Rocka's Hot 90s Albums (Fall 2023)
by 
Tha1ChiefRocka 
These are the current top 10 albums for me from the 90s. Mostly newer listens, but some ones that I've liked for awhile.
- Chart updated: 01/15/2024 01:45
- (Created: 09/21/2023 02:46).
- Chart size: 10 albums.
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This chart is currently filtered to only show albums from Jellyfish. (Remove this filter)
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Year: 1993
Genre(s): Power Pop, Progressive Pop, Baroque Pop, etc.
WARNING: Gets rambly and incoherent at times. (Eh, what's new?)
Boy, I can't tell you how much I missed out on; not having this band, and this album in particular, in my life sooner. I might've just as easily picked the 1990 debut, Bellybutton, instead of their follow up, Spilt Milk, but this one certainly seems a tad more fully-formed and realized in its purpose and execution.
I think one of the worst things a critic or reviewer can do is assume the purpose of the artist. But, I feel confident that, to some extent, the purpose of Jellyfish was to recreate the sound of the 60s and early 70s for the 90s. Today, this is certainly not a new or novel concept in the least. And, there were plenty of artists influenced by artists like the Beatles, Beach Boys, in the late 70s and 80s, but it wasn't until the 90s that true "revivals" started to crop up. (Note to self: There is probably some kind of chronological thing here that would be worth researching. When did influence change to homage, to revival? When does it become "original" again?)
Also, let's list the other influences while I'm thinking about them.
T. Rex
Van Dyke Parks
Harry Nilsson
Queen
Kinks
Jellyfish is the only other band, besides maybe the Olivia Tremor Control, to successfully recreate a similar sound in this era.
Andy Sturmer's, Jellyfish, as many fans and converts would proclaim, should have been one of the biggest bands of the era. The fact that they weren't probably has some logical and industry reasoning, but it still puzzles many a listener to this day. The debut and the follow up are exploding with the kind of memorable lyrics, hooks, and melodies that defined the previous generations. (Whose oeuvre is called to mind on this album.)
If there was a thesis for this album, I'd say it happens in the 2nd track, "Joining a Fan Club" in between 1:54 and 2:11
The strings that accentuate and contrast with the main verse, the transition to a harder and faster bridge all within the span of about 20 seconds. This is the most accurate exhibition of "Power Pop". All in a song with smart lyrics depicting the similarities of fandom and organized religion.
"New Mistake" sees a traditional ballad of sorts updated for a new age. And what a concept. The "new mistake" is an unexpected child, but the orator still cares and loves for the child all the same. It's these kind of juxtapositions, musically and lyrically, that separate Jellyfish from any other kind of similar concept band of the time. And, this song would be a great moment to talk about the performances on this album. (Especially by enigmatic frontman Andy Sturmer.)
I'm so glad that live footage of this short-lived band exists, so I could see that this brilliant musician actually did play drums and sing these parts at the same time. (Standing up no less!!!) Sturmer's vocals are incredibly assured, variable, and thematic. They are always complimentary to any of the highly eclectic instrumentals on the album.
Ah man, this album really deserves a thorough evaluation track by track, but I think I'm going to cut out here. It's so fucking good. I'm relistening to it now as I'm writing this, and I just reached "Russian Hill" realizing that all of the tracks on this DO NOT miss. That echoed voice that comes in on that track. Some slide guitar. The atmosphere is incredible. The jazz & baroque elements that saturate the bridge. What an incredible track.
I guess I can't fully stop this review until I talk about my favorite track "Brighter Day" which should probably be a planetary anthem. I think I could see the nations of the Earth marching down a wide boulevard to this song. However, it's not because this is some kind of track about coming together and making the world brighter. It may seem that way on the surface, but it's actually about how we keep carrying on with some kind of mindless positivity in spite of the horror and shit that penetrates our daily lives.
But man is it catchy. And it lurches along at a perfect "parade-like" pace too. The horns help fill out that atmosphere as well. Just a fantastic track conceptually, and a dour note to end on for Jellyfish for this album and as a band. It is a shame that this is the seeming end for Andy Sturmer and this project. He's continued to make music, but it has to be one of the biggest "what ifs" I could think of. Certainly a megahit was on the horizon for them at some point. Not that they're similar in the slightest, but what if U2 would've stopped making music after "October"? Some bands may just take a couple of records to fully catch on. I feel like if they would've kept it up just for a few more that they would have reached a glorious peak. Having only two albums from this band is criminal, but I'll be thankful for what we got, I guess.
Just, uh, just go check this out if you haven't. Or maybe take another listen if it's been awhile.
Best Track(s): "Joining A Fan Club", "New Mistake", "Bye Bye Bye", "Russian Hill", "Brighter Day"* [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
Genre(s): Power Pop, Progressive Pop, Baroque Pop, etc.
WARNING: Gets rambly and incoherent at times. (Eh, what's new?)
Boy, I can't tell you how much I missed out on; not having this band, and this album in particular, in my life sooner. I might've just as easily picked the 1990 debut, Bellybutton, instead of their follow up, Spilt Milk, but this one certainly seems a tad more fully-formed and realized in its purpose and execution.
I think one of the worst things a critic or reviewer can do is assume the purpose of the artist. But, I feel confident that, to some extent, the purpose of Jellyfish was to recreate the sound of the 60s and early 70s for the 90s. Today, this is certainly not a new or novel concept in the least. And, there were plenty of artists influenced by artists like the Beatles, Beach Boys, in the late 70s and 80s, but it wasn't until the 90s that true "revivals" started to crop up. (Note to self: There is probably some kind of chronological thing here that would be worth researching. When did influence change to homage, to revival? When does it become "original" again?)
Also, let's list the other influences while I'm thinking about them.
T. Rex
Van Dyke Parks
Harry Nilsson
Queen
Kinks
Jellyfish is the only other band, besides maybe the Olivia Tremor Control, to successfully recreate a similar sound in this era.
Andy Sturmer's, Jellyfish, as many fans and converts would proclaim, should have been one of the biggest bands of the era. The fact that they weren't probably has some logical and industry reasoning, but it still puzzles many a listener to this day. The debut and the follow up are exploding with the kind of memorable lyrics, hooks, and melodies that defined the previous generations. (Whose oeuvre is called to mind on this album.)
If there was a thesis for this album, I'd say it happens in the 2nd track, "Joining a Fan Club" in between 1:54 and 2:11
The strings that accentuate and contrast with the main verse, the transition to a harder and faster bridge all within the span of about 20 seconds. This is the most accurate exhibition of "Power Pop". All in a song with smart lyrics depicting the similarities of fandom and organized religion.
"New Mistake" sees a traditional ballad of sorts updated for a new age. And what a concept. The "new mistake" is an unexpected child, but the orator still cares and loves for the child all the same. It's these kind of juxtapositions, musically and lyrically, that separate Jellyfish from any other kind of similar concept band of the time. And, this song would be a great moment to talk about the performances on this album. (Especially by enigmatic frontman Andy Sturmer.)
I'm so glad that live footage of this short-lived band exists, so I could see that this brilliant musician actually did play drums and sing these parts at the same time. (Standing up no less!!!) Sturmer's vocals are incredibly assured, variable, and thematic. They are always complimentary to any of the highly eclectic instrumentals on the album.
Ah man, this album really deserves a thorough evaluation track by track, but I think I'm going to cut out here. It's so fucking good. I'm relistening to it now as I'm writing this, and I just reached "Russian Hill" realizing that all of the tracks on this DO NOT miss. That echoed voice that comes in on that track. Some slide guitar. The atmosphere is incredible. The jazz & baroque elements that saturate the bridge. What an incredible track.
I guess I can't fully stop this review until I talk about my favorite track "Brighter Day" which should probably be a planetary anthem. I think I could see the nations of the Earth marching down a wide boulevard to this song. However, it's not because this is some kind of track about coming together and making the world brighter. It may seem that way on the surface, but it's actually about how we keep carrying on with some kind of mindless positivity in spite of the horror and shit that penetrates our daily lives.
But man is it catchy. And it lurches along at a perfect "parade-like" pace too. The horns help fill out that atmosphere as well. Just a fantastic track conceptually, and a dour note to end on for Jellyfish for this album and as a band. It is a shame that this is the seeming end for Andy Sturmer and this project. He's continued to make music, but it has to be one of the biggest "what ifs" I could think of. Certainly a megahit was on the horizon for them at some point. Not that they're similar in the slightest, but what if U2 would've stopped making music after "October"? Some bands may just take a couple of records to fully catch on. I feel like if they would've kept it up just for a few more that they would have reached a glorious peak. Having only two albums from this band is criminal, but I'll be thankful for what we got, I guess.
Just, uh, just go check this out if you haven't. Or maybe take another listen if it's been awhile.
Best Track(s): "Joining A Fan Club", "New Mistake", "Bye Bye Bye", "Russian Hill", "Brighter Day"* [First added to this chart: 09/21/2023]
Year of Release:
1993
Appears in:
Rank Score:
854
Rank in 1993:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 1. Page 1 of 1
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Rocka's Hot 90s Albums (Fall 2023) composition
| Year | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 | 0% | |
| 1991 | 0 | 0% | |
| 1992 | 1 | 10% | |
| 1993 | 3 | 30% | |
| 1994 | 2 | 20% | |
| 1995 | 0 | 0% | |
| 1996 | 1 | 10% | |
| 1997 | 0 | 0% | |
| 1998 | 1 | 10% | |
| 1999 | 2 | 20% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Hive | 1 | 10% | |
| Jellyfish | 1 | 10% | |
| 4hero | 1 | 10% | |
| Moonshake | 1 | 10% | |
| Angra | 1 | 10% | |
| Northern Picture Library | 1 | 10% | |
| .O.Rang | 1 | 10% | |
| Show all | |||
Rocka's Hot 90s Albums (Fall 2023) chart changes
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We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.
