As a follow-up to my sloppy half-assed top 25 albums of the 2000s list, here’s a similarly half-assed top 25 list for the 1990s. Which I actually found much easier to compile. I guess that’s because I’m getting old.

These albums are listed by band/artist name, alphabetically. For me it’s hard enough to come up with a list, much less actually order that list in some sort of meaningful way.

Aphex Twin - Richard D. James Album

Lovely crackheaded insanity. I’m a weird one where I think Drukqs is actually my favorite Aphex Twin album, but this one is fantastic too.

The Beatles - The Anthologies (2 & 3 especially)

Anthology 1 is cool too for a Beatles freak like me (the “historical significance” makes the early tracks interesting to hear.) But 2 and 3 are really great to actually listen to. I particularly like #3 because I find the acoustic versions really cool and the slow version of “Helter Skelter” is menacing in a delicious way.

Beck - Mellow Gold

Mozart Breath’s favorite Beck album. I don’t know if it’s my favorite album of his, but I can understand how it could be. It’s really just filled with an experimental energy that’s a treat to listen to. It just sounds like a dude doing his thing.

Beck - Midnite Vultures

I know some Beck fans can’t stand this album but I love it. I think it’s a real hoot.

Beck - Odelay

To me this sounds a lot like a “cleaned up” version of Mellow Gold. That’s either a good thing or a bad thing depending on your taste. I like it both ways.

Ben Folds Five - Whatever And Ever Amen

I have a feeling it may be uncool to like this album as much as I do. Is that true?

Bob Dylan - Time Out Of Mind

I think this is actually my favorite Dylan album of the last 40 years. It’s too much of a downer for me to listen to too often, but I really dig it.

The Chemical Brothers - Dig Your Own Hole

Speaking of digging, I dig The Chemical Brothers.

Cornershop - When I Was Born For The 7th Time

This is really one of my go to albums. I find it endlessly listenable. I still haven’t picked up Cornershop’s latest album (Judy Sucks A Lemon For Breakfast) as I found 2002’s Handcream For A Generation to be a bit of a disappointment. But I will give it a listen. I think they’re a really underrated group and this is a really underrated album.

The Fireman - Rushes

This is Paul McCartney’s electronic ambient music album from 1998. Some may find this album a total bore, understandably so. I find it to be a delicious treat for the ears.

The Flaming Lips - Hit To Death…

This may actually be my second favorite Lips album of the ’90s (after The Soft Bulletin.) It’s often overlooked, but it shouldn’t be.

The Flaming Lips - Clouds Taste Metallic

Probably the peak of the band during the Ronald Jones era.

The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin

Deserves all of the praise it receives. If I had to make a top 5 favorite albums of the ’90s, I would not hesitate to place this album among that select group.

The Flaming Lips - Zaireeka

Quite an experience. I have listened to the mix down version a lot more than the full on four disc version but I definitely recommend listening to it in it’s four disc glory if you get the chance. It’s a groovy experience.

Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over The Sea

This album has a very immediate feeling to it. A sense of urgency that I think has made it among a lot of people’s favorite albums. It’s also got brilliant songwriting. That helps. And a bit of a mystique now that it’s been over a decade since and no follow-up album has been released.

Oasis - Definitely Maybe

Oasis used to be among my very favorite bands but as my tastes have grown more and more towards the unusual and psychedelic I have found their music to often be too straight forward for me. But I think they do what they do very well and I still get a kick out of their debut album (and most of the rest of their albums to a lesser extent.)

The Olivia Tremor Control - Black Foliage…

What a glorious epic mess of an album. Psychedelic indie pop taken to it’s zenith. And now there’s talk that they may actually finally record a follow-up to this 1999 classic.

The Olivia Tremor Control - Dusk At Cubist Castle…

Probably more easy to get into than Black Foliage (at least at first.) I’m not really sure which album is “better.” They’re both great. The Singles & Beyond compilation is great too (although not quite as excellent as the albums.)

Primal Scream - Screamadelica

While Nivana’s Nevermind was the thing in the US in 1991, Primal Scream’s Screamadelica was melting faces over in the UK. Personally, I’ll take Screamadelica over Nevermind in a big way.

Primal Scream - Vanishing Point

Among the most psychedelic albums ever.

Radiohead - OK Computer

Do I even need to say anything about this? It’s almost become too legendary for it’s own good.

Radiohead - The Bends

It’s pretty amazing how much better this album is than their debut, Pablo Honey.

Soul Coughing - Ruby Vroom

The best album from a very underrated band. Very unique sound. Really groovy lyrics. Love it. Unfortunately they seemed to lose it a bit with their follow-up albums, but this debut is still great to my ears. A classic.

Spiritualized - Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space

A stunning album. Just incredible. Perfect.

Ween - The Mollusk

Either White Pepper or The Mollusk take the “my favorite Ween album” cake.

1990s

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