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

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.