Dig Me Out - 90s Rock Review Dig Me Out

Released in the shadow of her husband's death, Courtney Love and Hole delivered their sophomore album Live Through This in a tsunami of emotional turmoil. Propelled by three hit singles, the album would launch Love into stardom and influence a generation of visceral, outspoken musicians that took inspiration from songs about motherhood, abuse, postpartum depression, and other topics not found on Billboard 200 charting albums. In looking back almost thirty years, the layers of musicianship that might have been glossed over by the larger moment are revealed. Guitarist Eric Erlandson's shifts between vitriolic riffing and crunchy leads to subtle and understated without missing a beat. Speaking of beats, drummer Patty Schemel shines, adding controlled bombast that, paired with bassist Kristen Pfaff, gives the album a tightness without feeling stale or rote.
 
Songs In This Episode:
Intro - Miss World
23:54 - Violet
36:38 - Credit in the Straight World
40:00 - Rock Star
Outro - Doll Parts
 
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Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

We've revisited plenty of albums released on major and independent labels from the 90s, but digging into self-released albums isn't something we've explored much - until now! Take New York City's Wünderband, who self-released their self-titled album in 1997. On the opening track, the band make their sound clear - punchy, catchy power-pop with some twists and turns. From the opening Aimee Mann call-out track "Yes Yes Hey Hey" to the Jellyfish inflected "I Don't Mind," the band sounds right at home alongside fellow 90s three-and-a-half-minute power pop magicians like Fountains of Wayne, Sloan, or The Figgs.
 
Songs In This Episode:
Intro - Pinup
13:18 - Yes Yes Hey Hey
21:30 - Mayqueen
25:26 - I Don't Mind
35:46 - Circle and Fall
Outro - Another Guy
 
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Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Badmotorfinger sits in the middle of the Soundgarden discography at an interesting crossroads. With new bass player Ben Shepherd on board, the band expanded upon their Black Sabbath meets Black Flag twist on metal with precision riffs and rhythms that integrate odd time signatures and alternate guitar tunings. While other bands were relegated to in-the-know hardcore fandom, thanks to the once-in-a-generation vocals of Chris Cornell, Soundgarden began their ascent as a commercial entity on MTV and mainstream radio.
 
Songs In This Episode:
Intro - Outshined
4:39 - Birth Ritual
29:01 - Jesus Christ Pose
36:05 - Somewhere
45:18 - Mind Riot
50:39 - Room A Thousand Years Wide
Outro - Rusty Cage
 
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Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

By 1993, it was an alternative world, from MTV to mainstream radio. The Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Counting Crows, Depeche Mode, Radiohead, Tool, and many more became household names with million selling albums while college radio and indie labels saw bands take off unexpectedly, with hits from The Breeders, The Lemonheads, Mazzy Star, Juliana Hatfield, Letters to Cleo, Ween, and many more. While pop music maintained its position with the likes of Mariah Carey, Billy Joel, and Duran Duran scoring hits, hip-hop was also ascendant with landmark albums from A Tribe Called Quest, Snoop Doggy Dogg, The Wu-Tang Clan, and more. We dive into it all, talking about records that have stood the test of time and those that haven't, albums overlooked upon their release and those best left to the dustbin of history.
 
Songs In This Episode:
Intro - 1993 Medley (Lemon by U2, Animal Nitrate by Suede, Fade Into You by Mazzy Star, 20th Century by Brad, Give Back The Key To My Heart by Uncle Tupelo)
Outro - I Feel You by Depeche Mode
 
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Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Taking time off from The Age of Electric, Ian Summers (bass) joined the Dahle Brothers (Ryan on vocals, guitars and keys, Kurt on drums and vocals) for Limblifter in 1996. Those familiar with TAOE will recognize the sharp songwriting and guitar pop sensibilities, as the band effortlessly blasts out three-minute, radio-ready tunes like "Vicious" and "Tinfoil." Their sensibilities are definitely on the pop side, but the choruses aren't necessarily syrupy blandness. If anything, the band could have turned up the melodic hooks a bit more for our tastes.
 
Songs In This Episode:
Intro - Vicious
1:15 - First impression of Sideways Skull by The Hold Steady
20:04 - Opiñata
27:50 - Round The "2"
35:14 - Do I Feel Involved?
Outro -Screwed It Up
 
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Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.

Heavy but melodic guitar riffs, intricate beats that switch between a Pantera groove and extreme metal blast beats, and otherworldly vocals are the cornerstones of Heartwork, the fourth studio album by English band Carcass. Expanding upon their earlier grindcore approach, Heartwork is a journey that grabs you by the (shredded) throat and won't let go for nearly forty-two minutes. From the NWOBHM styled "This Mortal Coil" to the ferocious hardcore stomp of "Carnal Forge," the band never lets up. In addition to tackling this classic of the genre, we also check out the YouTube video by Steve Welch, "If Guns N' Roses 'Appetite For Destruction' was written by 12 different bands" to find out how Steve did turning G N' R songs into tracks by Oasis, W.A.S.P., Danzig and more.
 
Songs In This Episode:
Intro - Carnal Forge
2:22 - If Guns N' Roses 'Appetite For Destruction' was written by 12 different bands - by Steve Welch
18:55 - Buried Dreams
22:37 - This Mortal Coil
27:27 - Heartwork
35:07 - Doctrinal Expletives
Outro - Embodiment
 
Support the podcast, join the DMO UNION at Patreon.
Listen to the episode archive at DigMeOutPodcast.com.