‘Music Monday’ presents: ‘Definitive 90s’

The 21st century has had a sound dominated by synthesizers and Will-I-Am, and that could not differ more from the sound of power chords and alternative one-hit-wonders that defined the 1990s.

To honor this seemingly lost art of crunchy guitars and one-hit sensations, I present "Definitive ’90s" – the first installment of "Music Monday," a weekly Spotify playlist featured in The Daily Athenaeum.

The ’90s featured female pop-rock vocalists like Alanis Morissette, grunge genre creators Nirvana and timeless alternative stars like Green Day, Blink-182, Third Eye Blind, Everclear, Bush, The Goo Goo Dolls and the Foo Fighters.

It is the collective theme that these artists produce that comes together in "Definitive ’90s."

Best played on "random," "Definitive ’90s" will entertain for more than 12 hours, and the playlist is ever-growing.

The most popular bands on the playlist are Green Day and Nirvana, and each brings six tracks to the table. Green Day wins the battle for most popular album, however, with five of their six songs coming from "Dookie," the group’s 1994 effort.

On the other end of the spectrum is one-hit-wonder Len, with "Steal My Sunshine" coming in as the group’s only appearance on the playlist. Although the act has not dominated charts since then, the poppy feel of "Steal My Sunshine" will elicit grins and falsetto attempts of choir support with every listen.

For those who enjoy bands with more sustained success, Pearl Jam, 311, Bush and Foo Fighters are all prominent on the playlist, as well. These bands have not changed their style immensely, and they have used that same structure to carry their success across decades.

The most entertaining song on the playlist must go to The Rembrants’ "I’ll Be There For You," the hit theme song from the ever-popular television show, "Friends." Be prepared to clap along during the first verse and to have the song stuck in your head for hours.

"Definitive ’90s" has a song for everyone, even if you are not familiar with the pop-rock classics from "yesterday."

Listen, and be sure to voice your opinion of the list by contacting The Daily Athenaeum on Twitter at @DailyAthenaeum or by emailing Matthew.Sunday@mail.wvu.edu with suggestions.

Take it a step further and email a link to a Spotify playlist for a chance to have it featured in a future issue of "Music Monday."