1. Sonic Youth- Daydream Nation
Listen: “Teen Age Riot”

2. Public Enemy- It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
Listen: “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos”

3. Pixies- Surfer Rosa
Listen: “Gigantic” [Non-Album Live Version]

4. Eric B. and Rakim- Follow the Leader
Listen: “Follow the Leader”

5. N.W.A- Straight Outta Compton
Listen: “Fuck Tha Police”

6. Leonard Cohen- I’m Your Man
Listen: “Tower of Song”

7. My Bloody Valentine- Isn’t Anything
Listen: “Cupid Come”

8. Talk Talk- Spirit of Eden
Listen: “I Believe In You”

9. Slick Rick- The Great Adventures of Slick Rick
Listen: “Children’s Story”

10. Neil Young & The Bluenotes- This Note’s for You
Listen: “This Note’s For You”

Honorable Mention: Living Colour’s Vivid
Updated: February 15, 2012
See Also: Top 10 Albums of 2007, Top 10 Albums of 2006, Top 10 Albums of 2005, Top 10 Albums of 2004, Top 10 Albums of 2003, Top 10 Albums of 2002, Top 10 Albums of 2001, Top 10 Albums of 2000, Top 10 Albums of 1999, Top 10 Albums of 1998, Top 10 Albums of 1997, Top 10 Albums of 1996, Top 10 Albums of 1995, Top 10 Albums of 1994, Top 10 Albums of 1993, Top 10 Albums of 1992, Top 10 Albums of 1991, Top 10 Albums of 1990, Top 10 Albums of 1989, Top 10 Albums of 1987, Top 10 Albums of 1986, Top 10 Albums of 1985, Top 10 Albums of 1984, Top 10 Albums of 1983, Top 10 Albums of 1982, Top 10 Albums of 1981, Top 10 Albums of 1980, Top 10 Albums of 1979, Top 10 Albums of 1978, Top 10 Albums of 1977, Top 10 Albums of 1976, Top 10 Albums of 1975, Top 10 Albums of 1974, Top 10 Albums of 1973, Top 10 Albums of 1972, Top 10 Albums of 1971, Top 10 Albums of 1970, Top 10 Albums of 1969, Top 10 Albums of 1968, Top 10 Albums of 1967, Top 10 Albums of 1966, Top 10 Albums of 1965