10 Severely Underrated Grunge Albums

7. Screaming Trees - Uncle Anesthesia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAmZsfFKCxU Before late 1991's genre defining Nevermind by Nirvana, grunge was still yet to capture the greater public's attention which meant that many bands felt that they could be the one that blows the whole thing wide open. This mindset is part of what made 1991 a truly stellar year for alternative music - a year that saw grunge outsiders Screaming Trees release the effortless Uncle Anesthesia. Despite being the first major label release for Screaming Trees, Uncle Anesthesia failed to garner much of an audience outside of the loyal grunge brethren (which they finally managed to do with the fantastic follow-up Sweet Oblivion) but the musical quality of this colourful beauty is undeniable. With legendary producer Terry Date on the boards the group utilise a variety of textural sonics and airy sound effects, helping to give guitar orientated songs like the marching thumper 'Beyond This Horizon' or the sizzling driven rock of the title track some spacious room to manoeuvre in. Songs of particular note in this regard include the dreamlike sequencing of 'Caught Between' and the brilliantly atmospheric 'Before We Arise', a real highlight that showcases the group's ability to deftly weave different sounds to create something with great density. The sound of a band really beginning to feel comfortable with their sound. This record isn't the most successful one for the band, but it is certainly one of the most important.