John Linnell and John Flansburgh had their breakout success with their major label debut. The biggest hit off the album, “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)”, was actually a cover, but their take on it fits in with the rest of the album. Flood is their best selling album to date.

Even though they were a trio, the Ben Folds Five formed in North Carolina and released this as their debut. It bridged the gap between piano rock and alternative rock, and paving the way for their breakout success.

The former lead singer of Them released his second solo album which became a favorite of critics. The album was recorded in two days in a New York City studio and was ranked as the 19th greatest album of all time, according to Rolling Stone Magazine.

Disappointed with the music industry and recovering from a divorce, Kirsty MacColl, took six years off before recording “Tropical Brainstorm”. During her break, she spent a lot of time in Cuba and Brazil, which inspired the albums many tropical influences.

Produced by Rick Rubin, Tom Petty’s second solo album, “Wildflowers” was certified three times platinum in 1995. Critics praised the album, albeit being almost an hour long. Petty won his first Grammy for his performance of “You Don’t Know How It Feels”.

Considered by many to be one of the most influential albums of the nineties, Urban Hymns remains timeless in content. Despite internal struggles, drug addictions and a large lawsuit against the Rolling Stones, The Verve were able to create an album with grand atmosphere and true sense of purpose.

Getting her start in the Christian music community, Sam Phillips left after a dispute with her label at the time. She signed with Virgin Records in 1989. “Martinis and Bikinis”, her fourth solo album was produced by her future husband T-Bone Burnett.

The Cure’s sixth album merged their signature dark-goth and their pop sound which they achieved with later albums. The Head On The Door shows the band experimenting with different sylings and arrangements. This album gave them their first big success in America, reaching #59 on the Billboard album charts.

After becoming a popular DJ, and the success of his first few techno albums, Moby makes one of his most diverse albums. Here he strays from strictly eclectronica and blends elements of rock, blues, gospel and hip-hop, and even plays every instrument on the album.

Sam Cooke recorded “Night Beat” in three nights in February of 1963. The album features keyboardist Billy Preston, then at the age of 16. Cooke was given the chance to return to his gospel roots while recording this album.