The most beautiful melodies from the nineties alt rock era.

Blazer · May 25th, 2007, 08:47 PM

Let's face it, not all "Grunge" was noise rock, the slow songs coming from the bands which came from the alt rock era actually showed how stellar the musicianship was of that band.

Let's look and listen to the hauntingly beautiful quiet songs from the era.

To start it off, here are the Foo Fighters performing "Walking after you" live at Letterman in 1996

A band that always stood out from the crowd were the Eels who's album "Beautiful freak" was full of really touching almost fragile sounding melodies, such as the chorus in this one...

Can't have a topic like this without Sonic Youth, here they are with Kim Deal of the Pixies providing guest vocals.

Another band that stood out from the crowd was Pulp.

Filthy McNasty · May 26th, 2007, 09:51 AM

They are all over R.E.M.'s "Automatic For The People" record. There is not anything even coming close to being a dud on that one. "Nightswimming" & "Find The River" would be the standouts for me.

esteban · May 26th, 2007, 11:24 AM

::cough:: Smashing Pumpkins ::cough::

neocaster · May 26th, 2007, 12:01 PM

The most haunting melody I got out of the 90's was a solo accoustic "Everlong" that Dave Grohl played on Howard Stern's radio show.

kidA · May 26th, 2007, 12:07 PM

neocaster, foo fighters just recently released an acoustic live album, great everlong at the end.

I add Radiohead to this list, The Bends is a fantastic album, as is OK Computer (which is a bit later and departed, but still great).

and i second the smashing pumpkins and foo fighters obviously. wonder how long until... (plays smells like in his head)

jjkurtz · May 26th, 2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filthy McNasty

They are all over R.E.M.'s "Automatic For The People" record. There is not anything even coming close to being a dud on that one. "Nightswimming" & "Find The River" would be the standouts for me.

My exact thoughts when I saw this thread. I love those two songs.

Also, anything from Mazzy Star's first album, "She Hangs Brightly" would qualify.

neocaster · May 26th, 2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kidA

neocaster, foo fighters just recently released an acoustic live album, great everlong at the end.

I add Radiohead to this list, The Bends is a fantastic album, as is OK Computer (which is a bit later and departed, but still great).

and i second the smashing pumpkins and foo fighters obviously. wonder how long until... (plays smells like in his head)

Fake Plastic Trees is awesome. I have a recording of Alannis Morissette covering it. and Anthrax tears up "The Bends" on a Japan-only release. For Smashing Pumpkins fans, iTunes has a collection of rare tracks and B-sides. 114 tracks for 9.99! (I'm a cover junkie, and the Pumpkins had some great covers. You're All I Got Tonight(Cars), Landslide(Fleetwood Mac), Dreamin(Blondie), Never Let Me Down Again(Depeche Mode) and lots more.

jjz28 · May 26th, 2007, 01:47 PM

STP.....major fave, Dean Deleo is awesome! Very melodic, expressive and original. JJ.

morroben · May 26th, 2007, 02:00 PM

+1 on Foo Fighters, Pixies, Pumpkins, Radiohead...

I'll add Built to Spill to the list. Not a huge commercial success but they certainly have a following. Doug Martsch is one of the most amazing musicians on the planet.

Guitarzan · May 26th, 2007, 02:09 PM

Agree on the acoustic "Everlong."

Is "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve prone to get stuck in anyone else's head? I heard it on the radio this week, and I think that the strings in the melody make it the no. 1 "stuck in my head" melody.

The Amazing Phil · May 26th, 2007, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitarzan

Agree on the acoustic "Everlong."

Is "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve prone to get stuck in anyone else's head? I heard it on the radio this week, and I think that the strings in the melody make it the no. 1 "stuck in my head" melody.

Yeah, that song and "The Drugs Don't Work" are great. The Verve did some good stuff in general, but those stand out.

Blazer · May 26th, 2007, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitarzan

Is "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve prone to get stuck in anyone else's head? I heard it on the radio this week, and I think that the strings in the melody make it the no. 1 "stuck in my head" melody.

Don't get me started, that one was a HUGE hit in the late nineties in Europe and it was overplayed to death making me wonder if I was the only one who was up-chuckingly sick of it. And then a dance remix came out and yes, I really was the only one up-chuckingly sick of it.

lunchbox · May 26th, 2007, 09:26 PM

I kinda dug some of the Oasis stuff, Foo Fighters were cool...But Smashing Pumpkins got on my last nerve then meeting that arrogant *^%*&^%* (billy corgan) was even worse. Meat Puppets had some cool stuff happening also.

lunchbox · May 26th, 2007, 09:30 PM

I almost forgot Dramarama and The Smithereens.

Colo Springs E · May 26th, 2007, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitarzan

Is "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve prone to get stuck in anyone else's head? I heard it on the radio this week, and I think that the strings in the melody make it the no. 1 "stuck in my head" melody.

.....they've been sued multiple times over that song, apparently an infringement of the Stones' catalogue, specifically "The Last Time" though I don't hear that song anywhere in "Bittersweet Symphony."

From what I understand, they eventually turned over all royalties to the Stones/or their management, and to add ultimate insult, the Stones/their management then licensed to Nike to use in a popular TV ad campaign.

Bittersweet indeed...

Jorge · May 26th, 2007, 10:15 PM

Dave Grohl ft. Taylor Hawkins = Pure genious

Jorge · May 26th, 2007, 10:17 PM

And here it is, Neutral Milk Hotel.. Well just Jeff Mangum there but still.
You got to look deeper than the 3 chord songs. Just try.

Heather Anne Peel · May 26th, 2007, 10:52 PM

Some things that really hold up the best in this respect for me include:

"Out Of Time" REM
"Automatic For The People" REM
"Nevermind" Nirvana
"In Utero" Nirvana
"Achtung, Baby" U2
"Siamese Dream" The Smashing Pumpkins
"Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness" The Smashing Pumpkins
"Four" Blues Traveler

fungusyoung · May 26th, 2007, 11:03 PM

This immediately comes to mind when I think 90's & melodic:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wEhmFtG6J1c

kyle1167 · May 27th, 2007, 04:05 PM

You can't have a thread about alt-rock and not mention the Pixies...

dean · May 27th, 2007, 07:45 PM

I may be one of the oldest Pearl Jam fans around these parts. I include Betterman on just about every CD I toss together. For some reason, this melody really strikes a chord with me.

Dean

electricbody · May 27th, 2007, 08:17 PM

If we're talking melodies, we can't go without the Pixies' Here Comes Your Man.

esteban · May 28th, 2007, 02:08 AM

Yellow Ledbetter - Pearl Jam.

Heather Anne Peel · May 28th, 2007, 03:47 AM

"Betterman" is one of the best songs of the '90s, period. A total classic. I love Pearl Jam, they are a great band.

Tim Bowen · May 28th, 2007, 04:04 AM

...and nothing-specific.

I like many of the tunes mentioned, and The Bends (that's not "grunge", whatever that is) is among my all time fave records.

At the risk of being ostracized once-and-for-all by my fellows, Ordinary World by Duran Duran is just a beautiful melody that stands the test of time. Can't say I warmed up to all of the other tunes by this band, but this one always hit me in the gut.

As to 'pop' music and beautiful melodies from this period (and earlier, and largely still withstanding):

Elliott Smith
Aimee Mann
Crowded House/Finn bros.
Elvis Costello
Joe Jackson
Suzanne Vega

byrdbrain · May 28th, 2007, 04:38 AM

These are three of my 90s favourites, with many beautiful moments:
• Tortoise – Millions Now Living Will Never Die
• Sonic Youth – Washing Machine
• Pixies – Bossanova

Glenn D. · May 28th, 2007, 10:55 AM

Everything by the Sundays.

Glenn D.

Sargeslide · May 29th, 2007, 01:08 PM

Alice in Chains- the whole Jar of Flies album is amazing music- Acoustic, harmonies, everything!

Sarge

zooropamofo · May 29th, 2007, 04:02 PM

Strange Currencies: REM
Stay (Faraway, So Close): U2
High & Dry: Radiohead
Street Spririt (Fade Out): Radiohead
No Rain: Blind Melon
Soma: Smashing Pumpkins
Malibu: Hole

Jparris · May 29th, 2007, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fungusyoung

This immediately comes to mind when I think 90's & melodic:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wEhmFtG6J1c

...also the early 90's Matthew Sweet records ("Girlfriend" and "100% Fun").

jparris

bonemachine78 · May 29th, 2007, 05:44 PM

i would say the acoustic version of about a girl by nirvana, definitely better man by pearl jam, fake plastic trees by radiohead, that mazzy star song fade into you, nightswimming by r.e.m., that cranberries song dreams, i stay away by alice in chains, name by the goo goo dolls and a host of others i can't recall right now. i'll add more if i think of them. :)

argent · May 30th, 2007, 01:54 AM

+1 for "yellow ledbetter". How about "Black" as well?

Maggot · May 30th, 2007, 02:19 AM

We can't proceed without a nod to Built to Spill. Unfortunately I can never remember the names of any of their songs, but here's a start:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsxwmXFUNLE

TeleConvert · May 30th, 2007, 02:22 AM

All of the above, plus Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden

Maggot · May 31st, 2007, 02:24 AM

Also many Weezer songs, including this one (with the Muppets):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=G4mDIpYHxWY

And, of course, "Lost" by the Meat Puppets.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9Mfk2fLySKU

el scoho · May 31st, 2007, 03:48 AM

When it comes to the grunge, pluses to "Betterman," "Black Hole Sun," and "Big Empty" by STP.

In the pop/alt arena, "There She Goes" La's is a great choice. Another +1 for Matthew Sweet, especially "You Don't Love Me."

Uh, so what am I adding? "Blue", by the Jayhawks-- a beautiful 90s alt-country tune:

David Barnett · May 31st, 2007, 04:09 AM

Lot of good melodic songwriters mentioned in this thread so far, but no one has touched one of the melodic masterpieces of that era, XTC's "Apple Venus".

Rocker AK · May 31st, 2007, 10:00 AM

I really liked Down in a Hole and Would from Alice in Chains.

STP, The Black Crowes & Soundgarden were putting out some really good material throughout the 90's, IMO.

May 25th, 2007, 08:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
Blazer Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 5,118	The most beautiful melodies from the nineties alt rock era. Let's face it, not all "Grunge" was noise rock, the slow songs coming from the bands which came from the alt rock era actually showed how stellar the musicianship was of that band. Let's look and listen to the hauntingly beautiful quiet songs from the era. To start it off, here are the Foo Fighters performing "Walking after you" live at Letterman in 1996 A band that always stood out from the crowd were the Eels who's album "Beautiful freak" was full of really touching almost fragile sounding melodies, such as the chorus in this one... Can't have a topic like this without Sonic Youth, here they are with Kim Deal of the Pixies providing guest vocals. Another band that stood out from the crowd was Pulp. __________________ "I reject your reality and subsitute my own." - Adam Savage, Mythbusters

May 26th, 2007, 11:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
esteban Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Austin, Texas Age: 21 Posts: 1,159 3 Photos	::cough:: Smashing Pumpkins ::cough:: __________________ When I die, they'll say, he couldn't play sh*t, but he sure made it sound good. - Hound Dog Taylor

May 26th, 2007, 12:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
kidA Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NYC, Dallas Posts: 154	neocaster, foo fighters just recently released an acoustic live album, great everlong at the end. I add Radiohead to this list, The Bends is a fantastic album, as is OK Computer (which is a bit later and departed, but still great). and i second the smashing pumpkins and foo fighters obviously. wonder how long until... (plays smells like in his head) __________________ Don't you dare tell me "you get what you pay for."

May 26th, 2007, 01:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
jjz28 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ecum Secum Posts: 318 16 Photos	90's Guitar based... STP.....major fave, Dean Deleo is awesome! Very melodic, expressive and original. JJ.

May 26th, 2007, 02:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
morroben Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Morro Bay, Ca Age: 33 Posts: 3,059 18 Photos	+1 on Foo Fighters, Pixies, Pumpkins, Radiohead... I'll add Built to Spill to the list. Not a huge commercial success but they certainly have a following. Doug Martsch is one of the most amazing musicians on the planet. __________________ Guitar is an odd instrument, man, because there are very few instruments you can get away with being a hack on. -Kelly Joe Phelps

May 26th, 2007, 09:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
Filthy McNasty Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: upstate N.Y. Age: 40 Posts: 756	They are all over R.E.M.'s "Automatic For The People" record. There is not anything even coming close to being a dud on that one. "Nightswimming" & "Find The River" would be the standouts for me.

May 26th, 2007, 12:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
neocaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chester County, PA Age: 36 Posts: 4,337 11 Photos	The most haunting melody I got out of the 90's was a solo accoustic "Everlong" that Dave Grohl played on Howard Stern's radio show.

May 26th, 2007, 02:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
Guitarzan Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hotlanta, GA Posts: 1,232	Agree on the acoustic "Everlong." Is "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve prone to get stuck in anyone else's head? I heard it on the radio this week, and I think that the strings in the melody make it the no. 1 "stuck in my head" melody. __________________ I got all my country learnin, milking and a churnin, pickin cotton, raisin hell, and bailin hay

May 26th, 2007, 09:26 PM	#13 (permalink)
lunchbox Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Venice, Fl Age: 40 Posts: 598	I kinda dug some of the Oasis stuff, Foo Fighters were cool...But Smashing Pumpkins got on my last nerve then meeting that arrogant ^%&^%* (billy corgan) was even worse. Meat Puppets had some cool stuff happening also. __________________ TWANGALICIOUS!!!!

May 26th, 2007, 09:30 PM	#14 (permalink)
lunchbox Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Venice, Fl Age: 40 Posts: 598	I almost forgot Dramarama and The Smithereens. __________________ TWANGALICIOUS!!!!

May 26th, 2007, 10:15 PM	#16 (permalink)
Jorge Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oslo Posts: 1,286 11 Photos	Dave Grohl ft. Taylor Hawkins = Pure genious __________________ And I knew the world was over so I took a look outside. - Jeff Mangum http://www.myspace.com/juggernautism

May 26th, 2007, 10:17 PM	#17 (permalink)
Jorge Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oslo Posts: 1,286 11 Photos	And here it is, Neutral Milk Hotel.. Well just Jeff Mangum there but still. You got to look deeper than the 3 chord songs. Just try. __________________ And I knew the world was over so I took a look outside. - Jeff Mangum http://www.myspace.com/juggernautism

May 26th, 2007, 10:52 PM	#18 (permalink)
Heather Anne Peel Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Nowhere Age: 46 Posts: 3,000 3 Photos	Some things that really hold up the best in this respect for me include: "Out Of Time" REM "Automatic For The People" REM "Nevermind" Nirvana "In Utero" Nirvana "Achtung, Baby" U2 "Siamese Dream" The Smashing Pumpkins "Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness" The Smashing Pumpkins "Four" Blues Traveler

May 26th, 2007, 11:03 PM	#19 (permalink)
fungusyoung Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 1,064 22 Photos	This immediately comes to mind when I think 90's & melodic: http://youtube.com/watch?v=wEhmFtG6J1c

May 27th, 2007, 04:05 PM	#20 (permalink)
kyle1167 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Center Point, Iowa Age: 43 Posts: 499	You can't have a thread about alt-rock and not mention the Pixies... __________________ My Guitars Guitar Projects

May 27th, 2007, 07:45 PM	#21 (permalink)
dean Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Age: 61 Posts: 2,245	One of my favorites from the late '90s . . . I may be one of the oldest Pearl Jam fans around these parts. I include Betterman on just about every CD I toss together. For some reason, this melody really strikes a chord with me. Dean __________________ "I used to be clueless, but I've turned that situation around 360 degrees."

May 27th, 2007, 08:17 PM	#22 (permalink)
electricbody Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Reno, NV USA Age: 41 Posts: 716 11 Photos	If we're talking melodies, we can't go without the Pixies' Here Comes Your Man.

May 28th, 2007, 02:08 AM	#23 (permalink)
esteban Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Austin, Texas Age: 21 Posts: 1,159 3 Photos	Yellow Ledbetter - Pearl Jam. __________________ When I die, they'll say, he couldn't play sh*t, but he sure made it sound good. - Hound Dog Taylor

May 28th, 2007, 03:47 AM	#24 (permalink)
Heather Anne Peel Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Nowhere Age: 46 Posts: 3,000 3 Photos	"Betterman" is one of the best songs of the '90s, period. A total classic. I love Pearl Jam, they are a great band.

May 28th, 2007, 04:04 AM	#25 (permalink)
Tim Bowen Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Age: 49 Posts: 4,369	Not Grunge-specific, but reasonably period-specific,... ...and nothing-specific. I like many of the tunes mentioned, and The Bends (that's not "grunge", whatever that is) is among my all time fave records. At the risk of being ostracized once-and-for-all by my fellows, Ordinary World by Duran Duran is just a beautiful melody that stands the test of time. Can't say I warmed up to all of the other tunes by this band, but this one always hit me in the gut. As to 'pop' music and beautiful melodies from this period (and earlier, and largely still withstanding): Elliott Smith Aimee Mann Crowded House/Finn bros. Elvis Costello Joe Jackson Suzanne Vega __________________ "Everyone is different in how they learn, but for me, it's turning the pegs and just playing." - BB

May 28th, 2007, 04:38 AM	#26 (permalink)
byrdbrain Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sweden Age: 51 Posts: 1,669 4 Photos	These are three of my 90s favourites, with many beautiful moments: • Tortoise – Millions Now Living Will Never Die • Sonic Youth – Washing Machine • Pixies – Bossanova __________________ In vino securitas

May 28th, 2007, 10:55 AM	#27 (permalink)
Glenn D. Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 48 Posts: 220	Everything by the Sundays. Glenn D.

May 29th, 2007, 01:08 PM	#28 (permalink)
Sargeslide Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NIles, Michigan Age: 49 Posts: 296 3 Photos	Alice in Chains- the whole Jar of Flies album is amazing music- Acoustic, harmonies, everything! Sarge __________________ Never argue with an idiot! They will drag you down to thier level then beat you with experience

May 29th, 2007, 04:02 PM	#29 (permalink)
zooropamofo Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ottawa Age: 29 Posts: 935	Strange Currencies: REM Stay (Faraway, So Close): U2 High & Dry: Radiohead Street Spririt (Fade Out): Radiohead No Rain: Blind Melon Soma: Smashing Pumpkins Malibu: Hole __________________ I was tryin' to find my way home But all I heard was a drone Bouncing off a satellite Crushin' the last lone American night This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there? This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there?

May 29th, 2007, 05:44 PM	#31 (permalink)
bonemachine78 Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: stow, ohio Age: 27 Posts: 134	there are too many to name i would say the acoustic version of about a girl by nirvana, definitely better man by pearl jam, fake plastic trees by radiohead, that mazzy star song fade into you, nightswimming by r.e.m., that cranberries song dreams, i stay away by alice in chains, name by the goo goo dolls and a host of others i can't recall right now. i'll add more if i think of them. :)

IMPORTANT:Treat everyone here with respect, no matter how difficult! No sex, drug, political, religion or hate discussion permitted here.

May 30th, 2007, 01:54 AM	#32 (permalink)
argent Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IL Posts: 143	+1 for "yellow ledbetter". How about "Black" as well?

May 30th, 2007, 02:19 AM	#33 (permalink)
Maggot Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 882 1 Photos	We can't proceed without a nod to Built to Spill. Unfortunately I can never remember the names of any of their songs, but here's a start: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsxwmXFUNLE __________________ www.myspace.com/feierman

May 30th, 2007, 02:22 AM	#34 (permalink)
TeleConvert Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: tennessee Age: 45 Posts: 824 1 Photos	All of the above, plus Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden __________________ Now, if you see me drinking bad red wine, Don't worry 'bout this man that you love. Don't you think it's sometimes wise not to grow up --Jagger/Richards

May 31st, 2007, 02:24 AM	#35 (permalink)
Maggot Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 882 1 Photos	Also many Weezer songs, including this one (with the Muppets): http://youtube.com/watch?v=G4mDIpYHxWY And, of course, "Lost" by the Meat Puppets. http://youtube.com/watch?v=9Mfk2fLySKU __________________ www.myspace.com/feierman

May 31st, 2007, 03:48 AM	#36 (permalink)
el scoho Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Louisville, Colorado Posts: 134	When it comes to the grunge, pluses to "Betterman," "Black Hole Sun," and "Big Empty" by STP. In the pop/alt arena, "There She Goes" La's is a great choice. Another +1 for Matthew Sweet, especially "You Don't Love Me." Uh, so what am I adding? "Blue", by the Jayhawks-- a beautiful 90s alt-country tune:

May 31st, 2007, 04:09 AM	#37 (permalink)
David Barnett Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Far-Flung Isles of Langerhans Age: 53 Posts: 6,139	Lot of good melodic songwriters mentioned in this thread so far, but no one has touched one of the melodic masterpieces of that era, XTC's "Apple Venus".

May 31st, 2007, 10:00 AM	#38 (permalink)
Rocker AK Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Age: 43 Posts: 963	I really liked Down in a Hole and Would from Alice in Chains. STP, The Black Crowes & Soundgarden were putting out some really good material throughout the 90's, IMO.