Insanely Great 90s Songs You're Not Sick of: 1994

 

It is scientifically impossible to be sick of this video

1994 was another seminal year for Alternative Rock. So many landmark albums were released it boggles the mind to consider so much great music came out in just a 12-month period. 

Albums like Nirvana Unplugged, Superunknown, The Downward Spiral, Vitalogy, Jar of Flies, Mellow Gold, Ill Communication, Dookie, the debuts of Weezer, Korn and Oasis, Purple, Sixteen Stone and The Crow soundtrack would be feeding playlists for decades, right up to this very day, in fact. 

If 1994 is somewhat less momentous than 1991, it’s only because the idea of an Alternative Rock blockbuster had lost its novelty by then.

Even the death of the de facto figurehead of Alt.Rock didn’t dim the lustre of that momentous year. If anything, the tragedy and mourning only heightened the adolescent passions that were fueling the movement. One can only imagine what might have been had the truth behind his death been known at the time.

The specter of death hovered over all the youthful excitement, paradoxically. The Crow became huge hit despite— or perhaps because of — the tragic accident that claimed the life of Brandon Lee, son of the legendary martial arts master who also died too young. The soundtrack was a huge hit thanks to tracks like Nine Inch Nails’ cover of Joy Division’s “Dead Souls.”

Machines of Loving Grace also had a song on that soundtrack, but I don’t really like it. Plus, I meant to post them in my 1991 playlist, so let’s listen to this killer closet classic instead.

The Downward Spiral was released the same day as Superunknown, which is kind of mind-boggling to consider. I think we all know which one I prefer. It’s hard to pick a favorite since the entire album is my favorite song, so let’s go with this corker.

Speaking of which, Jeff Buckley released his debut LP in 1994, which he and the band recorded after binging on Cocteau Twins records (true story). Buckley also began a torrid affair with the Oracle of the Apocalypse in March of '94 (true story), as prophesied in the very stars a billion years before (true story). He also had a fling with PJ Harvey, on account of he liked ‘em weird, crazy and dangerous.

Buckley’d also hook up with Joan Wasser of The Dambuilders, the Agdistis to his Attis, on account of he was apparently out to score with every kooky chanteuse whose music videos were prophesying his ultimate fate.

Another GenX martyr and his band released their best album in 1994, moving light years past the bombast and borrowings of their first album to create a totally unique and groundbreaking sound all their own. 

Pearl Jam also overcame the overproduced ardor of their earlier works, in order to get down to writing and recording great songs. Unfortunately, they would also soon overcome their sales, but that’s another story. Love this album and especially love this track.

Another band that had previously gotten on my nerves found their footing in 1994. Live dropped the slap bass and ponderous non-melodies and served up some great radio-ready rock to drive around in your brand new Saturn SL2 to. God, I miss that car.

Oasis didn’t make much of a splash in the States until their second album, but this song still brings back the warm and fuzzy memories.

Same can be said for Prodigy, who wouldn’t break the US until 1997’s Fat of the Land. But I fucking love this shit here. Plus, they’re from Braintree. Braintree, England, mind you. But still.

Bristol-borne Trip Hop made its mark in 1994. This was my favorite cut on Portishead’s classic debut. Smoky, sexy and smoldery.

And this is my favorite cut on Massive Attack’s second album, Protection. Everyone say hi to Banksy. Hey there, Banksy.

Honey-mouthed chanteuse Tracey Thorn cooed on the title track of Protection and released a classic album with her own project. You’re all sick to death of the hit, so let’s listen to this gorgeous tearjerker. Go on and have a good cry. You’ll feel better. 

Sonic Youth released an album whose title I don’t feel like typing either, but still love this moody, atmospheric classic. I generally prefer their more moody and atmospheric material to the clongy stuff.

Another underground It Girl went ‘mersh with this song. Can’t say it’s my favorite song in the world, but I do love that riff.

OK, those are some of the records everyone is familiar with. Now let’s go for some of the more overlooked releases of 1994.

California pop-punk made a big splash with hits by Green Day, Offspring and Rancid, but I’ll let this furious face-puncher from Portland punks Fitz of Depression fly the flag for ’94 Neo-Punk.  For me a great punk rock song should leave you feeling like you just got jumped by a bunch of guys in the alley. You should be like, “what the fuck just happened?” Like here.

The Veldt were a band who put a soul sheen on 90s guitar rock. This is a phenomenal song and really should have gotten more exposure. Those chord changes melt my brain.

When I first conceived this series of 90s deep cuts, this was one of the songs foremost in my thoughts. This industrial post-punk band never really caught on, possibly on account of the fact they called themselves “Dink.”

The grand-daddies of Industrial postpunkmetalwhatever returned to the scene and got the most stateside exposure they would ever enjoy.  Pandemonium featured vocals recorded inside the Kings Chamber of the Great Pyramid and more scorchingly-catchy riffs than you can wave a magic wand at.

The Flaming Lips took a lot of drugs, recorded this freak-pop classic, took some more drugs, then recorded something else. Enjoy.

The industry cracked down on sampling by '94, so sample-crazed sound terrorists Renegade Soundwave were facing the end of the road. They did manage another nicely nihilistic toe-tapper. It features one of my favorite verses of all time: “We deliver, never start without me/ Because when I find my sounds/ You’re going to wish you’d taken acid.”

Eric Avery and David Navarro did their post-Janes Addiction thing, which was a kind of Primus-Chili Peppers-beatnik poetry fusion that I think no one actually bought but me. Needless to say, I love this album. David Navarro was my favorite guitarist for quite some time, largely on the strength of it.

Speaking of beatnik poetry, Soul Coughing released their classic, all-killer debut album. It’s hard to pick a favorite but I’ll go with this, since it’s the first thing I ever heard from them. Set your alarm for 5 AM and listen to it again then.

Another bunch of weirdos that got pulled into the almighty X-Files orbit released their hilariously non-Woke Chocolate and Cheese album. Again, hard to pick just one but this song is absolute genius. These guys are great musicians, believe it.

Lush released this great set, a very nice recovery after the somewhat wan Spooky album. Unfortunately they’d turn into Elastica on their next album. But it put some much-needed moolah in their pockets, so you go, girls.

I’m feeling like there are a lot of songs I’m overlooking but that’s what addenda are for. So let’s close this out with this bulletproof bonanza of beauteous pop gold, featuring Nina Persson looking and sounding fresh as a daisy.

Now get your ass in gear and drop some of your 1994 favorites in the comments. 

Don't forget The Secret Sun Institute of Advanced Synchromysticism, now holding classes in the highly strange. There's a ton of exclusive material up already and so much more on the way. 

And don't forget the all-night 90s lotus party over at SHRR...

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