Someone mentioned their top 4 of the big grunge bands in that Nirvana thread and it had me curious, what is everyone's own personal ranking of the big 4 grunge bands?

For me nowadays it is:

1. Alice in Chains
2. Pearl Jam
3. Soundgarden
4. Nirvana

I still listen to those top 2 regularly, and #3 occasionally. Probably listen to the crossover super group Temple of the Dog more than Soundgarden. As for Nirvana, I can't remember the last time I listened to them actively.

Side bar for any AIC fans, check out Mad Season if you haven't yet.

That was me:

1. Alice in Chains
2. Nirvana
3. Pearl Jam
4. Soundgarden

I would put some non-Seattle bands that were contemporaries and grunge-adjacent alt-rock ahead of Soundgarden like Jane's Addiction.

I think I generally agree with your rankings. AiC is a clear #1 for me; the other three are really close, but PJ edges into #2 just due to longevity. Ask me again tomorrow and it could be Soundgarden at #2.

AIC
STP
Soundgarden
Pearl Jam










Nirvana

AIC clear on top for me. Dirt, JoF, Unplugged, sap, AIC, then facelift.
If taking modern, I'd put BGWtB above AIC and facelift though.

The other 3, I'd take PJ ten first, then about equal on nevermind/in utero/superunknown.
VS and vitalogy, just enjoy the singles, they dropped off quick for me. Only know the singles on badmotorfinger.

Like the TOTD album.

Love candlebox self titled and STP core about as much as TEN, but not big 4.

I'd rank the albums in about this order;
Dirt, JOF, ten, AIC unplugged, nevermind, nirvana unplugged, in utero/AIC, SAP, TOTD, superunknown/VS, facelift/vitalogy

don't really know badmotorfinger, incestecide, bleach, down on the upside other than singles.

AIC clear number 1 so far

All great bands and tough to rank the other three for me, but I listen to AIC still on a regular basis, far more than the others. It's some of the all time great rock music to me. Used to pregame while watching their unplugged DVD before going out...such a great performance, even though Layne is doped to the gills and pretty sure missing some if not all teeth and wearing glasses to cover his stoned eyes. Even has to get a little help from Cantrell at one or two points, but still crushes it somehow and sounds amazing.

You could tell at that point in his life he was willing to be a good sport and do his part, but was in so deep in addiction, drugs were probably the one thing he truly cared about.

1. PJ (longevity alone)
2. a. Soundgarden
2. b. AIC
4. Nirvana (trailblazers, but other three are just better overall imo)

*STP above Nirvana, too. Seen PJ, Soundgarden, and STP numerous times. All legit live.

Nirvana
Soundgarden
Alice
Pearl Jam

They are all great. Only liked Ten from PJ, though. I like multiple albums from the others. **Bleach** (Nirvana under the Sub Pop label) should not be overlooked.

Pearl Jam
Alice In Chains
Nirvana
Soundgarden

I'd put STP second.

Soundgarden
AIC
Nirvana

Not sure who'd I put 4th. Melvins? Smashing Pumpkins pre Melancholy…? Hole? L7 (that might be more punk though)

I loved PJ when they first came out but kinda grew tired of them for some reason.

Badmotorfinger is probably my favorite grunge album. Songs 1-4 just encapsulate grunge for me.

Smashing pumpkins
AIC
STP
Nirvana
Soundgarden



Pj

Almost forgot Cat Butt

%5D

Pearl Jam
Nirvana
AIC
Soundgarden

Alice in Chains: heroin
Pearl Jam: beer
Soundgarden: mushrooms
Nirvana: weed

I always thought of AIC as metal.

I know I'm in the minority but

STP
AIC
Pearl Jam
Sound garden







Nirvana

superunknown said:

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Alice in Chains: heroin
Pearl Jam: beer
Soundgarden: mushrooms
Nirvana: weed

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The Pixies: Oxygen

All of them are great. Personal preference:

Soundgarden (Chris Cornell is my favorite rock vocalist of all time; Badmotorfinger is an all-timer for me)
Nirvana (In Utero is another all time favorite)
Pearl Jam (only one I've seen live)
Alice In Chains

Vince Blake said:

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All of them are great. Personal preference:

Soundgarden (Chris Cornell is my favorite rock vocalist of all time; Badmotorfinger is an all-timer for me)

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Same. Still kicking myself for never going to see him live.

Chris Cornell and Ronnie James Dio are like 1a and 1b for me all time rock vocalists.

Huuuge Chris Cornell fan. By far my favorite vocalist of the bunch, but I think Pearl Jam has the best songwriting. Would switch them at the top depending on the day.

1a. Soundgarden
1b. Pearl Jam
3. AIC






4. Nirvana

Rocagnante said:

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Badmotorfinger is probably my favorite grunge album. Songs 1-4 just encapsulate grunge for me.

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that's a great run for sure.
First 4 of dirt are that for me.
Album Starts with an iconic scream. 7/8 time. Droning harmonized vocals. Drop D. Chromatic riffs. (Verse does C#,D,D#,E, chorus is A,G#,B,A#… so different from the previous decade.)
Then two more bangers, then down in a hole (for most people… not my coy though!)

Know Your Enemy said:

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AIC
STP
Soundgarden
Pearl Jam










Nirvana

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agree with this.

Pearl Jam
Soundgarden
Stone Temple Pilots
Alice in Chains
Nirvana

3 chords and the truth right here

AiC (few if any skippable songs in their catalog)
Love all the others but can't play albums from start to finish as dependably as AiC.

Pearl Jam and it's not even close.

I had never heard of HUM before a few weeks ago, but this song is badass. It's in that weird Smashing Pumpkins genre imo. Sort of Grunge, sort of Prog, sort of alternative.

1. AIC
2. STP
3. Soundgarden
4. PJ

AIC and STP have had the most staying power, but I still listen to soundgarden/Cornell quite a bit. PJ, only on occasion, but they definitely keep Nirvana out of the top 4.

Someone listed Facelift as their least favorite, but for me, it's one of their top 3….it was so raw and in your face, at least for me.

1. AIC
(Temple of the Dog)
2. Pearl Jam
3. Soundgarden
4. Nirvana

And if we're adding links to Seattle bands you should hear but probably haven't, I'll add Juno. Formed in 1995 but their debut album came out in '99.

HtownAg92 said:

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That was me:

1. Alice in Chains
2. Nirvana
3. Pearl Jam
4. Soundgarden

I would put some non-Seattle bands that were contemporaries and grunge-adjacent alt-rock ahead of Soundgarden like Jane's Addiction.

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You win!