Earlier today, Dan Walsh over at Sportsbubbler.com laid down the gauntlet and issued a challenge:  Come up with the best alternative songs of the ’90s that incorporate long, building intros.  The only real rule is that it can’t come from Nirvana, Bush (no problem there), Pearl Jam, or Smashing Pumpkins – which is a real ballbreaker because the beginning of “Cherub Rock” is the gold standard for ’90s alternative intros.

Not being one to shy away from an argument, I rose to the challenge and made my own list – although it cost me about four hours of my life and multiple eye-rolls from my wife.

So let’s get started:

Mighty Mighty Bosstones: Where Did You Go?

The Bosstones are always good for a long, meandering beginning, kicking into a happy ska riff.  Gets me every time.

Velocity Girl: Sorry Again

Kind of wussy, but one of the great forgotten bands of the ’90s.

Ministry: Jesus Built My Hotrod

Ding a ding dang my dang along ling long.

Big Wreck: The Oaf

Dan mentioned this one, but didn’t link to it, which is a shame.  Here it is from a band that completely disappeared after this song.

The Prodigy: Firestarter

Between this one and “Smack my Bitch Up.”

Alice in Chains: Would?

Nine Inch Nails: Head Like a Hole

Kind of a cheat here, as the song came out in 1989.  I would have picked “Closer,” which has a great opening, but it’s short and doesn’t necessarily build to anything.

Rage Against the Machine: Killing in the Name

As awful as Rage’s politics are, you can’t help but get chills when the main riff kicks in here.

Metallica: Wherever I May Roam

Some may consider this a cheat, as Metallica isn’t necessarily “alternative.”  Fair enough.  But people my age remember the kids in high school that listened to Metallica being a little scary.  While Poison and Motley Crue were singing about getting laid, Metallica’s songs were about being dismembered and buried alive.

Soundgarden: Rusty Cage

The intro to end all intros, although “Outshined” on the same album does the trick as well.

Others considered: “Juke Joint Jezebel” by KMFDM, “Crackin’ Up” by the Revolting Cocks, “Last Goodbye” by Jeff Buckley, “Stars” by Hum, and any number of Built to Spill songs, which usually contain 5 minute intros.  In fact, here’s “Broken Chairs,” which just rips.

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