Rock like it's 1999: 13 essential albums turning 25 this summer

This summer marks 25 years since the summer of 1999, if you can believe it.

And while that year (rightly) is underlined as a crucial cultural moment at the movies, summer 1999 also yielded music with true staying power, as eras bent into one another and young, promising artists became household names.

Here's a brief look at 13 albums that mark 25 years this summer. Some records have already reached their anniversary by publication date while other celebrations await. Either way, this tally forms an interesting aural snapshot of who we were — and what we listened to — in summer 1999.

Blink-182, 'Enema of the State'

Impact: The third album from the Southern California band propelled the pop-punk trio from rising stars into the stratosphere, landing them on MTV alongside the moment's boy bands and teen sensations.

By the numbers: Nearly 5 million albums sold in the United States, and around 15 million worldwide; two smash signature singles in "What's My Age Again?" and "All the Small Things"; one MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video ("All the Small Things").

Enduring tracks: "What's My Age Again?" "All the Small Things," "Adam's Song," "Dumpweed," "Going Away to College"

Red Hot Chili Peppers, 'Californication'

Impact: The freaky funky rockers solidified their place as '90s standard-bearers — and California ambassadors — with their second truly great record of the decade (following, though not immediately, 1991's "Blood Sugar Sex Magik").

By the numbers: Around 8 million copies sold worldwide; five gold or platinum singles.

Enduring tracks: "Around the World," "Scar Tissue," "Otherside," "Californication"

Pavement, 'Terror Twilight'

Impact: While there's always a sliver of hope, "Terror Twilight" represents the closing chapter for a great American rock 'n' roll band and maybe, at the risk of overreaching, the end of a certain era for the sound.

By the numbers: Five, as in the fifth and final record from arguably the most influential indie act of the '90s.

Enduring tracks: "Spit on a Stranger," "You Are a Light," "Major Leagues," "Carrot Rope"

Sarah McLachlan, 'Mirrorball'

Impact: Arriving in the last gasp of live albums as mainstream cultural phenomena, "Mirrorball" beautifully summed a stellar decade for McLachlan and sent the Canadian songwriter into the 2000s on top.

By the numbers: 3 million copies sold in the U.S.; No. 1 on the Canadian albums chart and No. 3 stateside; the record also earned McLachlan one Grammy, for best female pop vocal performance.

Enduring tracks: Excellent live versions of "I Will Remember You," "Possession," "Ice Cream" and "Angel"

Santana, 'Supernatural'

Impact: However "Supernatural" does or doesn't hold up to modern ears, the record was a giant in its time, singlehandedly reviving guitar god Carlos Santana's commercial career, guiding non-Latino audiences toward Latin rock, and fostering memorable collaborations.

By the numbers: So many numbers. More than 13 million records sold in the U.S.; 11, as in the number of countries the album reached No. 1; and nine Grammy awards bestowed.

Enduring tracks: "Love of My Life" (featuring Dave Matthews and Carter Beauford), "Smooth" (featuring Rob Thomas), "Maria Maria" (featuring The Product G&B), "Corazon Espinado" (featuring Mana)

The White Stripes, self-titled

Impact and by the numbers: One is the only number that really matters here, as in first. While the Stripes' debut wasn't a measurable smash, Jack and Meg White flung the door open wide for future success — and for other garage-rock purist bands to thrive.

Enduring tracks: "Jimmy the Exploder," "The Big Three Killed My Baby," "When I Hear My Name," "St. James Infirmary Blues"

The Flaming Lips, 'The Soft Bulletin'

Impact: More than a dozen years into their career, these Oklahoma weirdos took a major step toward becoming America's weirdos, earning serious critical acclaim — including a perfect 10 from Pitchfork — and more ears above ground.

By the numbers: Pitchfork ranked "The Soft Bulletin" third on its list of the '90s best albums — ahead of Nirvana, right between My Bloody Valentine and Neutral Milk Hotel — and AllMusic awarded the record five stars.

Enduring tracks: "Race for the Prize," "A Spoonful Weighs a Ton," "Waitin' for a Superman"

Macy Gray, 'On How Life Is'

Impact: This 1999 R&B debut turned the Ohio native with a generous soul and whiskey voice into a household name and launched a career, both in music and film, that is in its fourth decade.

By the numbers: More than 3 million copies sold in the U.S., and 7 million worldwide; and a Grammy for best female pop vocal performance.

Enduring tracks: "I Try," "Why Didn't You Call Me," "Still"

Destiny's Child, 'The Writing's On the Wall'

Impact: The R&B trio's sophomore album, out just a year after their debut, pushed them past success into something like pop domination (and laid the groundwork for Beyonce's inevitable reign). Here, Destiny's Child also joined hands with a number of collaborators to truly come into its own sound.

By the numbers: More than 6 million copies sold in the U.S. (more than 13 million worldwide), four major singles and a pair of Grammys for "Say My Name."

Enduring tracks: "Say My Name," "Bills, Bills, Bills," "Jumpin Jumpin," "Bug a Boo"

Mary J. Blige, 'Mary'

Impact: The New York City native's fourth record capped a remarkable first decade, with four straight multi-platinum albums and housed a remarkable series of collaborations, including work with Aretha Franklin, K-Ci, Lauryn Hill, George Michael, Elton John and Eric Clapton.

By the numbers: "Mary" sold more than 2 million copies stateside, spent a remarkable 57 weeks on the charts and earned Blige three Grammy nominations.

Enduring tracks: "All That I Can Say," "I'm in Love, "Your Child"

Meshell Ndegeocello, 'Bitter'

Impact: The third record from the singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist cemented Ndgeocello's place as one of the singular voices of the '90s — and later, beyond. The artist spent the decade channeling Nina Simone and James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni and somehow being completely herself.

By the numbers: One of the more commercially slight records on this list, "Bitter" hit the top 40 on the Billboard U.S. R&B charts, delivered 12 excellent tracks, and won four-star reviews from outlets like AllMusic.

Enduring tracks: "Fool of Me," "Faithful," "Beautiful"

P.O.D., 'The Fundamental Elements of Southtown'

Impact: The third record/major-label debut changed the trajectory of P.O.D.'s career. Once a band for church kids and mystical metal fans, "Southtown" took the San Diego band to the middle of the mainstream rock scene.

By the numbers: 1 million copies sold, and the band's first two charting singles.

Enduring tracks: "Hollywood," "Southtown," "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)," a visceral cover of U2's "Bullet the Blue Sky" that would foreshadow hits such as "Youth of the Nation"

The Chicks, 'Fly'

Impact: Following the success "Wide Open Spaces," from the previous year, "Fly" solidified the Chicks' status as superstars, not just in the realm of country music but mainstream music more broadly.

By the numbers: "Fly" went 13 times platinum in the U.S., eight singles — each of which had a serious degree of chart success — and earned the trio two Grammys.

Enduring tracks: "Ready to Run," "Cowboy Take Me Away," "Goodbye Earl," "Cold Day in July"

Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at [email protected] or by calling 573-815-1731. He's on Twitter/X @aarikdanielsen.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Looking back at the summer of 1999 through 13 essential records