I don't think this was a particularly good year. What do you think?

True that this is a compilation of older material, but it is the first time that most of North America had been introduced to Tom Zé. It was certainly the first time that I had been, which makes it a very important record for me. But, no matter, if you have any interest in Tom Zé and have not yet heard any of his music, this is a great placed to start. And it was released in 1990.


Another exceptionally important album in my own personal cannon. But, as well, the debut from UT, gave name to the insurgent country movement that was just beginning to flower. This is still my favorite album of theirs, and it's their most-raw and (IMO) most-powerful, as well.

Pixies, the La's, Fugazi, London Quireboys, House of Love ... pretty good year overall.

Love that John Doe record.
And yeah, The La's is just about perfect.

for those into Death Metal, this was one of the most, if not the most important year in history.

KLF: The Chill Out
Probably the album from 1990 that I have listened to the most over the years. If you have any interest in ambient music, you've probably listened to this one.


No time to put much down here, but Uncle Tupelo's debut, No Depression, Galaxie 500's This is Our Music, Public Enemy's Fear of a Black Planet, Revolting Cock's Beers, Steers and Queers, Sonic Youth's Goo, and a Lou Reed/John Cale Collaboration for Andy Warhol called Songs for Drella add up to a decent year. And don't forget Digital Underground.

I'd actually be kinda interested in hearing some of those death metal albums. Someday.

And one day I'll have the patience to give KLF a fair chance, too, I suppose.

Among the things I like from this year:


Sun City Girls - Torch of the Mystics
An easy pick for my favorite SCG record because it's pretty short, focused, and relatively accessible but still weird and awesome.


The Flaming Lips - In a Priest Driven Ambulance
Their first truly good (or great) album, and the better of the two with Jonathan Donahue in the band. Really kind of lays the groundwork for their second and best phase, as a noisy but catchy and melodic guitar band.


Bastro - Sing the Troubled Beast
Early math/noise/post-rock. David Grubbs was in this band. I really dig this record a lot.

Those are more or less my top 3 of the year, actually.

Is that the Flaming Lips with Jesus Shooting Heroin?

No that was their first album Hear It Is.

Entombed 'Left Hand Path' is (imo) the most essential Death Metal album ever released. The production and guitar sound at that time simply blew everyone away because it was so incredibly heavy, and completely original. The songs are, dare I say, catchy, and they have a solid groove. Extreme Metal would not exist as it is today without this album.

Here is a 320 rip:

Thanks - grabbing it now.

1990 had some great albums.

I still put this on more than Graceland.



Played the hell out of this that summer.

yeah, good call.

I adore this album. The beat making and scratching and rapping all work so perfectly together. Premier got tighter over the years, but for me this is where he is the most expressive. The outro to "Who's Gonna Take The Weight?" is so incredibly good, and my favorite moment of scratching ever.

I haven't thought of this album in a really long time, and didn't put two and two together that it's the same guy who hosts my fiance's favorite radio show, The Many Moods of Ben Vaughn. As a youngster I thought, "Growing a Beard" was the coolest song ever.

Agreed, but that Hunter/Ronson was from 1989.

Pretty good year.










Plus stuff by the Bats, the Clean, Trashcan Sinatras, Field Mice, Tall Dwarfs. +1 on the La's

My rip had '90. Blasted inaccuracies.

Probably my favourite of 1990 (and top 10 punk album of all time):

I was just coming to post the Depeche Mode and TMBG albums above. Oh well.

+1 on Public Enemy, Jane's Addiction, TMGB, Social Distortion, and 'Shmode


A highly-rated early music recording. Technically a 2007 release, but I'm including it here because it was recorded in 1990.

Full Gramaphone review
CD on Hyperion Records website, with liner notes from Christopher Page


Still my favorite Ministry release, with the (IMHO) definitive recordings of "So What," "Thieves," and "Stigmata."


Still my favorite show EVER!


One for huskerpunk. A well-executed "Humpty Dance" goes down a storm at karaoke.

Some other stuff from '90 I've owned and liked:

Oh man. Totally formative year for me. Freshman year of high school. As such, I'm sure anything I recommend people have heard. I was just as likely to be listening to Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation or Phil Collins "But Seriously" or Motley Crue's Dr. Feelgood as I was NWA or The Pixies. 120 Minutes was the most important show on TV for me at the time. I used to record it Sunday night and watch it after school on Monday.

I wil say I wore out copies of Fear of a Black Planet, Bloodletting. Shake Your Money Maker, Mama Said Knock You Out, Goo, and Bossanova. Also remember being really into "Blow Your Cool" by Hoodoo Gurus at the time but that's not from 1990.





Great call Sketch. Had this on tape. Destroys all their studio output.

Also, this was a big album for me at the time. I would def say anyone should hear this if they haven't. Total time capsule and maybe the peak of the Madchester thing:



Happy Mondays - Pills, Thrills, and Bellyaches

Actually, upon further inspection, if I'm totally honest, this was probably the most played thing by me that year: