1996: The Year In Music

1996 – Pokemon appears for the first time in the role-playing videogame “Pocket Monsters Red and Green” for Game Boy in Japan. The 6,138th performance of “Cats” is held in London, surpassing the record of Broadway’s longest-running musical “A Chorus Line”. Tupac Shakur is shot and killed in Las Vegas. Not much happened this year … so let’s hope the music was more noteworthy!

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 – Twisted (Keith Sweat)

Oh no … I think we’re in the era of sloppy RnB.

“Twisted” is so boring it hurts.

9 – You’re Makin’ Me High / Let It Flow (Toni Braxton)

Two songs in one slot – that hasn’t happened for a while.

“You’re Makin’ Me High” has a nice groove, while “Let It Flow” is a bit more mundane.

8 – I Love You Always Forever (Donna Lewis)

I always thought this was an 80’s song.

“I Love You Always Forever” may be relatively simple, but I find it endearing.

7 – Tha Crossroads (Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)

I’m starting to get fed up of this Boyz II Men type of song.

6 – Give Me One Reason (Tracy Chapman)

I like Tracy Chapman’s style, and this Blues / Country-esque infusion is pretty neat.

5 – Always Be My Baby (Mariah Carey)

It’s a Mariah Carey ballad. I automatically don’t like it.

4 – Nobody Knows (The Tony Rich Project)

… Why do all of these 90’s hits now sound so cliché and soppy?

3 – Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion)

Even Celine Dion isn’t immune from a cheesy 90’s ballad.

2 – One Sweet Day (Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men)

Oh good … Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men. Two of my favourite artists from the 90’s.

To be fair, “One Sweet Day” has a catchy chorus if nothing else.

1 – Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix) (Los del Rio)

A legendary dance song fit for any party, but “Macarena” is hardly a masterpiece.

FAVOURITE – “I Love You Always Forever” (Donna Lewis)

LEAST FAVOURITE – “Twisted” (Keith Sweat)

About five of these songs could’ve been my least favourite … not a good showing so far from 1996.

Top-Rated Songs

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

10 – [Untitled] (Fishmans)

Fishmans’ album “Long Season” is one long, 35-minute song. I’m not sure which part of that song “[Untitled]” is referring to, so I’ll assume it means the whole thing.

It’s a fascinating track with excellent production, and while it can get repetitive at points it remains an exemplary display of long-form skill.

9 – Aenema (TOOL)

There’s a nervous energy in “Aenema” that I love.

The drums are particularly stand-out.

8 – Bulls On Parade (Rage Against The Machine)

Easily the best post-debut Rage Against The Machine song.

“Bulls On Parade” is so visceral it makes me want to punch a hole in my wall.

7 – Forty Six & 2 (TOOL)

“Forty Six & 2” starts with one of the best bass riffs you’ll ever hear, and then it evolves into one of the best songs of the year.

That chorus hits like a ton of bricks.

6 – The Good Life (Weezer)

“The Good Life” is a fun song, but I wouldn’t say it’s better than other songs from “Pinkerton” like “Tired Of Sex” and “Pink Triangle”.

5 – The Sound (Swans)

Despite being 13 minutes long, “The Sound” is far from boring.

Swans cram in as many dark and heavy ambient, Folk and Rock riffs as possible.

4 – Building Steam With A Grain Of Salt (DJ Shadow)

Okay, I wasn’t expecting an instrumental banger.

I’m not that familiar with DJ Shadow but maybe I should be – “Building Steam With A Grain Of Salt” still sounds fantastic almost thirty years later.

3 – ATLiens (OutKast)

OutKast will soon make a name for themselves, but one of the first classics is “ATLiens”.

It has a catchy groove and a fantastic lyrical flow.

2 – Helpless Child (Swans)

First “The Sound” was 13 minutes and now “Helpless Child” brushes on 16 … Swans are taking their time with it!

“Helpless Child” has an incredible build that crescendos to a dark and dramatic finale.

1 – Stinkfist (TOOL)

The opener from “Aenima” is a TOOL classic.

It sounds a lot like something from “Lateralus” with its heavy riffs and production, and the downbeat vocals always cut through to my soul.

BEST SONG OF 1996 – “Forty Six & 2” (TOOL)

Top-Rated Albums

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

5 – Odelay (Beck)

Beck was an Alternative Rock icon for a time for his song “Loser”, but in terms of full albums his most famous is “Odelay”.

“Devil’s Haircut” is a great opener, and I also really like “The New Pollution” and “Where It’s At”.

4 – Aenima (TOOL)

1993’s “Undertow” was a solid debut album, and TOOL’s sophomore effort “Aenima” only goes from strength to strength.

It’s engaging from start to finish with bangers like “Stinkfist”, “Forty Six & 2”, “H.” and “Aenema”.

3 – Endtroducing….. (DJ Shadow)

“Endtroducing…..” is comprised of mostly instrumental tracks, but each one is distinct enough to make the album enjoyable.

If nothing else, this is a perfect album to have on in the background.

2 – Pinkerton (Weezer)

Weezer aren’t really my kind of music, but I like how out-there “Pinkerton” is from start to finish.

“Tired Of Sex” is an energetic opener, the trio of “The Good Life”, “El Scorcho” and “Pink Triangle” hit hard, but the rest came and went.

1 – If You’re Feeling Sinister (Belle and Sebastian)

Belle and Sebastian sound quite old-school, and yet I can hear many fundamental styles that will go on to influence countless Folk acts going into the new millennium.

Every song here is good, but my personal favourite is “Get Me Away from Here, I’m Dying”.

BEST ALBUM OF 1996 – “Aenima” (TOOL)

I’m surprised “Soundtracks for the Blind” by Swans didn’t make it considering how critically acclaimed it is. It wouldn’t have been my personal album of the year, but it was worth an honourable mention regardless.

Final Thoughts

There were some cool Alternative Rock albums and songs, but the hits were so bad it hurt my soul.

Overall Grade: C+

Aaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below: