Archive for the ‘90’s Rock’ Category

‘Motorcycle Emptiness’. Manic Street Preachers

Posted: March 15, 2013 in 90's Rock, Alternative rock, Hard Rock
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‘Motorcycle Emptiness’ is a real anthem for a generation of Manic Street Preachers’ fans.  A curious combination of torch song and most-pit classic, it continues to pluck at fans’ heartstrings with singer and guitarist James Dean Bradfield’s soaring tone. Made even more touching by the fact it stands as an epitaph to the band’s second guitarist Richey Edwards, who went missing in 1995.

Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

Other links

  • Use our music reference database to search for information on artists, music styles or instruments (flametreepro.com)
  • Check out a music learning website  with the chords and scales audio for guitar and piano (flametreemusic.com)
  • You can also buy this music, and so much more at Rough Trade, one of the best indie stores in the world.

‘Killing In The Name’. Rage Against The Machine

Posted: March 14, 2013 in 90's Rock, Funk Metal, Rap Metal
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‘Killing In The Name’ is one of the most famous songs ever to emerge from the rap-metal scene of the early nineties. The song’s main riff is an instantly addictive number expressed in drop-D tuning by guitarist Tom Morello.

Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

‘Song 2’. Blur

Posted: March 13, 2013 in 90's Rock, Alternative rock, Grunge
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Britpop had well and truly arrived when Blur ‘woo-hooed’ their way to number 2 in the charts with ‘Song 2’ in April 1997.  Propelled by a gigantic guitar riff and layered with a warm overdrive, with plenty of bottom end, punk guitarist Graham Coxon enabled ‘Song 2’ to redefine heavy music that the song purported to be making fun of.

Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

‘Davidian’. Machine Head

Posted: March 13, 2013 in 90's Rock, Groove Metal, Heavy Metal
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With the release of this track in response to the Waco massacre of the previous year, Machine Head redefined mainstream heavy metal. A combination of down-stroked, down-tuned power chords and pinch harmonics, this track features multiple heavyweight riffs. The highlight comes after three and a half minutes when the minute long outro riff begins; its simple notes, together with the band’s astounding triple-picking and palm-muting techniques have secured ‘Davidian’ a place in riff history.

Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

‘Wake Up’. Rage Against The Machine

Posted: March 12, 2013 in 90's Rock, Alernative Metal, Funk Metal, Rap Metal
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This song’s main riff consists of a single note which oozes repetition and direction, and has been likened to that of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Kashmir’. The lyrics of this song echo other Rage Against the Machine songs in their theme of resentment towards corporate and governmental exploitation. Featuring in the sound track to the film The Matrix, ‘Wake Up’ has become one of the best known rap metal riffs.

Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

‘Symphony Of Destruction’. Megadeth

Posted: March 12, 2013 in 90's Rock, Heavy Metal
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‘Symphony of Destruction’ is one of Megadeth’s slicker, more mainstream creations. The opening riff of the big hit is a simple, crunching figure that focuses on bandleader Dave Mustaine’s expert down strokes and bassist David Ellefson’s machine-like unison playing. The song even begins with a snatch of Mozart, just to show the world that metal musicians are cultured too!

Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AJYusGcF5M

‘Are You Gonna Go My Way’. Lenny Kravitz

Posted: March 11, 2013 in 90's Rock, Funk Rock, Hard Rock
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Considered to be both one of Kravitz’s greatest hits and a highlight of 90’s music overall, ‘Are You Gonna Go My Way’ achieved chart success around the world. The opening riff is followed by a hypnotic groove and some catchy stop-start riffing. Kravitz’s guitar playing is accompanied by Craig Ross who plays a higher-register version of the riff.

Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

‘A New Level’. Pantera

Posted: March 11, 2013 in 90's Rock, Groove Metal, Heavy Metal
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With the release of this track, Texas foursome Pantera notched their riffing career up a level. Featuring several great riffs and a chromatic figure rising up the neck in increments, ‘A New Level’ really showcased the band’s groove metal talent. For added variety, guitarist ‘Dimebag’ Darrell Abbott plays the riff with a mixture of power chords and palm muting.

Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

‘Outshined’. Soundgarden

Posted: March 7, 2013 in 90's Rock, Grunge, Heavy Metal
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When grunge band Soundgarden released their single ‘Outshined’ in 1992, they offered a more metallic sound than most members of the classic grunge wave.  With a riff that is pure Black Sabbath circa 1972, Soundgarden clearly absorbed their metal influences directly into their sound.

Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

‘Under The Bridge’. Red Hot Chili Peppers

Posted: March 6, 2013 in 90's Rock, Alternative rock
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When Red Hot Chili Peppers dubiously released their 1992 ballad ‘Under The Bridge’ they did not expect it to become as popular as it did.  Singer Anthony Kiedis was concerned it was too sensitive to stand alongside the other, more aggressive songs on their album Blood Sugar Sex Magik.  But his concerns were unfounded and the song has become the Chilis’ signature song.

Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

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