Here is a playlist of music I was listening to in 1991, trying to capture the best songs of the year. This mix is a little all over the place, demonstrating a variance of rock. You've got alternative stalwarts like U2, REM, Depeche Mode and Elvis Costello carrying the torch, but then there are a bunch of new trends. First, there is the pop alternative from bands like EMF, Material Issue, Havana... [+]

Here is a playlist of music I was listening to in 1991, trying to capture the best songs of the year. This mix is a little all over the place, demonstrating a variance of rock. You've got alternative stalwarts like U2, REM, Depeche Mode and Elvis Costello carrying the torch, but then there are a bunch of new trends. First, there is the pop alternative from bands like EMF, Material Issue, Havana 3AM and The Ocean Blue. Then there is the psychedelic resurgence in The Stone Roses and Inspiral Carpets. Kitchens of Distinction (one my of all time favorite band names), technically fits into the shoegazer sub genre, but I just plain liked their dreamy guitar work on Drive That Fast. Lastly, grunge is just surfacing in classic anthems from Nirvana, Jane's Addiction and Pearl Jam. 1991 was a great year for alternative rock if you could follow along. Enjoy! [-]