The greatest alternative albums of all time have staying power. They have great legacies. They were innovative, daring audiences to broaden their horizons. And, more often than not, they were made by bands and artists who sponsored seriously bizarre fashion choices.
Yes, the greatest alternative artists didn’t just live off their myths alone, or stories about their swanky fashion sense. They relied on great collections of songs.
What do I know about “alternative rock?” I am the founder of Alt77, a site dedicated to “alternative music.” Here, I have reviewed over 6.000 bands and artists, written over 4.000 articles, I have published a book about Nirvana and interviewed some of the greatest musicians in this genre. I have also played in alternative, gothic, and punk rock groups throughout my life. I’d like to think that I have acquired some expertise on the matter.
My mission is not easy, but on behalf of Alt77, home and champion of alternative music and vegan sandwiches, this is our Top 100 Greatest Alternative Rock Albums of All-Time.
Greatest Alternative Rock Albums of All-Time Playlist
You’re a deep diver, I hear you say? No worries. We all have our vices. Why not take a listen to our accompanying playlist below covering the Top 100 Greatest Alternative Albums?
The Greatest Alternative Albums of All-Time
1. “Nevermind” (1991) – Nirvana
Nirvana‘s “Nevermind” injected much-needed energy into a fatigued rock scene and let millions of musicians the world over know that they, too, could reach a global audience without writing songs about girls, drugs and cars, and without much of an image apart from greasy hair and a flannel shirt.
When I first heard the entirety of “Nevermind,” I was quite foolishly expecting it to be just a bunch of catchy singles and a lot of filler. I was dead wrong. What I found instead was an expertly written album that blends the immediacy of garage-rock, the aggressiveness of punk, and the cleverness of pop music.
Like one of the great movies, “Nevermind” is easy to sit through the whole way through, I have found. Cobain, like the best songwriter, was a collector of ideas. I think “Nevermind” remains a touchstone of alt-rock because of its blends of excellently curated musical tastes with great emotional depth, such as in the lyrics for “Polly” or “Something in the Way.”
The hype may have died down, but the quality of the songs found on “Nevermind” is undeniable. Catchy, accessible, yet powerful and dark, the album is endlessly listenable. “Nevermind” is the greatest alternative album of all time.
2. “The Velvet Underground & Nico” (1967) – The Velvet Underground & Nico
“The Velvet Underground & Nico” introduced a new way of making pop music. It was made by artists and actors experimenting with rock’n’ roll in the same way as the band’s patron, Andy Warhol, experimented with painting, photography or film.
I know that some people turn their nose up at this album. They do it because it is one of the most stylish rock releases. It’s an album that’s never fallen out of fashion with hipsters and lovers of art-rock.
But I continue to be stunned not just by how smoothly Lou Reed’s compositions flow on this record, or by how Nico’s singing practically invents the template for goth-rock vocals. I am stunned by how much of an influence this continues to have on important rock bands. And, my ear as a music critic, tells me that the principal characteristics of “alternative music” can be traced back to this record.
But the songs that Lou Reed wrote, the wild playing of John Cale, and Nico’s Teutonic-tinged accent all come together to create one of the most influential albums of all time.
3.”Doolittle” (1989) – Pixies
“Doolittle” by Pixies works just like a great movie that once you see a bit of, you need to watch until the end. Pixies was, like other bands on this list, a quirky group of misfit musicians.
When I first heard “Doolittle”, I still knew very little about the context in which it was made, or its colossal influence on bands like Nirvana. No, I was simply seduced by it.
It’s easy to get lost in this album. All the vocal melodies are wonderfully crafted. All of the lyrics are supremely bizarre and arrive from a strange, paranoid view of the world. And, just about all of the songs on this record are at the same, incredibly strong standard.
The songs on “Doolittle” talk about mutilation, slicing eyeballs, and assemblies of whore. But the music is instantly attractive. Rarely have better songs been put together on one album, and rarely has the band had a more unusual vision. “Doolittle” is nothing short of a masterpiece.
4. “The Stone Roses” (1989) – The Stone Roses
“The Stone Roses,” the debut album by the Manchester band of the same name, made the Sun shine over the usually rainy British Isles. With songs as good as The Beatles and a love for modern dance music, The Stone Roses could stand their own with any other band.
The Stone Roses is a rock band of mythological proportions. I first became aware of their fame rather than their music. Their names and their impeccably dressed figures were a constant in the pages of the NME even, at least, a generation after their initial disollution.
But, I then heard the music and, immediately, I understod why a whole nation had gone ga-ga for this band. It’s not just the way that the group blends dance and rock sounds that’s fantastic.
It’s the band’s ability to jam so inventively on a song like “I Am the Resurrection,” or the way that they echo the ideal of the 1960s ona song like “This is The One,” that, positively, makes you excited for being alive and able to experience this.
For a while, they made everything seem possible. Even the fact that they never made anything as good as this makes “The Stone Roses” feel all the more special.
5. “Marquee Moon” (1977) – Television
“Marquee Moon” was a brainy art exercise made by musicians disguised as punks. Ambition aside, there’s little to explain the otherworldly songwriting of Tom Verlaine or the magical guitar interplay between him and Richard Lloyd.
I have reviewed a lot of bands that sound either like Television or like The Strokes, the most famous band to have taken liberal amounts of inspiration from “Marquee Moon.” But I have yet to hear something as inspired, or as mysterious-sounding. On “Marquee Moon,” Verlaine is a man driven by a love of poetry and loud guitars and the hope that these together can alter the very fabric of reality. For a small groupf of people, it did.
Is this an alternative-rock release? You bet! If anything, it’s ahead of its time and paved the way for many of the guitar-driven groups in this genre. It didn’t sell much, but all the indie and alt-rock bands who hope to make a comemrcial splash must analyze this and see what makes it tick.
Often imitated, usually by New York City rich kids, but never equalled, each passing year furthers the belief that Television’s “Marquee Moon” is one of the best alternative albums ever made.
6. “Tim” (1985) – The Replacements
“Tim” by The Replacements was all the proof that the band’s long-suffering fans needed. Singer Paul Westerberg and the band liked to appear incompetent. Still, when they could be bothered to show up sober and deliver, they had some of the best songs of any 80s band and could provide spell-binding performances.
Paul Westerberg understood that the least cool thing that a punk musician could do was to sound like they were trying too hard. This is a cynical lesson that I have always taken too heart.
But what’s also touched my heart, and that of many others, are Westerberg’s words, and the way he disguises profound truths within noisy, catchy songs.
Is this an alternative-rock album? Sure! The term may not have exactly existed at the time. But compare this to any of the splendig R.E.M. albums and you’ll find numerous qualities and, in the case of “Tim” some musical ideas even stronger than those of the more faous Georgia band.
“Tim” is a document of how The Replacements rescued songs like “Bastards of Young” or “Left of the Dial” from the precipice of endless potential disaster.
7. “The Queen is Dead” (1986) – The Smiths
“The Queen is Dead” is to alternative and indie-rock musicians what Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” is to painters – a standard that they must study at all times. The Smiths had always appeared to be the ideal band of the 1980s.
“The Queen Is Dead” allows The Smiths to always remain a band greater than its substantial hype. I initially resisted the charms of this album based on the group’s reputation. It seemed that whenever I read an interview with a good-willing indie-rock band from Britain, they’d have to cite this as an inspiration.
But, the music was just too good. Much of this is the result of Johnny Marr’s inspired folk-inspired guitar playing and his ability to craft distinct, memorable song parts. As a songwriter, I’ve found this to be greatly inspiring.
It is also Morrissey’s distinctive lyrics which give the album its identity. As a music critic, I find that his lyrics find the perfect home here. Stick them in any other band and they’d feel too eccentric and pompous. But blend the anger with Marr’s tunes and you have a winning combination.
With “The Queen is Dead” they proved it. Funny, yet glamorous, depressed, yet self-assured, The Smiths created a scene for themselves and had the great songs and albums to rule it with.
8. “OK Computer” (1997) – Radiohead
“OK Computer” proved that Radiohead‘s musicians’ instincts to hide themselves away from the world while The Battle of Britpop was raging were the best decision. Radiohead came back with an album that was ambitious, complex and wholly unique for its time. “OK Computer” is on the list because it converts new listeners to alternative music every day.
Like many other teenagers, I spent an enormous amount of time listening to “OK Computer” and staring out the window onto the dirty streets. It wasn’t just a hormones-induced sense of doom that drew me to the album.
Frankly, I have always preferred songwriting based on great lyrics and memorable melodies to clever experimentation. This album has plenty of those qualities, I have found. And, while Radiohead veered away from this direction on later releases, I can’t quite blame Thom Yorke for believing that this was a milestone that couldn’t be reached again.
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9. “Disintegration” (1989) – The Cure
“Disintegration” by The Cure is one of many great albums created by the band. But it’s the one that singer and band leader Robert Smith deserved to make most of all.
But this is a goth-rock album, right? These kinds of classifications, I’ve found through my years of reviewing music, are only helpful when placing CDs on the racks of a music store.
The Cure’s music extended way past the goth cliches. Sure, their lyrics would’ve made an existentialist poet want to take a Summer holiday and try to cheer up. But the band’s incorporation of pop, psychedelia and avant-garde sounds represents the very spirit of alternative music, I have found.
As gloomy as the group had ever been, and as memorable as they would ever get, “Disintegration” is a slam dunk. It contains songs like “Pictures of You” or “Lullaby”, and there’s no better introduction to this great band than this alternative music masterpiece.
10. “Surfer Rosa” (1988) – Pixies
Pixies was a revelation to many upon first hearing them. While the EP, “Come On Pilgrim” hinted at the group’s brilliance, “Surfer Rosa” proved it. Hearing these songs still feels like accessing some kind of forbidden material, which, unfortunately for you, is also extremely pleasing. Unique, weird and unsettling, “Surfer Rosa” is one of the foundations of alternative rock.
If you’re looking to preach that alternative-rock is a genre onto itself that is distinct from all others, your best bet at supporting this argument is the early albums by Pixies.
Where other groups merely flirted with weirdness, Pixies’ music was genuinely weird. Whereas other bands of the era had a few catchy songs at best, Pixies’ early body of work was built on instantly memorable tunes.
It’s a gorgeous record dominated by themes of violence (“Bone Machine,” “Break My Body”), sexual obsession (“Gigantic”) and hatred (“Something Against You”). Under Steve Albini’s guidance, this became one of the most impressive debut albums of all time.
11. “Screamedelica” (1991) – Primal Scream
“Screamedelica” is still one of the best-sounding albums of all time. A brilliant work of musical alchemy, producer Andrew Weatherall helped bring rock, dance, and soul music together.
This was the “I told you so” moment for Primal Scream, one of the most notorious and, in the 90s, most self-destructive bands in England. It’s a towering, funky achievement.
12 .”Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” (1995) – The Smashing Pumpkins
“Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” proved the rumours right. The Smashing Pumpkins weren’t really a three-chord grunge band or content with taking second place all along.
The album is proof of singer Billy Corgan’s narcissistic madness, but also his sheer brilliance. Wildly ambitious “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” is one of the defining albums of the 1990s.
13. “Odelay” (1996) – Beck
“Odelay” proved that Beck was no hit wonder with “Loser” and, more still, that he could see the future quite clearly. Not that he was very concerned with all of that. Then, as now, Beck made music that was on the vanguard of pop.
“Odelay” was, like “Paul’s Boutique” had been, an example of just how technology, modern production, samples and loops could be used to enhance the alternative experience. It’s still a very exciting album.
14. “Psychocandy” (1985) – The Jesus and Mary Chain
“Psychocandy” by The Jesus and Mary Chain may just be the coolest album ever made. It didn’t hurt that the members of The Jesus and Mary Chain appeared to be veritable apostles of cool.
With songs as sweet as a Beach Boys composition and drenched in enough feedback to give anyone a strong earache, “Psychocandy” is one of the definitive alternative albums.
15. “The Downward Spiral” (1994) – Nine Inch Nails
“The Downward Spiral” continues to show up, and often top, lists claiming to include the world’s most depressing music albums. While that’s fair, its reputation wouldn’t be what it is if Trent Reznor had not loaded the song with excellent compositions.
Nine Inch Nails was a revelation for alternative music and no amount of industrial metal imitators can change that. “The Downward Spiral” is a scary trip and one of the best alternative albums.
16. “Ritual De Lo Habitual” (1990) – Jane’s Addiction
There would’ve been no “alternative scene” without Jane’s Addiction. Many of the 1990s bands included on our list would not have been signed without Perry Ferrell. And, while their debut was strong, “Ritual De Lo Habitual” is the better album and the moment where Jane’s Addiction nearly defeated the deafening hype and created a great album.
17.” The Holy Bible” (1994) – Manic Street Preachers
“The Holy Bible” is an uncompromising release from Manic Street Preachers at their angriest and most militant. It’s the last gasp of the Richey Edwards-led era, in which the Welsh band used punk sounds, pop melodies, and shocking words and imagery to achieve their aims. It’s not a comfortable listen. But “The Holy Bible” is an incredible piece of art.
18. “Violator” (1990) – Depeche Mode
“Violator” was the peak for a band that had, by this point, already played arenas the world over and released platinum-selling albums. But Depeche Mode had never made anything as dark or as sexy as this.
Not that the English group was flying under the radar. “Personal Jesus,” “World in My Eyes” and “Enjoy the Silence” all helped to launch the global Depeche Mode cult that persists until today.
19. “Unknown Pleasures” (1979) – Joy Division
“Unknown Pleasures” is one of the most influential alternative albums ever made. That’s both a good and a bad thing. It means that Ian Curtis and Joy Division are still beloved the world over. It also means that you’ll continue to have to suffer through many bad clones of the band. Regardless, there’s great beauty in these dark, minimalist rock songs that launched a million post-punk groups.
20. “Grace” (1994) – Jeff Buckley
“Grace” is a work of beauty first and a statement of virtuosity second. It, too, launched many imitators, each convinced that displaying their full vocal range in every song was the way to go. But Jeff Buckley had mined gentle, subtle feelings in a way like few musicians before him. The tenderness of “Grace” and its mysteries make it one of the greatest alternative albums of all time.
Top 20 – 30
21. “Public Image: First Issue” (1978) – Public Image Ltd.
“Public Image: First Issue” is, arguably, just as influential as the Sex Pistols record that had turned John Lydon into a bona fide legend on first try. Of course, this is also, precisely, the message I read countless times before I warmed up to the record. But once listeners get over the learning curve, they’re likely to think of the Public Image debut as one of the all-time great alternative albums.
22. “Definitely Maybe” (1994) – Oasis
The Gallagher brothers were boastful and boisterous even before “Definitely Maybe.” And while it only took a couple of singles for the egos to inflate, they were right for being confident. “Definitely Maybe” marked the beginning of a new phase in youth culture in Britain. I’m glad to say that the songs still live up. It’s no wonder, I suppose, that these tunes are being played across stadiums in a successful reunion tour.
23. “Elephant” (2003) – The White Stripes
Music critics, who, believe it or not, still mattered in the early 2000s, professed their love for The White Stripes so loudly that this risked suffocating the group. But there was no getting away from “Elephant.” It wasn’t just about the clever use of minimalist blues, the imagery or the Meg and Jack White mythos.
These were guitar songs being played on the radio and, with “Seven Nation Army,” chanted in stadiums. I think that it holds up. This is one of the greatest albums of the 2000s.
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24. “Transformer” (1972) – Lou Reed
Lou Reed, just like Bob Dylan or Ray Davies, was always capable of masterful work. He just needed to be at work to do it, that’s all. With his career on the line, and early devotees David Bowie and Mark Ronson willing to help out, Reed produced both some of his most aggressive and tender songs with “Transformer.”
“Walk on the Wild Side” was the leftfield hit. But the record’s biggest calling card is that you can find it, practically, in any serious listener’s collection. Believe me, I’ve tried.
25. “Daydream Nation” (1988) – Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth was the ultimate alternative rock guitar band. In an era where cliches dominated pop music and where music genre ghettos were hard to escape, the quartet broke every rule.
They experimented wildly with tunings and playing. They referenced cult rock heroes of yesteryear. And, occasionally, they even wrote pop songs. “Daydream Nation” is a benchmark for creativity in alternative rock.
26. “Paul’s Boutique” (1989) – Beastie Boys
Rap had its fans. And, rock and electronic music had theirs. The three rarely, if ever, met. However, Beastie Boys, along with The Dust Brothers, took a chance on blending them together.
What’s more remarkable is that the Brooklyn crew had made only one album by this stage. Few would have gambled as much, and few could’ve come up with as good of a cut-and-paste rap-rock job.
27. “Automatic for the People” (1992) – R.E.M.
R.E.M. was one of the groups most responsible for the rise of alternative rock. It was a happy ending, indeed, I think, when this little band from Georgia achieved its own mainstream success. And while “Automatic for the People” was a gigantically famous record, its tone was bleak and its pacing slow. That didn’t matter! Audiences believed in R.E.M. and trusted that this was a great alternative rock album.
Read more:
- R.E.M. Albums Ranked from Worst to Best
- “Automatic for the People” Reviewed and Revisited
- “Drive” Song Meaning Explained
28. “Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik” (1991) – Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik” was the monstrously large hit that Red Hot Chili Peppers had been looking for. What changed? For the most part, the band honed in on their funk chops for some of the songs and allowed John Frusciante’s mellow, Hendrix-inspired licks to influence the others. Most of the tracks still stand up. This is, undoubtedly, one of the great alternative rock albums of all time.
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29. “Weezer (The Blue Album)” (1994) – Weezer
Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo knew precisely what he was doing. He’d been a guitar virtuoso before starting this alt-rock quartet. He was moved by the simplicity and emotional punch of Nirvana, and he’d studied power-pop.
All of these influences were brought together brilliantly for the self-titled debut record, known to most as “The Blue Album.” Frankly, few records have sounded as good or have been as consistent since, and this includes the other Weezer records. This, in my book, is one of the greats!
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Top 30 – 40
30. “The Mollusk” (1997) – Ween
A group of weirdo musicians rent a house by the ocean off-season and take a lot of LSD, hoping to write their masterpiece. It sounds like a comedy sketch. But it’s precisely what Gene and Dean Ween did for the nautical-themed “The Mollusk.”
I’m stunned that it worked. And I’m constantly in awe of the band’s music. This is one of the greatest alternative albums of all time.
31. “You’re Living All Over Me” (1987) – Dinosaur Jr.
What would Neil Young sound like if he were asked to replace half of Black Sabbath? The reasonable answer to that question might well be, I think, that he’d sound like Dinosaur Jr. circa “You’re Living All Over Me.” It’s a punishingly loud, yet gentle record.
The mix is a beautiful, tangled mess, but the songwriting is often tender. This was a revolutionary album for its time and, without doubt, in my opinion, one of the greatest alternative rock albums of all time.
32. “The Smiths” (1984) – The Smiths
“The Smiths” would soon give the Mancunian quartet responsible for the record the reputation of the 1980s version of The Beatles. That’s not just fame, that’s hard to live with. It’s only partly true.
While the incredible musical instincts of Johnny Marr bring to mind the melodic appeal of Lennon/McCartney compositions, it is Morrissey’s lyrics about a life spent as an outsider that gave The Smiths its biggest appeal. With songs like “Hand in Glove,” “Still Ill,” or “Reel Around the Fountain,” this is an undisputed classic in alternative rock.
33. “The Bends” (1995) – Radiohead
Radiohead were touted to be just one terrific one-hit wonder, Britain’s short response to Nirvana’s pop-grunge. But the quintet proved most journalists and casual observers wrong with the band’s terrific sophomore album, “The Bends.”
Filled with memorable singles and creating a lush, complex sound that made some compare Radiohead to Pink Floyd, the group’s incredible career, in many ways, starts here.
34. “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” (1998) – Neutral Milk Hotel
Oh, to be a glorious flash in the pan in the world of alternative music! That’s precisely what “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea,” possibly the internet’s favourite and most meme-used album, was.
A rush of cryptic lyrics sung over acoustic guitars and marching band brass, sometimes dubbed freak folk, Neutral Milk Hotel created one of the most impressive albums of all time. Jeff Mangum never quite tried following this up, which may have been for the better. The fame and reputation endure.
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35. “In Utero” (1993) – Nirvana
The legend is that Kurt Cobain, fed up with the success of “Nevermind,” wanted to shed some of Nirvana’s newly acquired fans. Supposedly, “In Utero” is an impossible album to listen to. I don’t agree.
In fact, I think that Nirvana’s pop tendencies are balanced well by the rough edges of Steve Albini’s production and by Cobain’s loving use of ungodly noise. I think that “In Utero” has acquired a reputation as one of the greatest alternative rock albums of the 1990s.
36. “Dirt” (1992) – Alice in Chains
I suppose that it took the brilliantly talented Alice in Chains a while before Jerry Cantrell finally decided just what kind of band he wanted to create. “Dirt” captured the group at its absolute peak in terms of performance and writing. But, as the songs document, it also caught Layne Staley near the very bottom. It’s a startling record, not one for the faint of heart, and an alternative rock masterpiece in my book.
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37. “Debut” (1993) – Bjork
It may have been called “Debut,” and while this was the first Björk album as the world would come to know the Icelandic singer, she had, in fact, been making records since her pre-teens. The experience shows, as does her willingness to merge electronic dance elements with her indie rock instincts.
The great, unusual songwriting ideas and Björk’s haunting wail of a voice turned “Debut” into one of the most important albums in the world of alternative music.
38. “Up the Bracket” (2002) – The Libertines
The Libertines desperately wanted success. And the group tried, for a long time, to be something else. Once they stopped trying to sound and look like The Beatles, Suede, or The Strokes, Carl Barat and Peter Doherty embraced their own rough edges and Britishness and created, in my view, one of the great albums of the time. Smart, spirited, and looking to create a kind of poetic punk sound for the 2000s, “Up the Bracket” is a beauty.
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39. “Murmur” (1983) – R.E.M.
There are some who would argue with me about placing “Murmur” so far down the list. Why? Well, could we really have a list without the album? In truth, R.E.M. paved the way for many of the alternative rock bands that were to come.
And while the group’s early, independently released records were a revelation, incredibly, the band improved in the years to come. Still, “Murmur” certainly deserves its praises.
Top 40 – 50
40. “Remain in Light” (1980) – Talking Heads
The Talking Heads were the artiest, brainiest of the New York punk-rock scene. Early records got by on nervous energy and simple arrangements. But the musicians had grown in leaps and bounds by 1980.
“Remain in Light” saw David Byrne and the group work African polyrhythms and U.S.-made lyrics centred around anxiety. It was one of the most impressive albums of the early 80s and remains one of the greatest albums in alternative music.
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41. “Rid Of Me” (1993) – PJ Harvey
There are few rock performers who are both as brave and as intelligent as PJ Harvey. For a very long time, songs like “Rid of Me” made many think that the English songwriter was writing in first person and, thus, was worthy of judgment.
The fact is that PJ Harvey, instead, creates strange, often deranged characters and breathes life into them. This, along with extremely minimalist alt-rock, makes “Rid of Me” an alternative-rock classic.
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42. “Californication” (1999) – Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have often defied the odds. And, more often than not, it was unpredictable guitarist John Frusciante leading the band’s artistic charge.
Reunited with the band and forced on the simplest of six-string techniques, the songs on “Californication” are highly melodic and emotional, but also given familiar rambunctious energy by Kiedis and Flea.
43. “Superunknown” (1994) – Soundgarden
Ironically, I think, Soundgarden, one of the premier bands of the underground, truly went mainstream by ditching many of the band’s trademarks. “Superunknown” is a strange, sophisticated, heavy alternative rock album.
Beatlesque melodies share real estate with strange time signatures. Lyrics about depression are added to what would be the top rock singles. “Superunknown” is a landmark achievement.
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44. “Slanted & Enchanted” (1992) – Pavement
I, like many others, am really impressed with how little Pavement seemed to be trying to impress anyone on the album “Slanted & Enchanted.” Oblique lyrics, a slacker attitude and a love for The Rolling Stones are the unlikely ingredients that make this set of songs what they are.
Of course, the record’s underground notoriety inspired a host of imitators, but I reckon there’s not much quite like this.
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45. “The Head on the Door” (1985) – The Cure
When the dust settles, The Cure will be judged as one of the greatest rock bands of all time by the sheer consistency of the group’s releases. The reason that “The Head on the Door” is not so often praised is the fierce competition it faces in the group’s discography.
However, make no mistake, from “The Baby Screams” to “Close to Me,” this is the perfect marriage of goth, pop, love and pure anxiety.
46.“Let It Be” (1984) – The Replacements
The legend is that The Replacements randomly selected the title for “Let It Be” by turning on the radio. That’s just one of the many antics of the band, but one that a group with so much talent could’ve been confident of being able to pull off.
In my book, The Replacements were great throughout their career. However, on “Let It Be,” Paul Westerberg’s excellent songwriting and The Mats’ uncontrollable temperament, against the odds, sync up perfectly.
47.“Either/Or” (1997) – Elliot Smith
Elliot Smith, sadly, always appeared to be gloriously talented and profoundly uninterested in utilising his gifts. That is, at least, the impression that I got. However, on “Either/Or,” the songwriter gets closer than he ever would to replicating the Beatlesque magic that he admired so much.
Complex chord changes are the bedrock of songs with enigmatic lyrics that read as profoundly tragic in light of Smith’s short life. “Either/Or” was a classic the first day it came out, and it remains so.
48. “In It for the Money” (1997) – Supergrass
Fashion drives Bitpop sales, and they still power nostalgia. However, I think that when musical merit becomes the main factor, Supergrass will be judged as one of the greatest bands of the 1990s.
“In It for the Money” was meant to show that the zany English teenagers had greater ambitions than merely being the Monkees of the 1990s. And fantastic songs like “Sun Hits the Sky,” “Late in the Day”, or “Richard III,” clearly prove that.
49. “Nothing’s Shocking” (1988) – Jane’s Addiction
I hate to admit it, but the hype was right. As far as definitions go, Jane’s Addiction practically invented “alternative rock” with “Nothing’s Shocking.” It was greatness not meant to last for too long. But, at its height, I think, this band had it all – a fantastic rhythm section, a groovy lead player, and an eccentric, charismatic singer.
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50. “Siamese Dream” (1993) – The Smashing Pumpkins
If you’ve ever heard any Billy Corgan interview (including the one he conducts), you’d have realised that the man has an ego. Now, this was a thing to be hidden during the Grunge Era. However, it is also the thing that made “Siamese Dream” into a comemrcial juggernaut.
Musically, however, the record mixes classic rock, shoegaze, and acoustic pop on a terrific set of songs. No wonder this turned The Smashing Pumpkins into one of the bigger bands in alt-rock.
Top 51 – 60
51.“Power, Corruption & Lies” (1983) – New Order
In alternative music, no group had a second act quite as impressive as Joy Division sans Ian Curtis. Embracing electronica and dance club culture, the group re-emerged as New Order.
“Power, Corruption & Lies” is the thinking man’s 1980s disco album. It’s the record that brought club culture into rock n’ roll. It’s one of the most important albums of all time.
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52. “Loveless” (1991) – My Bloody Valentine
“Loveless” couldn’t help but reinvent the electric guitar just as much as Eddie Van Halen’s double-tapping did. Sure, the lengthy recording nearly drove the record label, Creation, to bankruptcy. However, upon the album’s release, My Bloody Valentine was greeted as the master of a new genre – still called “Shoegaze” for some inexplicable reason.
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53.“White Light/White Heat” (1968) – The Velvet Underground
Artists, weirdos and David Bowie loved The Velvet Underground early on. Sure, many were simply enamoured with Lou Reed’s eccentricities. However, “White Light/White Heat” is the most blunt, rocking and, yes, dangerous of all the Velvets’ recordings.
Why include it on this list? There’s hardly any alternative-rock band that has borrowed liberally from it, in my opinion.
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54. “Kid A” (2000) – Radiohead
Let’s get this straight! The fame of “Kid A” is determined as much by legend as by musical skill. You probably know the story. Radiohead, on top of the guitar world, abandoned writing riffs and delved into the universe of morose song collages instead. None of this is untrue, but “Kid A” also remains a compelling listen and a brave statement by one of the world’s biggest alternative rock bands.
55. “13” (1999) – Blur
Of all the big Britpop bands, Blur has made both the poppiest and the most uncommercial albums. “13” falls into the latter category. The tunes are either noisy, hookless sonic experiments. Or, when they do contain a chorus, they’re earnest meditations on loss of affection. Still, history’s been kind. This is one of the best alt-rock albums of the 1990s.
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56. “Entertainment!” (1979) – Gang of Four
Gang of Four was a band ahead of its time. “Entertainment!” was one of the seminal post-punk albums of its time. However, to measure its success, you’d have to really listen to all of the 2000s and present-day bands.
You can hear the political sloganeering, the choppy, funky guitars, and the humour of “Entertainment!” across a host of successful hardcore, punk and even metal bands.
That’s the reason this deserves a mention on this list! Like The Velvet Underground, this isn’t an album made in the 1990s, the most famous decade for alternative rock. However, this very thing proves that this musical movement had begun a long time before it.
57.“Post” (1995) – Björk
Björk may be Iceland’s most famous musical export. However, the sound of “Post” is very much the result of our time living in London. Nearly every song on here matches the singer’s surreal lyricism and expressive vocal style with the trending electronica sounds of 1995. Still, the record’s creative spirit saves it from being dated.
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58. “Pinkerton” (1996) – Weezer
Rivers Cuomo had cracked the formula after years of work. In the early 1990s, Weezer were to power-pop what Nirvana had been to grunge.
However, stuck in the hospital and depressed, Cuomo put his creative energies into the dark, zany, often clever “Pinkerton.” It’s an album that initially alienated audiences, but subsequently became a word-of-mouth sensation and helped inspire the 2000s emo rock scene.
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59. “Zen Arcade” (1984) – Hüsker Dü
If The Replacements were all about starting mischief, their fellow Minneapolis alt-rockers Hüsker Dü wanted to be judged as true artists. “Zen Arcade” is as much a mission statement as an album. It’s a punk-rock concept record. It’s a wild mix of sounds and themes. And it’s one of the most important alternative rock albums of all time.
60. “AM” (2013) – Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys had given up on writing hits just prior to “AM.” But, as legend has it, then, Alex Turner heard a Timbaland hip-hop beat and decided to marry it to his lyrics about low and high-life characters on the streets of Sheffield.
“AM” is, likely, the most successful, poppiest alternative rock album of the past decade. It contains hit after hit.
And, since Arctic Monkeys never opted to release a follow-up, we are bound to hear inferior copies from here onward.
Read more:
- Arctic Monkeys Albums Ranked from Worst to Best
- “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” Reviewed and Revisited
Top 61 – 70
61. “Reckoning” (1984) – R.E.M.
Before R.E.M. had achieved mainstream success, it was the most lauded band in the American underground. “Reckoning” was only their sophomore release, yet, with its well-constructed jangle-pop compositions, it showed musicianship beyond their years. “Reckoning” is one of the greatest U.S.-made alt-rock albums.
62. “Talking Heads: 77″ (1977) – Talking Heads
In my opinion, Talking Heads only adhered to punk-rock because of its comemrcial potential. By the time of “Talking Heads: 77,” the group’s debut, the band was creating its own artsy, quirky scene. The songs here are tense, unusual and very creatively constructed. It’s a pioneering alternative rock release.
63.“Achtung Baby” (1991) – U2
To their numerous supporters, U2 is the band that managed to push alt-rock eccentricities into the mainstream to the point where it became the principal commercial force on the charts. And while the band has its critics, there’s no arguing with songs like “One” or “The Fly,” singles that helped make “Actung Baby” a great success.
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64. “Blur” (1997) – Blur
Blur had fought in the Battle of Britpop, and some claim they won. By 1997, however, Damon Albarn and the band needed a change. “Blur” was mostly recorded in Iceland and was influenced by American indie rock, a la Pavement. It’s a quirky record. But, to my ears, it’s also one of the most satisfying alternative rock albums.
65. “Violent Femmes” (1983) – Violent Femmes
“Violent Femmes” might just be the greatest one-album wonder of all time. Every song on this release is bizarre. Each one is highly memorable. Tunes like “Blister in the Sun” are responsible for the lyrical and sonic irrelevance of alternative rock. “Violent Femmes” was lightning in a bottle. It’s a truly great album!
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66. “In the Flat Field” (1980) – Bauhaus
I don’t think that it’s wrong to call “In the Flat Field” a masterpiece of alternative rock. Sure, strictly speaking, this, more than any other record, is responsible for the goth-rock music scene as we know it. However, it is the way in which Bauhaus reinvented the way in which rock music could be perceived and its basic thrills that is the very definition of alternative rock. And the artsy blend of dark glam-rock, “In The Flat Field” is a classic.
67.“Closer” (1980) – Joy Division
Few albums in the whole of rock music are as iconic as “Closer” is. Sure, a good deal of that is due to the tragic events that surrounded it, namely Ian Curtis’ death. However, this is also Joy Division’s most expansive and confident release. The experimental tendencies perfectly complement the intense paranoia of songs like “Isolation” or “Atrocity Exhibition.” But above all else, this is an album that leaves many unanswered questions about what Joy Division could have achieved next.
68. “Pink Flag” (1977) – Wire
Wire was one of the first, and certainly one of the most forward-thinking, post-punk bands. In terms of style and sheer daring, “Pink Flag” has had an immense effect on alternative rock music. The songs are nearly always short, but wander off in strange, unexpected ways. Wire brought art-rock into punk music.
69.“Kaleidoscope” (1980) – Siouxsie & the Banshees
Siouxsie & the Banshees had already managed to step out of the standard punk-rock format with dark, enigmatic, and often atonal compositions. Reduced to a duo, the friend musicians acted as backup for “Kaleidoscope,” and the group embraced a more polished production and leaner, almost most-pop-like songwriting with which Siouxsie Sioux’s vocals work perfectly here.
It’s survived the test of time, and “Kaleidoscope” is one of the most influential albums that the band has made.
70. “Bossanova” (1990) – Pixies
It’s easy to see “Bossanova” as the start of a decline for Pixies’ studio output. However, this is merely because the band’s first few releases are simply unrivalled for their brilliance.
Instead, I think, “Bossanova” is best viewed as the beginning of another, albeit short-lived, chapter. Frank Black’s lyrics remain eccentric, albeit less aggressive. Meanwhile, Pixies opts to blend its by-now-famous alt-rock sound with surf-tinged guitars, pop melodies, and the occasional hint of psychedelia.
Top 71 – 80
71. “The Joshua Tree” (1987) – U2
72. “Funeral” (2004) – Arcade Fire
73. “Drums & Wires” (1979) – XTC
74. “Metal Box” (1979) – Public Image Ltd.
75. “New Day Rising” (1985) – Husker Du
76. “Double Nickels on the Dime” (1984) – Minutemen
77. “Sound Affects” (1980) – The Jam
78. “Cosmic Thing” (1979) – The B-52’s
79. “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” (2002) – Wilco
80. “Repeater” (1990) – Fugazi
Top 81 – 90
81. “Welcome Interstate Managers” (2003) – Fountains of Wayne
82. “Before Today” (2010) – Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti
83.“Rage Against the Machine” (1992) – Rage Against the Machine
84. “Maxinquaye” (1995) – Tricky
85. “Dry” (1992) – PJ Harvey
86. “I Should Coco” (1995) – Supergrass
87. “Pornography” (1982) – The Cure
88. “Modern Guilt” (2008) – Beck
89. “Loaded” (1970) – The Velvet Underground
90. “Crazy Rhythms” (1980) – The Feelies
Top 91 – 100
91. “Bee Thousand” (1994) – Guided By Voices
92. “Badmotorfinger” (1991) – Soundgarden
93. “Bug” (1988) – Dinosaur Jr.
94. “Chocolate and Cheese” (1994) – Ween
95. “Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge” (1991) – Mudhoney
96. “Tinderbox” (1986) – Siouxsie & the Banshees
97. “Norman Fucking Rockwell” (2019) – Lana del Rey
98. “Franz Ferdinand” (2004) – Franz Ferdinand
99. “Locust Abortion Technician” (1987) – Butthole Surfers
100. “Moon Safari” (1998) – Air
More? You may want to inspect our articles about The 100 Greatest Alternative Songs of the 1990s, The 100 Greatest Alternative Bands and Artists of All-Time, as well The 100 Greatest Indie-Rock Artists. That should keep you settled for a while.
What about the decade that brought us most of the greatest albums on this list? Check out the Top 100 Greatest Alternative Rock Albums of the 90s too.
Honourable mentions
Top 101 – 110
101. “Big Science” (1982) – Laurie Anderson
102. “Return to Cookie Mountain” (2006) – TV On The Radio
103. “Endtroducing….” (1996) – DJ Shadow
104. “The Scream” (1978) – Siouxsie & the Banshees
105. “Mezzanine” (1998) – Massive Attack
106. “Tidal” (1996) – Fiona Apple
107. “Skylarking” (1986) – XTC
108. “I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning” (2005) – Bright Eyes
109. “Dummy” (1994) – Portishead
110. “Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea” (2000) – PJ Harvey
Top 111 – 120
111. “Music For the Masses” (1987) – Depeche Mode
112. “Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain” (1994) – Pavement
113.“The Fragile” (1999) – Nine Inch Nails
114. “The Libertines” (2004) – The Libertines
115.“Mask” (1981) – Bauhaus
116. “Blue Lines” (1991) – Massive Attack
117.“Dirty” (1992) – Sonic Youth
118.“I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One” (1997) – Yo La Tengo
119. “The Life Pursuit” (2006) – Belle & Sebastian
120. “Fever to Tell” (2003) – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Top 121 – 130
121. “Last Splash” (1993) – The Breeders
122. “Ágætis Byrjun” (1999) – Sigur Ros
123. “Rembrandt Pussyhorse” (1986) – Butthole Surfers
124. “The Velvet Underground” (1969) – The Velvet Underground
125. “Green Mind” (1991) – Dinosaur Jr.
126. “Antichrist Superstar” (1996) – Marilyn Manson
127.“Quebec” (2003) – Ween
128. “War” (1983) – U2
129. “Homogenic” (1997) – Bjork
130. “Dig Me Out” (1997) – Sleater-Kinney
Top 131 – 140
131.“Bleach” (1989) – Nirvana
132. “14 Songs” (1993) – Paul Westerberg
133.“Ultraviolence” (2014) – Lana del Rey
134.“Parklife” (1994) – Blur
135. “Look Sharp!” (1979) – Joe Jackson
136. “Weezer (The Red Album)” (2008) – Weezer
137. “The Suburbs” (2010) – Arcade Fire
138.“Girlfriend” (1991) – Matthew Sweet
139. “Turn on the Bright Lights” (2002) – Interpol
140.“Mono” (2002) – Paul Westerberg
Top 141 – 150
141. “69 Love Songs” (1999) – The Magnetic Fields
142. “Kill the Moonlight” (2002) – Spoon
143. “Nearly God” (1996) – Tricky
144. “Wincing the Night Away” (2007) – The Shins
145. “Dear Science” (2008) – TV On The Radio
146. “Chutes Too Narrow” (2003) – The Shins
147. “You Forgot It In People” (2002) – Broken Social Scene
148. “Silent Alarm” (2005) – Bloc Party
149. “Weezer (The Green Album)” (2001) – Weezer
150. “All Mod Cons” (1978) – The Jam
