Forget everything you remember about 1992. Forget about all the crap you heard on Top-40 radio. Forget MTV. And forget techno, Billy Ray Cyrus and goatee beards.
Amid the rabble, some people actually made innovative and original albums.
Bands with local roots such as Junction, Eggbound, T4 (now Donora) and Ruder Than You released records that should go beyond being stamped "local" and therefore inferior. Perhaps State College's music scene will get the adoration it deserves. Yeah, right up there with, um, Seattle?
So, without further platitudes, these are the memorable albums of 1992, in no particular order. Forgive us if we missed a few.
-- Beastie Boys Check Your Head They picked up live instruments, spent a lot of time on skateboards and in the process cranked out one of hip-hop's most eclectic albums yet. (J.W.)
-- Eggs Bruiser LP The drums make a snap rather than a doleful pound; the guitar shimmers instead of regurgitating power chords; and Andrew Beaujon purrs rather than snarls. This album is an unassuming treasure. And besides all that, they look like they'd make great next-door neighbors. (J.C.)
-- Buffalo Tom Let Me Come Over They claim Salvation Army as their fashion and thick, cool guitars their trademark. Bill Janovitz croons real love songs with bite. (S.K.)
-- Jawbox Novelty Who ever thought punk could be spiritual? This D.C. outfit hurls heavy rock with heart -- hardcore that rattles as it should, but doesn't leave your soul full of gaping wounds. There are even harmonies amid the chaos. (J.W.)
-- PJ Harvey Dry This is the first album to actually live up to a Patty Smith comparison. Harvey's voice is unique and honest without being trendy. She just might be the guitarist of the year, too. (J.C.)
-- Juliana Hatfield Hey Babe She's the heroine for women who know what they want and won't settle for less. Hatfield's bass and intelligence inspire the confidence she lacks. (S.K.)
-- The Brand New Heavies Heavy Rhyme Experience: Vol. 1 Take a three-piece British funk band, let them jam with a full slate of North American hip-hop artists, and you get a brilliant party album. The Heavies have a classic sound, but Black Sheep, Grand Puba and Gang Starr are the album's real stars. (J.W.)
-- Pavement Slanted & Enchanted After seeing a drunken Pavement ruin all its songs in concert, I had doubts. But later, I learned to get over the fact that the drummer swung roadkill over his head. On record, the band produces a perfect sound -- post-punk that's distortedly brash and good enough to kill a summer listening to. (J.C.)
-- The Lemonheads It's A Shame About Ray Alternative pop is always a safe bet, especially with Evan Dando's stringy locks and genuine lyrics. The album churns out grunge and discordant melodies and ends way too soon. (S.K.)
-- Pete Rock & C. L. Smooth Mecca and the Soul Brother An album that proves that as hip-hop gets closer to jazz, its samples get more intricate and exploratory. Mecca has class and style, along with twisting rhymes that test your intellect and emotions at the same time. (J.W.)
-- Nation of Ulysses Plays Pretty for Baby Hardcore discovers John Coltrane and loves it. Beyond the pretentious liner notes that can't be read in one sitting, N.O.U. achieves its peak with its textured "anti-parent culture sound." (J.C.)
-- 10,000 Maniacs Our Time In Eden Gentle and spiritual, the album floats on mature folk-pop. Producing heavenly tracks that forgive even the band's dullest past releases, 10,000 Maniacs hit the mark with this classic. (S.K.)
-- Unrest Imperial This one makes bubble gum pop cool again. Mark's wide-eyed vocals can hardly be called jaded. Bridget and Phil's rhythm section earns kudos as well for pounding out notes loud enough to be heard above the basement. Call it peachy keen. (J.C.)
-- Sugar Copper Blue Guitarist Bob Mould makes a case for being nominated the Godfather of Grunge, and simultaneously garners a few new converts to the buzzsaw land of Husker Du. (J.W.)
Honorable Mention: Neneh Cherry, Homebrew; Grenadine, Goya; Yo La Tengo, May I Sing With Me; Cowboy Junkies, Black Eyed Man; Arrested Development, 3 years, 5 months, 2 days in the Life of . . .; Love Child, Witchcraft; Mudhoney, Piece of Cake; XTC, Nonsuch; Polvo, Cor-Crane Secret; Sonic Youth, Dirty; Beat Happening, You Turn Me On and various artists, Beat Happening tribute album Fortune Cookie Prize.
