The 25 best albums of 1994

10 October 2024, 18:00

Take a trip back to the year of Parklife, Definitely Maybe, Live Through This, Ill Communication and the last days of Kurt Cobain.

By Radio X

@RadioX

1. Green Day - Dookie: released 1 February 1994

   The trio's third album (and major label debut) saw them hit the big time with hits like Basket Case, Longview, When i Come Around and Welcome To Paradise.

   

2. Therapy? - Troublegum: released 7 February 1994

   The fourth album from the Northern Irish band featured the track Screamager, plus a cover of Joy Division's Isolation.

   

3. Beck - Mellow Gold: released 1 March 1994

   Mr Hansen's third album included the classic Loser, which was first released as a single in 1993.

   

4. Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral: released 8 March 1994

   The second studio album from Trent Reznor’s industrial noise project featured March Of The Pigs, Closer and the original version of Hurt, later covered by Johnny Cash.

   

5. Soundgarden - Superunknown: released 8 March 1994

   The fourth album from Chris Cornell's rock monsters included the hit Black Hole Sun and the brilliant Spoonman.

   

6. Original Soundtrack - The Crow: released 29 March 1994

   The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against The Machine, Stone Temple Pilots and more dark rock legends lined up to contribute to the soundtrack to the film of the cult comic book. Star Brandon Lee was killed in a tragic accident during production, casting a shadow over the enterprise, but the music endures.

   

7. Morrissey - Vauxhall And I: released 14 March 1994

   Moz's fourth solo album featured Hold On To Your Friends and The More You Ignore Me The Closer I Get.

   

8. Primal Scream - GIve Out But Don't Give Up: released 28 March 1994

   The fourth album by Bobby Gillespie and co featured the storming tracks Rocks and Jailbird.

   

9. Hole - Live Through This: released 12 April 1994

   Courtney Love's second album was released only four days after the body of husband Kurt Cobain was found dead. The album took on a whole new meaning and tracks included Doll Parts and Miss World.

   

10. Pulp - His 'N' Hers: released 18 April 1994

    The band's fourth album saw Jarvis Cocker's eccentric wordsmithery make the mainstream, thanks to tracks like Babies and Do You Remember The First Time?

    

11. Blur - Parklife: released 25 April 1994

    The band released their third album, which set the Britpop train rolling in earnest and included the title track, Girls And Boys, End Of A Century, To The End and This Is A Low.

    

12. Weezer - Weezer (The Blue Album): released 10 May 1994

    River Cuomo put nerd-rock back on the map with this classic debut, which included Buddy Holly, Say It Ain't So and Undone (The Sweater Song).

    

13. Beastie Boys - Ill Communication: released 31 May 1994

    The trio's fourth album featured the classics Sabotage, Sure Shot and Root Down.

    

14. The Prodigy - Music For The Jilted Generation: released 4 July 1994

    The second album from the band featured the classics No Good (Start The Dance) and Poison.

    

15. Portishead - Dummy: released 22 August 1994

    The Bristol trip hop collective released their debut album, which included Sour Times, and Glory Box.

    

16. Orbital - Snivilisation: released 22 August 1994

    The dance duo released their third album, which included Sad But True, featuring guest vocals from Alison Goldfrapp.

    

17. Jeff Buckley - Grace: released 23 August 1994

    Buckley released his only studio album in 1994, three years before his untimely death. It features Hallelujah, Lilac Wine and Last Goodbye.

    

18. Oasis - Definitely Maybe: released 29 August 1994

    The Gallaghers released their classic debut album, which included Shakermaker, Live Forever, Supersonic, Rock And Roll Star and Cigarettes And Alcohol.

    

19. Manic Street Preachers - The Holy Bible: released 29 August 1994

    The third album by the Welsh band was the last to be released before Richey Edwards disappeared in February 1995. Tracks included Faster, PCP, Revol and She Is Suffering.

    

20. R.E.M. - Monster: released 27 September 1994

    The band's ninth album included What's The Frequency Kenneth?, Crush With Eyeliner and Michael Stipe's tribute to Kurt Cobain, Let Me In.

    

21. The Cranberries - No Need To Argue: released 3 October 1994

    Fronted by the greatly-missed Dolores O'Riordan, this was the Irish band’s commercial peak, spawning the hit Zombie and the sweet Ode To My Family.

    

22. Suede - Dog Man Star: released 10 October 1994

    The second album from the Britpop stalwarts was the last to feature guitarist Bernard Butler and featured We Are The Pigs and The Wild Ones.

    

23. Nirvana - MTV Unplugged In New York: released 1 November 1994

    Originally recorded in November 1993, the session was repeatedly endlessly on MTV in the weeks following Kurt Cobain's death in April of 1994. As well as acoustic versions of Nirvana songs like About A Girl and All Apologies, the show featured covers of Bowie's The Man Who Sold The World and the traditional blues song Where Did You Sleep Last Night.

    

24. Pearl Jam - Vitalogy: released 22 November 1994

    The fourth album by Eddie Vedder's anthemic rockers featured Spin The Black Circle and Dissident.

    

25. The Stone Roses - The Second Coming: released 5 December 1994

    At last! The band finally released the follow-up to their debut album… five years later. Tracks included Love Spreads, Ten Storey Love Song and Begging You.