100. DE LA SOUL- DE LA SOUL IS DEAD (1991)
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The Long Island Trio figured that killing “The D.A.I.S.Y. Age”- the tag line for their brilliant debut “3 Feet High and Rising” (one of the best Rap releases ever IMO) was the only way they could follow it up. “De La Soul Is Dead” is just as sprawling as “3 Feet High” and certainly has its humorous moments but it’s a much darker album focusing on issues such as incest & drug addiction. Howeve, should be wedding staple (and a contender for happiest song ever written) “A Roller Skating Jam Called ‘Saturdays’” lightens the mood.
“A Roller Skating Jam Called ‘Saturdays’”*Not Available on iTunes
“Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)” *Not Available on iTunes
99. THE BEASTIE BOYS- ILL COMMUNICATION (1994)
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This was the first Beastie Boys album that didn’t necessarily change the game- after the white rappers meets Led Zeppelin debut, Paul’s Boutique’s brilliant sample collages and “Check Your Head’s” mix of rap, hardcore & lone stoner jazz jams seemed to influence nearly everything in their wake.. “Ill Communication” is still filled with lots of great moments- funk stoner jams, native-tongues style rap and even great rap-rock (which would increasingly become oxymoronic in the ensuing years). Also one of the best videos of all time with “Sabotage”
Buy “Get It Together (Feat. Q-Tip)”
Buy “Sure Shot”
98. UNCLE TUPELO- ANODYNE (1993)
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“Anodyne is the fourth and final release of one of the progenitors of the alternative country movement. Jay Farrar, the prime song writer in Uncle Tupelo, would go on to later form Son Volt, while Jeff Tweedy would start the seminal Wilco. I love every Tupelo album but this is their most hard hitting.
Buy “Chickamauga”
Buy “The Long Cut”
97. THE BREEDERS- LAST SPLASH (1993)
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The second release for Kim Deal’s (of Pixies fame) other band. Where Kim was the only woman in the Pixies the drummer, Jim McPherson, is the only man in The Breeders. While this album can be a bit of a mess- many of the songs sound unfinished- it is loads of fun. Kim obviously had a treasure trove of songs that weren’t seeing enough light with her other legendary band and outs them to good use here.. Includes huge pop hit (and best song on the album) “Cannonball”
Buy “Cannonball”
“Divine Hammer” *Not available on iTunes
96. BJORK- DEBUT (1993)
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”Debut” is the aptly named album from the former co-lead vocalist of Iceland’s stellar late 80’s group “The Sugarcubes”. With her one of a kind voice Bjork combines avant- pop with club music to create her first of many wonderfully weird albums.
Buy “Human Behavior”
Buy “Big Time Sensuality”
95. RAEKWON- ONLY BUILT 4 CUBAN LINX (1995)
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One of the very best Wu releases (solo or otherwise) from the year they ruled the rap world. The Raekwon the Chef brings a cinematic approach to gangsta rap taking cues from many mafia movies of the past- ala The Godfather, Goodfellas and especially Scarface. Would prove incredibly influential on virtually every gangsta rap release of the 00’s both for better and for worse as rappers would base the content of entire albums and even careers on drug selling.
Buy “Ice Cream”
Buy “Incarcerated Scarfaces”
94. PRIMAL SCREAM- SCREAMADELICA (1991)
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Game changing album in Great Britain, which combined house music and rave culture with rock n’ roll & modern psychedelia (its precursor was the first Stone Roses album in ’89 but “Screamadelica” took it much further). “Screamadelica” hold up extremely well for an album that soundtracked and is so tied to an era.
Buy “Movin’ On Up”
Buy “Loaded”
93. PJ HARVEY- DRY (1992)
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Brilliant debut from the eccentric Brit. PJ would change up her style with each successive album. “Dry” is furious, stark, sexy & lo-fi with heavy guitars. Not for the faint of heart or for those who like their music made for radio
Buy “Sheela-Na-Gig”
Buy “Dress”
92. DAFT PUNK- HOMEWORK (1997)
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French duo define techno for the next ten years and counting by moving away from the Big Beat moves of Chem Bros, Fatboy Slim & The Prodigy and taking it back to the dance floor.
Buy “Da Funk”
Buy “Around the World”
91. PEARL JAM- VS. (1993)
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Superstars after the worldwide success of “Ten”, The Seattle grunge five-some release a follow up almost as good as the first one- stretching by going both in more of a punk direction (W.M.A) and acoustic directions (Daughter, Elderly Woman). “Vs.” was released at the height of Pearl Jam-mania which would last through their next album “Vitalogy” and would decrease with each successive release.
Buy “Rearview Mirror”
Buy “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town”