The Production Side

Hopefully you got some cash or gift cards over the holidays that are burning a hole in your pocket. So, here are the top seven albums from this year that you need to pick up from 90’s alternative bands, if you haven’t done so yet.

7. Velvet Revolver – Libertad: Ok, VR isn’t exactly a band from the 90’s, but their members were around then and that’s good enough for me. Libertad had some hype behind it (which makes sense since this is a supergroup) and it actually delivered. VR proved with this album that they’re actually their own band, and not just Scott Weiland fronting Guns ‘N’ Roses. Libertad is just a solid rock album which fills the void in rock music today. You just need to play it loud and have fun with it.

6. Dinosaur, Jr. – Beyond: After more than a decade Dinosaur, Jr. returned with their original line up and deliveried this rocking album. Beyond is eleven tracks of goodness that makes you want to ask the band “what took you so long?”.

5. I’m Not There Soundtrack: This soundtrack is actually a mixture of legends (like Richie Havens, Willie Nelson, John Doe), newer acts (Jack Johnson, Karen O, The Black Keys, Sufjan Stevens) and lots of folks from the 90’s; all covering Dylan for the bio flick on his life. Among the 90’s artists on here are Sonic Youth delivering a knockout version of “I’m Not There”, Eddie Vedder’s howling version of “All Along The Watchtower”, former Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan lending his husky voice for “Man in the Long Coat”, Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy’s lovely version of “Simple Twist of Fate” and former Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus delivering honest renditions of “Ballad of a Thin Man” and “Maggie’s Farm”. It should be mentioned that many of the artists on here were backed by the supergroup The Million Dollar Bashers, which features 90’s artists such as Sonic Youth members Lee Ranaldo and Steve Shelly and Wilco guitarist Nils Cline.

4. Silverchair – Young Modern Station: We waited five years for a new album from the Australian trio, but it was well worth the wait. These guys get better and better with each album, that it’s actually kind of scary. Young Modern Stationopens up with a 1-2-3 punch with “Young Modern Station”, Straight Lines” and “If You Keep Losing Sleep” and then launches into a roller coaster ride of musical bliss.

3. Radiohead - In Rainbows: The hype was huge for In Rainbowswhen Radiohead made the historic decision to self release it on their site and letting fans pay what they want for it. It was a crazy idea that could possibly change the music industry forever. But was the album any good? Yeah, In Rainbows is an awesome album that is probably the band’s best since OK Computer.

2. Eddie Vedder – Into The Wild: I love anything from Pearl Jam and it’s members; but Vedder far surpassed my expectations with the soundtrack for Into The Wild. It was simple, earthy and eerily beautiful. I can’t stop listening to it. Vedder perfectly crafted an album full of music that’s perfect for a road trip or just sitting down, closing your eyes and letting the music fill your soul.

1. Foo Fighters – Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace: “The Pretender” was a warning to us all that Echoes, Silence, Patience & Gracewas going to be great. The Foos have finally perfected their loud arena rock sound by blending it with spectacular melodies and acoustic numbers. Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace at first was placed alongside the classic The Colour and the Shape, but after a few months of digestion, this is the band’s finest album yet.

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