Retro Albums of the Year 2010's: 2020

[SoundscapeMN]

1993

1993 a year I honestly don't think of to be that amazing, as it was maybe the heart of the grunge period, etc.

I actually remember the Summer of 1993 working at Sam Goody at the Mall of America and seeing many of the albums on this list among others. That Rush album, was a really big deal for me as I was obsessed with Rush at the time and it was their 1st new album since I really became a fan.

But just looking at it, 1993 was actually a pretty good year. Top Heavy still, like many years, but also relatively deep. I would guess 1994 and 1995 I see as better years, but the years that followed in the 90's? I'm not so sure (1998 may be 1 of the dry-est years ever from memory).

Jellyfish, Galactic Cowboys, Cynic, Angra, Enchant, The Tea Party, Savatage and I Mother Earth all put out some of the best albums from the 1990's.

1. Jellyfish - Spilt Milk
2. Galactic Cowboys - Space in Your Face
3. Cynic - Focus
4. Angra - Angels Cry
5. Enchant - A Blueprint of the World
6. Savatage - Edge of Thorns
7. The Tea Party - Splendor Solis
8. I Mother Earth - Dig
9. Rush - Counterparts
10. Saigon Kick - Water
11. Jeff Buckley - Live at Sin-é
12. Jim Matheos - First Impressions
13. Dream Theater - Live at the Marquee
14. Porcupine Tree - Up the Downstair
15, Tears for Fears - Elemental
16. Anekdoten - Vemod
17. Pat Metheny - The Road to You: Recorded Live in Europe
18. Robert Plant - Fate of Nations
19. Without Warning - Making Time
20, Voivod - The Outer Limits
21. U2 - Zooropa
22. Primus - Pork Soda
23. Duran Duran - Duran Duran (The Wedding Album)
24. Alan Parsons - Try Anything Once
25. Damn the Machine - Damn the Machine
26. Pearl Jam - Vs
27. Sheryl Crow - Tuesday Night Music Club
28. No-Man - Loveblows and Lovecries - A Confession
29. Orphaned Land - The Beloved's Cry

Concerts
6/22/93 Sting - Target Center Minneapolis, MN

[King Postwhore]

That Sting tour had Dada opening up I believe.  Ten Summoner's Tales would make my top 25 for 1993.

[HOF]

Not by my computer to make a list yet, but Winger released Pull in 1993 so that’s going to be way up there.

[ariich]

A strong year, and for me a very varied one stylistically - quite a range of genres and styles covered in my top 15!

1. Danny Elfman - The Nightmare Before Christmas
2. Depeche Mode - Songs of Faith and Devotion
3. Sting - Ten Summoner's Tales
4. Helloween - Chameleon
5. Rush - Counterparts
6. Tower of Power - T.O.P.
7. The King's Singers - Good Vibrations
8. Mingus Big Band - Nostalgia in Times Square
9. Dream Theater - Live at the Marquee
10. Sarah McLachlan - Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
11. Nirvana - In utero
12. Cowboy Junkies - Pale Sun, Crescent Moon
13. Pendragon - The Window of Life
14. Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
15. Slowdive - Souvlaki

Other decent albums:
Bad Religion - Recipe for Hate
Cynic - Focus
Jamiroquai - Emergency on Planet Earth
Porcupine Tree - Up the Downstair
Red House Painters - Red House Painters
Sepultura - Chaos A.D.
Threshold - Wounded Land
Alkinoos Ioannidis - Στην αγορά του κόσμου (In The Marketplace Of The World)

[TAC]

Albums I bought in 1993..

Gary Moore-Blues Alive
Anthrax-Sound Of White Noise
Metal Church-Hanging In The Balance
Helloween-Chameleon
Accept-Objection Overruled
Rush-Counterparts
Iron Maiden-A Real Live One
Iron Maiden-A Real Dead One
Iron Maiden-Live At Donnington
Dio-Strange Highways
KISS-Alive III
Coverdale/Page-s/t
Aerosmith-Get A Grip



My concerts for 1993..

1993..2/19..Bon Jovi, Jeff Healey..Worcester Centrum
1993..3/10..Dream Theater..Avalon Boston
1993..3/16..Guns n Roses, Brian May..Boston Garden
1993..5/21..Anthrax..Axis Boston
1993..7/10..Van Halen, Vince Neil.. Great Woods Mansfield MA
1993..7/21..Ace Frehley..The Strand Providence
1993..8/3..Bon Jovi..Extreme.. Great Woods Mansfield MA
1993..8/13..Anthrax, White Zombie..The Strand Providence

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

Albums I bought in 1993..

Gary Moore-Blues Alive
Anthrax-Sound Of White Noise
Metal Church-Hanging In The Balance
Helloween-Chameleon
Accept-Objection Overruled
Rush-Counterparts
Iron Maiden-A Real Live One
Iron Maiden-A Real Dead One
Iron Maiden-Live At Donnington
Dio-Strange Highways
KISS-Alive III
Coverdale/Page-s/t
Aerosmith-Get A Grip



My concerts for 1993..

1993..2/19..Bon Jovi, Jeff Healey..Worcester Centrum
1993..3/10..Dream Theater..Avalon Boston
1993..3/16..Guns n Roses, Brian May..Boston Garden
1993..5/21..Anthrax..Axis Boston
1993..7/10..Van Halen, Vince Neil.. Great Woods Mansfield MA
1993..7/21..Ace Frehley..The Strand Providence
1993..8/3..Bon Jovi..Extreme.. Great Woods Mansfield MA
1993..8/13..Anthrax, White Zombie..The Strand Providence

You're missing Winger again!

[ReaperKK]

1993:

1. Tool - Undertow - 5/5
2. Candlebox - Candlebox - 5/5
3. Aerosmith - Get A Grip - 4.5/5
4. Jim Matheos - First Impressions - 4/5
5. Porcupine Tree - Up The Downstair - 3.5/5
6. Nirvana - In Utero - 3.5/5
7. Collective Soul - Hints Allegations And Things Left Unsaid - 2.5/5
8. Rush - Counterparts - 2.5/5
9. Radiohead - Pablo Honey - 2/5
10. The Posies - Frosting On The Beater - 1.5/5


Pretty solid year for me. I love the Tool album, it was before the went into the full rhythmic style that came with Aenima. The Candlebox record is also one of my favorite from the grunge era. Great vocals with a lot of really tasty solos throughout.

I have a distinct memory of my parents picking up the Get A Grip album and just listening to it non-stop on repeat. 

[TAC]

Albums I bought in 1993..

Gary Moore-Blues Alive
Anthrax-Sound Of White Noise
Metal Church-Hanging In The Balance
Helloween-Chameleon
Accept-Objection Overruled
Rush-Counterparts
Iron Maiden-A Real Live One
Iron Maiden-A Real Dead One
Iron Maiden-Live At Donnington
Dio-Strange Highways
KISS-Alive III
Coverdale/Page-s/t
Aerosmith-Get A Grip



My concerts for 1993..

1993..2/19..Bon Jovi, Jeff Healey..Worcester Centrum
1993..3/10..Dream Theater..Avalon Boston
1993..3/16..Guns n Roses, Brian May..Boston Garden
1993..5/21..Anthrax..Axis Boston
1993..7/10..Van Halen, Vince Neil.. Great Woods Mansfield MA
1993..7/21..Ace Frehley..The Strand Providence
1993..8/3..Bon Jovi..Extreme.. Great Woods Mansfield MA
1993..8/13..Anthrax, White Zombie..The Strand Providence

You're missing Winger again!

Dammit!


I should also mention that when I heard that Candlebox was opening for Rush, I bought their album. I did like the two radio hits. But holy shit did that album suck.

[HOF]

1993 is a fun year where more worlds collide for me. What I was into in 1993 and what I was into like 5-6 years later from that year and what I am into now are all kind of different. There's really not a huge degree of difference in 1-9 for me.

1. Winger - Pull
2. Mr. Big - Bump Ahead
3. Counting Crows - August and Everything After
4. Tears for Fears - Elemental
5. Rush - Counterparts
6. Enchant - A Blueprint of the World (I feel like the Rothery produced version came later though)
7. Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
8. Crowded House - Together Alone
9. Pearl Jam - Vs.
10. Sheryl Crow - Tuesday Night Music Club
11. Collective Soul - Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid
12. Phil Collins - Both Sides
13. Galactic Cowboys - Space In Your Face
14. The Cranberries - Everybody is Doing It So Why Can't We?
     

[nick_z]

6. Enchant - A Blueprint of the World (I feel like the Rothery produced version came later though)

I have what I believe is the first issue of the album (Dream Circle Records) from 1993, and Steve Rothery's in there (although he didn't produce all the tracks)

[jingle.boy]

So very happy of your mention of Coverdale/Page, Tim.  I played the shit out of that album!

Not mentioned yet:

Conception - Parallel Minds
Def Leppard - Retro Active
Harem Scarem - Mood Swings (Top 10 all-time album for me)
Helix - Back for Another Taste
IQ - Ever
Meat Loaf - Bat out of Hell II
Mr. Big - Bump Ahead
Ozzy - Live and Loud
Poison - Native Tongue
Robert Plant - Fate of Nations
Rod Stewart - Unplugged ... and Seated
Royal Hunt - Clown in the Mirror
Savatage - Edge of Thorns
Sic Vikki - Kiss me in French
T.O. Joker - Unsigned (no one other than Brent will know this)
Threshold - Wounded Land
Triumph - Edge of Excess (it's actually quite decent)
Van Halen - (not exactly) Live: Right Here, Right Now
Vince Neil - Exposed

[HOF]

6. Enchant - A Blueprint of the World (I feel like the Rothery produced version came later though)

I have what I believe is the first issue of the album (Dream Circle Records) from 1993, and Steve Rothery's in there (although he didn't produce all the tracks)

You must be right then. I know it was released on a couple labels before Magna Carta released in in 1995. That’s the version I have. But I guess Rothery was involved before the initial release after all.

[ariich]

Not mentioned yet:

Threshold - Wounded Land

I mentioned it, just not in my top 15.

[jingle.boy]

Not mentioned yet:

Threshold - Wounded Land

I mentioned it, just not in my top 15.

Dammit!! 

Paying attention:  I suck at it.

[nick_z]

1993...things start to get serious with my musical exploration. So many good memories in high school, as I was lucky enough to have a group of friends all getting into similar music. Many, many fantastic albums...

The top albums for me:

Rush - Counterparts (first album I've heard from them. Didn't know any Rush at the time, not even the classic songs. This, for me, is a top 3 Rush album)

Paradise Lost - Icon (Kind of started "gothic metal" as we know it. So, so good. A classic)
Saviour Machine - Saviour Machine (dark, gothic, prog, classic metal...? Such a unique record)
Savatage - Edge of Thorns (to me, the peak of Criss Oliva's guitar playing. So sad it would be last we'd hear from him)
Enchant - A Blueprint of the World (as I mentioned elsewhere, one my favorites from that wave of early 90s prog)
Coroner - Grin (slower and groovier from the Swiss technical thrash masters. Different but I LOVED it)
Rage - The Missing Link (probably my favorite of theirs. One amazing song after another)
Metal Church - Hanging in the Balance (criminally underrated album - I think)
Voivod - The Outer Limits (probably my favorite Voivod album)
Anacrusis - Screams and Whispers (incredibly creative "thrash" album...also their last, unfortunately)
Carcass - Heartwork (one of the first "melodeath" albums? Love this one)
Death - Individual Thought Patterns (I feel this sometimes gets lost between Human and Symbolic. Might be my favorite Death, with a crazy good line-up)
Annihilator - Set the World on Fire (not quite the Annihilator we knew from their first two albums, but a record I'm very fond of. Stellar playing, and my introduction to Mr. Mangini  )
Angra - Angels Cry (still plenty of Helloween influence, and they would do better with Holy Land, imo - but what a great debut)
Depeche Mode - Songs of Faith and Devotion (slightly "rockier" and moodier Depeche Mode, with some of my favorite songs of theirs)

Many honorable mentions:

Aerosmith - Get a Grip
Anthrax - Sound of White Noise
Cathedral - The Ethereal Mirror
Conception - Parallel Minds
Counting Crows - August & Everything After
Coverdale/Page - S/T
Cranberries - Everybody Else...
Cynic - Focus
Damn the Machine  - Damn the Machine
Dark Tranquillity - Skydancer
Dead Can Dance - Into the Labyrinth
Extrema - Tension at the Seams
Gamma Ray - Insanity and Genius
I Mother Earth - Dig
John Mellencamp - Human Wheels
Mind Funk  - Dropped
Pearl Jam - Vs.
Sacred Reich - Independent
Joe Satriani - Time Machine
Sepultura - Chaos AD
Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
Sting - Ten Summoner's Tales
Threshold - Wounded Land
Tool - Undertow
Type O Negative - Bloody Kisses
The Wildhearts - Earth vs. the Wildhearts
Winger - Pull

Then there were so many minor "prog-metal" bands popping up, some of them no doubt inspired by the path traced by I&W. Not all of them were great, obviously, but there were some cool little gems from that period. In 1993:

Oracle - As Darkness Reigns (this kind of sounded like a demo, really, and the singing was a little nuts. Rough but interesting)
Soul Cages - Soul Cages
Pan Ram - Time is Gone (strong Queensryche influence here)

A couple of note-worthy live albums

Blind Guardian - Tokyo Tales
Dream Theater - Live at the Marquee

[nick_z]

10. Sarah McLachlan - Fumbling Towards Ecstasy

15. Slowdive - Souvlaki

Kind of forgot those - I bought them much, much later. Fumbling Towards Ecstasy is excellent. I wasn't familiar with Slowdive until I heard the cover of When the Sun Hits by The Gathering...

[HOF]

Saviour Machine - Saviour Machine (dark, gothic, prog, classic metal...? Such a unique record)

My older brother was into Saviour Machine. They even played the relatively small town I grew up in once. That was some wild stuff.

[King Postwhore]

I let my boss borrow Fumbling Towards Ecstasy in 93.  His response to listening to is was, "It was like cheating." 

[nick_z]

My older brother was into Saviour Machine. They even played the relatively small town I grew up in once. That was some wild stuff.

To me, their first album is a lightning-in-a-bottle type of moment. The unique vocals, and that whole arcane, dark mood just make for something truly special...songs like Carnival of Souls, Legion, Ludicrous Smiles, Killer...so good. I guess they are a considered a "Christian" metal band, given their lyrical themes, but I didn't quite realize at the time they had some issues in the US with distribution...?

Anyway, I love their second album too, although they pretty much lost all the metal influence...still very unique, maybe a bit much at times. Then they sort of got bogged down with this gigantic project about the apocalypse ("Legend"), spanning several albums. It never got properly completed, because of the singer's health issues. It was a very heavy (not in the best sense of the word) concept, with some interesting atmospheres, but overall devoid of many memorable moments. 

[HOF]

My older brother was into Saviour Machine. They even played the relatively small town I grew up in once. That was some wild stuff.

To me, their first album is a lightning-in-a-bottle type of moment. The unique vocals, and that whole arcane, dark mood just make for something truly special...songs like Carnival of Souls, Legion, Ludicrous Smiles, Killer...so good. I guess they are a considered a "Christian" metal band, given their lyrical themes, but I didn't quite realize at the time they had some issues in the US with distribution...?

Anyway, I love their second album too, although they pretty much lost all the metal influence...still very unique, maybe a bit much at times. Then they sort of got bogged down with this gigantic project about the apocalypse ("Legend"), spanning several albums. It never got properly completed, because of the singer's health issues. It was a very heavy (not in the best sense of the word) concept, with some interesting atmospheres, but overall devoid of many memorable moments.

Yeah, as I recall that Legend project was all about the book of Revelation. I think they were kind of controversial in Christian circles due to the whole goth thing/dark imagery. They also had a pretty intense stage show from what I was told (my brother saw them, I didn't).

[nick_z]

Yes, they did...I never was at one of their shows, but I had a live VHS (!)

[SoundscapeMN]

That Sting tour had Dada opening up I believe.  Ten Summoner's Tales would make my top 25 for 1993.

Yeah the tour history shows that, however I don't recall seeing them at that show. It's possible I arrived after they had already finished, or they weren't on every date. I'm a Dada fan too, and recently got back into them the last few years after knowing them way back then, and then forgetting about them. Their tune "Diz Knee Land" I will never forget getting a lot of radio airplay, and was a single I bought on cassette when I was working at Sam Goody that Summer of 1993.

I may have to dig a bit to see if I can find anything that shows them playing at the Minneapolis show, so far I can't, but there's information on setlist.fm and concertarchives.org that confirms that they toured with Sting that Summer.

[King Postwhore]

I saw them open for him in Mansfield Mass.  It's a rarity to see a band you love open for another band you love. That lineup for Sting was amazing.

[TAC]

So very happy of your mention of Coverdale/Page, Tim.  I played the shit out of that album!

As did I! I was pleasantly surprised how good it was when I got it.

Not mentioned yet:

Rod Stewart - Unplugged ... and Seated
Van Halen - (not exactly) Live: Right Here, Right Now

I actually had both of these.

I think I forgot to mention Live At The Marquee too. I definitely played the shit out of it.

[TAC]

Saviour Machine - Saviour Machine (dark, gothic, prog, classic metal...? Such a unique record)

That sounds interesting. I'll check it out.

[nick_z]

Saviour Machine - Saviour Machine (dark, gothic, prog, classic metal...? Such a unique record)

That sounds interesting. I'll check it out.

Very curious to hear your thoughts...

[TAC]

Saviour Machine - Saviour Machine (dark, gothic, prog, classic metal...? Such a unique record)

That sounds interesting. I'll check it out.

Very curious to hear your thoughts...

OK just had a run through. Yes, a very cool album that I need to hear again. I have literally never heard of this band.

Here are some notes I made while listening..

"Carnival Of Souls is really cool.

Ludicrous Smiles is awesome!

The Wicked Window is fantastic once it picks up half way through.

Son Of The Rain has a great solo and a very cool ending.

Killer was way too long for what it was.

The Widow And The Bride feels way older than 1993.

Christians and Lunatics has an Armored Saint feel."

I felt like...it wasn't quite Goth enough. Carnival Of Souls set a good beginning for the Goth vocally, but I never felt it lived up to that.


Still an awesome listen!

[nick_z]

OK just had a run through. Yes, a very cool album that I need to hear again. I have literally never heard of this band.

Here are some notes I made while listening..

"Carnival Of Souls is really cool.

Ludicrous Smiles is awesome!

The Wicked Window is fantastic once it picks up half way through.

Son Of The Rain has a great solo and a very cool ending.

Killer was way too long for what it was.

The Widow And The Bride feels way older than 1993.

Christians and Lunatics has an Armored Saint feel."

I felt like...it wasn't quite Goth enough. Carnival Of Souls set a good beginning for the Goth vocally, but I never felt it lived up to that.


Still an awesome listen!

Awesome! I'd also add Legion - the part that starts with "And all the leaders..." when the tempo picks up is amazing.

Glad you enjoyed it. They haven't done anything else like this album. Like I said, their second is also very good, but the guitar almost exclusively plays lead and melodies (wonderful ones, but still), and there's a ton more piano and vocals. Pretty unique, but doesn't capture the balance of all the elements like the debut.

[nick_z]

19. Without Warning - Making Time

I have their 1998 album, "Step Beyond" - I remember it having a pretty interesting sound. I don't think I realized they had more albums. How's this one?

[SoundscapeMN]

19. Without Warning - Making Time

I have their 1998 album, "Step Beyond" - I remember it having a pretty interesting sound. I don't think I realized they had more albums. How's this one?

All of the Without Warning albums are pretty good, although I can't deny how they were 1 of a long assortment of bands who at times couldn't avoid their Dream Theater influence. Their singer though was pretty different than LaBrie.

I can't really say I like any 1 of their 3 albums dramatically more than the others, but 1995's Believe is probably the 1 I listened to the most. Making Time though is pretty good per you'd probably like it if you like Step Beyond. Where to find it?..eh, maybe YouTube or possibly Spotify if you can't find the cds like on discogs.

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

1993...things start to get serious with my musical exploration. So many good memories in high school, as I was lucky enough to have a group of friends all getting into similar music. Many, many fantastic albums...

Enslaved - Frost

This came out in August 1994. Just FYI.

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

Fair warning, my 1993 list is absolutely ridiculous. As will be the rest of the years we do. I may end up cutting off subsequent years at a top 50. We'll see.

1. Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream      (the defining album of my childhood and growing up)
2. Rush - Counterparts                                (it's Rush, it's awesome, enough said)
3. Anekdoten - Vemod                                 (Amazing debut from this Swedish prog rock band)
4. Death - Individual Thought Patterns          (in comes Gene Hoglan to tear the house down!)
5. Tool - Undertow                                       (Lots of foreshadowing of the absolute brilliance that was to come, still fantastic in it's own right)
6. Type O Negative - Bloody Kisses               (same as Undertow, flashes of brilliance, but still great)
7. Savatage - Edge of Thorns                       (probably my second favorite Savatage record)
8. Enchant - A Blueprint of the World            (Best Enchant record, maybe...)
9. John Williams - Jurassic Park Soundtrack   (One of the greatest soundtracks ever made)
10. Dream Theater - Live at the Marquee      (Not their best live record, but a great early recording)
11. X Japan - Art of Life                               (Not exactly an album that could be listened to often, but an album that should be heard by everyone at least once)
12. Voivod - The Outer Limits
13. Neurosis - Enemy of the Sun
14. Galactic Cowboys - Space In Your Face
15. The Cranberries - Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?
16. Slowdive - Souvlaki
17. Kingston Wall - II
18. Björk - Debut
19. Dave Matthews Band - Remember Two Things
20. Depeche Mode - Songs of Faith and Devotion
21. Dinosaur Jr. - Where You Been
22. Angra - Angels Cry
23. IQ - Ever
24. The Tea Party - Splendor Solis
25. Counting Crows - August and Everything After
26. Katatonia - Dance of December Souls
27. Cynic - Focus
28. Devil Doll - The Sacrilege of Fatal Arms
29. PJ Harvey - Rid of Me
30. Jellyfish - Spilt Milk
31. Atheist - Elements
32. Tears for Fears - Elemental
33. Motorpsycho - Demon Box
34. Ozric Tentacles - Jurassic Shift
35. Paradise Lost - Icon
36. Verve - Storm In Heaven
37. Poison - Native Tongue
38. Enigma - The Cross of Changes
39. Primus - Pork Soda
40. Burzum - Det som engang var
41. Porcupine Tree - Up the Downstair
42. Coroner - Grin
43. Heart - Desire Walks On
44. Jamiroquai - Emergency On Planet Earth
45. Nirvana - In Utero
46. Unwound - Fake Train
47. Phish - Rift
48. Weird Al Yankovic - Alapalooza
49. At the Gates - With Fear I Kiss the Burning Darkness
50. Blur - Modern Life is Rubbish
51. Vai - Sex & Religion
52. Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way

Honorable Mention:
Candlebox - Candlebox (this was one of those albums that I really liked when I was a kid, but my enjoyment of it dropped off sharply over the years)

[nick_z]

1993...things start to get serious with my musical exploration. So many good memories in high school, as I was lucky enough to have a group of friends all getting into similar music. Many, many fantastic albums...

Enslaved - Frost

This came out in August 1994. Just FYI.

Ha! I had the year wrong in my archive...noted and amended 

[wolfking]

Savatage - Edge of Thorns
Death - Individual Thought Patterns
Gamma Ray - Insanity and Genius
Mercyful Fate - In the Shadows
Rush - Counterparts
Pearl Jam - Vs.
Winger - Pull
Angra - Angels Cry
Cynic - Focus
The Tea Party - Splendor Solis
Harem Scarem - Mood Swings
Tony Macalpine - Madness

[WardySI]

Seem I've missed the previous years darn it but for 1993 I'll give 10...

Candlebox CANDLEBOX
Spread Eagle OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Savatage EDGE OF THORNS
Saigon Kick WATER
Horsehead HORSEHEAD
Enuff Z'Nuff ANIMALS WITH HUMAN INTEL..
Coverdale Page COVERDALE PAGE
Paradise Lost ICON
Winger PULL
Pearl Jam VS

ETA how could I forget that Freak Of Nature debut???

That makes 11