After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended. That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

In addition to the occasional series of CDs I had burned in order to keep abreast of new music, I had created a bunch of genre-specific mixes that could be used both in the car and at the gym. This week we will take a look at the first disc covering the world of alternative music created by females, or at least female fronted bands.  The 1990s were a great time for alternative music on the radio, especially that created by women.  As the decade came to an end, so did the welcoming arms of radio, as the trends moved towards nu-metal and its ilk.  So, without further ado, I bring you Female Alt Rock, volume 1.

Belly – Feed The Tree

The song ranked #24 on VH1’s 40 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 90s, much to the chagrin of their follow-up single Gepetto.

iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 9/7/2011

Republica – Ready To Go

4 different versions of this song were released and charted in the UK from 1996 to 2010.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 4/1/2013

Garbage – #1 Crush

Originally the B-side to the Vow single, the song was re-mixed for the William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet soundtrack and spent 4 weeks atop the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 8/15/2011

Goops – Build Me Up Buttercup

After being featured on the soundtrack to Mallrats, the video features Jay and Silent Bob.

iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 7/30/2012

Frente! – Labour Of Love

The Australian alt-folk group peaked at #9 on the Modern Rock charts with their second, and final, US hit.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 4/20/2012

10,000 Maniacs – Because The Night

This cover of the Patti Smith hit from the groups MTV Unplugged appearance gave them their first Top 40 hit, reaching #11.

iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 3/26/2013

K’s Choice – Not An Addict

The third single from the Belgian band’s second album.

iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 3/31/2012

Garbage – Alien Sex Fiend

This song was the B-side to Stupid Girl.

iTunes stats: Never played

Veruca Salt – My Sharona

This cover of The Knacks greatest hit was the B-side to the Victrola single.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 9/23/2012

Alanis Morissette – Uninvited

The song from the City of Angels soundtrack was Morissette’s first new recording since her debut album Jagged Little Pill.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 5/14/2012

Garbage – Kick My Ass

This cover of the Vic Chesnutt tune was recorded for the Sweet Relief II charity album.

iTunes stats: Never played

Letters To Cleo – Here And Now

Included as part of the Melrose Place soundtrack, the song reached No. 10 on the Billboard Modern Rock Singles chart.

iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 1/28/2013

The Murmurs – You Suck

While the song peaked at #89 in the United States, it was a number-one hit in Norway.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 5/24/2012

Juliana Hatfield Three – My Sister

The song became the biggest hit of Hatfield’s career, peaking at #1 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart and becoming an MTV staple.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 8/20/2012

Liz Phair – Turning Japanese

A cover version of the old hit by The Vapors.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 8/18/2011

Jill Sobule – I Kissed A Girl

A story-song about a lesbian flirtation between two suburban girlfriends which became an unlikely radio success nearly 35 years before anyone ever heard of Katy Perry.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 2/5/2013

Cardigans – My Favorite Game

Peaking at number sixteen, this became the only single from The Cardigans’ fourth album to enter the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 8/17/2011