Here is my contribution to my friend’s 9forthe90s tumblr project. The goal is to “tell the story of your musical experience of the 90s in only 9 tracks” without focusing on a single year or genre.
Paring down the 90’s to 9 songs was really challenging for me because so much of my life in the 90’s revolved around music. In fact I haven’t listed to all that much new music after 1999. All of the 90’s was building towards a crescendo that ended with the death of cyberpunk literature and drum and bass music and the dot bomb. Oh well, it was a fun ride while it lasted.
Track Listing:
- Nirvana – Smells like Teen Spirit – 1991
Nirvana is the 90’s! - Red Hot Chili Peppers – Under The Bridge – 1992
Reminds me of hanging out with Justin Roth during summer vacations. - Nine inch Nails – Wish – 1992
Thanks to the Haags for introducing me to NIN, maybe this was their best song? Certainly the best for fueling adolescent rage. - Aphex Twin – On – 1993
I almost only listened to Aphex Twin in the 90’s but this has always been my favorite song from RDJ. - Autechre – Tri Repetae – Clipper – 1995
Whether high, or tripping, or even sober, this song will take you on a mind melting journey. - Ghost In The Shell – Making of a Cyborg – 1995
I think Ghost In The Shell was more or less the height of the 90s, everything after that was a slow decay into a post cyberpunk world we now call web 2.0. This also serves as a stand in for the many anime soundtracks that I listened to. - Titonton – Metaphysical – 1995
I was deeply influenced by the events produced by the ele_mental crew in Columbus Ohio. Thanks to Aaron Shinn for introducing me to them. - Dr Octagon – Earth People – 1996
The guy at World Records said this was “head and heals above anything elseâ€. I think he was pretty much right. I mean, “space dodo crystals†are hard to beat. - Boards of Canada – ROYGBIV – 1998
We had a PC running BeOS connected to the TV in our flat. This song was on heavy rotation.