The nineties are finally over. Now we can look back at that lost, mismatched era with fondness. Pulp will help.
Around 100 people responded to our music poll, and while it may have not reflected the diversity of the times (The poll was answered mainly by indie fans.) it certainly reflected the dementia of Pulp readers. Overall, the genre preferred most by Pulp readers was rock. Subgenres, such as alternative, progressive, electronica and even punk were well represented. Other readers chose Pop as the genre of the nineties. While it probably did not reign king of quality, Pop music certainly did shape the culture of the decade.
But who will pull music into the next decade? According to Pulp readers, the double zeros will be affected by such giants as Radiohead, Beck, Tori Amos, Nine Inch Nails, and- you guessed it- Ricky Martin. One reader decided that the Beatles will lead the next decade, saying: "they've already done everything...and everyone's still trying to catch up. " This was not the only time the Beatles were cited. Beatles tunes such as "Helter Skelter", and "I am the Walrus" claimed titles in the 5Songs catergory. One reader didn't even bother to list the songs, simply saying: "Some songs by the Beatles."
Songs of the century seemed more like "songs of the past 40 years." Songs by Queen, Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Depeche Mode, U2, Pink Floyd, The Sex Pistols, The Doors, The Cure, even Supertramp dwarfed entries of more modern artists, such as Tori Amos, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, PJ Harvey, and Jeff Buckley. True to the times, and perhaps to a sense of obligation, the most cited song on the list was "Lithium". Close in second was Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."
Perhaps it was his words, rather than his voice, which gained Kurt Cobain the title of best voice. Other voices included Thom Yorke, Bjork, Jeff Buckley, Billy Corgan, David Gahan, Sid Vicious, Bono, and in what we are not sure to be a joking matter- George Michael.
Of course, we got some rather interesting- and passionate- votes as well. One reader based their entire poll around Silverchair. Another based theirs entirely around Metallica, and then added a few kind words about America's Little Sweetheart, Britney Spears. Why is she the "best musician of the 90's?" Well, according to them "because she is morally straight, mentally sound and her heart is in the music."
And what of 1999? To voters, the best albums of that year came from bands like Travis, Nine Inch Nails, Built to Spill, Tori Amos, Travis, the Flaming Lips, and Beck.