1996- two years out of college.  I started the year with a bang, craziest New Year’s Eve of my life- details NOT to follow.  That spring I met and fell in love with my future wife and I spent the summer waiting tables on the rooftop of a restaurant in Bryant Park, NYC.  But enough about me.  How was the music?  Alternative nation was holding on for dear life.  Many great indie bands had been signed to major labels in the wake of grunge’s big successes earlier in the decade.  Some good albums were being made on the majors dime, to varying degrees of marketing push and sales.  While radio and MTV embraced alternative more from 1991-95 than at any other time, by ’96 the music was depressingly in the process of being bastardized and homogenized.  A few years later imposters like Creed, Seven Mary 3, Days of the New & Sponge would dominate both radio & MTV, making heavy alternative music more corporate and boring.  Though Nirvana was kaputt, Alice in Chains breaking up, Pearl Jam’s influence waning and Soundgarden running on fumes there was also plenty to like in 1996- some mind-blowing electronic music, the best Beck album ever in “Odelay” and despite DJ Shadow’s protests (Why Hip Hop Sucks in ’96) a very healthy rap scene.

The way I hear it 1996 produced four classic albums-  Beck’s “Odelay”, DJ Shadow’s “Entroducing”, Weezer’s left field emo masterpeice “Pinkerton” & Jay-Z’s fantastic debut “Reasonable Doubt”.  I list an additional 16 records below that I consider pretty great as well but want to mention a few more that just missed the cut- not because they aren’t near great as well but because I limit the list to 20 albums.  In indie-rock the math-rockers Chavez “Ride the Fader” & Elliott Smith’s band Heatmiser’s “Mic City Sons”.  In rap 2Pac released his swan-song, the double album “All Eyes On Me” 6 months before his murder.  Philadelphia’s Roots, released “Iladelph Halflife”, one of their stronger albums.  Provocative & sultry chanteuse Fiona Apple released her debut “Tidal”, which garnered three hits and tons of publicity.  Post-rock band Tortoise’s groundbreaking “Millions Among Us Will Never Die” was a sensation as well- at least among critics and musicians.  The U.K.’s Manic Street Preachers’s “Everything Must Go”  was either their strongest or second strongest album of their career.  ’96 may not have been a very top heavy year but with albums like the above not even cracking the top 20, it certainly was a deep year.

Rap music was experiencing quite a sea change.  The conscious rap of the early 90’s was taking a back seat to the west coast gangsta rap of Death Row Records and the East Coast jiggy-rap of Bad Boy Records.  East Coast vs. West Coast dominated conversation, particularly in the wake of 2Pac’s murder that September.  But with any dominant scene alternatives to that scene will emerge.  DJ Shadow, a crate digger out in San Fran, created his nearly all instrumental, esoteric, tripped out masterpiece “Entroducing” out of a pile of unrecognizable samples.  The album still sounds fresh to this day.  Kool Keith, formerly of 80’s hip hop pioneers Ultramagnetic MC’s, under alias Dr. Octagon caused an underground sensation with the truly wacked-out anti-commercial “Dr. Octagynecologist”.  Down south groups like Outkast, UGK & Geto Boyz were recording great music portending the dominance of the “Dirty South” a few years later.  Outkast’s second album “ATLiens” is still considered by some of their fans (not by me) to be their best album.  Up in Staten Island, the Wu-Tang Clan had released a handful of classic Wu solo albums the year before.  They saved one of their best for ’96 with “Iron Man” by Ghostface Killah.  Ghost would go on to become the Wu’s most consistent solo performer throughout the next decade and a half and up into the present day.  Two other albums that took a nod from earlier Native Tongues rappers like Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul were the aforementioned Roots and perhaps the biggest rap success story of ’96, Newark, NJ’s Fugees.  Their second album “The Score” was a huge crossover success, selling millions and spawning three ubiquitous hits- “Fu-Gee-La, “Ready Or Not” & especially the Roberta Flack cover “Killing Me Softly With His Song”.  Though Tribe’s ’96 album was pretty much a stuff, De La came out with the underrated Stakes Is High”, showing once again that hype & sales is not necessarily a match with quality.  Though it would take several years to be recognized as such, Brooklyn’s Jay-Z’s debut “Reasonable Doubt” is now a certified rap classic and perhaps the best showcase for his pure rapping.  It remains one of his best albums.  Female’s like Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown were each pushing boundaries of taste showing the world that females could be just as nasty and explicit as their male counterparts.  And “Hardcore” by Lil’ Kim was actually a pretty bangin’ album.  Busta Rhymes debut album “The Coming”, along with his signature song “Woo-Hah! Got You All in Check”, were huge hits in ’96.  Queens rappers Nas & Mobb Deep both released strong sophomore albums, both with their share of classics but neither matching the quality of their debuts.

Though much of the R&B music in ’96 was being made by boy groups like Boys II Men, Jodeci & the re-formed New Edition and the omnipresent, saccharine “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly was busy polluting up the airwaves a few truly interesting tracks made their way up the charts that would point toward where the genre was headed toward the end of the decade.  “No Diggity” by Blackstreet (Feat. Dr. Dre), “Pony” by Ginuwine and the entire “One in a Million” album (but particularly the title cut) by Aaliyah were all hot, groundbreaking cuts that combined hip-hop & R&B.  The latter two were produced by Timbaland, who along with the Neptunes, would become the most important producers of urban music into the next century.  Maxwell merged on the scene with his debut “Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite”.  Along with Erykah Badu & D’Angelo he would help pave the way for an entire new-soul movement, a throwback 70’s era smooth soul- more organic and less computerized beats.

Alternative music was being split into many factions.  As I previously mentioned the major labels were still churning out some high quality alt-rock despite some diminishing returns.  Though Soundgarden’s “Down On the Upside” was a dip in quality from their last two albums, it still sold and tracks like “Pretty Noose” and “Burden In My Hand” were  career highlights.  Weezer’s sophomore album “Pinkerton” was a box office bomb after their smash debut, but developed a cult following and is now thought of as one of their best records and as a progenitor for Emo music (for better and mostly for worse).  Rage Against the Machine’s 2nd album “Evil Empire” mined similar territory as their debut and produced the classic “Bulls On Parade”.  Tool, who had straddled the fence between metal and alternative released their best album “Aenima”.  R.E.M., still one of the biggest bands in the world, released their last great album, the still underrated “New Adventures in Hi-Fi”.  One-hit wonder type power pop by some pretty good bands like Fountains of Wayne, Imperial Teen, Ash, the Cardigans, Jason Falkner (formerly of Jellyfish) & Cake also came from the majors.  So. California’s Sublime released their very good major label debut- an album that sounded much better year’s before it was beaten into your brain by Clear Channel radio.  Even the great indie band Archers of Loaf somehow recorded their ’96 album “All the Nations’s Airports” under the Elektra banner.

Despite the major label grab the indie labels were still flourishing.  Portland’s Sleater-Kinney came out with their sophomore album “Call the Doctor” on Kill Rock Stars and it made a name for the band appearing on numerous year-end lists.  Fellow Portlanders Modest Mouse released their debut album and even better “Interstate 8” EP.  Ohio’s Guided By Voices released “Under the Bushes, Under the Stars”, their third straight great album, cementing their status as one of their scene’s leading lights.  Groups like Brainiac, Girls Against Boys, Jersey’s great unknowns the Wrens, Silkworm, Sebadoh & Canada’s Sloan also all had noteworthy releases.  Frustrating psych-rock band Brian Jonestown Massacre, one of the subjects of future documentary “Dig!” released three albums in ’96.  It was to this date both their best and most prolific year.  Down in Atlanta the Elephant Six collective, inspired equally by 60’s pop and acid, was releasing some great and important music.  Both the Olivia Tremor Control & Neutral Milk Hotel’s debuts came out that year.  By the end of the decade that style of music would play a bigger part in the public’s consciousness.  Across the pond two extremely important acts emerged- Belle & Sebastian & Super Furry Animals.  Both would go on to record a plethora of great music.  B&S wouldn’t really hit in the U.S. until the following year’s “If You’re Feeling Sinister” which came out in -96 in the U.K. only.

Alternative country was also a big deal in ’96.  Chicago’s Wilco released the double album “Being There” which really stretched the groups boundaries, including experimental noise and extended to jamming to their sound, which was much more straight-forward country-rock on their debut “A.M.” as year earlier.  Steve Earle, a country star who had crossed over to alt-country continued to solidify his rock rep with “I Feel Alright”.  Ryan Adams’s band Whisketown released their debut “Faithless Street”, which had its share of great tracks.  Longtime recording artists Los Lobos continued to push boundaries, incorporating Tom Waits style instrumentation to their roots rock sound with the album “Colossal Head”.  Even mainstream star Sheryl Crow got both more experimental and more country with her self-titled sophomore album and it became another huge hit for her.

Much of the most groundbreaking music of the year was electronic.  I already mentioned the great albums by Tortoise and DJ Shadow.  Tricky’s “Pre-Millennium Tension”, only pales in comparison to his near perfect debut “Maxinquaye”.  Though the trip-hop sound would quickly become played out by the end of the decade, “Tension” should still be looked at as a highlight and had its own unique sound, even apart from “Maxinquaye”.  Everything But the Girl’s “Walking Wounded” was another solid album on the back of the group’s worldwide smash club hit “Missing” a year earlier.  London’s Stereolab, another great post-rock band, released perhaps their greatest album “Emperor Tomato Ketchup”, which raised their profile considerably.  The hermetic wunderkind “Aphex Twin” released the “Richard D. James” album, which only added to his genius among the laptop set.  Three of the biggest electronica groups in the U.K.- Underworld, the Chemical Brothers & Orbital all had important released in ’96.  Underworld was riding the success of “Born Slippy”, featured prominently on the Trainspotting soundtrack, a huge movie and soundtrack that year among hipsters everywhere.  “Slippy” remains one of the most monumentally great tracks of the entire genre.  Underworld’s “Second Toughest in Infants” (which does not contains the track) is also an excellent companion album.

 

BECK- ODELAY

Buy Odelay (Deluxe Edition) – Beck
Buy Odelay – Deluxe EditionAmazon

 

 

 

R.E.M.- NEW ADVENTURES IN HI-FI

Buy New Adventures In Hi-Fi – R.E.M.
Buy New Adventures In Hi-Fi (U.S. Version)Amazon

 

 

 

FUGEES- THE SCORE

Buy The Score – Fugees
Buy The ScoreAmazon

 

 

 

APHEX TWIN- RICHARD D. JAMES ALBUM

Buy Richard D. James Album – Aphex Twin
Buy Richard D. James Album (US Release)Amazon

 

 

 

STEREOLAB- EMPEROR TOMATO KETCHUP

Buy Emperor Tomato Ketchup – Stereolab
Buy Emperor Tomato KetchupAmazon

 

 

OLIVIA TREMOR CONTROL- DUSK AT CUBIST CASTLE

Buy Music From The Unrealized Film Script: Dusk At Cubist Castle – The Olivia Tremor Control
Buy Dusk at Cubist CastleAmazon

 

 

 

OUTKAST- ATLiens

Buy ATLiens – OutKast
Buy ATLiens [Explicit]Amazon

 

 

DJ SHADOW- ENTRODUCING

Buy Endtroducing… (Deluxe Edition) – DJ Shadow
Buy Endtroducing…Amazon

 

 

 

WILCO- BEING THERE

Buy Being There – Wilco
Buy Being ThereAmazon

 

 

GUIDED BY VOICES- UNDER THE BUSHES, UNDER THE STARS

Buy Under The Bushes Under The Stars (Bonus Tracks) – Guided By Voices
Buy Under The Bushes Under The Stars (Bonus Tracks)Amazon

 

 

BELLE & SEBASTIAN- TIGERMILK

Buy Tigermilk – Belle and Sebastian
Buy TigermilkAmazon

 

 

UNDERWORLD- SECOND TOUGHEST IN INFANTS

Buy Second Toughest In the Infants – Underworld
*Album not available via Amazon
SLEATER-KINNEY- CALL THE DOCTOR

Buy Call the Doctor – Sleater-Kinney
Buy Call the DoctorAmazon

 

 

DR. OCTAGON- DR. OCTAGYNECOLOGIST

Buy Dr. Octagonecologyst – Dr. Octagon
Buy Dr. Octagonecologyst [Explicit]Amazon

 

 

TOOL- AENIMA

*Album not available via iTunes
Buy AenimaAmazon
WEEZER- PINKERTON

Buy Pinkerton (Deluxe Edition) – Weezer
Buy Pinkerton – Deluxe Edition [+Digital Booklet]Amazon

 

 

 

THE WRENS- SECAUCUS

Buy Secaucus – Wrens
Buy SecaucusAmazon

 

 

 

GHOSTFACE KILLAH- IRONMAN

Buy Ironman – Ghostface Killah
Buy IronmanAmazon

 

 

TRICKY- PRE-MILLENNIUM TENSION

Buy Pre-Millennium Tension – Tricky
Buy Pre-Millennium TensionAmazon

 

 

JAY-Z- REASONABLE DOUBT

Buy Reasonable Doubt – Jay-Z
Buy Reasonable DoubtAmazon

Best of 1996 Volume 1 (1/25/03)

1.  Sleater-Kinney- I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone

Buy I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone – Call the Doctor
Buy I Wanna Be Your Joey RamoneAmazon

2.  The Chemical Brothers- Setting Sun

Buy Setting Sun – Dig Your Own Hole

Buy Setting SunAmazon

3.  DJ Shadow- What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 4)

Buy What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 4) – Endtroducing…

Buy What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 4)Amazon

4.  The Roots- Push Up Ya Lighter

Buy Push Up Ya Lighter – Illadelph Halflife

Buy Push Up Ya Lighter [Explicit]Amazon

5.  The Fugees- Fu-Gee-La

Buy Fu-Gee-La (Sly & Robbie Mix) – The Fugees: Greatest Hits

Buy Fu-Gee-La (Sly & Robbie Mix)Amazon

6.  Ash- Kung Fu

Buy Kung Fu – 1977 / Trailer (Remastered)

Buy Kung Fu (2008 Remastered)Amazon

7.  Imperial Teen- You’re One

*Track not available via iTunes

Buy You’re OneAmazon

8.  Manic Street Preachers- A Design for Life

Buy A Design for Life – Everything Must Go

Buy A Design For Life Amazon

9.  Rage Against The Machine- Bulls On Parade

Buy Bulls On Parade – Evil Empire

Buy Bulls on ParadeAmazon

10.  Archers Of Loaf- Vocal Schrapnel

*Track not available via iTunes

Buy Vocal Shrapnel Amazon

11.  The Cardigans- Lovefool

Buy Lovefool – First Band on the Moon

Buy LovefoolAmazon

12.  Busta Rhymes- Woo Hah!  Got You All In Check

Buy Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check – The Coming

Buy Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check ( Explicit LP Version)Amazon

13.  Nas- If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)

Buy If I Ruled the World (Imagine That) – It Was Written

Buy If I Ruled The World (imagine that)Amazon

14.  R.E.M.- E-Bow the Letter

Buy E-Bow the Letter – New Adventures In Hi-Fi

Buy E-Bow The LetterAmazon

15.  Belle & Sebastian- The State I Am In

Buy The State I Am In – Push Barman to Open Old Wounds

Buy The State I Am InAmazon

16.  Beck- Jack-Ass

Buy Jack-Ass – Odelay

Buy Jack-AssAmazon

17.  Sublime- What I Got

Buy What I Got – Sublime

Buy What I Got (Album Version (Explicit)) [Explicit]Amazon

18.  Steve Earle (with Lucinda Williams)- You’re Still Standing There

Buy You’re Still Standin’ There – I Feel Alright

Buy You’re Still Standin’ There (Album Version)Amazon

19.  Wilco- Sunken Treasure

Buy Sunken Treasure – Being There

Buy Sunken Treasure (LP Version)Amazon

Best of 1996 Volume 2 (1/27/03)

1.  Steve Earle- I Feel Alright

Buy Feel Alright – I Feel Alright

Buy Feel Alright (Album Version)Amazon

2.  Beck- Devil’s Haircut

Buy Devils Haircut – Odelay

Buy Devils HaircutAmazon

3.  The Fugees- Ready Or Not

Buy Ready or Not – The Score

Buy Ready Or NotAmazon

4.  Stereolab- The Noise Of Carpet

Buy The Noise of Carpet – Emperor Tomato Ketchup

Buy The Noise Of Carpet (LP Version)Amazon

5.  Fiona Apple- Criminal

Buy Criminal – Tidal

Buy CriminalAmazon

6.  Luscious Jackson- Why Do I Lie?

Buy Why Do I Lie? – Fever In Fever Out

Buy Why Do I Lie?Amazon

7.  Everything But The Girl- Wrong

Buy Wrong (LP Version) – Walking Wounded

Buy Wrong (LP Version) Amazon

8.  DJ Shadow- Mutual Slump

Buy Mutual Slump – Endtroducing…

Buy Mutual Slump Amazon

9.  Prince- Holy River

*Track not available via iTunes

Buy Holy RiverAmazon

10.  Wilco- Red-Eyed and Blue

Buy Red-Eyed and Blue – Being There

Buy Red-Eyed And Blue (LP Version)Amazon

11.  Sheryl Crow- Every Day Is a Winding Road

Buy Everyday Is a Winding Road – Sheryl Crow

Buy Everyday Is A Winding RoadAmazon

12.  Nas- Street Dreams

Buy Street Dreams – It Was Written

Buy Street Dreams Amazon

13.  The Roots- Concerto Of the Desperado

Buy Concerto of the Desperado – Illadelph Halflife

Buy Concerto Of The Desperado [Explicit]Amazon

14.  Sleater-Kinney- Call the Doctor

Buy Call the Doctor – Call the Doctor

Buy Call The DoctorAmazon

15.  Silkworm- Nerves

Buy Nerves – Firewater

Buy NervesAmazon

16.  Soundgarden- Burden In My Hand

Buy Burden In My Hand – Down On the Upside

Buy Burden In My Hand Amazon

17.  Sebadoh- Ocean

Buy Ocean – Harmacy

Buy Ocean (Album) Amazon

18.  Manic Street Preachers- Kevin Carter

Buy Kevin Carter – Everything Must Go

Buy Kevin Carter Amazon

19.  Belle & Sebastian- You’re Just A Baby

Buy You’re Just a Baby – Tigermilk

Buy You’re Just A BabyAmazon

20.  Weezer- Falling For You

Buy Falling for You – Pinkerton

Buy Falling For YouAmazon

Best of 1996 Volume 3 (4/8/05)

1.  Beck- Where It’s At

Buy Where It’s At – Odelay
Buy Where It’s AtAmazon

 

2.  Weezer- The Good Life

Buy The Good Life – Pinkerton
Buy The Good LifeAmazon

 

3.  2Pac (Feat. Dr. Dre)- California Love (Remix)

Buy California Love (Remix) – All Eyez On Me (Remastered)
Buy California Love (remix) [Explicit]Amazon

 

4.  Jay-Z (Feat. Notorious B.I.G.)- Brooklyn’s Finest

Buy Brooklyn’s Finest (feat. The Notorious B.I.G.) – Reasonable Doubt

Buy Brooklyn’s FinestAmazon

 

5.  DJ Shadow- Building Steam With a Grain Of Salt

Buy Building Steam With a Grain of Salt – Endtroducing…
Buy Building Steam With A Grain Of SaltAmazon

 

6.  Dr. Octagon- Blue Flowers

Buy Blue Flowers – Dr. Octagonecologyst
Buy Blue FlowersAmazon

 

7.  Stereolab- Cybele’s Reverie

Buy Cybele’s Reverie – Emperor Tomato Ketchup
Buy Cybele’s Reverie (2006 Remastered LP Version)Amazon

 

8.  R.E.M.- Leave

Buy Leave – New Adventures In Hi-Fi
Buy LeaveAmazon

 

9.  Outkast- Elevators (Me & You)

Buy Elevators (Me & You) – ATLiens
Buy Elevators (Me & You) [Explicit]Amazon

 

10.  Tricky- Tricky Kid

Buy Tricky Kid – Pre-Millennium Tension
*Track not available via Amazon

 

11.  Fiona Apple- Sleep To Dream

Buy Sleep to Dream – Tidal
Buy Sleep To DreamAmazon

 

12.  Guided By Voices- Cut-Out Witch

Buy Cut-Out Witch – Under the Bushes Under the Stars
Buy Cut-Out WitchAmazon

 

13.  Fountains Of Wayne- Radation Vibe

Buy Radiation Vibe – Fountains of Wayne
Buy Radiation Vibe (LP Version)Amazon

 

14.  The Lemonheads- If I Could Talk I’d Tell You

Buy If I Could Talk I’d Tell You – Car Button Cloth
Buy If I Could Talk I’d Tell YouAmazon

 

15.  Whiskeytown- Drank Like a River

Buy Drank Like a River – Faithless Street
Buy Drank Like A RiverAmazon

 

16.  Sheryl Crow- If It Makes You Happy

Buy If It Makes You Happy – Sheryl Crow
Buy If It Makes You HappyAmazon

 

17.  Wilco- Misunderstood

Buy Misunderstood – Being There
Buy Misunderstood (LP Version)Amazon

Best of 1996 Volume 5 (8/22/08)

1.  De La Soul- Stakes Is High

*Track not available via iTunes
Buy Stakes Is HighAmazon

 

2.  Jay-Z (Feat. Mecca)- Feelin’ It

Buy Feelin’ It (feat. Mecca) – Reasonable Doubt
Buy Feelin’ ItAmazon

 

3.  Blackstreet (Feat. Dr. Dre)- No Diggity

Buy No Diggity – Another Level
Buy Feelin’ ItAmazon

 

4.  Beck- New Pollution

Buy The New Pollution – Odelay
Buy The New PollutionAmazon

 

5.  Super Furry Animals- The Man Don’t Give a Fuck

Buy The Man Don’t Give a F**k – Songbook: The Singles, Vol. 1
Buy The Man Don’t Give a FuckAmazon

 

6.  Tricky- Bad Dream

Buy Bad Dreams – Pre-Millennium Tension
*Track not available via Amazon

 

7.  Tortoise- Glass Museum

Buy Glass Museum – Millions Now Living Will Never Die
*Track not available via Amazon

 

8.  DJ Shadow- The Number Song

Buy The Number Song – Endtroducing…
Buy The Number SongAmazon

 

9.  Ghostface Killah- Daytona 500

Buy Daytona 500 – Ironman
Buy Daytona 500Amazon

 

10.  Outkast- ATLiens

Buy ATLiens – ATLiens
Buy ATLiens [Explicit]Amazon

 

11.  The Fugees- Family Business

Buy Family Business – The Score
Buy Family BusinessAmazon

 

12.  The Wrens- Joneses Rule Of Sport

Buy Joneses Rule of Sport – Secaucus
Buy Joneses Rule of SportAmazon

 

13.  R.E.M.- Bittersweet Me

Buy Bittersweet Me – New Adventures In Hi-Fi
Buy Bittersweet MeAmazon

 

14.  Soundgarden- Pretty Noose

Buy Pretty Noose – Down On the Upside
Buy Pretty NooseAmazon

 

15.  Chavez- The Guard Attacks

Buy The Guard Attacks – Better Days Will Haunt You
Buy The Guard AttacksAmazon

 

16.  Olivia Tremor Control- Jumping Fences

Buy Jumping Fences – Music From The Unrealized Film Script: Dusk At Cubist Castle
Buy Jumping FencesAmazon

 

17.  Brian Jonestown Massacre- Vacuum Boots

Buy Vacuum Boots – Take It from the Man
Buy Vacuum BootsAmazon

 

18.  Guided By Voices- The Official Ironman Rally Song

Buy The Official Ironmen Rally Song – Under the Bushes Under the Stars
Buy The Official Ironmen Rally SongAmazon

 

19.  Heatmiser- See You Later

Buy See You Later – Mic City Sons
Buy See You LaterAmazon

Best of 1996 Volume 6 (3/25/08)

1.  Heatmiser- Pop In G

Buy Pop In G – Mic City Sons
Buy Pop In GAmazon

 

2.  Weezer- El Scorcho

Buy El Scorcho – Pinkerton
Buy El ScorchoAmazon

 

3.  The Wrens- Surprise, Honeycomb

Buy Surprise, Honeycomb – Secaucus
Buy Surprise, HoneycombAmazon

 

4.  Brian Jonestown Massacre- Who?

Buy Who? – Take It from the Man
Buy Who?Amazon

 

5.  Lilys- Nanny In Manhattan

*Track not available via iTunes
Buy A Nanny in Manhattan (Single-CD) *only available as maxi-single

 

6. Jason Falkner- I Live

Buy I Live – Presents Author Unknown
Buy I Live (LP Version)Amazon

 

7.  Pearl Jam- Mankind

Buy Mankind – No Code
Buy MankindAmazon

 

8.  Everything But The Girl- Before Today

Buy Before Today (LP Version) – Walking Wounded
Buy Before Today (LP Version)Amazon

 

9.  DJ Shadow- Stem/Long Stem **Transmission 2

Buy Stem / Long Stem / Transmission 2 – Endtroducing…
Buy Stem/Long StemAmazon

 

10.  Dr. Octagon- I’m Destructive

Buy I’m Destructive – Dr. Octagonecologyst
Buy I’m DestructiveAmazon

 

11.  Ghostface Killah- Black Jesus  (including Interlude)

Buy Black Jesus – Ironman
Buy Black JesusAmazon

 

12.  Jay-Z (Feat. Foxy Brown)- Ain’t No N**ga

Buy Ain’t No N***a (feat. Foxy Brown) – Reasonable Doubt
Buy Ain’t No NiggaAmazon

 

13.  2Pac-  How Do U Want It

Buy How Do U Want It – All Eyez On Me (Remastered)
Buy How Do U Want ItAmazon

 

14.  DJ Kool- Let Me Clear My Throat (Old School Remix)

Buy Let Me Clear My Throat (Old School Reunion Remix ’96) – Let Me Clear My Throat
Buy Let Me Clear My Throat (Old School Reunion Remix ’96)Amazon

 

15.  Cake- The Distance

Buy The Distance – Fashion Nugget (Deluxe Version)
Buy The DistanceAmazon

 

16.  Sleater-Kinney- I’m Not Waiting

Buy I’m Not Waiting – Call the Doctor
Buy I’m Not WaitingAmazon

 

17.  Fiona Apple- Shadowboxer

Buy Shadowboxer – Tidal
Buy ShadowboxerAmazon

 

18.  Beck- Sissyneck

Buy Sissyneck – Odelay
Buy SissyneckAmazon

 

19.  Olivia Tremor Control- Spring Succeeds

Buy Spring Succeeds – Music From The Unrealized Film Script: Dusk At Cubist Castle
Buy Spring SucceedsAmazon

 

20.  Tricky- Vent

Buy Vent – Pre-Millennium Tension
*Track not available via Amazon

Best of 1996 Volume 7 (4/16/12)

1.  Tool- Stinkfist

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

2.  Brian Jonestown Massacre- Straight Up & Down

Buy Straight Up and Down – Take It from the Man
Buy Straight Up And DownAmazon

 

3.  Girls Against Boys- Super-fire

Buy Super-fire – House of GVSB
Buy Super-fireAmazon

 

4.  The Olivia Tremor Control- Opera House

Buy The Opera House – Music From The Unrealized Film Script: Dusk At Cubist Castle
Buy The Opera House Amazon

 

5.  Neutral Milk Hotel- Song Against Sex

Buy Song Against Sex – On Avery Island
Buy Song Against SexAmazon

 

6.  Lilys- Returns Every Morning

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

7.  Heatmiser- Get Lucky

Buy Get Lucky – Mic City Sons
Buy Get LuckyAmazon

 

8.  Maxwell- Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)

Buy Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder) – Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite
Buy Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)Amazon

 

9.  Ginuwine- Pony (Single Version)

Buy Pony – R’n’b Story 3
Buy Pony (Single Version)Amazon

 

10.  Aaliyah- One In a Million

*Track not available via iTunes
Buy One in a MillionAmazon

 

11.  Lil- Kim- Big Momma Thang

Buy Big Momma Thang (Explicit Version) – Hard Core
Buy Big Momma Thang [Explicit Version]Amazon

 

12.  Jay-Z (Feat. Mary J. Blige)- Can’t Knock the Hustle

Buy Can’t Knock the Hustle (feat. Mary J. Blige) – Reasonable Doubt
Buy Can’t Knock The Hustle Amazon

 

13.  Stereolab- Slow Fast Hazel

Buy Slow Fast Hazel – Emperor Tomato Ketchup
Buy Slow Fast Hazel (LP Version)Amazon

 

14.  Aphex Twin- Girl/Boy

Buy Girl / Boy – Richard D. James Album
Buy Girl/Boy (LP Version)Amazon

 

15.  Underworld- Pearls Girl

Buy Pearls Girl – Second Toughest In the Infants
Buy Pearls Girl (Radio edit)Amazon

 

16.  The Wrens- Rest Your Head

Buy Rest Your Head – Secaucus
Buy Rest Your HeadAmazon

 

17.  Guided By Voices- Lord of Overstock

Buy Lord of Overstock – Under the Bushes Under the Stars
Buy Lord Of Overstock Amazon

 

18.  Sloan- The Good in Everyone

Buy The Good In Everyone – One Chord to Another
Buy The Good In EveryoneAmazon

Best of 1996 Volume 8 (4/16/12)

1.  Weezer- Tired of Sex

Buy Tired of Sex – Pinkerton
Buy Tired Of SexAmazon

 

2.  Chavez- Tight Around the Jaws

Buy Tight Around the Jaws – Better Days Will Haunt You
Buy Tight Around The JawsAmazon

 

3.  The Wrens- Built In Girls

Buy Built In Girls – Secaucus
Buy Built In GirlsAmazon

 

4.  Tortoise- The Taut and Tame

Buy The Taut and Tame – Millions Now Living Will Never Die
*Track not available via Amazon

 

5.  Underworld- Confusion the Waitress

Buy Confusion the Waitress – Second Toughest In the Infants
*Track not available via Amazon

 

6.  DJ Shadow- Changeling/Transmission 1

Buy Changeling / Transmission 1 – Endtroducing…
Buy Changeling/TransmissionAmazon

 

7.  Tricky- Christiansands

Buy Christiansands – Pre-Millennium Tension
Buy ChristiansandsAmazon

 

8.  The Olivia Tremor Control- Define a Transparent Dream

Buy Define A Transparent Dream – Music From The Unrealized Film Script: Dusk At Cubist Castle
Buy Define A Transparent DreamAmazon

 

9.  Wilco- The Lonely 1

Buy The Lonely 1 – Being There
Buy The Lonely 1 (LP Version)Amazon

 

10.  R.E.M.- Be Mine

Buy Be Mine – New Adventures In Hi-Fi
Buy Be MineAmazon

 

11.  The Fugees- Killing Me Softly

Buy Killing Me Softly With His Song – The Score
Buy Killing Me Softly With His SongAmazon

 

12.  Outkast- Wheelz of Steel

Buy Wheelz of Steel – ATLiens
Buy Wheelz of Steel [Explicit]Amazon

 

13.  Ghostface Killah- 260

Buy 260 – Ironman
Buy 260Amazon

 

14.  Mobb Deep- Drop a Gem On ‘Em

Buy Drop a Gem On ‘Em – Hell On Earth
Buy Drop A Gem On ‘Em [Explicit]Amazon

 

15.  Modest Mouse- Interstate 8

Buy Interstate 8 – Building Nothing Out of Something
Buy Interstate 8 (Album)Amazon

 

16.  Guided By Voices- Your Name is Wild

Buy Your Name Is Wild – Under the Bushes Under the Stars
Buy Your Name Is WildAmazon

 

17.  Stereolab- Percolator

Buy Percolator – Emperor Tomato Ketchup
Buy Percolator (LP Version)Amazon

 

18.  Beck- Lord Only Knows

Buy Lord Only Knows – Odelay
Buy Lord Only KnowsAmazon

1. Ghostface Killah- Iron Maiden
2. Westside Connection- Bow Down
3. De La Soul- Itsoweezee (H.O.T.)
4. Jay-Z- Dead Presidents II
5. 2Pac (Feat. Big Syke)- All Eyez On Me
6. Lil’ Kim (Feat. Puff Daddy)- No Time
7. Aaliyah- Hot Like Fire
8. En Vogue- Don’t Let Go (Love)
9. Maxwell- Dancewitme
10. The Afghan Whigs- Honky’s Ladder
11. Brainiac- Pussyfootin’
12. Superdrag- Sucked Out
13. Sepultura- Roots Bloody Roots
14. Rage Against The Machine- People Of The Sun
15. Placebo- Teenage Angst
16. Manic Street Preachers- No Surface All Feeling
17. The London Suede- Filmstar
18. Nada Surf- Popular
19. Ween- Piss Up A Rope

1. Prince- Jam Of The Year
2. MC Lyte- Cold Rock A Party (Bad Boy Remix)
3. Jamiroquai- Virtual Insanity
4. Barry Adamson- Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Pelvis
5. Apex Twin- Fingerbib
6. Eels- Novocaine For The Soul
7. Stone Temple Pilots- Trippin’ On A Hole In A Paper Heart
8. The Wrens- Still Complaining
9. Weezer- Getchoo
10. Lush- Ladykillers
11. Placebo- Nancy Boy
12. Walt Mink- Listen Up
13. The Afghan Whigs- My Enemy
14. Modest Mouse- Broke
15. Sleater-Kinney- Hubcap
16. Bikini Kill- Capri Pants
17. De La Soul- Sunshine
18. 2Pac- I Ain’t Mad Atcha
19. DJ Shadow- What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 1): Blue Sky Revisit / Transmission 3
20. Ween- Japanese Cowboy
21. Mark Eitzel- No Easy Way Down