lambchops's Full Review: Billboard Top Modern Rock Tracks 1992
The year was 1992. I was a high school sophomore busy winning races in track & field, reading books, and taking psychological hits from bullies. I was also a big fan of music (can’t you tell that by now). But, my musical tastes did not extend to modern rock (the subject of this opinion). I tended to stick with rock and grunge.
For a bit of context, the world was changing in 1992. Bill Clinton was elected president, Los Angeles was suffering blows in a race riot following the acquittal of LAPD officers from beating Rodney King, and Prince Charles and Princess Diana announced their separation. As with other years, college radio was playing music unlike what was acceptable on “normal” rock and pop bands. Call it alternative, modern rock, or new wave…whatever the term, I’ll simply call it “different.”
Released by Rhino Records (a repository of lots of strange compilations) in 1997, Billboard Top Modern Rock Tracks 1992 features ten strange little songs. They range from the great (thanks to Matthew Sweet) to the less-than-likely ”Dizz Knee Land” from dada.
So, sit back and pull your flannel close. Turn up that new Walkman and let’s begin…
1. A Girl Like You – The Wolfgang Press
Originally a part of the band’s 1991 album Queer, this is a song that’s typical of the British band’s strange sound. With this song (and the others on the aforementioned album), the band plunged headlong into the dancehall scene of the early 1990’s. The track sounds like a light, airy, and arty song. It’s full of synthesizer noise. Led by vocalist Michael Allen, the song has a strong beat from the beginning, but doesn’t gel fully until the middle of the track with a groove that’s actually reminiscent of the best INXS tracks. B-
2. Dizz Knee Land – dada
As a hit single from the band’s 1992 debut album Puzzle, this song led dada to at times be referred to as the Police of the 1990’s. Despite not being widely known almost a decade later, they sold quite a few albums. This particular track is interesting. The sound is classically alternative, with a smooth sound and extremely light drums and guitars. It’s a decent song, but my favorite line is: ”I just flipped off President George, now I’m going to Dizz Knee Land”. It’s catchy, fun, and moderately interesting. Not intelligent in the least, but good to listen to. B+
3. What’s Good – Lou Reed
This song from a renowned singer/songwriter seems a bit out of place on this album alongside mostly one-hit-wonders. This song came from 1992’s Magic and Loss. Lou Reed has been around since the 1960’s, beginning with his part as the leader of The Velvet Underground. This particular song is quiet, and driven by a good guitar and Reed’s typical low and melodic vocals. This is one of the better tracks on this compilation. A-
4. Girlfriend – Matthew Sweet
Let me start this off by saying that Sweet is one of my favorite singer-songwriters. He’s interesting, quirky, and chock full of poetry. This track is classic Sweet, and was featured initially as the title track of 1991’s Girlfriend…his third album. The album (and this song) were both critical and commercial successes. In fact, ”Girlfriend” went top five on the Modern Rock charts. With energy and grace, this track proves an amazing song. Sweet’s coy, high-pitched voice is absolutely perfect. This is a must-listen. In fact, if you like this song, you may need to actually go buy the entire album. As is obvious by the skill exhibited on this track, Sweet is widely underappreciated.A
5. Not Enough Time – INXS
1992 marked the downswing of INXS. Their album released that same year and including this song Welcome to Wherever You Are was a bit more adventuresome than some of their previous…but, it failed compared to their other albums. Critics compared this album to Achtung Baby from U2. I’m not sure I would make the same comparison, but this song is very good. It’s one of the pinnacles of their career cut short by Hutchence’s suicide in 1997. ”Not Enough Time” is a great, understated, and catchy track from the twilight of INXS’s lauded career. A
6. Ballerina Out of Control – The Ocean Blue
Hailing from Hershey, Pennsylvania, The Ocean Blue released 1991’s Cerulean with this track sitting at the number 10 position. This is a low song with obvious Echo and the Bunnymen, Cure, and The Smiths influences. I really don’t like the outdated synthesizers and noise. I actually hadn’t heard the song previous to its inclusion on this track. That leads me to believe that, god forbid, this song was never a hit. Yuck. D
7. Midlife Crisis – Faith No More
As all rock and rollers know, Faith No More found great success with The Real Thing in 1989. This song wasn’t a part of that album. Rather, it found its way onto 1992’s Angel Dust. The song is a genre-crashing rock track. Patton’s rap-rock vocals are loud and obnoxious and backed by stranger-than-usual violins and various other instruments. It’s a good track, although not my favorite from Faith No More. Personally, I’d prefer more noise and more guitars. B-
8. The Sweetest Drop – Peter Murphy
Best known as lead singer of Bauhaus,, Peter Murphy also launched a solo career in the early 1990’s. His second album was Holy Smoke which featured this song. ”The Sweetest Drop” peaked at number two on the Modern Rock charts. Strange, sensual, and melodic, this track is an interesting addition. Murphy sounds like a lounge singer despite his modern rock and alternative roots. With both synth noise and traditional instruments, this song crosses musical boundaries. The song rocks at times, and is soft and tender at others. I like the variety. B+.
9. It’s A Shame About Ray – Lemonheads
Evan Dando, the golden boy of this band, got more attention at times than the music they released. Fortunately for them, songs like this did end up having some amount of musical merit. Released as the title track on the 1992 album by the same name, this track never quite became a marketable single. As a post Husker Du alternative Boston band, the Lemonheads did manage to find limited success. Their song was rootsy, yet Dando still found something to whine about over the decently good guitar. The song is okay, although nine years later it seems to have lost it’s edge. The chorus remains catchy at least.B
10. Star Sign – Teenage Fanclub
This song was the reason spent the $5 on this compilation. Released on the Scottish band’s 1991 major label debut Bandwagonesque. The song was pop-rock at its finest. In fact, it seemed to hone in on the sound perfected in the 1970’s by rockers Big Star. This album also managed to top Spin’s 1991 list of best albums (beating out the now-classic Nevermind from Nirvana). Sadly, they were never met with their projected success. This song is melodically wonderful, featuring heavy electric guitars and drums backing soft and emotional vocals. This song is a lost gem. A-
This is a good compilation. Modern Rock really doesn't equate to a genre. Like alternative music and grunge, it is pop, rock, metal, new wave, and everything in between. This album may not be for everybody, but if you were into modern rock a decade ago, you’ll appreciate this compilation for what it’s worth. If you ignore that horrible Ocean Blue track, you’re left with a bunch of songs that are worthy of multiple listens. Therefore, I’m giving this 3 ½ stars…of course that translates to 4/5 stars on the Epinions scale.
You can find this very inexpensively on racks at your local Wal-Mart. That’s where I discovered it. It may take some searching otherwise…thanks to Rhino Records!
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