Superunknown at 148 is crazy. It got bumped from RS’s top 500 and barely makes it on to this list. Superunknown is too good of a record to be treated that way.
The 90s is my favorite decade for music. The alternative rock revolution, the East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry, the evolution of pop, Britpop, the major leaps in electronic music and indie music. So many gems. Every single decade has its merits for being someone’s favorite but the 90s will always hold a personal place in my heart.
For me 3 best decades are: 1960s - Blues, Jazz and Soul, British Invasion peak of Rock and Roll 1970s - Evolution of Rock, greath and legendary albums and iconic bands and creative artist. 2000s - Hybrid music between Rock and Rap, Born of many amazing alternative Rock bands and Peak of indie Rock. New generation of female pop stars and reborn of EDM music.
the mollusk by ween should absolutely be on this and i am utterly heartbroken that it isnt. i think i should carry pitchforks in front of the pitchfork headquarters in protest
Metal in the 90s is severely underrated in my opinion. Old heads always say it was dead but that’s just cause there was a change in sound but the bands that were prominent had just as many great and influential albums: Pantera, Sepultura, Korn, white zombie. Plus all the great death metal and industrial and alternative stuff
Metal in the 90s was its best decade, but not because of the alt metal scene. Death, Opeth, Entombed just to name a few out of the infinite you could name from the flourishing of the death metal scene. Darkthrone as well man, probably the best black metal band with their best output coming out in the 90s. Nu metal had its boom in the mainstream but is it better than the underground stuff? No.
That build-up of Anthony being so giddy and understanding of each placement from the last top 20 only to get met with Hole at number 8 was gold and I had the exact same reaction.
I actually don't think Hole at 8 is that outrageous. Live Through This isn't perfect, but it's got at least five brilliant songs on it and Courtney's lyrics are so much more interesting than Kurt's. Everyone went on about what a sensitive soul Kurt was because he liked poetry and name checked some cool all-women bands, but lyrically he's pretty weak. Nevermind is an amazing record, but I think Nirvana in general are very one-note, there's not much emotional colour to any of their music.
@@finlayson6868 It's the same way Yoko was the best Beatle - there's a reason John suddenly started writing much more interesting music once he started dating an avant-garde artist. Kurt Cobain was a good songwriter and a great frontman, but that's it. The idol worship and his grizzly death turned him into this figure of worship, but I think Nirvana are very overrated.
Belle and Sebastian’s “If You’re Feeling Sinister” at 25 is a nice and welcoming surprise. Probably one of the greatest albums in indie pop and Scottish history that set the standard high
I still can't get over how much Pitchfork trashed "The Boy with the Arab Strap" back in the day, it's the lesser or the two but still a damn good album.
I ranted on Twitter about Hole's placement on the list, got some angry replies etc. Then realised that is exactly what they wanted. They wanted a reason for people to be angry and talk about it. They knew what they were doing. I didn't bother with the rest of the list as I don't like being manipulated.
Yeah most times these lists are nothing but things to get people talking online, getting more attention, etc so I normally don’t bother. These vids are fun though
In Utero has always been far superior to Nevermind. Genuinely dgaf what anybody says, Nevermind dips in the second half and the production gets bland after a while. In Utero’s raw, abrasive production holds up far better, and even it’s softer moments are more compelling than Nevermind’s
@@tom7979 Yup just hits so much harder, 10x the replay value, more varied songwriting and riffs. Easily one of the greatest albums in rock ever. I really thought Pitchfork "got" the album, but they decided to lump it with all the other records that got bumped down 60 spots. Shame
The Prodigy either Fat Of The Land or/and Music For The Jilted Generation should have been on here. Hell maybe even a Chemical Brothers album, either their first or sophomore would have been nice.
Surprised the Dismemberment Plan's "Emergency & I" didn't make the cut considering they basically made that record blow up in the first place and even bumped it to a 10/10 back in 2011. Also it's like in my top 5.
that was the biggest offense to me. such a forward-thinking record, no one else has come out with anything like it in the 23 years since. and if so, do point me to it. seriously though, that album has it all. incredibly unique instrumental playing and songwriting, endlessly relatable lyrics, cohesion, it really does feel like a 10/10 record to me. i cannot believe it didn’t make it. definitely a top 10 album for me.
Happy to see more hip hop, rap and rnb on this list (the original pitchfork list was 99% indie) but they totally ignored metal, underground metal and hardcore which were huge in the 90s .. also electronic dance music deserved more representation
to some degree pop, and especially electronic (outside like three 'blessed' entities) are ignored - you really have to be some form of rock or rap/rnb or the (straight, cis) male dominated music nerds dont care. This whole part of music culture is heavily tainted.
@@xBINARYGODx I don’t know how you can look at this list - and the contributors - and say that it’s a straight, cis male dominated perspective. The original 2003 list? Absolutely. But there was a clear, calculated effort to include more female voices. Even to the point of overkill imo. I agree with the straight, cis part though.
the list seemed woman centric to a fault. Nobody will ever convince me that hole >>> nevermind. I am so over Nevermind now, but that doesn't take away from what it is and more importantly, what it was.
Exile in Guyville is just such a perfect portrait of a young person at that time. It feels so unfiltered and personal but also really relatable. That rank is a bit much but I hope it encourages people to check it out. It’s a really inspired work.
The thing about Exile in Guyville that makes it deserve those rankings is the record-setting # of copies it sold as an indie, 500,000 in its 1st month, or week - idk how that works. Until Liz Phair did that, 250,000 was considered impossible.
I just discovered American Water myself, and personally, I must say, this album is incredible. Such stunning lyricism on Berman's part, such amazingly sad instrumentals, yet somehow incredibly versatile too. Everything about it speaks to me, and as far as indie albums of the 90s go, it's second only to Lonesome Crowded West for me. Good job Pitchfork; you did something right!
It seems like they specifically avoided Metal in the list, I guess because their audience doesn't care about it. If they would have included it, Meantime should definetely have been on the list.
Some notable rock/metal albums that I think are missing from this list: Megadeth-Rust in Peace Metallica-Black album (not my fav in their discography, but it sold a lot and is very influential) Pantera-Cowboys From Hell or Vulgar Display of Power Alice In Chains-Dirt Pearl Jam-Ten Helmet-Meantime Death-Symbolic Korn-S/T Entombed-Left Hand Path At The Gates-Slaughter of the Soul Neurosis-Through Silver in Blood
Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger Ministry - ΚΕΦΑΛΗΞΘ [Psalm 69] Kyuss - Blues for the Red Sun, Welcome to Sky Valley Melvins - Houdini Tool - Ænima Slayer - Seasons in the Abyss Atheist - Unquestionable Presence Sepultura - Arise, Chaos A.D. Carcass - Necroticism, Heartwork Darkthrone - A Blaze in the Northern Sky Burzum - Hvis lyset tar oss Emperor - In the Nightside Eclipse Strapping Young Lad - City
How is Fantano not a huge fan of Jeff Buckley’s Grace? That album is perfection. His voice is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever heard, and the songwriting is luscious and heart-wrenching. Lover, You Should’ve Come Over is *mwah* 🥰
Different strokes for different folks? I really like the album, but I think the unfortunate "glamor" of a tragic early death played an outsize role in its classic status. There's a few memorable songs on there and his singing is, for the most part, beautiful, but he tends to devolve into caterwauling on the back end of his songs which detracts from them, imo...and I'd argue some of the songs are _not_ memorable.
Of course MBV was number one. Loveless still feels like an album sent to us by ethereal inter-dimensional space fairies. Nothing will ever compare to it.
Couple notable omissions (not that I love these all of these, but at least worth mentioning considering some things that did make the list): - No Blur or Oasis - Weezer Pinkerton is missing - No Squarepusher (Music is Rotted One Note) - No Pearl Jam (Ten) - No Mogwai (Young Team) - No Mercury Rev (Deserter's Songs) - No Cap'n Jazz - Perfect From Now On is missing (> Keep It Like a Secret, imo)
those bands made not be from NA< but they were big enough here that their location of origin is not a good excuse - it's another sign this list is only good if oyu compare it the crap rolling stone shits out.
I can't believe Oasis isn't on this list at all. Definitely Maybe is one of the strongest debut albums of all time and if you're going to represent Britpop, you need to have the best of it on here
Mental. People hear wonderwall, they don't like the gallagher brothers, assume all they do is steal and write beatles stuff and never give them any love. People are idiotas.
They did put Siamese Dream from the SP at around the 100th place (way too low imo but still) but not seeing Mellon Collie, or any Pearl Jam, was strange.
yeah this is their reboot of their original indie-centered list. They did the same with their 80s list. It's an attempt to bring more marginal artists in and blow up the critical consensus
@@BonnieBeats yeah thought Morning Glory would appear just in terms of how big an impact that was (in Europe at least). Also, might have missed it but didn't see SP and Mellon Collie. I like some Radiohead but The Bends got in over both?! Ah regardless, being a 90s kid brought back some memories :)
Very North American indeed, and that's a bit of an understatement. Just went through the list and found FOUR (4) artists born outside of the US/UK/Canada/Ireland (and that's including Sade). The rest are Boredoms, Oval and Björk, unless I'm missing someone, so that means no one here born South of the equator. Imagine trying to build a music canon and completely bypassing South America, Africa, Asia, etc etc, basically 95% of the whole world. Ridiculous stuff.
Not underrated in the slightest, but of course they're one of the best bands of the 90's, p4k just don't care about 90's ph underground, I'm glad how absolutely and disproportionately overrated they're in Internet circles just because every mainstream publication see them as a footnote in music history
Unwound, Drive Like Jehu, and The Jesus Lizard were just as good as Fugazi in my opinion! They all made such fucking phenomenal rock albums just as good as nevermind. What a time.
@@literalwho9017 that's true I have seen lots of appreciation for them in some music forum circles (though it doesn't seem disproportionate to me), but I guess I just meant they're especially underrated among mainstream publications.
Siamese Dream is on it I think (I briefly skimmed down and cba to go back). There are very few artists with two records- I think only Nirvana, Radiohead and Aphex Twin unless I am missing one
Not surprised they completely ignored Metal, Punk and Hardcore but damn! There are so many influential albums in those genres that I feel had a more significant impact than many picks here.
I thought the same thing. I haven't intentionally listened to Pearl Jam since 1995 and honestly can't stand that sound today, but it deserves it's place around the top of the 90's.
I love discovering music through these lists. I listened to Hole's album live through this for the first time and I have to say I adore it. I had no idea Courtney Love was such a good singer. The placement may be too high though, i get the impression they're making a MeToo statement. Shame there isn't Suede's self-titled debut or anything by Blur. Big beat was also ignored, Prodigy and The Chemical Brothers deserve a spot
I discovered Hole from a Let's Argue episode quite a bit ago and since then, I've loved them. Like you said, Courtney is so underrated, especially as a vocalist
Agreed with everything you said. Hole were really underrated because music bros worshipped Kurt and decided Courtney was another Nancy, to the point of claiming Kurt wrote all Hole's music, when really Hole were making far more interesting music and Courtney was writing way more interesting lyrics. Also good shout on Suede - Dog Man Star is easily a top 10 album of the decade for me.
The answer to that question about Built to Spill is unequivocally yes I don't think I've heard of many indie bands outside of Pavement and Modest Mouse that are cited as an influence as much as BtS
I've listened to a lot of R&B from the 80s and 90s despite my age. I don't know if I think D'Angelo's Brown Sugar deserves to be that much higher than Boyz II Men's II album. Happy that Aquemini and Low End Theory are as high as they are as well.
ATLiens should be in the Top 30s of anyone’s 90s list just because of pure quality of the album alone. Nevermind OutKast talking a huge risk by doing a complete stylistic 180.
@@kostajovanovic3711 I suspect what that means is "worth no more than anyone else's". Which is true. "Worthless" is not, unless you're going to say everyone's opinion including your own is too.
Yeah I also thought what was the point of them making a new list and staying as anglocentric as 2003 Doopees - Doopee Time is a really great album from the 90s I also recently discovered Aida El Ayoubi - Men Zaman and think it's fantastic
Here in Hungary, there's a rap album called Ösztönlény. You'dn't understand the lyrics, but it's so incredible musically, that it worths a listen. And speaking of the 90's, Japanese dream pop record 98.12.28 Otokotachi no Wakare! Incredible live album, I've already commented, that it could be on Pitchfork's list.
Lot of great stuff from the 90s but still feel like there were some sad exclusions like Ween, Dinosaur Jr, Primus, Death, SOAD, Chemical Brothers, The Prodigy, Grandaddy, Weezer (Pinkerton), Blur, Oasis, RHCP, Polvo, Don Caballero, Archers of Loaf, Dismemberment Plan, Reel Big Fish, POTUSA, Del The Funky Homosapien, Jurassic 5, Unwound, Helmet, Hum, Catherine Wheel, Kitchens of Distinction, Low, Ride, Matthew Sweet and honestly i’m probably forgetting a ton, 90s is a stacked decade
I know this would be a huge undertaking, but I would LOVE for you to make a list like this, either of a decade or all time or anything. It's been amazing to see your 10s through the decades (I've spent weeks wondering what you'll name from the 60s and 70s) and I love seeing your opinions on this stuff. You lived this decade as the busy music nerd you are whereas I was a toddler (and many younger fans on here even more not present) and there's no substitute for that kind of knowledge of an area. It's great that this list mostly didn't suck after the RS lists the past few years have sucked a LOT.
@@blarghblargh exactly. As of now I'm super annoyed by people telling me how genius the 80s were when it came to production and so on. This might well be when I have to listen to another iteration of a toto song I'll friggn end it.
Live Through This totally deserves a place on the list. it's not as good as Nevermind obviously (even i think that's just pitchfork being edgy) but the album is bordering on a 10/10 in my opinion. there isn't a bad track on the thing and the themes discussed in it are much more interesting than anything in Nevermind, as a fan both bands though, Nevermind is better, but not by a long shot
Good to remember, too: a looooot of current p4k staffers aren't even the same writers that established the old p4k canon. I think it's less that they're trying to distance themselves from their past, and more that it's in many ways not even the same website it used to be. There are a lot of younger writers with less firsthand experience with 90s records, which is probably how you get things like Hole at #8. Source: I have been writing for them for the past two years lol
It's nuts to me that Dirt, Vulgar Display of Power, Aenima, Hellbilly Deluxe and Korn's self-titled didn't get so much as a mention. To me those seem like pretty easy picks for a list covering iconic and influential 90's gold.
Totally agree on Three 6 Mafia needing to be higher. The south gets no respect, just like that time MTV booed Outkast. And Hole over Nevermind basically makes the whole list useless. Pitchfork are out to lunch
I mean their 2013 album comes close in my opinion, but its kinda just more of the same sound. It is a GREAT sound however, and I don't expect them to reinvent rock music twice lmao
Complete opposite reaction to you about Hole Underrated masterpiece. Thematically, lyrically and as a coherent concept.. some of the best work to come out of grunge (I honestly would go as far as to say LTT is best lyrical work come out of the whole grunge movement- the recurring themes of milk, cream, motherhood, penis, etc are cleverly and beautifully played with in ways that just punch you in the heart... interwoven throughout the whole record in thematically creative and intelligent ways.) You are really not giving this record credit.
hyped on the berman love for american water! curious as to what your (or anyones) thoughts on some of the other silver jews albums, american water used to be the ONE for me, but recently ive really been spinning bright flight non-stop. the natural bridge has some really thoughtful writing as well!
Maybe the metal albums are on the list and you didn't mention them but leaving them off is pretty absurd given how great metal was in the 90's. Metallica, Megadeth, Death, My Dying Bride, Cynic, Dark Angel, Darkthrone, Ulver, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, At the Gates, Korn, Slipknot, KMFDM, Meshuggah, Dillinger, each could've had an album here if not more and that really only scratches the surface. IMO the strongest decade in metal history between the influx of new audience caused by nu-metal and the artistic developments happnening both in the mainstream of nu and industrial metal as well as the more underground stuff happening in death metal, sludge, black metal, gothic/death-doom, and especially MDM at the middle and end of the 90s.
Missed some person favourites (below) but it's okay. Never gonna please everyone. 3MB - 3MB Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works Vol 1 Autechre - LP5 Current 93 - The Inmost Light David Sylvian - Dead Bees On A Cake The Dead C - Harsh 70's Reality Deathprod - Imaginary Songs From Tristan Da Cunha Tara Jane O'Neil - Peregrine
Is this the first time Anthony has ever mentioned Tori Amos? I always assumed he disliked her music because he never mentioned her on the channel before. Pleasantly surprised that he likes Little Earthquakes
@@malloryclairesteen2411 yeah me too. Although I have a feeling Anthony would criticize the piano ballads on Little Earthquakes as bland lol. He seems to have something against minimalist ballads with sparse production. That’s why he wasn’t a huge fan of Your Power
the list is probably a 7/10 However, albums that should be on the list no question are: Definately Maybe What's The Story (Morning Glory) The Fat Of The Land Urban Hymns Fear Of The Dark Yet again, non-american contributions to timeless albums is overlooked I think the only British names on the list are Massive Attack, Pulp, Radiohead and MF DOOM, Primal Scream, which for a top 150 is nowhere near enough
Fantano severely underrating built to spill is more upsetting than that hole record being above nevermind bruh, perfect from now on blows my mind more than any other indie rock record. Doug Martsch is an absolute genius on the guitar, and has countless lyrical gems to boot. Shame on you melon!
This is the second time I've heard Fantano diss on Built To Spill like this, the first time was when I asked him his thoughts on them during a stream and was shocked when he said he saw them as "boiler-plate indie rock". I just don't understand how he could possibly think something like that when he appreciates bands like Modest Mouse (who were highly inspired by them) Pavement, and Silver Jews so much. In my opinion it's some of the most incredible and influential music in indie and just barely breaking the top 100 is the least it deserves, what an odd placement to complain about.
Can't believe "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" didn't somehow make the list. Sure, it's not quite as tight as "Siamese Dream" but there are plenty of massive highs along the way -- some of the decade's most memorable singles. And speaking of bands that clearly influenced The Smashing Pumpkins,, "Loveless" should not be #1. It's got kind of an interesting backstory ("tHey bANKruPted a rECorRd laBEL") but is one of those albums that's more influential than actually enjoyable.
