Top 10 Favorite Christian 90's Alternative Records

Alternative Rock was my gateway drug into punk and hardcore. The christian rock scene in the mid-90's was actually full of great bands. Forefront Records put out their best stuff 96-99. Christian rock was more then just DC Talk.

10. Common Children – Skywire

Common Children was consistent in being inconsistent sound wise. Musically they always went back and forth between balls to the wall rock and roll and really pretty ballad type songs. Their debut, Skywire, is their most rocking album. Probably one of the more underrated Christian rock bands, Common Children’s first two LP’s were perfect, post grunge, alternative records. It was mid-90’s rock. Hate was a song I instantly loved. Marc Byrd screaming, “I Hate Myself” still gets me amped.



9. Plankeye – The Spark

The Spark was Plankeye’s official Tooth and Nail debut and it was miles better then Spill. Where Spill was a weird alt-punk album, The Spark was just straight ahead rock. Open House is such a killer song and my favorite song from Plankeye. Wings to Fly is a great bluesy rock song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxmyscbQnAo

8. The Prayer Chain – Mercury

Mercury has become an underground Christian alternative classic. And it’s deserved. While more experimental then Shawl and the album that broke The Prayer Chain up, Mercury is near perfect. Every song is good. The epic, 9-minute, Sky High and the equally as epic, 8 minute Sun Stoned, plus, Waterdogs, Bendy Line, Creole… Mercury is an amazing old school Christian rock record.



7. Starflyer 59 – Silver

One of the laziest comparisons in all of Christian music was saying Starflyer 59 sounded like My Bloody Valentine. While Jason Martin had the hushed, whispered vocal down, Silver was so much heavier then anything My Bloody Valentine ever did. Yes, Silver has more indie undertones then your radio alternative records but tracks like Sled, Happy Days Are Here Again, and The Dungeon all have guitar riffs and tones that would fit on any Soundgarden record. Plus the record has Hazel Would, the best Starflyer song ever written.



6. All Star United – All Star United

All Star United’s debut is the poppiest album on this list. All 10 tracks on the bands debut are catchy pop rock songs. While the band released a bunch of great records, their debut stands out as their most solid and memorable.



5. Driver Eight – Watermelon

Driver Eight is one of those Tooth and Nail bands that is not widely known but they should be. It’s a gem in T&N back catalog and just a really good rock record. Watermelon is chock full of catchy rock songs and has a real laid back feel (minus Carrousel, which is a song that will kick you in the balls).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i41g1kw3oA

4. Audio Adrenaline – Bloom

Without Bloom… Well I probably would’ve eventually found rock but Bloom was the catalyst. Bloom was a huge step up from Don’t Censor Me, and while it didn’t bring the band the notoriety that Some Kind of Zombie and later albums would, it is in my opinion, their most complete album and their most rocking. Secret, I’m Not the King, See Through are three killer songs, and the bands cover of Free Ride is great. Not just a CCM record.



3. Skillet – Skillet

So Skillet have been on mainstream rock radio for at least 5 years now. The bands last 3 (4ish) albums have all been hard rock records. But 1996, the bands debut recorded sounded like something out of Seattle. They did one alternative rock record, their first album, and it was great. Minus John Cooper, none of the members from that first record are in Skillet today and the sound on the bands debut was never repeated again. While not the heaviest record of their career, the songs on their self-titled debut are far more aggressive then anything they’ve put out since. Great record.



2. Bleach – Space

The first time I heard Child of Sod I was a huge fan. Bleach had won me over. Space is another example of classic 90’s rock. Top to bottom a solid record.



1. Grammatrain – Flying

Flying would probably rank as one of my top 20 favorite records of all time. Grammatrain was a band I loved and when they broke up, it sucked. Flying is still an amazing record to listen to. Pete Stewart’s guttural half screamed vocals, great bass riffs, solid drumming, catchy rock songs; there’s nothing to hate about Flying. Jonah, Less of Me, Pain, Spiderweb, Fuse, Rocketship…. The whole album is phenomenal.