The Greatest Albums of the 90's: 41-60

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41. Wilco - Being There (1996)

Wilco's second album finally moves past the Uncle Tupeloesque alt-country sound quite a bit. Not my favorite Wilco album but it contains some of their very best songs.

Favorite Songs: Misunderstood, I Got You (At the End of the Century), Far, Far Away, Monday

42. PJ Harvey - Rid of Me (1993)

PJ Harvey is always emotional and frantic, but here Steve Albini brings a new energy out of her. My only complaint is this one has a bit of filler.

Favorite Songs: Rid of Me, Rub Till It Bleeds, Man-Size

43. Black Star - Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are (1998)

This was smack dab in the middle of what I consider the golden age of underground hip-hop. Talib Kweli and Mos Def are at their finest, and while Talib went on the release many more notable albums this is Mos Def's musical peak.

Favorite Songs: Definition, Brown Skin Lady, K.O.S. (Determination)

44. Tom Waits - Bone Machine (1992)

Tom's most consistently great work since Rain Dogs. It's dark, scary and pretty all at the same time. Although you can probably say that about a lot of Tom Waits records.

Favorite Songs: Earth Died Screaming, Goin' Out West, I Don't Wanna Grow Up

45. Belle and Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister (1996)

Almost annoyingly pretty and sweet, B&S's second album is a batch of precious pop tunes. I still can't think of Belle and Sebastian without thinking of "sad bastard" music.

Favorite Songs: The Stars of Track & Field, Seeing Other People, Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying

46. Modest Mouse - The Lonesome Crowded West (1997)

This is the beginning of a streak of fantastic albums by Modest Mouse. They really perfect their jangly, ferocious brand of indie rock with Issac Brock's unmistakable yelps and shouts. I really miss old Modest Mouse.

Favorite Songs: Jesus Christ was an Only Child, Doin' the Cockroach, Bankrupt on Selling

47. Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (1995)

This album barely wins the title of best Wu-Tang solo release over Liquid Swords. Cuban Linx is so classic because of the stunning production from RZA.

Favorite Songs: Knucklheadz, Can It All Be So Simple, Ice Cream

48. Ween - The Mollusk (1997)

Ween's ocean concept album (sort of) is fantastic album from start to finish. It's all over the map like any Ween album; from prog to punk to Irish drinking songs and everything in between.

Favorite Songs: The Mollusk, Mutilated Lips, The Blarney Stone

49. Sleater-Kinney - Dig Me Out (1997)

This is another band that released a long string of damn good albums. Sleater-Kinney has always had great melodies and intense vocals, and here they only improve.

Favorite Songs: Dig Me Out, One More Hour, Words and Guitar

50. Temple of the Dog - Temple of the Dog (1990)

A "Supergroup" between Soundgarden and Green River (what would become Pearl Jam) that was put together in memory of Andrew Wood (of Mother Love Bone). It only got popular when Pearl Jam blew up, even though Eddie Vedder only sang on "Hunger Strike" and back-up on a few others. When I die if anyone is inspired to write a song for me half as good as "Say Hello to Heaven", I must have lived a good life.

Favorite Songs: Say Hello to Heaven, Times of Trouble, All Night Thing

51. Wilco - Summerteeth (1999)

This is Wilco's "happy" record. It is definitely their most focused and poppy batch of tunes as well. Despite that it might contain the darkest lyrics that Jeff Tweedy has ever penned.

Favorite Songs: She's A Jar, I'm Always in Love, Pieholden Suite

52. GZA - Liquid Swords (1995)

A slight second place for best Wu-Tang solo project but fantastic nonetheless. GZA is by far the best lyricist from Wu-Tang and it definitely shows here. Once again the album is carried by RZA's perfect production.

Favorite Songs: Liquid Swords, 4th Chamber, Shadowboxin'

53. PJ Harvey - To Bring You My Love (1995)

PJ Harvey toned down the guitars on her follow-up to Rid of Me but amped up the songwriting. A little less bluesy than her past albums and her lyrics improved a lot. It also got her on the radio quite a bit.

Favorite Songs: To Bring You My Love, C'mon Billy, Long Snake Moan

54. Massive Attack (1998)

Although most people like Blue Lines better I don't think it holds a candle to Mezzanine. The music is Massive Attack's best and the voices of Cocteau Twin's Liz Fraser and Horace Andy just add to this Trip-hop masterpiece.

Favorite Songs: Angel, Teardrop, Man Next Door

55. The Verve - Urban Hymns (1997)

This one makes the list because it contains three of the best songs in 90's Brit-pop.

Favorite Songs: Bittersweet Symphony, The Drugs Don't Work, Lucky Man

56. Stereolab - Emperor Tomato Ketchup (1996)

Sterolab uses the kitchen sink method as they compile every style of music they may have experimented with in the past. The songs are as catchy as ever, though. By far this is Stereolabs best album.

Favorite Songs: Metronomic Underground, Cybele's Reverie, Tomorrow is Already Here

57. Built To Spill - Keep It Like A Secret (1999)

Built to Spill's pop album. The hooks and guitar brilliance are still there but the songs are shorter and less jammy. One of the best produced albums of the 90's.

Favorite Songs: The Plan, Carry the Zero, You Were Right

58. Sebadoh - III (1991)

To be honest, I don't think I really dug this album very much back in the day. I remember hearing it because I liked Dinosaur Jr. but I really didn't realize how amazing it was until it was re-issued last year. Along with Slanted and Enchanted this is lo-fi indie rock at it's best.

Favorite Songs: Sickles and Hammers, Violet Execution, Truly Great Thing

59. The Jayhawks - Tomorrow the Green Grass (1995)

The Jayhawks went a bit more eclectic and upbeat than their previous albums and it worked. Tomorrow the Green Grass contains some of the best songs they ever played.

Favorite Songs: Blue, I'd Run Away, Real Light

60. Hieroglyphics - 3rd Eye Vision (1998)

Another classic album from my golden era of underground hip-hop. Del tha Funkee Homosapien is the most notable MC here but he is surrounded by a lot of other talent. Having a rap group with eight people can sometimes get a little exhausting (late period Wu-Tang) but it never does here.

Favorite Songs: You Never Knew, Mics of the Round Table, Miles to the Sun

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