Top Ten Alternative Albums of the 1990s

There are several different veins coursing through the greater body that is called alternative music. Whenever one attempts to categorize it too narrowly, they inevitably encounter protests from those who favor another strand of alternative.

So it seems incumbent upon anyone making a list to provide insight regarding their own interpretation of just what alternative music is. Does alternative music just mean different? To me, it's a style, a willingness to experiment, a new flavor or twist on an older sound.

Part of my interpretation comes from enjoying alternative music before the 90s, when it hit the mainstream to some degree. My selections are based on the alternative surge of the 90s, instead of lesser known alternative standouts. Each selection also has a tinge of personal preference tossed in too.

10. NINE INCH NAILS - THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL, 1994
Trent Reznor and NIN embody industrial alternative rock. With Downward Spiral, NIN achieved commercial success too. Tracks like "Closer," "March of the Pigs," and "Hurt" engraved their sound into your mind.

9. TEN - PEARL JAM, 1991
When Pearl Jam released their debut studio album in 1991, there was little buzz. Unfairly characterized by some as a rehash of bands like Soundgarden and Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam didn't catch on immediately. Of course, TEN went on to become a huge success.

8. WEEZER - WEEZER (THE BLUE ALBUM), 1994
Just a fun band to listen to, with incredible staying power. Who among us can't rock out to "Undone- The Sweater Song?"

7. SMASHING PUMPKINS - MELLON COLLIE AND THE INFINITE SADNESS, 1995
Surely it is fair to call this one an epic work. Can't we all empathize with the line, "despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage?" I remember their live performance of "Tonight, Tonight" on the Video Music Awards as being an MTV highlight.

6. GARBAGE - GARBAGE, 1995
One of my favorite live bands, Garbage had a sound that crossed genres and could be listened to again and again. Rumor is they are planning to tour again, I would highly recommend seeing them!

5. GREEN DAY - DOOKIE, 1994
The seminal punk-goes-pop album, Dookie has been attacked by some as too mainstream. Bullocks, I say! Dookie is solid fun, start to finish, and foreshadows the great things to come from Green Day, like American Idiot.

4. SOUNDGARDEN - SUPERUNKNOWN, 1994
Another of the outstanding Seattle bands, Soundgarden upped their game with Superunknown. Incidentally, I happened to be in Seattle and saw them live for the very last show before their breakup. Yes, they rocked...

3. RADIOHEAD - THE BENDS, 1995
Sure, I may take some heat for not selecting OK Computer. In my humble opinion, The Bends is the superior album of the two. Sorry, purists.

2. R.E.M. - AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE, 1992
Outstanding music pretty much from start to finish. Michael Stipe and company reached a place few can even dream of with Automatic for the People. In their long and storied history, this one shines.

1. NIRVANA - NEVERMIND, 1991
Of course it's probably no surprise to find this selection in the number one spot. If we look to highlight alternative music from the 90s, where else could it go?

Ten is such a small number when considering a decade full of great music. Some honorable mentions include The Breeders, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey, Liz Phair, Tool, Crash Test Dummies, They Might be Giants, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Social Distortion, and The Toadies.