Essential Albums of the 1990s
The 298 essential 1990s records — the albums from the nineties that hold up on every listen.
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1People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of RhythmA Tribe Called Quest
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A playful, jazzy debut of bohemian energy and invention. Warm and fresh. A great beginning.
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2Persistence of TimeAnthrax
Persistence of Time
A darker, heavier thrash peak. Tight and acclaimed. A high point.
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3One for AllBrand Nubian
One for All
A jazzy, conscious-rap debut of warm craft. Smooth and beloved. A genre highlight.
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4Heaven or Las VegasCocteau Twins
Heaven or Las Vegas
A luminous dream-pop peak of ethereal vocals and chiming guitar. Beautiful and beloved. Their masterpiece.
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5DeicideDeicide
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6ViolatorDepeche Mode
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7Left Hand PathEntombed
Left Hand Path
A foundational Swedish death-metal landmark of buzzsaw guitar. Heavy and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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8RepeaterFugazi
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9No FencesGarth Brooks
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10Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1George Michael
Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
A serious, mature follow-up to Faith, home to 'Freedom! '90'. Sophisticated and acclaimed. A creative peak.
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11Pills 'n' Thrills and BellyachesHappy Mondays
Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches
A baggy, dance-rock peak of Madchester hedonism. Loose and beloved. Their finest.
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12AmeriKKKa's Most WantedIce Cube
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
A furious solo debut of sharp social commentary and Bomb Squad production. Raw and influential. A genre landmark.
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13Ritual de lo HabitualJane's Addiction
Ritual de lo Habitual
A sprawling, theatrical alt-rock peak, home to 'Been Caught Stealing'. Bold and beloved. Their finest.
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14PainkillerJudas Priest
Painkiller
A ferocious, speed-driven late peak with thunderous drums and screaming vocals. Relentless and precise. A metal essential.
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15Mama Said Knock You OutLL Cool J
Mama Said Knock You Out
A hard-hitting comeback peak of braggadocio and hooks. Tough and tuneful. His best.
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16Rust in PeaceMegadeth
Rust in Peace
Technical thrash at its most dazzling, all intricate riffs and breakneck solos. Widely regarded as their masterpiece. Precise and savage.
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17Cause of DeathObituary
Cause of Death
A heavy, groove-laden death-metal landmark. Brutal and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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18Cowboys from HellPantera
Cowboys from Hell
The arrival of groove metal, swapping glam for sheer power and Dimebag Darrell's riffs. Heavy, tight and hugely influential. A 90s metal cornerstone.
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19BossanovaPixies
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20NowhereRide
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21Seasons in the AbyssSlayer
Seasons in the Abyss
A balanced peak of speed and atmosphere. Ferocious and beloved. A genre high point.
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22GooSonic Youth
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23No DepressionUncle Tupelo
No Depression
The debut that helped name alt-country, fusing punk energy with country roots. Raw and influential. A scene-defining record.
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24The Low End TheoryA Tribe Called Quest
The Low End Theory
Jazz-rap perfected, marrying upright bass and crisp drums to relaxed, conscious rhymes. Hugely influential on alternative hip-hop. One of the genre's most beloved albums.
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25Damn Right, I've Got the BluesBuddy Guy
Damn Right, I've Got the Blues
A fiery comeback that reasserted Guy as a guitar great, with high-profile guests. Electric and acclaimed. A modern blues high point.
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26Necroticism - Descanting the InsalubriousCarcass
Necroticism - Descanting the Insalubrious
A technical, gory death-metal peak. Brutal and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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27De La Soul Is DeadDe La Soul
De La Soul Is Dead
A darker, denser follow-up that rejected the hippie label. Sharp and ambitious. A grower among fans.
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28HumanDeath
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29Like an Ever Flowing StreamDismember
Like an Ever Flowing Stream
A foundational Swedish death-metal landmark. Heavy and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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30Ropin' the WindGarth Brooks
Ropin' the Wind
A blockbuster that cemented Brooks as country's biggest star. Tuneful and enormous. A commercial peak.
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31We Can't Be StoppedGeto Boys
We Can't Be Stopped
A raw, influential Southern-rap landmark, home to 'Mind Playing Tricks on Me'. Dark and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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32Death CertificateIce Cube
Death Certificate
A furious, divisive peak of political West Coast rap. Bold and acclaimed. A landmark.
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33Breaking AtomsMain Source
Breaking Atoms
A jazzy, influential landmark of sample-based production. Smooth and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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34Blue LinesMassive Attack
Blue Lines
Often credited with inventing trip-hop, a slow, soulful blend of hip-hop, dub and soul that set a template for the decade. Smooth and innovative. A genuine pioneer.
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35MetallicaMetallica
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36DangerousMichael Jackson
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37Blessed Are the SickMorbid Angel
Blessed Are the Sick
A dark, ambitious death-metal peak. Brutal and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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38LovelessMy Bloody Valentine
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39NevermindNirvana
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40TenPearl Jam
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41Trompe le MondePixies
Trompe le Monde
A heavier, denser final album of the original run. Sharp and beloved. A strong close.
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42ScreamadelicaPrimal Scream
Screamadelica
The album where indie rock dissolved into acid house and gospel euphoria, capturing the rave era. Joyful and pioneering. A genre-blurring classic.
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43Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes BlackPublic Enemy
Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black
A sharp, politically charged peak of dense production. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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44Out of TimeR.E.M.
Out of Time
A lush, eclectic blockbuster, home to 'Losing My Religion'. Tuneful and enormous. Their commercial peak.
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45Blood Sugar Sex MagikRed Hot Chili Peppers
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
The funk-rock breakthrough produced by Rick Rubin, balancing party energy with the tender 'Under the Bridge'. Loose and huge. Their defining record.
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46AriseSepultura
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47SpiderlandSlint
Spiderland
A quiet, eerie, hugely influential record that effectively invented post-rock. Tense and singular. A cult landmark.
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48BadmotorfingerSoundgarden
Badmotorfinger
A heavy, riff-driven grunge peak before Superunknown. Powerful and acclaimed. A high point.
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49Effigy of the ForgottenSuffocation
Effigy of the Forgotten
A foundational brutal-death-metal landmark. Crushing and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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50Laughing StockTalk Talk
Laughing Stock
A hushed, improvisational landmark that helped invent post-rock. Spacious and beautiful. A quiet masterpiece.
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51BandwagonesqueTeenage Fanclub
Bandwagonesque
A power-pop landmark of jangly Big Star worship. Tuneful and beloved. A 90s favourite.
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52The Orb's Adventures Beyond the UltraworldThe Orb
The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld
A sprawling, ambient-house landmark of cosmic drift. Immersive and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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53Achtung BabyU2
Achtung Baby
A bold reinvention into irony, distortion and dance textures, recorded in Berlin. 'One' is its heart. A brave, brilliant pivot.
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54DirtAlice in Chains
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55Selected Ambient Works 85-92Aphex Twin
Selected Ambient Works 85-92
A foundational ambient-techno record, melodic and warm beneath its machine textures. Hugely influential and still beautiful. The gateway to Aphex Twin's world.
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56Check Your HeadBeastie Boys
Check Your Head
A live-instrument pivot blending rap, punk and funk. Loose and beloved. A creative high.
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57A Blaze in the Northern SkyDarkthrone
A Blaze in the Northern Sky
A foundational black-metal pivot to raw, cold aggression. Influential and stark. A genre cornerstone.
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58The ChronicDr. Dre
The Chronic
The album that defined G-funk, pairing Dre's laid-back, synth-heavy production with a young Snoop's effortless flow. Massively influential on 1990s West Coast rap. Smooth, menacing and endlessly sampled.
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59Angel DustFaith No More
Angel Dust
A wildly eclectic, genre-blurring peak of unpredictable invention. Bold and influential. Their masterpiece.
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60Daily OperationGang Starr
Daily Operation
A gritty, peak boom-bap record of Premier's craft. Tough and beloved. A high point.
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61The PredatorIce Cube
The Predator
A furious, post-riots peak, home to 'It Was a Good Day'. Sharp and huge. A commercial high.
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62Blues for the Red SunKyuss
Blues for the Red Sun
A heavy, desert-rock landmark that shaped stoner metal. Fuzzy and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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63What's the 411?Mary J. Blige
What's the 411?
A foundational hip-hop-soul debut. Sharp and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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64Countdown to ExtinctionMegadeth
Countdown to Extinction
A polished, commercial thrash peak. Tuneful and huge. Their best-selling record.
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65Harvest MoonNeil Young
Harvest Moon
A warm, autumnal sequel to Harvest of gentle reflection. Beloved and acclaimed. A late favourite.
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66Vulgar Display of PowerPantera
Vulgar Display of Power
Brutal, grooving and uncompromising, the album that defined 90s heaviness. 'Walk' became an anthem. Pure aggression channelled with precision.
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67Slanted and EnchantedPavement
Slanted and Enchanted
A scrappy, brilliant lo-fi debut that defined 90s indie cool. Loose and tuneful. Hugely influential.
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68Mecca and the Soul BrotherPete Rock & CL Smooth
Mecca and the Soul Brother
A warm, jazzy landmark of soulful production, home to 'They Reminisce Over You'. Lush and beloved. A 90s classic.
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69Automatic for the PeopleR.E.M.
Automatic for the People
A hushed, autumnal masterpiece of strings and reflection, home to 'Everybody Hurts' and 'Nightswimming'. Their most emotionally resonant record. Beautiful and enduring.
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70Rage Against the MachineRage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
A furious fusion of metal, funk and hip-hop with revolutionary politics. Tight and explosive. A debut that changed rock.
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71Love DeluxeSade
Love Deluxe
Lush, late-night soul of real depth, home to 'No Ordinary Love'. Understated and gorgeous. Their finest record.
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72Sleep's Holy MountainSleep
Sleep's Holy Mountain
A foundational stoner-doom landmark of monolithic riffs. Heavy and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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73DirtySonic Youth
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74CoreStone Temple Pilots
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75WishThe Cure
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76Hollywood Town HallThe Jayhawks
Hollywood Town Hall
A harmony-rich alt-country peak. Warm and acclaimed. A genre highlight.
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77Bizarre Ride II the PharcydeThe Pharcyde
Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde
A loose, funny, jazzy West Coast debut of off-kilter charm. Playful and beloved. A 90s favourite.
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78ExperienceThe Prodigy
Experience
A vibrant rave-era debut of breakbeat hardcore energy. Fun and influential. The start of their run.
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79Bone MachineTom Waits
Bone Machine
A clattering, percussive peak of apocalyptic art-song. Bold and Grammy-winning. A creative high.
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80Midnight MaraudersA Tribe Called Quest
Midnight Marauders
Warmer and punchier than its predecessor, with sharper hooks and the same jazzy ease. Many fans rate it their finest. A perfect summer-evening record.
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81IncunabulaAutechre
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82DebutBjörk
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83Enta da StageBlack Moon
Enta da Stage
A grimy, foundational Brooklyn boom-bap landmark. Tough and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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84Modern Life Is RubbishBlur
Modern Life Is Rubbish
The album where Blur found their English voice, a witty riposte to grunge. Tuneful and sharp. The blueprint for Britpop.
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85HeartworkCarcass
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86Black SundayCypress Hill
Black Sunday
A blunted, dark peak of stoner rap and Muggs's eerie beats. Heavy and huge. A 90s staple.
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87Buhloone MindstateDe La Soul
Buhloone Mindstate
A jazzy, low-key peak of mature craft. Smooth and beloved. A cult favourite.
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88Individual Thought PatternsDeath
Individual Thought Patterns
A technical, progressive death-metal peak. Sharp and acclaimed. A high point.
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89Songs of Faith and DevotionDepeche Mode
Songs of Faith and Devotion
A heavier, gospel-and-rock-tinged peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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90Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)Digable Planets
Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)
A jazzy, bohemian debut, home to 'Rebirth of Slick'. Cool and beloved. A genre highlight.
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91CovenantMorbid Angel
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92In UteroNirvana
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93Orbital 2Orbital
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94Orbital (Brown Album)Orbital
Orbital (Brown Album)
A landmark debut of melodic, emotional techno. Immersive and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
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95Rid of MePJ Harvey
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96Vs.Pearl Jam
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97Pablo HoneyRadiohead
Pablo Honey
A raw debut best known for 'Creep'. Tuneful and earnest. A modest start before greatness.
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98Chaos A.D.Sepultura
Chaos A.D.
A groove-metal pivot toward tribal rhythm and politics. Heavy and acclaimed. A turning point.
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99SouvlakiSlowdive
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100DoggystyleSnoop Dogg
Doggystyle
Snoop's debut, draped over Dre's G-funk, is effortless cool from start to finish. The chemistry between MC and producer is total. A definitive early-90s West Coast record.
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10193 'til InfinitySouls of Mischief
93 'til Infinity
A breezy, jazzy West Coast debut, home to its title classic. Smooth and beloved. A genre favourite.
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102SuedeSuede
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103Siamese DreamThe Smashing Pumpkins
Siamese Dream
Layered, cathartic alt-rock balancing crushing guitars with fragile melody. Ambitious and emotional. A defining 90s record.
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104UndertowTool
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105ZooropaU2
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106Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)Wu-Tang Clan
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
A gritty, kung-fu-soaked debut that introduced nine distinct voices over RZA's raw, dusty production. It rewrote the rules for group dynamics in hip-hop and launched a dynasty of solo careers. Essential East Coast canon.
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107AmberAutechre
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108Ill CommunicationBeastie Boys
Ill Communication
A funky, eclectic peak, home to 'Sabotage'. Fun and beloved. A high point.
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109Mellow GoldBeck
Mellow Gold
A scrappy, genre-mashing breakthrough, home to 'Loser'. Quirky and fun. A 90s slacker landmark.
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110ParklifeBlur
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111Transilvanian HungerDarkthrone
Transilvanian Hunger
A raw, hypnotic black-metal landmark of lo-fi tremolo. Cold and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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112In the Nightside EclipseEmperor
In the Nightside Eclipse
Symphonic black metal of grandeur and fury, layered with keyboards and blast beats. Majestic and influential. A landmark debut.
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113Hard to EarnGang Starr
Hard to Earn
A gritty, peak boom-bap record of Premier's beats. Tough and beloved. A high point.
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114DookieGreen Day
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115Bee ThousandGuided by Voices
Bee Thousand
A lo-fi indie landmark of fragmentary pop brilliance. Scrappy and beloved. A cult masterpiece.
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116GraceJeff Buckley
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117The Sun Rises in the EastJeru the Damaja
The Sun Rises in the East
A lyrical, Premier-produced peak of dusty boom-bap. Tough and beloved. A cult classic.
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118American RecordingsJohnny Cash
American Recordings
A stark, voice-and-guitar comeback produced by Rick Rubin. Raw and beloved. A late-career landmark.
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119Keb' Mo'Keb' Mo'
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120KornKorn
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121Welcome to Sky ValleyKyuss
Welcome to Sky Valley
A heavy, hypnotic desert-rock peak. Fuzzy and beloved. A stoner-metal cornerstone.
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122Burn My EyesMachine Head
Burn My Eyes
A crushing groove-metal debut. Heavy and acclaimed. A genre landmark.
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123My LifeMary J. Blige
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124De Mysteriis Dom SathanasMayhem
De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
A foundational, notorious black-metal album of icy tremolo riffs and raw atmosphere. Historically pivotal. A genre touchstone.
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125TicalMethod Man
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126IllmaticNas
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127The Downward SpiralNine Inch Nails
The Downward Spiral
A harrowing, abrasive industrial-rock masterpiece of self-destruction, home to 'Hurt' and 'Closer'. Bold and influential. A defining 90s record.
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128MTV Unplugged in New YorkNirvana
MTV Unplugged in New York
A hushed, haunting acoustic set that revealed the band's tenderness, recorded months before Cobain's death. Intimate and poignant. A beloved farewell.
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129Definitely MaybeOasis
Definitely Maybe
A swaggering debut of rock'n'roll dreams and wall-of-sound guitars, instantly iconic in Britain. Raw and euphoric. The sound of a band announcing itself.
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130SnivilisationOrbital
Snivilisation
A politically tinged, intricate techno peak. Immersive and acclaimed. A high point.
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131Far Beyond DrivenPantera
Far Beyond Driven
A brutal, chart-topping peak of groove-metal heaviness. Relentless and huge. A 90s landmark.
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132VitalogyPearl Jam
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133DummyPortishead
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134His 'n' HersPulp
His 'n' Hers
The album where Pulp's witty, sexual kitchen-sink pop crystallised. Sharp and tuneful. A breakthrough.
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135The DiaryScarface
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136SuperunknownSoundgarden
Superunknown
A heavy, psychedelic grunge peak of dark melody, home to 'Black Hole Sun'. Ambitious and huge. Their masterpiece.
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137CrazySexyCoolTLC
CrazySexyCool
A smooth, hugely successful R&B landmark, home to 'Waterfalls' and 'Creep'. Polished and beloved. A 90s staple.
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138Ready to DieThe Notorious B.I.G.
Ready to Die
Biggie's debut pairs cinematic street narratives with effortless flow and undeniable hooks, balancing menace and humour. The storytelling and presence are extraordinary for a first album. A New York cornerstone.
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139Music for the Jilted GenerationThe Prodigy
Music for the Jilted Generation
A dark, aggressive rave-to-rock pivot. Loud and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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140Second ComingThe Stone Roses
Second Coming
A long-delayed, blues-rock-leaning follow-up to a beloved debut. Heavier and divisive. A flawed but interesting record.
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141WildflowersTom Petty
Wildflowers
A warm, sprawling solo peak of mature songcraft. Tuneful and acclaimed. A fan favourite.
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142DubnobasswithmyheadmanUnderworld
Dubnobasswithmyheadman
A landmark of intelligent dance music, hypnotic and emotional, stream-of-consciousness vocals over deep techno. Immersive and acclaimed. A 90s classic.
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143Weezer (Blue Album)Weezer
Weezer (Blue Album)
A power-pop debut of crunchy guitars and geeky charm, hook after hook. Instantly likeable. A 90s alt-rock staple.
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144WeezerWeezer
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145Me Against the World2Pac
Me Against the World
His most introspective and acclaimed record, reflective and wounded beneath the bravado. Deeply personal. Many fans' favourite.
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146Jagged Little PillAlanis Morissette
Jagged Little Pill
You Oughta Know and You Learn — the record that redefined confessional rock for a generation.
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147...I Care Because You DoAphex Twin
...I Care Because You Do
A textured, melodic peak balancing ambient and acid. Inventive and beloved. A high point.
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148Slaughter of the SoulAt the Gates
Slaughter of the Soul
The album that codified melodic death metal and inspired a generation of metalcore. Sharp and relentless. A genre cornerstone.
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149Tri RepetaeAutechre
Tri Repetae
A cold, intricate IDM landmark of machine rhythm and texture. Challenging and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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150Lifestylez ov da Poor & DangerousBig L
Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous
A sharp, punchline-heavy Harlem debut. Tough and beloved. A cult classic.
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151PostBjörk
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152The Great EscapeBlur
The Great Escape
A lavish, satirical peak of character-driven Britpop. Clever and tuneful. A snapshot of mid-90s Britain.
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153E. 1999 EternalBone Thugs-n-Harmony
E. 1999 Eternal
A melodic, rapid-fire peak of harmonised rap. Distinctive and huge. A genre landmark.
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154'Til ShilohBuju Banton
'Til Shiloh
A landmark shift from dancehall to roots-conscious reggae. Deep and acclaimed. His masterpiece.
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155Brown SugarD'Angelo
Brown Sugar
A warm, classicist neo-soul debut that helped launch the genre. Smooth and assured. An influential record.
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156The GalleryDark Tranquillity
The Gallery
A melodic death-metal landmark of Gothenburg craft. Sharp and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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157SymbolicDeath
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158AdrenalineDeftones
Adrenaline
A raw, heavy debut of early alt-metal intensity. Powerful and beloved. A strong start.
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159Storm of the Light's BaneDissection
Storm of the Light's Bane
A melodic black-death landmark of icy beauty. Sharp and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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160Wrecking BallEmmylou Harris
Wrecking Ball
A lush, Daniel Lanois-produced reinvention of atmospheric Americana. Bold and acclaimed. A creative peak.
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161King for a Day... Fool for a LifetimeFaith No More
King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime
A wildly eclectic peak of genre-hopping invention. Bold and beloved. A creative high.
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162DemanufactureFear Factory
Demanufacture
A pioneering industrial-metal landmark of mechanical precision. Heavy and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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163Liquid SwordsGZA
Liquid Swords
The most coherent Wu-Tang solo album, GZA's dense lyricism over RZA's cinematic, chess-themed production. Dark and brilliant. A 90s essential.
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164TimelessGoldie
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165Soul FoodGoodie Mob
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166Alien LanesGuided by Voices
Alien Lanes
A scrappy, prolific lo-fi pop peak. Charming and beloved. A high point.
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167LeftismLeftfield
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168DaydreamMariah Carey
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169Destroy Erase ImproveMeshuggah
Destroy Erase Improve
A pioneering, polyrhythmic landmark that helped birth djent. Crushing and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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170The InfamousMobb Deep
The Infamous
Bleak, brilliant Queensbridge rap, all paranoia and hard-boiled detail over dusty beats. Definitive East Coast gloom. A 90s cornerstone.
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171Tragic KingdomNo Doubt
Tragic Kingdom
A ska-pop blockbuster of hooks and attitude, home to 'Don't Speak'. Bright and huge. A 90s staple.
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172(What's the Story) Morning Glory?Oasis
(What's the Story) Morning Glory?
The Britpop blockbuster that made Oasis a generational band, packed with singalong anthems from 'Wonderwall' to 'Champagne Supernova'. Huge and confident. A defining 90s UK record.
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173Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty VersionOl' Dirty Bastard
Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
A wild, unhinged Wu-Tang solo debut of pure charisma. Chaotic and beloved. A cult classic.
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174To Bring You My LovePJ Harvey
To Bring You My Love
A dramatic, bluesy art-rock peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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175Different ClassPulp
Different Class
Sharp, witty Britpop with class politics and kitchen-sink drama, peaking on 'Common People'. Clever and danceable. Jarvis Cocker's finest hour.
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176The BendsRadiohead
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177Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Raekwon
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
The 'purple tape', vivid Mafioso storytelling over RZA's grimy beats, with Ghostface as co-star. Cinematic and influential. A Wu-Tang high point.
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178TraceSon Volt
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179Exit Planet DustThe Chemical Brothers
Exit Planet Dust
A grimy, funky big-beat debut. Loud and beloved. A genre landmark.
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180Mellon Collie and the Infinite SadnessThe Smashing Pumpkins
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
A sprawling double album of grandeur and angst, ranging from delicate to ferocious. Maximalist and beloved. Their most ambitious statement.
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181MaxinquayeTricky
Maxinquaye
A murky, paranoid trip-hop landmark of blurred vocals and dread. Atmospheric and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
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182BergtattUlver
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183All Eyez on Me2Pac
All Eyez on Me
A sprawling double album of West Coast swagger and contradiction, recorded in a burst of energy. Hit-laden and definitive. Peak Pac.
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184One in a MillionAaliyah
One in a Million
A sleek, futuristic R&B landmark with Timbaland's innovative beats. Smooth and influential. Her breakthrough.
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185Richard D. James AlbumAphex Twin
Richard D. James Album
A frantic, melodic drill-and-bass peak of beauty and chaos. Inventive and beloved. A genre landmark.
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186OdelayBeck
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187If You're Feeling SinisterBelle and Sebastian
If You're Feeling Sinister
A witty, literate indie-pop landmark of twee charm. Beloved and acclaimed. A cult classic.
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188Endtroducing.....DJ Shadow
Endtroducing.....
A landmark instrumental hip-hop record built entirely from samples. Cinematic and influential. A production milestone.
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189Dr. OctagonecologystDr. Octagon
Dr. Octagonecologyst
A surreal, sci-fi art-rap landmark with Dan the Automator. Bizarre and acclaimed. A cult classic.
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190Better Living Through ChemistryFatboy Slim
Better Living Through Chemistry
A fun, sample-heavy big-beat debut. Bouncy and beloved. A genre highlight.
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191IronmanGhostface Killah
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192RevivalGillian Welch
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193The Jester RaceIn Flames
The Jester Race
A melodic death-metal landmark of Gothenburg craft. Sharp and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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194Reasonable DoubtJay-Z
Reasonable Doubt
A coolly confident debut of mafioso storytelling and effortless flow. Polished and assured. Many fans' favourite.
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195Everything Must GoManic Street Preachers
Everything Must Go
A soaring, anthemic comeback after tragedy. Emotional and huge. Their commercial peak.
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196Antichrist SuperstarMarilyn Manson
Antichrist Superstar
A theatrical, industrial-metal concept record of shock and ambition that defined his notoriety. Heavy and provocative. His peak.
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197Maxwell's Urban Hang SuiteMaxwell
Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite
A smooth, sensual neo-soul concept album that helped define the genre. Warm and cohesive. An influential debut.
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198Hell on EarthMobb Deep
Hell on Earth
A bleak, hard-edged peak of Queensbridge gloom. Tough and beloved. A strong follow-up to The Infamous.
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199It Was WrittenNas
It Was Written
A glossier, commercially bigger follow-up to Illmatic, home to 'If I Ruled the World'. Polished and assured. A strong second act.
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200Through Silver in BloodNeurosis
Through Silver in Blood
A monolithic post-metal landmark of crushing atmosphere. Heavy and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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201Murder BalladsNick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Murder Ballads
A darkly funny collection of violent narratives, home to a famous Kylie duet. Bold and beloved. A cult favourite.
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202In SidesOrbital
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203ATLiensOutKast
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204The Great Southern TrendkillPantera
The Great Southern Trendkill
A brutal, abrasive peak of pure aggression. Heavy and beloved. A fan favourite.
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205New Adventures in Hi-FiR.E.M.
New Adventures in Hi-Fi
A sprawling, road-recorded late peak. Bold and acclaimed. A fan favourite.
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206Evil EmpireRage Against the Machine
Evil Empire
A fierce, funky follow-up of political fire. Tough and huge. A strong second record.
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207Nemesis DivinaSatyricon
Nemesis Divina
A sharp, melodic black-metal peak. Bold and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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208RootsSepultura
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209SpiceSpice Girls
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210Feed Me Weird ThingsSquarepusher
Feed Me Weird Things
A frantic, jazzy drum-and-bass debut. Inventive and beloved. A genre highlight.
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211Emperor Tomato KetchupStereolab
Emperor Tomato Ketchup
A groovy, krautrock-pop peak of retro-futurist cool. Inventive and beloved. Their finest.
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212AenimaTool
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213Ridin' DirtyUGK
Ridin' Dirty
A definitive Southern rap landmark of smooth funk and street wisdom. Soulful and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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214PinkertonWeezer
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215HomogenicBjörk
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216BlurBlur
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217Time Out of MindBob Dylan
Time Out of Mind
A weathered, atmospheric comeback of mortality and blues. Bold and Grammy-winning. A late masterpiece.
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218Perfect from Now OnBuilt to Spill
Perfect from Now On
A sprawling, ambitious indie peak of long guitar suites. Bold and acclaimed. Their masterpiece.
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219HomeworkDaft Punk
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220Around the FurDeftones
Around the Fur
A heavier, sharper second album of dynamic alt-metal. Powerful and beloved. A breakthrough.
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221Ocean Machine: BiomechDevin Townsend
Ocean Machine: Biomech
An ambitious, atmospheric progressive-metal landmark. Bold and acclaimed. A cult classic.
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222Come My Fanatics...Electric Wizard
Come My Fanatics...
A fuzz-drenched doom landmark of occult heaviness. Crushing and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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223Either/OrElliott Smith
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224Anthems to the Welkin at DuskEmperor
Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk
A majestic symphonic black-metal peak. Grand and influential. A genre high point.
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225BaduizmErykah Badu
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226The Colour and the ShapeFoo Fighters
The Colour and the Shape
The album that made the Foos a real band, balancing crushing rock with melody on 'Everlong'. Emotional and tuneful. Their definitive record.
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227WhoracleIn Flames
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228The Velvet RopeJanet Jackson
The Velvet Rope
An intimate, adventurous record of identity and desire, her most personal. Sleek and acclaimed. A creative high.
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229ButterflyMariah Carey
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230Supa Dupa FlyMissy Elliott
Supa Dupa Fly
A futuristic debut with Timbaland's off-kilter beats and Missy's playful invention. Ahead of its time. A landmark of forward-thinking R&B-rap.
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231Young TeamMogwai
Young Team
A dynamic post-rock debut of quiet-loud crescendos. Powerful and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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232The Boatman's CallNick Cave and the Bad Seeds
The Boatman's Call
A hushed, piano-led record of heartbreak and faith, a stark turn toward intimacy. Beautiful and acclaimed. His most personal.
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233Too Far to CareOld 97's
Too Far to Care
A rowdy alt-country peak of twangy energy. Fun and beloved. A genre highlight.
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234OK ComputerRadiohead
OK Computer
A prescient album about alienation in a wired, accelerating world, expanding rock with electronics, odd time signatures and dread. 'Paranoid Android' and 'No Surprises' anchor a record that still sounds like the future arriving. Frequently named among the greatest ever made.
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235New FormsRoni Size
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236Come On OverShania Twain
Come On Over
The best-selling country album ever, a glossy pop-country blockbuster. Polished and huge. A crossover landmark.
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237SpiceworldSpice Girls
Spiceworld
A bright, hook-laden follow-up to Spice. Fun and huge. A commercial high.
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238Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in SpaceSpiritualized
Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space
A vast, gospel-and-drone space-rock peak of heartbreak. Immersive and acclaimed. Their masterpiece.
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239Hard Normal DaddySquarepusher
Hard Normal Daddy
A frantic, jazzy drill-and-bass peak. Inventive and beloved. A genre highlight.
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240CityStrapping Young Lad
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241Dig Your Own HoleThe Chemical Brothers
Dig Your Own Hole
Big-beat at its peak, loud, psychedelic and built for festival fields, climaxing in the swirling 'The Private Psychedelic Reel'. Exhilarating. A defining 90s dance record.
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242Life After DeathThe Notorious B.I.G.
Life After Death
A sprawling double album of effortless range, released days after his murder. Hit-laden and definitive. A tragic peak.
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243The Fat of the LandThe Prodigy
The Fat of the Land
A loud, aggressive crossover smash that took rave energy to rock audiences. 'Firestarter' and 'Breathe' lead it. A defining big-beat record.
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244Urban HymnsThe Verve
Urban Hymns
A lush, string-laden peak of 90s British rock, anchored by 'Bitter Sweet Symphony'. Anthemic and melancholic. Their defining record.
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245My WayUsher
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246Strangers AlmanacWhiskeytown
Strangers Almanac
A polished alt-country peak of Ryan Adams's early songwriting. Tuneful and acclaimed. A genre highlight.
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247Wu-Tang ForeverWu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Forever
A sprawling, ambitious double-album sequel. Dense and acclaimed. A strong follow-up.
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248I Can Hear the Heart Beating as OneYo La Tengo
I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One
A warm, eclectic indie landmark of noise and tenderness. Beloved and acclaimed. A cornerstone.
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249Moon SafariAir
Moon Safari
A lush, retro-futurist downtempo landmark of warm synths. Dreamy and beloved. A chill-out classic.
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250Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black StarBlack Star
Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star
A warm, lyrical conscious-rap landmark of chemistry and craft. Soulful and beloved. A genre touchstone.
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251Music Has the Right to ChildrenBoards of Canada
Music Has the Right to Children
Hazy, nostalgic electronica of half-remembered childhood, woozy synths and found voices. Warm, eerie and beloved. A modern ambient touchstone.
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252Moon PixCat Power
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253It's Dark and Hell Is HotDMX
It's Dark and Hell Is Hot
A raw, intense debut of gravel-voiced fury and vulnerability. Powerful and huge. A late-90s landmark.
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254The Sound of PerseveranceDeath
The Sound of Perseverance
A technical, progressive death-metal peak and final album. Sharp and acclaimed. A high point.
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255You've Come a Long Way, BabyFatboy Slim
You've Come a Long Way, Baby
Big-beat at its most fun and accessible, built from cheeky samples and huge hooks. Inescapable in its moment. A party staple.
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256Moment of TruthGang Starr
Moment of Truth
A peak of boom-bap craft, Guru's calm flow over Premier's perfect beats. Tight and beloved. Their finest.
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257Vol. 2... Hard Knock LifeJay-Z
Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life
A commercial peak of crossover hits and street craft. Polished and huge. A breakthrough.
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258Follow the LeaderKorn
Follow the Leader
A blockbuster nu-metal peak, home to 'Freak on a Leash'. Heavy and huge. Their commercial high.
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259The Miseducation of Lauryn HillLauryn Hill
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
A genre-blurring masterpiece of hip-hop, soul and reggae, deeply personal and beautifully sung and rapped. It swept the Grammys and still feels singular. One of the great solo debuts.
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260Car Wheels on a Gravel RoadLucinda Williams
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
A weathered Americana masterpiece of vivid Southern detail and hard-won emotion. Beautifully written. Her defining record.
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261Ray of LightMadonna
Ray of Light
A reinvention via electronica and introspection, lush and forward-looking. Widely seen as her artistic peak. Glossy, spiritual and assured.
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262Mechanical AnimalsMarilyn Manson
Mechanical Animals
A glam-rock concept pivot of melodic ambition. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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263MezzanineMassive Attack
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264Deserter's SongsMercury Rev
Deserter's Songs
A lush, orchestral comeback of symphonic indie beauty. Bold and acclaimed. A revival record.
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265In the Aeroplane Over the SeaNeutral Milk Hotel
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
A raw, surreal folk-rock album of fuzzy horns and oblique imagery that became a cult phenomenon. Intense and beloved. Utterly singular.
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266My Arms, Your HearseOpeth
My Arms, Your Hearse
A conceptual, progressive death-metal peak. Bold and beloved. A high point.
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267AqueminiOutKast
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268This Is HardcorePulp
This Is Hardcore
A dark, cinematic comedown from Britpop fame, seedy and ambitious. Bold and acclaimed. A brave follow-up to Different Class.
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269System of a DownSystem of a Down
System of a Down
A frantic, political nu-metal debut of unhinged invention. Heavy and influential. A breakthrough.
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270Wide Open SpacesThe Chicks
Wide Open Spaces
A bright, harmony-rich blockbuster that revived mainstream country. Tuneful and huge. A breakthrough.
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271AdoreThe Smashing Pumpkins
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272MillenniumBackstreet Boys
Millennium
A blockbuster of polished boy-band pop, home to 'I Want It That Way'. Glossy and enormous. A landmark of the era.
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273RemedyBasement Jaxx
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27413Blur
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275We Are the RomansBotch
We Are the Romans
A chaotic, influential mathcore landmark. Brutal and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
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276...Baby One More TimeBritney Spears
...Baby One More Time
A debut that defined late-90s teen pop, built around one of the era's most recognisable singles. Glossy and huge. A pop-culture landmark.
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277Keep It Like a SecretBuilt to Spill
Keep It Like a Secret
A melodic, guitar-driven indie peak of expansive songcraft. Warm and beloved. Their finest.
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278The Writing's on the WallDestiny's Child
The Writing's on the Wall
A blockbuster R&B peak, home to 'Say My Name'. Polished and huge. A breakthrough.
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279Calculating InfinityDillinger Escape Plan
Calculating Infinity
A chaotic, technical mathcore landmark. Brutal and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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2802001Dr. Dre
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281The Slim Shady LPEminem
The Slim Shady LP
The breakout, introducing his cartoonish alter ego over Dr. Dre production. Shocking and brilliant. The arrival of a phenomenon.
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282At the Heart of WinterImmortal
At the Heart of Winter
A frostbitten, epic black-metal peak. Powerful and beloved. A genre high point.
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283Operation: DoomsdayMF DOOM
Operation: Doomsday
The supervillain origin story, built from soul loops, cartoon samples and DOOM's tangled, brilliant wordplay. Lo-fi and singular. The foundation of his legend.
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284PlayMoby
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285Black on Both SidesMos Def
Black on Both Sides
A rich, musical solo debut spanning conscious rap, soul and rock, full of warmth and ideas. Ambitious and beloved. A genre touchstone.
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286The FragileNine Inch Nails
The Fragile
A sprawling, ambitious double album of texture and despair, more layered than its predecessor. Dense and rewarding. A cult favourite.
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287Still LifeOpeth
Still Life
A conceptual, progressive death-metal peak of melody and heaviness. Bold and beloved. A fan favourite.
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288Terror TwilightPavement
Terror Twilight
A polished, Nigel Godrich-produced final album. Tuneful and acclaimed. A graceful close.
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289The Battle of Los AngelesRage Against the Machine
The Battle of Los Angeles
A polished, furious peak of rap-metal fire. Sharp and acclaimed. A high point.
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290CalifornicationRed Hot Chili Peppers
Californication
A melodic, reflective comeback after years of turmoil, their most song-focused record. Warm and massive. A late-90s staple.
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291Agaetis byrjunSigur Rós
Agaetis byrjun
An ethereal, glacial breakthrough of bowed guitar and falsetto, otherworldly and beautiful. Immersive and singular. The album that made them famous.
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292SlipknotSlipknot
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293FanMailTLC
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294SurrenderThe Chemical Brothers
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295FlyThe Chicks
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296Things Fall ApartThe Roots
Things Fall Apart
The Roots' breakthrough, live-band hip-hop of real depth and groove. Soulful and cohesive. Their most acclaimed record.
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297Mule VariationsTom Waits
Mule Variations
A grizzled, junkyard-blues comeback of beauty and grime. Warm and acclaimed. A late peak.
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298Beaucoup FishUnderworld
Beaucoup Fish
A polished, melodic techno peak. Immersive and beloved. A high point.