I think the musicality on Down on the Upside really showed why Soundgarden was not only one of the best bands of the ‘90s, but also one of the best in the history of rock music.
I think Kurt and Courtney’s toxic relationship turned a lot of Nirvana fans off when it came to Hole’s music (especially in the wake of Kurt’s death). A lot of my friends in the ‘90s refused to listen to Live Through This because they blamed Courtney for Kurt’s death (directly or indirectly), but they missed out on a really great album.
My essential top 10: Alice in Chain- Dirt Downface- confidence Yellow 5- no official album title. Only on youtube. Superheaven- Jar Chout- dog water Only on youtube Send no flowers- juice Nirvana- Nevermind Pearl jam- Ten Mad Season- Above Drain Sth- Freaks of Nature
"Superfuzz Bigmuff" the 1988 debut EP by Mudhoney. They later re-released it with early singles including Touch Me I'm Sick, which famed Seattle producer Jack Endino called "The opening salvo of Grunge." Kurt Cobain cited it as an influence and one of his favorite albums of all time. Have and love all the albums shown. But this has to be on my list.
Hey Nick, good list. I moved to Seattle in 1991 and really got caught up in the local music scene. I saw a number of these bands at hole in the wall clubs or theaters before the genre took over the airwaves. Central Station, The Crocodile, The Showbox and the Moore were one of many venues to capture the scene all week long. Soundgarden is a great choice, however, Badmotorfinger is the release I would say represents the era and put them in the middle of the grunge scene. Everyone will list the usuals like AIC, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc. but don't for get about other releases from great grunge era bands like Sweet Oblivion from the Screaming Trees, Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge from Mudhoney, Rehab Doll from Green River and 8-Way Santa from Tad. Brings back some great memories.
Huge grunge fan too and early teens when it kicked off in 90s. When you look back not many had that grunge “sound” really. As you say AIC more metal, Nirvana more garage rock etc. think you’re right about Ten and also Temple of the Dog. Those sort of albums I’d consider the grunge sound of load of guitar fuzz and loud/quiet dynamics. But grunge or not, the era was just the best. Could have Facelift, Superunknown, Core (as you said). Just the best memories of those few years from 91 to 95. Oddly I’ve just rediscovered In Utero after a few years of dismissing it as something I remember not liking and blown away how awesome it is.
I had read that Temple of the Dog was a super group formed by Cornell with help from Mother Love Bone musicians as well as Soundgarden musicians, the album is where Eddy Vetter was discovered, he wasn't signed by any label or was a lead for any band at the time. He was brought in to sing the lows in Hunger Strike due to Cornell wasn't able to hit that tone and after he sang the song it was then that he started to work with fellow musicians that formed Pearl Jam. Temple of the Dog album in my opinion was the most important album of the Grunge sound due to who was in the band and who was discovered from the album.
Cornell couldn’t hit the high notes? He did all the high notes in Hunger Strike! Also listen to Cornell’s solo work! I’m sorry to sound so predudice but I have all his, and his groups records and he is 🤯! Like vedder don’t get me wrong but became very predictable! First 2 Pearl Jam albums were masterpieces!
They brought in Eddie just to do background vocals, but Chris loved the way their two voices complimented each other and Eddie instinctively sang the parts the exact way Chris had envisioned it, so he ended up with a bigger role on Hunger Strike. At the time it was recorded, Eddie had already auditioned and agreed to join the project that would become Pearl Jam (but I think the project was in its infancy).
Core v. Purple: I like Tiny Music... more. But I hope you picked up the Analogue Productions copy of Core. Holy crap. Really looking forward to Purple in a couple months.
I love Purple BUT certainly wouldn’t call it or consider it grunge! Just like I wouldn’t consider Guns N’ Roses grunge! I think the lack of dissidence As well as angst in the lyrical content keeps Stone Temple Pilots as well as Guns N’ Roses in the rock realm!
Alice in Chains was such garbage when I saw them live, it was painful. They were so drunk they couldn't play at all and then when I heard their album it sounded totally different. I wonder who the unsung studio musicians were
Top 10 albums that are grunge.... you listed a bunch of non grunge albums. Are you trolling? Here's a much better list. 10. L7 - Bricks Are Heavy 09. Truly - Fast Stories... from Kid Coma 08. Mudhoney - Piece Of Cake 07. Pearl Jam - Vitalogy 06. Alice In Chains - Jars Of Flies 05. Tad - 8 Way Santa 04. Love Battery - Dayglo 03. Rein Sanction - Broc's Cabin 02. Nirvana - In Utero 01. Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger
Barf 🤢🤮 @ mudhoney, tad, rein sanction, love battery, soundgarden, and one hit wonder L7, truly, The wrong aic, nirvana, PJ albums. Other than that spot on list!! 👍😁 Oh wait.... your taste/thinking is absolute garbage/trash.
STP’s music evolved from Core to Purple in a similar way that Nirvana’s did from Nevermind to In Utero, but In Utero is still considered grunge. While there’s definitely alternative, blues, and country influence on Purple, I think there’s still enough elements of grunge to consider it a grunge album (but I think it’s the last STP album to fall under that sub genre).
As a Grunge elder I normally go by the If it's not from Seattle/Pacific Northwest, It is not Grunge. I know people put all kinds of bands in the Grunge box, but I'm a purist. I love all the bands though and love seeing it represented anywhere.
Make sure you hit the LIKE and SUBSCRIBE BUTTON!
If you'd like to help support the channel, please go to our Patreon page:
www.patreon.com/thevinylden
Facebook Page: facebook.com/thevinyldenchannel
Merch Store: www.bonfire.com/store/thevinylden/
Instagram: instagram.com/nickfowler11
Leave your comments & questions below!
Down On The Upside. THE most underrated grunge album ever.
Awesome !
100%
I think the musicality on Down on the Upside really showed why Soundgarden was not only one of the best bands of the ‘90s, but also one of the best in the history of rock music.
I absolutely love "Live Through This"!
I think Kurt and Courtney’s toxic relationship turned a lot of Nirvana fans off when it came to Hole’s music (especially in the wake of Kurt’s death). A lot of my friends in the ‘90s refused to listen to Live Through This because they blamed Courtney for Kurt’s death (directly or indirectly), but they missed out on a really great album.
We can't forget AIC - Facelift and Soundgarden - BadMotorFinger.
My essential top 10:
Alice in Chain- Dirt
Downface- confidence
Yellow 5- no official album title. Only on youtube.
Superheaven- Jar
Chout- dog water
Only on youtube
Send no flowers- juice
Nirvana- Nevermind
Pearl jam- Ten
Mad Season- Above
Drain Sth- Freaks of Nature
Candlebox’s debut is underrated af.
Nice selection! I’ve always considered Vs to be the real first PJ album once Vedder is fully involved in the composition processes. Cheers
Bricks are heavy L7 & Sweet Oblivion Screaming Trees need to be on this list 😎
Soundgarden Badmotorfinger definitely should be on the list.
Honestly, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of their first 5 albums.
Failure's "Fantastic Planet" and "Magnified" albums.
"Superfuzz Bigmuff" the 1988 debut EP by Mudhoney. They later re-released it with early singles including Touch Me I'm Sick, which famed Seattle producer Jack Endino called "The opening salvo of Grunge." Kurt Cobain cited it as an influence and one of his favorite albums of all time. Have and love all the albums shown. But this has to be on my list.
Hey Nick, good list. I moved to Seattle in 1991 and really got caught up in the local music scene. I saw a number of these bands at hole in the wall clubs or theaters before the genre took over the airwaves. Central Station, The Crocodile, The Showbox and the Moore were one of many venues to capture the scene all week long. Soundgarden is a great choice, however, Badmotorfinger is the release I would say represents the era and put them in the middle of the grunge scene. Everyone will list the usuals like AIC, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc. but don't for get about other releases from great grunge era bands like Sweet Oblivion from the Screaming Trees, Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge from Mudhoney, Rehab Doll from Green River and 8-Way Santa from Tad. Brings back some great memories.
That’s awesome that you were able to see so many of those bands before the scene blew up!
Huge grunge fan too and early teens when it kicked off in 90s. When you look back not many had that grunge “sound” really. As you say AIC more metal, Nirvana more garage rock etc. think you’re right about Ten and also Temple of the Dog. Those sort of albums I’d consider the grunge sound of load of guitar fuzz and loud/quiet dynamics.
But grunge or not, the era was just the best. Could have Facelift, Superunknown, Core (as you said). Just the best memories of those few years from 91 to 95.
Oddly I’ve just rediscovered In Utero after a few years of dismissing it as something I remember not liking and blown away how awesome it is.
I had read that Temple of the Dog was a super group formed by Cornell with help from Mother Love Bone musicians as well as Soundgarden musicians, the album is where Eddy Vetter was discovered, he wasn't signed by any label or was a lead for any band at the time. He was brought in to sing the lows in Hunger Strike due to Cornell wasn't able to hit that tone and after he sang the song it was then that he started to work with fellow musicians that formed Pearl Jam. Temple of the Dog album in my opinion was the most important album of the Grunge sound due to who was in the band and who was discovered from the album.
Cornell couldn’t hit the high notes? He did all the high notes in Hunger Strike! Also listen to Cornell’s solo work! I’m sorry to sound so predudice but I have all his, and his groups records and he is 🤯! Like vedder don’t get me wrong but became very predictable! First 2 Pearl Jam albums were masterpieces!
They brought in Eddie just to do background vocals, but Chris loved the way their two voices complimented each other and Eddie instinctively sang the parts the exact way Chris had envisioned it, so he ended up with a bigger role on Hunger Strike. At the time it was recorded, Eddie had already auditioned and agreed to join the project that would become Pearl Jam (but I think the project was in its infancy).
Vedder was already in Pearl Jam at the time called Mookie Blaylock.
@@primeanalogrecords The comment said he couldn't hit the 'low' notes. Low is the opposite of high. You're welcome!
@@Zan_Jayna 😂
Alice in Chains Facelift would have to be my favorite
It’s a great album! I don’t think you can go wrong with any of AIC’s ‘90s albums.
Love the entire list the only thing I would replace is Down on the Upside for Super Unknown
Screaming Trees - Sweet Oblivion from 92/93 is a phenomenal release. Also, Soundgarden - Superunknown...terrific album
Alice in chains - Jar Of Flies
I think AIC is one of those bands where you really can’t go wrong with any of their ‘90s albums.
Singles soundtrack - Ann & Nancy, Jimi and a whole bunch of grunge.
Screaming Trees - Sweet Oblivion
Gruntruck - Push
Frogstomp is/was underrated. They should have stuck with this style.
Core v. Purple: I like Tiny Music... more. But I hope you picked up the Analogue Productions copy of Core. Holy crap. Really looking forward to Purple in a couple months.
I love Purple BUT certainly wouldn’t call it or consider it grunge! Just like I wouldn’t consider Guns N’ Roses grunge! I think the lack of dissidence As well as angst in the lyrical content keeps Stone Temple Pilots as well as Guns N’ Roses in the rock realm!
I was born 89, so it was nu_metal gor me. Godsmack . Korn . Limp bizket. Bamds like thosecof the time's
Alice in Chains was such garbage when I saw them live, it was painful. They were so drunk they couldn't play at all and then when I heard their album it sounded totally different. I wonder who the unsung studio musicians were
Top 10 albums that are grunge.... you listed a bunch of non grunge albums. Are you trolling?
Here's a much better list.
10. L7 - Bricks Are Heavy
09. Truly - Fast Stories... from Kid Coma
08. Mudhoney - Piece Of Cake
07. Pearl Jam - Vitalogy
06. Alice In Chains - Jars Of Flies
05. Tad - 8 Way Santa
04. Love Battery - Dayglo
03. Rein Sanction - Broc's Cabin
02. Nirvana - In Utero
01. Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger
Barf 🤢🤮 @ mudhoney, tad, rein sanction, love battery, soundgarden, and one hit wonder L7, truly,
The wrong aic, nirvana, PJ albums.
Other than that spot on list!! 👍😁
Oh wait.... your taste/thinking is absolute garbage/trash.
Siamese Dream by Smashing Pumpkins is missing from your list
Mudhoney - Mudhoney
Mindfunk - Dropped
Great list and I agree with almost all the takes. Would’ve replaced Hole with anything else lol
Yeah, I totally understand that. 😂
Anthony Fatano
Failure "Fantastic Planet"
THE album for me of that era and genre.
Well, back in the day I placed them in the same genre as the other bands you listed . They maybe aren't considered grunge anymore
Failure is not grunge
I love Purple BUT certainly wouldn’t call it or consider it grunge! Just like I wouldn’t consider Guns N’ Roses grunge!
STP’s music evolved from Core to Purple in a similar way that Nirvana’s did from Nevermind to In Utero, but In Utero is still considered grunge. While there’s definitely alternative, blues, and country influence on Purple, I think there’s still enough elements of grunge to consider it a grunge album (but I think it’s the last STP album to fall under that sub genre).
It's a shame that Mudhoney is missing. Silverchair were never essential.
Your lack of TAD is disappointing.
As a Grunge elder I normally go by the If it's not from Seattle/Pacific Northwest, It is not Grunge. I know people put all kinds of bands in the Grunge box, but I'm a purist. I love all the bands though and love seeing it represented anywhere.
No grunge albums are essential