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.

• Balance – Van Halen

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  1/24/1995: Balance - Van Halen, A truly under rated album from VH. “Can’t Stop Loving You” is one of those songs that perfectly blends Sammy and Eddie's musical styles, while “The Seventh Seal” and “Don’t Tell Me What Love Can Do” were throwbacks to Eddie’s more aggressive guitar style. Very solid *** (3 Stars)

• Waiting For the Punchline – Extreme

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  2/7/1995: Waiting for the Punchline - Extreme, Extreme evolved a bit on this, their 4th album, and I didn’t love the production. Still the mix of strong melodies, blended harmonies, crazy good guitar playing and an upgrade at drummer with Mike Mangini joining the band the CD is enjoyable. “Cynical” remains among my favorite songs of 1995. I did not connect with all the songs on the album though so let’s call this **^ (2 ½ Stars)

• Its 5 O’Clock Somewhere – Slash

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  2/14/1995: It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere - Slash’s Snakepit, In ’95 Guns N’ Roses were still huge, so expectations were high when Slash launched his new band which included Gilby Clarke and Matt Sorrum from G&R as well as Alice In Chains bass player Mike Inez. Honestly, I’m still not sure way this album sold a million copies yet is largely overlooked and forgotten. Slash and the guys sound great. The vocals did lean a little 80s in style but that is the only fault I can find. Another solid *** (3 Stars)
• The Bends – Radiohead

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  3/13/1995: The Bends - Radiohead, At the time I didn’t think much about this album and in fact never bought it. I inhearted it from my first wife when she passed. It took me 15 years but I finally found an apprechaition for the band. I know a LOT of people who would have this in their top 5 of 1995 and in your honor I’ll go as high (and dry) as ****^ (4 ½ Stars)

• Above – Mad Season

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  3/14/1995: Above - Mad Season, I was lucky enough (yes I’m that old) to play this, well all of these albums on the radio in 1995. But I remember playing “River of Deceit” and “I Don’t Know Anything” and then stopping by Harmony House to pick up the disc. Mad Season is an all-star band of the 90s made up of key members of Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam and the Screaming Trees. Outstanding Album **** (4 Stars)

• A Boy Named Goo – Goo Goo Dolls

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  3/14/1995: A Boy Named Goo - Goo Goo Dolls, It sounds odd 25 years later, but at the time the Goo Goo Dools were more of an actual rock band. I personally played 5 songs from this CD on the radio back in the day and also had the guys in to play live on my mid-day show. It still holds up well and I still turn up more than a few of these great songs. Couldn’t ask for much more **** (4 Stars)
• Collective Soul – Collective Soul

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  3/14/1995: Collective Soul - Collective Soul, If I were to do the math, I’m pretty sure this was the album I played the most on the radio in ’95 (and still do air some of these tracks). The station I was at (Z-Rock) went 6 songs deep which does not happen too often. It also sold 3 million copies. I like every song on the album, but don’t love any of them so I’m only going to ***^ (3 ½ Stars)

• Alien Love Secrets – Steve Vai

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  3/21/1995: Alien Love Secrets - Steve Vai, You either get Steve Vai or you don’t. As a guy who proudly eats “weird” for breakfast I’ve always connected with his musical genius. And because I had a boss (I see you Joe Bevilacqua) that understood my passion for music would indeed connect with the listeners I got to play “Bad Horsie” and “Ya Yo Gakk” in regular rotation in’95. A brilliant **** (4 Stars)

• Dopes to Infinity – Monster Magnet

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  3/21/1995: Dopes to Infinity - Monster Magnet, The only album to claim a song so original it evolved into a Marvel superhero. “Negasonic Teenage Warhead” was the only radio hit on the album and when DC and eventually Marvel writer Grant Morrison was working on The New X-Men in 2001 he created the charter of the same name who has also appeared in both of the Deadpool films. Among my favorite songs of 1995 is “Look to Your Orb For the Warning” I’ll issue a solid ***^ (3 ½ Stars)
• Lemonade & Brownies – Sugar Ray

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  4/4/1995: Lemonade And Brownies - Sugar Ray, Did you know Sugar Ray were once a punk flavored rock band. It’s true and their debut album is still in rotation for me 25 years later. I loved playing both “10 Seconds Down” and “Mean Machine”. High energy and fun. *** (3 Stars)

• Astro Creep Special Edition – White Zombie

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  4/11/1995: Astro Creep: 2000 (SE) - White Zombie, We had so many requests for these songs at Z-Rock in ’95. We only went 3 songs deep from the album but all 3 of those songs still resonate in the Motor City. “More Human Than Human”, “Super Charger Heaven” and “Electric Head Pt. 2”. So many memories tied into Mr. Zombie and this crazy album. ***^ (3 ½ Stars)

• Spirit of the Wild – Ted Nugent

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  5/2/1995: Spirit of the Wild - Ted Nugent, It’s just my opinion but this was the last Nugent album to include songs that still connect personally with me. Love Ted or hate him, his guitar work over the years cannot be denied. “Fred Bear” is an everlasting Detroit classic. *** (3 Stars)
• Tals From the Punch Bowl – Primus

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  5/23/1995: Tales From the Punchbowl - Primus, Yes I am an oddball and I’m feverishly proud of it. I still have this on CD, Enhanced CD for Windows with bonus features and on Vinyl too. It’s hard to believe but “Wynonna’s Big Brown Beaver” was a top 20 hit and was nominated for a Grammy. This collection of eclectic chaos also includes “Professor Nutterbutter’s House of Treats”, “De Anza Jig” and one of my favorite songs of ’95 “Southbound Pachyderm”. I can’t quite go a full 5 starts so ****^ (4 ½ Stars) it is.

• Steve Black with Foo Fighters

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  7/4/1995: Foo Fighters - Foo Fighters, I was very late to the party when it comes to the Foo Fighters. In ’95 we (at the radio station) thought it was just too alternative, and didn’t play it. It would take me 5 years before buying this album. It’s a good 1st album but the Foos would mature and get better with time. Put me down for *** (3 Stars)

• One Hot Minute – RHCP

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  9/12/1995: One Hot Minute - Red Hot Chili Peppers. The redheaded step child of the Chili Peppers’ collection as Dave Navarro of Jane’s Addiction had been brought in to replace John Frusciante. It doesn’t carry the usual RHCP vibe and most fans did not approve. But I did (and still do). I loved playing “Aerosplane” on the radio and “Warped” and “My Friends” plus “Coffee Shop”. I’m all in at **** (4 Stars)
• A Change of Seasons – Dream Theater

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  9/19/1995: A Change of Seasons - Dream Theater, The title track is a 23 minute studio track….and I lost most of you. For the few still reading, the rest of the album are all live cover songs as DT pay tribute to Elton John, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Kansas, Queen and Journey. ***^ (3 ½ Stars)

• Ledbetter Heights – KWS

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  9/19/1995: Ledbetter Heights - Kenny Wayne Shepherd, It was our introduction to an 18 year old Kenny Wayne and a guitar album that is still worth every penny. The title track, a couple of blues covers “Aberdeen” and “I’m Leaving You” plus the outstanding “Deja Voodoo”. I’ll go all the way up to **** (4 Stars)

• Ballbreaker – AC DC

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  9/26/1995: Ballbreaker - AC/DC, I agree it is far from AC/DC’s best album, but 1995 needed a kick in the….and AC/DC stepped up with songs like “Hard as a Rock” and “Cover You In Oil” The album might have been average but the tour was amazing. **^ (2 ½ Stars)
• The Gold Experience – Prince

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  9/26/1995: The Gold Experience - Prince, If you know me well then this is the surprise of the bunch. You didn’t think I even knew who Price was did you? It’s cool I deserve that. The story here is my friend Joe Bevilacqua didn’t understand how I could love a Steve Vai and not like Prince. Well, I explained I didn’t own any Prince and had never really listened. He bought this album for me and it is delicious. “Endorphinmachine”, “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” and the very naughty “P Control”. Amazing and ****^ (4 ½ Stars)

• Whats the Story Morning Glory – Oasis

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  10/2/1995: (What’s the Story) Morning Glory -Oasis, I’m not a big Oasis guy and acquired this CD from my late wife as well. Over the years I’ve tried it a few times and it gets better with age, or more likely I just listen differently now that I’m older. ***^ (3 ½ Stars and growing)

• Dead Winter Dead – Savatage

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  10/24/1995: Dead Winter Dead - Savatage, This is the sonic moment of birth for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Savatage had soldiered on after the death of guitarist Criss Oliva in 1993 (RIP Criss) but the music continued evolving under producer/Mastermind Paul O’Neill. It was on this concept album that the TSO song “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)” was originally released. This record caries deep personal meaning for me as it was during this time Paul and I became friends and I re-connected with Jon Oliva during this time too. They have been very close to me in this crazy business (RIP Paul). I could go on and on but instead let me just name this my favorite CD of 1995. ***** (5 Stars)
• Mellon Collie and the Infinate Sadness – Smashing Pumpkins

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  10/24/1995: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness - Smashing Pumpkins, Sometimes I wish I were a bigger Pumpkins fan than I actually am. I do try and occasional enjoy the band, but not at the level of most. Still this CD contains some of their finest moments. **** (4 Stars)

• Ozzmosis – Ozzy Osbourne

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  10/24/1995: Ozzmosis - Ozzy Osbourne, In ’94 Ozzy had recorded an album with Steve Vai. As both of them were on different labels, lawyers got involved and the recordings were sealed away, never to be heard heard from again. Ozzy coming out of that odd space re-teamed with Zakk Wylde and turned in one of his more interesting albums. “Parry Mason” and “See You on the Other Side” are the radio hits, but some of the deeper tracks like “Tomorrow”, “My Little Man” and “I Just Want You” are my go to songs. Score it at **** (4 Stars)

• Stomp 442 – Anthrax

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  10/24/1995: Stomp 442 - Anthrax, Most Anthrax fans love the early years and just kind of tolerate the John Bush era. I’m the exact opposite. “Fueled” is a top 10 song for me from ‘95 and Dimebag Darrell from Pantera plays on 2 of the songs. ***^ (3 ½ Stars)
• Steve Black with Alice In Chains

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  11/7/1995: Alice In Chains - Alice In Chains, AIC are special and might be my favorite band of the era. “Again”, “Grind”, “Heaven Beside You”, “Over Now” and “Frogs” are all on this wonderful album. ****^% (4 ¾ Stars)

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