Rocka's Hot 90s Albums (Fall 2023) by 
Tha1ChiefRocka 
These are the current top 10 albums for me from the 90s. Mostly newer listens, but some ones that I've liked for awhile.
- Chart updated: 01/15/2024 01:45
- (Created: 09/21/2023 02:46).
- Chart size: 10 albums.
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Year: 1998
Genre(s): Drum n Bass, Instrumental Hip Hop, Jungle
This album is one of the most successful fusions of Drum n Bass and instrumental hip hop I've ever heard. The use of samples on this one is superb. The Bad Brains sample on track 2 really caught me off guard. I knew I wasn't listening to a typical DnB record after that track. I wish there was some more fusion of hard rock/metal riffs in music of this style. It may sound dated to some, but I think it works. The vocal samples remind me of some early Doom and DJ Shadow's ...Endtroducing. It's the DnB cousin to ..Endtroducing at the very least, because It's definitely an album about and centered around the drums. Kind of floored it doesn't have more recognition outside it apparently being used in the notorious flash game "Pico's School" which I did not know about prior to listening. * If you're at all interested in any of the above albums or genres, then I would say this is a must listen.
Best Tracks: "Ultrasonic Sound" "Devious Methods"
*EDIT Uh, I guess this song was also on the soundtrack for The Matrix? My mind is absolutely blown, because I know my brother had this album at one point, so I must've have heard this track at a young age. It's not even used in the movie, so the Wachowski's must've thought it just matched The Matrix vibe.
** ALSO, that's the most AI-generated looking cover I've ever seen for something that is not AI generated. Pretty rad. [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
Genre(s): Drum n Bass, Instrumental Hip Hop, Jungle
This album is one of the most successful fusions of Drum n Bass and instrumental hip hop I've ever heard. The use of samples on this one is superb. The Bad Brains sample on track 2 really caught me off guard. I knew I wasn't listening to a typical DnB record after that track. I wish there was some more fusion of hard rock/metal riffs in music of this style. It may sound dated to some, but I think it works. The vocal samples remind me of some early Doom and DJ Shadow's ...Endtroducing. It's the DnB cousin to ..Endtroducing at the very least, because It's definitely an album about and centered around the drums. Kind of floored it doesn't have more recognition outside it apparently being used in the notorious flash game "Pico's School" which I did not know about prior to listening. * If you're at all interested in any of the above albums or genres, then I would say this is a must listen.
Best Tracks: "Ultrasonic Sound" "Devious Methods"
*EDIT Uh, I guess this song was also on the soundtrack for The Matrix? My mind is absolutely blown, because I know my brother had this album at one point, so I must've have heard this track at a young age. It's not even used in the movie, so the Wachowski's must've thought it just matched The Matrix vibe.
** ALSO, that's the most AI-generated looking cover I've ever seen for something that is not AI generated. Pretty rad. [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
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Year: 1993
Genre(s): Power Pop, Progressive Pop, Baroque Pop, etc.
WARNING: Gets rambly and incoherent at times. (Eh, what's new?)
Boy, I can't tell you how much I missed out on; not having this band, and this album in particular, in my life sooner. I might've just as easily picked the 1990 debut, Bellybutton, instead of their follow up, Spilt Milk, but this one certainly seems a tad more fully-formed and realized in its purpose and execution.
I think one of the worst things a critic or reviewer can do is assume the purpose of the artist. But, I feel confident that, to some extent, the purpose of Jellyfish was to recreate the sound of the 60s and early 70s for the 90s. Today, this is certainly not a new or novel concept in the least. And, there were plenty of artists influenced by artists like the Beatles, Beach Boys, in the late 70s and 80s, but it wasn't until the 90s that true "revivals" started to crop up. (Note to self: There is probably some kind of chronological thing here that would be worth researching. When did influence change to homage, to revival? When does it become "original" again?)
Also, let's list the other influences while I'm thinking about them.
T. Rex
Van Dyke Parks
Harry Nilsson
Queen
Kinks
Jellyfish is the only other band, besides maybe the Olivia Tremor Control, to successfully recreate a similar sound in this era.
Andy Sturmer's, Jellyfish, as many fans and converts would proclaim, should have been one of the biggest bands of the era. The fact that they weren't probably has some logical and industry reasoning, but it still puzzles many a listener to this day. The debut and the follow up are exploding with the kind of memorable lyrics, hooks, and melodies that defined the previous generations. (Whose oeuvre is called to mind on this album.)
If there was a thesis for this album, I'd say it happens in the 2nd track, "Joining a Fan Club" in between 1:54 and 2:11
The strings that accentuate and contrast with the main verse, the transition to a harder and faster bridge all within the span of about 20 seconds. This is the most accurate exhibition of "Power Pop". All in a song with smart lyrics depicting the similarities of fandom and organized religion.
"New Mistake" sees a traditional ballad of sorts updated for a new age. And what a concept. The "new mistake" is an unexpected child, but the orator still cares and loves for the child all the same. It's these kind of juxtapositions, musically and lyrically, that separate Jellyfish from any other kind of similar concept band of the time. And, this song would be a great moment to talk about the performances on this album. (Especially by enigmatic frontman Andy Sturmer.)
I'm so glad that live footage of this short-lived band exists, so I could see that this brilliant musician actually did play drums and sing these parts at the same time. (Standing up no less!!!) Sturmer's vocals are incredibly assured, variable, and thematic. They are always complimentary to any of the highly eclectic instrumentals on the album.
Ah man, this album really deserves a thorough evaluation track by track, but I think I'm going to cut out here. It's so fucking good. I'm relistening to it now as I'm writing this, and I just reached "Russian Hill" realizing that all of the tracks on this DO NOT miss. That echoed voice that comes in on that track. Some slide guitar. The atmosphere is incredible. The jazz & baroque elements that saturate the bridge. What an incredible track.
I guess I can't fully stop this review until I talk about my favorite track "Brighter Day" which should probably be a planetary anthem. I think I could see the nations of the Earth marching down a wide boulevard to this song. However, it's not because this is some kind of track about coming together and making the world brighter. It may seem that way on the surface, but it's actually about how we keep carrying on with some kind of mindless positivity in spite of the horror and shit that penetrates our daily lives.
But man is it catchy. And it lurches along at a perfect "parade-like" pace too. The horns help fill out that atmosphere as well. Just a fantastic track conceptually, and a dour note to end on for Jellyfish for this album and as a band. It is a shame that this is the seeming end for Andy Sturmer and this project. He's continued to make music, but it has to be one of the biggest "what ifs" I could think of. Certainly a megahit was on the horizon for them at some point. Not that they're similar in the slightest, but what if U2 would've stopped making music after "October"? Some bands may just take a couple of records to fully catch on. I feel like if they would've kept it up just for a few more that they would have reached a glorious peak. Having only two albums from this band is criminal, but I'll be thankful for what we got, I guess.
Just, uh, just go check this out if you haven't. Or maybe take another listen if it's been awhile.
Best Track(s): "Joining A Fan Club", "New Mistake", "Bye Bye Bye", "Russian Hill", "Brighter Day"* [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
Genre(s): Power Pop, Progressive Pop, Baroque Pop, etc.
WARNING: Gets rambly and incoherent at times. (Eh, what's new?)
Boy, I can't tell you how much I missed out on; not having this band, and this album in particular, in my life sooner. I might've just as easily picked the 1990 debut, Bellybutton, instead of their follow up, Spilt Milk, but this one certainly seems a tad more fully-formed and realized in its purpose and execution.
I think one of the worst things a critic or reviewer can do is assume the purpose of the artist. But, I feel confident that, to some extent, the purpose of Jellyfish was to recreate the sound of the 60s and early 70s for the 90s. Today, this is certainly not a new or novel concept in the least. And, there were plenty of artists influenced by artists like the Beatles, Beach Boys, in the late 70s and 80s, but it wasn't until the 90s that true "revivals" started to crop up. (Note to self: There is probably some kind of chronological thing here that would be worth researching. When did influence change to homage, to revival? When does it become "original" again?)
Also, let's list the other influences while I'm thinking about them.
T. Rex
Van Dyke Parks
Harry Nilsson
Queen
Kinks
Jellyfish is the only other band, besides maybe the Olivia Tremor Control, to successfully recreate a similar sound in this era.
Andy Sturmer's, Jellyfish, as many fans and converts would proclaim, should have been one of the biggest bands of the era. The fact that they weren't probably has some logical and industry reasoning, but it still puzzles many a listener to this day. The debut and the follow up are exploding with the kind of memorable lyrics, hooks, and melodies that defined the previous generations. (Whose oeuvre is called to mind on this album.)
If there was a thesis for this album, I'd say it happens in the 2nd track, "Joining a Fan Club" in between 1:54 and 2:11
The strings that accentuate and contrast with the main verse, the transition to a harder and faster bridge all within the span of about 20 seconds. This is the most accurate exhibition of "Power Pop". All in a song with smart lyrics depicting the similarities of fandom and organized religion.
"New Mistake" sees a traditional ballad of sorts updated for a new age. And what a concept. The "new mistake" is an unexpected child, but the orator still cares and loves for the child all the same. It's these kind of juxtapositions, musically and lyrically, that separate Jellyfish from any other kind of similar concept band of the time. And, this song would be a great moment to talk about the performances on this album. (Especially by enigmatic frontman Andy Sturmer.)
I'm so glad that live footage of this short-lived band exists, so I could see that this brilliant musician actually did play drums and sing these parts at the same time. (Standing up no less!!!) Sturmer's vocals are incredibly assured, variable, and thematic. They are always complimentary to any of the highly eclectic instrumentals on the album.
Ah man, this album really deserves a thorough evaluation track by track, but I think I'm going to cut out here. It's so fucking good. I'm relistening to it now as I'm writing this, and I just reached "Russian Hill" realizing that all of the tracks on this DO NOT miss. That echoed voice that comes in on that track. Some slide guitar. The atmosphere is incredible. The jazz & baroque elements that saturate the bridge. What an incredible track.
I guess I can't fully stop this review until I talk about my favorite track "Brighter Day" which should probably be a planetary anthem. I think I could see the nations of the Earth marching down a wide boulevard to this song. However, it's not because this is some kind of track about coming together and making the world brighter. It may seem that way on the surface, but it's actually about how we keep carrying on with some kind of mindless positivity in spite of the horror and shit that penetrates our daily lives.
But man is it catchy. And it lurches along at a perfect "parade-like" pace too. The horns help fill out that atmosphere as well. Just a fantastic track conceptually, and a dour note to end on for Jellyfish for this album and as a band. It is a shame that this is the seeming end for Andy Sturmer and this project. He's continued to make music, but it has to be one of the biggest "what ifs" I could think of. Certainly a megahit was on the horizon for them at some point. Not that they're similar in the slightest, but what if U2 would've stopped making music after "October"? Some bands may just take a couple of records to fully catch on. I feel like if they would've kept it up just for a few more that they would have reached a glorious peak. Having only two albums from this band is criminal, but I'll be thankful for what we got, I guess.
Just, uh, just go check this out if you haven't. Or maybe take another listen if it's been awhile.
Best Track(s): "Joining A Fan Club", "New Mistake", "Bye Bye Bye", "Russian Hill", "Brighter Day"* [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
Year of Release:
1993
Appears in:
Rank Score:
907
Rank in 1993:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Year: 1994
Genre(s): Atmospheric DnB, Jungle
As far as atmospheric DnB is concerned, this is a top album right here. And, like a lot of albums of its kind, it's too long and not too sonically diverse, but the vibe is immaculate. The first track "Universal Love" is fantastic, and it has all of the elements of this genre (and related genres) that I love.
female vocal hook
theme of humanitarian togetherness
tight repetitive groove
for added flavor, some jazzy sax and a solo
The rest of the album has some slight deviations from this formula but not much. The last 5 tracks make a nice instrumental suite from "Shadow Run" to "Solar Emissions".
Most might get bored by about Track 3 or 4 here, but if you'd like to put something on in this style, then I'd say you can't go wrong here.
Best Track(s): "Universal Love", "Terraforming" [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
Genre(s): Atmospheric DnB, Jungle
As far as atmospheric DnB is concerned, this is a top album right here. And, like a lot of albums of its kind, it's too long and not too sonically diverse, but the vibe is immaculate. The first track "Universal Love" is fantastic, and it has all of the elements of this genre (and related genres) that I love.
female vocal hook
theme of humanitarian togetherness
tight repetitive groove
for added flavor, some jazzy sax and a solo
The rest of the album has some slight deviations from this formula but not much. The last 5 tracks make a nice instrumental suite from "Shadow Run" to "Solar Emissions".
Most might get bored by about Track 3 or 4 here, but if you'd like to put something on in this style, then I'd say you can't go wrong here.
Best Track(s): "Universal Love", "Terraforming" [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
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Year: 1992
Genre(s): ALL RYM Genres for this album
Experimental Rock, Post-Rock, Indie Rock
Krautrock, Post-Punk, Noise Rock, Dub, Shoegaze, Trip Hop
Well, the astute among you have already noticed the band's name is a CAN song, so you can probably guess a little what this album sounds like. But that would only be half of it. Think the jazzy and funky elements of CAN filtered through Mark E Smith and The Fall. (Who coincidentally also reference CAN in the song 'I Am Damo Suzuki').
Even the scrawled cryptic messages on the cover recall the cover for The Fall's 1982 masterpiece "Hex Enduction Hour". Those of you that have read many of my inanities in the past already know that I'm a big fan of anything by The Fall, so you know I wouldn't make this comparison lightly. I'm not the first to do so, but I agree with others that have made the same observation.
It's an updated Fall for the 90s, with some timely influences and songwriting that fits better with what was going on in the UK at the time.
The first track may have you prepared for a particular kind of album, but it only serves as a jumping off point for the eclecticism on display here. First off, the shouty nigh-comprehensible bloke that recalls the aforementioned Fall is not on every track here. Hopefully you're also familiar with a great band called Laika, as this band was has two members whom were first featured here. One being lead vocalist and guitarist Margaret Fiedler. Her tracks on this album, including standout 'Beautiful Pigeon', have a slightly different vibe than the tracks with Dave Callahan on vocals.
Hard to describe an 'Experimental Rock' album, especially when, unlike others that may have that tag, this one actually lives up to that moniker. Odd instrumentation an atonality abound (as they should) while still remaining in the 4 minute rock song format.
The first track 'Wanderlust' has this weird muted horn line that sneaks behind the verses and chorus that I'm greatly interested in. It's minor, but it makes an impact on the legitimacy of the "experimental" nature of the album.
PS.
The Pop Group and PIL's 'Flowers of Romance' should also be mentioned as well for influences and comps.
Best Track(s): "Wanderlust", "City Poison", "Beautiful Pigeon" [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
Genre(s): ALL RYM Genres for this album
Experimental Rock, Post-Rock, Indie Rock
Krautrock, Post-Punk, Noise Rock, Dub, Shoegaze, Trip Hop
Well, the astute among you have already noticed the band's name is a CAN song, so you can probably guess a little what this album sounds like. But that would only be half of it. Think the jazzy and funky elements of CAN filtered through Mark E Smith and The Fall. (Who coincidentally also reference CAN in the song 'I Am Damo Suzuki').
Even the scrawled cryptic messages on the cover recall the cover for The Fall's 1982 masterpiece "Hex Enduction Hour". Those of you that have read many of my inanities in the past already know that I'm a big fan of anything by The Fall, so you know I wouldn't make this comparison lightly. I'm not the first to do so, but I agree with others that have made the same observation.
It's an updated Fall for the 90s, with some timely influences and songwriting that fits better with what was going on in the UK at the time.
The first track may have you prepared for a particular kind of album, but it only serves as a jumping off point for the eclecticism on display here. First off, the shouty nigh-comprehensible bloke that recalls the aforementioned Fall is not on every track here. Hopefully you're also familiar with a great band called Laika, as this band was has two members whom were first featured here. One being lead vocalist and guitarist Margaret Fiedler. Her tracks on this album, including standout 'Beautiful Pigeon', have a slightly different vibe than the tracks with Dave Callahan on vocals.
Hard to describe an 'Experimental Rock' album, especially when, unlike others that may have that tag, this one actually lives up to that moniker. Odd instrumentation an atonality abound (as they should) while still remaining in the 4 minute rock song format.
The first track 'Wanderlust' has this weird muted horn line that sneaks behind the verses and chorus that I'm greatly interested in. It's minor, but it makes an impact on the legitimacy of the "experimental" nature of the album.
PS.
The Pop Group and PIL's 'Flowers of Romance' should also be mentioned as well for influences and comps.
Best Track(s): "Wanderlust", "City Poison", "Beautiful Pigeon" [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
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Year: 1996
Genre(s): Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, Progressive Metal, Brazilian Music
This album has to be the most FUN I've had listening to a metal album in a long time. Like Iron Maiden levels of running around pumping your fist in the air fun.
This is probably the most melodic and ballady Power Metal album I've heard. It's not necessarily a sound I usually go for; however, on this album, it really works for me. It's over the top to the point of being a little cheesy sometimes (like maybe the track 'Make Believe') but it's just got such a sense of musical fun to it's of no consequence. The cheesiest aspect is definitely the mid90s MIDI "classical" instrumentation, but I absolutely love that aspect of it too. Makes it feel kind of like a period FPS soundtrack.
The harmonies on this album, both guitar and vocal, are catchy in a way that most music of this style never seems to achieve.
There are some actual classical influences on this album with the chorus on the opening track and "Deep Blue". The other disparate influences include some of the Brazilian percussion added to tracks like "Holy Land". Like a lot of bands in the listed genres, Angra's "Holy Land" is a concept album. The concept being the Brazilian land being a "Holy Land" prior to colonization, and some of the results of European influence. So the music is reflecting the native sounds and the western classical music of the colonizers.
Finding it hard to properly describe this album really. It feels both familiar and original at the same time. I can't say I've heard anything quite like it before. The performances are all top notch as you'd expect. All of the musicians are tight and the vocalist is superb for this style of music.
Best Track(s): "Nothing to Say", Carolina IV, Holy Land, Z.I.T.O. [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
Genre(s): Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, Progressive Metal, Brazilian Music
This album has to be the most FUN I've had listening to a metal album in a long time. Like Iron Maiden levels of running around pumping your fist in the air fun.
This is probably the most melodic and ballady Power Metal album I've heard. It's not necessarily a sound I usually go for; however, on this album, it really works for me. It's over the top to the point of being a little cheesy sometimes (like maybe the track 'Make Believe') but it's just got such a sense of musical fun to it's of no consequence. The cheesiest aspect is definitely the mid90s MIDI "classical" instrumentation, but I absolutely love that aspect of it too. Makes it feel kind of like a period FPS soundtrack.
The harmonies on this album, both guitar and vocal, are catchy in a way that most music of this style never seems to achieve.
There are some actual classical influences on this album with the chorus on the opening track and "Deep Blue". The other disparate influences include some of the Brazilian percussion added to tracks like "Holy Land". Like a lot of bands in the listed genres, Angra's "Holy Land" is a concept album. The concept being the Brazilian land being a "Holy Land" prior to colonization, and some of the results of European influence. So the music is reflecting the native sounds and the western classical music of the colonizers.
Finding it hard to properly describe this album really. It feels both familiar and original at the same time. I can't say I've heard anything quite like it before. The performances are all top notch as you'd expect. All of the musicians are tight and the vocalist is superb for this style of music.
Best Track(s): "Nothing to Say", Carolina IV, Holy Land, Z.I.T.O. [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
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Year: 1993
Genre(s): Dream Pop, Ambient Pop, Post-Rock
If you ever needed more of The Field Mice, then this is the record for you. Containing most of the principle member of the seminal Sarah Records "Twee" band, Northern Picture Library picks up where The Field Mice left off while adding Shoegaze elements and more. If I to rank this in the Field Mice Discography, I'd have this at a comfortable number 2 behind the classic Snowball. The album has a great texture to it, and the shorter atmospheric tracks add to the overall feeling of this album. I'll keep this review relatively short in saying that if you like the genres listed, or The Field Mice, then you'll surely find something to like about Northern Picture Library. I listened to it again today as the weather has taken a turn toward the dreary and cold, and it was a perfect compliment to the season. A good time to take a listen to this.
Best Track(s): Catholic Easter Colors, Insecure, Lucky, Truly Madly Deeply, Monotone [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
Genre(s): Dream Pop, Ambient Pop, Post-Rock
If you ever needed more of The Field Mice, then this is the record for you. Containing most of the principle member of the seminal Sarah Records "Twee" band, Northern Picture Library picks up where The Field Mice left off while adding Shoegaze elements and more. If I to rank this in the Field Mice Discography, I'd have this at a comfortable number 2 behind the classic Snowball. The album has a great texture to it, and the shorter atmospheric tracks add to the overall feeling of this album. I'll keep this review relatively short in saying that if you like the genres listed, or The Field Mice, then you'll surely find something to like about Northern Picture Library. I listened to it again today as the weather has taken a turn toward the dreary and cold, and it was a perfect compliment to the season. A good time to take a listen to this.
Best Track(s): Catholic Easter Colors, Insecure, Lucky, Truly Madly Deeply, Monotone [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
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Year: 1997
Genre(s): Post-Rock, Experimental Rock
Neo-Psychedelia, Dub, Krautrock, Tribal Ambient, Space Rock Revival
What do you get from the bass player and drummer of Talk Talk? Turns out Mark Hollis was not the only member that was thinking past Rock music. I had no idea of this "band" or album's existence until a year or two ago. I'm not going to forget it anytime soon. This is the kind of "jam music" that I can get into. Which is truly more of a hybrid of a bunch of different genres and sounds. I'd like for this to be categorized as "Experimental Rock". If you like either of the last two Talk Talk albums, then you owe it to yourself to listen to this logical extrapolation on the sound. It's not as good as either Spirit of Eden or Laughing Stock, nor does it have the same sonic or conceptual aim, but it does have some of the same spirit of unbound creativity.
Best Track(s): Uh, I kinda feel like the whole thing is supposed to be one thing. [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
Genre(s): Post-Rock, Experimental Rock
Neo-Psychedelia, Dub, Krautrock, Tribal Ambient, Space Rock Revival
What do you get from the bass player and drummer of Talk Talk? Turns out Mark Hollis was not the only member that was thinking past Rock music. I had no idea of this "band" or album's existence until a year or two ago. I'm not going to forget it anytime soon. This is the kind of "jam music" that I can get into. Which is truly more of a hybrid of a bunch of different genres and sounds. I'd like for this to be categorized as "Experimental Rock". If you like either of the last two Talk Talk albums, then you owe it to yourself to listen to this logical extrapolation on the sound. It's not as good as either Spirit of Eden or Laughing Stock, nor does it have the same sonic or conceptual aim, but it does have some of the same spirit of unbound creativity.
Best Track(s): Uh, I kinda feel like the whole thing is supposed to be one thing. [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
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Year: 1999
Genre(s): Downtempo, Dream Pop, Trip Hop
Emiliana Torrini is basically chill Downtempo Bjork, which is cool. You really only notice the similarity on specific annunciations and vocal affectations. I don't know how purposeful this was, but they're both from Iceland, so IDK. (I'm obviously not the first person to bring this up, but you kind of have to.)
This album is a richly orchestrated late 90s audio feast. If you like the sound palette on something like Air's Moon Safari, then you'll find a lot to love on "Love In The Time In Science". (Throw some "6 Underground" and a little Portishead in to the mix too.) Torrini's vocals perfectly compliment the production and the atmosphere, and I wish this kind of thing never went out of style. I'm happy to still be finding new things from 1999 to listen to in 2023(4). Surprised I didn't somehow windup listening to this years ago though.
"To Be Free" the first track is an absolute banger. Really love the way the piano is mixed on the track. Sounds like something Thom Yorke would do.
My next favorite might be "Easy" which sounds to me like it could have been the kind of Adult Contemporary crossover hit that the 90s were known for.
The dynamic "Telepathy" (which may be one of the more "Bjork" songs on the album) is another favorite here. It just has all of the elements that music of this kind is known for. Got some emotional string arrangements, driving drums, and soaring vocals.
As a final note, the song "Tuna Fish" has some really strange lyrics, but it's probably the coolest song called "Tuna Fish" that I know. [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
Genre(s): Downtempo, Dream Pop, Trip Hop
Emiliana Torrini is basically chill Downtempo Bjork, which is cool. You really only notice the similarity on specific annunciations and vocal affectations. I don't know how purposeful this was, but they're both from Iceland, so IDK. (I'm obviously not the first person to bring this up, but you kind of have to.)
This album is a richly orchestrated late 90s audio feast. If you like the sound palette on something like Air's Moon Safari, then you'll find a lot to love on "Love In The Time In Science". (Throw some "6 Underground" and a little Portishead in to the mix too.) Torrini's vocals perfectly compliment the production and the atmosphere, and I wish this kind of thing never went out of style. I'm happy to still be finding new things from 1999 to listen to in 2023(4). Surprised I didn't somehow windup listening to this years ago though.
"To Be Free" the first track is an absolute banger. Really love the way the piano is mixed on the track. Sounds like something Thom Yorke would do.
My next favorite might be "Easy" which sounds to me like it could have been the kind of Adult Contemporary crossover hit that the 90s were known for.
The dynamic "Telepathy" (which may be one of the more "Bjork" songs on the album) is another favorite here. It just has all of the elements that music of this kind is known for. Got some emotional string arrangements, driving drums, and soaring vocals.
As a final note, the song "Tuna Fish" has some really strange lyrics, but it's probably the coolest song called "Tuna Fish" that I know. [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
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Whether or not you enjoy Chuck Schuldiner's last album under the name "Control Denied" will primarily hinge upon your patience for Progressive Metal wankery and your opinions on Death's final album "The Sound of Perseverance". If you're fine with both of those things ( as I am) then "The Fragile Art of Existence" should probably get a listen.
Taking the same cues of melodicism from TSOP, Control Denied is essentially same lineup as Death's final album with vocalist Tim Aymar taking over vocal duties instead of Chuck. The power metal vocals add a bit of a different flavor than the typical Death album, so that's a plus. Oh, and Steve Digiorgio is back on the bass, so you know that the low end is completely locked down. (Check out the third Track "Expect The Unexpected" for a particularly tasty bass breakdown.)
"What If.." starts off with some gnarly bass too.
It's tragic this was the last thing we got from "The Godfather of Death Metal" it would have been interesting to see how his sound continued to transform over the years. These songs have a lot of energy, and it all starts at the top with Chuck's riffage. The man knew what he was doing. [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
Taking the same cues of melodicism from TSOP, Control Denied is essentially same lineup as Death's final album with vocalist Tim Aymar taking over vocal duties instead of Chuck. The power metal vocals add a bit of a different flavor than the typical Death album, so that's a plus. Oh, and Steve Digiorgio is back on the bass, so you know that the low end is completely locked down. (Check out the third Track "Expect The Unexpected" for a particularly tasty bass breakdown.)
"What If.." starts off with some gnarly bass too.
It's tragic this was the last thing we got from "The Godfather of Death Metal" it would have been interesting to see how his sound continued to transform over the years. These songs have a lot of energy, and it all starts at the top with Chuck's riffage. The man knew what he was doing. [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
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Um.
Yeah, this is one of those albums that I really have no idea how to approach it.
Thought Industry is some kind of schizo-metal band from Kalamazoo Michigan that are nearly uncategorizable. They sound like everyone and no one at the same time. Some have made some comparisons of their first album and this one to the similarly enigmatic Mr. Bungle, but that's really only in spirit. They don't really sound much alike apart from being challenging music that can turn on a dime. (I saw this in the comment box for their first album "a weird mixture of Voivod and Faith No More.")
Every song that's over 5 minutes long overstays its welcome, and sometimes it gets too out there for its own good, but it never loses interest that's for sure.
If you can get past the first song (which is probably the most abrasive) then you can get through the whole thing.
Here's where I tell you that most of the second half of this album has a lot of acoustic guitar.
Yeah, IDK what to tell you. Give the whole thing a listen if you want, but I won't blame you if you don't. [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
Yeah, this is one of those albums that I really have no idea how to approach it.
Thought Industry is some kind of schizo-metal band from Kalamazoo Michigan that are nearly uncategorizable. They sound like everyone and no one at the same time. Some have made some comparisons of their first album and this one to the similarly enigmatic Mr. Bungle, but that's really only in spirit. They don't really sound much alike apart from being challenging music that can turn on a dime. (I saw this in the comment box for their first album "a weird mixture of Voivod and Faith No More.")
Every song that's over 5 minutes long overstays its welcome, and sometimes it gets too out there for its own good, but it never loses interest that's for sure.
If you can get past the first song (which is probably the most abrasive) then you can get through the whole thing.
Here's where I tell you that most of the second half of this album has a lot of acoustic guitar.
Yeah, IDK what to tell you. Give the whole thing a listen if you want, but I won't blame you if you don't. [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
Total albums: 10. Page 1 of 1
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Rocka's Hot 90s Albums (Fall 2023) composition
| Year | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
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|
|
| 1990 | 0 | 0% | |
| 1991 | 0 | 0% | |
| 1992 | 1 | 10% | |
| 1993 | 3 | 30% | |
| 1994 | 2 | 20% | |
| 1995 | 0 | 0% | |
| 1996 | 1 | 10% | |
| 1997 | 0 | 0% | |
| 1998 | 1 | 10% | |
| 1999 | 2 | 20% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Jellyfish | 1 | 10% | |
| 4hero | 1 | 10% | |
| Moonshake | 1 | 10% | |
| Angra | 1 | 10% | |
| Northern Picture Library | 1 | 10% | |
| .O.Rang | 1 | 10% | |
| Emiliana Torrini | 1 | 10% | |
| Show all | |||
Rocka's Hot 90s Albums (Fall 2023) chart changes
There have been no changes to this chart.Rocka's Hot 90s Albums (Fall 2023) similarity to your chart(s)
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