These days, there’s no shortage of delicious offerings to feed our insatiable hunger for nostalgia. And if you have an appetite for the films, TV shows, and most importantly, the music that made the 1990’s such a distinctive decade, then the options are as endless as the Kevin Costner pseudo-epics Waterworld and The Postman. For those in their mid-to-late 30’s, then it’s a thrill to hear a younger generation of artists placing fresh spins on the most significant musical styles of the Clinton-era. And for those plucky 20-somethings or younger, then some bands will offer an angsty, dreamy, raw, and indie-riffic portal into why that well-meaning uncle of yours—the one that refuses to stop wearing that threadbare Stussy t-shirt—thinks he’s a hell of a lot cooler than he really is. The best artists are able to pump new, life-giving blood into a vintage sound, rather than colorlessly aping Black Francis (or Frank Black for that matter). Just because something sounds as if it could’ve been recorded in the ‘90s doesn’t mean the warm-fuzzies will flood-over. Here are five of our favorite current bands that sound like they could have been from the ‘90s.
1. White Lung
Led by vocalist Mish Way, the Canadian thunder-makers in White Lung have had the pedal down since forming in 2006. The group’s most recent punk-centric album, 2014’s Deep Fantasy offers pulverizing Helmet-meets-Hole-meets-Sponge ragers, such as “Wrong Star” and “Drown with the Monster.” The breakneck pacing of each short song doesn’t get in the way of top-notch melody, as there isn’t a note, chord, beat or breath wasted throughout any of this addictive record. White Lung would’ve made Lilith Fair feel like the Vans Warped Tour with its piercing, ringing lead guitar dancing above the kinetic vocals and drums. And speaking of traveling festivals in the 90’s, it’s easy to envision this group as an ideal fit on the funky, eclectic bill of the original Lollapalooza tour when alternative hard-rock, goth, indie, and even gangster rap blended seamlessly.
2. Superheaven
Truly reviving something and simply rehashing a formulaic style isn’t the same thing by a long shot. Pennsylvania group Superheaven has no qualms with associating themselves with the grunge sound, but that’s putting a needless limitation on this year’s Ours Is Chrome. Taylor Madison and Jake Clark lead foursome with an array of songs successfully reminiscent of the 90’s alt-rock scene. The most infectious song on the record, “I’ve Been Bored,” might well be a Lit tune without the cold sores and trips to the local free clinic, whereas “Blur” is reminiscent of a younger, angrier Cracker. The group’s dual-lead singer approach doesn’t quite reach Temple of the Dog-status, but it works rather well. For those who enjoyed grunge sounds of Gish-era Smashing Pumpkins over the metal-leaning groups such as Alice in Chains, this set of swirling, jangly, and free-wheeling songs is ready for your Mazda Miata’s cassette deck.