Nirvana's NEVERMIND & Madonna's EROTICA -- two albums that hold up VERY well

Sixteen and fifteen years later (OY!), respectively. NEVERMIND is a classic that still makes me wanna thrash around, break things, and scream out loud. Its raging catharsis is exhilarating. EROTICA is sorely underrated, suffering in '92 by having been released at the same time as that sweet and gentle tome known as SEX. And i'm still annoyed Garth Brooks held Madonna to a #2 album debut...though Garth's far better than New Kids on the Block and M.C. Hammer, the 2, um, acts who relegated M's I'M BREATHLESS and THE IMMACULATE COLLECTION to the runner-up spot. EROTICA's cold, relentless beats, in-your-face attitude, and innuendo-laden lyrics would sound just as fresh on the radio today. It's also the album that serves as the demarcation line between Old and New Madonna. It's dark and edgy, not the sunny, optimistic fare she released up to that point. A surly, experimental, questioning Goth teen would dig EROTICA, whereas the perky, don't-dare-deviate head cheerleader would bitch about missing the poppy pep of EXPRESS YOURSELF. And, yes, i'm thinking of myself and patting my back as I write that. NEVERMIND and EROTICA are both steeped in anger and cynicism. And yet, they're two albums that I not only keep going back to...but I often do so when i'm in a great overall mood and feeling abundantly creative. Hmmm.