B-Side Guys

The Best Albums of 1992

Every album of 1992, 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 Automatic for the People by R.E.M.Number one of 1992R.E.M.Automatic for the People96 A9 critics · 100% approval · Unanimous · A-Side
Average Breakdown79across 1992's albums. That's higher than 83% of the other years here.
Liked75%of 1992's albums scored 75 or higher. Across every year it's 50%.
Most divisiveContentiousAlice in Chains, Dirt split the critics more than any other album of the year.A-Sides9.4%of 1992's albums earned an A-Side. Across every year it's 5.9%.
  1. 1Album cover for Automatic for the People by R.E.M.
    R.E.M.Automatic for the PeopleOctober 5, 1992 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    96A
  2. 2Album cover for Blues for the Red Sun by Kyuss
    KyussBlues for the Red SunJune 30, 1992 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    92A-
  3. 3Album cover for Dirty by Sonic Youth
    Sonic YouthDirtyJuly 20, 1992 · 10 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    91A-
  4. 4Album cover for Bone Machine by Tom Waits
    Tom WaitsBone MachineAugust 1992 · 10 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    90A-
  5. 5Album cover for Selected Ambient Works 85–92 by Aphex Twin
    Aphex TwinSelected Ambient Works 85–92November 1, 1992 · 10 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    90A-
  6. 6Album cover for Dry by PJ Harvey
    PJ HarveyDryFebruary 11, 1992 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    90A-
  7. 7Album cover for Mecca and the Soul Brother by Pete Rock & CL Smooth
    Pete Rock & CL SmoothMecca and the Soul BrotherJune 9, 1992 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Some debate
    89B+
  8. 8Album cover for Daily Operation by Gang Starr
    Gang StarrDaily OperationMay 5, 1992 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    89B+
  9. 9Album cover for The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion by The Black Crowes
    The Black CrowesThe Southern Harmony and Musical CompanionMay 11, 1992 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Broad agreement
    88B+
  10. 10Album cover for Experience by The Prodigy
    The ProdigyExperienceSeptember 21, 1992 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    88B+

How 1992 grades

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

1992

A11%
B42%
C34%
D11%
F2%

Every year

A6%
B25%
C37%
D21%
F10%
  1. 11Album cover for Check Your Head by Beastie Boys
    Beastie BoysCheck Your HeadApril 21, 1992 · 10 reviews · 90% approval · Some debate
    88B+
  2. 12Album cover for Meantime by Helmet
    HelmetMeantimeJune 23, 1992 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    86B
  3. 13Album cover for Going Blank Again by Ride
    RideGoing Blank AgainMarch 9, 1992 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    86B
  4. 14Album cover for Moby by Moby
    MobyMobyJuly 27, 1992 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  5. 15Album cover for Rage Against the Machine by Rage Against the Machine
    Rage Against the MachineRage Against the MachineNovember 6, 1992 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    86B
  6. 16Album cover for Your Arsenal by Morrissey
    MorrisseyYour ArsenalJuly 22, 1992 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    85B
  7. 17Album cover for Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde by The Pharcyde
    The PharcydeBizarre Ride II the PharcydeNovember 24, 1992 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    85B
  8. 18Album cover for Slanted and Enchanted by Pavement
    PavementSlanted and EnchantedApril 20, 1992 · 11 reviews · 82% approval · Divided
    85B
  9. 19Album cover for It’s a Shame About Ray by The Lemonheads
    The LemonheadsIt’s a Shame About RayJune 2, 1992 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    83B
  10. 20Album cover for Bricks Are Heavy by L7
    L7Bricks Are HeavyApril 14, 1992 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    83B
  11. 21Album cover for Generation Terrorists by Manic Street Preachers
    Manic Street PreachersGeneration TerroristsFebruary 10, 1992 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    83B
  12. 22Album cover for Magic and Loss by Lou Reed
    Lou ReedMagic and LossJanuary 13, 1992 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    83B
  13. 23Album cover for Harvest Moon by Neil Young
    Neil YoungHarvest MoonOctober 27, 1992 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    82B-
  14. 24Album cover for Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs by Ministry
    MinistryPsalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck EggsJuly 10, 1992 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  15. 25Album cover for Amused to Death by Roger Waters
    Roger WatersAmused to DeathSeptember 1, 1992 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Broad agreement
    81B-

Where 1992 sits

Average Breakdown, for albums with five or more reviews.

Next to the years around it

198977
199075
199177
1992 (this year)79
199376
199480
199576

By genre

Indie & Alternative84
Hip-Hop & Rap84
Rock78
R&B & Soul76
Metal & Punk76
Pop74
  1. 26Album cover for Angel Dust by Faith No More
    Faith No MoreAngel DustJune 8, 1992 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  2. 27Album cover for The Future by Leonard Cohen
    Leonard CohenThe FutureNovember 24, 1992 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  3. 28Album cover for What’s the 411? by Mary J. Blige
    Mary J. BligeWhat’s the 411?July 28, 1992 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Divided
    80B-
  4. 29Album cover for Wish by The Cure
    The CureWishApril 17, 1992 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  5. 30Album cover for Body Count by Body Count
    Body CountBody CountMarch 10, 1992 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  6. 31Album cover for Diva by Annie Lennox
    Annie LennoxDivaApril 6, 1992 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Broad agreement
    78C+
  7. 32Album cover for Love Symbol by Prince
    PrinceLove SymbolOctober 5, 1992 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    78C+
  8. 33Album cover for Henry’s Dream by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
    Nick Cave and the Bad SeedsHenry’s DreamApril 27, 1992 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Broad agreement
    78C+
  9. 34Album cover for Apollo 18 by They Might Be Giants
    They Might Be GiantsApollo 18March 24, 1992 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Broad agreement
    77C+
  10. 35Album cover for Countdown to Extinction by Megadeth
    MegadethCountdown to ExtinctionJuly 6, 1992 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Divided
    77C+
  11. 36Album cover for La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume One by White Zombie
    White ZombieLa Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume OneMarch 31, 1992 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    76C
  12. 37Album cover for Love Deluxe by Sade
    SadeLove DeluxeOctober 23, 1992 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    76C
  13. 38Album cover for The Predator by Ice Cube
    Ice CubeThe PredatorNovember 17, 1992 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    76C
  14. 39Album cover for Business Never Personal by EPMD
    EPMDBusiness Never PersonalJuly 28, 1992 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Divided
    76C
  15. 40Album cover for Us by Peter Gabriel
    Peter GabrielUsSeptember 14, 1992 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Divided
    75C
  16. 41Album cover for Funky Divas by En Vogue
    En VogueFunky DivasMarch 30, 1992 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Divided
    74C
  17. 42Album cover for The Chronic by Dr. Dre
    Dr. DreThe ChronicDecember 15, 1992 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Divided
    74C
  18. 43Album cover for Grave Dancers Union by Soul Asylum
    Soul AsylumGrave Dancers UnionOctober 6, 1992 · 6 reviews · 33% approval · Some debate
    73C
  19. 44Album cover for Congregation by The Afghan Whigs
    The Afghan WhigsCongregationJanuary 31, 1992 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    72C-
  20. 45Album cover for The One by Elton John
    Elton JohnThe OneFebruary 22, 1992 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    71C-
  21. 46Album cover for Erotica by Madonna
    MadonnaEroticaOctober 19, 1992 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Divided
    71C-
  22. 47Album cover for Peng! by Stereolab
    StereolabPeng!May 26, 1992 · 8 reviews · 38% approval · Some debate
    69D+
  23. 48Album cover for 99.9F° by Suzanne Vega
    Suzanne Vega99.9F°September 8, 1992 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Divided
    67D+
  24. 49Album cover for Dirt by Alice in Chains
    Alice in ChainsDirtSeptember 29, 1992 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Contentious
    65D
  25. 50Album cover for Separations by Pulp
    PulpSeparationsJuly 1992 · 6 reviews · 17% approval · Some debate
    64D
  1. 1Album cover for Generation Terrorists by Manic Street Preachers
    Manic Street PreachersGeneration TerroristsFebruary 10, 1992 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    83B
  2. 2Album cover for Diva by Annie Lennox
    Annie LennoxDivaApril 6, 1992 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Broad agreement
    78C+
  3. 3Album cover for The One by Elton John
    Elton JohnThe OneFebruary 22, 1992 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    71C-
  4. 4Album cover for Erotica by Madonna
    MadonnaEroticaOctober 19, 1992 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Divided
    71C-
  5. 5Album cover for 99.9F° by Suzanne Vega
    Suzanne Vega99.9F°September 8, 1992 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Divided
    67D+
  1. 1Album cover for Blues for the Red Sun by Kyuss
    KyussBlues for the Red SunJune 30, 1992 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    92A-
  2. 2Album cover for Bone Machine by Tom Waits
    Tom WaitsBone MachineAugust 1992 · 10 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    90A-
  3. 3Album cover for The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion by The Black Crowes
    The Black CrowesThe Southern Harmony and Musical CompanionMay 11, 1992 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Broad agreement
    88B+
  4. 4Album cover for Meantime by Helmet
    HelmetMeantimeJune 23, 1992 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    86B
  5. 5Album cover for It’s a Shame About Ray by The Lemonheads
    The LemonheadsIt’s a Shame About RayJune 2, 1992 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    83B
  6. 6Album cover for Bricks Are Heavy by L7
    L7Bricks Are HeavyApril 14, 1992 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    83B
  7. 7Album cover for Harvest Moon by Neil Young
    Neil YoungHarvest MoonOctober 27, 1992 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    82B-
  8. 8Album cover for Amused to Death by Roger Waters
    Roger WatersAmused to DeathSeptember 1, 1992 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Broad agreement
    81B-
  9. 9Album cover for Henry’s Dream by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
    Nick Cave and the Bad SeedsHenry’s DreamApril 27, 1992 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Broad agreement
    78C+
  10. 10Album cover for Us by Peter Gabriel
    Peter GabrielUsSeptember 14, 1992 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Divided
    75C
  11. 11Album cover for Grave Dancers Union by Soul Asylum
    Soul AsylumGrave Dancers UnionOctober 6, 1992 · 6 reviews · 33% approval · Some debate
    73C
  12. 12Album cover for Peng! by Stereolab
    StereolabPeng!May 26, 1992 · 8 reviews · 38% approval · Some debate
    69D+
  13. 13Album cover for Dirt by Alice in Chains
    Alice in ChainsDirtSeptember 29, 1992 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Contentious
    65D
  14. 14Album cover for Separations by Pulp
    PulpSeparationsJuly 1992 · 6 reviews · 17% approval · Some debate
    64D
  15. 15Album cover for Core by Stone Temple Pilots
    Stone Temple PilotsCoreSeptember 29, 1992 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Contentious
    62D-
  1. 1Album cover for Automatic for the People by R.E.M.
    R.E.M.Automatic for the PeopleOctober 5, 1992 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    96A
  2. 2Album cover for Dirty by Sonic Youth
    Sonic YouthDirtyJuly 20, 1992 · 10 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    91A-
  3. 3Album cover for Dry by PJ Harvey
    PJ HarveyDryFebruary 11, 1992 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    90A-
  4. 4Album cover for Going Blank Again by Ride
    RideGoing Blank AgainMarch 9, 1992 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    86B
  5. 5Album cover for Your Arsenal by Morrissey
    MorrisseyYour ArsenalJuly 22, 1992 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    85B
  6. 6Album cover for Slanted and Enchanted by Pavement
    PavementSlanted and EnchantedApril 20, 1992 · 11 reviews · 82% approval · Divided
    85B
  7. 7Album cover for Magic and Loss by Lou Reed
    Lou ReedMagic and LossJanuary 13, 1992 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    83B
  8. 8Album cover for Wish by The Cure
    The CureWishApril 17, 1992 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  9. 9Album cover for Apollo 18 by They Might Be Giants
    They Might Be GiantsApollo 18March 24, 1992 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Broad agreement
    77C+
  10. 10Album cover for Congregation by The Afghan Whigs
    The Afghan WhigsCongregationJanuary 31, 1992 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    72C-
  1. 1Album cover for Mecca and the Soul Brother by Pete Rock & CL Smooth
    Pete Rock & CL SmoothMecca and the Soul BrotherJune 9, 1992 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Some debate
    89B+
  2. 2Album cover for Daily Operation by Gang Starr
    Gang StarrDaily OperationMay 5, 1992 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    89B+
  3. 3Album cover for Check Your Head by Beastie Boys
    Beastie BoysCheck Your HeadApril 21, 1992 · 10 reviews · 90% approval · Some debate
    88B+
  4. 4Album cover for Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde by The Pharcyde
    The PharcydeBizarre Ride II the PharcydeNovember 24, 1992 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    85B
  5. 5Album cover for The Predator by Ice Cube
    Ice CubeThe PredatorNovember 17, 1992 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    76C
  6. 6Album cover for Business Never Personal by EPMD
    EPMDBusiness Never PersonalJuly 28, 1992 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Divided
    76C
  1. 1Album cover for What’s the 411? by Mary J. Blige
    Mary J. BligeWhat’s the 411?July 28, 1992 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Divided
    80B-
  2. 2Album cover for Love Symbol by Prince
    PrinceLove SymbolOctober 5, 1992 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    78C+
  3. 3Album cover for Love Deluxe by Sade
    SadeLove DeluxeOctober 23, 1992 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    76C
  4. 4Album cover for Funky Divas by En Vogue
    En VogueFunky DivasMarch 30, 1992 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Divided
    74C
  5. 5Album cover for The Chronic by Dr. Dre
    Dr. DreThe ChronicDecember 15, 1992 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Divided
    74C
  1. 1Album cover for Rage Against the Machine by Rage Against the Machine
    Rage Against the MachineRage Against the MachineNovember 6, 1992 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    86B
  2. 2Album cover for Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs by Ministry
    MinistryPsalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck EggsJuly 10, 1992 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  3. 3Album cover for Angel Dust by Faith No More
    Faith No MoreAngel DustJune 8, 1992 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  4. 4Album cover for Body Count by Body Count
    Body CountBody CountMarch 10, 1992 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  5. 5Album cover for Countdown to Extinction by Megadeth
    MegadethCountdown to ExtinctionJuly 6, 1992 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Divided
    77C+
  6. 6Album cover for La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume One by White Zombie
    White ZombieLa Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume OneMarch 31, 1992 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    76C
  7. 7Album cover for March ör Die by Motörhead
    MotörheadMarch ör DieAugust 14, 1992 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Contentious
    55F

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