PJ Harvey, Björk, Tori Amos
Magic, I am surprised that no one else has made mention of the insurgence of women in popular music during the 90's. In the past, there was the occasional woman artist, but the rise of women in popular music during the 90's was a phenomenon that hasn't even started to ebb.
1992 Springtime. Saw the video for Silent All These Years, and frankly, wasn't impressed. Having discovered Kate Bush for myself about three years prior, I had a pretty high bar set for any woman writing personal, emotional music. But then.... my friend had left the cassette of Little Earthquakes in my car tape player. After a few trips back-and-forth to work "Winter" came around on the player. This was the song my soul had been waiting for, for years. With one listen, I "got" it.
About the same for me discovered Kate Bush in 1980 thru Peter Gabriel and immediately pick up The Kick Inside where The Man with the Child in His Eyes and Wuthering Heights became favorites of mine. Heard Tori's Crucify on College radio on a drive down to a friends and have followed her since. PJ took awhile for me I bought To Bring You My Love when it came out in 95 but shelved it for a few years before I listened again and love it. Started liking Bjork between Post and Homogenic although I did like a few sugar cubes songs in the 80's.
also throw in
Aimee Mann
Sarah McLachlan
Fiona Apple
Beth Orton
The Breeders