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100 Most Influential Albums: Chapter Nine: Grunge, Gangsta Rap, Blues and MoreMay 21 '09 (Updated May 22 '09) Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line My exploration of music continued in the 90s with a whole variety of genres from gangsta rap to post pop punk
As I went to law school in the late 80s and then out into the "great big world" in the 90s, I didn't have time to buy quite as many albums as I used to, but I still managed to keep my collection growing and trying even more styles and genres. I had grown up with rock, and branched out into classical and opera, now I was trying everything. 1. The Cure - Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me (1987) Goth, Alternative, whatever you wanted to call them, I remember getting odd looks from a class I taught when I told them I liked The Cure. I guess someone who wore ties shouldn't like goth singer Robert Smith. Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me was their 7th album and spawned several hits. I saw The Cure twice in concert. Although I didn't dress all in black, I thoroughly enjoyed both shows. The entire catalog of The Cure eventually followed from their debut album Boys Don't Cry to the recent 4:13 Dream. You, Soft and only You, Lost and lonely You, Just Like Heaven 2. R.E.M. - Document (1987). Although R.E.M. was popular when I was in college, with songs like Radio Free Europe, I never really got into them until after I graduated and went to law school. In 1987 Document came out with an incredible selection of songs. Michael Stipe just seemed to step it up a notch on the vocals on this, and suddenly EVERYONE including me, knew the name of this band from Athens, Georgia. This one goes out to the one I love... this one goes out to the one I left behind 3. Suzanne Vega - Solitude Standing (1987) My introduction to folk female singer/songwriters was Suzanne Vega's sophomore album. Quite, reflective and very enjoyable to listen to, my love of Suzanne Vega led me to a whole Lilith Fair's worth of female artists including Sheryl Crow, Paula Cole, Sarah McLaughlin, Shawn Colvin and many more. I got to see Suzanne Vega at a small jazz club in Boston a few years ago. Her daughter, Ruby Froom was actually sitting right next to me. It was a great show. I am sitting in the morning at the diner on the corner 4. The Red Hot Chili Peppers - BloodSugarSexMagick (1991) Another group managed to escape my attention for quite some time, until they released the very catchy funky cool BloodSugarSexMagick. Yes, I had discovered the funky hypnotic bass lines of Flea and the crazy unmistakable ska/funk/rock sound of The Red Hot Chili Peppers. This album produced by legendary Rick Rubin, rocketed the Chili Peppers to No. #3 on the Billboard charts. Take me to the Place I Love, take me all the way 5. Nirvana - Never Mind (1991) Its no mistake that Kurt Cobaine changed the land of music. I recall a quote in the recent movie The Wrestler where Mickey Roarke (playing "the Ram") quips, Eighties music was great til that Kurt Cobaine came along and ***ed everything up. Indeed the upbeat tempo of the 80s was over, and it seemed that depression and anger ruled the music world. No one had more angst in the 90's than Kurt Cobaine. with the lights out, it's less dangerous! here we are now! Entertain us! I feel stupid and contagious! 6. Ice Cube - Death Certificate (1991) Yes, for a brief time, I even checked out gangsta rap. Rap was making quite an appearance in the late 80s, and although I never quite got into it and don't really follow it today, I did give it a chance. My favorite album from "back in the day" was a young angry and outspoken Ice Cube. Today he may do family movies, but back then he was the voice of the inner city disenfranchised youths. I soon had a few albums by him, his former group N.W.A., and other groups like Public Enemy. I tried CDs from Lil' Kim, Dr. Dre and Ja Rule. Every once in a while, I give these a listen again, it makes me feel like the guy in Office Space as he destroys all the office equipment. It's a brand new payback From the straight gangsta mack in straight gangsta black How many m...f.... gotta pay Went to the shelf and dusted off the AK 7. Green Day - Dookie (1994) I guess it shouldn't have surprised me that the English punk movement of the 70's that spawned the U.S. hardcore movement of the 80's evolved. Green Day's third album, Dookie with its post pop punk hits like Welcome to Paradise and When I come Around stuck in my head much like earlier riffs by The Clash and Black Flag. Albums by Blink-182, Harvey Danger and others soon joined my massive CD collection. No time to search the world around, cause you know where I'll be found.. when I come around 8. No Doubt - Tragic Kingdom (1995) Not only was I expanding my musical interests, but music itself was going in new directions too. From Anaheim California, No Doubt blended pop and ska to create a whole new sound. That singer, Gwen Stefani was cute and energetic certainly helped the band, but it was great hooks and melodies of hit singles like Don't Speak, Spiderwebs and Just a Girl that made me go get this album and many more by No Doubt. Regretably I gave up on Stefani after her second solo album, but I still love No Doubt. Don't speak I know just what you're saying So please stop explaining Don't tell me cause it hurts 9. John Lee Hooker - Real Folk Blues (1966) I never really got many blues artists as individual albums. By the time I got into the blues, CDs were out full force, and most blues artists where available in huge box sets and compilations. I have to give kudos to one of my favorite blues singers though for starting my road down the Mississipi Delta and all the other parts of the US where the blues came from. This particular CD was one of my first forays into the blues and it was one of many blues compilations by record company executive Leonard Chess, founder of Chess Records. Songs like I'm in the Mood made me realize that Led Zeppelin wasn't quite as original as I thought. Soon I was listening to Willie Dixon, Lightnin' Hopkins, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, B.B.King, Howlin' Wolf and of course, Robert Johnson. I said yes, my mama told me, to leave that girl alone But my mama didn't know, God know, girl was puttin' down I'm in the mood, I'm in the mood baby, in the mood for love 10. The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) Say what you will about Marshall Mathers, a.k.a. Slim Shady. Yes, his albums were fueled with hate and rage, but the way he expressed himself on this highly personal album was amazing. As I have said before, I am not a rap fan, but I found myself captivated by the stories on this album and even if disgusted by the lyrics I would continue to listen. The song Stan alone was excellent, and even introduced me to a new artist, British singer Dido. Although he was criticized for singing about such things as killing his wife Kim, I would note that such topics are hardly new in music. One of my own favorite singers, Neil Young, sings Down by the River, I shot my baby, dead dead dead just as one example. Songs like The Real Slim Shady and I'm Back were both catchy and funny. I'm like a head trip to listen to, cause I'm only givin you things you joke about with your friends inside your living room The only difference is I got the balls to say it in front of y'all and I don't gotta be false or sugarcoated at all. So many new artists and genres, so little money. For the other chapters in my musical journey see Chapter 8: I discover the Guitar gods Chapter 7: From Classic Rock to Classical Chapter 6: A lifetime of Heavy Metal Chapter 5: The College Years Chapter 4: My collection Progresses Chapter 3: I discover the 60s in the 80s. Chapter 2: In the Beginning Chapter 1: All that Jazz  |
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