Top Ten Alternative Female Singers/Bands of the 1990s

When I put together my previous list of the Top Ten Alternative Albums of the 1990s, I ended up concentrating on Grunge and Rock. The alternative music scene from the 90s was just to multifaceted to limit it all to one list.

Not to mention, there were so many good female singers and bands. So I offer my take on what was an awesome decade for the ladies of alternative music.

10. POE
Anne (Annie) Decatur Danielewski will forever be known to us as Poe, the 'Jezebel from Hell' who gives "Angry Johnny" his comeuppance. From the wow - I didn't know that category, comes this - the song "Hey Pretty" first appeared on her debut album, Hello. The song was remixed and released again on Haunted. The male voice doing spoken word is her brother Mark, reading from his novel.

9. FIONA APPLE
Another singer with a long name, Fiona Apple McAfee Maggart dazzled with her album Tidal. Her video to criminal could make a man want to follow a life of crime. Her second album When the Pawn...... held the record for the longest album title for a few years.

8. THE BREEDERS
Formed by Kim Deal of The Pixies and Tanya Donnelly of Throwing Muses, the band experienced several lineup changes and were an on/off project through the 90s. Best known for their album Last Splash, which featured the hit "Cannonball." The Breeders were wildly popular as a touring act, which included opening for Nirvana on their 1992 European tour. Tanya Donnelly went on to form another fine act, Belly.

7. CONCRETE BLONDE
The hit single "Joey" off the 1990 album Bloodletting, became a stalwart on alternative rock playlists for most of the decade. Vocals simmering low, rising to a loud plea, the hook is still hard to resist. Concrete Blonde had some interesting assists, including Peter Buck and his mandolin on "Darkening of the Light." Lead singer Johnette Napolitano later went on to take over lead vocals for the reformed Talking Heads, putting out No Talking, Just Head. David Byrne sued the group, saying their name The Heads was too familiar, and he won.

6. HOLE
Courtney Love's band rocked the 90s. The band put out Pretty on the Inside in 1991. Not a bad debut, but it was eclipsed by the angst filled 1994 release, Live Through This. Another good live band, I saw Hole do a great set at Lollapalooza 1995 at the Gorge in George, Washington. Yes, that's the place where Courtney Love punched Bikini Kill vocalist Kathleen Hanna in the face backstage.

So, I'm stuck. There are just too many choices, I can't narrow them down to just ten. I've decided to cheat just a tad, please be forgiving!

5-3. 10,000 MANIACS, NATALIE MERCHANT
The successful 80s band 10,000 Maniacs charged right into the 90s, with chart hits like "These Are Days," the moving "What's the Matter Here?" and a great unplugged cover of "Because the Night." When Natalie Merchant went solo she delivered Tigerlily, one of the 90s best albums. Still touring and making music, Natalie Merchant excels.

5-2. INDIGO GIRLS
Another seemingly unstoppable music making machine, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers delivered music to ease the mind, question the spirit, and challenge the paradigms. One of the best acts to catch on a summer evening from the lawn seats, Amy and Emily have a unique and crisp vocal sound which never lets you down.

5-1. SARAH McLACHLAN
It's interesting, all the acts under my number 5 share similarities in style, vocal strength, and longevity. Coupled with stellar songwriting, they are about as close as you can get to a sure thing. I've seen them all live, and hope to again. Sarah McLachlan in 1993/94 released Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, which still sees my CD player quite often.

4. SINEAD O'CONNOR
One of the most hauntingly beautiful live voices I have heard. My first experience was at the 1995 Lollapalooza. I caught her live again at a Lilith Fair performance. It's too bad the song most know her for is the somewhat poppy "Nothing Compares 2 U," as she has put out much, much better music.

3. GARBAGE
When their 1995 release by the same name dropped, the fiery Scot Shirley Manson and band sent waves through alternative music with their electronic mix of post-grunge rock and alternative beats. Still ranking among the best live shows I've seen, Garbage has always been a personal favorite. While I hold out hope for a reunion tour, it doesn't seem likely.

2. THE CRANBERRIES
The Cranberries Everybody Else is Doing it, so Why Can't We? came out in 1993. Featuring an alternative take on Irish folk music, songs like "Dreams" and "Linger" were on almost everyone's playlist. Commercial success didn't dampen quality, as the follow-up No Need to Argue was equally impressive. The unique vocals of Dolores O'Riordan enchants. Incidentally, the band is entering the studio in April of this year to make new music.

1. ALANIS MORISSETTE
Before the huge success of Jagged Little Pill, Morisette was a fairly successful Canadian dance-pop artist, frequently compared to singers like Tiffany and Debbie Gibson. That all changed when Los Angeles alternative station KROQ began playing You Oughta Know. The rest of course, is history. Jagged Little Pill garnered huge international acclaim. Ironically, "Isn't it Ironic" turned out to be her biggest hit. I saw Alanis in Portland at the Rose Garden, with Garbage opening. now that was a good show.

That's my list, feel free to comment or inform me of omissions!

Sources: homepages of artists listed, Wikipedia, personal observations