Top Rock Albums 1990s

This is a series taking a look back at popular albums and popular singers from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. A link to each will be provided below. The 1990s included Nirvana, Depeche Mode, and Metallica among others.

Album – Nevermind was recorded by the American rock band Nirvana and released in 1991. The songs were written primarily by the band’s frontman Kurt Cobain. The album is noted for bringing together a range of emotions. It went to number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The lead single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” got into the Top Ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart It also includes three other successful singles “In Bloom,” “Lithium,” and “Come As You Are.” Among other awards, the album won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.

“Come As You Are” was written by the band’s frontman and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It is the third track on the album and the second single to be released. The song charted on both the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles charts.

Album – Siamese Dream was recorded by the American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins and released in 1993. The album charted on the Billboard 200 charts and eventually certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA. The album included four singles “Cherub Rock”, “Today,” “Disarm,” and “Rocket”. It is regarded as one of the greatest albums of the 1990s.

“Cherub Rock” is the first single to be released from the album and is the opening track. It was written by lead vocalist and guitarist Billy Corgan.

Album – Violator was recorded by the English electronic music band Depeche Mode and released in 1990. It was preceded by the singles “Personal Jesus” and “Enjoy the Silence”. From the album came the singles “Policy of Truth” and “World in My Eyes”. The album charted on both the Billboard 200 and UK Albums charts. It was supported by the World Violation Tour.

“Enjoy the Silence” was released as the second single from the album. It was written by Martin Gore and became the band’s highest charting single in the US charting in the Top Ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified Gold. The song won for Best British Single at the Brit5 Awards.

Album – Metallica is also known as The Black Album. It was recorded by the American heavy metal band Metallica and released in 1991. This album took the thrash metal style of the band to a slower, heavier, and more refined sound. The band promoted the album with a series of tours and released five singles “Enter Sandman”, “The Unforgiven”, “Nothing Else Matters”, “Wherever I May Roam”, and “Sad but True”. It charted on the Billboard 200 chart and became one of the best-selling albums worldwide. The RIAA certified it 16x Platinum.

“Wherever I May Roam” is the fourth single released from the album. It charted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Album – Rust in Peace was recorded by the American thrash metal band Megadeth and released in 1990. It was their first album to feature guitarist Marty Friedman and drummer Nick Menza. The singles from the album were “Hangar 18” and “Holy Wars…The Punishment Due”. It has been named as one of the best thrash metal albums of all time.

“Holy Wars…The Punishment Due” is the opening track from the album.

Album – (What’s the Story) Morning Glory was recorded by the English rock band Oasis and released in 1995. It was the band’s first album with drummer Alan White. The album charted at number one on the UK Albums chart and also charted on the Billboard 200. It has been certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA. The album produced four major hit singles “Some Might Say” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger” which both reached number one on the UK Singles chart and the singles “Roll With It” and “Wonderwall”. At the Brit Awards, the album won Best British Album.

“Wonderwall” was the fourth single from the album. The song charted on the UK Singles and Billboard Hot 100 charts. It remains one of the band’s most popular songs.