The top 100 albums of the ’90s
(From the Akron Beacon Journal, Sept. 26, 1999. Looking back, I may have been a bit too excited about Queen Latifah’s “Black Reign,” but “U.N.I.T.Y.” still holds up well.)
1. Nirvana, “Nevermind” (DGC, 1991)
2. Hole, “Live Through This” (DGC, 1994)
3. Public Enemy, “Fear of a Black Planet” (DefJam, 1990)
4. Afghan Whigs, “Gentlemen” (Elektra, 1993)
5. Janet Jackson, “Janet” (Virgin, 1993)
6. R.E.M., “Automatic for the People” (Warner Bros., 1992)
7. Everclear, “Sparkle and Fade” (Capitol, 1995)
8. Sinead O’Connor, “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” (Chrysalis, 1990)
9. Queen Latifah, “Black Reign” (Motown, 1993)
10. Radiohead, “The Bends” (Capitol, 1995)
11. Liz Phair, “Exile in Guyville” (Matador, 1993)
12. Lauryn Hill, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” (Ruffhouse, 1998)
13. Lemonheads, “It’s a Shame about Ray” (Atlantic, 1992)
14. Crowded House, “Woodface” (Capitol, 1991)
15. Dr. Dre, “The Chronic” (Interscope, 1995)
16. Soul Coughing, “Irresistible Bliss” (Slash, 1996)
17. Pearl Jam, “Ten” (Epic, 1992)
18. Superchunk, “Indoor Living” (Merge, 1997)
19. Nine Inch Nails, “The Downward Spiral” (Nothing, 1994)
20. Alanis Morissette, “Jagged Little Pill” (Maverick, 1995)
21. TLC, “Crazysexycool” (LaFace, 1994)
22. Candyskins, “Fun?” (Geffen, 1993)
23. Ben Folds Five, “Whatever and Ever Amen” (550 Music, 1997)
24. Annie Lennox, “Diva” (Arista, 1992)
25. Jeff Buckley, “Grace” (Columbia, 1994)
26. Beck, “Odelay” (DGC, 1996)
27. Elvis Costello with Burt Bacharach, “Painted from Memory” (Mercury, 1998)
28. Billy Bragg, “Don’t Try This at Home” (Elektra, 1991)
29. Ben Lee, “Grandpaw Would” (Grand Royal, 1995)
30. Cibo Matto, “Viva! La Woman!” (Warner Bros., 1997)
31. Judybats, “Pain Makes You Beautiful” (Sire, 1993)
32. Elastica, “Elastica” (DGC, 1995)
33. Smashing Pumpkins, “Siamese Dream” (Virgin, 1993)
34. Uncle Tupelo, “Anodyne” (Sire, 1993)
35. Oasis, “Definitely Maybe” (Epic, 1994)
36. Everything But the Girl, “Walking Wounded” (Atlantic, 1996)
37. Cornershop, “When I Was Born for the 7th Time” (Luaka Bop, 1997)
38. Morrissey, “Your Arsenal” (Sire, 1992)
39. Connells, “Ring” (TVT, 1994)
40. Morphine, “Cure for Pain” (Rykodisc, 1993)
41. U2, “Achtung Baby” (Island, 1991)
42. Arrested Development, “Three Years, Five Months and Two Years in the Life of Arrested Development” (Chrysalis, 1992)
43. R.E.M., “Out of Time” (Warner Bros., 1991)
44. Dwight Yoakam, “Gone” (Reprise, 1995)
45. Soul Coughing, “Ruby Vroom” (Slash, 1994)
46. Wilco, “4 A.M.” (Sire, 1995)
47. Bjork, “Post” (Elektra, 1995)
48. Janet Jackson, “The Velvet Rope” (Virgin, 1997)
49. Bruce Springsteen, “The Ghost of Tom Joad” (Columbia, 1995)
50. Matthew Sweet, “Girlfriend” (Zoo, 1991)
51. Elvis Costello & the Brodsky Quartet, “The Juliet Letters” (Warner Bros., 1993)
52. Chris Isaak, “Forever Blue” (Warner Bros., 1995)
53. Lyle Lovett, “Joshua Judges Ruth” (Curb, 1992)
54. Fugees, “The Score” (Ruffhouse, 1996)
55. Madonna, “Ray of Light” (Warner Bros., 1998)
56. Sloan, “Smeared” (Geffen, 1992)
57. The Notorious B.I.G., “Ready to Die” (Bad Boy, 1994)
58. Radiohead, “OK Computer” (Capitol, 1997)
59. Digable Planets, “Reachin’” (Pendulum, 1993)
60. Ani DiFranco, “Dilate” (Righteous Babe, 1996)
61. BR5-49, “BR5-49” (Arista, 1996)
62. Sarah McLachlan, “Surfacing” (Arista, 1997)
63. Mavericks, “Music for All Occasions” (MCA, 1995)
64. Belle & Sebastian, “If You’re Feeling Sinister” (Enclave, 1996)
65. Bob Dylan, “Time Out of Mind” (Columbia, 1997)
66. Pet Shop Boys, “Bilingual” (Atlantic, 1996)
67. Pretenders, “Last of the Independents” (Sire, 1994)
68. Tricky, “Maxinquaye” (4th & Broadway, 1995)
69. Lucinda Williams, “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road” (Mercury, 1998)
70. Electronic, “Electronic” (Warner Bros., 1992)
71. Clay Walker, “Hypnotize the Moon” (Giant, 1995)
72. Beastie Boys, “Check Your Head” (Capitol, 1992).
73. Susanna Hoffs, “Susanna Hoffs” (Polygram, 1996)
74. Nirvana, “In Utero” (DGC, 1993)
75. Pavement, “Slanted and Enchanted” (Matador, 1992)
76. LL Cool J, “Mama Said Knock You Out” (DefJam, 1990)
77. Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” (Warner Bros., 1991)
78. Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, “Supa Dupa Fly” (EastWest, 1997)
79. R.E.M., “Up” (Warner Bros., 1998)
80. U2, “Pop” (Island, 1997)
81. Garbage, “Garbage” (Almo Sounds, 1995)
82. Broadway Cast Recording, “Rent” (DreamWorks, 1996)
83. Green Day, “Dookie” (Reprise, 1994)
84. Harry Connick Jr., “We Are in Love” (Columbia, 1990)
85. Built to Spill, “Keep It Like a Secret” (Warner Bros., 1999)
86. Shawn Colvin, “A Few Small Repairs” (Columbia, 1996)
87. Freedy Johnston, “This Perfect World” (Elektra, 1994)
88. Lisa Stansfield, “Lisa Stansfield” (Arista, 1997)
89. Tool, “Aenima” (Volcano, 1996)
90. Erasure, “Chorus” (Sire, 1991)
91. Brian Setzer Orchestra, “Brian Setzer Orchestra” (Hollywood, 1994)
92. John Hiatt, “Perfectly Good Guitar” (A&M, 1993)
93. Catie Curtis, “Truth from Lies” (Guardian, 1995)
94. Erykah Badu, “Baduism” (Uptown, 1997)
95. Nanci Griffith, “Other Voices, Other Rooms” (Elektra, 1993)
96. Counting Crows, “August & Everything After” (DGC, 1993)
97. Ice Cube, “Amerikkka’s Most Wanted” (Priority, 1990)
98. Refreshments, “Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy” (Polygram, 1996)
99. Rancid, “And Out Come the Wolves” (Epitaph, 1995)
100. Jonatha Brooke, “10 Cent Wings” (MCA,1997)
