𝑻𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒐 𝑹𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝑻𝒉𝒆 90𝒔 - This is why I still love some 90s bands & others never play again

Thank the G it #NinetiesFriday!

Last week I told you about how I have lately been getting back in tune with some Nineties Airs (Old-fashioned term for a melody or tune), well not just tunes but whole albums.

𝑻𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒐 𝑹𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝑻𝒉𝒆 90𝒔 - Why Do I Still Listen to LOA, Jewel, Dido, Suede, and Björk

And how I really can not imagine playing other 90s Albums that used to be my favorite....

Remember?

No?

Let me summarize

All the albums I listed I used to love like crazy, nowadays Pearl Jam, REM, Therapy, Seal, and even Live would not make the cut.

While LOA, Suede, Dido, Jewel, and even Bjork feel like coming home.

Now, Why is it?

Revealing The Mystery

Looking at the artists you don't like (Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Therapy?, Seal, and Live) versus the ones you do like (Life of Agony, Jewel, Dido, Suede, and Björk), I can see a pattern based on sound, emotion, and artistic approach.

That sounds promising!

The question is; it remains to be seen if I agree with that pattern, ¡and if I agree what albums could replace those that I have outgrown?

Why I Not Like Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Therapy?, Seal, and Live anymore:

1. Vocals & Delivery:

   • Pearl Jam & Live: Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) and Ed Kowalczyk (Live) both have deep, dramatic, and somewhat "affected" vocal styles that emphasize intensity and rawness, which can feel overbearing.

   • R.E.M.: Michael Stipe’s voice is more nasal and detached, which might lack the emotional connection you prefer.

   • Seal: His smooth, deep voice leans towards soul, which contrasts with the more ethereal or melancholic styles you seem to favor.

   • Therapy?: Their aggressive, punk-infused alt-metal sound might feel too chaotic or lacking the introspective depth you enjoy.

2. Musical Composition & Atmosphere:

   • These bands tend to favor anthemic, straightforward rock structures with a focus on big choruses and heavy rhythms.

   • There’s a more conventional, stadium-friendly rock energy, which might lack the nuance or dreamlike quality you appreciate.

3. Lyrical & Emotional Themes:

   • Pearl Jam, Live, and R.E.M. often deal with social, political, and existential themes in a way that can feel preachy or less intimate.

   • Therapy? leans into anger and nihilism, which might not resonate as much.

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Why I Still Listen to Life of Agony, Jewel, Dido, Suede, and Björk:

1. Vocals & Emotional Depth:
   • Life of Agony: While heavy, Mina Caputo’s (formerly Keith Caputo) vocals carry raw melancholy and vulnerability, which adds a personal, emotional weight.

• Jewel & Dido: Their voices are soft, introspective, and personal, drawing you in rather than overpowering you.

• Suede: Brett Anderson’s androgynous, dramatic vocals add a theatrical, moody elegance.
  

Björk: Completely unique, her vocal approach is playful yet deeply emotional, never generic or formulaic.

2. Atmosphere & Sound:

• These artists explore more nuanced, ethereal, or melancholic soundscapes, blending acoustic, electronic, and alternative elements.

• They embrace melody, atmosphere, and introspection over raw energy or stadium anthems.

1. Lyrical Themes & Personal Connection:

   • Their lyrics tend to be more poetic, introspective, or surreal, focusing on internal emotions rather than broad statements.

   • They invite deep listening rather than demanding attention with bombast.

Bikini Bottom Line:

You seem to prefer music that is emotionally layered, atmospheric, and intimate, rather than straightforward, anthemic rock with a deep, commanding vocal style.

Okay well done Chat, except for the Bombast part, I love a bit of Bombastic.... and a bit of hardcore.

Other than that you actually make sense but now you know my darkest little secret what would you advise?

Alternative Rock & Dreamy/Post-Punk Sounds:

Mazzy Star – Ethereal, melancholic, and deeply emotional. If you like Jewel and Dido, you’d love Hope Sandoval’s dreamy voice.

Hell Yeah, Hope Sandoval, I think I played her in one my first #NinetiesFriday posts but she deserves a second coming.

The Smashing Pumpkins (early work) – Their atmospheric, layered sound (e.g., Adore, Siamese Dream) aligns with your preference for introspective music.

Early work? Is there any other? Hell No!
But yes I can still listen to Siamese Dreams today;

Slowdive – Shoegaze with deep emotional resonance and a dreamy atmosphere.

I needed to dig deep and hard to remember these guys, never listen to an entire album but after today I sure will, Damn how could I only know one of their songs?

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Dark, poetic storytelling with atmospheric instrumentation.

LOL, thanks chat for stating the obvious....I mean if you want:

• emotionally layered
• atmospheric
• intimate
• poetic
• introspective
• surreal

You end up with Nick, and if you say Nick I am sure you are going to say PJ Harvey soon.

PJ Harvey (softer works like White Chalk) – Brooding and poetic, but not overbearing.

Ethereal & Experimental Artists (Bjork-Like):

Cocteau Twins – If you love Björk’s dreamlike vocals, Liz Fraser’s voice is pure magic.

Yes & No, never been a fan but I get the point, but a whole album is Overkill.

FKA Twigs – Experimental, ethereal R&B/electronic vibes with a lot of emotional weight.

Hmm, not '90s at all, but I tried...and nahhh

Bat for Lashes – Dreamy, emotional, and layered, similar to a blend of Björk and Dido.

Okay, this I like because they are awesome, not Nineties but fuck it...

Kate Bush – A visionary artist with an ethereal and deeply poetic style, a strong influence on Björk and Suede.

Duhh, but I think we covered Kate with Bat for Lashes as they have been compared.

Melancholic & Emotional Singer-Songwriters:

Damien Rice – Soft, deeply emotional storytelling. If you like Jewel, this would hit home.

Hell yeah, and this is a 2001 release so close enough if you ask me. Although I prefer a cover of this song, this guy...really it´s no effort digesting a whole album.

Aimee Mann – Thoughtful, introspective lyrics with a beautiful melodic sensibility.

Another great suggestion, that I only tiptoed into back then but I will be adding her to my weekend playlist as soon as finish work.

Agnes Obel – Classical-infused, hauntingly beautiful singer-songwriter.

Not Nineties, but she deserves a spotlight for sure, love this lady and she should be featured but I already have another not Nineties song planned and I would like to keep it to a minimum.

Tori Amos – Poetic and unique, a mix between Jewel and Björk in terms of artistry.

Well done Chat, you uncovered my other musical goddess, well Nick is a God but these two are my musical pillars.

Alternative Electronic & Downtempo (Dido-Like Vibes):

Portishead – Trip-hop, moody, and atmospheric with deep emotional weight.

OMG, get me those guys. I needed to pull myself back together to finish this post otherwise I would have remained spacing.

Massive Attack (esp. Mezzanine) – Dark, cinematic, layered soundscapes.

Like I said, I had one more not Nineties song planned but by a very 90s artist, this collab created one of the most beautiful songs ever.

Zero 7 – Similar to Dido, but even more atmospheric and dreamy.

To dreamy for me, thanks but no thanks I am missing that

Goldfrapp (earlier albums) – Dreamy, electronic but soft, with strong emotional weight.

How hard is this???

Choosing UK Girls over Utopia did not come easy to me....

Dark Yet Melodic Rock (Life of Agony-Like but More Atmospheric):

Anathema (later albums) – A mix of melancholic rock and dreamlike beauty.

These guys are great and I saw them a million times as they toured with Therion...a band Chat should have listed but well... Chat can't win them all.

Opeth (Damnation album specifically)** – Acoustic, haunting, and deeply introspective.

Yes, Damnation is great, but Opeth was already crazy good in the Nineties, amazingly good pick tbh.

Katatonia (later albums) – Moody, atmospheric, and emotionally heavy without being aggressive.

I have been doubting these guys forever, listened to them every couple of years. Maybe I should listen to chat and listen to their later work but not today.

Today I will end it in style, 90s melodic metal style.

And yes I do hear a lot of Life of Agony.

Hell Yeah!

I gotta give it to chat this is an 88% score mate well done, no clue how you did that without ears.

AI Inspiration maybe but inspiration whatsoever.

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#NinetiesFriday was brought to you by My Nineties Rant

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WTF do I do on #NinetiesFriday?
Well, don't do what I do because that would be copy/pasta!

But some ideas are music, movies, television, sports, or really anything Nineties related.

I assume movie, TV, or music topic reviews or talk will be most common, but you could also talk about a sports memory or something else.

Make sure to use: #NinetiesFriday and post or cross-post in the Nineties Friday Community

Thank Goodness you made it till the end Pees, Love and I am out of here!

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