EP) by american rock band alice in chains, released on september 29, 1992 through columbia records. It was the first release with bassist mike inez and the last with original lead vocalist layne staley prior to his death in 2002. The tracks “would?” And “down in a hole” were originally included on the band’s debut studio album facelift (1990), while “got me wrong” appeared on the soundtrack to the dark angel episode “hell money” (1991). A fourth song titled “again” was recorded during the sessions for both facelift and sap but was left unreleased until 2018’s rainier fog album.
The opening track “would?” Was co-written by vocalist layne staley and guitarist jerry cantrell as an ode to their friend andrew wood, former frontman of mother love bone who died of a heroin overdose in 1990. Musically, would? Is Alice in Chains’ heaviest song to feature Staley on lead vocals. Lyrically, it deals with loss, drug addiction, grief, and regret. The EP peaked at number 12 on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers chart and number nine on the Top Independent Albums chart. A remixed version of “would?” From 1997’s music bank box set is included as a bonus track on 1999’s music bank compilation album.
As one of Alice in Chains’ most popular songs, would? Has been covered by various artists such as korn, pearl jam, Stone Temple Pilots, static-x, tool, Staind, papa roach and audition
Stone Temple Pilots- Interstate Love Song
Stone Temple Pilots were one of the leading American rock bands of the early 1990s. They achieved success with their debut album, Core, released in 1992. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, and was certified 8x platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). “Interstate Love Song”, the third single from Core, was a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The band’s follow-up album, Purple, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified 6x platinum by the RIAA. It included the singles “Vasoline” and “Big Empty”, which were both top 10 hits on the Hot 100.
Mudhoney- Touch Me I’m Sick
Mudhoney was one of the first grunge bands. Formed in Seattle in 1988, the band’s original lineup consisted of singer and rhythm guitarist Mark Arm, lead guitarist Steve Turner, bassist Matt Lukin, and drummer Dan Peters. The band helped shape the sound and style of grunge with their debut EP Superfuzz Bigmuff (1988) and first two albums Mudhoney (1989) and Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge (1991). Although they were not as commercially successful as some of their peers, Mudhoney’s influence is still evident today. Touch Me I’m Sick is one of the band’s best-known songs.
