The 44 days that changed the face of rock 35 years ago
What year, decade, or era was the best for the music world? It’s a question you hear every now and then among friends, read in magazine articles, or see on YouTube channels—a question that, truth be told, can’t really be answered.
Every year has its own highlights, its own “heroes” and stars, its own hidden gems, its own moments that influenced and shaped the sound of the years to come—there’s no doubt about that, whether we like this genre of music or not.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Our parents, for example, find it very hard to accept that the ’60s weren’t the golden age of music. Just as difficult will it be for our children to convince us that the ’90s weren’t a landmark decade for music (and especially for rock).
However, 1991 is a very strong… contender to win that debate. Specifically, 44 days of that year, during which the music world was fortunate enough to see the release of seven albums, each of which would go on to make its own mark on history.
From August 12 to September 24, the following albums appeared on record store shelves: Metallica (also known as the Black Album), Pearl Jam’s *Ten*, Guns N’ Roses’ *Use Your Illusion I & II*, the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ *Blood Sugar Sex Magik*, Soundgarden’s *Badmotorfinger*, and Nirvana’s *Nevermind*.
Seven albums that shaped the sound of the decades to come, transformed the face of rock, gave rise to “damned” musical heroes, sold millions of copies worldwide, and to this day you can listen to them without feeling the slightest bit of shame.
I don’t know if 1991 was the best year in music, but those 44 days were certainly among the most impressive.
One year, seven albums, 44 days
Metallica – Metallica
August 12, 1991
There’s no doubt that Metallica was already a major band on the metal scene, but this album (known to all of us as the Black Album) really catapulted them to stardom. It introduced them to an audience that hadn’t heard a single one of their songs before, skyrocketed their sales, and to this day, the band continues to play to sold-out stadiums.
Pearl Jam – Ten
August 27, 1991
At a time when grunge was the quintessential underground music genre, Pearl Jam was one of the bands that helped bring that sound into the spotlight. Ten was their debut album, and while it may not have been considered a success at first, a year later it shot up the Billboard 200 and began playing daily on MTV—especially “Jeremy.”
Guns ‘n’ Roses – Use Your Illusion I & II
September 17, 1991
It took Guns ‘n’ Roses three years to release the follow-up to *Lies*, but they did so in spectacular fashion. Two double albums, totaling 30 songs, were released on the same day, landing the top two spots on the Billboard 200 and giving us many hits —from “Don’t Cry” and “November Rain” to “You Could Be Mine” and “Yesterdays.”
Red Hot Chili Peppers, *Blood Sugar Sex Magik*
, September 24, 1991
Considered by many to be their best album to date. With *Blood Sugar Sex Magik*, the Red Hot Chili Peppers established themselves as a band on the alternative scene; “Under the Bridge” opened the doors to the mainstream for them, and “Give It Away” was played nonstop in every self-respecting rock bar or club.
Soundgarden, *Badmotorfinger*
, September 24, 1991
Without a doubt, this is the album that established Soundgarden and one of the albums that helped the grunge scene dominate the ’90s. *Badmotorfinger* catapulted the band to the top of the charts, earned them Grammy Award nominations, and was a favorite on MTV.
Nirvana – Nevermind
September 24, 1991
It was the album that knocked Michael Jackson off the top of the charts, earned three Grammy nominations, made grunge the sound of the ’90s, and established Kurt Cobain as the “voice of his generation.” The raw sound, the dark lyrics, and the distorted vocals of the tragically lost musician… resonated with the youth of the era, who found their heroes in Nirvana. Cursed, yes, but heroes nonetheless.
Source: in.gr
