Music: Rock

Hi !

The nineties brought us some great Rock bands that broadened the genre. Bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam really brought Grunge to the mainstream, whereas bands like Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead and Smashing Pumpkins broadened the alternative rock sound.

Grunge became known in the early nineties as a genre that had a “dirty” sound and where the artists had an unkempt appearance. They rebelled against the mainstream rock which they thought was commercialized and too highly produced. Grunge lyrics were often about social alienation and entrapment and had an apathic feel to it. The popularity of Grunge declined when Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain died in 1994 (and Nirvana subsequently seized to exist), Pearl Jam had touring problems and Alice in Chains lead singer Layne Stanley left the band in 1996. After Grunge, post-grunge became more popular with bands like Foo Fighters, whose front man was Nirvanas old drummer.

Another popular rock genre was pop-punk with leading bands such as Green Day and Weezer. These bands had a fan base of mostly teenagers, which proved to be a great success. Alternative rock and metal emerged from the late 80’s hardcore scene and gained popularity after grunge broke into the mainstream. Alternative rock and metal fused all sorts of genres like prog-rock, punk, industrial and even hip-hop and rap (bands like Rage Against the Machine and Red Hot Chili Peppers).

Rock is a genre that proves to be timeless, since many of the artists mentioned here are still active today with bringing out new albums and touring. Here is a list of greatest rock songs of the 90’s. (In a random order, everyone can decide for themselves what the best song is).

Click on the link to see the youtube video of each song.

1.  The Offspring - Self Esteem
2.  Weezer – Buddy Holly
3.  Green Day – Basket Case
4.  Alice In Chains – Man In The Box
5.  Foo Fighters - Everlong
6.  Nine Inch Nails – Closer
7.  Rage Against the Machine – Killing In The Name Of
8.  Red Hot Chili Peppers – Under The Bridge
9.  Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun
10.  Depeche Mode – Enjoy The Silence
11.  Radiohead – Paranoid Android
12.  Nirvana - Come As You Are
13.  Smashing Pumpkins – 1979
14.  Blur - Song 2
15.  Metallica - Enter Sandmen
16.  Radiohead - Creep
17.  Oasis - Wonderwall
18.  Pearl Jam - Jeremy
19.  R.E.M. – Losing My Religion
20.  Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit

Next time the topic will be 90’s hip-hop and rap!

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