When it comes to 90s electronic music, Underworld is easily one of the top tier acts of the entire decade. While their sound is rooted in progressive techno and house, what really sets them apart is how progressive and forward thinking they were in the way they approached production overall.

This album takes a more slow burning approach compared to a lot of other dance music of the era. Most of the tracks stretch to around eight minutes or more, embracing gradual build ups, hypnotic ... read more

The more I hear from MJ Lenderman, the more I love him as an artist. When it comes to blending alt country with indie rock, I think he’s one of the best. Honestly, I enjoy him even more than some of his predecessors like Wilco or Silver Jews. I love the lo-fi, raw, gritty, and unpolished production because it gives a punk edge to songs that might otherwise just sound like classic country.

This album is definitely Tomahawk’s most accessible and refined release out of everything they’ve done—but in a really good way. It doesn’t have the noisier, more abrasive elements of the first two albums, but instead focuses on tracks with strong, catchy hooks that are easy to connect with. That said, it still carries that off-kilter Tomahawk feel, so it stays true to their original sound. It just feels like they spent a little more time crafting this one, and it really ... read more

Fuck Britney Spears

Zero reasons for this album to be on a top albums list

So, Michael Schenker was a former member of both UFO and the Scorpions, and this album feels very much like a continuation of his debut album. This one is definitely more polished, with tighter songwriting and a sound that feels slightly more evolved in every way. You can definitely hear the Scorpions’ influence leaking into this project, and even though I’m still getting more familiar with UFO, for whatever reason, the synth elements on this album also remind me of their style.

This album isn’t bad, but it definitely lacks the raw edge that Ratt used to have. Their first album was the best, and ever since then, it feels like they’ve slowly been losing that wild, free flowing attitude. Each album after the debut seemed a little more restrained, like they were trying to stay within tighter boundaries. By the time we get to this album, which came out at the tail end of the glam metal era, it feels like they had fully compromised to the music industry, aiming ... read more

This was a pretty cool modern dream pop album. It has that bedroom pop and vaporwave feel that evokes a strong sense of nostalgia. The entire album is rooted in dreamy, reverb soaked textures, subtle synth arrangements, and very ethereal style vocals. The overall soundscape is hazy, melancholic, gentle, and soothing, making it a fun album to throw on when you just want to kick back and relax.

This was a pretty cool score. I’ve actually never seen the movie, so my entire perception of the album is purely based on the music. Overall, it’s pretty mid tempo, mellow, and smooth, perfect for winding down or even starting your day. It’s basically funk and soul presented in a cinematic way, with most of the tracks being instrumental. The vibe is laid back.

This is an album I’ve played a few times in the past, but I never really paid close attention to it until now. Listening to it more closely, it’s probably their most accessible album up to this point. Their first two leaned more into noise rock, and their third album was a more experimental take on Native American music through a rock lens. This album still has that unpredictable nature, but it’s more structured, while maintaining a strange, groovy, and offbeat sound that ... read more

I thought this was a pretty cool album. It blends some of their more melodic and progressive elements with their raw death metal sound. You can really hear the early signs of where they were headed, but it still holds onto that gritty, heavier edge from their earlier work.

This album didn’t sound anything like what I was expecting. Turns out it was their first album without founding drummer Bill Berry, so the band went in a completely new direction. Instead of their usual jangly guitars, this album leans more into atmospheric and electronic territory. You get vintage synths, soft pianos, and ambient textures throughout. Even the drums and percussion sound like they were mostly done with a drum machine. Although they changed their sound, this album ... read more

This was a pretty good album for ’80s AOR and power pop, with a little bit of hard rock and progressive rock mixed in. It never got much commercial recognition, but it did build a regional cult following, especially since the band was from Kansas City. If you like bands like Journey or Kansas, then this is probably an album you’ll appreciate. Overall, it’s definitely not something I’ll come back to often, but it was fun for the time it lasted.

This is a side project from Nick Oliveri, who used to be part of Queens of the Stone Age, and to be honest, ever since he and Josh Homme had their falling out and Nick was asked to leave, Queens of the Stone Age has never sounded the same. This album is a pretty fun listen that leans into that stoner rock sound, but with a punk rock edge. It definitely carries a drugged out, outlaw tone, that stems from Nick Oliveri’s unfiltered personality.

These Megadeth albums from the late 80s and early 90s are always a blast. What’s always stood out to me is the more technical side of their music, because you can really hear it in how the drums, percussion, and guitar riffs all weave around each other so precisely. Another element I love is the galloping bass, which adds so much drive and momentum to their sound. And when it comes to fun, technical guitar work, the opening track “Wake Up Dead” is a definite highlight.

This EP caught me by surprise, because their last album leaned more toward grunge and post hardcore, with shoegaze being more of a secondary influence. But on this release, they shift the focus heavily toward the shoegaze side of the spectrum, with grunge and post hardcore taking more of a backseat. A few tracks still get pretty heavy, but it’s balanced out by some mellow, melodic, and ethereal moments, which also brings a dream pop element into the mix.

This was a cool little underground gem to discover. Gowan is an artist I was unfamiliar with, but the mastermind behind this project is Lawrence Gowan, who would later go on to become the frontman for Styx. This album is definitely a product of its time, blending multiple genres, such as art rock, synth rock, progressive, and new wave. If you enjoy artists like Asia or Aldo Nova, this is definitely an album you’d probably appreciate.

This was a pretty good compilation album of some of their early recordings, including their 1991 debut Open Doors, Closed Windows and the Science EP. During this time period, they were more under the umbrella of post punk, drawing on elements reminiscent of bands like Joy Division, The Fall, Wire, and The Durutti Column. This release definitely predates their more sample heavy work on D.I. Go Pop and Technicolour, but the dark atmosphere on these recordings still aligns with the mood of their ... read more

I’ve known about the Mekons for a very long time. They were all over compilations I used to collect from labels like Rough Trade Records, Soul Jazz Records, and many more. But despite always being curious about them, I never actually sat down and listened to any of their albums until now.

Whether you want to call this alt-country, cowpunk, or something else entirely, these guys are definitely pioneers of that sound. This is country music filtered and reimagined through a DIY, chaotic ... read more

The best track on this album is definitely “Fantasy,” with “Under the Gun” coming in a close second. As for the rest of the album, it was pretty solid for what it is. I can only imagine how fresh and exciting this must have sounded back in the early ’80s when it first came out.

Vein.fm is a band I’ve known about for a while, but I haven’t really taken the time to dive into their music until now. I decided to start with this debut EP and plan to slowly work my way forward through their catalog. It’s a fun, and chaotic mathcore and screamo with a lot of raw energy. Short, intense, and aggressive.