The Best Song off Every 'Big 4' Grunge Album

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This article examines the best songs from the albums of the four most influential grunge bands, known as the 'Big 4' - Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam. The author acknowledges the debate around genre labels but focuses on the bands that rose to prominence in the Seattle area in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Why it matters

The 'Big 4' grunge bands had a monumental influence on rock music and culture, pioneering a distinct sound and aesthetic that defined an era. Identifying the standout tracks from their discographies provides insight into the creative peaks of these seminal groups.

The details

The article covers the full-length studio albums from each of the 'Big 4' grunge bands - Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam. It notes that while Soundgarden and Nirvana released albums in the late 1980s, Alice In Chains and Pearl Jam didn't share full-length releases until the early 1990s. The piece also acknowledges that Alice In Chains and Soundgarden took lengthy breaks in the late 1990s and 2000s before returning with new music.

• The 'Big 4' grunge bands rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
• Soundgarden and Nirvana released albums in the late 1980s.
• Alice In Chains and Pearl Jam didn't share full-length releases until the early 1990s.
• Alice In Chains and Soundgarden took long breaks from the late 1990s to the 2000s.
• The article covers albums up to Pearl Jam's 'Dark Matter' released in 2024.

What’s next

Once Soundgarden releases their final album that they were working on when Chris Cornell died in 2017, or if Alice In Chains releases another album, the article can be updated to include those new releases.