5 Post-Grunge Rock Classics From 1995

As a raw number, 1995 obviously indicates the exact middle of the decade. But the true threshold for the apex of alternative rock’s cultural dominance happened a year earlier.

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In 1994, three major rock events happened. Kurt Cobain died in April, Weezer released the Blue Album in May, and Oasis released Definitely Maybe in August.

However, before guitar music succumbed to belching nu metal, rock and roll still thrived. This list focuses on this side of the Atlantic and five iconic post-grunge rock classics from 1995.

“Natural One” by The Folk Implosion (Single)

Lou Barlow’s work outside Dinosaur Jr. includes lo-fi cassette masters Sebadoh and The Folk Implosion. Outside of indie diehards, The Folk Implosion existed underground until Larry Clark’s 1995 film Kids. Barlow and bandmate John Davis composed most of the soundtrack and “Natural One” became an unexpected hit.

“Misery” by Soul Asylum from Let Your Dim Light Shine

Soul Asylum emerged from the Twin/Tone Minneapolis label that sprung The Replacements. After years of touring, Dave Pirner and his band finally broke through commercially with their sixth album Grave Dancers Union in 1992. However, the following album Let Your Dim Light Shine contains perhaps their finest song: “Misery.” If you need one slogan to distill the mindset of most Gen-Xers, it’s “Frustrated Incorporated.”

“I’ll Stick Around” by Foo Fighters from Foo Fighters

Dave Grohl’s story is well known. But it’s still shockingly improbable. While drumming for Nirvana, the biggest band on the planet, his entire world came crashing down with the suicide of Kurt Cobain. No one would have put money on Nirvana’s drummer rising from the ashes to form his own band. Let alone that band becoming a stadium act. “I’ll Stick Around” appears on the Foos’ debut, essentially a demo. Grohl played most of the instruments and completed one of rock music’s greatest comebacks.

“1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

Billy Corgan’s coming-of-age hit holds a unique space on The Smashing Pumpkins’ sprawling masterpiece. To understand what kind of songwriting run Corgan was on, check out the deluxe edition of Mellon Collie and its nearly six hours of music. This easily could have been a triple album from the outset. Though Corgan’s riffs helped define the era, “1979” and its digital loop sound like a band emerging from the fog of alternative rock’s dizzying and chaotic cultural dominance.

“Grounded” by Pavement from Wowee Zowee

There’s an episode of Beavis and Butt-Head where the slacker duo watch a Pavement music video. As the video plays, they beg the band to just try a little. “Come on. I want you to start over again, and this time, try!” Whether they wanted or cared to be successful doesn’t matter, Pavement defined indie rock. Stephen Malkmus would hate this description, but he’s a bona fide guitar legend. “Grounded” appears on Pavement’s clattering and noisy and excellent third album Wowee Zowee. And if you want to introduce your friends to this band, “Grounded” is a good place to start.

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