Inspired by Jeff’s post entitled “The Run To Greatness”, a list of popular albums that each feature a great string of songs that run “back-to-back”, I thought I’d start my own list. But this list has a catch. To make things interesting, I am only going to include albums that have been released in 1995.

Why 1995, you ask? The idea derived from my comment I made in Jeff’s post. I said something along the lines that my favorite album was released in 1995. I then noticed, by looking through my music library, that I had a number of great albums released that year. So it only made sense.

Before I get into the albums, let’s talk about the term “alternative rock”. It was the term that was thrown around loosely during the era, specifically 1995, long before the term “indie rock” resurfaced today describing diverse rock music. Initially an underground genre of the 80’s, it wasn’t until the breakthrough of bands of the early 90’s that launched the genre to mainstream. And by the mid ’90s, alternative rock was at the pinnacle, with many alternative bands finding commercial success. I believe most of the bands you’ll find on this list, capture the essence of the genre.

Anyway, enough of the history lesson, let’s get down to business. Keeping in mind that this will be a scaled down version. I mean, how much greatness can you fit into just one year? So the rules will be slightly different.

For this version of “The Run To Greatness”, I’m disregarding the “there has to be at least 3 songs in a row to make this list and each song has to be a hit” rule. We’re talking about alternative music of the 90’s here, (hits don’t equal anything remotely good, duh!). But I will emphasize on all of the commercial garbage, er… I mean hits in bold. And like Jeff, I’m also making this into a two-part post. The next post will be entitled “Nineteen Ninety Five Albums Of Awesomeness”, or something like that, but will include my favorite albums of 1995. So if an album surfaces on this list, you can be pretty sure that it wasn’t good enough to make it to my favorites list in my next post.

So, without further hesitation, let’s see what album of 1995 have great runs in them…

1 – Oasis, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory (October 10th, 1995)

This album was just shy of making my favorites list. It’s just so hard to leave this one out, I mean look at tracks like “Morning Glory” & “Champagne Supernova”, and other greats that appear in the track listing. This was the one album that brought commerical success for the band, and is considered one of the greatest of all time. Fortunately, it did top the list for the album with the best run. And who’s to argue? Tracks 2 to 5 – Roll With It, Wonderwall, Don’t Look Back In Anger, Hey Now.

2 – The Cardigans, Life (October 11th, 1995)

Note: I’m using the Canadian release of this album to complete the run. Like the previous album on the list, this one was also The Cardigans’ second release. Although it wasn’t much of a hit on this side on the ocean, it found it’s way on charts in Sweden, the United Kingdom, and even in Japan. I’m considering this to be the underdog on the list, with it’s pop-rock guitar hooks, and Nina Persson’s charming voice it’s hard not to fall in love with this album. Or specifically this list of songs. Tracks 3 to 6 – Daddy’s Car, Sick & Tired, Tomorrow, Rise & Shine.

3 – Smashing Pumpkins, Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness (October 31st, 1995)

From the opening track on Disc #2, you know you’re getting yourself into trouble with this great run. Starting off, the album hits off in a fast-paced, guitar driven tone, that makes it’s presence felt with some excessive screaming from Billy Corgan on track 2. The album then totally turns from night into day, as the real gems start to appear on tracks 3, 4, 5, creating this dreamy, yet mellow atmosphere. There’s also another great run on the first disc, but I think I’ll just stick to this one. Tracks 1 to 5 – Where Boys Fear To Tread, Bodies, Thirty-Three, In The Arms Of Sleep, 1979.

4 – Foo Fighters, Foo Fighters (July 4th, 1995)

For an album that had great success, from a band who’s lead singer, Dave Grohl was already well-known from his predecessor, I’d say that this album is pretty unmemorable. But stick in a few chart-topping songs in there, that have great music videos to the front of the album, and I’d say we got something to work with here. The usual head-banging signature Foo Fighter’s is found, with a casual little number that you’ll find stuck in the middle. Tracks 1 to 5 – This Is A Call, I’ll Stick Around, Big Me, Alone + Easy Target, Good Grief.

5 – Coolio, Gangsta’s Paradise (November 21st, 1995)

You didn’t think I was gonna stick to the “alternative” genre the whole way did you? Surprise, I’m giving yah mother ****ing Coolio! Most of these songs are just rips from other artists, and yeah, rap artists didn’t actually write their own songs back than. But this album does string a series of songs worth noting. You try going to any of your friend’s parties back in 95, and you’ll find this album playing on their boombox. Tracks 3-7 – Gangsta’s Paradise, Too Hot, Cruisin’, Exercise To Game (how did this song get on here?), 1,2,3,4 (Sumpin’ New).