most important/influential albums of 90's (name 5)

Oh my gosh! I re-discovered the beauty of it just a couple of days ago. Definitely top pick as most influential record.

Uh I was talking about Blue Lines. I have yet to find out why people obsess over OK Comp.

"i." and "i."?The debut albums by the Spice Girls and Korn.

Oh, and maybe "Selected Ambient Works" Aphex Twin.

"Jagged Little Pill", "Spice", "Nevermind", I'll take Tarden's word on the Korn thing...and I need a hip-hop candidate but can't currently think of one.

Currently very influential in the UK at least: "The Bends"

Blue Lines = overrated. Tricky did all much better on his own. So that would be Maxinquaye, Selected Ambient Works II, K+D Sessions, Programmed and idunno Homework?

You can make good cases for The Chronic - Dr. Dre, Brown Sugar - D'Angelo, Life Is Peachy - Korn, Nevermind - Nirvana and Take That & Party - Take That (in no partcilar order) though I wonder whether the album format is best for pinpointing the most important musical influences of the Nineties. Dance music is the most prominent case in point.

How about a category for 'LEAST influential albums'. 'XTRMNTR', 'Psyence Fiction', 'New Forms', 'Relationship of Command'? Or albums that hopefully will never influence anybody (Santana!)

ahem...XTRMNTR came out in 2000 didn't it (sorry to be pedantic about it ;)

Nevermind, NIRVANA. Ritual de la Habitual, JANES ADDICTION. The CHronic, Dr. DRE. Whatever NSYNC's frst album was. and probably som e garth brooks or shanina twian album

Red House Painters - Songs for a blue guitar; Lou reed - Magic and Loss; NIN - Further Down the Spiral; Various - If I were a carpenter; Soundtrack - Nowhere.

Oh please! How did Lou Reed's MAGIC AND LOSS influence anyone?

I'd also like to mention that "Important" and "Influential" are two very different things. For example, the first Korn album may have been an "influential" album, but you'd be hard pressed to call it "important."

Blue Lines = overrated.
Oh PUH leez they set the template for Tricky and so many other bands. I think maybe Tricky's brain wasn't yet completely fried when he made Max - or maybe it was Mark Stewart who wrote it. ;-) Just look at the subsequent releases, Omar, the man's not been able to produce a good record after that. Unlike Massive Attack.

Actually, now that I think about it, the Spice Girls have been pretty well written out of history, influnce-wise. Pop bands with input from the actual members? With different 'characters'/caricatures? And, an often forgotten point, NO cover versions? ("Word Up" doesn't count.) Chart pop will never be the same as in the wild days of the late 90s. (Or maybe now they seem like Austin Powers to Britney's Terminator?)
Alex - when asked what's important, I like to quote that Chinese politburo guy when they asked him about the French Revolution. Whose name escapes me, just like all the tunes and words on the Korn album. Stuff doesn't go away just because we dearly wish it would.

I interpret "Important" to equate "timeless," an album that acts a milestone of sorts in the progression of the art form (like, say THE VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO, REVOLVER, TROUT MASK REPLICA, LONDON CALLING, NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS, IT TAKES A NATION OF MILLIONS, PAUL'S BOUTIQUE, etc.)

"Influential" -- sure, it's a pretty word -- isn't always a good thing. Alanis Morrisette's JAGGED LITTLE PILL is certainly influential. I rest my case.

Chinese guy = Chou En-Lai (usual attribution). Nice spin on this story I one read. CEL (if him) was asked abt the impact of the French Revolution, and said, "It is too soon to say" = totally cool long-view-of- history response. The spin? He was asked this in the months after some major French rioting in the early 70s, and — across inadequate translation — assumed interviewer was talking abt THAT! = lame politician playing for time and better briefing...

Oh, how predictable. Who is "Slurp"? Not Steve Lamacq, surely?

Could *never* scale it down to five myself, I'm afraid.

In what sense is Alanis Morissette's "Jagged Little Pill" influential? Name one artist / band who would cite it an an influence without causing fits of derision?

Five plucked from thin air. . . "Ritual De Lo Habitual", Janes Addiction "Nevermind", Nirvana "Maxinquaye", Tricky "OK Computer", Radiohead "Leftism", Leftfield

Not to mention Wu Tang Clan: "36 Chambers", Primal Scream: "Screamadelica", Massive Attack: "Blue Lines", Beck: "Odelay", Portishead: "Dummy". . . . .

>Blue Lines = overrated. Tricky did all much better on his own.

thats personal preference.. but would tricky kid be tricky without the influence of massive attack? would he have had the same style? i dunno, i think there is a lot to be said for being the first.. for being the pioneer.

>So that would be Maxinquaye, Selected Ambient Works II, K+D Sessions, >Programmed and idunno Homework?

yah.. aphex twin definitely.. i was thinking homework also, for the reason that the way the album was made

Given that the 90s just ended (only a couple of years ago), it's kind of premature to list albums that saw release in the latter half of the decade, isn't it? Not as bad as listing _OK Computer_ as the best record EVER, but still.

Alanis = HUGE success for a female solo artist; media-spun leader of the "women in rock/music" movement, which lead to stuff like Lilith Fair; proved that women can actually SELL RECORDS (even though they do have breasts & give birth to babies, the freaks).

Of course, there could be a case made for PJ Harvey (or Liz Phair, or even - gods help me - Courtney Love) as the person(s) who paved the way for Ms. Morrissette.

I'd like to see a reason why Jane's Addiction (in my estimation, an awful, awful band that left no distinguishing marks anyone would willfully take credit for) should even be MENTIONED in this thread. Perry Farrell was damn important as a businessman in the 90s, but not all that in the song department.

>Oh, how predictable. Who is "Slurp"? Not Steve Lamacq, surely?

just found out about this form last nite when searching for information on the band 'magazine' thats all..

good discussion

...

as for ok computer.. i dunno.. to me, it was sort of a cleansing album.. an album that comes along that changes the preconceptions about what rock is.. about what music is.. about what music could and can be..

Don't mistake my citing JAGGED LITTLE PILL as "influential" as praising it in any way. Said album paved the way for a great percentage of the painfully earnest Lillith Fair set. In this manner it was "influential," but not to be confused with "beneficial."

By the same token, you could cite the first album by Rage Against the Machine, who (along with the oft-forgotten Urban Dance Squad) formulated the "rap/rock" game plan for (i.e. excercised considerable "influence" over) bands as yawnsomely derivative as Korn, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Incubus, Crazy Town, etc. etc. ad nauseum.

in descending order:

loveless, doolittle, nevermind, o.k. computer, stone roses (I'm aware that this was released in '89. sorry)

OK. If we're talking influential as in creating a market rather than paving the way for a succession of like-minded artists then "Jagged Little Pill" qualifies. But this only makes it influential in that the record companies were prepared to sign and promote anything vaguely resembling that formula purely because it would sell by the truck load. To me, that isn't influntial, just aggressive marketing. Oasis would fall under the same category. Look at the awful bands that followed in their slipstream - were they "influenced" by "Definitely Maybe" or tailor made to fit the Oasis design? Influential or influenza?

blurp you idiot! doolittle was released in '89 as well. What kind of scam-job are you trying to pull here? Get off this forum!

Good point, Dave...I guess the question is WHO is being "influenced"? The artists or the record companies.

In any event, I'd wager Jeff Buckley's (love him or hate him) GRACE was a pretty influential album (certainly over the Coldplays, Starsailors and Travis's of the world).

Citing OK Computer as best record *ever* is preferable to citing Revolver as such, but only by default.

err. Too tired to name five, but about this shouty-woman thing, how 'bout Babes in Toyland's 'To Mother' - sound etc appropriated by C Love on 'Pretty on the Inside' which begat...y'know Alainis (eh?) and all that. Maybe even PJ Harvey. Dunno. fffuck I'm tired.

What about 'Charley' by the Prodigy? Sorry, is this albums only? Sod yer then.

i cant accept jagged little pill as being influential.. what did lilith fair really have to offer, music wise?

i dunno, i guess to sum up my feeling of ms morrissette, ms sarah mclachlan ms merchant, ms amos, ms tracy chapman, etc is that they adult contemporized girl music... i dont really see lilith fair as being a benefit to women or girls... i believe i recall the credible group sleater-kinney saying no to an offer to appear at lilith fair.. which says a lot about who said yes to lilith fair

They're not of benefit to women or girls? What do you mean by that?

Is that the only function of female pop stars - to act as role models for other women? And what standard do they have to reach to be deemed to be of benefit?

Sorry for the sarcastic tone but....sheesus.

actually v. influential where i was living - "Spend the Night with the Trashwomen", any Dead Moon album, any Headcoats album.

Dr Dre - The Chronic.

Yeah gotta go with The Chronic.

re: Blue Lines. It's allright, it just isn't that good as people make it out to be, same with bloody Leftism btw the most overrated dance album ever. But that just my humble opinion, i find Massive Attack albums always to be 50/50 affairs (and to be honest Tricky goes from 100/0 to 70/30 to 30/70 to 0/100 affairs ;)

Difficult to second-guess others influences. Truly 'Seminal' records do get surpassed (Blue Lines-Maxinquaye) but it shouldn't detract from their level of influence. + did a record inspire music you like; it is possible to find 'Nevermind' thrilling whilst loathing what it spawned. Suspect we'll all wince in 10 years time at what we thought were 'important/influential'. Heres mine,

Massive Attack - 'Blue Lines'

Various Artists - 'Artificial Intelligence'

Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works I

The Prodigy - The Prodigy Experience

Mouse on Mars - Ahora Tahiti

I never hope to go to Lillith Fair, I never hope to go to one. I didn't go, simply because I didn't like the kind of music that was on offer. An ultra-feminist friend of mine went, and said that she was disgusted, in that in every single band, it was one female singer-songwriter-frontperson backed up by ENTIRELY MALE BACKING BANDS. How is this a change since the 60s? Disgusted female musicians went off and started projects like Ladyfest (they have strict rules about how many women have to be onstage... which kind of weirded me out, until I started seeing bands like Life Without Buildings - female singer and blokes as backing band - appearing on the bill. Double standard?) however, I'm not sure if this is an improvement. I don't believe in seperatism.

Influential albums in the field of "indie" (I don't know enough about other genres to play tokenism) : Jeff Buckley, Grace (would we have had Radiohead, Travis, Coldplay, etc, without him?) Belle & Sebastian : If You're Feeling Sinister (I should probably put a Trembling Blue Stars album, because they probably were far more seminal in the twee movement, but this album was probably the watershed) Stereolab : Transient Random Noise Bursts With Announcements (the dronerock of Neu! meets the playful deconstructed jazz of Esquivel and post-rock is never the same again.) My Bloody Valentine - Isn't Anything (Yes, this technically came out in the dying breath of the 80s, but it's influence defined the early 90s in a lot of ways.) The Pixies - Doolittle (Again, yes, it came out in 1989. Barely made a ripple when released, but the bombshell exploded a year or two later.)

Yes, I cheated. Lemee alone. ;-)

this question is actually very difficult to answer, but a) something icecube/snoop related? and b) unfortunately, i think 'some friendly' has had a huge influence on the 90s. in fact this relates to another thread regarding tfc

Semi-surprised that nobody has mentioned 'Spiderland' by Slint (1991) - love it or loathe, this alb inspired a slew of post-rock/mathrock sound-a-likes. See also: the first Tortoise alb.

yeh, but how 'important' are the mathrock/postrock bands in the wider sphere? mogwai is about as big as it gets isn't it? and postrock didn't really get to be a big concern til circa 97.

If 'mathrock/postrock' is important enough to consider, then Jap- noise should be counted too. Those influences will come out sooner or later, hopefully. Boredoms? Or did many, like myself, get 'into' this music through the portal of John Zorn/Yamatsuka Eye?

'Exit Planet Dust'. Bringing club culture to the masses who thought 'Screamadelica' too indie/arty, creating 'lad culture'.

I said I was talking solely about indie, I don't pretend to pontificate on wider musical styles that I don't have exacting knowledge of influences in relation to. (grammar? don't fail me now...) Dronerock/Post-rock is important in my little corner of the world, and the bulk of my musical collection, so I consider it influential. Hmm, yeah, Slint could probably be on that list too, even though I don't personally like them much (far preferred Squirrel Bait) I admit their influence. Tortoise? No. Feck off.

Influential = easily copied by the weak-minded. And because of this, you must include Autechre's Chiastic Slide, the fallout of which bombards my listening daily. $&*@ Warp Records!! Sign somebody good for once!!

OK, I'm a bit late to this, a couple of things:

* I don't think "Jagged Little Pill" justified the financial risk of Lilith Fair, it was a gamble that paid off and the tour itself influenced the marketing push for Jewel/Meredith Brooks sorts of folsky feminism more than Alanis' record.

* "Wannabe," "Smells Like Teen Spirit," and "Nuthin But A G Thing" I would consider the most influential records of the 90s, and the singles themselves to be more important than the albums, although the question itself doesn't allow for that distinction.

* Despite the limitations of post-rock, math-rock, Tortoise is a solid answer, but again it's the single -- more specifically the remix -- of "Djed" that is so influential. Yeah, they've brought Tropicalia and jazz into rock but more importantly they arguably brought the remix and a breakbeat/dance approach to making records to rock.

* David makes a good point about "OK Computer" and it could be argued that the five most important albums of the 90s aren't from the 90s (say, "Surfer Rosa," "Pet Sounds," "Straight Outta Compton," "Stone Roses," "ABBA Gold") especially since the decade doesn't seem as defined by albums as much as individual tracks.

Fuck, I never thought I'd have to justify my choices, cos I thought it was important/influential on me...shit.

Scott - as far as the impact of Alanis on musical women folk, I'd equate it to Madonna's impact on female sexuality (as seen by the general public). That is, a barnstormer tears the roof off, thereby allowing those less timid & forceful a little more wiggle room.

I wonder if MechaChristina will reject her robotic implants and follow Alanis' path towards self-righteous purging?

And HOW could Slint be forgotten? Their influence on Tortoise is definitely worth noting (not to mention David Pajo's initial involvement with them once upon a time). _Spiderland_ is an exemplary record illustrating the use of SILENCE in a "rock" recording - I think Tool was taking notes. However, I really can't see Tortoise themselves having made much of an impact outside of the critical arena.

And the Spice Girls? Um, why? Spearheading the re-emergence of teeny pop? (That's it, isn't it?) Gak.

And I'm surprised there hasn't been a case made for Pearl Jam's _Ten_. Commercially, it's been a MUCH more replicated sound than Nirvana. Nirvana really only had a lasting impact insomuch as they inadvertently made it safe for folks like Blink 182 and Green Day to achieve fame. Pearl Jam can be seen as the grunge archetype that's served as the base for most of the nu metal / hard rock the kiddies go ga-ga for. I don't know who said it first, but "Smells Like Teen Spirit" didn't really change the world - it only made it seem like change was possible.

David: I agree with pretty much everything you've written, but approached the question differently -- more from a commerical impact rather than an artistic one.

So: Unfortunately, despite Alanis selling an obscene amount of records, it seemed that it took the collectivity of Lilith Fair to make record companies take female solo artists seriously.

And the Spice Girls? Um, why? Spearheading the re-emergence of teeny pop? (That's it, isn't it?)

Yes, that is correct and is the limit of their influence -- and manufactured pop has dominated the charts ever since.

Pearl Jam (and Live, RATM, RHCP, Smashing Pumpkins, Green Day) have had more of an influence on the sound of U.S. rock in the 90s than Nirvana, that is certainly the case but that single song did make the change possible and in a macro way it did change what is and isn't commercially viable rock. Simplistic and overstated but still...when Nirvana "broke" the Pumpkins, Chili Peppers, and Pearl Jam were driving around the U.S. on a club tour together, and each of their albums pre-dated "Nevermind" and made its impact post-"Teen Spirit."

I'd love to say Homework, but they can't have two decades in a row.

Most influential records of the 1990s: a bunch of records I don't know or don't like.

And anyway, what/who the fuck is "Lilith Fair"?

Probably the bastard daughter of Jad Fair?

Anyhow, one influential (and fuckin' awesome) record that sprang to mind was "Return of the D.J. Vol. 1", on Bomb Hip-Hop Records. This was released in '95, about half a decade after sampling overtook turntablism as the most prevalent production method in rap music, and this comp was not only a sort of backlash against that trend but the catalyst for the current resurgence in DJing. Lots of names that wound up blowing up huge- Rob Swift, Beat Junkies, Invisbl Skratch Piklz, Mixmaster Mike, Cut Chemist and DJ Babu. Eventually Swift (and his group the X-Cutioners) got writeups in the New York Times, the Beat Junkies mixed the US Top 40 Rawkus comp "Soundbombing 2", the Skratch Piklz became for turntablism what the original Mothers of Invention were for rock, Mixmaster Mike hooked up with the Beastie Boys, Cut Chemist gained fame as part of Jurassic 5, and Babu became the DJ for Dilated Peoples. Not a bad record (in either sense of the word).

Only one mention of Wu Tang's 36 Chambers? Just spent the weekend listening to that one again, remembering just how great it is.

i can't believe no one put REM-Automatic for the people! alright, top 5 1. REM-Automatic for the People 2. Radiohead- the bends 3. pavement- slanted and enchanted 4. pearl jam- yeild 5. nivana- unpugged in new york

Hey 2dk - if those are so influential where are all the bands that sound like them?

Most influential act of the 90s: EN VOGUE

only built for cuban linx is much more influential than 36 chambers. inventing the entire 90s east coast gangster archetype vs. providing the eerie piano + shouty chorus + tokenistic asian mysticism references that only the most shameless of wu- affiliates are 'influenced by'. rza's production didn't exactly inspire a legion of imitators either. maybe dj muggs.

Were there any influential records in the way of reissues? What were those?

1. radiohead- ok computer 2. u2- achtung baby 3. jeff buckley- grace 4. beck- odelay 5. pavement- slanted and enchanted

Screamadelica - primal scream. MBV - loveless. jeff buckley - grace. slint - spiderland. mercury rev - yerself is steam

Eh, maybe I should justify my choices. Loveless inspired shoegazers, noise-pop merchants, electronica-purveyors, and even big names like REM and Radiohead are occasionally in thrall to its dissonant textures. Screamadelica made the indie-dance mash-up sound like a good idea. Jeffy B's importance need hardly be stated. Check out any of the key artists of the new acoustic movement - Coldplay Travis JJ72 Starsailor Doves - and you'll see his mark on all of them. I know Slint didn't inspire any bands who went on to sell many records, but since when was that a barrier to importance. Oh, and blue lines wasn't overrated - but unfortunately its influence has given rise to a lot of bland syrupy soul lacking their flair for melody, groove and atmospherics. I would have to acknowledge the importance of bands I hate also - RATM and Korn for instance, shaped the new metal scene. It seems that UK garage is a big influence on mainstream pop at the moment - so I feel thet Artful Dodger deserve a mention - check out the more adventurous moments of N Sync's "Celebrity" for evidence of this. Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works 85-92 is another wise choice made by some of you - check out boards of canada, squarepusher and susuma yokota to see its influence. Mentions of the chemical brothers are severely misguided - they added the indie twist and pop hooks yo a psychedelic techno format that they did not create - they were influenced not influential. Overlooked artists include Matthew Sweet - he has inspired some rather fine power pop - check out Teenage Fanclub, Weezer, Fountains of Wayne. Many of you may not agree with yerself is steam - but it is a staggeringly dense, layered concoction, which made its mark on mogwai, Ac acoustics, urusei yatsura. Maybe im pushing it a bit with that one, but i feel its influence has been a tad overlooked.

With regard to reissues - nick drake, david bowie's low, love's forever changes, velvet underground, television's marquee moon. Look at the strokes to see the influence of the noo yawk punk scene

Oi Tracey Hand! While i acknowledge the influence of En Vogue, i feel that 2DK was more than justified in his choices. List of bands influenced by radiohead, nirvana, rem, pavement - Idlewild, muse, jj72, coldfplay, Manic street preachers, tindersticks, feeder, ash, flaming lips, mansun, blur, embrace and thats just for starters

Kilian I've had just about enough of your Chems bashing.

Uncle Tupelo - No Depression.

Jeffy B's importance need hardly be stated.

This is the problem.

Ok Ned. Jeffy B = Coldplay, Starsailor, Travis, latterday manics, muse, jj72, answer your question. Most imitated vocal style of the 90's. And ronan, i'll bash the chems if i want! I know where you live so don't get lippy with me! Stop browsing the net and finish those journalism assignments.

Most imitated vocal style of the 90's.

Perhaps so. Note I didn't say it was a *good* thing. And you left out the most obvious example, namely "Fake Plastic Trees," which is miles better on its own than Buckley's outrageously annoying oeuvre...

Korn-debut album, brought rock back to where it should be, in everyones stereos. Green Day-dookie, gave punk rock a chance to be heard even tho some people might call them sellouts, it just opened new eyes for new age punkers. although this is 2000-01 linkin park, hybrid theory, that started the end to all that pop music bullshit and i mean who doesn't own a copy of that cd. those are my top three.

I don't...

Yeah, neither do I. Odd to hear you complain about 'pop music bullshit' when of course Linkin Park are pure pop. And boy band. ;-)

I don't own it, but then I missed out on the whole new age punkers scene.

pointless exercise...but I cant help myself anyway . For whats its worth heres my offerings MOST IMPORTANT/INFLUENTIAL 90's albulms DR Dre: The Chronic, Nirvana:Nevermind, Pearl Jam: Ten , Radiohead: OK computer, Beck: Odelay

not far behind albulms from...Stone Roses, Liz Phair, Massive Attack, Pavement, The Pixies (1989), PJ Harvey,The Chemical Brothers, Oasis

a bit further back... The Orb, NIN, Moby, My Bloody Valinetine, REM, Janes Addiction(1989) Cheers

The most seminal thing about Selected Ambient Works is the legion of wankers that bang on about it.

Dr. Dre - The Chronic Nirvana - Nevermind Green Day - Dookie

Jeffy B outrageously annoying? How dare you! And after listening to an album's worth of tuneless nu-metal dirges by the likes of Korn and Papa Roach youd give your right arm for some of Linkin Park's gleaming pop hooks. I agree that their not particularly influential or even that good, but they bring a more tuneful side to nu-metal.

The person who invoked Linkin Park will probably never post here again,and in any case,their album came out in 2000.Linkin Park can get it in the yarbles.Repeatedly.Their singer looks so dimwitted I think I can forgive them because he doesn't know what he's doing,but then I have to listen to him.

Jeffy B outrageously annoying? How dare you!

It's all too easy, sometimes.

And after listening to an album's worth of tuneless nu-metal dirges by the likes of Korn and Papa Roach youd give your right arm for some of Linkin Park's gleaming pop hooks.

Then clearly the trick is to not listen to said album's worth of material.

#1 nirvana- nevermind #2 my bloody valentine- loveless #3 pavement- slanted & enchanted #4 radiohead- ok computer #5 godspeed- #%$#$# (that first album)

Linkin Park shouldn't be counted as an influential 90s band, but they're fun to listen to. Yeah, I said it. BRING ON THE DIS.

The one or two times I've heard them they seemed to have a way with a chorus. Like all boy bands should.

Most influential and important album of the nineties : My Bloody Valentine, 'Loveless'

Also up there : Portishead, 'Dummy' Gastr Del Sol, 'Camofleur' Super Furry Animals, 'Radiator' Radiohead, 'OK Computer' PJ Harvey, 'Rid of me' Bjork, 'Homogenic' Magnetic Fields, '69 Love Songs' (tries for my number 1 spot)

That's all I can think of right now...

Bathory Hammerheart or Darkthrone A Blaze in the Northern Sky (pick 'em)
Organized Konfusion STRESS: the extinction agenda
Slint Spiderland
Panacea Low Profile Darkness
and uh. . . oh the tough final decision. . . but I'm gonna give it to. . .
no way this won't be anti-climactic. . .
My Bloody Valentine Loveless

Oh wait a second. Talk Talk Laughing Stock is more influential that either Slint or MBV. So toss MBV.