Top Ten Most Influential & Favorite Albums of the 90s

StartFragmentNirvana, Nevermind 9.24.91 I was twelve the first time I heard Smells Like Teen Spirit. I grew up listening to the Beach Boys, Michael Jackson, and Bon Jovi, and was not at all prepared for the sound of Nirvana, but in that initial moment I knew I was in love. To be honest, Incesticide is my favorite album, but this was the one that brought me to it. Not only was this my introduction to the band, but one of my favorite, and most influential bassists, Chris Novoselic and one of my favorite albums to jam along to. To this day it’s still solid start-to-finish. EndFragment

StartFragmentQuicksand, Slip 2.9.93 I was introduced to this band by a friend that wasn’t really into them; he passed the CD onto me, and after my first listen it was an instant favorite. Their only other full-length release, Manic Compression is also really good. This band really opened the doors to other indie, and hardcore bands I would eventually listen to in the future like At the Drive-In. Their sound has also been a noted influence on my own bass playing, and I still enjoy both of their albums to this day.

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StartFragmentGreen Day, Dookie 2.1.94 This was the first CD I ever owned, and it introduced to me the wonders of punk rock. It led me to other great punk favorites of mine such as No Use for a Name, Face to Face and the Descendants. Before the internet, there were three ways of hearing music, for the most part- the radio/Mtv, friends, or seeing bands live. From the first track to the last, this album is solid pop-punk awesomeness. One of my favorite albums to jam along to, it also introduced to me another huge influence of mine - Mike Dirnt. I could play his basslines all day.

StartFragmentNine Inch Nails, the Downward Spiral 3.8.94 I remember the first time I saw the Closer video on Mtv. I was entranced by the dark, macabre visuals, and a sound that felt like a sonic pulse of visceral, primal nature. This was my initial introduction to the sound of industrial metal, and more importantly - the importance of catharsis as an artist. The ability to take terrible things that happen to you and turn them into something productive is one thing that I have always been grateful for as an artist. Some songs that millions of people enjoy, that make you millions of dollars, or just something you write to help yourself cope with an awful life experience that others are moved and inspired by. That’s what this album did for me. Taught me to put my anger and pain into something positive. It’s one of the best life lessons anyone could learn in my opinion.

StartFragmentHelmet, Betty 6.21.94 I first heard heard Helmet on the Crow soundtrack (Best soundtrack of the 90s by the way), and was instantly into their sound, and even moreso after picking up Betty. Pete Mengede’s bass work has been a huge influence on my own, including his work with Handsome, which also included Quicksand’s drummer, Walter Schreifels. They’re another band that opened me up to other indie/hardcore bands, and this album is a solid start to finish listen, and only slightly better than 96’s Aftertaste. EndFragment

StartFragmentMarilyn Manson, Portrait of an American Family 7.19.94 Boy, was this one a life changer… The first time I heard this album I was enthralled. The religious/social commentary was right in line with my own, and the music was heavy, yet almost comical, in a parodic sense. The black humour and swampy, dark music made for an immediate love affair between me and Marilyn Manson. Not only a huge influence on me musically, but in every facete of what I am as an artist. One of the best live bands I’ve ever seen, over twenty years later this is still one of my favorite bands.

StartFragmentThe Smashing Pumpkins, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness 8.23.95 I had a friend that was a big Pumpkins fan; I hadn’t really heard more than what was on Mtv and while I didn’t dislike it, I just didn’t happen to own any of their stuff. He had never heard Marilyn Manson and was curious, so we made one another mix tapes, and exchanged them. As he was falling in love with Manson, I was listening to for the first time what was to become one of my favorite bands, and an integral influence on myself as a musician. I had played alto sax in middle school for a year, and while it is one of my favorite instruments to listen to, I can’t really do brass. The Pumpkins sounds pulled my ear to the low end, and I found myself interested in picking up a bass guitar. I had owned an acoustic six string, but never had the dexterity or fingertips o play one effectively. The bass guitar, on the other hand, I took to quite quickly...and I have this album to thank for that. EndFragment EndFragment

StartFragmentSneaker Pimps, Becoming X 8.19.96 I love me some really great female vocals. I first this band’s single, Six Underground, on the radio and was really into it; it had a great drum and bass rhythm paired with a tight synth loop and beautiful vocals. It’s one of my favorite most under-appreciated albums of the 90s, and it’s so good it’s criminal. It’s a trip-hop work of art with just enough edge to appeal to most rock fans. EndFragment EndFragment

StartFragmentHum, Downward is Heavenward 1.27.98 When it comes to nerd rock I’m a Hum guy as opposed to bands like They Might Be Giants. No disrespect to the latter, I enjoy their music, but Hum has the brilliantly proportionate mix of nerdery and heaviness that caters to both sides quite effectively. Apart from track nine, this album is a heavy rock gem that I have always loved, and felt was highly overlooked and under appreciated. It falls right in line with other heavy rock bands that have influenced me like the previously aforementioned Helmet and Quicksand.

EndFragmentStartFragmentSlipknot 6.29.99 In 99 I was friends with some guys in a local hardcore band. They were cool (not just because they wrote songs about anime), and the bassist, drummer and guitarist would frequently come over after shows to party at my place. One night, the bassists Mike told me I had to listen to this album. He popped it into the CD player, and handed me the case. Nine guys in identical coveralls, wearing horror movie style masks. I loved it before the first track started. This album came to me in another great moment of my life I needed a reminder about how useful creative catharsis was; it was raw, and dark and reeked of purge. And I loved it. It made me not only want to listen to other bands just as heavy, but it inspired me to up my game as a musician, and try playing more up-tempo metal. * What are some of your favorite 90s albums - either from a creative perspective as a musician, or just someone that loves 90s music? Be sure to comment below...

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