Top 10 Underrated Rock Songs of the 90s
#10: “Rock and Roll Is Dead” (1995)
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Lenny Kravitz
Having a smash single can sometimes be both a blessing and a curse. Lenny Kravitz, for many, will always be defined by his hit “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” but our first entry proved that Kravitz had plenty of creative energy left in the tank. “Rock and Roll Is Dead” takes the sixties and seventies rock swagger that fueled Kravitz’s music and roughs it up a bit, taking a bit of the polish off from “Are You Gonna Go My Way” and bringing it back to basic roots. The arrangement is meat-and-potatoes, hinging on the repetition of that main riff… but what a KILLER main riff it is. Meanwhile, there’s a short but sweet solo, and there you have it: a fantastically rocking jam.
#9: “Stuck on You” (1996)
Failure
The world of nineties alternative rock was more than just grunge. There was actually a world of interesting music that deviated from the formula of arena and glam rock that dominated charts throughout the seventies and eighties. Failure was one of those acts, a guitar-centric band that also possessed smart songwriting and impeccable production. “Stuck on You” is one of those thick, heavy tracks that Failure did so well, a mid-paced affair that never plods, but rather grooves with the listener from that discordant opening hook. The monotone vocals seem to be intentionally droning, a psychedelic and spacey feeling that just adds to the song’s unique atmosphere.
#8: “I’m Afraid of Americans” (1997)
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David Bowie
David Bowie was already a musical icon when he released “I’m Afraid of Americans” as a single back in 1997. There were multiple versions of the song, featuring production and mixing assistance from the likes of Brian Eno, as well as members from Nine Inch Nails. “I’m Afraid of Americans” showcased a fresh and updated version of the Thin White Duke for a new generation, introducing industrial elements while simultaneously remaining Bowie to the core. This was due to the man’s inimitable vocals, whose charms cut through modern production techniques and lend the song a vibe all its own.
#7: “Singing in My Sleep” (1998)
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Semisonic
Semisonic was another alternative rock band that showcased where the genre was heading near the tail end of the nineties. Gone was the aggressive riffing of Nirvana and Soundgarden and in its place was a million-selling, marketable juggernaut that was just as popular and widespread as the arena rock that came before. Semisonic certainly wasn’t aggressive, but they did pack plenty of big hooks with their music, best evidenced with their smash hit “Closing Time.” “Singing in My Sleep” was another hit off their sophomore effort, “Feeling Strangely Fine,” and just as poppy, with a happy melody that was the polar opposite of old school grunge angst.
#6: “Hero of the Day” (1996)
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Metallica
It’s difficult for those who weren’t there to describe the controversy that swirled around Metallica’s “Load” album when it was released back in 1996. Although today it’s largely viewed as a “different” but unique point in their career with some hidden gems buried in its tracklist, for many metal fans, “Load” was largely labeled as a betrayal of their thrash roots. “Hero of the Day” was certainly one of those divisive songs, but we’d argue that the main melody is memorable, James Hetfield’s vocals are strong, and the final, heavy third is a triumphant slice of heavy rock thunder. Go back and give “Load” another shot: you’ll be glad you did.
#5: “Angry Chair” (1992)
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Alice in Chains
We mentioned alternative rock’s dark and dangerous side earlier in our list, and there were few bands that exemplified that mood better than Alice in Chains. The band’s roots were in Sunset Strip glam metal, but their sound got darker and heavier with time, culminating in perhaps their most cohesive effort, “Dirt,” in 1992. “Angry Chair” was the penultimate track on an album full of killers, and it stands alongside gems like “Dam That River,” “Them Bones,” and “Would?” as a definitive grunge anthem. The song is basically doomy heavy metal in alternative clothing, thanks to Jerry Cantrell’s aggressive riffing and the thick, reverbed production. It’s a stone-cold ripper to this day.
#4: “Only Happy When It Rains” (1995)
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Garbage
What do you get when you combine the musical talents of three producers with an ear for studio work and a firebrand vocalist named Shirley Manson? You get one of the most consistently engaging artists of the nineties: Garbage. “Only Happy When It Rains” was the perfect single to introduce Garbage to the masses, too: a gloomy-but-catchy bit of lightning in a bottle that benefited greatly from a decade-defining video. Seriously, from Manson’s mini-dress and boots combo to the garishly saturated colors, the clip for “Only Happy When It Rains” encapsulates what was going on in the mid-90s musically. Or rather, it presented how doggedly UN-definable nineties rock was, at its core. This was darkly melodic, hypnotic, and impossible to ignore.
#3: “Sex Type Thing” (1993)
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Stone Temple Pilots
It could have been considered a gamble to pick “Sex Type Thing” as the means for introducing Stone Temple Pilots to the masses back in 1993. After all, this song is capital D dark, thanks to lyrical themes which tower over the song with their disturbing intentions. Beyond this, however, “Sex Type Thing” is also relentless with its main hammerhead riff, a feeling of heaviness that’s counterbalanced by Scott Weiland’s insidious, melodic vocals. Weiland goes all in delivering the song’s controversial premise, while drummer Eric Kretz ensures “Sex Type Thing” never lets up for a minute. For our money, their choice was the right one, as STP never bettered this debut single.
#2: “Plowed” (1994)
Sponge
Flashy guitar theatrics were not exactly part-and-parcel for many alternative rock bands back in the nineties, but Sponge was a notable exception to this rule. This isn’t to say that the Detroit-based band was pulling off nine-minute guitar solos or anything, but their song “Plowed” was a refreshingly dynamic single during an era of dreary, often boring guitar work. It hits right after the first chorus, as the tempo picks up, the guitars harmonize and the lead break sizzles beneath Vinnie Dombroski’s second verse. It may not sound like much, but “Plowed” struck like lightning for those desperate for a little something extra when so many were exploring minimalism.
Vinnie Dombroski = dawm-BRAO-skee / dom-BROW-skee https://youtu.be/SwcPrHI56B8?t=11
Before we name our number one pick, here are some honorable mentions!
“Girlfriend” (1991), Matthew Sweet
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“Start Choppin” (1993), Dinosaur, Jr.
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“All I Want” (1992), Toad the Wet Sprocket
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“Outtasite (Outta Mind)” (1997), Wilco
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#1: “Cigarettes & Alcohol” (1994)
Oasis
Oasis was accused almost right from the jump of being a bit too indebted to their musical heroes, the Beatles. “Cigarettes and Alcohol,” however, was a track that looked backward for inspiration, while still retaining a life all its own. The song was a bluesy jam that’s eerily similar to the style of T-Rex and Chuck Berry, but with a notable difference in execution. Liam Gallagher’s vocals were anything but blues-influenced, instead opting for a deliciously snotty approach that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Sex Pistols record. The decision works perfectly with Noel’s noisy and loose guitar jamming and proves that sometimes it’s better to thumb your nose at the critics and just play what you love.
