Absolutely. You beat me to them because I ignored this thread for awhile. Before I read your post I was about to submit:

Pavement or Soundgarden

I think I like Soundgarden's 80s albums better than their 90s albums, but I never heard their last album.

I like Soundgarden a lot, but my favorite album of theirs is pre-90's.

A lot of you guys have listed people who only put out 3 good albums over the course of the whole decade.

And I think Beck is fine answer. He stopped being good as soon as the '90s ended.



Interesting list. Polvo? I've got Exploded Drawing, but it was never enough to make me want to explore much further. I'm not a GBV fan, and I still haven't heard much Superchunk. Brainiac is a great choice, and so is The Jesus Lizard. The Mountain Goats '90s output is great. Nirvana and Radiohead didn't really do enough although their impact was very immediate. Never been a Sebadoh fan.

For BTS, there's my "only 3 good albums" complaint. So few good bands were prolific in the '90s. I think the last decade was when it became more common for bands to take two or more years between albums.



You should get more Flaming Lips. Their '90s run, ranked in my order of preference:

1. Clouds Taste Metallic
2. The Soft Bulletin
3. Transmissions from the Satellite Heart
4. In a Priest Driven Ambulance
5. Zaireeka
6. Hit to Death in the Future Head

I think all of them are great, and all are better than Yoshimi, At War with the Mystics, and, of course, their '80s output. They also put out two really good EPs in the '90s, but I think they're currently OOP. They're long overdue for a Warner Bros.-era B-sides and rarities comp.

I really need to get Clouds Taste Metallic badly. I have the Soft Bulletin, but it just hasn't quite hit home with me (GASP!). I like it, but don't love it.

Every Polvo release is top-notch. I don't know that I can say that about any other nineties band. My rankings of their material:

1) Celebrate the New Dark Age EP
2) Today's Active Lifestyles
3) Cor-crane Secret
4) Exploded Drawing
5) This Eclipse EP
6) Shapes

Soundgarden is a band I just never got. I can't stand Chris Cornell's voice.

Carter USM.

for me, probably pumpkins.

for music in general, pavement had a strong run.

will oldham/bonnie prince/palace music is up there as well.

Yeah, I mentioned that. All of the Palace stuff is really good.

One of these i guess.

Stone Roses
Dramarama
Inspiral Carpets
Teenage Fanclub
Nirvana
Fastbacks
Jesus Lizard
The Gories
Mudhoney
Melvins
Butthole

On the strength of their second album alone? Their debut was released in 89.

I saw them play plenty of times in the 90's.

Well, I'm convinced

Convinced with what?

I guess I could mention another band, maybe a 70s/80s holdover which released one mediocre album in the 90s but put on pretty good live shows all decade. I'll refrain.

I think the major criteria of this thread is recording output from 1990-99.

*sigh* whatever sk.

Best band of the 90's. Only criteria i saw.

Re-released most of the singles in 1990. Gig of the decade in 1990. Sweet tour in 95. Sweet album in 94 although not as as good as debut. Debut album re-released in 90 if i remember right. Comp in 95 or 96, sold millions.

Oh i forgot about The Walkabouts. Big fan of them, I will add them to my list.

After the Pumpkins, I think Radiohead qualifies just for the Bends. My Bestest, Favorite album ever. The Frusciante Peppers kicked serious ass, and yes, the Lips are undeniable as contenders. Built to Spill gets major kudos, as does B&S, who deserve a nod as much as Nirvana considering they only had half a decade of output. And I guess I really love those first three Pearl Jam discs, so props. Not that I've listened to them in years. Where are the Oasis supporters? Pavement deserves consideration based on the number of releases, plus I saw them live more than any other band in the 90's. This thread begs the question... What is the best decade for rock music?

OMG....this is a horrible decision on your part. There best albums are all prior to exploded drawing....and yes, Polvo is a prime choice for best band of the 90s. They are one of the best indie rock bands of all time, and you should without doubt, get the polvo ep, cor crane secret, celebrate the new dark age, this eclipse, and today's active lifestyles.

In all seriousness, this is a seminal indie rock band and should not be overlooked.

Spade, I wholeheartedly agree re Polvo. They're one of those bands that I can't listen to enough. I'm still sad that they are no longer putting out new music and touring. I only got to see them once at the Howlin Wolf in New Orleans. It was an awesome show.

OK, my new list includes B2S, Tool, Swervedriver and Polvo.

Which is the top is beyond me.

I'll throw in Archers Of Loaf.

Agreed.

Marcy Playground

Shit, what about Frente? The Murmurs? Eve 6? Oh oh i know! Train!