1990's
Flying Away by Smoke City
Flying Away
Smoke City
1997
I somehow missed this excellent bossa-nova and trip-hop mashup that was released when I was graduating high school. This album is a classic for many great reasons and listening I can hear the origin of many other bands. I’m sad that it’s only one of two they released before disbanding.
Recommended Track: Jamie Pan
Six Wheels On My Wagon by Fluke
Six Wheels On My Wagon
Fluke
1993
In a similar way to contemporaries like Orbital and Underworld, Fluke made albums that were designed to be listened to in full. Sure, some tracks were pulled out for singles but the melodic flow of the entire album is where the real joy in listening can be found.
Recommended Track: Groovy Feeling
Songs From The Cool World by Various Artists
Songs From The Cool World
Various Artists
1992
Easily one of the most influential albums to me ever. This has been in my yearly rotation ever since I bought it on tape back in 1992. Before this album, British meant The Beatles but after my ears were opened to the then-new electronic dance sounds coming out of the country, my tastes were forever changed.
Recommended Track: Papua New Guinea - 7" original
Hello by Poe
Hello
Poe
1996
When I bought this album in the middle of my sophomore year of high school, I had no idea that I was about to listen to a piece of art. It’s a crime that so few people know about it. This is the album that birthed Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill and helped her brother, Mark Danielewski, write the novel House of Leaves. Listen past the 90’s grunge tracks and you’ll find artistic fusions of electronic, jazz, and hip-hop.
Recommended Track: Dolphin
Our Time in Eden by 10,000 Maniacs
Our Time in Eden
10,000 Maniacs
1992
For at least a year of middle school, my family would put this album on during dinner and everyone would end up singing along with it. I’ve listened to this whole album so many times that I no longer have an impartial view of it.
Recommended Track: Eden
Erotica by The Darling Buds
Erotica
The Darling Buds
1992
Low-end distorted guitars, heartbeat bass, and strong drum flairs; the 1990’s is strong with this one. Everything about this album sounds like my youth. Another excellent Welsh band for my collection.
Recommended Track: Please Yourself
So I Married An Axe Murderer OST by Various Artists
So I Married An Axe Murderer OST
Various Artists
1993
I would love to know how many times I’ve listened to this soundtrack over my lifetime because the number has to be insanely high. With that many listens, I’ve lost all objectivity to this early 1990’s alt-rock treasure box.
Recommended Track: Long Day In The Universe
Second Toughest In The Infants by Underworld
Second Toughest In The Infants
Underworld
1996
When machines are in motion, they emit all kinds of clicks, whirrs, and whistle noises. Underworld’s music sounds like those noises but for human thought. You’ve probably heard the big hits from this album but I invite you to hear them in context with their surrounding tracks.
Recommended Track: Cherry Pie
Thrills by Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire, Andrew Bird
Thrills
Andrew Bird’s Bowl Of Fire, Andrew Bird
1998
It’s no surprise that I love this album as Andrew Bird was part of making the Squirrel Nut Zippers, easily my favorite band of all time, a success. An intoxicating mix or jazz, folk, and pure joy.
Track recommendation: Glass Figurine
Fairytales Of Slavery by Miranda Sex Garden
Fairytales Of Slavery
Miranda Sex Garden
1994
If the soundtrack to the middling 1995 movie Hideaway hadn’t been so good, I might never have discovered this incredible album. Artfully blending gothic madrigal singing with driving industrial rock makes for a kind of crazy drama that I am very here for. More classically trained artists should dabble in pop.
Track recommendation: Cut
Solid State Logik 1 by The KLF
Solid State Logik 1
The KLF
1991
This is the closest version to the original 1991 release, “The White Room” that you can find on streaming. I remember buying it for my best friend’s birthday that year and we listened to it over many hours of Street Fighter II. I was far too young at the time to know of or understand any of the band’s self-hating shenanigans and took their music at face value. I’m all the better for it because several of their tracks were instrumental in getting me further into the new electronic sounds coming from England.
Track recommendation: 3AM Eternal
Seal by Seal
Seal
Seal
1994
Many convention-breaking details have kept this album elevated past the decade it was created in. Have I really been listening to this album for nearly 30 years!?
Track recommendation: Kiss from a Rose
Fashion Nugget by CAKE
Fashion Nugget
CAKE
1996
Best when loudly sung along to in the car. Listen past the hit singles and you’ll discover unique, irreverent pop arrangements.
Track recommendation: Italian Leather Sofa