1990 – Nelson Mandela is released after 27 years imprisonment in South Africa. Hubble Space Telescope sends its first photographs from space. Both East and West Germany ratify reunification. British and French workers meet in the middle of the Channel Tunnel under the English Channel. A more positive year in news than usual … so let’s see if the music can keep our spirits high!
I’ll be looking at the popular and highest-rated songs / albums of the year, giving my opinions on their musicality and longevity as well as an overall verdict for the year as a whole.
Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:
Billboard Top 10 (Popular) Singles
Source: Wikipedia
10 – Blaze of Glory (Jon Bon Jovi)
I guess Jon Bon Jovi decided to go solo in 1990. I’m not exactly sure why, since it sounds just like any other Bon Jovi song.
I like the guitar of “Blaze of Glory”, but that’s about it.
9 – Cradle of Love (Billy Idol)
Good beat. No idea how this is the same person that made “White Wedding”, though.
8 – Hold On (En Vogue)
Oh hell yeah!
En Vogue always provide the groove – this is the best “Hold On” of the year.
7 – Another Day in Paradise (Phil Collins)
Phil Collins is well and truly in his Phil Collins era now.
“Another Day in Paradise” sounds nice and tells a good story, but it doesn’t stick out.
6 – Vision of Love (Mariah Carey)
1990 was the year that Mariah Carey burst onto the scene … except her “best” work is still yet to come.
“Vision of Love” sounds derivative of other solo artists of the era.
5 – Vogue (Madonna)
I’m not a big fan of Madonna songs, but in fairness “Vogue” makes me want to strike a pose and groove to the music.
4 – Poison (Bell Biv DeVoe)
“Poison” is one of those songs I recognise but never knew the name of. It’s great to finally put a name to a banger!
The drum beat is fantastic, and I really love the vocal slides and phrasing.
3 – Nothing Compares 2 U (Sinead O’Connor)
Even though “Nothing Compares 2 U” was penned by Prince, it is unequivocally a Sinead O’Connor song.
It packs a hell of a punch in the choruses, and O’Connor’s vocals are extraordinary.
2 – It Must Have Been Love (Roxette)
The 70’s and 80’s had ABBA, and now 90’s music listeners had Roxette for their Swedish fill.
“It Must Have Been Love” is a classic ballad with a catchy chorus and some lovely synths.
1 – Hold On (Wilson Phillips)
Cheesy, a product of its time, and not even the best song named “Hold On” in this list.
FAVOURITE – “Poison” (Bell Biv DeVoe)
LEAST FAVOURITE – “Vision of Love” (Mariah Carey)
Top-Rated Songs
Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com
10 – Hangar 18 (Megadeath)
Megadeath came out swinging in 1990, as both of the first two tracks on “Rust In Peace” hit hard.
The second track “Hangar 18” boasts awesome guitars and some intelligent switch-ups in the second half.
9 – Twin Peaks Theme (Angelo Badalamenti)
There aren’t many TV themes that deserve to make a “best songs of the year” list like this, but Angelo Badalamenti’s haunting theme for Twin Peaks is certainly one of them.
I love how simple yet effective it is, and that guitar is a hell of an earworm.
8 – Vapour Trail (Ride)
The first miss of this list so far.
Ride are trying to sound like The Stone Roses, but the simple drums, boring riffs and tired vocals don’t do enough to win me over.
7 – Man In The Box (Alice In Chains)
Alice In Chains were one of the “Big Four” Grunge acts, but I feel they were the first to truly master the genre.
“Man In The Box” is heavy-hitting and visceral, with vocals and production that make me irrationally emotional.
6 – Holy Wars … The Punishment Due (Megadeath)
The opening song to Megadeath’s album “Rust In Peace”, and it’s a doozy.
Every instrument in “Holy Wars … The Punishment Due” goes nuts.
5 – Cherry-Coloured Funk (Cocteau Twins)
I’d heard good things about Cocteau Twins but had never listened to them before doing this 1990 retrospective.
“Cherry-Coloured Funk” wasn’t what I was expecting, but the ethereal, almost glossy sound works better than I thought it would.
4 – There She Goes (The La’s)
It’s simple, but “There She Goes” is really affecting.
I love the vocals and the guitar riffs, especially in the bridges. I also want to give a shout-out to “I Can’t Sleep” from the same album for being just as catchy.
3 – Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode)
I’ll delve into what makes “Violator” such a great album later on, but rest assured I think it has some of the best production of the decade.
“Personal Jesus” is no exception, with a nasty hook and some really cool percussive breaks.
2 – Heaven Or Las Vegas (Cocteau Twins)
The title track from Cocteau Twins’ definitive album, and probably my favourite.
It’s similar to “Cherry-Coloured Funk” with its washed-out production, but I feel it has more melodic high points.
1 – Enjoy The Silence (Depeche Mode)
There have been some critical darlings on this top ten, but nothing was ever going to come close to the monumental impact of “Enjoy The Silence”.
It’s one of my favourite songs ever, with stellar production, vocals and a chorus that sends me to another dimension.
BEST SONG OF 1990 – “Enjoy The Silence” (Depeche Mode)
Top-Rated Albums
Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com
5 – Bossanova (Pixies)
Not their most famous album, and none of these songs stand out that much, but I still had a good time with “Bossanova”.
Pixies had mastered their craft by this point, and even the least interesting songs still have an emotive punch.
4 – Rust In Peace (Megadeath)
Megadeath came at the perfect time for Rock / Metal music in the late 80’s and 90’s. Things were starting to get a bit cheesy, but “Rust In Peace” is guttural enough to make it stand out.
I really like the first two tracks, and “Tornado of Souls” is a good mid-point pick-me-up.
3 – Nowhere (Ride)
I said for my quick review of “Vapour Trail” that I wasn’t a fan, and that disinterest extends to the album itself.
“Nowhere” is derivative of The Stone Roses, but not as good … so I might as well just listen to The Stone Roses.
2 – Heaven Or Las Vegas (Cocteau Twins)
For a small band from Scotland, Cocteau Twins had a larger cultural impact than expected.
They’re every hipster’s favourite early 90’s band, and songs like “Cherry-Coloured Funk”, “Pitch the Baby” and the title track make “Heaven Or Las Vegas” an excellent hallmark of where Pop production was going.
1 – Violator (Depeche Mode)
Like with how “Enjoy The Silence” was a cut above the rest of the high-rated tracks, “Violator” is in a completely different league compared to other 1990 albums.
I’ve already talked about “Personal Jesus” and “Enjoy The Silence”, but other bangers like “World In My Eyes” and “Policy Of Truth” cement this as an all-time classic.
BEST ALBUM OF 1990 – “Violator” (Depeche Mode)
Final Thoughts
Some good songs here and there, but I wasn’t blown away by 1990’s overall package.
Overall Grade: C+
Aaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below:
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