4 Soul-Crushing 90s Rock Albums That Aren’t for the Lighthearted

Rock music is such a dynamic genre. There’s a rock song out there for just about every situation, every emotion, every event. And there are more than a few absolutely soul-crushing rock albums out there. Let’s look at a few of our favorites, shall we?

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‘Around The Fur’ by Deftones

Deftones have always been able to perfectly blend the sensual and the despairing, and the 1997 alternative metal record Around The Fur is no exception. There are so many themes in this record, from existentialism to violence to the heartache of growing up and falling in and out of love. It’s a classic, one that continues to endure decades after it was released.

‘OK Computer’ by Radiohead

If you were around in the 1990s, you probably couldn’t escape this Radiohead release in 1997. And that’s not a bad thing, either. OK Computer is an incredible alt-rock piece of work that is hard to define as solely alt-rock. It’s a masterpiece from the height of Radiohead’s fame, and its exploration of consumerism, loneliness, and the rapid rise of technological advancements and dependence just gets under your skin. No other record like it is out there.

‘Ten’ by Pearl Jam

An incredible debut album from an incredible grunge outfit. Pearl Jam’s Ten shocked everyone with how good it was from the get-go. And when you really dig deep, this album is pretty devastating and dark. Eddie Vedder sings and screams about a number of dark tales on this album, from a girl’s forced imprisonment in a psychiatric ward (“Why Go”) to the tragic real-life death of a middle school boy (“Jeremy”). There’s no shortage of gloom on this album, but it’s still a gorgeous work regardless.

‘In Utero’ by Nirvana

This probably wouldn’t be a solid list of soul-crushing rock albums without including Nirvana’s beloved tragedy of an album, In Utero. This one’s a favorite among Nirvana fans for good reason. It’s gorgeously produced, and Kurt Cobain’s lyrical prowess is on another level on this record. In Utero explores the dark side of the attention that comes with fame, and Cobain’s lack of peace once Nirvana took off. It’s a bit heartbreaking, considering the context of Cobain’s death, and it’s the kind of album that sticks with you forever.

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