Albums of 1988

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1. 1
   Giving You the Best That I GotAnita Baker

   Giving You the Best That I Got

   Anita Baker · 1988 · Soul & R&B

   The follow-up to Rapture, equally warm and intimate — her voice perfectly suited to the quiet-storm production that defined the era.

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2. 2
   Long Live the KaneBig Daddy Kane

   Long Live the Kane

   Big Daddy Kane · 1988 · Hip-Hop

   A foundational lyrical landmark of smooth, rapid rhyming. Sharp and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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3. 3
   By All Means NecessaryBoogie Down Productions

   By All Means Necessary

   Boogie Down Productions · 1988 · Hip-Hop

   A politically sharpened peak of conscious rap. Bold and influential. A high point.

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4. 4
   LeprosyDeath

   Leprosy

   Death · 1988 · Metal

   A foundational death-metal peak of brutal precision. Heavy and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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5. 5
   BugDinosaur Jr.

   Bug

   Dinosaur Jr. · 1988 · Alternative & Indie

   A loud, melodic peak of the original line-up. Raw and beloved. A genre cornerstone.

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6. 6
   Strictly BusinessEPMD

   Strictly Business

   EPMD · 1988 · Hip-Hop

   A funky, foundational debut of laid-back boom-bap. Smooth and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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7. 7
   Follow the LeaderEric B. & Rakim

   Follow the Leader

   Eric B. & Rakim · 1988 · Hip-Hop

   A lyrical, ambitious follow-up of Rakim's intricate flow. Sharp and influential. A high point.

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8. 8
   Seventh Son of a Seventh SonIron Maiden

   Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

   Iron Maiden · 1988 · Metal

   A lush, keyboard-tinged concept peak. Ambitious and beloved. A high point of their run.

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9. 9
   Nothing's ShockingJane's Addiction

   Nothing's Shocking

   Jane's Addiction · 1988 · Rock

   A wild, genre-blurring debut that bridged metal, punk and art-rock. Adventurous and influential. An alt-rock landmark.

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10. 10
    I'm Your ManLeonard Cohen

    I'm Your Man

    Leonard Cohen · 1988 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    Cohen reinvents himself with synths and dark wit, from 'Everybody Knows' to 'Tower of Song'. Funny, bleak and brilliant. A late-career high.

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11. 11
    ...And Justice for AllMetallica

    ...And Justice for All

    Metallica · 1988 · Metal

    A dense, complex thrash peak of long, intricate songs. Ambitious and dry-sounding. A divisive favourite.

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12. 12
    Isn't AnythingMy Bloody Valentine

    Isn't Anything

    My Bloody Valentine · 1988 · Alternative & Indie

    A noisy, woozy debut that laid the shoegaze groundwork. Raw and influential. A genre origin point.

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13. 13
    Straight Outta ComptonN.W.A

    Straight Outta Compton

    N.W.A · 1988 · Hip-Hop

    The explosive birth of gangsta rap, furious and unflinching. Raw and influential. A genre-defining record.

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14. 14
    Surfer RosaPixies

    Surfer Rosa

    Pixies · 1988 · Alternative & Indie

    A raw, Albini-recorded debut album of jagged dynamics and surreal menace that influenced a generation. Visceral and strange. Essential alt-rock.

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15. 15
    It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us BackPublic Enemy

    It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

    Public Enemy · 1988 · Hip-Hop

    A dense, furious wall of sound from the Bomb Squad behind Chuck D's righteous fury and Flavor Flav's chaos. Politically explosive and sonically revolutionary. One of rap's most important records.

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16. 16
    Stronger Than PrideSade

    Stronger Than Pride

    Sade · 1988 · Soul & R&B

    A cool, sophisticated soul peak. Smooth and beloved. A high point.

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17. 17
    South of HeavenSlayer

    South of Heaven

    Slayer · 1988 · Metal

    A slower, darker follow-up to Reign in Blood. Heavy and acclaimed. A strong peak.

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18. 18
    The Great Adventures of Slick RickSlick Rick

    The Great Adventures of Slick Rick

    Slick Rick · 1988 · Hip-Hop

    A witty, narrative landmark of effortless storytelling. Charming and influential. A genre classic.

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19. 19
    Daydream NationSonic Youth

    Daydream Nation

    Sonic Youth · 1988 · Alternative & Indie

    A double album of tuned-down guitar epics, balancing noise and melody at the band's peak. Sprawling and influential. An alt-rock cornerstone.

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20. 20
    Copperhead RoadSteve Earle

    Copperhead Road

    Steve Earle · 1988 · Country & Americana

    A rootsy, rock-edged peak, home to its title song. Tough and beloved. A high point.

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21. 21
    NakedTalking Heads

    Naked

    Talking Heads · 1988 · Punk & New Wave

    A worldly, horn-driven final album. Tuneful and acclaimed. A strong close.

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22. 22
    Tracy ChapmanTracy Chapman

    Tracy Chapman

    Tracy Chapman · 1988 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A spare, powerful debut of social conscience, home to 'Fast Car'. Direct and beloved. A landmark.

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