Every album of 1974, 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.
Number one of 1974 Randy Newman Good Old Boys 98 A+5 critics · 100% approval · Unanimous · A-Side All genres Rock
1 Randy Newman Good Old Boys September 1974 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous 98 A+
2 Joni Mitchell Court and Spark January 17, 1974 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous 98 A+
3 Steely Dan Pretzel Logic March 2, 1974 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous 98 A+
4 Gene Clark No Other September 1974 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement 95 A
5 93 A
6 Robert Wyatt Rock Bottom July 26, 1974 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate 93 A
7 Stevie Wonder Fulfillingness’ First Finale July 22, 1974 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement 90 A-
8 King Crimson Red September 27, 1974 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement 90 A-
9 Neil Young On the Beach July 19, 1974 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate 89 B+
10 Brian Eno Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) November 1974 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate 86 B
How 1974 grades Share of albums at each letter grade. A is 90 and up, F is below 60.
11 Supertramp Crime of the Century September 13, 1974 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement 85 B
12 Lynyrd Skynyrd Second Helping April 15, 1974 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate 84 B
13 Sparks Kimono My House May 1974 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous 84 B
14 Can Soon Over Babaluma 1974 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate 82 B-
15 New York Dolls Too Much Too Soon May 1974 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Divided 82 B-
16 Kiss Kiss February 8, 1974 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided 78 C+
17 King Crimson Starless and Bible Black March 29, 1974 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate 77 C+
18 Tom Waits The Heart of Saturday Night October 15, 1974 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Unanimous 76 C
19 David Bowie Diamond Dogs May 24, 1974 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Contentious 76 C
20 Van Morrison Veedon Fleece October 1974 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Divided 73 C
21 Queen Queen II April 9, 1974 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Divided 67 D+
Where 1974 sits Average Breakdown, for albums with five or more reviews.
Next to the years around it 1971 86
1973 82
1974 (this year) 85
1977 84
75 80 85 90
1 Steely Dan Pretzel Logic March 2, 1974 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous 98 A+
2 Neil Young On the Beach July 19, 1974 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate 89 B+
3 Brian Eno Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) November 1974 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate 86 B
4 Supertramp Crime of the Century September 13, 1974 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement 85 B
5 Lynyrd Skynyrd Second Helping April 15, 1974 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate 84 B
6 Can Soon Over Babaluma 1974 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate 82 B-
7 New York Dolls Too Much Too Soon May 1974 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Divided 82 B-
8 Kiss Kiss February 8, 1974 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided 78 C+
9 King Crimson Starless and Bible Black March 29, 1974 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate 77 C+
10 David Bowie Diamond Dogs May 24, 1974 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Contentious 76 C
11 Van Morrison Veedon Fleece October 1974 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Divided 73 C
12 Queen Queen II April 9, 1974 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Divided 67 D+
← 1973 · Every year, back to the 1950s 1975 →
B-Side Breakdowns home
Number one of 1974Randy NewmanGood Old Boys98 A+5 critics · 100% approval · Unanimous · A-Side
98A+
98A+
95A
93A
93A
90A-
90A-
89B+
86B
85B
84B
84B
82B-
82B-
78C+
77C+
76C
76C
73C
67D+