I once had an employer get flustered with me when I mentioned to him that a band I liked “sounded like the ’90s,” with the roughly 70-year-old making the point that it’s illogical to say that a decade has a sound. I mean, fair, but for folks who grew up within the span of time when dream pop, slacker rock, grunge, and slowcore all began seeping back into popular rock music in an untangleable rat king of amp cables, I’d say “‘90s” is no more vague a descriptor than “alternative rock.”
Not only does John Cudlip tap into this mass of influences on Happening, his long-in-the-works debut album as Launder, for the sheer sake of homage or reverence, but there also seems to be a sense of nostalgia there—it’s a callback to childhood for the LA-based songwriter, recalling simpler times. In fact, with that album arriving today, Cudlip took a moment to dive deeper into that era by creating a playlist which includes songs that define the decade for him, as well as recent tunes that feel equally nostalgic for this time period.
“Let’s run it back, before the Metaverse, TikTok, Netflix, and NFTs,” he shares. “Back when on rainy days you went outside with your friends. Back to the 1990s. Nowadays it often feels like there’s an overabundance of music that’s as disposable as your H&M henley shirt, but that’s not why I’m here. I came here to share some songs that have stood the test of time, some songs to listen to while you’re stuck in the mud.”
Hit play on the playlist below, glance through Cudlip’s writeup on each track, and listen along as you step away from your computer. Or at least as you start a new game of Myst. Happening is out now via Ghostly International—check it out here.
Bedhead, “Bedside Table”
Bedhead is a band I’m willing to fight over, and I’ve had to exchange some words before when someone asked me to turn off “whatfunlifewas.” I can feel the integrity of the band through this song, and it has some of my favorite guitar interplay I’ve come across. Makes me wish I was from Dallas.
Len, “Candy Pop”
This intro makes me feel like I’m going somewhere in life—I feel like he manifested the success from “Steal My Sunshine” with this one intro. The rest of the song just does everything I want it to.
The Sundays, “You’re Not the Only One I Know”
This is a song that’s so beautiful it makes me want to write a song. She really just can’t do any wrong with the hovering vocal melody.
Jeff Buckley, “Everybody Here Wants You”
Reminds me of the Fruitopia machine from elementary school. I can’t help but feel something deep every time I listen to this song. It’s a smooth, sexy song with a twist.
Sparklehorse, “Heart of Darkness (Wiggly)”
Can’t get stuck in the mud without Mark Linkous. If you’re like me, you’ve heard every other Sparklehorse song 1,000 times, so this alternate take on a previously released track helps keep it new on the ears.
Swirlies, “Jeremy Parker”
This song would be so fun to play live—guitar tone is unmatched here. Just an incredible band and I’m glad I got to see them live a few years back.
Silver Jews, “People”
Something special about hearing David Berman and Stephen Malkmus sing a chorus together. This song sounds unusually pop-oriented for both of them and I’m here for it.
Superchunk, “Like a Fool”
The chorus on this one, yeeeesh. Almost feels like you’re about to be unstuck from the mud for a sec. Sounds like when I try to get my dog to howl with me in the best way.
Acetone, “Germs”
If you like Bedhead, then you’ll like this and vice versa. I’m usually listening to this band on YouTube since that’s the only place I can find most of the discography now.
Teenage Fanclub, “Everything Flows”
I get chills watching the video of them playing this at Reading in ’92 every time. They have so many good songs across the catalog of records and EPs, definitely worth a listen if you’re not already a massive fan.
