10 Underrated Hard Rock Songs Of The '90s
We all slept on Pearl Jam way too much...
The 1990's were a whirlwind time for all things rock and roll. In just 10 years we saw grunge, pop punk, Britpop, nu metal, and even the last remnants of hair metal infect the airwaves in almost equal measure. Given all the different genres at play, there's bound to be at least a few great songs that have been forgotten.
For one reason or another, these tunes have been great in their time but have slowly drifted from view in recent years. The fact that any of these tracks were slept on is mind-boggling considering the pedigree of some of the artists. Granted, some of these acts didn't quite reach the heights as someone like Led Zeppelin, but these tracks at least deserve to be up there with the all time classics.
From groundbreaking songs to bold new left turns, each of these songs was something unique at the time that helped keep the hard rock genre alive and well. Even if some of these don't exactly set the world on fire right out of the gate, they shouldn't be swept to the side in favor of other songs.
While there are many things we would like to leave in the '90s, make sure these tunes aren't one of them.
10. Settle For Nothing - Rage Against the Machine
Everything you need to know about Rage Against the Machine's music is all in their name. With each passing track, you get the feeling that the band needs to unleash this unfiltered aggression so that they can function as regular human beings. On the other hand, that doesn't mean every RATM song has to be in your face at all times.
Tucked away amid the ragers on the band's debut album is "Settle For Nothing," which is probably the closest thing to a slowburn that they have in their catalog. I know that the word "ballad" doesn't belong anywhere near this band's music, but the verses are structured very softly before giving way to one of the heaviest choruses on the entire record. Instead of sounding like a cheap imitation of the changing dynamics of the grunge scene, this type of aggression has more similarities with bands like Metallica than Soundgarden.
Even with the solo, Tom Morello strips back his effects-laden tones for a little more dexterous performance, which gives a twisted bent to the song's lyrics. With the song being about oppression, the solo seems to try and paint a happy face on a horrible situation. This may have been a departure for Rage, but that didn't mean it stopped being any more impactful.