Dig Me Out: 90s & 00s Rock
Weekly episodes digging up lost and forgotten 90s rock — in-depth album reviews, roundtable discussions, and artist interviews that reveal the unique story of the 90s.
Episodes
Replicants - Replicants | 90s Album Review
Take members of Tool and Failure, give them classic rock artists and new wave bands to cover, and you get the oddball 1996 self-titled by Replicants.
Songs In This Episode
Intro - Just What I Needed (The Cars)
13:03 - Dirty Work (Steely Dan)
16:59 - How Do You Sleep? (John Lennon)
19:34 - Silly Love Songs (Wings)
28:18 - Destination Unknown (Missing Persons)
Outro - Are ‘Friends’ Electric? (Tub
The Argument - Recess Serenade | 00s Album Review
Power pop might be one of the most misunderstood and under-appreciated genres under rock, and the 2004 album Recess Serenade by The Argument is a perfect example. Harmonies and hooks with loud guitars, what more could you want?
Songs In This Episode
Intro - Song One
15:43 - Call In Sick
23:47 - Everyone’s Selling Something
26:45 - Soaked
31:51 - My Dumb Luck
Outro - Incognito
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Space - Spiders | 90s Album Review
The 1996 debut album Spiders by Liverpool’s Space is an eclectic mix of trip-hop, Madchester, Britpop, and more, including the 60s lounge of single “Female of the Species.” But eclecticism can slip into inconsistency, and attempts at various genres results in uneven levels of quality.
Songs In This Episode
Intro - Female of the Species
15:51 - Dark Clouds
20:30 - Me And You Vs The World
28:50 -
Kashmir - No Balance Palace | 00s Album Review
It's been many years and many albums since our introduction to Denmark's Kashmir, and while the line-up stayed the same, the sound has evolved. This time we check out the 2005 album No Balance Palace, with a studio legend (Tony Visconti) behind the board, and two more legends (David Bowie and Lou Reed) making appearances. Kashmir didn't work for us the first time around, will maturity and a trio o
Purusam – Daybreak Chronicle | 90s Album Review
Refused famously titled their landmark 1998 post-hardcore album The Shape of Punk to Come, a nod to the trailblazing Ornette Coleman avant garde/free jazz album The Shape of Jazz to Come released in 1959. The short-lived band Swedish band Purusam released their second and final album Daybreak Chronicles in 1997 on the Refused-connected Desperate Fight Records, though it could have been titled The
Pretty Girls Make Graves - Good Health | 00s Album Review
Good Health, the 2002 debut album by Pretty Girls Make Graves, packs punches in all the right places and in under thirty minutes. Angular guitars bounce off of a confident, inventive rhythm section in service of indie rock earworms and an anthemic opener.
Songs In This Episode
Intro - Ghost In The Radio
13:05 - Speakers Push Air
25:08 - The Get Away
31:12 - If You Hate Your Friends, You're Not
Reacharound - Who's Tommy Cooper? | 90s Album Review
Never heard of Reacharound? You're not alone, which is a shame, because this band of UK expats playing punked-up rockabilly and 60s Kinks and Who influenced garage rock deserved your attention. Their only album, 1996's Who's Tommy Cooper? is a charming, straight-up rock album with enough variety to keep fans of Reverend Horton Heat, Social Distortion, or The Living End interested.
Songs In This
Albums of 2006 | Roundtable
2006 wasn't just any year in the 00s. It's the year Twitter launched, the year before the release of the iPhone, Nintendo debuted the Wii console, Borat burst into movie theaters, and Justin Timberlake made sure sexy was back. It was also when danceable post-punk, alternative metal, and UK post-Brit pop were making waves bubbling up to the underground, and much more. We've invited a group of our P
Josh Ritter - The Animal Ritter | 00s Album Review
Released during the protracted second Iraq war, Josh Ritter's fourth album The Animal Years layers a singer/songwriter album with somber lyrical depth softened by effective melodies and thoughtful instrumentation.
Songs In This Episode
Intro - Wolves
17:04 - Girl In The War
18:58 - Monster Ballads
25:29 - Thin Blue Flame
32:36 - Good Man
Outro - Here at the Right Time
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Silkworm - Firewater | 90s Album Review
Earnest without sliding into overwrought emo, Silkworm struck a balance between raw and refined on their fourth album, 1996's Firewater. Like most of their releases, the band turned to Steve Albini to engineer, capturing the live sound of the band crisp and clearly across the nearly hour running time. The band rarely overindulge, leaving those spare moments to the guitarist Andy Cohen, who channel
12 Rods - Lost Time | 00s Album Review
Self-produced after parting ways with their major label, 12 Rods released the genre-bending Lost Time in 2002, combining elements of power pop, indie rock, 70s art rock and more. Eclectic songwriting, dynamic shifts, and a mixture of organic and treated sounds balance an album full of catchy hooks with inventive and occasionally straight-up weird choices, like the loungy-groove of "Fake Magic 8-Ba
KMFDM - Naïve/Hell to Go | 90s Album Review
Is an industrial song ever really done? KMFDM’s 1993 release Naïve/Hell to Go asks that question, revisiting tracks from their 1990 release Naïve and offering new remixes and modified versions. Leaning heavily on sequenced aggression - pounding drum machines, serrated metal guitar loops, and chant-ready slogans that feel engineered as much for the dance floor as the mosh pit. Tracks like “Go to He
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People | 00s Album Review
You Forgot It in People captures Broken Social Scene at their most expansive, an indie rock communal experience balancing meticulous arrangements and unhinged joyfulness. Layers of guitars, synths, horns, and rotating vocalists creates a warm chaos that rewards repeated listens, as new details constantly surface. Songs like “Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl” and “Cause = Time” balance intimac
Bush - Sixteen Stone | 90s Album Review
Naomi Carmack of the Dope Nostalgia podcast joins us to revisit the six times platinum debut album Sixteen Stone by Bush. Released in May of 1995, the album spawned five inescapable singles and videos released in 1995 and 1996, propelling the band into the bright media spotlight. While the band had their share of fans, they also had detractors labeling the band as radio made grunge-lite thanks to
Season Fifteen Review
Our fifteenth season is in the books. Check out our picks for most surprising discoveries, the top review albums, and more from 2025. Stay tuned as towards the end we cover some changes to the DMO schedule and more choices for album picking patrons starting in 2026.
Songs In This Episode
Intro - Dig Me Out by Sleater-Kinney
Outro - Dig Me Out by Sleater-Kinney
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Heart - Surviving The 90s
In our fourth installment of Surviving the 90s, we’re revisiting Heart - the band that not only churned out hits across multiple decades, but played a key role in the burgeoning Seattle music scene of the 80s and 90s. Known for a string of massive hits like "Barracuda," "Crazy On You," "Magic Man," and more in the 70s, the chart-topping band suffered a downturn in the early 80s only to return wit
Fantômas - Fantômas | 90s Album Review
Fantômas’ self-titled 1999 debut establishes the concept from note one: an exercise in extreme, avant-garde expression, and as a listener it’s easy to understand what the band is attempting. The barrage of short, fragmented pieces and sudden stylistic shifts signal a deliberate rejection of traditional song structure. Mike Patton’s vocalizations function more as sound effects than performances, re
Belly - King | 90s Album Review
Star, the 1993 debut album by Belly, blends dreamy alt-rock textures with Tanya Donnelly’s airy, emotionally charged vocals and songwriting. Shimmering guitars and off-kilter hooks give the album a distinctive, almost fairy-tale quality that set it apart from its grunge-era peers, drawing as much from UK dream and jangle pop as American alternative. Singles like “Feed the Tree” and “Gepetto” highl
Eve 6 - Eve 6 | 90s Album Review
Eve 6’s 1998 self-titled debut delivered a punchy slice of late-’90s alternative rock loaded with catchy hooks and teenage urgency. The band utilizes pop-punk energy without the whine, creating a sound that’s both radio-friendly and tightly performed, showcasing their knack for clever, rapid-fire lyrics and instantly memorable choruses. The album balances angst and humor, giving it a charm that se
New Music We're Thankful for in 2025 | Roundtable
Another Thanksgiving is upon us, and our yearly post-Covid tradition continues as we gather patrons together and give thanks for the new music that gave us happiness and good vibes in 2025. There's a wide array of bands and artists, new and old, that helped make 2025 another great year for music!
Songs In This Episode
Intro - Critical Thinking by Manic Street Preachers
Outro - Disintegrate by Su
Creed And Butt Rock | 90s Album Review and Genre Discussion
Human Clay by Creed is a polished, radio-ready slab of late-’90s hard rock that helped define (fairly or unfairly) the aesthetic now cheekily labeled “butt rock.” The album leans heavily on soaring, overly-earnest choruses and Mark Tremonti’s muscular guitar work, which give tracks like “Higher” and “With Arms Wide Open” a memorable arena-rock punch. Scott Stapp’s vocals, full of dramatic baritone
Speedstar - Bruises You Can Touch | 00s Album Review
In 2002 Speedstar released their debut, Bruises You Can Touch, and unless you were in Australia, you probably never heard it. The Australian band's first album is a quietly affecting collection of melancholic indie pop that trades in mood and atmosphere over flash. Restrained production gives the band’s delicate melodies and wistful vocals room to breathe, creating an intimate and emotionally reso
Nuno - Schizophonic | 90s Album Review
Virtuoso guitarist Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme stepped out on his own for the 1997 solo debut Schizophonic to explore a more diverse sonic landscape. Blending alt-rock, power pop, and electronic influences, the album showcases Bettencourt’s strong sense of melody and knack for songwriting. Tracks like “Gravity” and “Swollen Princess” highlight his ability to fuse inventive guitar riffs with catchy
Sixteen Horsepower - Sackcloth 'N' Ashes | 90s Album Review
Appalachian folk, Gothic country, and fire-and-brimstone intensity are not sounds you heard often on alternative albums in the 1990s. Sixteen Horsepower, led by David Eugene Edwards’ trembling voice and Old Testament fervor, sings like a sermon delivered from the traveling pulpit of redemption and ruin on their 1996 debut Sackcloth 'N Ashes. Songs churn with banjo, accordion, and tremolo guitar, e
Charm Farm - Pervert | 90s Album Review
Pervert by Charm Farm swaggered into the mid-’90s with industrial-tinged alternative rock that fused sleazy hooks with gritty guitar licks. Mechanical grooves create a sound that feels both nightclub-ready and deeply personal. Tracks like “Superstar” and “Sick” capture the era’s obsession with fame and self-destruction while wrapped in infectious, neon-lit melodies. Completely overlooked upon rele
Pearl Jam Live! Author Serena Fragassi | Interview
Author Serena Fragassi joins us to discuss her new book, "Pearl Jam Live! 35 Years Of Legendary Music And Revolutionary Shows." Filled with band history, archival photography, interviews, and more, the book covers Pearl Jam's evolution, influence, fan culture and community, behind-the-scenes stories, and much, much more.
Songs In This Episode
Intro - State of Love and Trust*
31:49 - Evenflow*
O
Eve's Plum - Envy | 90s Album Review
Eve’s Plum captured the multi-genre energy of the early 90s on their 1993 debut Envy. Fronted by Colleen Fitzpatrick (later known as pop star Vitamin C) the band blended fuzzed-out guitars and hook-heavy melodies that sat comfortably between the noisy shoegaze of Swervedriver and the sweet hooks of Letters to Cleo. Tracks like “Blue” and “I Want It All” showcase their sharp, dynamic songwriting wr
Maximo Park - A Certain Trigger | 00s Album Review
Twenty years since their debut, Maxïmo Park’s A Certain Trigger announces itself with angular guitars, driving rhythms, and Paul Smith’s earnest, impassioned vocals that give the songs both urgency and heart. Tracks like “Apply Some Pressure” and “Graffiti” capture the restless energy of youth, the album skillfully marries wiry indie-rock grit with pop immediacy. The band carved out their own voic
Adrian Belew - Young Lions | 90s Album Review
Adrian Belew’s 1990 album Young Lions blends his signature experimental guitar work with pop-friendly rock songwriting. Though it features David Bowie on two excellent tracks, “Pretty Pink Rose” and closer "Gunman," it does not take away from Belew's opportunities behind the mic, finding a balance between the croon of Roy Orbison and quirk of David Byrne. He balances quirky, textured arrangements
Candy Harlots - Five Wicked Sins | 90s Album Review
The 1992 album Five Deadly Sins by Australian hard rockers Candy Harlots was the last gasp of glam-influenced sleaze rock before grunge reshaped the musical landscape. Packed with swaggering riffs and arena-ready vocals, the record channels the spirit of Guns N’ Roses, Kix, and Bang Tango while with a raw edge. Songs like “Sister’s Crazy” and “Danger” showcase the band’s knack for solid hooks. Des
Drivin N Cryin - Fly Me Courageous | 90s Album Review
In 1991, Drivin N Cryin took a bold step towards the mainstream with their album Fly Me Courageous. While the title track became an anthemic staple of early ’90s rock radio thanks to Gulf War pilots, the album failed to connect beyond the band's regional fanbase. To help us dig into this record, we're joined by James Barber, former manager to the band, to dig into what works, what left us scratchi
Not From There - Sand From Seven | 90s Album Review
Jagged, urgent, experimental - the 1998 album Sand On Seven by Not From There is an inventive debut that effectively blends post-punk, slowcore, and noise rock. The Australian trio incorporate German-language vocals on several tracks, giving the album an otherworldly edge to pair with angular guitars, throbbing basslines, and restless rhythms giving 90s indie rock a uniquely disorienting twist. So
Love Cup - ...Grefus Gronks and Sheet | 90s Album Review
From the same Champaign-Urbana, IL music scene as Hum, Poster Children, National Skyline, and others, Love Cup is a name you might not be familiar with. Their lone 90s release, ..Grefus Gronks and Sheet, is a snapshot of mid-’90s alternative rock, tinged with grunge and post-hardcore, as well as shoegaze and space rock. Tracks like "Even When I Sleep" and "Nothing in Particular" showcase the band'
Sky Cries Mary - A Return to the Inner Experience | 90s Album Review
Sky Cries Mary’s 1993 album A Return to the Inner Experience is a sprawling, psychedelic journey unlike almost anything else out of Seattle in the 90s. Formed in the late 1980s, Sky Cries Mary blends elements of trance, space rock, ambient textures, and spoken word, and this album marked their first major label release, giving them wider exposure. Across 17 tracks, the record flows like a hallucin
Mogwai - Come On Die Young | 90s Album Review
Mogwai’s 1999 album Come On Die Young trades some of the explosive catharsis of their debut for a slower, more deliberate exploration of mood and texture. Opening with Iggy Pop’s laconic musings on punk ethos, the record unfolds in hushed tones, with fragile guitar lines and patient rhythms evoking a late-night, half-lit world. Songs like “Cody” favor aching melancholy over the band’s trademark cr
The Flaming Lips - In A Priest Driven Ambulance | 90s Album Review
In a Priest Driven Ambulance marks a pivotal moment for The Flaming Lips with the addition of Jonathan Donahue as a member of the band (and later Mercury Rev), along with Dave Fridmann behind the board for the first time. The blend of lo-fi psychedelic rock retains the melodic chaos while exploring new experimental territory. Wayne Coyne finds his voice, and tracks like “Shine on Sweet Jesus” show
Greta - No Biting | 90s Album Review
The 1993 debut album No Biting by Los Angeles-based band Greta blends post-grunge aggression with quirky, off-kilter alternative rock. Led by Paul Plagens’ distinctive vocals and lyrics, the album features tracks like “Revolver” and “School On Fire” showcase a mix of heaviness and melody. The willingness to veer into funk, noise, and pseudo-progressive territory adds a level of chaotic charm to th
Richard Thompson - Mock Tudor | 90s Album Review
Legendary guitarist and songwriter Richard Thompson's 1999 album Mock Tudor explores the dark corners of suburban England with sharp wit and rich storytelling. Produced by Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf, the album steers away from Thompson's signature folk-rock sound towards a leaner, more contemporary approach. While still rooted in traditional genres with touches of rockabilly and reggae, the albu
Jewel - Pieces Of You | 90s Album Review
For our latest Diamond Episode, we're checking out Jewel’s 1995 debut Pieces of You. A blend of minimalist folk ballads with polished pop, Pieces of You is a showcase for Jewel's rich and varied soprano voice. Hits like “Who Will Save Your Soul” and “You Were Meant for Me" are the rarity featuring multi-tracked instrumentation. Much of the record was recorded live at a San Diego coffeehouse, which
Fig Dish - That's What Love Songs Often Do | 90s Album Review
Released in 1995, the waning years of grunge and riding the big wave of the alternative rock explosion, That’s What Love Songs Often Do by Fig Dish was a punchy major label debut from Chicago quartet Fig Dish. Lyrically, Fig Dish steers away from overwrought introspection in favor of sly, observational jabs at love and life, delivered with rasp and grit. Raw yet clear production allows the interpl
Hawksley Workman - For Him and the Girls | 90s Album Review
For Him and the Girls, the debut album by Canadian singer-songwriter Hawksley Workman, is an eclectic blend of glam rock, cabaret, and indie pop. Recorded largely in his home studio, the album revels in his uniquely quirky and theatrical style. Songs like “Tarantulove” and “Safe and Sound” feature lush arrangements, dramatic tempo shifts, and playful yet poignant lyrics that shift between earnest
The Connells - One Simple Word | 90s Album Review
One Simple Word, the fourth studio album by The Connells, showcases the band’s melodic southern jangle pop sound with a more polished and introspective tone. While not a commercial blockbuster, the album scored with critics and college radio listeners thanks to catchy but not overly sugary melodies that sound like attempts at a mainstream radio hit. Lush guitar interplay and heartfelt lyrics highl
Underworld - Second Toughest in the Infants | 90s Album Review
Blending progressive house, techno, and ambient, the 1996 album Second Toughest in the Infants is Underworld’s ambitious follow-up to their breakout album Dubnobasswithmyheadman. Crafted with expansive, hypnotic soundscapes, tracks like “Pearl’s Girl” and the multipart suite “Juanita/Kiteless/To Dream of Love” highlight their exploration of rhythm and texture, while Karl Hyde’s cryptic, stream-of-
Foreigner - Surviving the 90s
In our third installment of Surviving the 90s, we’re revisiting one of the arena rock powerhouses of the late '70s and early '80s — Foreigner. Known for a string of massive hits like "Cold as Ice," "Hot Blooded," "Urgent," "Juke Box Hero," and the chart-topping ballad "I Want to Know What Love Is," Foreigner dominated radio and MTV in their prime. Albums like Double Vision, Head Games, and 4 went
Ground Components - An Eye for a Brow, a Tooth for a Pick | 00s Album Review
An Eye For A Brow, A Tooth For A Pick, the 2006 debut album by Australian band Ground Components, blends elements of garage, punk, and soul that fits in nicely with the garage rock revival of the early '00s. Featuring a mix of aggressive punk-ish guitar riffs, driving and boogie rhythms, and horn arrangements give the album a unique sound compared to contemporaries. All that is a playground lead f
Buffalo Tom - Birdbrain | 90s Album Review
While their debut album tagged them as Dinosaur Jr Jr thanks to loud guitars and J. Mascis behind the board, Buffalo Tom's second album, Birdbrain, builds on the raw, guitar-driven sound of their debut but with more mature songwriting and production. Produced again by J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. with Sean Slade, the album emphasizes emotional intensity over polish, with songs like "Birdbrain" and "En
Non-Intentional Lifeform - Uisce | 90s Album Review
Uisce (pronounced "ish-ka," the Irish word for "water") is the sole full-length album by Australian band Non-Intentional Lifeform (N.I.L.), released in 1997 by Roadrunner Records. Formed in Perth in 1995, N.I.L. was known for their eclectic fusion of hard rock, thrash metal, post-punk, rap, and funk. Energetic and unpredictable, the album is an inventive blend of genres anchored by stellar musical
The Lee Harvey Oswald Band - Blastronaut | 90s Album Review
A fusion of punk, garage, and noise rock, the 1996 album Blastronaut by The Lee Harvey Oswald Band is a bombastic, high energy record drawing upon 70s David Bowie, classic rock, and the Stooges. Confrontational and darkly humorous, the band leans into a satirical, sometimes absurdist tone, reflecting a punk ethos while incorporating elements of Southern culture and psychedelic weirdness. The alias
Social Distortion - Social Distortion | 90s Album Review
The 1990 self-titled album by Social Distortion marked a significant turning point for the band, showcasing a more refined and mature sound compared to their hardcore roots. Frontman Mike Ness emerged from a turbulent period in the 1980s, including a stint in rehab that deeply influenced the album’s themes of struggle, redemption, and personal reflection. The album saw the band evolve from hardcor
Front Line Assembly - Hard Wired | 90s Album Review
Canadian electro-industrial band Front Line Assembly, led by Bill Leeb with longtime collaborator Rhys Fulber, released their eighth album Hard Wired in 1995. The album blends harsh electronic beats, cinematic synth textures, distorted vocals, and heavy guitar riffs, all characteristics of the industrial and cyberpunk aesthetics of the mid-'90s (think Hackers, Strange Days, Johnny Mnemonic). Lyric
Kill Holiday - Somewhere Between the Wrong Is Right | 90s Album Review
Kill Holiday, formed by members of San Diego hardcore band Unbroken, made a surprising shift from aggressive post-hardcore to dreamy shoegaze with their 1999 album Somewhere Between the Wrong and the Right. Released on Revelation Records, the album channels British influences like Ride and The Stone Roses, with shimmering guitars and laid-back, melancholic melodies. Despite its shoegaze and Britpo
Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted | 90s Album Review
Pavement's 1992 debut album Slanted and Enchanted is a landmark in 1990s alternative music. Featuring cryptic lyrics, jagged guitar riffs, and a laid-back, DIY aesthetic that defined the band's early sound and the emergent lo-fi movement. The low budget recording contributes to its raw and unpolished sound, blending noise rock, pop hooks, and experimental structures with an ear for unusual melodie
Squarepusher - Hard Normal Daddy | 90s Album Review
A groundbreaking fusion of drum and bass, jazz, and experimental electronic music, the 1997 album Hard Normal Daddy by Squarepusher showcases Tom Jenkinson’s virtuosic bass playing and intricate programming. Blending frenetic breakbeats with lush, jazz-inspired melodies, tracks like “Coopers World” and “Beep Street” highlight his unique ability to balance chaos and groove, creating an experience t
Chevelle - Point #1 | 90s Album Review
"Point #1," Chevelle's 1999 debut album, showcases the Chicago-based Loeffler brothers' fusion of alternative metal and indie rock. Produced by Steve Albini, known for his work with Nirvana and PJ Harvey, the album delivers a raw, unrefined sound that captures the band's early energy. Coming in at the end of the decades, it's not surprising to hear similarities to bands like Tool and Helmet, part
Thelonious Monster - Beautiful Mess | 90s Album Review
Upon its release in 1992, Beautiful Mess by Thelonious Monster received plenty of critical acclaim yet not the sales or media exposure to launch the band into the new alternative explosion. Lead singer Bob Forrest’s deeply personal lyrics explored themes of addiction, relationships, and self-destruction, not all that different from other bands at the time, but musically the band sounds more in ste
Interview with Tom Beaujour, Co-author of Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock's Wildest Festival
With 2024's 3-part documentary LOLLA: The Story of Lollapalooza, and our own Lollapalooza episode many years ago, you might wonder what's left to learn about the famed traveling music festival of the 1990s. Turns out, a lot. Thanks to the hundreds of interviews and thousands of hours of work by authors Tom Beaujour and Richard Bienstock completed for their second book "Lollapalooza - The Uncensore
Billy Squier - Surviving The 90s
In our second installment of Surviving the 90s, we're revisiting one of the hitmakers from the first half of the 80s - Billy Squier. Responsible for such hits as The Stroke, Lonely Is The Night, Everybody Wants You, My Kinda Lover, and Rock Me Tonite, to name a few, Squier was all over radio and early MTV. Albums like Don't Say No, Emotions in Motion, and Signs of Life each went Platinum, and whil
Idlewild - Hope Is Important | 90s Album Review
Previously we revisited Idlewild's 2000 breakthrough sophomore album 100 Broken Windows, but for this episode we're going backward to their 1998 debut. The punkier, more aggressive Hope Is Important leans into noisy, almost unpolished intensity, while moments of introspection hint at the more refined songwriting the band would develop on following albums. Frenetic guitars and urgent vocals create
Guided By Voices - Alien Lanes | 90s Album Review
Alien Lanes by Guided By Voices, their first for Matador Records, expanded upon the lo-fi, hook-driven bursts of songs from previous release Bee Thousand. Its chaotic, collage-like structure packs 28 tracks into just over 40 minutes, thanks to the raw, four-track production gives the album an intimate, unpolished feel. Songs end abruptly, vocals are buried, guitars are out of tune, yet the melodie
Cock Sparrer - Two Monkeys | 90s Album Review
Two Monkeys, the 1997 album by veteran punk band Cock Sparrer, blends old school British pub rock and Oi! with surprising melodic elements. Despite being released twenty-five years into their career, the album retains the raw energy of their early work, featuring socially conscious lyrics while tackling themes like working-class struggles and personal resilience. The production is cleaner than the
Los Lobos - The Neighborhood | 90s Album Review
Los Lobos' 1990 album The Neighborhood showcases their signature blend of rock, blues, and Latin influences through the lense and ears of East Los Angeles. While it didn’t achieve the commercial success of La Bamba, the album captures Los Lobos’ musical versatility and deep-rooted cultural influences. The band shifts from Texas blues and roots rock to old school rock 'n roll and acoustic balladry
Fiona Apple - Tidal | 90s Album Review
Fiona Apple's 1996 debut album Tidal remains a landmark in alternative music, blending jazz-infused piano melodies with deeply introspective lyrics. The album's breakout single, "Criminal," propelled Apple into the mainstream, earning her a Grammy and solidifying her as a unique voice in the industry. With raw emotion and poetic lyricism, songs like "Shadowboxer" and "Sleep to Dream" showcased her
Swimmer - Surreal | 90s Album Review
We'll forgive you if you missed Swimmer's one and only album, 1999's Surreal, because we did as well. Though released on Madonna's Maverick label, the band came and went rather quickly, leaving without making a blip on Billboard, radio, MTV, and the internet in general. What they did leave behind was a forty-three minute long compact disc full of drama-laden alternative rock that sweeps through th
...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead - Source Tags & Codes | 00s Album Review
Back in the day (i.e. the 90s), the idea of an indie band jumping to a major label was usually followed by the words "sell out." But without the restrictions of a smaller budget and less time, many artists put their increased resources to good use. Source Tags and Codes, released in 2002 by ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, might be one of the first landmark albums in the post-hardcore
Singles of 1995 | Roundtable
Here at Dig Me Out we spent the last ten years starting each new season by looking back at the albums from each year that stood the test of time, disappeared without a trace, and everything in between. We kicked off with a roundtable in 2015 and revisited the albums of 1995, so it made sense to start a new series of roundtables in 1995 as well. This time we're checking out the singles of each year
Papa Vegas - Hello Vertigo | 90s Album Review
Papa Vegas' 1999 album Hello Vertigo offers a radio friendly mix of alternative rock with polished production. It showcases the band's bi hit potential, but the songwriting occasionally feels formulaic, relying on the familiar soft/loud trope from the mid to late '90s rock scene. Tracks like "Bombshell" stand out with catchy hooks and a radio-friendly vibe, but others struggle to maintain the same
Arcwelder - Pull | 90s Album Review
Despite being a three piece, the Midwestern trio Arcwelder put each instrument to optimum use on their 1993 album Pull. A big, post-hardcore sound without layer upon layer of overdubs thanks to off-kilter chord and melody choices that recall heavier 90s acts like Helmet and the next in the vein of noisier drone of Swervedriver. Arcwelder find a consistent, engaging sound that balances indie rock i
Season Fourteen Review
So much to to talk about when we look back on 2024. Like with our previous year-in-review episodes, we look back at our favorite new album discoveries, most brought to us by our Patreon community, as well as our most enjoyable round table experiences, and our favorite 80s Metal episodes, before previewing what's in store for next year. Here's to season fifteen in 2025!
Songs In This Episode
Intr
Styx - Surviving The 90s
We're always looking at new ways to approach the 90s, and in the past we've revisited the output from bands and artists that got that start in the 1970s and 80s, like Tom Petty, KISS, Van Halen, and others. At the suggestion of our friend and 80s Metal co-host Chip, we've revamped the format for a fresh start. We kick it off with progressive arena rock veterans Styx, and start by checking out thei
Howlin Maggie - Honeysuckle Strange | 90s Album Review
From the ashes of acclaimed but underheard Royal Crescent Mob, bass player Harold "Happy" Chichester switched to guitar and lead vocal for his new band Howlin Maggie, who released their debut album Honeysuckle Strange in 1996. With an all-star cast of Columbus, Ohio players, the band produced a fierce yet catchy album for Columbia Records at the height of alternative rock, but didn't make a dent w
No Knife - Hit Man Dreams | 90s Album Review
San Diego-based band No Knife released their sophomore album Hit Man Dreams in 1997 during the peak era of underground emo and post-grunge indie rock. The album marked a pivotal moment in their evolution thanks to the intricate guitar work by Mitch Wilson and Ryan Ferguson, who blend angular post-hardcore riffs with melodic indie rock sensibility. Tracks like "Your Albatross" and the title track s
Thankful in 2024 | Roundtable
It's our fifth year of getting the patrons together and giving thanks for the new music that gave us happiness and good vibes in 2024. There's a wide array of bands and artists, new and old, that helped make 2024 a great year for music. New albums from 1980s, 90s and 00s artists like The Cure, Pearl Jam, Judas Priest, Underworld, The Black Crowes, John Davis (Superdrag), The Sheila Divine, Jack Wh
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Let Love In | 90s Album Review
The 1994 album Let Love In by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds is a masterful exploration of beauty and brutality. Blending gothic rock with bluesy undertones, Cave delivers haunting melodies with vivid, poetic lyrics. Tracks like "Do You Love Me?" and "Red Right Hand" showcase Cave's magnetic storytelling and the band's dynamic range, taking the wildness of his previous band The Birthday Party, and th
Blind Guardian - Nightfall in Middle-Earth | 90s Album Review
The 1998 concept album Nightfall in Middle-Earth by Blind Guardian brings the epic scope of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion to life through power metal. The album tells the tragic tales of elves, men, and gods embroiled in a war against the dark lord Morgoth, blending rich lyrical storytelling with complex arrangements, and finds a sweet spot between the technical skill of bands like Metallica a
Unbelievable Truth - Almost Here | 90s Album Review
Almost Here is the 1998 debut album by the Unbelievable Truth, fronted by Andy Yorke, who you may have just discovered (like us) is the younger brother of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke. Infused with haunting melodies and introspective lyrics that lean on melancholy, emotional conflict, and introspection, the album showcases Yorke's evocative vocals and a minimalist approach Throughout the album, songs li
Smashing Pumpkins - Gish | 90s Album Review
The 1991 debut album Gish by The Smashing Pumpkins marked the band's entry into the alternative rock scene with a unique mix of psychedelic rock, heavy metal, and dream pop elements. Produced by Butch Vig, who would later work with Nirvana on Nevermind, the album showcases the band's early experimentation with layered guitars, intricate rhythms, raw energy, and dense sonic textures that would beco
Jesus Jones - Perverse | 90s Album Review
Most people know Jesus Jones from their big hit in 1991, "Right Here Right Now." Thanks to the explosion of grunge and alternative rock that was already bubbling up from the underground to the mainstream, the techno-rock of Jesus Jones took a back seat and relegated them to one-hit wonder status. But instead of changing their sound to blend in with the loud guitars from Seattle, the band and prima
Pig - Sinsation | 90s Album Review
An original member of KMFDM, producer, musician and singer Raymond Watts has been ensconced in the electronic and industrial music scenes for going on five decades. His own project PIG started out far more raw and aggressive, but over time Watts evolved the sound and eventually found a home on Trent Reznor's NOTHING label for the 1996 release of Sinsation (released the previous year in Japan only)
Soul Asylum In The 80s | Roundtable
Although they've released over a dozen albums covering four decades, odds are if you ask someone on the street to name a song by Soul Asylum, it's going to be the mega-hit "Runaway Train" off their 1992 album Grave Dancers Union. There were other singles, "Black Gold" and "Somebody To Shove" off Grave Dancers Union, "Misery" and "Just Like Anyone" off the follow-up Let Your Dim Light Shine, but th
Magic Dirt - Young And Full Of The Devil | 90s Album Review
On their second album Young And Full Of The Devil, Magic Dirt blended fuzzed out psych and stoner riffage with a grunge-tinged snarl. The throat shredding vocals of Adalita Srsen lend comparisons to bands like Hole, The Distillers, or L7, but the band delves into darker, scuzzier territory on tracks like the opening opus "Babycakes" and the closer and bonus track "Babycakes You Always Freeze Me Up
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