10 Perfect Rock Albums From The LA Alternative Scene

Mazzy Star offered a very different palate for alternative rock fans during the '90s. Their music captured the kind of introspective melancholy of day dreamers, who prefer the company of their own thoughts over a crowded dive bar.

Like the Seattle grunge groups of this era, Hope Sandoval's lyrics dealt with themes of sadness, and a longing for connection. But rather than using these feelings to fuel outbursts of distorted angst, she calmly laid her emotions bare amid sombre but steadfast guitar melodies. The result, was an album of cathartic ambience.

At the core of this record, rests the musical relationship between vocalist, Hope Sandoval, and guitarist David Roback. There's an organic nature to the way they interact. Each track seems to listlessly meanders on, without a thought to structure. The musicians know, intrinsically, how to best serve the songs; the guitar does the bare minimum to lift the vocals, and in turn the vocals have no problem giving way for the odd lick here or there.

Tracks like Bells Ring, conjure images of the Velvet Underground. Whereas Mary of Silence, evokes the sinister foreboding of the Doors. But, Fade Into You, is the crowning glory; it will just about break your heart, before smothering you in a blanket of blissful comfort.