As surreal as it may seem, the year 1991 was indeed 25 years ago. This means it has been 25 years since the end of the Persian Gulf War, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and the last World Series victory for the Minnesota Twins. The year of 1991 also saw the creation of many influential albums, specifically in the world of alternative and rock.
Perhaps no other album defined 1991 more so than “Nevermind” by Nirvana. Nirvana had already entered the underground scene with “Bleach” in 1989, but “Nevermind” catapulted the band into mainstream success. Numerous labels from alternative to hard rock were affixed to Nirvana, who suddenly found themselves immensely popular on all fronts.
Nirvana’s versatility was displayed throughout the album, which contained cover art depicting a naked baby swimming towards a dollar bill on a fishhook. This versatility was made evident through the hard-driving song “Lithium,” the brooding “Come As You Are,” and the acoustic melancholy of “Something In The Way” and “Polly.”
Those who are fans of Nirvana and those who are indifferent will both recognize “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” which has only increased in popularity since it’s release. Perhaps the only aspect of Nirvana more popular that this song is their smiley face logo which was adopted one year later in 1992. The yellow smiley face with crossed-over eyes and tongue hanging out has become a pop-culture icon, synonymous with the alternative underground and “teen spirit,” just like Nirvana.
Many music critics would argue that Nirvana’s “Nevermind” merely popularized the dark, underground sound of Seattle grunge that had been festering since the late ‘80s. As if to reinforce this point, 1991 brought forth “Badmotorfinger,” the third full-length release by Soundgarden. Behind the powerful vocals of lead singer Chris Cornell, Soundgarden joined Nirvana in helping alternative become mainstream.
“Badmotorfinger” unleashed tracks such as the rage-filled “Jesus Christ Pose,” and the trudging, tuned-down “Outshined.” “Badmotorfinger” never saw the mainstream success of “Nevermind,” but it reinforced the fact that Soundgarden was instrumental in creating the sound that Nirvana rode to popularity.
As Nirvana rode the wave spearheaded by Soundgarden, Pearl Jam conceived an album that would rise to mainstream fame as well. “Ten,” the group’s debut album, slowly rose from a 1991 alt album to one of the most popular releases of the 90s. Tracks like “Jeremy” and “Once” seethe with pent-up rage, while others such as “Garden” and “Black” pull feelings of nostalgia and depression to the front of the listener’s mind. Themes such as abuse, suicide, wasted opportunity and relationships gone bad were now melodic and singable thanks to the husky upper baritone voice of front man Eddie Vedder.
Upon Kurt Cobain’s tragic end and Nirvana’s subsequent breakup, Pearl Jam would rise to the height of mainstream commercial success and develop a cult following that is still thriving 25 years later.
Elsewhere on the alternative scene, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were working hard to make it a year for the music world to remember. Their 1991 album “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” hit the alt rock world hard with a blend of rapcore punk, funk, and easy alternative. Aside from providing a full-length home for the hit single “Under The Bridge,” it brought forth timeless tracks such as “Breaking The Girl,” “Give It Away,” and “Suck My Kiss.”
No strangers to social commentary and off-color lyrics, the Red Hot Chili Peppers also released some red-hot deep tracks such as the scathing “The Righteous & The Wicked” and the hilariously obscene “Sir Psycho Sexy.” “Blood Sugar Sex Magik,” the fifth of many Red Hot Chili Peppers albums, would ensure that they would be an alternative mainstay for years to come.
In addition to signaling the official birth of alternative, 1991 signified the beginning of the end for much of mainstream rock. One album that illustrates the phenomena is Metallica’s self-titled LP. Sometimes called the “black” album, Metallica socked the rock-metal world in the teeth with hits such as “Enter Sandman” and “Sad But True.” In addition to these tracks, depth was added to the album with the acoustic-tinged “Nothing Else Matters” and the unsettling “The Unforgiven.”
Although Metallica would continue producing albums well into the 21st century, nothing written by the metal mainstay would top the success of “Metallica.”
Another album of the mainstream rock world that has turned 25 this year is “Use Your Illusion,” the monstrous Guns N’ Roses double feature that served as their effective last stand. After producing everything from hard rock headbangers like “Coma” and “You Could Be Mine” to ballads such as “November Rain” and “Civil War,” Guns N’ Roses would not be seen with their original lineup until 25 years later on their 2016 “Not In This Lifetime” tour. Neither Metallica nor Guns N’ Roses would see the success that 1991 brought them again in their careers, but this simply goes to show that their best work is still appreciated 25 years later.
2016 marks the 25th anniversary of some of the best and most influential albums of the rock/alternative world. Some albums were beginnings while others were ends, but there is no question that 1991, the year when alternative became mainstream, was a good year for music.
