This may be the most controversial pick on our list but that’s ok because while Blind Melon is considered a one-hit wonder by many they were a lot more than that. They had the appeal of a 90s jam band, like the Spin Doctors, but the pop sensibilities of a band like The Replacements. Blind Melon deserves so much more credit, and if we can get them some, we will.

Hole is a band that often gets overshadowed by the drama surrounding Courtney Love, but their musical output stands completely on its own. “Live Through This” is undeniably one of the rawest, most essential albums of the era. They brought an intense Riot Grrrl energy that others couldn’t match. They deserve to be remembered for the music first.

You can trace a line from Sonic Youth directly to the indie movement of the 2000s and beyond. That element of their story is often underappreciated, but it’s not all they have to offer, not nearly. Their music itself is also incredibly good and still stands up. They are a rare example of a band influencing so many others while still feeling fresh to this day.

While some consider Mazzy Star a one hit wonder, they are far from it. Mazzy Star’s prowess comes not in record sales, but in the continuity of their sound. Their eerie dreamy sound would influence generations after them. Their sound felt somewhat 80s and also futuristic which gave them a perfect straddling point of the 90s.

Fugazi’s story is similar to the story of punk in the 90s. Ian MacKaye’s transition from Minor Threat to a post-hardcore act in the 90s is a symbolic and literal representation of hardcore’s evolution. Fugazi stands alone though because without the comparison they are simply an incredible band as well. The creativity and energy they brought to the stage along with the influence they had makes them a certainty on this list.

Industrial rock in the 90s (and beyond) was facilitated through this band. "The Downward Spiral" is a deeply intense, groundbreaking album that brought a dark, futuristic aggression to the mainstream. Being able to combine harsh electronics and pop structures that hook you. It was the answer to the traditional guitar rock that made its way into the mainstream.

Sublime effortlessly blends reggae, hip-hop, punk, and ska. Despite frontman Bradley Nowell's tragic passing just before their self-titled album, Sublime's legacy certainly wasn't short lived. Authentic and relatable lyrics paired catchy hooks and a laid-back style gave them one of the most recognizable sounds of the decade.

Born out of the ashes of Nirvana, Dave Grohl did the impossible by creating a second legendary band. Their first two albums are packed with some of the most consistent, and huge rock anthems of the decade. They took the patterns and dynamics of grunge and gave it a polished pop sensibility. Grohl outshines almost everyone when it comes to longevity.

The ultimate losers of the Britpop feud according to some, but Blur's musical legacy is arguably much more interesting. They didn't just stick to their contemporaries jangle-pop formula; they pivoted into a noisy, American-influenced sound that remains fresh to this day. "Parklife" is a definitive 90s record, but their willingness to experiment is what puts them on this list. They are far more than just a rival to Oasis.

The forefront of the jangly pop rock movement of the decade. While bands like The Sundays and The Cardigans gave the genre minor success, there’s no doubt the genre would be all but forgotten without The Cranberries. Dolores O’Riordan’s vocals are perhaps the most unique of the 90s and that Limerick brogue put Ireland on the map. From Zombie to Linger they were a hard band to ignore.

Although Oasis has often been dismissed as a band that you only hear when that one friend picks up a guitar, they were certified legends in their time. "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?" is undeniably one of the foremost albums of the 90s, and their presence and drama crowded music conversation for years. They were the ultimate winners of their feud with Blur and that brings them above their Britpop counterparts on our list.

R.E.M. has a unique sound in the scope of 90s rock acts. They’re not heavy, they’re not maximalist, but they still manage to be great. One of the defining acts of college rock they managed to carve out their own space when the decade was so saturated with innovation. They innovated so much and they still managed to find such a large audience. It’s hard to have a history of the 90s without mentioning R.E.M.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers brought a completely different energy to the 90s with their heavy blend of funk and alternative rock. “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” defined 90s radio and proved they were the masters of the groove. Their 90s run was unmatched in its creativity and pure stamina. They are a band that undeniably proves themselves in this decade.

While their contemporaries in the grunge world may have gotten more of the credit for creating the genre Pearl Jam outshines many of them in longevity. They have every element of a legendary band, an all-time great album in “Ten”, a decade-defining sound, and they’ve lasted over 30 years. What more could you want out of a 90s band?

Rage is a band that stands alone in their niche. Sure, they blend some common genres of the time, (i.e. funk metal, rap metal) but their ability to bring energy combined with sharp political messaging puts them on a pedestal. While Rage was born and grew in the 90s they almost feel like an anticosm of the slow and sometimes nonsensical paradigm of grunge.

Billy Corgan managed to carve (pun somewhat intended) out a massive, distinct space in a decade heavily saturated with change. They didn’t fit in the boxes people wanted for them; they were maximalist, orchestral, and dramatic. They proved that alternative music could be incredibly ambitious and still find a massive audience.

While other Seattle bands got a bit more of the mainstream pop credit, Soundgarden was always the heaviest and most technically impressive. Their sound tows the line between grunge and art-rock like no other band can. Chris Cornell’s vocals were perhaps the most powerful and singular of the entire decade.

With one of the most consistent discographies of the 90s Alice In Chains came in swinging, and when they left their presence was missed. "Facelift" is one of the defining albums of the 90s-born Grunge scene, which is followed up by 2 more essential albums in "Dirt" and their Self-titled with a groundbreaking EP in the middle. Someone trying to deny Alice In Chains’ excellence would have a hard time discounting that run.

You can tie the evolution of alternative rock directly through Radiohead’s 90s discography. They started the decade with basic hits (i.e. Creep) but left it with "OK Computer", which redefined rock music in real time. They managed to find a massive mainstream audience while being fiercely experimental and innovative. No history of 90s music is complete without them.

There was truly no other band that could have been at this number 1 spot. Nirvana needs no introduction but they deserve one anyways. The giants of grunge, no one can truly embody the title of “inventors of grunge” better. While they started in the 80s they are perhaps the most 90s a 90s bands can ever be. They’re similar to The Beatles in many ways, came in at the beginning of a decade, defined the entire decade of music they were a part of, and then left before the decade was over. Their status in the annals of music history is also similar to the boys from Liverpool, truly one of the most known, respected, and important bands in the history of music.