Looking back on the music of 1994

I meant to do this last month, but you know how it goes. Two years since my last post. I keep meaning to post here more, but sometimes I can’t be arsed.

But here are some of my favorite albums of 1994. 30 years ago. Holy shit, where does the time go? I say “some of my favorites” because I’m probably forgetting more than a few. These are in no particular order, not even alphabetically.

  • Stereolab — Mars Audiac Quintet
  • Pavement – Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
  • Tom Petty – Wildflowers
  • Beck – Mellow Gold
  • Low – I Could Live In Hope
  • Liz Phair – Whip-Smart
  • Nine Inch Nails – The Downward Spiral
  • Marilyn Manson – Portrait of an American Family
  • Pink Floyd – The Division Bell
  • Velocity Girl – Simpatico!
  • Kyuss – Welcome To Sky Valley
  • Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works II
  • Sebadoh – Bakesale
  • Melvins – Stoner Witch
  • Sugar – File Under : Easy Listening
  • Frank Black – Teenager of the Year
  • Green Day – Dookie
  • Morrissey – Vaxhaul and I
  • Madder Rose – Panic On
  • Guided By Voices – Bee Thousand
  • Toadies – Rubberneck
  • Johnny Cash – American Recordings
  • Therapy? – Troublegum
  • The Rolling Stones – Voodoo Lounge
  • Blur – Parklife
  • Veruca Salt – American Thighs
  • Oasis – Definitely Maybe
  • Beastie Boys – Ill Communication
  • Sunny Day Real Estate – Diary
  • Helmet – Betty
  • Jale – Dream Cake
  • The Cult – s/t
  • The Jesus and Mary Chain-Stoned and Dethroned
  • Ween-Chocolate and Cheese
  • The Figgs – Lo-fi At Society High
  • Gigolo Aunts – Flippin’ Out
  • Stone Temple Pilots – Purple
  • Live – Throwing Copper
  • 311 – Grassroots
  • Weezer – The Blue Album

The following came out in 1994, but I bought them later:

  • Suede – Dogmanstar
  • Pulp – His’n’Hers
  • Soul Coughing – Ruby Vroom
  • Portishead – Dummy
  • Jeff Buckley – Grace
  • Massive Attack – Protection
  • Cake – Motorcade of Generosity
  • Manic Street Preachers – The Holy Bible

I did not forget Soundgarden’s Superunknown. I was always majorly disappointed in it. Badmotorfinger is one of my all-time favorite albums, and a real beast musically, but this album was far too mellow. Obviously it was what they were going for, but the feedback, noise, distortion and post-punk influences were completely removed for bland mainstream rock appeal. Yes, I said it. Bland.