To show how grunge evolved overtime, here are the best albums by 25 big grunge and post-grunge bands.
The beginnings of grunge go all the way back to the early 1980s when a group of bands in the Pacific Northwest started blending rock, punk and metal into a whole new sound. One such group, Green River, put out what’s considered the very first grunge release, the EP Come on Down, in ’85.
Melvins, The U-Men, Soundgarden, Skin Yard, Malfunkshun and Screaming Trees were some of the early very early contenders. Green River later splintered off into Mudhoney and Mother Love Bone, the latter of which also featured members of Malfunkshun once they broke up.
Later in the decade was when Nirvana and Alice In Chains formed. It wasn’t until Andrew Wood of Mother Love Bone died that Pearl Jam were born.
By the mid-1990s, a lot of these bands were the focal point of the rock ‘n’ roll industry. Every label wanted their own version of Nirvana and Nevermind, so grunge spread far beyond the Pacific Northwest territory. Flannel coats and combat boots made their way onto the fashion runways.
Grunge was the biggest thing happening and so it gave rise to another group of bands that drew inspiration from it, but simplified and polished it. These were the radio stars of the late ’90s and early 2000s — they were the post-grunge bands.
READ MORE: Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil Names the ‘Big 4’ Grunge Pioneers
Some of the biggest active rock bands of the last 25 years fall under the post-grunge umbrella: Candlebox, Bush, Creed, Nickelback, Shinedown and so on.
The first half of this list focuses on the best album by 14 bands that are considered grunge because of their sonic characteristics and when and where they formed. The second half is centered on the best releases by 11 big post-grunge groups.
The two styles share similarities but are also quite different from each other in many ways. Still, the progression of grunge into post-grunge is interesting to look back on.
Check out Loudwire’s ’30 Years of Grunge’ series on YouTube!
The Best Albums by 14 Grunge Bands
These are the best albums by 14 different grunge bands, most of which became popular in the Pacific Northwest area during the late ’80s and early ’90s.
Gallery Credit: Lauryn Schaffner
The Best Album by 11 Post-Grunge Bands
Post-grunge took over the rock airways toward the end of the ’90s, so here are the best albums by some of the biggest post grunge bands.
Gallery Credit: Lauryn Schaffner
See a condensed history of grunge told in 13 albums below.
The History of Grunge Told in 13 Albums
These 13 albums tell the history of the grunge scene that formed in the Pacific Northwest in the 1980s, from Green River to Sub Pop, Nirvana and more.
Gallery Credit: Lauryn Schaffner
