88 / 89 was when it was all happening.
Music, fashion, attitude - it all came together at once. Usually you get a mix of one or two - but all three is rare.
The 90's was ok, but it was mainly bands spawning off the originals - it crossed over into the mainstream and then you'd have gangs of muppets in beanie hats getting wankered and slurring Sally Cinnamon along together in unison to the corpse of the Stone Roses. The same lads who'd take the piss out of us kids 'with silly long hair' when the band actually mattered.
Prior to Oasis, the only way you heard proper Indie music was going into a record shop, or in a club. Now and again the "Chart Show" on ITV would flick through the Indie chart and you'd get a glimspe of Cocteau Twins, Monday's or Carpets. It was very cool and underground (believe it or not).
Weatherall, Oakenfold should get a lot of credit too during that period.
To be honest, a lot of the stuff held in high regard during the 90's is actually a bit crap. Just plagiarism. Listen to The Rutles / Neil Innes "Free to be an idiot" and then play Oasis "Whatever".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ9EWcaS7II