The Nineties: A Book

Grunge is a genre of rock music that emerged in the late 1980s and became dominant in the early 1990s. In The Nineties, Klosterman describes grunge as the “de facto soundtrack of the early nineties,” characterized by distorted guitar sounds, introspective or angst-filled lyrics, and a stripped-down aesthetic that rejected the glam and excess of 1980s rock (45). Klosterman argues that while grunge was often criticized for its sonic limitations and derivative nature, its most significant contribution to mainstream rock was introducing “a collective sense of self-aware skepticism” (45). The author presents grunge, particularly through the lens of Nirvana’s success, as a pivotal force in shifting the cultural landscape of the decade.

The Gulf War was a military conflict that took place from August 1990 to February 1991, primarily between Iraq and a coalition of nations led by the United States. In The Nineties, Klosterman discusses this war as a pivotal event that shaped the early part of the decade. He particularly focuses on how media coverage of the Gulf War differed from previous conflicts, with real-time footage and a sanitized presentation that created a sense of detachment among viewers. Klosterman argues that this new way of experiencing war through television had a significant impact on public perception and set the stage for changing attitudes toward media and information in the ’90s.

“New Democrat” is a term used to describe a centrist faction within the Democratic Party that emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In The Nineties, Klosterman discusses this concept in relation to Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign and subsequent presidency. New Democrats sought to distance themselves from traditional liberal positions, advocating for a “third way” that combined certain conservative economic policies with progressive social policies. Klosterman explores how this shift in Democratic politics reflected broader changes in American society during the ’90s, including a move toward more moderate political stances and a blurring of traditional ideological lines.

New Sincerity was a cultural and literary movement that emerged in the late ’90s as a reaction against pervasive irony and emotional detachment in art and media. It advocated for a return to genuine emotional expression and sincerity in creative works, particularly in literature. The movement aimed to counteract the cynicism and detachment that had become prevalent in postmodern culture, encouraging artists and writers to engage with their subjects and audiences more earnestly. Klosterman describes the New Sincerity movement as a recurring phenomenon throughout the decade, with various attempts to reintroduce it in different cultural spheres. However, he also notes the inherent contradiction in consciously striving for sincerity, as such deliberate efforts could be seen as a form of insincerity themselves.

Political correctness, as discussed in The Nineties, refers to the growing movement in the 1990s to use language and behavior that avoided offending or marginalizing particular groups of people. Klosterman explores how this concept became a contentious issue during the decade, with some viewing it as necessary progress toward inclusivity and respect, while others saw it as a form of censorship or an attack on free speech. The author examines how political correctness influenced various aspects of culture, from media and entertainment to academic institutions and everyday language usage. He also notes how the term itself became loaded with political meaning, often used dismissively by those who opposed what they saw as excessive sensitivity or language policing.

The term “prestige television” refers to a category of high-quality, often critically acclaimed television series that emerged toward the end of the 1990s and gained prominence in the early 2000s. In The Nineties, Klosterman uses the term to contrast the evolving perception of television as a medium capable of producing sophisticated, cinematic content with its earlier reputation as mere entertainment. He points to shows like The Sopranos, which debuted in 1999, as marking the beginning of this shift. Prestige television is characterized by complex narratives, nuanced characters, high production values, and a willingness to tackle mature themes. This new approach to television programming signaled a cultural shift in how audiences and critics viewed the medium, elevating it to a status previously reserved for film and literature.