Readers have an ‘Appetite’ for rock

We asked, and our readers responded and one thing is clear, our readers like their music with a lot of guitar (and maybe even a little cowbell) and they like it loud. In response to our call to send in your picks for the best album of the past 20 years, our readers flooded us with enthusiastic selections. Thank you! Here is a sampling of your picks.

Guns N’ Roses, “Appetite for Destruction”
This may not be the best but it certainly made a huge influence on rock and roll. It was this album, in my opinion, that bridged the gap between hair metal and grunge. You can see it in Axl’s first appearance in “Welcome to the Jungle” with his hair teased a foot high to “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” where he got out the baseball cap and bandana and stuck his middle finger at the hair bands and said “we are going this way, see ya later.” — Mark Lackey, New York, NY

[Editor’s note: This album was far and away the most popular album with our readers.]

Tool, “Lateralus”
Most progressive rock album ever. This album revolutionized the way music is written and completely changed my views on music. — Tony, North Dartmouth, Mass.

KMFDM, “Nihil”
KMFDM has been the masterminds behind the “industrial, metal, electronic” hybrid for over 20 years and “Nihil” saw them at the peak of their powers. Aggressive, dark, and tinged with humor throughout, the record sounded great whether you wanted to bang your head with the metal heads or dance with the glow stick youth of the mid 90s. A true classic with lyrics that proved to be, sadly, prophetic about the nature of our world and the evil that “misguided youth” can do. — Brian Steinberg, Houston

Madonna, “Ray of Light”
It has to be included in the best albums of the last 20 years. “Ray of Light” was definitely a comeback album for the “Queen of Pop.” True fans felt the intimacy of “Ray of Light,” not seen since 1989’s “Like a Prayer.” Both albums allowed listeners to peer deep into the life of Madonna. Plus “Ray of Light” was the beginning of Madonna’s new love for electronic music, which has been featured on each album since. “Ray of Light” is one of my favorite albums to relax and fall into. — Jaime San Felippo, San Francisco

Dave Matthews Band, “The Central Park Concert”
Perfect set list, unmatched energy, awesome musicians and 100,000 fans realizing what their favorite band in the world was in the middle of ... a perfect evening in the middle of the greatest city on Earth. — David Pepe, Stony Point, NY

U2, “Achtung Baby”
U2 was the one 80s band to survive the coming of grunge and the only band other than the Rolling Stones to remain relevant in the decade after, claiming “biggest band in the world” status. They did it by completely changing their sound and dreaming up “Achtung Baby,” by far their most dark and interesting record. The record opens with one of the great opening guitar rifts of all time with the Edge’s crackling intro to “Zoo Station.” The record includes several great straight-up rock songs in “The Fly,” “Even Better Than the Real Thing,” “Ultra Violet,” and the mysteriously never performed “Acrobat.” Listen to the live version of “The Fly” on the Boston Live DVD and you will realize even the hardest rocking alternative or punk band would give their left testicles to sound like that. The record also has an array of interesting ballads and pop songs such as “Throw Your Arms Around the World” and the much underrated “Love is Blindness.” The crown jewel of the album is, of course, “One.” It is at once the ultimate relationship-gone-bad song and a universal call to peace. It’s pop at its most shameless and brilliant. It is the best record of the 1990s bar none. It is not recognized as such by critics because picking a U2 record as best anything is too easy and the first law of being a music critic is that you must show your readers how much cooler you are than them by always raving about and saving your best praise only for records that the vast majority of your readers have never heard of much less listened to. — John Kluge, San Antonio

Warren Zevon, “Mr. Bad Example”
Zevon at his absolute songwriting best, and when he was on, NOBODY could touch him. — Jeff Hookey, Cornwall, NY

Lucinda Williams, “Car Wheels On A Gravel Road”
Everything about this is great—starting with the songwriting, which evokes so sharply places you’ve never been, and people you’ll never know that they almost become part of your own biography. Move on to the musicianship, which is perfect, and to the quality of the recording—it couldn’t sound better if they were in the room. Important? Hell, yes. Beautiful? Oh my, oh my, yes. Ranks with the all-time greats, and established Lucinda Williams as an American musician of the first rank. — Bill Altreuter, Buffalo, NY

Alanis Morrisette, “Jagged Little Pill”
This was the first and only album that I’ve ever felt totally connected to. Every song was either about my life or filled my life. It was awesome and I still listen to it today. — Amy, Iowa

MORE FROM MORE NEWS AND OTHER FEATURES

My Morning Jacket singer injured during show

My Morning Jacket singer injured during show Delta museum honors bluesman B.B. King Kimmel to host American Music Awards Kingston Trio's Nick Reynolds dies at 75 Four-CD box set shows how Orbison evolved Dailey & Vincent win big at bluegrass awards Kellie Pickler is glad to be herself on new CD Four years after disbanding, Phish to reunite T.I. won’t let jail stop him from making music Britney Spears says she plans to tour next year   Add More news and other features headlines to your news reader: