1997 saw the release of some of my favourite albums of the 90s decade. This year was full of music that appealed to me, so it remains another where I found it hard to limit myself to five with some classic albums left off the list.
Unit by Regurgitator
Unit’s simplistic artwork has seen it become iconic and instantly identifiable
Unit was a radical shift in Regurgitator’s sound and was unlike any of their previous material. Wearing their 80s influences on their sleeves they pre-empted the backlash from their original fans by penning “I Like Your Old Stuff Better Than Your Knew Stuff”. This remains my favourite Australian album of the 1990s. It made the top 5 in Australia, top ten in New Zealand and won 5 ARIA Awards including Album Of The Year.
Favourite track: “! (The Song Formerly Known As)”
Blue Moon Swamp by John Fogerty
John Fogerty’s fifth solo album was released more than a decade after its predecessor
After a long absence Fogerty returned to the world of popular music with the release of this album. It was a critical and commercial success and won a Grammy for best rock album. The album achieved platinum sales status in Australia and gold in the US. It was a top 20 album in Australia, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium. Several singles were released from the album which no doubt contributed to its success.
Favourite track: “Walking In A Hurricane”
OK Computer by Radiohead
Radiohead’s third studio album won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album
In 2014 OK Computer was included by the United States Library of Congress in the National Recording Registry as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. This is indicative of how influential and revered this album has become. I consider this one of my favourite albums of the 90s decade and I still enjoy it enormously. Although the singles made me want to buy the album, I was pleasantly surprised when I got home and discovered the whole thing was of the same high quality.
Favourite track: “Subterranean Homesick Alien”
Transmission by The Tea Party
Transmission was the fourth album released by Canadian rock band The Tea Party
The Tea Party expanded their sound on Transmission by adding electronic instruments to their usual mix of world music, rock and blues. In places the album featured acoustic instruments alongside samples, loops and sequencers. The lyrics were influenced by dystopian fiction and the album continued their success with five singles released from the album. The album did particularly well in Australia, where the album made top 5, also doing well by peaking at #3 in their home base of Canada.
Favourite track: Lead single “Temptation”
Earthling by David Bowie
Released in February 1997, Earthling was David Bowie’s 21st studio album
I really enjoyed the sound of Outside upon its release in 1995 and was disappointed that the final two albums of what was intended to be a trilogy were not happening. My disappointment was short-lived however as Bowie gave us this. Continuing the industrial sound of its predecessor this was a far more accessible album. Five singles were released and the album was a top 40 hit around the world.
Favourite track: “Little Wonder”
The Slabthrower 