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 himself 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 musician’s 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 bands 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 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 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’a egomaniacal 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 learly. Not that he was very concerned with all of that. Then, as now, Beck made music that was on the vangarde 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-lead 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.
22. “Definitely Maybe” (1994) – Oasis
23. “Elephant” (2003) – The White Stripes
24. “Transformer” (1972) – Lou Reed
25. “Daydream Nation” (1988) – Sonic Youth
26. “Paul’s Boutique” (1989) – Beastie Boys
27. “Automatic for the People” (1992) – R.E.M.
28. “Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik” (1991) – Red Hot Chili Peppers
29. “Weezer (The Blue Album)” (1994) – Weezer
30. “The Mollusk” (1997) – Ween

31. “You’re Living All Over Me” (1987) – Dinosaur Jr.
32. “The Smiths” (1984) – The Smiths
33. “The Bends” (1995) – Radiohead
34. “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” (1998) – Neutral Milk Hotel
35. “In Utero” (1993) – Nirvana
36. “Dirt” (1992) – Alice in Chains
37. “Debut” (1993) – Bjork
38. “Up the Bracket” (2002) – The Libertines
39. “Murmur” (1983) – R.E.M.
40. “Remain in Light” (1980) – Talking Heads

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