You would think after five of these posts, the well might be getting a little dry.....but no, not quite yet. I keep discovering some neat 90s albums all the time!
To catch up with any new readers, this is my fifth post discussing some of my favorite underrated albums of the 90s.
So, here are three more underrated albums from the 90s.
DGC Rarities Vol. 1 (1994)
Okay, okay, hear me out. I am NOT drunk on nostalgia.
If you are a true cool kid from the 90s you will remember seeing copious amounts of this album in the bargain bin at used CD stores. You probably knew someone who owned this CD and it was often considered a throwaway album. It was a total troll move to put Nirvana's demo "Pay to Play" (it's a note-for-note demo version of "Stay Away" with different lyrics) on this collection.
In an objective sense, this is merely a compilation of throwaway songs and demos from artists who were signed to Geffen. There are some heavy hitters here (Nirvana, Beck, Weezer, Hole, Counting Crows) and some indie favorites (Sloan, Sonic Youth, Teenage Fanclub).
This album is not that great, it is uneven and has zero flow between songs. But if you are looking for an album to surprise you and warm the cackles of your cold dead heart, take a listen and imagine buying this album for ONE song like I did (Weezer's "Jamie") because there was no way to listen to this song without buying it. Wow, what a world it was. Today the album feels like a love letter to the mid-90s.
You can't help but smile wistfully as the last track by The Sundays fades out.
Standout Tracks: Teenage Fanclub - "Maddog 20/20", Beck - "Bogusflow", Counting Crows - "Einstein on the Beach", Posies - "Open Every Window"
The 6ths - Wasps' Nests (1995)
There are some albums that can instantly relax you and The 6ths' Wasps Nest is one of them. I can even imagine falling asleep to this 60s pop-inspired journey after drinking a single beer. The album process was extremely unique as Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields wrote and recorded the album but different vocalists sang lead on the songs (the best-known vocalist is Lou Barlow on "In the City in the Rain").
Most songs are dreamy, almost entrancing in their repetitive melodies (but, like, in a good way). The themes cover the gambit but there's a soft, warm melancholy surrounding the songs and lyrics. I think this album would be perfect for rainy days or something to encourage you to stop thinking of your problems and listen to someone else's. Highly recommended.
Standout Tracks - "Sand Deigo Zoo", "All Dressed Up in Drams" "Falling Out of Love (With You)", "Movies in my Head" and "In the City in the Rain".
Satellite Lovers - Sons of 1973 (1996)
For decades this Japanese pop/jazz masterpiece just existed....and yet, for reasons yet revealed....(possibly Satan himself) it never gained traction. About 3 months ago someone uploaded it on YouTube and through the algorithm's blessing (may the algorithm be blessed, most high), the Satellite Lovers album, Sons of 1973 is now being reevaluated as a classic 90s album. Okay, that's an exaggeration but it has 2 million views and I think it's great....isn't that good enough?
How did the world miss out on this band? I have heard some of their other albums but I have been focused on this gem and I will eventually get to the others (they are very diverse and don't sound like this album at all).
It's easily one of my favorite albums I've listened to this year. So if you like cheesy pop music and catchy songwriting with a side of jazz, check it out!
Standout Tracks - "Best Friend", "How Much I Love You", "Sunnyday, Holiday", " 空へ（S.L Meets HV!" - All of it, okay, just listen to all of it!!!
I have at least a few more albums up my sleeve.....until then, stay cool, kids, it's almost fall.
No comments:
Post a Comment