Why was it important? Because in 1996, “Hov” was born. Before he was a billionaire, he proved that rap wasn’t just music—it was a business… Read More »1996 Legacy: The Jay-Z “Reasonable Doubt” Debut

Why was Adam Duritz sad? For proving that having dreadlocks and being a rock star still required a heavy amount of introspection and complaining about… Read More »1996 Vintage: The Counting Crows “Recovering the Satellites”

Why was Gwen everywhere? Because suddenly every girl in high school wanted to wear a bindi, camo pants, and sing about being “Just a Girl”… Read More »1996 Legacy: The No Doubt “Tragic Kingdom” Takeover

Why was it a failure (then)? Because Rivers Cuomo wrote the most honest, painful album of the year, but in 1996, the world just wanted… Read More »1996 Classic: The Weezer “Pinkerton”

Why was this album so bittersweet? Because it became the soundtrack to every summer bonfire, even though Bradley Nowell didn’t live to see “Santeria” become… Read More »1996 Legacy: The Sublime Self-Titled Tragedy

Why so loud? For an album that proved Celine’s voice could power a small city’s electrical grid for a year. Part of the 38 Musician… Read More »1996 Archive: The Celine Dion “Falling Into You”

Why does it still hurt? Because Los del Río proved you could be 60 years old, wear a clearance suit, and have one simple choreography… Read More »1996 Legacy: The Macarena Phenomenon

Why the fur coat? For an album that ditched grunge for glam rock and psychedelia, leaving flannel-wearing fans in total confusion. Part of the 38… Read More »1996 Legacy: The Stone Temple Pilots “Tiny Music…”

Why the creepy videos? Because Maynard James Keenan decided the best way to promote progressive metal was stop-motion puppet animation that gave nightmares to every… Read More »1996 Legacy: The Tool “Aenima”

Why so sexy? For the birth of Neo-Soul that made people suddenly want to burn incense and wear linen shirts. Part of the 38 Musician… Read More »1996 Archive: The Maxwell “Urban Hang Suite”