Many of the hit songs from the 1990s are implanted in our brain, yet we have no idea. The '90s brought us a plethora of unique sounds, as well as the rugged, fuzzy guitar-work that leaves us wanting more.
Below are 7 of my favorite and most influential '90s bands that changed music forever:
1) Third Eye Blind
'Semi-Charmed Life' is an upbeat, radio-friendly song that appeals to the masses and is ostensibly 'pop.' On the inside, however, the lyrics offer insight into the lead singer's struggle with depression and addiction, as he sings "I want something to get me through this semi-charmed kind of life."
2) Radiohead
Radiohead epitomizes the music of the 90's with its mellow rhythms and fuzzy guitar. They also have a bunch of hits which I am certain you know. Get lost in yourself with the sound of the '90s.
3) Green Day
Everyone knows Green Day but not everyone knows how long they have been around. Their third studio album, Dookie (1994), brought Green Day into commercial stardom and will always be remembered as a true '90s hit.
4) Jets to Brazil
This lesser-known band will always have a place in my heart. Jets to Brazil brought personal, heart-felt lyrics to the scene that would help develop the surge of rock bands that founded 'emo' music. Serene and full of sensory pleasure, Jets to Brazil takes your head somewhere far away. Favorite lyric: "thank you for making me see there's a life in me. It was dying to get out."
5) Blink 182
"Well I guess this is growing up" is a lyric that has stuck with me for quite some while as I, well, grew up. Blink's album Dude Ranch fell on the scene in 1997 and will forever remain a cult classic. Bringing a fast paced style and that angsty-teen feeling, this band will always epitomize the '90s.
6) Weezer
Weezer's first LP and self-titled album, The Blue Album, dropped in 1994 and has since remained my favorite. Lead singer Rivers Cuomo dropped out of Harvard to work on this album and his intelligence truly shines. The lyrical beauty that is The Blue Album not only helped jump-start other indie bands, but helped pave the way for the future of emo music that would take place in the early 2000s.
7) American Football
American Football's first LP came out in 1999, so it will forever remain a "90's emo" classic. Without the work of its predecessors, the emergence of emo music would not have seen the light of day. American Football has the ability to put you in a trance of emotion that will leave you contemplating life's impermanence. The catharsis will leave you revitalized, however.
Honorable Mentions:
Nirvana (obviously)
Pearl Jam
Smashing Pumpkins
Oasis
Stone Temple Pilots
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Goo Goo Dolls
No Doubt
The 1990s brought us emotionally-charged songs and catchy guitar riffs that would bless the radio until its eventual demise. The '90s revolutionized music - especially rock music - paving the way for the future rock bands of the 2000s that we love and cherish.
