#brodys1996

30 years ago last week, Rage Against the Machine released Evil Empire. I remember buying it the day it came out for $11.99 at Nobody Beats the Wiz. I'd probably rank their other 2 non-covers albums above it but man it packs a punch. Sadly, its subject matter has only grown more relevant. #brodys1996

OTD 30 years ago, the spotty Schoolhouse Rock! Rocks comp came out. But it did have bangers, including Man or Astro-man? turning "Interplanet Janet" into a surf-rock bomb and Skee-Lo (!) making "The Tale of Mr. Morton" a hip-hop jam. But 1 of Shannon Hoon's last recordings was my fave. #brodys1996

Busta Rhymes burst onto the scene with his first solo album, The Coming, 30 years ago last week. "Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check" was the insane lead-off single, a perfect introduction to the hyperactive delivery and manic beats that made this guy unique as an MC and artist. #brodys1996

Also 30 years ago last week, Guided by Voices released Under the Bushes Under the Stars. "The Official Ironmen Rally Song" might be my favorite GBV song depending on the day you ask me. The mid-90s were maybe the best era the band had in terms of a hit-to-overkill release ratio. #brodys1996

30 years ago last week, Stone Temple Pilots released Tiny Music from the Vatican Gift Shop. It wasn't the radio megahit Purple was, maybe because they were getting more glam and trying to sound different from the other Pearl Jam copycats. I like STP now more than I did at the time. #brodys1996

Also OTD in 1996, Afghan Whigs released Black Love, an album that tried to mix grungier alternative rock with soul and funk influences as opposed to reheating blues-based rock, and fell between the cracks as a result. Very much worth revisiting, cinematic in scope and noir atmosphere. #brodys1996

OTD in 1996, Down by Law released All Scratched Up! I had loved "Bright Green Globe" from Epitaph Records' Punk-O-Rama comp, and seeing the videos for "Independence Day" and "Radio Ragga" convinced me to buy their latest, but even at the time it felt like fairly generic Warped Tour punk. #brodys1996

Also OTD 30 years ago Neil Young released the Dead Man soundtrack. I didn't discover it until Neil became one of my fave artists years later. Its unaccompanied guitar and organ solos, with monologues from the film about William Blake in the Wild West, have an apocalyptic post-rock vibe. #brodys1996

OTD 30 years ago, Bad Religion released The Gray Race. BR was my favorite band as a teen; this was the 1st album that came out while I was a fan. I loved Ric Ocasek's energetic production with barely a pause between songs. Ex-Minor Threat guitarist Brian Baker added some new vigor too. #brodys1996

Sepultura released Roots 30 years ago today. It might've been the heaviest album I'd ever heard up to this point. "Roots Bloody Roots" kinda scared me. I wondered what must have been happening in Brazil at the time to inspire such a harrowing sound. Good training for even heavier metal. #brodys1996

30 years ago today, Fun Lovin' Criminals released Come Find Yourself, and a lot of people in my LI suburb were excited that a bunch of ethnic white guys were (sorta) rapping about mafioso life. "Scooby Snacks" sampled Tarantino movies so much they had to credit him as a co-writer. #brodys1996

OTD 30 years ago Lou Reed released Set the Twilight Reeling. I was just getting into VU and I struggled to reconcile the cool junkie beat poet with this guy who was like my dad waxing nostalgic about egg creams. "Sex With Your Parents" is the worst protest song about a deserving target. #brodys1996

Also 30 years ago today, 2Pac released All Eyez On Me, a double album that was a bit too much of an okay thing for me as he leaned heavily into an outsized version of himself. Still had some legendary bangers though, can't argue with California Love, Can't C Me, or Life Goes On. #brodys1996

30 years ago today, the Fugees released The Score. I loved the late-night vibe of this album, with Wyclef's kooky flow, Lauryn Hill's rasp, and Pras like a businessman who decided to rap. Fu-Gee-La and Ready or Not were my faves, as well as the twangy guitar underpinning Manifest/Outro. #brodys1996

30 years ago this past Saturday, NOFX released Heavy Petting Zoo. They were one of my favorite bands back then, but this album was the beginning of the end for me; I increasingly found their humor a bit too sophomoric (the cover, ugh), and I revisit the 2 albums before this the most. #brodys1996

30 years ago today Ministry released Filth Pig. While I enjoyed its transgressive cover of Bob Dylan's "Lay Lady Lay," the rest was kind of a letdown compared to the onslaught of their previous album, Psalm 69. Modern rock radio by this time preferred knockoffs like Stabbing Westward. #brodys1996

30 years ago today the Bouncing Souls released their best album, Maniacal Laughter. They were from New Jersey, and I grew up on Long Island, so they were always playing local shows, and I have probably seen them live more than any other band. Earnest, slice-of-life suburban punk. #brodys1996

Tori Amos released Boys for Pele 30 years ago today. I loved Under the Pink, but was underwhelmed with its follow-up; it had too much harpsichord for me. The 1st single "Caught A Lite Sneeze" was a "God" retread. Still some bangers on it, especially when she brutalizes the harpsichord. #brodys1996

30 years ago today, two Japanese girls living in NYC released Viva! La Woman, a trip-hop album with a gastronomic theme. It alternates between anarchic boom-bap jams and more laid-back chillout tunes that celebrate birthday cake, beef jerky, and more. I assume Charli XCX must love it. #brodys1996