Top 20 Underrated 90s Rock Songs
#20: “White Noise” (1991)
Corrosion of Conformity
The album “Blind” marked a particularly important transition for Corrosion of Conformity, as they began to move past their crossover thrash style for a slower, heavier, groove-oriented sound. This would eventually prove to be a genius decision, setting them up for their biggest successes to date. “White Noise” is a track that sits right in the middle of that change-up, retaining their punky aggression, while showcasing some of the thicker riffs that would define their new identity. Its anti-racist message also gives the track far more substance than your run-of-the-mill 90s metal bruiser. A real gem from this memorable era.
#19: “Shuffle It All” (1992)
Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds
The impact that Izzy Stradlin had on Guns N’ Roses during his time with the band is well-understood by their diehard fans. As a major part of the group’s classic lineup, he played a part in the band’s original run of hit records. He then proved his quality through his sole release under the name “Izzy Stradlin & The Ju Ju Hounds”. Enlisting a lineup of excellent musicians, the album was well received by fans and critics alike. The standout track, “Shuffle It All” got some decent radio play, but is certainly something of an underappreciated and obscure standout from the era. Turns out when Izzy was free of the larger than life figures in GNR, he was pretty adept at crafting a hit.
#18: “Grease Box” (1993)
Tad
When it comes to cult bands of the grunge explosion, Tad really did bring something unique to the table. Their special perspective on the genre was raw, unwashed, and kinda ugly, all things considered. Their sound is summed up best on “Grease Box”, a standout cut from their album “Inhaler” in 1993, Tad's major-label album for Giant Records. The song is gritty, ferocious, and urgent, fitting in well with the Seattle scene that birthed it. While bands like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Soundgarden were out there achieving global domination, Tad delivered grunge on a smaller, more visceral scale.
#17: “Sometimes Salvation” (1992)
Black Crowes
At the peak of their powers, the Black Crowes had a real knack for delivering timeless-sounding, radio-ready rock and roll. If their debut album got their foot in the door, 1992’s “The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion” established them as real stars in the making. Although “Sometimes Salvation” is by no means their biggest hit, over the years, any fans who do a little digging past the obvious tracks eventually end up loving it. It’s a superbly written and performed piece of soulful hard rock, painting as vivid a picture of the band’s identity as any of their better-known tracks.
#16: “Galaxie” (1995)
Blind Melon
Overlooked by many in contrast to many of their peers, Blind Melon have gone on to be regarded as something of a dark horse within the context of 90s alternative rock. Sure, many of you will know them best for “No Rain” off their debut, but their second LP “Soup” delves into much deeper and arguably more inventive directions. The record’s lead single “Galaxie” condenses all of that character and quirkiness into one highly effective package. It proves that the band were genuinely capable songwriters, and while it didn’t achieve the success of their biggest hit, it provides a real reward for anyone who takes a closer look at their back-catalogue.
#15: “Drown” (1995)
Son Volt
Sometimes you just can’t beat good old fashioned guitar-driven rock and roll! Son Volt emerged from the ashes of Uncle Tupelo, with frontman Jay Farrar becoming one of the central figures in the development of alternative country and Americana. For our money, “Drown” is one of their standout moments, a song that acts as a bridge between several different genres. Despite its energy, there’s an emotional directness that shines through in the lyrics and Farrar’s performance. The fact that it remains a staple of their live shows to this day says it all.
#14: “Fly Me Courageous” (1990)
Drivin N Cryin
There are quite a few fans of rock music who would hold up Drivin N Cryin as one of the most underrated bands of the 1990s. A song like “Fly Me Courageous” takes some of the leftover swagger of the 1980s while updating it with a Southern rock-infused heaviness. “Fly Me Courageous” was actually released during the Persian Gulf War, becoming something of a military anthem in the process. The song itself is driven by an infectious guitar riff, one that gives the track a huge and almost muscular vibe. It went on to become their biggest hit, but is still regarded as a forgotten standout from a band that arguably deserved more success.
#13: “And Fools Shine On” (1995)
Brother Cane
It seemed like Brother Cane had all the ingredients to be a success in the mid-90s, and yet, they struggled to truly reach their commercial potential. They certainly fell on the heavier side of grunge and alternative rock, but a song like “And Fools Shine On” proved their radio-readiness beyond any doubt. The song was a hit, reaching number-one on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks charts, but despite having a few strong sellers, the band really didn’t retain their cultural relevance. While groups like Stone Temple Pilots and Collective Soul carved out some real longevity and status, Brother Cane are undeniably an underrated standout from the era.
#12: “Nearly Lost You” (1992)
Screaming Trees
Relative to some of these other picks, “Nearly Lost You” by Screaming Trees might be a little too successful to truly call ‘underrated’. However, the band that delivered this classic are most certainly still criminally overlooked, relative to the strength of their best work. Mark Lanegan had one of the best voices in the business, and his weary but commanding vocals on this track take it way further than it would’ve gone otherwise. “Nearly Lost You” is a near-perfect snapshot of early 90s alternative rock, a supremely well-crafted track that is elevated by some stellar performances from the band.
#11: “Stars” (1995)
Hum
Drenched in fuzz without ever fully disappearing behind the wall of noise, Hum’s memorable track “Stars” takes the sounds of atmospheric alternative rock and shoegaze to places it rarely ventured at that point in time. Matt Talbott’s vocals sit right inside the guitar wash rather than dominating it, which makes the whole thing feel dreamlike and slightly distant. It’s an unexpectedly tender track that strikes a balance that is not easy to pull off. The song would go on to become Hum’s biggest hit, but the group never became a household name, despite their clear talent.
#10: “Rock and Roll Is Dead” (1995)
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 this entry proved that he still 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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
#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.
But what do you consider to be the most underrated rock song of the 1990s? Let us know in the comments below.
