B-Side Guys

The Best Albums of 1990

Every album of 1990, 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 Violator by Depeche ModeNumber one of 1990Depeche ModeViolator92 A-7 critics · 86% approval · Some debate · A-Side
Average Breakdown75across 1990's albums. That's higher than 66% of the other years here.
Liked64%of 1990's albums scored 75 or higher. Across every year it's 49%.
Most divisiveContentiousDeicide, Deicide split the critics more than any other album of the year.A-Sides2.4%of 1990's albums earned an A-Side. Across every year it's 6.3%.
  1. 1Album cover for Violator by Depeche Mode
    Depeche ModeViolatorFebruary 5, 1990 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    92A-
  2. 2Album cover for Nowhere by Ride
    RideNowhereOctober 15, 1990 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    87B+
  3. 3Album cover for People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm by A Tribe Called Quest
    A Tribe Called QuestPeople’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of RhythmApril 17, 1990 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    87B+
  4. 4Album cover for Heaven or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins
    Cocteau TwinsHeaven or Las VegasAugust 21, 1990 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    87B+
  5. 5Album cover for Ragged Glory by Neil Young and Crazy Horse
    Neil Young and Crazy HorseRagged GlorySeptember 10, 1990 · 10 reviews · 90% approval · Some debate
    86B
  6. 6Album cover for Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches by Happy Mondays
    Happy MondaysPills ‘n’ Thrills and BellyachesApril 1990 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    85B
  7. 7Album cover for Deicide by Deicide
    DeicideDeicideJune 1990 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Contentious
    85B
  8. 8Album cover for Mama Said Knock You Out by LL Cool J
    LL Cool JMama Said Knock You OutSeptember 18, 1990 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    85B
  9. 9Album cover for I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got by Sinéad O'Connor
    Sinéad O'ConnorI Do Not Want What I Haven’t GotMarch 20, 1990 · 10 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    85B
  10. 10Album cover for Goo by Sonic Youth
    Sonic YouthGooJune 26, 1990 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    84B

How 1990 grades

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

1990

A2%
B33%
C40%
D14%
F10%

Every year

A6%
B24%
C37%
D22%
F11%
  1. 11Album cover for Wrong Way Up by John Cale
    John CaleWrong Way UpOctober 1990 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  2. 12Album cover for Business as Usual by EPMD
    EPMDBusiness as UsualDecember 18, 1990 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  3. 13Album cover for Step In the Arena by Gang Starr
    Gang StarrStep In the Arena1990 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Broad agreement
    81B-
  4. 14Album cover for Persistence of Time by Anthrax
    AnthraxPersistence of TimeAugust 7, 1990 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    80B-
  5. 15Album cover for Ritual de lo habitual by Jane's Addiction
    Jane's AddictionRitual de lo habitualAugust 28, 1990 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Divided
    80B-
  6. 16Album cover for Songs for Drella by Lou Reed
    Lou ReedSongs for DrellaApril 11, 1990 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Broad agreement
    79C+
  7. 17Album cover for The Good Son by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
    Nick Cave and the Bad SeedsThe Good SonApril 10, 1990 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Broad agreement
    79C+
  8. 18Album cover for Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 by George Michael
    George MichaelListen Without Prejudice Vol. 1August 21, 1990 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  9. 19Album cover for Behaviour by Pet Shop Boys
    Pet Shop BoysBehaviourOctober 22, 1990 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  10. 20Album cover for Pod by The Breeders
    The BreedersPodMay 28, 1990 · 10 reviews · 70% approval · Divided
    78C+
  11. 21Album cover for Shake Your Money Maker by The Black Crowes
    The Black CrowesShake Your Money MakerJanuary 24, 1990 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Divided
    78C+
  12. 22Album cover for Repeater by Fugazi
    FugaziRepeaterJanuary 1990 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  13. 23Album cover for Smell the Magic by L7
    L7Smell the MagicSeptember 1990 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  14. 24Album cover for The Rhythm of the Saints by Paul Simon
    Paul SimonThe Rhythm of the SaintsOctober 15, 1990 · 10 reviews · 70% approval · Divided
    76C
  15. 25Album cover for AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted by Ice Cube
    Ice CubeAmeriKKKa’s Most WantedMay 15, 1990 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    76C

Where 1990 sits

Average Breakdown, for albums with five or more reviews.

Next to the years around it

198781
198880
198977
1990 (this year)75
199177
199280
199375

By genre

Indie & Alternative83
Rock75
Metal & Punk74
Hip-Hop & Rap74
  1. 26Album cover for Graffiti Bridge by Prince
    PrinceGraffiti BridgeAugust 13, 1990 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Divided
    75C
  2. 27Album cover for Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em by Eric B. & Rakim
    Eric B. & RakimLet the Rhythm Hit ‘EmJune 19, 1990 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    75C
  3. 28Album cover for Seven Turns by The Allman Brothers Band
    The Allman Brothers BandSeven TurnsJuly 3, 1990 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    74C
  4. 29Album cover for All Shook Down by The Replacements
    The ReplacementsAll Shook DownSeptember 1990 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    73C
  5. 30Album cover for Frizzle Fry by Primus
    PrimusFrizzle FryMay 31, 1990 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    73C
  6. 31Album cover for Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 by Traveling Wilburys
    Traveling WilburysTraveling Wilburys Vol. 3October 1990 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    73C
  7. 32Album cover for Vision Thing by The Sisters of Mercy
    The Sisters of MercyVision ThingSeptember 13, 1990 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Divided
    72C-
  8. 33Album cover for Painkiller by Judas Priest
    Judas PriestPainkillerSeptember 3, 1990 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Contentious
    68D+
  9. 34Album cover for Flesh & Blood by Poison
    PoisonFlesh & BloodJune 29, 1990 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Divided
    66D
  10. 35Album cover for To the Extreme by Vanilla Ice
    Vanilla IceTo the ExtremeSeptember 4, 1990 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Divided
    63D
  11. 36Album cover for Facelift by Alice in Chains
    Alice in ChainsFaceliftAugust 28, 1990 · 8 reviews · 25% approval · Divided
    63D
  12. 37Album cover for Cherry Pie by Warrant
    WarrantCherry PieSeptember 6, 1990 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Divided
    63D
  13. 38Album cover for Under the Red Sky by Bob Dylan
    Bob DylanUnder the Red SkySeptember 10, 1990 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Divided
    60D-
  14. 39Album cover for Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em by MC Hammer
    MC HammerPlease Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘EmJanuary 30, 1990 · 7 reviews · 29% approval · Contentious
    58F
  15. 40Album cover for Lovey by The Lemonheads
    The LemonheadsLoveyJuly 1990 · 6 reviews · 0% approval · Divided
    57F
  16. 41Album cover for 100 Miles and Runnin’ by N.W.A.
    N.W.A.100 Miles and Runnin’August 1990 · 6 reviews · 17% approval · Contentious
    56F
  17. 42Album cover for Liberty by Duran Duran
    Duran DuranLibertyAugust 20, 1990 · 6 reviews · 0% approval · Divided
    40F
  1. 1Album cover for Violator by Depeche Mode
    Depeche ModeViolatorFebruary 5, 1990 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    92A-
  2. 2Album cover for Heaven or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins
    Cocteau TwinsHeaven or Las VegasAugust 21, 1990 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    87B+
  3. 3Album cover for Ragged Glory by Neil Young and Crazy Horse
    Neil Young and Crazy HorseRagged GlorySeptember 10, 1990 · 10 reviews · 90% approval · Some debate
    86B
  4. 4Album cover for Goo by Sonic Youth
    Sonic YouthGooJune 26, 1990 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    84B
  5. 5Album cover for Songs for Drella by Lou Reed
    Lou ReedSongs for DrellaApril 11, 1990 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Broad agreement
    79C+
  6. 6Album cover for The Good Son by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
    Nick Cave and the Bad SeedsThe Good SonApril 10, 1990 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Broad agreement
    79C+
  7. 7Album cover for Shake Your Money Maker by The Black Crowes
    The Black CrowesShake Your Money MakerJanuary 24, 1990 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Divided
    78C+
  8. 8Album cover for Repeater by Fugazi
    FugaziRepeaterJanuary 1990 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  9. 9Album cover for Smell the Magic by L7
    L7Smell the MagicSeptember 1990 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  10. 10Album cover for Seven Turns by The Allman Brothers Band
    The Allman Brothers BandSeven TurnsJuly 3, 1990 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    74C
  11. 11Album cover for All Shook Down by The Replacements
    The ReplacementsAll Shook DownSeptember 1990 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    73C
  12. 12Album cover for Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 by Traveling Wilburys
    Traveling WilburysTraveling Wilburys Vol. 3October 1990 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    73C
  13. 13Album cover for Vision Thing by The Sisters of Mercy
    The Sisters of MercyVision ThingSeptember 13, 1990 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Divided
    72C-
  14. 14Album cover for Flesh & Blood by Poison
    PoisonFlesh & BloodJune 29, 1990 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Divided
    66D
  15. 15Album cover for Facelift by Alice in Chains
    Alice in ChainsFaceliftAugust 28, 1990 · 8 reviews · 25% approval · Divided
    63D
  16. 16Album cover for Under the Red Sky by Bob Dylan
    Bob DylanUnder the Red SkySeptember 10, 1990 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Divided
    60D-
  17. 17Album cover for Lovey by The Lemonheads
    The LemonheadsLoveyJuly 1990 · 6 reviews · 0% approval · Divided
    57F
  1. 1Album cover for Nowhere by Ride
    RideNowhereOctober 15, 1990 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    87B+
  2. 2Album cover for Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches by Happy Mondays
    Happy MondaysPills ‘n’ Thrills and BellyachesApril 1990 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    85B
  3. 3Album cover for I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got by Sinéad O'Connor
    Sinéad O'ConnorI Do Not Want What I Haven’t GotMarch 20, 1990 · 10 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    85B
  4. 4Album cover for Wrong Way Up by John Cale
    John CaleWrong Way UpOctober 1990 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  5. 5Album cover for Ritual de lo habitual by Jane's Addiction
    Jane's AddictionRitual de lo habitualAugust 28, 1990 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Divided
    80B-
  6. 6Album cover for Pod by The Breeders
    The BreedersPodMay 28, 1990 · 10 reviews · 70% approval · Divided
    78C+
  1. 1Album cover for People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm by A Tribe Called Quest
    A Tribe Called QuestPeople’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of RhythmApril 17, 1990 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    87B+
  2. 2Album cover for Mama Said Knock You Out by LL Cool J
    LL Cool JMama Said Knock You OutSeptember 18, 1990 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    85B
  3. 3Album cover for Business as Usual by EPMD
    EPMDBusiness as UsualDecember 18, 1990 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  4. 4Album cover for Step In the Arena by Gang Starr
    Gang StarrStep In the Arena1990 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Broad agreement
    81B-
  5. 5Album cover for AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted by Ice Cube
    Ice CubeAmeriKKKa’s Most WantedMay 15, 1990 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    76C
  6. 6Album cover for Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em by Eric B. & Rakim
    Eric B. & RakimLet the Rhythm Hit ‘EmJune 19, 1990 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    75C
  7. 7Album cover for To the Extreme by Vanilla Ice
    Vanilla IceTo the ExtremeSeptember 4, 1990 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Divided
    63D
  8. 8Album cover for Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em by MC Hammer
    MC HammerPlease Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘EmJanuary 30, 1990 · 7 reviews · 29% approval · Contentious
    58F
  9. 9Album cover for 100 Miles and Runnin’ by N.W.A.
    N.W.A.100 Miles and Runnin’August 1990 · 6 reviews · 17% approval · Contentious
    56F
  1. 1Album cover for Deicide by Deicide
    DeicideDeicideJune 1990 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Contentious
    85B
  2. 2Album cover for Persistence of Time by Anthrax
    AnthraxPersistence of TimeAugust 7, 1990 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    80B-
  3. 3Album cover for Frizzle Fry by Primus
    PrimusFrizzle FryMay 31, 1990 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    73C
  4. 4Album cover for Painkiller by Judas Priest
    Judas PriestPainkillerSeptember 3, 1990 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Contentious
    68D+
  5. 5Album cover for Cherry Pie by Warrant
    WarrantCherry PieSeptember 6, 1990 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Divided
    63D

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