Music

Gin Blossoms declared the most '90s band ever

by Mark Teo

In case you haven’t heard, the Gin Blossoms have been declared the most ’90s band of all time via a less-than-scientific Uproxx poll. Our gut instinct is to reject Uproxx’s findings: Are we really ready to call a Buffalo-based soft-rock act the kings of the ’90s? In an era that had Nirvana? Biggie? 2Pac? Boyz II Men? And what are the ’90s, anyhow? Can they be defined by slap bracelets, Tamagotchis, Alanis Morissette, The Wedge, Incubus’ rap-metal career, Space Jam, or the Clinton administration?

OK, take a deep breath, there, ’90s kids. Before we go any further, take a look at Uproxx’s ’90s bracket. (Click to see the full size for a clearer look.)

Gin Blossoms edged out Boyz II Men for ’90s supremacy, and were representative of one of four brackets: Alternative, boy-girl bands, hip-hop / R&B, and other (see: the bracket with Blues Traveller, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Stone Temple Pilots).

But it’s also easy to see why they might’ve been the most emblematic band of the ’90s: Unlike most other bands in this bracket, they blended genres native to the era, trading in soft grunge, Wallflowers-esque heartland alternative, and Friends-friendly vocal harmonies. (Though no one would ever confuse them with the Rembrandts.) They appeared on the era’s defining record-shop picture, Empire Records, and “‘Til I Hear it From You” is, along with Edwyn Collins’ “Girl Like You,” a staple of the midway point of the era. And the band was inoffensively good-looking, blending Hootie and the Blowfish’s easygoing charm with the flannels popularized by Soundgarden.

Which is all to say: We’re not exactly happy that Gin Blossoms were chosen as the ultimate ’90s band, but we’re OK with it. So, what do you think? Are the Gin Blossoms the most ’90s band ever?