Albums September 1991
Remember it? Bonus: shows are (somewhat) back in September 2021
Remember September 1991? In particular, Tuesday, September 24? It had all those inexplicable techno hits from Color Me Badd and Marky Mark topping the charts.
Vynil records are dead and CDs, following the trend from 1990, overtook cassette sales.
Before music streaming and MP3s, kids anxiously waited for a released date (typically Tuesdays) to pop into a local record store and pay $20 (about $40 in 2021 adjusted for inflation) for a CD that came in a longbox, a form of exterior paperboard packaging.
Suddenly, some of the best albums of all time: Nirvana’s Nevermind, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Blood Sugar Sex Magik, and Soundgarden’s Badmotorfinger crashed in stores. None of them were debut albums or self-titled though.
Some people said Feb 2nd was the Day the Music Died as Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper died in a plane crash. Some others, such as the band Cold, claimed that April 5th was the Day that Seattle Died (Kurt Cobain in 1994 and Layne Staley in 2002).
To me, September 24, 1991, was arguably the Best Album Release Date in Modern Music History1.
Below are some of the most awesome and influential albums in rock history turning 30 years old:
Nirvana - Nevermind (September 24, 1991)
As mentioned here, this record is one of those rare occasions that revolutionized music overnight. Nevermind, its second album, was where Nirvana went mainstream. The enormous riff and vicious sarcasm of Smells Like Teen Spirit and Lithium cut through the superficial facade of pop music.
Check below a QR Code to the playlist of the Official Videos plus bonus videos from Reading 1992, The Paramount, the MTV Unplugged, and Weird Al Yankovic recalling a call with Cobain:
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik (also September 24, 1991)
Blood Sugar Sex Magik is a landmark album produced by Rick Rubin that set the band on a further rock dominance. Give It Away or Suck My Kiss rocked tighter as always swaying an MTV audience, when it was still cool, in raptures.
John Frusciante infused a previously hidden sensitivity into the chilis make-up allowing the singer Anthony Kiedis to bare his wounds on reflective numbers such as Breaking the Girl. It was the first time that RHCP published an album since Hillel Slovak died of an overdose in 1988.
Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger (sort of September 24, 1991)
OK. In reality, it was actually released on October 8th. Its initial release date was postponed due to “production problems”. Following its release tour, Chris Cornell’s band was selected by Guns N' Roses for an opening slot on their Use Your Illusion Tour.
After finishing their tour with Guns N' Roses, Soundgarden took a slot opening for Skid Row on the band's Slave to the Grind in North America tour.
Guns N’ Roses - Use Your Illusion I and II (September 17, 1991)
This double album was a turning point in the sound of Guns N' Roses. It can be enjoyed as the last days of decadence before the grunge revolution. The album was released a week before Nevermind.
My favorite song is You Could Be Mine featured in the badass film Terminator II Judgement Day.
Both albums' covers consist of detail from Raphael's painting The School of Athens. The only difference in the artwork between the albums is the color scheme used for each album. The album's liner notes hide a reference to a riot at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre during the album tour.
A few other September 1991 releases
September 24: A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory, Bryan Adams – Waking Up the Neighbors, Pixies – Trompe Le Monde, The Cult – Ceremony, Van Morrison – Hymns to the Silence
September 23: Kyuss – Wretch (debut album)
September 20: Ween – The Pod
September 17: Billy Bragg – Don’t Try This at Home, Hole – Pretty on the Inside (first album), Ozzy Osbourne – No More Tears, Uncle Tupelo – Steel Feel Gone
September 10: Dire Straits – On Every Street (final album), Jethro Tull – Catfish Rising
September 3: Rush – Roll the Bones
Top 1991 songs that changed music
Below I compiled a 2-hour YouTube playlist with awesome tracks. Expect great vocals from Layne Stayley, Chris Cornell, Eddie Vedder, Ian Astbury, Axl Rose, among others.
https://bit.ly/musictimeline1991
The Wrap
As I wrap up this edition, the vinyl perk of my NFT album (the first-ever, released by Nashville’s Kings of Leon and distributed by Yellow Heart) just arrived.
In addition, concerts are finally back:
Sea Hear Now: Sep 18-19 @ Asbury Park, NJ. Ft: Billy Idol, Patti Smith, Pearl Jam, and Smashing Pumpkins
Riot Fest: Sep 16-19 @ Chicago, IL. Ft: Smashing Pumpkins, Dirty Heads, The Flaming Lips, NOFX, and Slipknot
Ohana Festival: Sep 24-26 @ Dana Point, CA. Ft: Pearl Jam, Beck, Cold War Kids, Sleater-Kinney, Spoon, and Eddie Vedder’s new band.2
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Ranging from alternative rock to hip hop, classic rock, and post-punk
Stepping in to replace Kings of Leon last-minute cancellation due to a family loss.
Buena!