The Best Rock Albums of the 1990s

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1. 1
   Achtung BabyU2

   Achtung Baby

   U2 · 1991 · Rock

   A bold reinvention into irony, distortion and dance textures, recorded in Berlin. 'One' is its heart. A brave, brilliant pivot.

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2. 2
   Blood Sugar Sex MagikRed Hot Chili Peppers

   Blood Sugar Sex Magik

   Red Hot Chili Peppers · 1991 · Rock

   The funk-rock breakthrough produced by Rick Rubin, balancing party energy with the tender 'Under the Bridge'. Loose and huge. Their defining record.

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3. 3
   CalifornicationRed Hot Chili Peppers

   Californication

   Red Hot Chili Peppers · 1999 · Rock

   A melodic, reflective comeback after years of turmoil, their most song-focused record. Warm and massive. A late-90s staple.

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4. 4
   The Colour and the ShapeFoo Fighters

   The Colour and the Shape

   Foo Fighters · 1997 · Rock

   The album that made the Foos a real band, balancing crushing rock with melody on 'Everlong'. Emotional and tuneful. Their definitive record.

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5. 5
   TenPearl Jam

   Ten

   Pearl Jam · 1991 · Rock

   A passionate, anthemic debut that helped define grunge's mainstream, from 'Alive' to 'Jeremy'. Earnest and huge. A 90s cornerstone.

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6. 6
   Time Out of MindBob Dylan

   Time Out of Mind

   Bob Dylan · 1997 · Rock

   A weathered, atmospheric comeback of mortality and blues. Bold and Grammy-winning. A late masterpiece.

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7. 7
   WildflowersTom Petty

   Wildflowers

   Tom Petty · 1994 · Rock

   A warm, sprawling solo peak of mature songcraft. Tuneful and acclaimed. A fan favourite.

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8. 8
   ZooropaU2

   Zooropa

   U2 · 1993 · Rock

   An experimental, electronic-leaning peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative swerve.

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9. 9
   SuperunknownSoundgarden

   Superunknown

   Soundgarden · 1994 · Rock

   A heavy, psychedelic grunge peak of dark melody, home to 'Black Hole Sun'. Ambitious and huge. Their masterpiece.

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10. 10
    BadmotorfingerSoundgarden

    Badmotorfinger

    Soundgarden · 1991 · Rock

    A heavy, riff-driven grunge peak before Superunknown. Powerful and acclaimed. A high point.

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11. 11
    DirtAlice in Chains

    Dirt

    Alice in Chains · 1992 · Rock

    A bleak, sludgy grunge landmark about addiction, Cantrell's riffs and Staley's voice intertwined. Heavy and harrowing. Their defining record.

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12. 12
    CoreStone Temple Pilots

    Core

    Stone Temple Pilots · 1992 · Rock

    A heavy, hook-laden grunge debut. Tough and huge. A breakthrough.

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13. 13
    Ritual de lo HabitualJane's Addiction

    Ritual de lo Habitual

    Jane's Addiction · 1990 · Rock

    A sprawling, theatrical alt-rock peak, home to 'Been Caught Stealing'. Bold and beloved. Their finest.

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14. 14
    Vs.Pearl Jam

    Vs.

    Pearl Jam · 1993 · Rock

    A rawer, harder follow-up to Ten of urgent energy. Tough and beloved. A strong second record.

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15. 15
    VitalogyPearl Jam

    Vitalogy

    Pearl Jam · 1994 · Rock

    A raw, experimental peak of anti-fame defiance. Bold and beloved. A high point.

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