The greatest alternative albums of all time have staying power. They have great. 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.

My mission is not easy, but on behalf of Alt77, home and champion of alternative music and vegan sandwiches, this our Top 100 Greatest Alternative Albums of All-Time.

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.

The hype may have died down, but the quality of the song 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. But the songs of Lou Reed wrote, the wild playing of John Cale or Nico’s teutonic-tinged singing 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 off, you need to watch until the end. Pixies was, like other bands on this list, a quirky group of misfit musicians. 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. 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. 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. “Tim” is a document of how they 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. 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 of hiding themselves away from the world while The Battle of Britpop was raging, was 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 alternate music every day.

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. 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.

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 till 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.

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.

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 had only made one album at 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.

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.

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!

30. “The Mollusk” (1997) – Ween

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.

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.

37. “Debut” (1993) – Bjork

It may have been called “Debut,” and while this was the first Bjork 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 Bjork’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.

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.

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.

41. “Rid Of Me” (1993) – PJ Harvey
42. “Californication” (1999) – Red Hot Chili Peppers
43. “Superunknown” (1994) – Soundgarden
44. “Slanted & Enchanted” (1992) – Pavement
45. “The Head on the Door” (1985) – The Cure
46. “Let It Be” (1984) – The Replacements
47. “Either/Or” (1997) – Elliot Smith
48. “In It for the Money” (1997) – Supergrass
49. “Nothing’s Shocking” (1988) – Jane’s Addiction
50. “Siamese Dream” (1993) – Smashing Pumpkins

51. “Power, Corruption & Lies” (1983) – New Order
52. “Loveless” (1991) – My Bloody Valentine
53. “White Light/White Heat” (1968) – The Velvet Underground
54. “Kid A” (2000) – Radiohead
55. “13” (1999) – Blur
56. “Entertainment!” (1979) – Gang of Four
57. “Post” (1995) – Bjork
58. “Pinkerton” (1996) – Weezer
59. “Zen Arcade” (1984) – Husker Du
60. “AM” (2013) – Arctic Monkeys

61. “Reckoning” (1984) – R.E.M.
62. “Talking Heads: 77″ (1977) – Talking Heads
63. “Achtung Baby” (1991) – U2
64. “Blur” (1997) – Blur
65. “Violent Femmes” (1983) – Violent Femmes
66. “In the Flat Field” (1980) – Bauhaus
67. “Closer” (1980) – Joy Division
68. “Pink Flag” (1977) – Wire
69. “Kaleidoscope” (1980) – Siouxsie & the Banshees
70. “Bossanova” (1990) – Pixies

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

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

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

You’re a deep diver I hear you say? No worries. We all have our vices. Why not take a listen to our accompany playlist below covering The Top 100 Greatest Alternative Albums.

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

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

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

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

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

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