It was better than the 1890s.

Best album of the 90s for me (and possibly, the esteemed Bapu) was Marc Cohn's eponymous debut. Sheer brilliance in songwriting and stripped back production. I never tire of it.

The 90's, IMO, was a (yet another) resurgence in good and honest music/production.
 
The 80's, although there were some stellar acts, was an extremely dark period for music. The 90's, as hokey and naive as they were, were like a breath of fresh freaking air as a musician.
 
Very liberating creatively.