Nurse
Artist: Therapy?
Community Score: 6.70

An expanded recording budget does wonders for Therapy? for their first proper studio record, released by new label A&M. But rather than record with a label-approved producer, the Irish band opted to go with their soundman to provide a grunge tinge to their punishing noise. So the band's fans rested easily knowing that Nurse was more than their... Read More

Burn My Eyes
Artist: Machine Head
Community Score: 8.70

Released to massive European acclaim, Machine Head's full-length debut, Burn My Eyes, successfully bridges the gap between second-generation Bay Area thrash (Testament, Death Angel, etc.) and the modern-day Pantera school of hard knocks. Produced by underground stalwart Colin Richardson, Burn My Eyes is a bone-shattering exercise in brutality... Read More

File Under: Easy Listening
Artist: Sugar
Community Score: 3.50

Given Bob Mould's reputation for searing electric rock & roll, it may be easy to think that the title of File Under: Easy Listening is ironic, and it is to a certain extent. But beneath the loud guitars lie the friendliest, most relaxed pop songs Mould had ever written. "Your Favorite Thing" and "Can't Help You Anymore" are two of Mould's most... Read More

Punk in Drublic
Artist: NOFX
Community Score: 8.05

With their 1994 album Punk in Drublic, NOFX truly hit their stride. The quartet didn't change their approach at all -- at their core, they remain a heavy, speed-addled, hook-conscious post-hardcore punk group -- but their songwriting has improved, as has their attack. Prior to this record, they merely showed promise, but with Punk in Drublic... Read More

Troublegum
Artist: Therapy?
Community Score: 8.00

A high watermark of early alternative metal, Troublegum is a spectacular, powerful, clutter-free record. Densely packed at 14 songs in 40 minutes, there's sharpness on every level, demonstrating that the promise evidenced on Nurse was no mirage. Chris Sheldon's job on the boards provides separation among all the instruments, avoiding the mashed... Read More

Heavy Load
Artist: New Kingdom
Community Score: 5.00

One of the dozens of hip-hop groups signed in the early-'90s alt-rap feeding frenzy, this little-known duo is probably most notable for its seminal work with producer Scott Harding (aka Scotty Hard), who went on to work with artists like the Gravediggaz and Prince Paul. The first two tracks start their debut album off rather clumsily, with an... Read More

Picture of Health
Artist: The Headstones

Hungry, aggressive, humorous, and sometimes disturbing rock delivered with fierce defiance and tenacious riffing. ~ Roch Parisien, All Music Guide Read More

Where You Been
Artist: Dinosaur Jr.
Community Score: 9.15

By the time Where You Been surfaced, Seattle had completely exploded, and given that Dinosaur Jr.'s sound, attitude, and more were as proto-slacker as could be, the temptation must have been great to cash in. But J Mascis stuck to his guns, and there's little about Where You Been that would have seemed out of place on Green Mind or even some... Read More

Sexy Pee Story
Artist: The Cows

With an album title that sounds as though it was made up by a four-year-old, this follow-up to Cunning Stunts showed the Cows hitting their stride, producing another terrific, noisy, clamorous record stuffed to the gills with pure punk rock excitement. Never ones to miss an opportunity for humor, included on this disc is a great cover of "39... Read More

Radio 1 Evening Show Sessions
Artist: The Chameleons UK

This disc is actually the perfect complement to the Peel Sessions collection: not only does it contain two more full radio broadcast sessions of the band from 1983 and 1985, there is zero track duplication with the other collection. Even more happily for hardcore fans of the band, between the two collections one can create an entire alternate... Read More

Dragline
Artist: Paw
Community Score: 4.50

Dragline was recorded in Madison, WI, but Paw's influences are pure Seattle. Very much a grunge album, Dragline comes out of the Nirvana/Pearl Jam school of alternative rock and finds Paw fluctuating between the musical and the forceful. On such tunes as "Sleeping Bag" and "The Bridge," substantial melodies and harmonies contrast nicely with... Read More

Undertow
Artist: Tool
Community Score: 8.19

Just as grunge was reaching its boiling point and radio-friendly punk-pop loomed on the horizon, Tool released Undertow, which firmly reinforced metal's prominence as a musical style -- but, for once, it had something worthwhile to say. At the forefront of Tool's commercial explosion were striking, haunting visuals that complemented the album's... Read More

Brood
Artist: My Friend the Chocolate Cake