Badmotorfinger (Soundgarden)

Badmotorfinger
Soundgarden (1991)

Top Tracks: “Outshined”, “Rusty Cage”, “Jesus Christ Pose”

Look, I loved Nirvana as much as any decent Gen-X’er ever did, okay? But my personal favorite band that ever came from Seattle in that era was unquestionably Soundgarden. I had more of a rock and metal background in my blood, and listening to Badmotorfinger was a head banging adventure while also sounding innovative and thought-provoking. I loved them from the first sludgy moment of “Outshined” (May 2020).

The Battle of Los Angeles (Rage Against The Machine)

The Battle of Los Angeles
Rage Against The Machine (1999)

Top Tracks: “Guerilla Radio”, “Sleep Now in the Fire”, “Testify”

RATM really carved their own niche in the ‘90s, with no other band combining the political message and popular sound like they did. I don’t think that any voice other than Zach de la Roche would have better expressed the angst and vibe better than his. Hugely influential as a band, my personal note is that I met Tom Morello at a party a few years after this album dropped, and he was a super nice guy (May 2020).

Blood Sugar Sex Magik (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers (1991)

Top Tracks: “Under the Bridge”, “Suck My Kiss”, “Breaking the Girl”

What an amazing time for music it was in the early ’90s. So many different vibes to choose from. As an LA resident, RHCP was a big deal around here well before they became international superstars once “Under the Bridge” crossed into the public consciousness. This band was always lauded for their funky, upbeat tunes (and rightfully so), but I always had a preference for their darker stuff (May 2020).

Boy (U2)

Boy
U2 (1980)

op Tracks: “I Will Follow”, “The Electric Co.”, “An Cat Dubh”

I fell off the U2 train about the same time when most people were climbing on. I don’t think I really knew about them much until War became a hit album in the USA, and then I went out right away and checked out their previous stuff. Boy is amazing in its rawness, and kind of defining of the post-punk era. It was probably my favorite of their first three albums (May 2020).