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Monday, March 15, 1999 Decade by Kenley Young Mpn/c Prlitnr My list of the top 10 rock albums of this decade will likely offend many serious music fans and critics who won't find their favorite bands or records listed. Nevertheless, I meekly offer my disclaimer. This is, for the most part, a (gasp!) corporate list. While I am both an avid supporter of underground music and a proud lead vocalist of an unsigned band, I couldn't possibly monitor all the independent albums released by all the college bands in the world. And, as much as I appreciate the contributions of bands like The Dead Milkmen, let's face it ? they'll never go down in the annals of history for reaching any worthwhile musical milestone. Let me also stress that this is only one man's opinion, and it's guesswork only for the rock genre. With that, and with the understanding that this decade won't be numerically finished until Jan. 1, 2001, here are the 10 albums that will stand the test of time: No. 10 Vitalogy ? Pearl Jam (1994): Ten was Pearl Jam's breakthrough, but, with the exceptions of a few singles, it's a relatively weak album. Vs. is solid, but far too contrived. Vitalogy is the band's triumph, and everything they've recorded since then has been thoroughly forgettable (I think their unsuccessful battle to lower TicketMaster's prices by a few insignificant cents caused the band to lose sight of their music). Despite being risky and even sloppy, Vitalogy also is infinitely listenable and full of surprises. It showcases Pearl Jam's true talent and vision, as rock's most selfish, dissatisfied superstars belt out blistering rockers and lyrically complex ballads with equal precision and ferocity. No. 9 Crash ? Dave Matthews Band (1996): Sure, Under the Table and Dreaming came first, but it lacks the pop sensibility that Crash so effortlessly embraces. Can anyone deny the subtle, compelling power of "Crash Into Me"? Some people undoubtedly have a hard time calling the album a rock 'n' roll The Jo ] | i anc J For more information on employment o 4 4/ 's 10 bes record. After all, where's the feedback? Where's the 15-minute guitar solo? And why the hell does a rock singer shuffle his feet when he sings? Crash helped erase many of those rock stereotypes, and, even without the stage presence, Dave Matthews and Co. are the best live band I've ever seen. Crash captures their eclectic, innovative sound and their surprisingly melodic songs. The record successfully eliminates the pretention often found among bands who think they're bad asses because they play unusual instruments. No. 8 Metallica ? Metallica (1991): Somehow, Metallica did it. Not only did this album manage to make heavy metal palatable to the average Joe, but it kicks ass, too. Who doesn't know the "Enter Sandman" intro by heart? Diehard metal junkies generally name Ride the Lightning as the band's best album, but that record lacks maturity. Metallica, this generation's Led Zeppelin, invested an insane amount of work in this project, and it pays off in a big way. You'll be hard-pressed to find four better rock musicians. Lead vocalist James Hetfield, along with Billy Corgan and Trent Reznor, completes this decade's studio wizard triumvirate. No. 7 Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness ? Smashing Pumpkins (1995): Billy Corgan and Co. are the worst live band I've ever seen. But this is the best double-album release in years, thanks to two facts: Corgan is an absolute studio genius, and former drummer Jimmy Chamberlain was the best in rock. Call it whining, call it pretentious, but also call it bold and ambitious for a young band. It's too bad lesser l.*l_ ? TIT'l L . J i r n -i groups uko wnco naa to tonow suit. Great songwriting, a plethora of musical instruments and meticulous attention to detail help detract from Corgan's annoying vocals. No. 6 August and Everything After ? Counting Crows (1993): An untested band? Maybe. A weak album? Hardly. The packaging proudly advertises the fact that Rolling Stone called it "one R HT TNT X. -1_ v_-/ -l_ 1 _1_ [f you're job-hunting and want to that offers long-term growth you need to check us out. and we have employmei rooms management, sal I-' ?* pHH food & beverage areas. 1MIC Hotels was foun gJtjP company owns & man; across the southeastern m nearly 1500 people. ( m include Comfort Inns, Hampton Inns, Ramada Pi; Inns, Sheraton Hotels, Sleep Ii I Wingate Inn. Check I \A. IMIC Bk HOTEL pportunities, call Angela Ecton, Human Re: jwwmwwfjp .. . 1% S* / '* JP ?V - The Gam >t rock a] of the best rock releases of the decade." m Lyrically, at least, this album certainly knows no peers in the "90s. The melod- } ic craftsmanship also is wonderfully evocative, and you can't listen without ;; getting deeply involved and boundlessly " depressed. Lead vocalist Adam Duritz j once said he didn't want to write any music this personal again. Too bad, Adam. No. 5 The Downward Spiral ? Nine Inch Nails (1994): This album is both unique A and insane, much like its mastermind, Trent Reznor. As textured and complex N as it is perpetually dark, the record at b: times approaches sheer musical bril- th liance. And who will ever forget that fr beautiful refrain in "Closer" (I wanna m f**k you like an animal)? This poly- pi phonic masterpiece is in a class by it- or self, and we have Reznor to thank for py Marilyn Manson, Stabbing Westward ai and every other industrial rock band of pi this decade. P] ill No. 4 J? CI OK Computer ? Radiohead (1997): More a work of art than a record, this N album was greeted with such a colossal wave of critical acclaim that it al- At most drowned out the music. Radio- be head gave us, at long last, "a concept '9i album that actually works," MTV per- es sonality Matt Pinfield once said. The p( music is swelling and emotional, as Bi Thorn Yorke's breathy, beautiftd vocals he carry you across a mental landscape of wi alienation and helplessness in the wake p( of a distant, detached and ominous de information age. he Is On. be with a company opportunities, then We're IMIC Hotels it opportunities in es & catering, and ded in 1981. The ages over 25 hotels cfa Yoc nt~\ r\ ory~\ t*\1 r\\to o LC4.lv?J CAI iV_A 111i\jy o Dur hotel brands Comfort Suites, aza Hotel, Ramada ins, Quality Suites, Js Out! S sources Director, at 803-772-2629. " I * . ' " ' ' Vv tecock [bums w?> j|fc- jM||| W** k4%if #$M o.3 evermind ? Nirvana (199 md's almost a cliche' now. te/re shamefully overrated an om drummer Dave Grohl, h usicians. But there's no den) ofound influence this album e: 1 America's music scene. Nev ipelled all remnants of'80s hai id stage pyrotechnics, and it n ession and flannel fashionabL lus, this mediocre band help arize really good bands, such; im, Stone Temple Pilots and bains. o. 2 chtung Baby ? U2 (1991):' im, which for a time in thi 3s secured U2's position as th it rock band on earth, is plaint )ignant, like all good Irish ono's falsetto soars to sttif eights, and I dare anyone tc eak song on the record. "One" )ssibly the greatest ballad icade, and Axl Rose said he crie ! first heard it. Me, too, Axl. Caree A #\re you consic If so, Wal-Mart Ston We want first-ck Individuals to ioin o i ~ company and we're accomplish great thi You'll be given e> opportunity to thriv environment which i growth, creativity a And, we strongly hard work and accoi of all our Associates rewarded and recogi opportunities for ad and financial gain. Considering the 1 our company, the fut career-oriented pers We will be intervi Apply at the USC There may be a r< WAL*V Al WAYS I n\ fjlw ?1999 WAL-MART www. ' . * m ?defined zrzmmmmm ? -MM ilu v H JM aMI p ^JbT^~ ^ ' ^ HI 1 " iM ? V i-j 1): The MlT[ gjk ~~ I think yJB^ * d, aside yK orrible H|| ing the H rprrngpH BlfflfflllMrell^W^P Jgg|fl^^^ ermind r bands lade de- H e again. ed pop- HHI L is Pearl Alice in No. 1 Out of Time ? R.E.M. (1991): D sions, decisions. Which R.E.M. all is really the best? I suspect debate rhis al- continue until the apdcalypse, e early Out of Time's sleek, sophisticated e great- is without question what made ev ;ive and one finally sit up and take notic music. RE.M. instead of taking them for gr )efying e(b "Losing My Religion" is prob? ) find a the best song of the decade. Sup is quite songs, a legion of loyal followers, long of this respect ? along with U2, R.E xl when represents the last of the true su] groups. >r Oppor Jering a career in Business? 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