Was 1993 the greatest year for music releases?

Aerosmith had long since sold out, and the raw bluesy, hard rock that fueled the band during the 1970s was foregone to appease the MTV generation. So, it should not have been a surprise that Get a Grip became the group's best-selling album around the world, with more than 20 million copies sold, and its first to top the Billboard 200 in the United States. "Livin' on the Edge" and "Crazy" both won Grammy Awards for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, while "Cryin'" and "Amazing" introduced the world to Alicia Silverstone from the tunes' overplayed music videos.

The uniqueness of Flaming Lips might not be for everyone, but the alternative/neo-psychedelic rockers have enjoyed a loyal following over the years. This sixth studio album from the band proved to a true introduction to the mainstream, guided by the whimsical single "She Don't Use Jelly." However, Transmissions from the Satellite Heart opener "Turn It On" is Flaming Lips at its rawest, and perhaps, purest form. A strong way to kick off one of the best musical moments of 1993 which should still resonate with alternative music fans to this day.

This Boston-based alternative rock outfit might be the epitome of underrated. As of 2023, Buffalo released nine studio albums and established itself a stellar live act. Big Red Letter Day featured two of the band's most recognizable mainstream tunes in "Sodajerk" and "Late at Night." Both were included in the short-lived, but severely underrated ABC teen drama My So-Called Life, which featured Claire Danes and Jared Leto. While the group has enjoyed something of a cult following over the years, Big Red Letter Day is still a shining moment of the Buffalo Tom legacy, which deserves more attention. 

Massively underrated as a musical act, De La Soul never disappointed with its studio releases. And its third project in Buhloone Mindstate is no different. It's undeniably hip hop, but the album continued the group's experimentation with a more jazz-tinged sound that also was a sign of maturity as musicians, and in terms of composition. It was a top-10 record on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and cracked the top 40 on the Billboard 200, thanks to innovative tracks like "Breakadawn" and "Ego Trippin' (Part Two)."

Kravitz's first top 20 album in the United States, Are You Gonna Go My Way solidified him as a true international rock star, and one worthy of high praise for his ability to cater to various fan bases. Undeniably heavy, the record also delivered a healthy dose of blues and jazz. It even offered something for the alternative crowd that was blossoming at this point in the decade. The title track is one of Kravitz's heaviest and more raw-sounding rockers, while "Believe" showcases his mellow side — which seems to be when he's at his best.

The one that introduced the country world to Hill, and set the ball rolling for her massive success during the 1990s. In addition to the title track, Hill earned a pair of No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart with "Wild One" and her cover of Erma Franklin's "Piece of My Heart." The album eventually went platinum in the United States. Interesting to note that 1993 proved to be a big year for female country stars, with Shania Twain putting out her self-titled debut as well. 

Radiohead got progressively better with every record it released during the 1990s, but the groundwork for that international success was laid with this impressive debut. Though this is somewhat of a forgotten record within the band's musical arsenal, Pablo Honey should be considered one of the great debut alternative albums ever made. "Creep" remains one of Radiohead's most popular tunes, while "Anyone Can Play Guitar" is a cult favorite. Over the years, the album went platinum in the United States and double platinum on the United Kingdom. 

With "Very," Pep Shop Boys proved to be more than another '80s electronica-pop outfit. In fact, it was as if Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe reinvented themselves when it came to the act's overall sound. It was headed in a more dance-oriented direction (with emphasis on the instrumental musicanship), but the same pop sensibility that made the band famous was essentially still there. Tracks like "Can You Forgive Her?" and an uniquely bizarre cover of the Village People's "Go West" helped the album hit No. 1 in the U.K. and peak at No. 20 in the U.S.

Maybe it's a stretch to call this a light-hearted album, but the listener can tell that Tribe had some fun on its third studio release. However, the tracks and vibe of this record are more positive, especially when it comes through in the lyrics, compared to the band's previous releases People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm and The Low End Theory. That said, there's plenty of social awareness to be found on an album that went to the top of Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and reached No. 8 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S. "Electric Relaxation" and "Award Tour" stand out, while the Busta Rhymes-featured "Oh My God" is an entertaining listen.

U2's six-year stretch of albums — Achtung Baby (1991), Zooropa (1993), and Pop (1997) — were all a departure from the 1980s new wave/alternative/rock that brought the band international stardom. Achtung Baby grew on enough fans to keep the U2 machine churning, while Pop turned heads — and not necessarily in a good way. In between is Zooropa, a Grammy winner (Best Alternative Music Album) with no major hits. However, "Numb" and "Lemon" are as unheralded as the album itself. It might be the band's most true alternative effort, yet one that should probably receive more praise than it has through the decades.

Already a well-known talent in her native Canada, McLachlan enjoyed breakthrough success on the international front with her third studio release. While McLachlan's career would truly take off as the '90s progressed, critics and alternative/soft rock fans have returned to this record with more praise than upon its initial release. "Possession," the lead single from Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, remains one of McLachlan's most celebrated tunes, while the whimsical soft-jazz tones of "Ice Cream" became one of the highlights of her spirited live sets.

Another special debut album, this time courtesy of neo-soul star Me'shell NdegeOcello. One of the earliest artists to be part of Madonna's Maverick record label, the talented bassist and songwriter delivered a promising first effort. Including elements of funk and hip hop, Plantation Lullabies touches on subjects of sexuality, racism and self-pride. Led by the singles "Dred Loc" and "If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)," the record didn't crack the Billboard 200, but remains a critical success that kicked off an exceptional career for the Grammy-award winning musician.

The pomp and pageantry of Control and Rhythm Nation were gone, but Jackson was back with a stripped down, personal record for her first release of the 1990s. In an important move that showed Jackson's overall talent as an artist, she co-wrote all the songs on the album. The result was her third-straight record to top the Billboard 200. "That's the Way Love Goes" proved to be a strong attention-getting first single — light and breezy, but hardly pretentious. However, it's the ballad "Again" (also included in her 1993 film Poetic Justice), that remains the highlight of the album. It topped the Hot 100 and received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations.

When it comes to debut alternative records of the 1990s, August and Everything After needs to be mentioned among the best. Amid the grunge movement and dreary side of the mainstream alternative came the Counting Crows: upbeat, a little campy and filled with fun lyrics that had the potential to brighten a listener's day or provide ample opportunity for frat-house party singalongs. The Counting Crows' impressive initial studio project produced four memorable singles — "Round Here," "Mr. Jones," "Rain King" and "A Murder of One." — and peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200.

The follow-up to Pearl Jam's stellar debut Ten, Vs. is more mature (with songs like "Daughter" and "Dissident"), but potent and aggressive ("Go," "Leash," "Rearviewmirror") than its predecessor. It proved Pearl Jam was more than a one-album wonder. The record also began the band's relationship with renowned producer Brendan O'Brien, and spent five consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200. Vs. also proved to be an important album in the sense that it showed the grunge bands of the early 1990s had staying power — if surrounded by the right people and armed with impactful lyrics and hooks to rise above the noise.

Polly Jean Harvey's lauded debut, Dry came out one year prior to Rid of Me, which proved she was going to be around for a while. Working with the renowned Steve Albini, Harvey's sophomore release essentially superseded Dry in terms of structure, complex lyrics — which can be almost uncomfortable to process at times — and musical emotion. Backed by the title track and brilliant "50ft Queenie," not to mention a punk-up version of Bob Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited," Rid of Me was a breath of fresh air amid a mainstream scene that becoming a hodgepodge of various genres trying to overtake one another for attention.

Released some 16 years after the deliciously raunchy and entertaining Bat Out of Hell, Meat Loaf and songwriter Jim Steinman were back, and the duo didn't really miss a beat. All the epic camp that music fans loved about Bat Out of Hell was there, but better produced, more bombastic and made for the MTV world while reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200. "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" became Meat Loaf's first, and only, No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, while "Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are" followed a similar formula, and again showcased Meat's operatic chops. The record sold more than 14 million copies worldwide.

Another breakout moment for a prominent artist. Etheridge had a noteworthy career entering 1993, but the release of Yes I Am truly delivered her talent to the masses. Complete with two of her most recognizable tunes in the Grammy Award-winning "Come to My Window" and "I'm the Only One" (which also earned a Grammy nomination), Yes I Am cracked the top 20 on the Billboard 200. The album went six-times platinum in the United States and opened the door for Etheridge to earn more critical acclaim and commercial success during the rest of the decade. 

By 1993, Salt-N-Pepa was already a well-respected rap act and trendsetter for other up-and-coming female rap and hip hop acts to emulate. However, with Very Necessary, the ladies raised their collective fame to the next level. Peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, Very Necessary produced some of the most popular hip hop tracks of the 1990s with "Shoop," "Whatta Man" (teaming with En Vogue) and the Grammy Award-winning "None of Your Business." In fact, when it came to 1990s rap and hip hop, this album can hang with any of the greats within the genre.

Another in a line of greatness from the former Police frontman. It wasn't going to be easy for Sting to follow up 1991's stellar The Soul Cages. However, he did a pretty respectable job with this effort. Singing about life and death, Ten Summoner's Tales was nominated for six Grammy Awards, and won three, including Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male for "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You." The album, which also featured notable tracks "Fields of Gold" and "Shape of My Heart," reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200, and earned platinum status, at least, in seven countries. 

The Sign was Ace of Base's North America debut album. And, the title track, along with "All That She Wants" and "Don't Turn Around (co-written by heavyweights Diane Warren and Albert Hammond), were all major reasons it was a massive hit in the United States, topping the Billboard 200, going nine-times platinum and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Album. When it comes to commercial success and MTV presence, Sweden's Ace of Base and its dance-pop brilliance was literally all over the place in late 1993, and nearly all of 1994. 

After making his presence known with a memorable appearance on Dr. Dre's 1992 smash The Chronic, Snoop transitioned to solo success with relative ease. Known for his smooth flow, Snoop's raps about the West Coast urban lifestyle (in its rawest, yet highly polished, form) resonated with fans of all socio-economic backgrounds. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, while famed hits "Gin and Juice" and "Who Am I? (What's My Name?)" helped take Snoop Dogg's celebrity to an astronomical level for which he's never really came down since.

Bjork earned acclaim with the Icelandic alternative group the Sugarcubes and then didn't need long to make her bones as a solo artist. She did so with a focus on house music and electronica, with some jazz flair. Her appropriately-titled debut project earned critical acclaim on the shoulders of grow-on-the-ears' singles "Human Behaviour" and  "Big Time Sensuality." The album went double-platinum in the United States, and even though Bjork has been lauded for much of her solo work, this still remains the defining moment of her career.

When it comes to inspiring moments in modern music history, it can be argued that this studio debut from Wu-Tang Clan is highly important. Long considered the record that began the hardcore hip hop revolution, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) was like a left hook to the jaw of conventional rap and hip hop that was dominating the mainstream. The album, which included legendary Wu-Tang tracks like "Protect Ya Neck" and "Can It Be All So Simple," also helped return the East Coast rap scene, notably New York City, to prominence. 

Crow's talent was already there, notably as a backup singer for Michael Jackson. When it was time to strike out on her own, Crow certainly delivered with this pop-rock gem of a debut. Thanks to the emergence of the album's fourth single, "All I Wanna Do" (hitting No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning Crow Grammys for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Record of the Year), Tuesday Night Music Club became one of the most popular music moments of the early 1990s. Including other prominent tracks in "Strong Enough" and "Leaving Las Vegas," the album also helped Crow win the Grammy for Best New Artist.

How good was Braxton's self-titled debut? Good enough to top the Billboard 200 and win three Grammy Awards: Best New Artist and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1994 and '95. Of course, when the Dream Team of R&B/soul pop L.A. Reid, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and Daryl Simmons produced the record, and wrote a good chunk of the tunes, then it's easy to see how it earned those accolades. In addition to selling roughly 10 million copies around the globe. Braxton's sensuous voice is in full effect on hits "Breathe Again" and "Another Sad Love Song."

Talking about bursting on the scene with a fury. The pride of Chicago's North Shore, Phair put her state of mind (an amalgamation known as "Guyville") into words and music. This indie rock masterpiece has long been considered one of the great debut records of all time, was lauded among the top 10 albums of 1993 by several publications, and showcased a controlled and disciplined angst (with numbers like "Never Said," "Straight-on-Guy" and "F--- and Run"). Though the album barely cracked the Billboard 200, the years since have been very good to a project that's still the defining moment of Phair's career.

Nevermind, from 1991, was groundbreaking. It undoubtedly changed the music culture of the early 1990s, and took mainstream rock from the big-hair, lipstick schlock of the Sunset Strip to the down-and-dirty, rain-soaked streets of Seattle and elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest. However, Nirvana's follow-up In Utero didn't seem to receive the acclaim it deserved. The polish was there, but the tunes are darker. From the controversial "Răpe Me" to the emotionally agonizing "Pennyroyal Tea" to the popular, but gritty, "All Apologies." Meanwhile, the Kurt Cobain-penned "Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle" is about the mental struggles of an actress that seemed like an outlet for the late tortured singer's own inner pain and anguish.

There are plenty of alternative rock fans, especially those hailing from the Chicago area, who, feel Smashing Pumpkins' debut Gish is still the band's most praise-worthy album. Yet, when it came to bringing Billy Corgan and Co. to the masses, Siamese Dream delivered to the hilt. It was a top-10 record on the Billboard 200. Album opener "Cherub Rock" earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance, while "Today" and "Disarm" remain two of the band's signature tracks that enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV. Not to mention, "Mayonaise" and "Soma" are among the best deep cuts in the Pumpkins' catalog. 

Those who didn't think Carey was capable of achieving true international musical superstardom after her first two albums weren't paying attention. With this third studio release, Carey officially hit the jackpot. With nearly 30 million copies sold around the world, Music Box is still Carey's best-selling studio album, and one of the highest-selling records of all time. She received Grammy nominations for singles "Dreamlover" and "Hero." While "Without You" also topped Billboard's Hot 100, it was also Carey's first single to enjoy No. 1 status on a majority of European charts.