B-Side Guys

The Best Albums of 1969

Every album of 1969, ranked by B-Side Breakdown: the reviews from 38 outlets we trust, put on one 0–100 scale. An album needs at least 5 reviews to make the list.

Album cover for Stand! by Sly and the Family StoneNumber one of 1969Sly and the Family StoneStand!99 A+5 critics · 100% approval · Unanimous · A-Side
Average Breakdown88across 1969's albums. That's higher than 100% of the other years here.
Liked90%of 1969's albums scored 75 or higher. Across every year it's 49%.
Most divisiveDividedDavid Bowie, David Bowie split the critics more than any other album of the year.A-Sides52%of 1969's albums earned an A-Side. Across every year it's 6.3%.
  1. 1Album cover for Stand! by Sly and the Family Stone
    Sly and the Family StoneStand!April 1969 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    99A+
  2. 2Album cover for The Band by The Band
    The BandThe BandSeptember 22, 1969 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    99A+
  3. 3Album cover for Abbey Road by The Beatles
    The BeatlesAbbey RoadSeptember 26, 1969 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    99A+
  4. 4Album cover for Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones
    The Rolling StonesLet It BleedNovember 28, 1969 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    98A+
  5. 5Album cover for Trout Mask Replica by Captain Beefheart
    Captain BeefheartTrout Mask ReplicaNovember 1969 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    97A+
  6. 6Album cover for In a Silent Way by Miles Davis
    Miles DavisIn a Silent WayJuly 30, 1969 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    95A
  7. 7Album cover for Unhalfbricking by Fairport Convention
    Fairport ConventionUnhalfbrickingJuly 1969 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    93A
  8. 8Album cover for In the Court of the Crimson King by King Crimson
    King CrimsonIn the Court of the Crimson KingOctober 10, 1969 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    93A
  9. 9Album cover for Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake
    Nick DrakeFive Leaves LeftJuly 4, 1969 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    92A-
  10. 10Album cover for Willy and the Poor Boys by Creedence Clearwater Revival
    Creedence Clearwater RevivalWilly and the Poor BoysNovember 2, 1969 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    92A-

How 1969 grades

Share of albums at each letter grade. A is 90 and up, F is below 60.

1969

A52%
B33%
C5%
D10%
F0%

Every year

A6%
B24%
C37%
D22%
F11%
  1. 11Album cover for Filles de Kilimanjaro by Miles Davis
    Miles DavisFilles de KilimanjaroJanuary 29, 1969 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    90A-
  2. 12Album cover for Dusty in Memphis by Dusty Springfield
    Dusty SpringfieldDusty in MemphisMarch 31, 1969 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    89B+
  3. 13Album cover for The Stooges by The Stooges
    The StoogesThe StoogesAugust 5, 1969 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    89B+
  4. 14Album cover for Hot Rats by Frank Zappa
    Frank ZappaHot RatsOctober 15, 1969 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Some debate
    89B+
  5. 15Album cover for Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere by Neil Young and Crazy Horse
    Neil Young and Crazy HorseEverybody Knows This Is NowhereMay 14, 1969 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Divided
    88B+
  6. 16Album cover for Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin
    Led ZeppelinLed ZeppelinJanuary 12, 1969 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Some debate
    88B+
  7. 17Album cover for Monster Movie by Can
    CanMonster MovieAugust 1969 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Broad agreement
    84B
  8. 18Album cover for Tommy by The Who
    The WhoTommyMay 23, 1969 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    80B-
  9. 19Album cover for Blind Faith by Blind Faith
    Blind FaithBlind FaithAugust 1969 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Unanimous
    78C+
  10. 20Album cover for The Soft Parade by The Doors
    The DoorsThe Soft ParadeJuly 1969 · 7 reviews · 14% approval · Some debate
    63D
  11. 21Album cover for David Bowie by David Bowie
    David BowieDavid BowieNovember 4, 1969 · 8 reviews · 25% approval · Divided
    60D-
  1. 1Album cover for The Band by The Band
    The BandThe BandSeptember 22, 1969 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    99A+
  2. 2Album cover for Abbey Road by The Beatles
    The BeatlesAbbey RoadSeptember 26, 1969 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    99A+
  3. 3Album cover for Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones
    The Rolling StonesLet It BleedNovember 28, 1969 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    98A+
  4. 4Album cover for Trout Mask Replica by Captain Beefheart
    Captain BeefheartTrout Mask ReplicaNovember 1969 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    97A+
  5. 5Album cover for Willy and the Poor Boys by Creedence Clearwater Revival
    Creedence Clearwater RevivalWilly and the Poor BoysNovember 2, 1969 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    92A-
  6. 6Album cover for Hot Rats by Frank Zappa
    Frank ZappaHot RatsOctober 15, 1969 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Some debate
    89B+
  7. 7Album cover for Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere by Neil Young and Crazy Horse
    Neil Young and Crazy HorseEverybody Knows This Is NowhereMay 14, 1969 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Divided
    88B+
  8. 8Album cover for Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin
    Led ZeppelinLed ZeppelinJanuary 12, 1969 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Some debate
    88B+
  9. 9Album cover for Monster Movie by Can
    CanMonster MovieAugust 1969 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Broad agreement
    84B
  10. 10Album cover for Tommy by The Who
    The WhoTommyMay 23, 1969 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    80B-
  11. 11Album cover for Blind Faith by Blind Faith
    Blind FaithBlind FaithAugust 1969 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Unanimous
    78C+
  12. 12Album cover for The Soft Parade by The Doors
    The DoorsThe Soft ParadeJuly 1969 · 7 reviews · 14% approval · Some debate
    63D

← 1968 · Every year, back to the 1950s · 1970 →

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