1990s
The Records that Ruled the '90s.
Definitive Albums: Built to Spill 'Perfect from Now On' (1997)
Perfect? Well, yeah, almost.
Perfect? Well, yeah, almost.
Definitive Albums: Stereolab 'Emperor Tomato Ketchup' (1996)
The groop played their best album ever.
The groop played their best album ever.
Definitive Albums: Mazzy Star 'So Tonight That I Might See' (1993)
What was it that took this slowed-down, strung-out take on narcotic country to the ears of a million listeners?
What was it that took this slowed-down, strung-out take on narcotic country to the ears of a million listeners?
Definitive Albums: Elliott Smith 'Either/Or' (1997)
Not merely some cry-for-help, 'Either/Or' is a near-perfect pop record.
Not merely some cry-for-help, 'Either/Or' is a near-perfect pop record.
Definitive Albums: Tortoise 'Millions Now Living Will Never Die' (1996)
Tortoise's sea-tide grooves and pointillist hand-percussion put the post-rock sub-genre on the map.
Tortoise's sea-tide grooves and pointillist hand-percussion put the post-rock sub-genre on the map.
Definitive Albums: Guided by Voices 'Bee Thousand' (1994)
Knocking out 30 songs in three days, GBV enshrined the lo-fi aesthetic on an ad-hoc 'album' afforded instant-classic status.
Knocking out 30 songs in three days, GBV enshrined the lo-fi aesthetic on an ad-hoc 'album' afforded instant-classic status.
Definitive Albums: Belle and Sebastian 'If You're Feeling Sinister'
The Scottish pop outfit's second LP is one of the greatest records ever committed to disc.
The Scottish pop outfit's second LP is one of the greatest records ever committed to disc.
Definitive Albums: My Bloody Valentine 'Loveless'
My Bloody Valentine's all-time-classic second album changed the way a whole generation of artists looked at the guitar.
My Bloody Valentine's all-time-classic second album changed the way a whole generation of artists looked at the guitar.
Definitive Albums: Pavement 'Slanted and Enchanted'
The debut disc for the sultans of slack is, with two decade's worth of hindsight, an interesting proposition.
The debut disc for the sultans of slack is, with two decade's worth of hindsight, an interesting proposition.
Definitive Albums: Spiritualized 'Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space'
J. Spaceman's towering landmark builds heartbroken symphonies mixing shoegaze with gospel, rock-n-roll swagger with bowed confessional.
J. Spaceman's towering landmark builds heartbroken symphonies mixing shoegaze with gospel, rock-n-roll swagger with bowed confessional.
Definitive Albums: Arthur Russell 'Another Thought'
Arthur Russell was too obsessive and fragmented to ever release a classic album. Yet, this posthumous compilation certainly fits the bill.
Arthur Russell was too obsessive and fragmented to ever release a classic album. Yet, this posthumous compilation certainly fits the bill.
Definitive Albums: Palace Music 'Viva Last Blues'
Will Oldham's third Palace album is his masterwork; at turns urgent and volatile, reluctant and solemn, lovestruck and heartachinÂ’.
Will Oldham's third Palace album is his masterwork; at turns urgent and volatile, reluctant and solemn, lovestruck and heartachinÂ’.
Definitive Albums: Neutral Milk Hotel 'In the Aeroplane Over the Sea'
Neutral Milk Hotel main-man Jeff Mangum still hasn't been able to bring himself to attempt a successor to this slice of longplaying perfection.
Neutral Milk Hotel main-man Jeff Mangum still hasn't been able to bring himself to attempt a successor to this slice of longplaying perfection.