1992’s Best Rock Albums

1992's Best Rock Albums

Photo: Vincent Escudero / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

1992’s Best Rock albums list follows up a year in which the music business was turned upside down with the arrival of grunge and the success of the Seattle bands. While many bands followed the path of Nirvana, the rock and roll world continued to see a mixed bag of bands and artists crossing many musical genres.1992 saw a host of great debut albums from artists that enjoyed great success in the 1990s and some beyond. In 1992, Tori Amos shook up the world with her debut album Little Earthquakes. She would quickly become a cult favorite and develop a huge loyal following. The band No Doubt debuted their first album with a fun mix of ska and funk that sounded nothing like the hit pop sound they would soon develop a few years down the road. Other bands released their debut albums including Stone Temple Pilots, Blind Melon, 4 Non Blondes, Barenaked Ladies, The Wallflowers, Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds, Ugly Kid Joe. Juliana Hatfield, Jackyl, Manic Street Preachers and the solo debut of Annie Lennox.

A couple of Rolling Stones guitarists released solos album as Ronnie Wood released his solo album Slide On This while Keith Richards released his second solo album entitled Main Offender. 1992 also saw the first new Bruce Springsteen albums in five years. Yes, we said albums. In a very unprecedented move, Bruce Springsteen actually released two new studio albums entitled Human Touch and Lucky Town. Both albums contained all new materiel but were defined by distinctive vibes that kept them released as separate pieces of work. Tom Waits returned with a great album called Bone Machine that presented fans with the new Tom Waits sound that was given birth on his Swordfish Trombones album back in the early 1980s. The Black Crowes showed that they were not going to be a band that released a great debut album and disappeared. They returned with a great sophomore record entitled Southern Cross & Musical Companion.

Its getting tougher to choose 100 albums a year in the 1990s. Not because there are so many great records, but because there are so few. The 1960s and 1970s decades were filled with classic albums. There were many great years in the 1980s. However, we have a feeling it’s just going to get tougher with every year we encounter in the 1990s.

# 100 – The Wild LifeSlaughter

The Wild Life - Slaughter

# 99 – Dog Eat DogWarrant

Dog Eat Dog - Warrant

# 98 – IgnitionThe Offspring

Ignition - The Offspring

# 97 – Good as I Been to YouBob Dylan

Good as I Been to You - Bob Dylan

# 96 – Nerve Net – Brian Eno

Nerve Net - Brian Eno

# 95 – NonsuchXTC

Nonsuch - XTC

# 94 – High Stakes & Dangerous MenUFO

High Stakes & Dangerous Men - UFO

# 93 – RevengeKiss

Revenge - Kiss

# 92 – MeantimeHelmet

Meantime - Helmet

# 91 –Tongues and TailsSophie B. Hawkins

Tongues and Tails - Sophie B. Hawkins

# 90 – Bricks Are HeavyL7

Bricks Are Heavy - L7

# 89 – Fire and Ice – Yngwie Malmsteen

Fire and Ice - Yngwie Malmsteen

# 88 – La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol. 1White Zombie

La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol. 1 - White Zombie

# 87 – That What Is NotPublic Image Ltd

That What Is Not - Public Image Ltd

# 86 – Are You Normal? – Ned’s Atomic Dustbin

Are You Normal? - Ned's Atomic Dustbin

# 85 – Piece of CakeMudhoney

Piece of Cake - Mudhoney

# 84 – The WallflowersThe Wallflowers

The Wallflowers - The Wallflowers

# 83 – Don’t Tread  – Damm Yankees

Don't Tread  - Damm Yankees

# 82 – Dirty – Sonic Youth

Dirty - Sonic Youth

# 81 – Your Arsenal  – Morrissey

Your Arsenal  - Morrissey

# 80 – Change Everything – Del Amitri

Change Everything - Del Amitri

# 79 – MilagroSantana

Milagro - Santana

# 78 – More Noise and Other DisturbancesThe Mighty Mighty Bosstones

More Noise and Other Disturbances - The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

# 77 – Black Eyed Man  – Cowboy Junkies

Black Eyed Man  - Cowboy Junkies

# 76 – Mack Daddy – Sir Mix-a-Lot

Mack Daddy - Sir Mix-a-Lot

# 75 – Poetic JusticeLillian Axe

Poetic Justice - Lillian Axe

# 74 – America’s Least Wanted – Ugly Kid Joe

America's Least Wanted - Ugly Kid Joe 

# 73 – Angel HeartBonnie Tyler

Angel Heart - Bonnie Tyler

# 72 – GeneratorBad Religion

Generator - Bad Religion

# 71 – Mondo BizarroRamones

Mondo Bizarro - Ramones

# 70 – Kingdom of DesireToto

Kingdom of Desire - Toto

# 69 –The American in Me – Steve Forbert

The American in Me - Steve Forbert

# 68 – Forever FreeSaxon

Forever Free - Saxon

# 67 – Shadows and LightWilson Philips

Shadows and Light - Wilson Philips

# 66 – Arc AngelsArc Angels

Arc Angels - Arc Angels

# 65 – Magic and Loss – Lou Reed

Magic and Loss - Lou Reed

# 64 – Rush (Soundtrack) – Eric Clapton

Rush (Soundtrack) - Eric Clapton

# 63 – NurseTherapy?

Nurse - Therapy?

# 62 – Our Time In Eden10,000 Maniacs

Our Time In Eden - 10,000 Maniacs

# 61 – Here Comes Trouble – Bad Company

Here Comes Trouble - Bad Company

# 60 – Grave Dancers Union – Soul Asylum

 Grave Dancers Union - Soul Asylum

# 59 – Jackyl – Jackyl

Jackyl Album

# 58 – Generation TerroristsManic Street Preachers

Generation Terrorists - Manic Street Preachers

# 57 – 99.9F°Suzanne Vega

99.9F° - Suzanne Vega

# 56 – Copper Blue – Sugar

Copper Blue - Sugar

# 55 – Slide on This – Ronnie Wood

Slide on This - Ronnie Wood

# 54 – Diva –  Annie Lennox

Diva -  Annie Lennox

# 53 – Hey Babe –Juliana Hatfield

Hey Babe -Juliana Hatfield

# 52 – The End of Silence – Rollins Band

The End of Silence - Rollins Band

# 51 – Countdown To Extinction – Megadeth

Countdown To Extinction - Megadeth

# 50 – Gordon – Barenaked Ladies

Gordon - Bareneked Ladies

# 49 – Sweet Oblivion – Screaming Trees

Sweet Oblivion - Screaming Trees

# 48 – Blind Melon – Blind Melon

Blind Melon Album

# 47 – New Miserable Experience – Gin Blossoms

New Miserable Experience - Gin Blossoms

# 46 – Bigger Better Faster More – 4 Non Blondes

Bigger Better Faster More - 4 Non Blondes

# 45 – Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds

Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds

# 44 – A Picture of Nectar – Phish

A Picture of Nectar - Phish

# 43 – Henry’s Dream – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Henry's Dream - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

# 42 – Good Stuff – The B-52’s 

Good Stuff - The B-52's 

# 41 – The Art of Rebellion  – Suicidal Tendencies

The Art of Rebellion  - Suicidal Tendencies

# 40 – Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell – Social Distortion

Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell - Social Distortion

# 39 – Check Your Head  – Beastie Boys

Check Your Head  - Beastie Boys

# 38 – Angel Dust – Faith No More

Angel Dust - Faith No More

# 37 – Strength in Numbers – 24-7 Spyz

Strength in Numbers - 24-7 Spyz

# 36 – Blood and Bullets – Widowmaker

Blood and Bullets - Widowmaker

# 35 – Sweet Old World – Lucinda Williams

Sweet Old World - Lucinda Williams

# 34 – The One – Elton John

The One - Elton John

# 33 – Time Takes Time – Ringo Starr

Time Takes Time - Ringo Starr

# 32 – Slanted & Enchanted – Pavement

Slanted & Enchanted - Pavement

# 31 – Out of the CradleLindsey Buckingham

Out of the Cradle - Lindsey Buckingham

# 30 – Keep The Faith – Bon Jovi

Keep The Faith - Bon Jovi

# 29 – No Doubt – No Doubt

No Doubt Album

# 28 – Welcome to Wherever You Are – INXS

Welcome to Wherever You Are - INXS

# 27 – Black Moon – Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Black Moon - Emerson, Lake & Palmer

# 26 – Lucky Town – Bruce Springsteen

Lucky Town - Bruce Springsteen

# 25 – Psalm 69 – Ministry

Psalm 69 - Ministry

# 24 – Fully Completely – Tragically Hip

Fully Completely - Tragically Hip

# 23 – Never Enough –  Melissa Etheridge

Never Enough -  Melissa Etheridge

# 22 – Dehumanizer – Black Sabbath

Dehumanizer - Black Sabbath

# 21 – Anything Can Happen – Leon Russell

Anything Can Happen - Leon Russell

# 20 – Main Offender – Keith Richards

Main Offender - Keith Richards

# 19 – Human Touch – Bruce Springsteen

Human Touch - Bruce Springsteen

# 18 – Images and Words – Dream Theater

Images and Words - Dream Theater

# 17 – Love Symbol – Prince

Love Symbol - Prince

# 16 – Harvest Moon – Neil Young

Harvest Moon - Neil Young

# 15 – Wish – The Cure 

Wish - The Cure 

# 14 – Southern Cross & Musical Companion – Black Crowes

Southern Cross & Musical Companion - Black Crowes

# 13 – IncesticideNirvana

Incesticide - Nirvana

# 12 – Adrenalize – Def Leppard

Adrenalize - Def Leppard

# 11 – Fear of the Dark – Iron Maiden

Fear of the Dark - Iron Maiden

# 10 – Dirt – Alice In Chains

Dirt - Alice In Chains

#  9 – Bone Machine – Tom Waits

Bone Machine - Tom Waits

#  8 – Little EarthquakesTori Amos

Little Earthquakes - Tori Amos

 

# 7 – Automatic For The People – R.E.M.

Automatic For The People - R.E.M.

# 6 – Amused To Death – Roger Waters

Amused To Death - Roger Waters

#  5 – Vulgar Display of PowerPantera

Vulgar Display of Power - Pantera

#  4 – Unplugged – Eric Clapton

Unplugged - Eric Clapton

#  3 – Us – Peter Gabriel

Us - Peter Gabriel

#  2 – Rage Against The Machine –Rage Against The Machine

Rage Against The Machine -Rage Against The Machine

#  1 – Core – Stone Temple Pilots

Core - Stone Temple Pilots

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Best Albums of The Year Series

1960’s Best Rock Albums

1962’s Best Rock Albums List

1963’s Best Rock Albums List

1964’s Best Rock Albums List

1965’s Best Albums

1966’s Best Albums

1967’s Best Rock Albums

1968’s Best Rock Albums

1969’s Best Rock Albums 

1970’s Best Rock Albums

1970’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1971’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1972’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1973’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1974’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1975’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1976’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1977’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1978’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1979’s Best Classic Rock Albums List

1980’s Best Rock Albums

1980’s Best Rock Albums List

1981’s Best Rock Albums List

1982’s Best Rock Albums List

1983’s Best Rock Albums List

1984’s Best Rock Albums List

1985’s Best Rock Albums List

1986’s Best Rock Albums List

1990s Best Rock Album Series

1990s’ Best Rock Albums

1991’s Best Rock Albums

1992’s Best Rock Albums

1993’s Best Rock Albums

1994’s Best Rock Albums

1995’s Best Rock Albums

1996’s Best Rock Albums

1997’s Best Rock Albums

1998’s Best Rock Albums

1999’s Best Rock Albums

1992’s Best Rock Albums article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023

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Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. 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It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. 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