The year 1991 marked a significant change in the sound of pop music. The days of bubblegum (Debbie Gibson, Rick Astley, New Kids On The Block) and hair metal (Poison, Warrant, Motley Crue) were suddenly numbered as alternative rock and grunge culture bubbled up to the surface and heavily infiltrated the mainstream. Perhaps sensing the turning tide, veteran acts like U2 and Michael Jackson headed in new directions, musically. Meanwhile, R&B was all about new jack swing, Motownphilly and a whistle-register songbird named Mariah. Flip through our gallery to revisit 10 classic albums that celebrate their 20th anniversaries this year. More »
With the release of their first album since bringing in new frontman William DuVall, Black Gives Way To Blue, the dark Seattle rock band Alice In Chains has been making the promotional rounds lately. And a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! made one fan of dark Seattle bands wonder: Did Alice In Chains borrow from Nirvana — specifically, the Nevermind track “Polly” — when sitting down to hash out their new song “Your Decision”? Let’s go to the videotape! More »
Someone at the Web site associated with the hyperbolic British music tabloid NME decided to ask Dan Rosensweig, CEO of the Guitar Hero franchise, about his take on the whole uproar over the late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain’s avatar being used in the game, and singing songs like Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love A Bad Name” to boot. After finding out that Cobain could be used to sing songs that weren’t by Nirvana, Courtney Love freaked out on Twitter and threatened lawsuits; shortly after that, surviving members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic asked the game to lock down Cobain’s karaoke ability. But Rosensweig says that it’s all legit! More »
