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Never Mind 'Nevermind': 10 Underrated '90s Alternative Albums

Moby Beck Michael Stipe R.E.M.Getty

Once upon a time, music fans had to actually pay for all their music, a phenomenon that peaked in the 1990s. The explosion of alt-rock left major labels awash in cash and on the hunt for "the next Nirvana." A ton of terrible music was released in the process, much of which sold by the bucket load thanks to the labels tendency to bury one catchy track in an otherwise mediocre album. (So, uh, how'd that business model work out for you guys?)

Still, the major labels did sign plenty of great bands -- its hard to imagine Warner Bros. signing a band like the Flaming Lips today -- and released some pretty stellar albums. Some of which wound up in the discount bin despite sounding as fresh in 2012 as they did when they were released.

So here's a list of the major label albums we hope are revisited, rediscovered and reassessed in ongoing '90s revival. This list reflects this writer's narrow music tastes as a pre-millennial teenager (mostly misanthropic alt-rock) so feel free to suggest, argue and complain in the comments.

View Top 10 Underrated Alternative Albums From the '90s
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al.leon

@DigMeOut: 96 podcasts?!?! On underrated 90's albums?? I am as big of a fan of 90's rock as much as the next person, but there is no way all of your selections could be quality. Especially when you're 'digging deeper' then any semblance of successful artists/albums.

November 14 2012 at 8:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to al.leon's comment
Dig Me Out Podcast

We've reviewed 96 albums, doesn't mean they're all perfect or deserved to be called "underrated." But some never saw the light of day in the first place because of bad release timing, or were mismanaged by a corporate shake-up and got no promotion.

November 15 2012 at 1:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Dig Me Out Podcast's comment
al.leon

Thanks for the reply! I'll check it out

November 16 2012 at 5:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down
Dig Me Out Podcast

10! We are 96 episodes into our podcast about this very subject. We dig deeper than REM, Beck, and Moby.

http://www.digmeoutpodcast.com/

November 14 2012 at 8:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
al.leon

Although both 'Monster' and 'Play' were both overexposed, the list does an excellent job of combining multiple facets of the 90's rock scene. My personal favorites are The Rentals''Seven More Minutes' and Local H's 'Pack Up The Cats.'

Side question: After 'PUTC' Scott Lucas and Joe Daniels unceremoniously split without ever reuniting, and without issuing a public explanation. Does anybody know what happened to Daniels' career, or why Local H split up?

November 14 2012 at 7:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to al.leon's comment
iangormely

Don't know why the two split up, but the band soldiers on - they just released their 7th record this year.

November 14 2012 at 11:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to iangormely's comment
al.leon

Living in the Chicagoland area, I have had a chance to follow the plight of their career, from headlining the Metro in 97 to playing in front of 50 people at the Hobart, IN block party. Their studio albums have always been fantastic, but after Daniels has left the band, the energy from their live shows has never been the same.

November 16 2012 at 5:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down
Roger Wink

Brilliant list.

I especially applaud your selections of both Midnight Vultures and Play. Vultures is an overlooked gem and I dare anyone to sit down while Sex Laws is playing.

Play was overexposed but that doesn't take away from the brilliance of the album as a whole.

November 13 2012 at 5:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply