Spin Alternative Record Guide A Definitive 90s Music Reference

The Spin Alternative Record Guide is a seminal music reference book compiled by the American music magazine Spin and published in 1995 by Vintage Books. Edited by rock critic Eric Weisbard and then-editor-in-chief Craig Marks, the guide serves as a deep dive into the artists, albums, and genres that defined the alternative music movement of the late 20th century.

Content and Structure

Spanning 468 pages, the guide is a massive compilation of essays and reviews from 64 different music critics. It focuses on recording artists and bands who either predated, were involved in, or evolved from alternative rock. A key feature of the book is its comprehensive discographies, which included albums that were not necessarily in-print on CD at the time, making it more detailed than contemporary guides like the Rolling Stone Album Guide.

Key Contributors

The book featured contributions from several prominent music journalists and critics, including:

• Rob Sheffield: Wrote the bulk of the guide's entries.
• Ann Powers: Provided significant logistical support and writing.
• Simon Reynolds and Michael Azerrad: Contributed critical essays.
• Robert Christgau: Assisted by loaning records from his extensive personal collection.

The Top 100 Alternative Albums

One of the most discussed sections of the book is the "Top 100 Alternative Albums" list found in the appendix. The Ramones' 1976 self-titled debut album was ranked as the number one alternative album of all time. Additionally, the book includes personal top-ten lists from a variety of musicians, including Courtney Love, Joey Ramone, and Greg Graffin.

Defining "Alternative"

The Spin Alternative Record Guide took an inclusive and somewhat provocative approach to defining the "alternative" genre. Rather than sticking to a strict musical style, the editors defined alternative rock as an aesthetic of critical mistrust toward the music industry and earlier rock subjectivities.

According to the scholar Gayle Wald, the guide viewed alternative rock as a movement built on a "neurotic discomfort over massified culture" and rooted in bohemia rather than just youth rebellion. This inclusive definition allowed the guide to cover a wide range of artists who adopted an anti-commercial stance, regardless of whether they fit the traditional mold of rock music.

Reception and Legacy

While the book did not sell exceptionally well upon its initial release in 1995 and received mixed reviews—some critics felt the definition of "alternative" was too vague—it has since become a respected piece of music scholarship. It is credited with inspiring future music critics and helping to revive the career of folk artist John Fahey.