The 25 best Classic Rock albums of 1990

29 July 2024, 00:07

Let's take a look back at the year of Hard To Handle, Nothing Compares 2 U, Been Caught Stealing and More Than Words.

By Radio X

@RadioX

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1. The Black Crowes – Shake Your Money Maker: release date 13th February 1990

   The debut album from the Atlanta rockers included the singles Hard To Handle, Jealous Again and Twice As Hard.

   

2. Thunder – Backstreet Symphony: release date 5th March 1990

   The debut album from the London rockers included Dirty Love, She's So Fine and Love Walked In.

   

3. Gary Moore - Still Got the Blues: release date 12th March 1990

   The eighth solo album from the Northern Irish blues master included guest appearances from Albert King and George Harrison, and the singles Still Got the Blues (For You) and Walking By Myself.

   

4. Sinead O'Connor - I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got - 12th March 1990

   The singer-songwriter's second album included the smash hit Prince cover Nothing Compares 2 U, which was No 1 in the UK for four weeks.

   

5. Robert Plant - Manic Nirvana: release date 19th March 1990

   The fifth album from the former Led Zeppelin frontman included the singles Hurting Kind (I've Got My Eyes On You) and Your Ma Said You Cried in Your Sleep Last Night.

   

6. Heart - Brigade: release date 26th March 1990

   The tenth album from the Wilson sisters included a British hit in All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You, plus I Didn't Want To Need You and Stranded.

   

7. Fleetwood Mac - Behind the Mask: release date 9th April 1990

   After Lindsey Buckingham left the band, he was replaced for their fifteenth studio album by Billy Burnette and Rick Vito. Tracks included Save Me, Skies The Limit, In The Back Of My Mind and Hard Feelings.

   

8. Billy Idol - Charmed Life: release date 30th April 1990

   The fourth studio album from the ex-Generation X man included the singles Cradle Of Love, Prodigal Blues and a cover of The Doors' L.A. Woman.

   

9. Bruce Dickinson - Tattooed Millionaire: release date 8th May 1990

   The debut studio album from the Iron Maiden frontman saw him cover Mott The Hoople's All The Young Dudes (written by David Bowie), Tattooed Millionaire and Born In '58.

   

10. Iggy Pop – Brick By Brick: released June 1990

    Don Was took production duties on the former Stooge's ninth album included the singles Home. Livin' On The Egde Of The Night and Candy with The B52s' Kate Pierson.

    

11. Poison - Flesh And Blood: release date 2nd July 1990

    The third studio album from the glam metallers included the hit Unskinny Bop, plus Something To Believe In and Ride The Wind.

    

12. Extreme - Pornograffitti: release date 7th August 1990

    The second album by the Boston rock band gave birth to massive hits in More Than Words, Get The Funk Out and Hole Hearted.

    

13. Jane’s Addiction - Ritual de lo Habitual: released 21st August 1990

    Perry Farrell's alt.rock heroes released their second album, which included the huge radio hit Been Caught Stealing.

    

14. Anthrax – Persistence Of Time: release date 21st August 1990

    The fifth album from the New York thrash metallers included the singles Got The Time, In My World and Belly Of The Beast.

    

15. Alice In Chains – Facelift: release date 28th August 1990

    The debut album from the Seattle grunge band included the singles We Die Young and Man In The Box.

    

16. Living Colour – Time's Up: release date 28th August 1990

    The second album from the funk metal band spawned a UK hit in Love Reares Its Ugly Head, plus collaborations with Little Richard (on Elvis Is Dead) and rapper Doug E Fresh (on Tag Taeam Partners).

    

17. Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Ragged Glory: released 9th September 1990

    The "Godfather Of Grunge" proved why he was so influential on the genre with a sixth album in collaboration with the band Crazy Horse. Tracks include Mansion On The Hill, Over And Over and F**kin' Up.

    

18. Judas Priest – Painkiller: release date 14th September 1990

    Priest's twelfth album saw singer Rob Halford take leave of the band for the best part of a decade and had singles in the title track and A Touch Of Evil.

    

19. Megadeth - Rust In Peace: release date 24th September 1990

    The thrash legends' fourth studio album included the singles Hangar 18 and Holy Wars... The Punishment Due.

    

20. AC/DC – The Razor's Edge: release date 24th September 1990

    The Aussie rockers' twelfth studio album included the singles Thunderstruck, Moneytalks and Are You Ready.

    

21. INXS - X: released 25th September 1990

    The Aussie rock band issued the follow-up to their massive hit Kick, which included the singles Suicide Blonde, Bitter Tears and Disappear.

    

22. Iron Maiden – No Prayer For The Dying: release date 1st October 1990

    Maiden's eighth album saw Janick Gers replace Adrian Smith on guitar, but saw the veteran metal band get their only UK Number 1 to date in Bring Your Daughter ...To The Slaughter.

    

23. Slayer – Seasons In The Abyss: release date 9th October 1990

    The fifth album from the Californian thrash metal pioneers had singles in the shaoe of the title track and Spirit In Black.

    

24. Traveling Wilburys - Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3: release date 29th October 1990

    The ironically-titled second album from the rock supergroup again saw the supergroup of George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne - minus the late Roy Orbison, who appeared on the first volume. Singles were She's My Baby, Inside Out and Wilbury Twist.

    

25. Scorpions – Crazy World: release date 6th November 1990

    The German rockers' eleventh album included their worldwide hit Wind Of Change, plus Tease Me Please Me and Send Me An Angel.