My 20 Year Old Playlist

It's hard to believe that the end of 2014 is upon us. What’s harder to believe is that this year marked the thirtieth anniversary of Ghostbusters, the Macintosh personal computer, and one of the greatest NBA drafts that featured Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan. It also marked the twentieth anniversary of the last work stoppage in Major League Baseball, the O.J. chase, and the Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding scandal. Although 1994 was marred by these events, it was a huge year for rock music.

Back in April I wrote about the impact of Kurt Cobain twenty years after his death. In that post I emphasized how 1991 was unrivaled in its rock releases, which included Nirvana's Nevermind, U2's Achtung Baby, and Metallica's "Black Album." If 1991 spawned the grunge era and gave us the birth of alternative music, then 1994 was its multi-talented offspring.

Don’t’ get me wrong. By 1994, hip hop had also cultivated into the main stream and was rivaling rock in its popularity, and that year saw its share of quality releases. OutKast came on the scene with Southernplayalisticadillacmusik, and Nas’s Illmatic and Notorious B.I.G.’s debut Ready to Die are considered by many to be two of the greatest rap albums of all time. But that is an argument and topic for a future column.

Why bring all of this up? Earlier this year Rolling Stone listed the top alternative albums of 1994, calling it “the year where the losers finally won.” Recently Weezer released the song “Back to the Shack,” where Rivers Cuomo sings about “rockin out like it’s ‘94” and that we should “turn up the radio” and “turn off those stupid singing shows.” I must say I wholeheartedly agree. 

One of the points brought up in the HBO series Sonic Highways, which chronicles the Foo Fighters making their new record of the same name, is that many recording studios are failing. These days artists can produce music at home on a laptop, and don’t choose and support a studio just because of the way the drums sound in a specific room. It’s sort of a dying art. The show also provided an in depth historical account of American music, and shows that the history of the culture is important not only for educational purposes, but for inspiration as well. It all has put me in a nostalgic mood, and this was simply a topic I’ve wanted to tackle for some time now.

In 1994 I entered my senior year of high school, and it was not only important time in my life, but that of many other young people. The music at the time was the soundtrack to my life, and most of it still is now. Just put these albums in a playlist and throw it on shuffle. The music still holds up today. So let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit one of the last great years in rock. I hope it spurs some fond memories. I know it has for me.

Alice in Chains, Jar of Flies

Release Date: January 25, 1994

Considered an EP, the grunge masters of despair and addiction gave us this release of acoustic numbers. Although stripped down, it is still omnipresent with the late Layne Staley’s gloomy vocals, and shows the depth of guitarist Jerry Cantrell as a songwriter. A bridge between their best album Dirt and what would eventually be their last studio album with Staley Alice in Chains, it’s a quality set of somber songs. Highlighted by the radio hit “No Excuses” and the underrated “Don’t Follow,” Jar of Flies is an unorthodox but pleasant surprise from the otherwise alt-metal rockers.

Meat Puppets, Too High To Die

Release Date: January 25, 1994

At the time brothers Curt and Cris Kirkwood were best known for their guest appearance on Nirvana's MTV Unplugged special, sitting in to cover three of their own songs. The truth is that the Meat Puppets had been around since the early 80s, with eight records already under their belt when this album was released. Too High to Die is a mix of hard rock ("We Don't Exist"), blues ("Roof With a Hole"), and even country ("Coming Down"). They scored a radio hit with "Backwater," but the records finest moments come in the ballads “Why?” and “Shine.” To this day the Meat Puppets are still touring and putting out quality music, but Too High to High can be looked at as one of their finer efforts.

Green Day, Dookie

Release Date: February 1, 1994

When “Basket Case” hit the airwaves, this album picked up steam and never slowed down. Delving into the monotony of adolescent culture, Green Day’s major label debut gave us a solid collection of three-chord power anthems and a punk revitalization. Along with “Basket Case”, the record produced other singles “Long View”, “When I Come Around” and “She.” The band’s performance at Woodstock that summer was the highlight of the weekend, and also helped vault their status. In spite of their rambunctiousness, Green Day are quality songwriters, exemplified in their rock operas American Idiot and 21^st Century Breakdown. The undervalued ¡Uno!, ¡Dos! and ¡Tré! were overshadowed by Billie Joe Armstrong’s onstage meltdown and admittance to rehab at the end of 2012. But it all goes back to Dookie, which is not only Green Day’s best record, but one of the top albums of 1994.   

Beck, Mellow Gold

Release Date: March 1, 1994

Do you remember when “Loser” was lighting up the airwaves? I sure do. Besides the popular radio hit, the rest of Beck Hansen’s premier album is a mix of stoner rock, psychedelia, country, and even rap. There’s nobody better that blends musical styles as Beck, and Mellow Gold provides us a sampling of what would eventually come from him over the course of his career. Although some of the production is primitive, it still holds up as not only one of Beck’s best records but a one that defined alternative music.

Nine Inch Nails, The Downward Spiral

Release Date: March 8, 1994

I never was into this band, but this album is worth mentioning. Nobody at the time was producing the sound that innovator Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails had come to master, at least not anybody that you ever heard of. NIN introduced industrial music to the mainstream, and The Downward Spiral was the catalyst. Even though it not as influential as their debut album Pretty Hate Machine, Reznor’s tortured anthems “Closer” and the haunting “Hurt” became synonymous with the angst-ridden music associated with the time period. Reznor has gone on to compose music scores for movies, even winning an Academy Award for The Social Network. His roots will always be with NIN, with The Downward Spiral vaulting him to the pioneer that he is today.  

Soundgarden, Superunknown

Release Date: March 8, 1994

Most bands have a signature album that defines them, which is usually their best. Think of Dark Side of the Moon, Led Zeppelin IV, or The Joshua Tree. That record for Soundgarden is Superunknown. The grunge masters followed up the excellent Badmotorfinger with the even better set of heavy riffs and arrangements, capped off by Chris Cornell's signature howl. The mainstay on MTV was "Black Hole Sun," but this is a record that can be listened to straight through without any blemishes. Soundgarden never reached the popularity heights of their contemporaries Nirvana or even Pearl Jam, but Superunknown can hold its own with anything that came out of the Seattle grunge movement during that time, if not all of rock.

The Offspring, Smash

Release Date: April 8, 1994

The punk revolution continued on The Offspring’s third studio album, and the title lives up to its up-tempo power chords and delinquent themes, making it a great selection for your workout playlist. The radio hits “Come Out and Play,” “Gotta Get Away” and “Self Esteem” vaulted the record to the top of the charts and the band into the mainstream. Selling six-million copies, Smash is still the top selling independent label record of all time. As of 2012 the band was still releasing new material, but nothing will top the success and influence of Smash.   

Hole, Live Through This

Release Date: April 12, 1994

Violent guitar riffs. Anguished lyrics. Enraged, screeching vocals. What else would you expect from Kurt Cobain’s wife Courtney Love? Released a week after Cobain’s death, Live Through This is one of the last great, explosive grunge albums. There were even rumors that Cobain wrote most of the material on the record, which wouldn’t surprise me due to the fact that the Smashing Pumpkins Billy Corgan is given writing credits on Hole’s follow up album Celebrity Skin. These rumors were later discredited by multiple sources, including Love. She has admitted that she was competitive with Cobain and wanted to be better than him as a songwriter, and her efforts show here. Live Through This is a mainstay of the grunge era, and belongs amongst its more well-known Seattle peers.

Live, Throwing Copper

Release Date: April 19, 1994

I owned the 'cassingle' for the song "Selling the Drama" and listened to it in my buddy's car on the way to school before Throwing Copper took off. After the first single, this album went on to produce three more definitive hits in "I Alone," " Lightning Crashes" and "All Over You." This might be the most underrated album on this list for being a solid rock effort, and there's not a disappointing song on the whole album. It's unfortunate the band never went on to duplicate its success. Singer Ed Kowalczyk left the band in 2012, and the remaining members have pressed on without him, even releasing a new album this year. Rock fans still have Throwing Copper to fall back on, and it should be considered one of the better releases of its time.

Weezer, Weezer (Blue Album)

Release Date: May 10, 1994

The nerds of alternative rock exploded on the scene with their debut album filled with catchy hooks and power pop tunes. Although the record is filled with loud guitars, Weezer stood out from other bands at the time, not succumbing to the doom and gloom topics of their grunge contemporaries. Along with the radio hits "Undone (the Sweater Song)" and "Say it Ain't So," the highlight of the album is "Buddy Holly," enhanced by its unforgettable iconic video that submerged the band into Arnold's from Happy Days. My personal favorite is "In the Garage," a relatable song about singer Rivers Cuomo's geeky hobbies and personal comfort zone. Whether you love or hate Weezer, there's no denying that "The Blue Album" was a defining record of not only 1994, but of the entire decade.

Beastie Boys, Ill Communication

Release Date: May 23, 1994

Like some of the other albums on this list, I was at Newbury Comics, a local record store in the Boston area, to buy this album the day it came out. "Sabotage" was already a hit on the radio and MTV, and this was a release I was eager to get my hands on. When I got it home I must have listened to the opening track "Sure Shot" multiple times before really listening to the rest of the record. Although Ill Communication isn't your typical rock album, the Beasties have always toggled the line between alternative and hip hop. Similar in style to its predecessor Check Your Head, the tracks on Ill Communication go back and forth between the band jamming on improvisational instrumentals and their signature emceeing. Adam “MCA” Yauch lost his battle with cancer in 2012, so the days of the Beastie Boys are behind us. Ill Communication remains a solid contribution to the otherwise exceptional catalogue of these rap pioneers and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees.

Stone Temple Pilots, Purple

Release Date: June 7, 1994

Stone Temple Pilots were another band that reaped the benefits of the grunge movement thanks to the success of their excellent and raw debut Core. While their sophomore effort Purple has a more polished sound of where the band was heading, it still shows signs of its hard rocking predecessor. “Vaseline,” “Interstate Love Song” and “Big Empty” were all over the radio and are staples of mid-nineties rock. STP continued through the rest of the decade, highlighted more by singer Scott Weiland’s addiction issues than the music they were producing. After Weiland’s stint fronting the super group Velvet Revolver, STP reunited for their welcoming 2010 self-titled album. Although the most recent news is continued friction between Weiland and the other band members, there’s no denying that Purple was an iconic success for one of the biggest bands of the 90s.

Oasis, Definitely Maybe

Release Date: August 30 1994

The debut album from Oasis was released to critical acclaim in Britain and eventually caught on in America the following year with the help of singles “Supersonic” and “Live Forever.” As one part of the ever feuding Gallagher brothers, guitarist Noel brought us a set of songs fueled by power chords and molded out of classic British rock. The band’s sound evolved in their sophomore release (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, introducing keyboards and ballads that lead to further praise and success. Although at times the band made headlines more for their antics than their music, they continued to make albums for more than a decade, with their last studio release coming in 2008. Through all of their turmoil, there’s no doubting that Definitely Maybe is one of the finer debut albums we will see from any rock band.  

Liz Phair, Whip Smart

Release Date: September 20, 1994

Although it wasn’t as much of a commercial success as most of the other albums on this list, the second release from this indie artist deserves to be recognized. Phair is no stranger to controversial material, beginning with personal relationships and sex. Whip Smart isn’t on the same level as Phair’s critically acclaimed debut Exile in Guyville, but the shocking lyrics that made Phair so influential are still there. Plus tracks like “Supernova” and “Whip Smart” are catchy enough to play on a continuous loop in your head. The album didn’t leave as much of a cultural impact as Exile in Guyville, but is still a quality record for its time.  

Dave Matthews Band, Under the Table and Dreaming

Release Date: September 27 1994

Before college kids across America jumped on the Dave Matthews Band summer concert bandwagon, the band released this major-label debut. The blend of acoustic guitars, horns and string arrangements were unlike anything in popular music at the time, drawing fans to their unique instrumental sound. Off of the singles “What Would You Say” and “Ants Marching,” the band’s success took off and never slowed down. Even with a number of additional studio albums and live releases under their belt, the band has never able to match the elegance and splendor of its roots in Under the Table and Dreaming. 

R.E.M, Monster

Release Date: September 27, 1994

After Out of Time and the exceptional Automatic for the People turned R.E.M. from a cult band in the 80s to a mainstream success in the 90s, the godfathers of alternative rock put down their mandolins, plugged in their guitars and cranked up the feedback. Mixed with singer Michael Stipe’s distorted vocals, Monster was an unconventional rock record highlighted by themes and darker lyrics that are a far cry from “Shiny Happy People.” The anguish is exemplified in the haunting “Let Me In,” where Stipe implores to save his late friend Kurt Cobain. After drummer Bill Berry left the band in 1997, the remaining members continued until they officially disbanded in 2011. The height of their commercial success ended with Monster, only reaching multi-platinum status one more time in the U.S. with their 1996 release New Adventures in Hi-Fi. R.E.M. is one of the most influential bands of our time, with Monster being their deepest and most underrated album of the band’s thirty-one year tenure.     

Nirvana, MTV Unplugged in New York

Release Date: November 1, 1994

Arguably the best unplugged special from the MTV series, the surviving members of Nirvana released their acoustic set roughly a year after it originally aired on the network. The album included two additional tracks that were not shown on the original broadcast, totaling fourteen songs made up of six covers and a minimal number of hits. The result is a beautiful and elegant set of stripped down numbers that displayed the complete capabilities of the band. With the help of special guests the Meat Puppets, Nirvana covered three of their songs and made them their own. The same goes for covers of David Bowie, the Vaselines and Huddie Ledbetter. Although we only witnessed a microcosm of Nirvana’s potential, it’s almost fitting that this is one of the last memories we’ll have of Kurt Cobain. MTV Unplugged in New York is not only a remarkably fitting set and an emotional performance, it’s a chilling reminder of what might have been.

Tom Petty, Wildflowers

Release Date: November 1, 1994

This has to be my favorite record on this list. After working with producer and fellow Traveling Wilbury Jeff Lynne on Full Moon Fever and Into the Great Wide Open, Petty teamed up with Rick Rubin to release what is technically a solo album. The result is a set of stripped down and more laid back tracks than some of Petty’s more recognizable stadium rock anthems, and it’s a pleasant change from his two previous albums with Lynne. The record had its share of hits, but it’s the breezy jewels like “Wildflowers,” “Time to Move On” and “To Find a Friend” that are the record’s brightest moments. Petty is still going strong, releasing the excellent Hypnotic Eye this year and supporting the record with a North American tour. Wildflowers still remains one of the best efforts from one of America’s all-time great songwriters.

Pearl Jam, Vitalogy

Release Date: November 22, 1994

The only other band that rivaled Nirvana in popularity during this period was fellow Seattle rockers Pearl Jam. Without a radio single or video, their sophomore album Vs. sold almost a million copies in its first week of release in October 1993, setting a record that held for five years. Where Vs. has a punk feel to it at times, Vitalogy is a heavier rock album, even in its ballads. It provided the popular tracks “Corduroy,” “Immortality,” and “Better Man.” This was also the time that Pearl Jam waged its war against Ticketmaster, which caused the band to play a limited number of shows in the U.S. over the next couple of years. This put a hindrance on the band’s future album sales, and currently Vitalogy is the last Pearl Jam album to reach multi-platinum status. Still the band has a devoted fan base, and continues to produce music and tour. Vtialogy is one of the last reminders of the early 90s grunge era, and a record that capped off this historical year for rock music.