10 Obscure 90s Rock Albums That Deserve Another Listen

In the past, if you wanted to find old albums, you had to dig through CDs at the used record store and hope you'd uncover a few lost treasures. Today, Spotify hosts thousands of obscure albums that you can check out for free. This includes the 90s alternative rock genre, which has plenty of one-hit and one-album wonders who might've been forgotten without Internet archivists.

One night, I was bored, so I looked up one artist and went down the "Fans also like" rabbit hole until I came up with this selection of nearly forgotten albums. Most of these groups have fewer than a hundred monthly listeners, but I think they deserve another moment in the spotlight. If you were around in this decade, you might even recognize a few.

1. Free T-Shirts For Spain by Small 23

Small 23 was originally known as Small, but their 1995 EP, Free T-Shirts For Spain, came out under a different name to avoid legal issues. While the band started off strong, they broke up in 1996 due to burnout, poor marketing and the changing musical landscape. Free T-Shirts For Spain is a time capsule of 90s ennui and grunge, one that makes you reflect on old relationships and solitary road trips.

Members: Matt Walter, Chuck Garrison, Eric Bachmann, Mike Kenlan, Dave Hollinghurst

2. Branch Manager by Branch Manager

Branch Manager found an audience by frequently playing shows and signing a deal with Dischord Records. Unfortunately, their 1997 tour was so exhausting that the band dissolved with only two albums in their catalog. Branch Manager, their 1995 debut, starts with an instrumental track before plunging into wry vocals and subdued, melancholy arrangements.

Members: Dave Allen, Derrick Decker, Ron Winters

3. Yaf by Medfield, MA

Despite the name, Medfield, MA actually hails from Lübeck, Germany. After the band got together in 1989, they released a few albums and EPs, including Yaf in 1996. Information about this band is scarce, but Yaf burns with dark vocals, blaring instrumentals and a strange, shocking intensity.

Members: Thomas Leise, Markus Haupt, Jan Clasen, Morten Blöcker, Alvin Gieselmann

4. Drain by Fountainhead

Fountainhead's sole album, Drain, came out after the band had already split due to creative differences. Fortunately, the members lent their talents to other projects, such as Orange 9mm and Texas Is The Reason. Drain's sound is a little generic, but if you're a fan of 90s alternative rock or grunge, you might find a few gems.

Members: Scott Winegard, Taylor McLam, Larry Gorman, Bill Kiernan, Chris Traynor

5. There's A Great Future In Plastics by The Believe It Or Nots

With one seven-track EP and a total of 11 monthly Spotify listeners, The Believe It Or Nots remained local legends during their four-year career. After performing with various artists, including Hum, The Anniversary and Archers or Loaf, they held their last show in 1999. There's A Great Future In Plastics offers a bright, enthusiastic vibe that reflects the decade's optimism.

Members: Bradley Leckron, Michael Angeletti, John T. Nguyen

6. In Passing by The Farewell Bend

Members of Boys Life and Giants Chair came together to form The Farewell Bend, which released a single album in 1998. With In Passing, the band aimed to challenge the radio-friendly rock that dominated the airwaves. The strained vocals and winding arrangements probably wouldn't have cracked the top 40, but that's what made this album a Midwest rock classic.

Members: John Rejba, Brandon Butler, Paul Ackerman

7. RE: Dereliction by Acrobat Down

Acrobat Down released a few EPs before their first and only album, RE: Dereliction, launched in 1999. Unfortunately, the planned follow-up never materialized, and the group broke up in the early 2000s. With a bouncy, metallic sound, RE: Dereliction could have injected some life into the genre if the band's career had gone differently.

Members: Eliot Zizic, Jason Jones, Jaime White, Hans Buenning, Aaron Hobbs

8. Acceleration and Distortion by New Sweet Breath

New Sweet Breath was ahead of their time, combining soft rock and lo-fi indie a few years before those genres exploded in popularity. The band might have led the charge if they hadn't split in 1999, the same year that Acceleration and Distortion came out. With gentle vocals and fuzzy production, this album lulls the listener into an introspective mood.

Members: Graig Markel, Nicholas Markel, Jeff Hazel

9. Famous Past Lives by Pretty Mighty Mighty

Founded in Ohio, Pretty Mighty Mighty played shows throughout the 90s and 2000s. Famous Past Lives arrived in 1999, adding to the band's small, eclectic discography. This album entrances you with luminous vocals and a quiet, melancholy vibe, making it a great "night driving" record.

Members: John Fitzgerald, Neal Schmitt, Noel Sayre, Jon Chinn

10. 11 Love Songs For Your Shallow, Broken Heart by Late Night Television

Late Night Television is so obscure that I couldn't even find a full list of members online. I did learn that one of the members, Matt Kelley, released 11 Love Songs For Your Shallow, Broken Heart through his own label: Route 14 Records. Both the band and the record label are gone, but you can still listen to this 1999 record and appreciate the blend of punchy rock and lo-fi beats.

Members: Matt Kelley, others

Have you listened to any of these albums? What's your favorite obscure record? Sound off in the comments.