There are countless lists out there about alternative rock music from the 1990s. Some explore underrated gems while others dive into the biggest hits of the decade. There is a lot of great alt-rock music from that era, including an album or two that you might have skipped when they were first released. Let’s look at six alternative rock albums from the 1990s that you may not remember!
1. ‘Stoosh’ by Skunk Anansie
Skunk Anansie is still underrated in the UK, and the band was almost unheard of in the US when they first debuted. In an era where everyone wanted their alt-rock band leaders to be straight white males with long hair, Skunk Anansie kicked off their career with the screeching vocals of their black, bald, and gay frontwoman Skin. Their 1996 release Stoosh flew under the radar internationally, and it’s a real shame. It’s a killer album.
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2. ‘Adore’ by The Smashing Pumpkins
The 1995 album Melon Collie And The Infinite Sadness was The Smashing Pumpkins’ claim to fame in the 1990s. However, the 1998 release Adore deserves some credit for being one of the best alternative rock albums of that year. It’s a divisive piece of work among fans, with many believing it was an electronic mess. We think it’s great for what it is, even if it didn’t match the success of Melon Collie And The Infinite Sadness.
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3. ‘Celebrity Skin’ by Hole
If you weren’t a huge grunge fan, you might have missed this pop-leaning alternative rock album. Hole is better known for Live Through This, but Celebrity Skin deserves some credit for being a very good pop-rock album. The band managed to upgrade and modernize their sound quite well without sacrificing their grunginess.
4. ‘Without You I’m Nothing’ by Placebo
Placebo was one of the most unique alt-rock outfits of the 1990s, and they delivered some seriously good albums in the 1990s and early 2000s. Without You I’m Nothing is one of their very best records, particularly during that decade. Between Brian Molko’s nasally vocals and the overall excellent instrumentation of the band as a whole, this 1998 album was one of their very best. David Bowie even duets with Molko on the title track.
5. ‘King’ by Belly
Fans of Belly often argue over the hierarchy of the band’s best albums. Some think their debut Star is the best, while others rave about King. It’s hard to choose between the two; they’re both excellent in their own right. However, the 1995 album King shows a more polished, put-together, and creative version of the band. Where their debut was on the sloppier side, King shows off improved songwriting and excellent melodies.
6. ‘Come On Feel The Lemonheads’ by The Lemonheads
The Lemonheads made it big by covering Simon & Garfunkel’s hit tune “Mrs. Robinson”. It’s a great cover, and a memorable one at that. However, the band’s album Come On Feel The Lemonheads was their true masterpiece. This alt-rock album boasts pop elements in all the right places. It’s a shame the band never got bigger.
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