10 Most Iconic Alternative Rock Albums

When alternative rock finally managed its way onto the airwaves, most major labels didn't know which way was up anymore. Whereas there was a certain formula to the pop machine or the old waves of hair metal, there was no telling where the next huge band could come from. So it makes sense that one of the biggest acts to come from this era may have been the biggest change of pace of them all.

As far as the mainstream was concerned, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were supposed to be an underground band for the rest of their lives, until Rick Rubin helped them craft their masterpiece on Blood Sugar Sex Magik. While the songs themselves aren't that huge of a departure from the Chilis' normal sound, this is as pure concentrated funk as it gets, with deep cuts like the Righteous and the Wicked working just as well as heavyhitters like Suck My Kiss.

Given the longer run length of your average record, there is also some more thoughtful material that many of us questioned whether the band was even capable of, with Under the Bridge and I Could Have Lied slipping into slow ballad territory. Considering the amount of road work they had put in on the LA scene at this point, it's nice to know that at least some of the magik paid off here.