[8tracks url=”http://8tracks.com/mkb108/return-of-the-90-s” width=”610″ ]
Do you miss neon windbreakers, Saved by the Bell, and original Pokémon? Go get your Walkman and get ready for this edition of The Weekly List. With the return of the bucket hat comes a compilation of some of the best 90’s rock out there.
Our first song is Nirvana’s “Heart Shaped Box.” This melancholy grunge track is one of Nirvana’s best. The dark poetry of each slow verse makes a sharp change into crashing drums and loud guitar in each powerful chorus. The next track transitions into a softer element of grunge rock. The Cranberries wrote “Zombie” in protesting support of the Irish independence movement, which breaks from their usual alt-pop style to supply hard-distorted, power chords through the intro and chorus. Dolores O’Riordan provides a strong, mystifying range of vocals that evoke a sad, cold mood through her exposition on this social issue.
Beyond grunge, the 90’s gave us a vast variety of alternative music. “Scar Tissue” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers is a perfect example of a song that paved the way for the alt music of the present. Words cannot do justice to this rich-sounding track off of the band’s first album. Even Weezer broke onto the music scene during the 90’s. Their fun, rock-style song “Buddy Holly” went on to influence many others. “Crash into Me” by Dave Matthews Band introduced a soft, sweeping sound that became iconic. Some other new ideas came around at this time; U2 demonstrated a new sound with their song “Mysterious Ways” and Sister Hazel contributed to a specific genre style with “All For You.”
There are some songs that you have to accept as products of the 90’s. Sadly, it is unlikely that anything like them will be produced again. “Steal My Sunshine” by Len offers throaty, simple verses that are put to a repetitive, electronic backing sounds and can’t be described in any way other than 90’s pop. The same can be said for “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals. This faster song is filled with pop-culture references and exudes a message of positivity. The final track is the most 90’s song I can think of, “Two Princes” by Spin Doctors. Incorporating reggae and pop elements, this track became an icon incorporated in soundtracks and 90’s culture overall.
Alright, that’s it for this edition; have a great week guys!
Tracklist:
Heart Shaped Box, Nirvana
Zombie, Cranberries
Steal My Sunshine, Len
Buddy Holly, Weezer
Crash Into Me, Dave Matthews Band
You Get What You Give, New Radicals
All For You, Sister Hazel
Mysterious Ways, U2
Scar Tissue, RHCP
Two Princes, Spin Doctors
Great playlist! I definitely jam out pretty much all of these songs on the daily!