Top Ten Rock Albums of the 90's

10. Dookie – Green Day
Though Dookie would later be surpassed in achievement by their landmark American Idiot album, Green Day’s quasi-punk/quasi-pop/quasi-alternative release marked the changing of the music guard and drove the final nail into the hair metal coffin. With infectious, sophomoric tracks consisting of no more than three cords and barely three minutes of runtime this little-record-that-could would go on to become a quintessential part of 90’s rock history. Notable Songs: Longview, Welcome To Paradise, Basket Case, When I Come Around, She.
9. Ænima – Tool
Emerging in the mid-90’s as the leaders of the post-Gruge, Nu-Metal revolution, Tool pounds through nearly eighty masterful minutes of rage, sarcasm, psychedelics and ambient sound. Ænima (pronounced on-nim-ah) showcases the amazing voice of Maynard James Keenan while inventing truly mood-driven rhythms and intricate song structures. Notable Songs: Stinkfist, Forty-Six & 2, Aenema, Eulogy, H., Third Eye.
8. Dirt – Alice In Chains
In great contrast with the band’s other entry in this list, Dirt is mostly devoid of any melodic or acoustic pretense. Gritty both musically and vocally, Alice in Chains’ second full-length album bemoans the topics death and guilt as the tracks gradually evolve into a sobering, yet fascinating journey through the drug-addict’s psyche. It’s as honest, rugged and poignant as rock music gets. Notable Songs: Rooster, Would?, Them Bones, Angry Chair, Down In A Hole, Dirt.
7. Siamese Dream – Smashing Pumpkins
Though some would argue that the Pumpkin’s Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was their true high-point, Siamese Dream is every bit as musically accomplished without becoming bogged down in weighty overproduction. Simple, catchy and memorable songs make Siamese Dream a triumph of the 90’s rock era. Notable Songs: Today, Disarm, Cherub Rock, Silverf**k, Luna.
6. Jar Of Flies – Alice In Chains
Completely written and recorded in a mind-boggling seven days, Alice In Chain’s fourth album became the only EP to ever reach the top spot on Billboard’s album chart. Beautifully crafted melodies accentuating the late Lane Staley’s unique voice and Jerry Cantrell’s talking guitar, Jar Of Flies was the complete antithesis of what was expected from the usually narcotic-fueled “Chains.” Notable Songs: No Excuses, I Stay Away, Nutshell, Rotten Apple, Don’t Follow.
5. Use Your Illusion I & II – Guns N’ Roses
Though it was the original band’s lash hurrah, Guns N’ Roses made its compelling final stand with a double release that was essentially two albums but one project. Changing directions from their monumental Appetite For Destruction, the “Illusions” mix balladry beauty with unencumbered rock in its purest form. GNR, much like a brilliant flame, burned bright and fast. Fortunately this collection exists to remind of the world of their short-lived genius. Notable songs: November Rain, Don’t Cry, You Could Be Mine, Civil War, Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door, Yesterdays, Live And Let Die.
4. Superunknown – Soundgarden
Nirvana had the best known Grunge album, Pearl Jam has the best-selling and Soundgarden simply had the best. A collection of fifteen impeccable songs, filled with ponderous lyrics and Chris Cornell’s banshee-like vocals, Superunknown may well have been the best offering of any genre during that ten-year span. Notable songs: Black Hole Sun, Spoonman, The Day I Tried To Live, Fell On Black Days, My Wave.
3. Metallica (the Black Album) – Metallica
After a decade of critical praise for their re-writing of the Metal genre in the 80’s (promoted by little-to-no airplay), Metallica released a more concisely written, thicker sounding album which was embraced by the mainstream on a grandiose scale. Straying somewhat from their complex and aggressive Master Of Puppets roots, the "Black Album" proved to be the metal masterpiece best equipped to withstand the bombardment of a burgeoning Grunge movement that would soon follow. Notable songs: Enter Sandman, Nothing Else Matters, The Unforgiven, Wherever I May Roam, Sad But True, Don’t Tread On Me.
2. Ten – Pearl Jam
Eventually outselling its rival entry at the top of this list, Pearl Jam’s amazing debut features 90’s rock staples Alive, Evenflow, Once and Black—and who can forget the haunting imagery of the video and lyrics of their opus, Jeremy. Eddie Vedder and company have produced great records since, but admittedly will never capture the lightning in a bottle they caught with Ten. Notable songs: Jeremy, Black, Alive, Evenflow, Once, Porch, Release.
1. Nevermind – Nirvana
Ironically, Nirvana’s ground-breaking album was not the biggest selling rock album of the decade, and from a critical standpoint, likely not even the best (actually there are at least two better offerings in the Grunge sub-genre alone). What makes Nevermind the best album of the 90’s was the fact that it was the album that changed the entire music landscape. Your Pearl Jams, Soundgardens, Offsprings and Stone Temple Pilots might not have progressed from the garage had those three infamous prelude cords of Smells Like Teen Spirit never crossed radio airwaves. Notable songs: Smells Like Teen Spirit, Come As You Are, Lithium, In Bloom, Breed, Polly.

Other notable 90’s rock albums: Pretty Hate Machine – Nine Inch Nails, Blood Sugar Sex Magic – Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ill Communication – Beastie Boys, Angel Dust – Faith No More, Throwing Copper – Live.