25 Albums From 25 Years Ago: 1995 The Year in Rock

1995, which is now 25 years ago, was a solid year for rock & roll. I recently took a look at my CD collection and noticed I still have 41 albums from ’95 in my physical music library.

Below I’ve assembled a list of those albums. I’ve supplied details and personal thoughts for 25 of my favorites listed in chronological order. Then added 5 I’ve deemed worthy of special mention, and because I don’t know when to quit, listed the others as I really do still own them.   Enjoy.

Five more worthy of an honorable mention:

3/14/1995       Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin    Various Artists

The Led Zeppelin tributes rage from great to….I wish I could unlisten to that. But the tracks from STP, Blind Melon, Cracker and Helmet make this disc worth keeping around.

5/8/1995         Short Bus                                             Filter

Recorded and mixed in Royal Oak, and it includes “Hey Man Nice Shot”, a big song for us during my Z-Rock years.

9/5/1995         American Standard                            Seven Mary Three

For some Seven Mary Three are a one and done band. I get that “Cumbersome” was the only enduring hit but take a listen to “My My”, “Favorite Dog” or a great song called “Water’s Edge”. This album is better than you remember. **** (4 Stars)

9/19/1995       Nola                                                    Down

Down was the merger of Phil Anselmo of Pantera and Pepper Keenan of C.O.C. It’s a heavy album full of grooves. Kind of like stoner/metal with an abrasive singer. It’s not for everyone but I still own it and still dig it.  *** (3 Stars)

9/21/1995       Paranoid & Sunburnt                          Skunk Anansie

If You have any idea who or what this band is you deserve a treat. My connection to the band and album happened in part due to a post-show hang with front-lady Skin after a gig at The Shelter.

The other discs from 1995 that are still in my personal collection:

1/30/1995       The Sky Moves Sideways - Porcupine Tree

2/28/1995       Manic Compression - Quicksand

3/27/1995       Frogstomp - Silverchair

4/3/1995         Live Bites - Scorpions

4/25/1995       Drift - Flotsam & Jetsam

5/23/1995       Sparkle and Fade - Everclear

5/23/1995       Pulse - Pink Floyd

6/13/1995       Menace to Sobriety - Ugly Kid Joe

7/11/1995       311 - 311

8/22/1995       Pet Your Friends - Dishwalla

10/3/1995       Lucy - Candlebox