1991 was a landmark year in music.
Just to give you an idea of how important it was:
Nirvana - Nevermind
Metallica - Metallica
Pearl Jam - Ten
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Guns & Roses - Use Your Illusion I & II
REM - Out of Time
Yes, it was THAT big. Many of these artists' biggest albums came from this year alone. These were the albums that made these artists household names. Most of these artists still exist with the exceptions of Nirvana because of Kurt Cobain's 1994 suicide and REM, who just called it quits on September 21st of this year. Most, if not all of these artists, are in consideration for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame if they aren't already in it (Metallica & REM).
What makes this year so special aside from all of these major albums being released is that it seems as if this was the industry at its finest moment.
Rock wasn't the only genre that was dominating the charts (though this is also one of the last times we would see so many rock acts dominate the chart).
Mariah Carey (Emotions), Michael Jackson (Dangerous), and Garth Brooks (Ropin' The Wind) (all among the top selling artists ever) also released major albums this year. Don't worry MC Hammer, Spin Doctors or Color Me Badd, we didn't forget about you guys (though I'm sure some of us would probably would like to).
Think of all of the tributes that just came out for Nevermind recently. All of those acts coming together for just one artist. One album.
The very reason Metallica can put out an album like Lulu is because of the self-titled, the best selling album of the Soundscan era and the inspiration for me listening to rock music in the first place.
Pearl Jam just recently celebrated their 20th anniversary with a documentary the likes of which you'd expect from National Geographic.
Red Hot Chili Peppers released their 10th studio album, I'm With You, in August achieving #1's all over the world.
And Guns & Roses...exist.
Many of the songs from these albums that came out 20 years ago are played almost sounding as relevant today as they did back in 1991, getting played as much as songs that are popular in 2011. All because of 1991.
My questions to readers would be:
Of all of the albums that are listed here, what album that came from that year influenced you the most?
Will there ever be a year as big in music as 1991 ever again? Is there a year that you feel was bigger sales/influence wise?
No comments:
Post a Comment