We'll try to work backwards when this post gets stale to the 80's, 70's, ect.
Give me 5 Albums from the 90's that kind of slipped under the radar and are worth checking out....
Here's mine in no particular order
1. Days of the New - Green
- 2nd Album, pretty much one big song. There's some scary acoustic guitar parts in there. 1 single, Enemy, didn't get much airplay.
2. Rusted Root - When I Woke
-Although it gained them their most popularity. I'm surprised how many people still don't know who they are. I think it was overshadowed a lot by the grunge scene, but Rain and Martyr are excellent songs.
3. Johnny Cash - Unchained
-With Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as his backing band, this is an amazing Cash album. Even has a cover of Soundgarden's Rusty Cage. Mean Eyed Cat and Sea of Heartbreak are definately my favorites.
4. Screaming Trees - Dust
-This might have been more popular and I just don't remember it, but I don't remember seeing any videos or anything about it. "All I Know" was released as a single, but the rest of the album is really good.
5. Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Ragged Glory
-Some classic Neil Young sounds, nothing spectacular, but a real good album in general. Farmer John, I'm in love with your daughter!
Most Under-rated/unheard of albums of the 90's
Most Under-rated/unheard of albums of the 90's
www.seventides.net
On a pillow of your bones
I will lay across the stones
Of your shore until the tide comes crawling back
On a pillow of your bones
I will lay across the stones
Of your shore until the tide comes crawling back
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ToonaRockGuy
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Great topic...I'm sure that JP will weigh in with a few nuggets that are really good@!!! Here are some of mine...
5. Motley Crue- "Motley Crue" (1994) - Sure, in retrospect, hiring John Corabi was a mistake, but make fun of me if you will, this remains my absolute favorite MC album. WAY more ballsy than ANYTHING with Vince.
4. TNT- "Intuition" (1989) - Hey, it was released in December. Their finest album, despite the track "Ordinary Lover" which blew major chunks due to guitarist Ronnie LeTekro deciding to sing over a small horn section. The rest of the album, though, is flawless.
3. Danger Danger- "Screw It!" (1992) - Just a catchy record all the way through, and anything that features backing vocals from Ginger Lynn under the category of "Moans, Groans, and Assorted Bones" gets thumbs up from me.
2. Mother Love Bone - "Apple" (1990) - In my opinion, the seminal album of the entire "grunge" movement. Just as good as Pearl Jam's "Ten" or Alice In Chains' "Dirt". The world never got to really experience Andy Wood in his full glory. And that is a real shame.
1. The Four Horsemen- "Nobody Said It Was Easy" (1991) - During the time I wrote for JP in "The Final Cut" print edition, I reviewed this as a "back of the rack" type of treat. To this day, it's the only album that I ever gave a perfect rating to. Not a weak moment on it.
There ya go!
5. Motley Crue- "Motley Crue" (1994) - Sure, in retrospect, hiring John Corabi was a mistake, but make fun of me if you will, this remains my absolute favorite MC album. WAY more ballsy than ANYTHING with Vince.
4. TNT- "Intuition" (1989) - Hey, it was released in December. Their finest album, despite the track "Ordinary Lover" which blew major chunks due to guitarist Ronnie LeTekro deciding to sing over a small horn section. The rest of the album, though, is flawless.
3. Danger Danger- "Screw It!" (1992) - Just a catchy record all the way through, and anything that features backing vocals from Ginger Lynn under the category of "Moans, Groans, and Assorted Bones" gets thumbs up from me.
2. Mother Love Bone - "Apple" (1990) - In my opinion, the seminal album of the entire "grunge" movement. Just as good as Pearl Jam's "Ten" or Alice In Chains' "Dirt". The world never got to really experience Andy Wood in his full glory. And that is a real shame.
1. The Four Horsemen- "Nobody Said It Was Easy" (1991) - During the time I wrote for JP in "The Final Cut" print edition, I reviewed this as a "back of the rack" type of treat. To this day, it's the only album that I ever gave a perfect rating to. Not a weak moment on it.
There ya go!
Dood...
Outstanding topic! Here's my list o' 5.
Chalk Farm - Notwithstanding
Really cool disc. No gimmicks. 4 piece rock band. I called Pat Urban one day and asked him if he knew of any under the radar type CD's that I should have. He recomended this nugget. Great choice. Had a minor hit called Lie on Lie.
Brother Cane - Wishpool
Change of sound for these guys here. Moved away from the Aerosmith type cock rock and absorbed some darker tones. Great electric and acoustic tones. Goes real nice in the CD changer with the above mentioned Days Of the New CD.
Machines of Loving Grace - Concentration
Dirty, industrial, devil music with evil sounding wispering and full on screaming. A classic full of clanky samples and super distorted guitars.
Econoline Crush - Home (sometimes called The Devil you Know)
Good rock and pop mix. Just never caught on big. As good as anything else that was like it.
Urge Overkill - Exit the Dragon
I fuckin' loved this CD. Kept hoping that no one else would ever find out about it and I could be the only one to have it and play the shit out of it. Unfortunately for Urge Overkill, my wish pretty much came true.
Great thread. Let's do it again.
Chalk Farm - Notwithstanding
Really cool disc. No gimmicks. 4 piece rock band. I called Pat Urban one day and asked him if he knew of any under the radar type CD's that I should have. He recomended this nugget. Great choice. Had a minor hit called Lie on Lie.
Brother Cane - Wishpool
Change of sound for these guys here. Moved away from the Aerosmith type cock rock and absorbed some darker tones. Great electric and acoustic tones. Goes real nice in the CD changer with the above mentioned Days Of the New CD.
Machines of Loving Grace - Concentration
Dirty, industrial, devil music with evil sounding wispering and full on screaming. A classic full of clanky samples and super distorted guitars.
Econoline Crush - Home (sometimes called The Devil you Know)
Good rock and pop mix. Just never caught on big. As good as anything else that was like it.
Urge Overkill - Exit the Dragon
I fuckin' loved this CD. Kept hoping that no one else would ever find out about it and I could be the only one to have it and play the shit out of it. Unfortunately for Urge Overkill, my wish pretty much came true.
Great thread. Let's do it again.
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J Michaels
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Ahh! You stole mine! NOT as good as "Ten" - that one is in my Top 5 all-time list - and maybe not quite as good across the board as Dirt, either, but it has moments as good as ANYTHING on either of those.ToonaRockGuy wrote:2. Mother Love Bone - "Apple" (1990) - In my opinion, the seminal album of the entire "grunge" movement. Just as good as Pearl Jam's "Ten" or Alice In Chains' "Dirt". The world never got to really experience Andy Wood in his full glory. And that is a real shame.
Where's that chicken gumbo, baby?!
Hey, Kev - can we get some MLB on Rocky some time?
You better call me a doctor - feelin' no pain!
Shmoozing around the rockpage forums to see what was up in the music scene... and found a topic I could go on all day about. I'll have to disagree with the Rusted Root pick earlier - with all the good jam and folk bands that were out around that time I think they were definitely over-rated. Not to say they aren't great, they are. Just overrated. Same with Ragged Glory... If anything I would put Neil Young's "Mirrorball" on the list (yeah, the one with Pearl Jam). Okay here's my list.
5. Jeff Buckley - Grace - Not everyone forgets about this album. But it's not nearly as known as it should be. Jeff was the legendary folkie/funk/blues/singer/songwriter Tim Buckley's son, and this is truly his masterpiece. He drowned while swimming in the Mississippi river, before finishing a second album, which is probably why he is undeservingly forgotton.
4. Wilco - Summerteeth - Everyone from the 90's alt-country scene remembers A.M. and Being There as Wilco's defining moments, and more recently 2002's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but for some reason I can't figure, everyone skims over Summerteeth which may be their most musically intricate album.
3. Blind Melon - Soup - Don't judge them by that one song. both Soup and their first album prove that they were one of the most versitile alt-rock bands of the 90's. From sweet folk to screaming rock in seconds.
2. Los Lobos - Kiko - I'm always at a loss for how do describe these guys - they date back to the 70's so they are very classic rock. Obviously by the name they have a Latin tinge. Anyway, this is their "experimental" album which is why most classic Lobos fans hate it, but it contains one of the most beautiful songs ever, "When the Circus Comes to Town"
1. Elliott Smith - XO - the only way you may have heard of him was from the movie Good Will Hunting... he did a part of the soundtrack. Unfortunately the world lost Elliott last year to suicide which make the songs all the more special.
Honorable Mentions: Blues Traveler "Save His Soul," Ben Harper "Live From Mars, "Counting Crows "This Desert Life," moe. "No Doy," Sparklehorse "Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot," Willie Nelson "Teatro," Morphine "Cure for Pain," Matthew Good Band "Beautiful Midnight," Widespread Panic "Space Wrangler," Belle & Sebastian "Dear Catastrophe Waitress"
...hmmm perhaps I should stop now...
5. Jeff Buckley - Grace - Not everyone forgets about this album. But it's not nearly as known as it should be. Jeff was the legendary folkie/funk/blues/singer/songwriter Tim Buckley's son, and this is truly his masterpiece. He drowned while swimming in the Mississippi river, before finishing a second album, which is probably why he is undeservingly forgotton.
4. Wilco - Summerteeth - Everyone from the 90's alt-country scene remembers A.M. and Being There as Wilco's defining moments, and more recently 2002's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but for some reason I can't figure, everyone skims over Summerteeth which may be their most musically intricate album.
3. Blind Melon - Soup - Don't judge them by that one song. both Soup and their first album prove that they were one of the most versitile alt-rock bands of the 90's. From sweet folk to screaming rock in seconds.
2. Los Lobos - Kiko - I'm always at a loss for how do describe these guys - they date back to the 70's so they are very classic rock. Obviously by the name they have a Latin tinge. Anyway, this is their "experimental" album which is why most classic Lobos fans hate it, but it contains one of the most beautiful songs ever, "When the Circus Comes to Town"
1. Elliott Smith - XO - the only way you may have heard of him was from the movie Good Will Hunting... he did a part of the soundtrack. Unfortunately the world lost Elliott last year to suicide which make the songs all the more special.
Honorable Mentions: Blues Traveler "Save His Soul," Ben Harper "Live From Mars, "Counting Crows "This Desert Life," moe. "No Doy," Sparklehorse "Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot," Willie Nelson "Teatro," Morphine "Cure for Pain," Matthew Good Band "Beautiful Midnight," Widespread Panic "Space Wrangler," Belle & Sebastian "Dear Catastrophe Waitress"
...hmmm perhaps I should stop now...
5. Deep Purple - Abandon. Great example of what the Steve Morse-era of Deep Purple can do. I'm told that the one before it, Purpendicular, is better, but I haven't listened to it yet.
4. Blue Oyster Cult - Heaven Forbid. This was a great BOC album, and it's a shame it didn't get promoted better. The track Harvest Moon did get some airplay though.
3. Bruce Dickinson - Accident of Birth. This was Bruce's return to heaviness, with fellow Maiden alumni Adrian Smith along for the ride. A must-hear for any traditional metal head.
2. Bruce Dickinson - The Chemical Wedding. That's right, 2 Bruce albums on my list. This was the follow-up to Accident of Birth album, and was even heavier. It's almost like his former bandmates in Iron Maiden were paying attention, and thinking "oh yeah, he's ready to come back." since the Maiden reunion was right after this. It's rumoured that Adrian used bass guitar strings on his guitar for a heavier sound.
1. Black Sabbath - Dehumanizer. It's disturbing that so many Sabbath fans haven't heard this one. It's the best of all the Dio/Sabbath albums, and there are times when I even think it's the best, or at least heaviest, Sabbath album of all time. This coming from a die-hard Ozzy/Sabbath-era fan. Outtakes from this one made it on to Dio's next solo effort, Strange Highways, which is another good underrated 90's album. Unfortunately, the "Dio Sabbath reunion" only lasted for one album, and it was quite a disappointment to hear Tony Martin back at the helm on the follow up to this.
Honorable mentions: I just gotta mention these ones. Anthrax - Sound of White Noise, Motley Crue - New Tattoo, Dio - Strange Highways
4. Blue Oyster Cult - Heaven Forbid. This was a great BOC album, and it's a shame it didn't get promoted better. The track Harvest Moon did get some airplay though.
3. Bruce Dickinson - Accident of Birth. This was Bruce's return to heaviness, with fellow Maiden alumni Adrian Smith along for the ride. A must-hear for any traditional metal head.
2. Bruce Dickinson - The Chemical Wedding. That's right, 2 Bruce albums on my list. This was the follow-up to Accident of Birth album, and was even heavier. It's almost like his former bandmates in Iron Maiden were paying attention, and thinking "oh yeah, he's ready to come back." since the Maiden reunion was right after this. It's rumoured that Adrian used bass guitar strings on his guitar for a heavier sound.
1. Black Sabbath - Dehumanizer. It's disturbing that so many Sabbath fans haven't heard this one. It's the best of all the Dio/Sabbath albums, and there are times when I even think it's the best, or at least heaviest, Sabbath album of all time. This coming from a die-hard Ozzy/Sabbath-era fan. Outtakes from this one made it on to Dio's next solo effort, Strange Highways, which is another good underrated 90's album. Unfortunately, the "Dio Sabbath reunion" only lasted for one album, and it was quite a disappointment to hear Tony Martin back at the helm on the follow up to this.
Honorable mentions: I just gotta mention these ones. Anthrax - Sound of White Noise, Motley Crue - New Tattoo, Dio - Strange Highways
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esa
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1. A pound puppy christmas.
2. Alf's sing along album (co-starring the chipmunks and stephen webber)
3. Bobby Lee's, "Sober up now and hug!" Album...featuring Kent in the meditating "Ohemmmmmm" chanting part of the medally. Special guest speaker, Jp.
4. Tony and Lou sing the blues in... "My dog and wife left me, but since my beer went flat, I've got the blues" album.
5. Ski's shock-rocker album: "Their all tone-deaf but they still won't leave my mic be"
These were my fave's in the 90's and early 00's. I can't wait for the second albums!
2. Alf's sing along album (co-starring the chipmunks and stephen webber)
3. Bobby Lee's, "Sober up now and hug!" Album...featuring Kent in the meditating "Ohemmmmmm" chanting part of the medally. Special guest speaker, Jp.
4. Tony and Lou sing the blues in... "My dog and wife left me, but since my beer went flat, I've got the blues" album.
5. Ski's shock-rocker album: "Their all tone-deaf but they still won't leave my mic be"
These were my fave's in the 90's and early 00's. I can't wait for the second albums!
~*~Esa~*~
I'll be the one left standing behind you, looking the other way as you glance back at what you've lost.
I'll be the one left standing behind you, looking the other way as you glance back at what you've lost.
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ToonaRockGuy
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bassist_25
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Oh yeah, I have that Econoline Crush album; it rocks. From what I understand, they are huge in Canada.
Screaming Trees, Widespread Panic, Morphine: those are some awesome choices. Good to see some cool stuff on the list, because I'm often surprised at how UNeclectic this board is.
I have a ton of choices that I always want to mention when this topic comes up, but I always seem to forget what they are, so I'll just spit a few out off the top of my head.
In no particular order....
5. Tonic - Lemon Parade: They had decent success with a few singles such as Open Up Your Eyes and If You Could Only See, but this album is awesome the whole way through. There's a lot of very catchy songwriting going on here.
4. I Mother Earth - Dig: Admit it - you knew I wasn't going to pass up the chance to comment once again on the awesomeness that is I Mother Earth. This album has it all: catchy hard rock, bluesy SRV type of stuff, fusioney (is fusioney a word?) Santana type of stuff, and a healthy dose of funk! I wasn't sure if I was going to mention this album or their second album, Scenery and Fish. While S&F showed maturity in songwriting and composition, I thought that Dig was more accessible. Go out and buy an I Mother Earth album; you won't be disappointed.
3. Robben Ford - Tigerwalk: I guess you could consider this a Fusion album. It's not Fusion like Weather Report or Mahavishnu Orchestra, but it would probaly fall under the heading of Fusion. Ford's known mostly for his bluesy stuff, but this is a little more progressive. If you dig stuff like Alan Holdsworth, you should like this disc (though it's not as intense as Holdsworth's work).
2. Ace of Base - The Bridge: Great, great, great pop album. They had more commercial success with The Sign, but The Bridge is just plain awesome. Some of the best pop arrangements I've ever heard.
1. Feeder - Polythene: This is what happens when you put great hooks and great production together. Sadly, Feeder's drummer committed suicde a few years ago.
Screaming Trees, Widespread Panic, Morphine: those are some awesome choices. Good to see some cool stuff on the list, because I'm often surprised at how UNeclectic this board is.
I have a ton of choices that I always want to mention when this topic comes up, but I always seem to forget what they are, so I'll just spit a few out off the top of my head.
In no particular order....
5. Tonic - Lemon Parade: They had decent success with a few singles such as Open Up Your Eyes and If You Could Only See, but this album is awesome the whole way through. There's a lot of very catchy songwriting going on here.
4. I Mother Earth - Dig: Admit it - you knew I wasn't going to pass up the chance to comment once again on the awesomeness that is I Mother Earth. This album has it all: catchy hard rock, bluesy SRV type of stuff, fusioney (is fusioney a word?) Santana type of stuff, and a healthy dose of funk! I wasn't sure if I was going to mention this album or their second album, Scenery and Fish. While S&F showed maturity in songwriting and composition, I thought that Dig was more accessible. Go out and buy an I Mother Earth album; you won't be disappointed.
3. Robben Ford - Tigerwalk: I guess you could consider this a Fusion album. It's not Fusion like Weather Report or Mahavishnu Orchestra, but it would probaly fall under the heading of Fusion. Ford's known mostly for his bluesy stuff, but this is a little more progressive. If you dig stuff like Alan Holdsworth, you should like this disc (though it's not as intense as Holdsworth's work).
2. Ace of Base - The Bridge: Great, great, great pop album. They had more commercial success with The Sign, but The Bridge is just plain awesome. Some of the best pop arrangements I've ever heard.
1. Feeder - Polythene: This is what happens when you put great hooks and great production together. Sadly, Feeder's drummer committed suicde a few years ago.
"He's the electric horseman, you better back off!" - old sKool making a reference to the culturally relevant 1979 film.
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J Michaels
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And no one's gonna change the way I feel,ToonaRockGuy wrote:J, I'd love to play some MLB, but I have to go "though the channels" to try to get it in the playlist. I'll talk to my boss and see what I can do...*begins humming "Gentle Groove"*
And nothin's gonna take teh power away,
And no one's gonna slow my gentle groove......
I'm Captain Hi-Top, the love commander
I'm an ego-star forever after
I'm Captain Hi-Top, the love commander
Hide your mom, control your sister....
lol - luv that line........ that would be a good one to play - or Come Bite the Apple - and, obviously, Chloe Dancer / Crown of Thorns from the Singles soundtrack............
LOVE BONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You better call me a doctor - feelin' no pain!
1. Souls at Zero - A Taste for the Perverse
This stuff was way before its time.
2. Ragdoll - Glorious Waste of Time
Philly band's '97 release reminds me of Ian Hunter/Mott the Hoople
3. Wargasm - Suicide Notes
Their brutal farewell CD
4. Sugartooth - s/t
Great debut before their 2nd piece of crap.
5. Vanderhoof - s/t
Guitarist/founder of Metal Church. Not what you would expect from him though.
This stuff was way before its time.
2. Ragdoll - Glorious Waste of Time
Philly band's '97 release reminds me of Ian Hunter/Mott the Hoople
3. Wargasm - Suicide Notes
Their brutal farewell CD
4. Sugartooth - s/t
Great debut before their 2nd piece of crap.
5. Vanderhoof - s/t
Guitarist/founder of Metal Church. Not what you would expect from him though.
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bassist_25
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f.sciarrillo
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homerski
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Sorry for the early regression (to the '70's) but I only have one favorite -
1. BloodRock - "BloodRock USA"
I think we are gonna cover some of the songs on this album soon.
By the way, Bloodrock's and Grand Funk Railroad's producer Terry Knight was recently murdered. See http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/1153186.html
John Homerski Jr - Homer's Army
1. BloodRock - "BloodRock USA"
I think we are gonna cover some of the songs on this album soon.
By the way, Bloodrock's and Grand Funk Railroad's producer Terry Knight was recently murdered. See http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/1153186.html
John Homerski Jr - Homer's Army
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
-- Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)
-- Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)
Toad the Wet Sprocket - Walk On The Ocean
I never heard the rest of the album, but if it was along lines of that song, then I would have to say it falls into this category. In fact, I am not even sure if this songs was from the 80's or 90's - I think it was the 90's.
I never heard the rest of the album, but if it was along lines of that song, then I would have to say it falls into this category. In fact, I am not even sure if this songs was from the 80's or 90's - I think it was the 90's.
Jae Smith
Root and The Fifths
www.rootandthefifths.com
www.facebook.com/rootandthefifths
www.twitter.com/rootfifths
www.pabands.com
Root and The Fifths
www.rootandthefifths.com
www.facebook.com/rootandthefifths
www.twitter.com/rootfifths
www.pabands.com
5. the Replicants (self titled - featuring Maynard Keenan on cover of Paul McCartney's "silly love songs" - when it came out, the production was cutting edge cool [IMHO] )
4. Beck - Mutations
3. Pavement - Wowee Zowee
2. Radiohead - Pablo Honey
1. Blind Melon - Soup
4. Beck - Mutations
3. Pavement - Wowee Zowee
2. Radiohead - Pablo Honey
1. Blind Melon - Soup
please visit www.eastcoastbandnetwork.com
is that the same band that was in a feature in Blender magazine?f.sciarrillo wrote:Manowar
please visit www.eastcoastbandnetwork.com
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f.sciarrillo
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I looked at the blender site and they are there, don't have any info on them though. So I am not sure what you mean ...jsabarese wrote:is that the same band that was in a feature in Blender magazine?f.sciarrillo wrote:Manowar
They been around for about 20 years. All from New York, Except Karl Logan who is from Pittsburgh.
Eric Adams - Vocals
Joe Demaio - Bass (He writes all their songs and he produced the rhapsody albums)
Scott Columbus - Drums
Karl Logan - Guitars
They are awesome. I been listening to them for about ten years now. You can find more info about them here: http://www.manowar.com/
Karl Logan is a awesome guitar player. The Guitar player before him, Ross the boss was o.k, but logan is much much better .. Musicianship wise the whole band is good ..
Music Rocks!
I could come up with more, but here are five of my favorite lost albums (not to mention lost bands) from the 90’s:
1. The Power Trio from Hell – American Man (1993) This Jersey band lived long enough to put out one album, but it kicks royal ass! Unapologetic, thrashy, technical-edged, intricate and melodic metal slammed with reckless abandon. Best tunes were the opener “Slowly Rolling,” the technical burner “Fire Of Life,” the ecological power ballad “Earth,” “Reach Out” (with lyrics playing on a telephone commercial catch phrase at the time), the guitar shred instrumental “Guitar from Hell,” “Chief Executive” and “Thrash Epic.” Excellent metal album, released at a time when people had lost interest in metal, and it fell through the cracks…
2. Law & Order – Rites of Passage (1991) Law & Order was one of the many band jewels that fell through the cracks when the musical tide shifted from metal to grunge in the early 90’s. With a sound rooted in Zeppelin and Queensryche, this band sang well-written, hard-rocking songs with substance, dealing with social issues like racism, war, materialism and more. Strongest songs were “Why Would You Lie to Yourself,” “The Hope and the Hunger,” “Plague of Ignorance” and “Funeral for the Good Mother.” If this album would have come out two or three years earlier, these guys might have been household words from the hair-band era. Instead, this album and band fell through the cracks. Worth picking up if you ever run across it…
3. Riot – The Privilege of Power (1990) As far as I’m concerned, Riot was one of the most criminally-overlooked bands in the history of rock/metal. Their albums from the late 70’s and early 80’s should have made them household words, but it didn’t happen. The Privilege of Power was a concept album along the lines of Queensryche’s Operation: Mindcrime, dealing with a fed-up rebel taking matters into his own hands. This album featured detailed, hard-hitting songs interwoven together with soundbytes, news clips and other atmospheric effects. Favorite songs here were “On Your Knees,” “Runaway,” “Dance of Death,” the swaggering “Killer” with its accompanying horn section, and the album closing remake of Al DiMeola’s “Racing with the Devil on a Spanish Highway (Revisited).”
4. Galactic Cowboys – Space In Your Face This Texas foursome’s second album is still my favorite. Galactic Cowboys featured Beatle-like vocal harmonies, and combined lavish progressive metal arrangements with thrash metal speed and reckless abandon. My favorite tracks were “You Make Me Smile,” “I Do What I Do,” “If I Were a Killer” and the whimsical “About Mrs. Leslie.” Grossly overlooked band and album, worth picking up if you see it.
5. Shotgun Messiah – Second Coming Quality Swedish bad-boy metal comparable to Guns’n’Roses and Hanoi Rocks. This was their strongest album before Shotgun Messiah played musical chameleon and morphed towards a more industrial-geared sound later in the 90’s. This whole album is badass and rips; my favorite tracks are “Sexdrugsrock’n’roll” and the anthemic “I Want More.”
1. The Power Trio from Hell – American Man (1993) This Jersey band lived long enough to put out one album, but it kicks royal ass! Unapologetic, thrashy, technical-edged, intricate and melodic metal slammed with reckless abandon. Best tunes were the opener “Slowly Rolling,” the technical burner “Fire Of Life,” the ecological power ballad “Earth,” “Reach Out” (with lyrics playing on a telephone commercial catch phrase at the time), the guitar shred instrumental “Guitar from Hell,” “Chief Executive” and “Thrash Epic.” Excellent metal album, released at a time when people had lost interest in metal, and it fell through the cracks…
2. Law & Order – Rites of Passage (1991) Law & Order was one of the many band jewels that fell through the cracks when the musical tide shifted from metal to grunge in the early 90’s. With a sound rooted in Zeppelin and Queensryche, this band sang well-written, hard-rocking songs with substance, dealing with social issues like racism, war, materialism and more. Strongest songs were “Why Would You Lie to Yourself,” “The Hope and the Hunger,” “Plague of Ignorance” and “Funeral for the Good Mother.” If this album would have come out two or three years earlier, these guys might have been household words from the hair-band era. Instead, this album and band fell through the cracks. Worth picking up if you ever run across it…
3. Riot – The Privilege of Power (1990) As far as I’m concerned, Riot was one of the most criminally-overlooked bands in the history of rock/metal. Their albums from the late 70’s and early 80’s should have made them household words, but it didn’t happen. The Privilege of Power was a concept album along the lines of Queensryche’s Operation: Mindcrime, dealing with a fed-up rebel taking matters into his own hands. This album featured detailed, hard-hitting songs interwoven together with soundbytes, news clips and other atmospheric effects. Favorite songs here were “On Your Knees,” “Runaway,” “Dance of Death,” the swaggering “Killer” with its accompanying horn section, and the album closing remake of Al DiMeola’s “Racing with the Devil on a Spanish Highway (Revisited).”
4. Galactic Cowboys – Space In Your Face This Texas foursome’s second album is still my favorite. Galactic Cowboys featured Beatle-like vocal harmonies, and combined lavish progressive metal arrangements with thrash metal speed and reckless abandon. My favorite tracks were “You Make Me Smile,” “I Do What I Do,” “If I Were a Killer” and the whimsical “About Mrs. Leslie.” Grossly overlooked band and album, worth picking up if you see it.
5. Shotgun Messiah – Second Coming Quality Swedish bad-boy metal comparable to Guns’n’Roses and Hanoi Rocks. This was their strongest album before Shotgun Messiah played musical chameleon and morphed towards a more industrial-geared sound later in the 90’s. This whole album is badass and rips; my favorite tracks are “Sexdrugsrock’n’roll” and the anthemic “I Want More.”
Great pick Jim. I was actually going to put their "Guilty of Innocence" CD on my top 5 list until I saw that it was released in '89. Law & Order recorded a follow-up to Rites of Passage in 1993, but never released it because of some issues with their record label. That lost recording is set to be released in early 2005.Jim Price wrote:I could come up with more, but here are five of my favorite lost albums (not to mention lost bands) from the 90’s:
2. Law & Order – Rites of Passage (1991) Law & Order was one of the many band jewels that fell through the cracks when the musical tide shifted from metal to grunge in the early 90’s. With a sound rooted in Zeppelin and Queensryche, this band sang well-written, hard-rocking songs with substance, dealing with social issues like racism, war, materialism and more. Strongest songs were “Why Would You Lie to Yourself,” “The Hope and the Hunger,” “Plague of Ignorance” and “Funeral for the Good Mother.” If this album would have come out two or three years earlier, these guys might have been household words from the hair-band era. Instead, this album and band fell through the cracks. Worth picking up if you ever run across it…
This reminds me of another overlooked band - Atomic Opera. Them, Galactic Cowboys, and King's X were sort of like "sister bands", the members of the 3 bands were close friends, recorded in the same place, etc. Check out their "For Madmen Only" album from around '93 if you can find it, great stuff from beginning to end.Jim Price wrote:I could come up with more, but here are five of my favorite lost albums (not to mention lost bands) from the 90’s:
4. Galactic Cowboys – Space In Your Face This Texas foursome’s second album is still my favorite. Galactic Cowboys featured Beatle-like vocal harmonies, and combined lavish progressive metal arrangements with thrash metal speed and reckless abandon. My favorite tracks were “You Make Me Smile,” “I Do What I Do,” “If I Were a Killer” and the whimsical “About Mrs. Leslie.” Grossly overlooked band and album, worth picking up if you see it.
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bassist_25
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The Face in the Face
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