4 Incredible Albums From Veteran Rock Acts Who Withstood the Grunge Onslaught in 1991

Grunge music launched in a big way in 1991. The twin poles of Nirvana’s Nevermind and Pearl Jam’s Ten set the music world ablaze. Veteran artists and bands often struggled to make the same kind of impact amidst this new wave. These four acts didn’t flinch, however. They all released standout albums that fateful year in 1991. Even if they were lost somewhat in the onslaught of grunge back then, their lasting legacy is undeniable now.

‘Into The Great Wide Open’ by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers

Tom Petty had put the Heartbreakers on ice for a few years in the late 80s. In the interim, Petty recorded a wildly successful solo album (Full Moon Fever) and helped The Traveling Wilburys on a pair of LPs. Into The Great Wide Open reunited him with his stalwart band. But he also brought Jeff Lynne, his producer from those other projects, along for the ride. It makes for a fascinating record, somewhere caught in between Lynne’s pristine production and the band’s raucous approach. But it gels more often than not, especially on the sparkling hit single “Learning To Fly” and the elegiac album track “All The Wrong Reasons”.

‘Innuendo’ by Queen

Queen knew about Freddie Mercury’s worsening condition during the making of Innuendo, but the rest of the world did not. By all accounts, Mercury proved utterly heroic in rising to the performance level needed to bring these songs across. The good news is that Innuendo is more than just a triumph in that respect. This is a top-tier Queen record, regardless of the circumstances. It shows off all the different styles and feels that the group could bring to an LP. Want some no-BS rock and roll? Check out “Headlong”. Prefer the whimsical side of their music? “I’m Going Slightly Mad” is for you. And, of course, there’s plenty of high-drama balladry, courtesy of “These Are The Days Of Our Lives” and “The Show Must Go On”.

‘Rumor And Sigh’ by Richard Thompson

Richard Thompson is one of those artists who are so consistent from album to album that it’s sometimes difficult to pick one out of the pack for special honors. But we feel pretty confident that Thompson’s diehard fans would likely single out Rumor And Sigh as a particular standout. For one thing, it contains the dazzling “1952 Vincent Black Lightning”, the story song that’s as close to a signature tune as anything in Thompson’s catalog. Beyond that, the album, produced by Mitchell Froom, features Thompson at his most accessible, with effortlessly winning songs like “I Feel So Good”, “Keep Your Distance”, and “I Misunderstood” are just the tip of the iceberg.

‘The Soul Cages’ by Sting

Sting dealt with the dreaded writer’s block for a few years in the late 80s. He found out that only by addressing the death of his father, which coincided with the beginning of his logjam, could he overcome it. In the end, he emerged with what we believe is the best solo album of his career. Even when the music is somewhat chipper, as on the hit single “All This Time”, the narrators undertake emotional journeys fraught with peril. Songs like “Mad About You” and the title track fearlessly lean into the darker themes. The Soul Cages peaks with “Why Should I Cry For You?”, where Sting directly confronts his complicated feelings about his father’s memory.

(Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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