Rock and Reel
100 Favorite Albums of the 1990s: 100-81

I’ve done this for the ’70s and ’80s. How about a decade I was alive for in its entirety? Though to be fair, I wasn’t banging my head to “Smells Like Teen Spirit” when I was 2 years old.

I will compare my list with those of Paste and Slant because their ’80s lists started this madness in the first place.

As I did last time, I quantified the differences between my list and those of the two online magazines. I controlled for albums I have not heard, resulting in 58 albums I had heard on Paste’s list and 63 on Slant’s. A “+” indicates the album was higher on their list, and a “-“ indicates the album was higher on mine. I only used my top 58 and my top 63 to compare with the respective lists, but I posted all of my picks anyway.

100. Bruce Springsteen- The Ghost of Tom Joad

99. Leonard Cohen- The Future

98. Tom Waits- Bone Machine

Paste: #25 on adjusted list

Slant: #50 on adjusted list

97. Wilco- A.M.

96. Moby- Play

Paste: #32 on adjusted list

Slant: #29 on adjusted list

95. Lauryn Hill- The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Paste: #15 on adjusted list

Slant: #24 on adjusted list

94. Aimee Mann- Magnolia

93. Missy Elliott- Supa Dupa Fly

Slant: #19 on adjusted list

92. Daft Punk- Homework

Paste: #55 on adjusted list

Slant: #16 on adjusted list

91. Green Day- Dookie

Paste: #45 on adjusted list

90. Wilco- Being There

Paste: #24 on adjusted list

89. Bob Dylan- Time Out of Mind

Paste: #43 on adjusted list

Slant: #63 on adjusted list

88. Jane’s Addiction- Ritual de lo Habitual

87. Cypress Hill- Cypress Hill

86. Basement Jaxx- Remedy

Slant: #37 on adjusted list

85. Stereolab- Emperor Tomato Ketchup

84. Nas- It Was Written

83. Mercury Rev- Deserter’s Songs

82. Johnny Cash- American Recordings

Paste: #36 on adjusted list

81. Elliott Smith- Elliott Smith

Next: 80-61

See Also: Favorite Movies of the 1990s (Out of Date), Top 10 Albums of 1999, Top 10 Albums of 1998, Top 10 Albums of 1997, Top 10 Albums of 1996, Top 10 Albums of 1995, Top 10 Albums of 1994, Top 10 Albums of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

Posted 8 months ago
1 note
Tagged: albums, music, paste, slant, top 100, Bruce Springsteen, the ghost of tom joad, leonard cohen, the future, tom waits, bone machine, wilco, a.m., moby, play, lauryn hill, aimee mann, magnolia, Missy Elliott, supa dupa fly, daft punk, homework, green day, dookie, being there, bob dylan, time out of mind, jane's addiction, ritual de lo habitual, Cypress Hill, .
100 Favorite Albums of the 1970s: 40-21

Previous: 60-41

40. The Velvet Underground- Loaded

Paste: -1

Pitchfork: +27

39. Derek and the Dominos- Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs

Paste: -22

Pitchfork: excluded

38. Big Star- Radio City

Paste and Pitchfork: excluded

37. Neil Young- On the Beach

Paste: two-album rule exclusion by me and Paste

Pitchfork: -8

36. Leonard Cohen- Death of a Ladies’ Man

Paste and Pitchfork: excluded

35. Black Sabbath- Black Sabbath

Paste and Pitchfork: excluded

34. Sly and the Family Stone- Fresh

Paste and Pitchfork: excluded

33. John Lennon- Plastic Ono Band

Paste: excluded

Pitchfork: -10

32. Stevie Wonder- Songs in the Key of Life

Paste: +6

Pitchfork: excluded

31. Led Zeppelin- Led Zeppelin IV

Paste: +23

Pitchfork: +24

30. The Who- Who’s Next

Paste: +15

Pitchfork: +16

29. Leonard Cohen- Songs of Love and Hate

Paste: excluded

Pitchfork: -20

28. Ramones- Ramones

Paste: +18

Pitchfork: +9

27. Pink Floyd- The Dark Side of the Moon

Paste: +21

Pitchfork: -20

26. Ramones- Rocket to Russia

Paste: excluded

Pitchfork: -16

25. Television- Marquee Moon

Paste: +14

Pitchfork: +22

24. David Bowie- Low

Paste: -10

Pitchfork: +23

23. Neil Young- After the Gold Rush

Paste: #23 on adjusted list; two-album rule exclusion by me

Pitchfork: -42

22. The Clash- The Clash

Paste: -1

Pitchfork: -11

21. Joy Division- Unknown Pleasures

Paste: -27

Pitchfork: +12

Next: The Top 20

See Also: 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

Posted 10 months ago
1 note
Tagged: 1970s, 70s, albums, music, top 100, the velvet underground, loaded, Derek and the Dominos, eric clapton, Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs, big star, radio city, neil young, on the beach, leonard cohen, death of a ladies' man, Black Sabbath, sly and the family stone, fresh, John Lennon, plastic ono band, stevie wonder, Songs in the Key of Life, Led Zeppelin IV, led zeppelin, the who, who's next, songs of love and hate, ramones, The Dark Side of the Moon, .
Top 20 Tracks of 1977

Previous: 1976

As I did with 1969, I have selected 20 songs. Quite simply, there’s too much good stuff. 1977 might actually be my favorite year in rock music: the birth of the Clash, Cohen working with Spector, two game-changing albums from Bowie and Costello’s debut album. Even Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, an album I feel like I should hate, is pop perfection.

20. Billy Joel- Just the Way You Are (Listen)

19. The Clash- Complete Control (Listen)

18. The Damned- Neat Neat Neat (Listen)

17. Parliament- Flash Light (Listen)

16. Richard Hell and the Voidoids- Blank Generation (Listen)

15. Leonard Cohen- Memories (Listen)

14. The Clash- Janie Jones (Listen)

13. Ramones- Sheena is a Punk Rocker (Listen)

12. Bob Marley- Natural Mystic (Listen)

11. Bee Gees- How Deep Is Your Love (Listen)

10. Talking Heads- Psycho Killer (Listen)

9. Television- Venus (Listen)

8. The Jam- Away from the Numbers (Listen)

7. Sex Pistols- Holidays in the Sun (Listen)

6. Paul Simon- Slip Slidin’ Away (Listen)

5. David Bowie- “Heroes” (Listen)

4. Fleetwood Mac- Dreams (Listen)

3. David Bowie- Sound and Vision (Listen)

2. Elvis Costello- Alison (Listen)

1. Neil Young- Like a Hurricane (Listen)

Next: 1978

See Also: Top 10 Albums of 1977

Posted 1 year ago
2 notes
Tagged: 1977, Bob Marley, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Heroes, Top 10s, bee gees, billy joel, blank generation, elvis costello, flash light, leonard cohen, music, neil young, parliament, paul simon, punk, ramones, richard hell, sex pistols, songs, talking heads, television, the clash, the damned, the jam, tracks, phil spector, Rumours, .
Top 10 Tracks of 1974

Previous: 1973

Despite a handful of highlights, 1974 was not a particularly strong year for music. I don’t particularly like Queen, so their presence alone is a sign, though “Killer Queen” is admittedly one of their great recordings. “Late for the Sky” used to be my all-time favorite song, but I think I’ve listened to it far too many times during break-ups and other emo moments. (Either that, or I’ve seen Taxi Driver too many times, which has coincidentally dropped off my all-time 10 favorite movies list.) And yes, I adore Abba.

10. Gram Parsons- Return of the Grievous Angel (Listen)

9. David Bowie- Rebel Rebel (Listen)

8. Queen- Killer Queen (Listen)

7. Tom Waits- The Heart of Saturday Night (Listen)

6. Brian Eno- Needles in the Camel’s Eye (Listen)

5. Leonard Cohen- Who By Fire (Listen)

4. Richard and Linda Thompson- When I Get to the Border (Listen)

3. Abba- Waterloo (Listen)

2. Jackson Browne- Late for the Sky (Listen)

1. Neil Young- Walk On

Next: 1975

See Also: Top 10 Albums of 1974

Posted 1 year ago
Tagged: 1974, Top 10s, music, songs, tracks, gram parsons, queen, killer queen, taxi driver, Late For The Sky, Jackson Browne, ABBA, David Bowie, tom waits, brian eno, leonard cohen, Richard Thompson, Linda Thompson, neil young, .
Top 20 Tracks of 1969

Previous: 1968

I set out to make top 10 lists for each year, but I decided that 1969, perhaps the greatest year in rock history, warranted 20 songs. MC5 would have been much higher a few years ago, but I’ve listened to “Kick Out the Jams” too many times, and consequently its sheer brutality doesn’t seem quite as fresh as it did upon first listen. The fact that Led Zeppelin put out its two first (and best) albums in one year stills blows my mind. Elvis is probably most respected for his early 50s singles, but “Suspicious Minds” remains my favorite of his for its emotional vulnerability and Spector-esque production. And last but most certainly not least, the greatest band of all time declares it’s time for “The End.”

20. MC5- Kick Out the Jams (Listen)

19. Leonard Cohen- Bird on a Wire (Listen)

18. Led Zeppelin- What Is and What Should Never Be (Listen)

17. Jimmy Cliff- Many Rivers to Cross (Listen)

16. The Rolling Stones- Honky Tonk Women (Listen)

15. Neil Diamond- Sweet Caroline (Listen)

14. The Rolling Stones- Gimme Shelter (Listen)

13. The Band- When You Awake (Listen)

12. Johnny Cash- A Boy Named Sue (Listen)

11. Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band- Moonlight on Vermont (Listen)

10. David Bowie- Space Oddity (Listen)

9. King Crimson- 21st Century Schizoid Man (Listen)

8. Neil Young- Everybody Knows This is Nowhere (Listen)

7. Crosby, Stills and Nash- Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (Listen)

6. The Jackson 5- I Want You Back (Listen)

5. The Stooges- I Wanna Be Your Dog (Listen)

4. The Beatles- Don’t Let Me Down (Listen)

3. Elvis Presley- Suspicious Minds (Listen)

2. Led Zeppelin- Babe I’m Gonna Leave You (Listen)

1. The Beatles- Something (Listen)

Next: 1970

See Also: Top 10 Albums of 1969

Posted 1 year ago
2 notes
Tagged: 1969, David Bowie, The Band, Top 10s, captain beefheart, jimmy cliff, johnny cash, king crimson, led zeppelin, leonard cohen, mc5, music, neil diamond, songs, the rolling stones, top 20s, tracks, neil young, crosby stills and nash, michael jackson, the jackson five, the jackson 5, the stooges, iggy pop, the beatles, george harrison, elvis presley, .
Top 10 Tracks of 1967

Previous: 1966

I have to think that these particular Leonard Cohen and Jefferson Airplane songs are here thanks in part to McCabe and Mrs. Miller and A Serious Man. I first recognized the greatness of the Temptations track after reading Rod Stewart rave about it in Rolling Stone. “These Days” is such a perfect song, so just about every recording of it deserves to be on any list. Sam Cooke’s original is still my favorite, but Aretha’s version of “A Change is Gonna Come” is so devastatingly moving: “There’s an old friend that I once heard say something that touched my heart and it began this way.”

10. Leonard Cohen- The Stranger Song (Listen)

9. Jefferson Airplane- Somebody to Love (Listen)

8. The Temptations- I Wish It Would Rain (Listen)

7. The Velvet Underground- Venus in Furs (Listen)

6. The Beatles- Strawberry Fields Forever (Listen)

5. Nico- These Days (Listen)

4. Jimi Hendrix- Little Wing (Listen)

3. Frankie Valli- Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You (Listen)

2. Aretha Franklin- A Change is Gonna Come (Listen)

1. The Beatles- A Day in the Life (Listen)

Next: 1968

See Also: Top 10 Albums of 1967

Posted 1 year ago
1 note
Tagged: 1967, Top 10s, music, songs, tracks, leonard cohen, jefferson airplane, mccabe and mrs. miller, a serious man, rolling stone, rod stewart, these days, nico, the temptations, rod stewart, the velvet underground, the beatles, sam cooke, jimi hendrix, frankie valli, Aretha Franklin, a change is gonna come, .
Top 10 Albums of 1992

1. Pavement- Slanted & Enchanted

Listen: “Trigger Cut/Wounded-Kite At :17”

2. Rage Against the Machine- Rage Against the Machine

Listen: “Killing In the Name”

3. Dr. Dre- The Chronic

Listen: “Fuck Wit Dre Day (And Everybody’s Celebratin’)”

4. Beastie Boys- Check Your Head

Listen: “So What’cha Want”

5. R.E.M.- Automatic for the People

Listen: “Nightswimming”

6. Tori Amos- Little Earthquakes

7. Uncle Tupelo- March 16-20, 1992

8. Tom Waits- Bone Machine

Listen: “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up”

9. Leonard Cohen- The Future

Listen: “Democracy”

10. Vigilantes of Love- Killing Floor

Listen: “Undertow”

Honorable Mention: Eric Clapton’s Unplugged, Mark Heard’s Satellite Sky

Updated: August 14, 2012

See Also: Top 10 Movies of 1992, 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 1991, Top 10 Albums of 1990, Top 10 Albums of 1989, Top 10 Albums of 1988, 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

Posted 1 year ago
4 notes
Tagged: 1992, Beastie Boys, R.E.M., REM, Top 10s, albums, automatic for the people, bone machine, check your head, dr. dre, eric clapton, killing floor, leonard cohen, mark heard, music, pavement, rage against the machine, satellite sky, slanted & enchanted, the chronic, the future, tom waits, unplugged, vigilantes of love, uncle tupelo, .
Top 10 Albums of 1988

1. Sonic Youth- Daydream Nation

Listen: “Teen Age Riot”

image

2. Leonard Cohen- I’m Your Man

Listen: “Tower of Song”

image

3. Public Enemy- It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

Listen: “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos”

image

4. Pixies- Surfer Rosa

Listen: “Gigantic” [Non-Album Live Version]

image

5. Eric B. and Rakim- Follow the Leader

Listen: “Follow the Leader”

image

6. N.W.A- Straight Outta Compton

Listen: “Fuck Tha Police”

image

7. My Bloody Valentine- Isn’t Anything

Listen: “Cupid Come”

image

8. Talk Talk- Spirit of Eden

Listen: “I Believe In You”

image

9. Slick Rick- The Great Adventures of Slick Rick

Listen: “Children’s Story”

image

10. Neil Young & The Bluenotes- This Note’s for You

Listen: “This Note’s For You”

image

Honorable Mention: Living Colour’s Vivid

Updated: April 2, 2013

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

Posted 1 year ago
4 notes
Tagged: 1988, Top 10s, albums, daydream nation, eric b. and rakim, follow the leader, i'm your man, isn't anything, it takes a nation of millions to hold us back, leonard cohen, living colour, music, my bloody valentine, n.w.a, n.w.a., nwa, pixies, public enemy, rakim, slick rick, sonic youth, spirit of eden, straight outta compton, surfer rosa, talk talk, the great adventures of slick rick, vivid, neil young, this note's for you, .
Top 10 Albums of 1977

1. Elvis Costello- My Aim is True

Listen: “(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes” [Non-Album Live Version]

image

2. Sex Pistols- Never Mind the Bollocks Here’s the Sex Pistols

Listen: “Anarchy in the U.K.”

image

3. The Clash- The Clash

Listen: “Janie Jones”

image

4. David Bowie- Low

Listen: “Sound and Vision”

image

5. Television- Marquee Moon

Listen: “Venus”

image

6. Ramones- Rocket to Russia

Listen: “Teenage Lobotomy” [Non-Album Live Version]

image

7. Fleetwood Mac- Rumours

Listen: “Dreams”

image

8. Bob Marley- Exodus

image

9. Leonard Cohen- Death of a Ladies’ Man

Listen: “Don’t Go Home With Your Hard-On”

image

10. The Jam- In the City

Listen: “Away From the Numbers”

image

Honorable Mention: David Bowie’s “Heroes”, Richard Hell & The Voidoids’ Blank Generation, Kraftwerk’s Trans-Europe Express, Bob Marley’s Exodus, Iggy Pop’s Lust for Life, Talking Heads’ Talking Heads: 77

Updated: April 23, 2013

See Also: Top 20 Tracks of 1977, 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 1988, 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 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

Posted 1 year ago
10 notes
Tagged: 1977, David Bowie, Top 10s, albums, death of a ladies' man, elvis costello, fleetwood mac, heroes, in the city, leonard cohen, low, marquee moon, music, my aim is true, never mind the bollocks, ramones, rocket to russia, rumours, sex pistols, television, the clash, the jam, richard hell, blank generation, kraftwerk, trans-europe express, Bob Marley, exodus, iggy pop, lust for life, .
Top 10 Albums of 1971

1. Joni Mitchell- Blue

Listen: “A Case of You”

image

2. David Bowie- Hunky Dory

Listen: “Quicksand”

image

3. The Rolling Stones- Sticky Fingers

Listen: “I Got the Blues”

image

4. Led Zeppelin- Led Zeppelin IV

Listen: “Misty Mountain Hop”

image

5. Leonard Cohen- Songs of Love and Hate

Listen: “Dress Rehearsal Rag”

image

6. The Who- Who’s Next

Listen: “Baba O’Riley”

image

7. Funkadelic- Maggot Brain

Listen: “Hit It and Quit It”

image

8. John Lennon- Imagine

Listen: “Oh Yoko!”

image

9. Miles Davis- A Tribute to Jack Johnson

Listen: “Right Off” (Part 1)

image

10. Marvin Gaye- What’s Going On

Listen: “What’s Going On”

image

Honorable Mention: The Allman Brothers Band’s At Fillmore East, Can’s Tago Mago, Janis Joplin’s Pearl, B.B. King’s Live at Cook County Jail, Van Morrison’s Tupelo Honey, Sly and the Family Stone’s There’s a Riot Goin’ On, T. Rex’s Electric Warrior

Updated: May 15, 2013

See Also: Top 10 Tracks of 1971, 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 1988, 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 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

Posted 2 years ago
6 notes
Tagged: 1971, a tribute to jack johnson, albums, blue, david bowie, funkadelic, hunky dory, imagine, john lennon, joni mitchell, led zeppelin, led zeppelin IV, leonard cohen, maggot brain, marvin gaye, miles davis, music, songs of love and hate, sticky fingers, the rolling stones, the who, top 10s, what's going on, who's next, allman brothers band, at fillmore east, can, tago mago, janis joplin, pearl, .