B-Side Guys

The Best Albums of 1993

Every album of 1993, 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 In Utero by NirvanaNumber one of 1993NirvanaIn Utero93 A11 critics · 100% approval · Broad agreement · A-Side
Average Breakdown75across 1993's albums. That's higher than 59% of the other years here.
Liked51%of 1993's albums scored 75 or higher. Across every year it's 49%.
Most divisiveContentiousMeat Loaf, Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell split the critics more than any other album of the year.A-Sides2%of 1993's albums earned an A-Side. Across every year it's 6.2%.
  1. 1Album cover for In Utero by Nirvana
    NirvanaIn UteroSeptember 21, 1993 · 11 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    93A
  2. 2Album cover for Zooropa by U2
    U2ZooropaJuly 5, 1993 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    89B+
  3. 3Album cover for Rid of Me by PJ Harvey
    PJ HarveyRid of MeApril 26, 1993 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Divided
    89B+
  4. 4Album cover for Very by Pet Shop Boys
    Pet Shop BoysVerySeptember 27, 1993 · 10 reviews · 90% approval · Some debate
    88B+
  5. 5Album cover for Suede by Suede
    SuedeSuedeMarch 29, 1993 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    87B+
  6. 6Album cover for Buhloone Mindstate by De La Soul
    De La SoulBuhloone MindstateSeptember 21, 1993 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    87B+
  7. 7Album cover for 4-Track Demos by PJ Harvey
    PJ Harvey4-Track DemosOctober 19, 1993 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  8. 8Album cover for Doggystyle by Snoop Dogg
    Snoop DoggDoggystyleNovember 23, 1993 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  9. 9Album cover for Blade Runner by Vangelis
    VangelisBlade RunnerDecember 1993 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    84B
  10. 10Album cover for Pussy Whipped by Bikini Kill
    Bikini KillPussy WhippedOctober 26, 1993 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Broad agreement
    84B

How 1993 grades

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

1993

A2%
B22%
C51%
D18%
F6%

Every year

A6%
B24%
C37%
D22%
F11%
  1. 11Album cover for Transient Random-Noise Bursts with Announcements by Stereolab
    StereolabTransient Random-Noise Bursts with AnnouncementsAugust 1993 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    80B-
  2. 12Album cover for Into the Labyrinth by Dead Can Dance
    Dead Can DanceInto the LabyrinthSeptember 13, 1993 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  3. 13Album cover for Bacdafucup by Onyx
    OnyxBacdafucupMarch 30, 1993 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Broad agreement
    80B-
  4. 14Album cover for Wandering Spirit by Mick Jagger
    Mick JaggerWandering SpiritFebruary 9, 1993 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  5. 15Album cover for Wolverine Blues by Entombed
    EntombedWolverine BluesOctober 1, 1993 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Divided
    79C+
  6. 16Album cover for Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins
    The Smashing PumpkinsSiamese DreamJuly 26, 1993 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Unanimous
    79C+
  7. 17Album cover for Souvlaki by Slowdive
    SlowdiveSouvlakiJune 1, 1993 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Divided
    79C+
  8. 18Album cover for Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? by The Cranberries
    The CranberriesEverybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?March 1, 1993 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    79C+
  9. 19Album cover for Debut by Björk
    BjörkDebutJuly 12, 1993 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Divided
    79C+
  10. 20Album cover for Emergency on Planet Earth by Jamiroquai
    JamiroquaiEmergency on Planet EarthJune 14, 1993 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Broad agreement
    78C+
  11. 21Album cover for Incunabula by Autechre
    AutechreIncunabulaNovember 29, 1993 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    77C+
  12. 22Album cover for Come On Feel The Lemonheads by The Lemonheads
    The LemonheadsCome On Feel The LemonheadsOctober 12, 1993 · 9 reviews · 56% approval · Broad agreement
    77C+
  13. 23Album cover for Black Sunday by Cypress Hill
    Cypress HillBlack SundayJuly 20, 1993 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    77C+
  14. 24Album cover for Songs of Faith and Devotion by Depeche Mode
    Depeche ModeSongs of Faith and DevotionMarch 22, 1993 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    76C
  15. 25Album cover for 12 Play by R. Kelly
    R. Kelly12 PlayNovember 9, 1993 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Divided
    75C

Where 1993 sits

Average Breakdown, for albums with five or more reviews.

Next to the years around it

199075
199177
199280
1993 (this year)75
199480
199575
199677

By genre

Indie & Alternative81
Pop78
Hip-Hop & Rap75
Rock71
  1. 26Album cover for Republic by New Order
    New OrderRepublicApril 27, 1993 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Broad agreement
    75C
  2. 27Album cover for Return of the Boom Bap by KRS-One
    KRS-OneReturn of the Boom BapSeptember 28, 1993 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Some debate
    74C
  3. 28Album cover for Vs. by Pearl Jam
    Pearl JamVs.October 8, 1993 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Divided
    74C
  4. 29Album cover for Tuesday Night Music Club by Sheryl Crow
    Sheryl CrowTuesday Night Music ClubAugust 3, 1993 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Broad agreement
    73C
  5. 30Album cover for Pork Soda by Primus
    PrimusPork SodaApril 16, 1993 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    72C-
  6. 31Album cover for Janet. by Janet Jackson
    Janet JacksonJanet.May 17, 1993 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Divided
    72C-
  7. 32Album cover for The Black Rider by Tom Waits
    Tom WaitsThe Black RiderSeptember 1993 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    71C-
  8. 33Album cover for The Red Shoes by Kate Bush
    Kate BushThe Red ShoesOctober 20, 1993 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Divided
    71C-
  9. 34Album cover for Coverdale and Page by Coverdale and Page
    Coverdale and PageCoverdale and PageMarch 15, 1993 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Broad agreement
    70C-
  10. 35Album cover for Down with the King by Run-DMC
    Run-DMCDown with the KingMay 4, 1993 · 7 reviews · 29% approval · Broad agreement
    70C-
  11. 36Album cover for The Buddha of Suburbia by David Bowie
    David BowieThe Buddha of SuburbiaDecember 1993 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    70C-
  12. 37Album cover for Bastards by Motörhead
    MotörheadBastardsOctober 10, 1993 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Contentious
    70C-
  13. 38Album cover for Gold Against the Soul by Manic Street Preachers
    Manic Street PreachersGold Against the SoulJune 24, 1993 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    70C-
  14. 39Album cover for Black Tie White Noise by David Bowie
    David BowieBlack Tie White NoiseApril 5, 1993 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Broad agreement
    69D+
  15. 40Album cover for Get a Grip by Aerosmith
    AerosmithGet a GripApril 20, 1993 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    69D+
  16. 41Album cover for Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz
    Lenny KravitzAre You Gonna Go My WayFebruary 26, 1993 · 9 reviews · 33% approval · Some debate
    68D+
  17. 42Album cover for Pablo Honey by Radiohead
    RadioheadPablo HoneyFebruary 22, 1993 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Broad agreement
    68D+
  18. 43Album cover for Ambient by Moby
    MobyAmbientAugust 17, 1993 · 6 reviews · 17% approval · Broad agreement
    67D+
  19. 44Album cover for Toni Braxton by Toni Braxton
    Toni BraxtonToni BraxtonJuly 13, 1993 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Divided
    66D
  20. 45Album cover for “The Spaghetti Incident?” by Guns N' Roses
    Guns N' Roses“The Spaghetti Incident?”November 21, 1993 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Divided
    66D
  21. 46Album cover for Lethal Injection by Ice Cube
    Ice CubeLethal InjectionDecember 7, 1993 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Divided
    65D
  22. 47Album cover for 14 Shots to the Dome by LL Cool J
    LL Cool J14 Shots to the DomeMarch 30, 1993 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Divided
    62D-
  23. 48Album cover for Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell by Meat Loaf
    Meat LoafBat Out of Hell II: Back into HellSeptember 6, 1993 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Contentious
    57F
  24. 49Album cover for Off the Ground by Paul McCartney
    Paul McCartneyOff the GroundFebruary 1, 1993 · 7 reviews · 0% approval · Some debate
    55F
  25. 50Album cover for Cyberpunk by Billy Idol
    Billy IdolCyberpunkJune 29, 1993 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Contentious
    44F
  1. 1Album cover for Very by Pet Shop Boys
    Pet Shop BoysVerySeptember 27, 1993 · 10 reviews · 90% approval · Some debate
    88B+
  2. 2Album cover for Debut by Björk
    BjörkDebutJuly 12, 1993 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Divided
    79C+
  3. 3Album cover for Emergency on Planet Earth by Jamiroquai
    JamiroquaiEmergency on Planet EarthJune 14, 1993 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Broad agreement
    78C+
  4. 4Album cover for Republic by New Order
    New OrderRepublicApril 27, 1993 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Broad agreement
    75C
  5. 5Album cover for The Red Shoes by Kate Bush
    Kate BushThe Red ShoesOctober 20, 1993 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Divided
    71C-
  1. 1Album cover for Zooropa by U2
    U2ZooropaJuly 5, 1993 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    89B+
  2. 2Album cover for Suede by Suede
    SuedeSuedeMarch 29, 1993 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    87B+
  3. 3Album cover for Wandering Spirit by Mick Jagger
    Mick JaggerWandering SpiritFebruary 9, 1993 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  4. 4Album cover for Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? by The Cranberries
    The CranberriesEverybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?March 1, 1993 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    79C+
  5. 5Album cover for Come On Feel The Lemonheads by The Lemonheads
    The LemonheadsCome On Feel The LemonheadsOctober 12, 1993 · 9 reviews · 56% approval · Broad agreement
    77C+
  6. 6Album cover for Songs of Faith and Devotion by Depeche Mode
    Depeche ModeSongs of Faith and DevotionMarch 22, 1993 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    76C
  7. 7Album cover for Vs. by Pearl Jam
    Pearl JamVs.October 8, 1993 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Divided
    74C
  8. 8Album cover for Pork Soda by Primus
    PrimusPork SodaApril 16, 1993 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    72C-
  9. 9Album cover for The Black Rider by Tom Waits
    Tom WaitsThe Black RiderSeptember 1993 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    71C-
  10. 10Album cover for Coverdale and Page by Coverdale and Page
    Coverdale and PageCoverdale and PageMarch 15, 1993 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Broad agreement
    70C-
  11. 11Album cover for The Buddha of Suburbia by David Bowie
    David BowieThe Buddha of SuburbiaDecember 1993 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    70C-
  12. 12Album cover for Gold Against the Soul by Manic Street Preachers
    Manic Street PreachersGold Against the SoulJune 24, 1993 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    70C-
  13. 13Album cover for Black Tie White Noise by David Bowie
    David BowieBlack Tie White NoiseApril 5, 1993 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Broad agreement
    69D+
  14. 14Album cover for Get a Grip by Aerosmith
    AerosmithGet a GripApril 20, 1993 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    69D+
  15. 15Album cover for Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz
    Lenny KravitzAre You Gonna Go My WayFebruary 26, 1993 · 9 reviews · 33% approval · Some debate
    68D+
  16. 16Album cover for “The Spaghetti Incident?” by Guns N' Roses
    Guns N' Roses“The Spaghetti Incident?”November 21, 1993 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Divided
    66D
  17. 17Album cover for Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell by Meat Loaf
    Meat LoafBat Out of Hell II: Back into HellSeptember 6, 1993 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Contentious
    57F
  18. 18Album cover for Off the Ground by Paul McCartney
    Paul McCartneyOff the GroundFebruary 1, 1993 · 7 reviews · 0% approval · Some debate
    55F
  19. 19Album cover for Cyberpunk by Billy Idol
    Billy IdolCyberpunkJune 29, 1993 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Contentious
    44F
  1. 1Album cover for In Utero by Nirvana
    NirvanaIn UteroSeptember 21, 1993 · 11 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    93A
  2. 2Album cover for Rid of Me by PJ Harvey
    PJ HarveyRid of MeApril 26, 1993 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Divided
    89B+
  3. 3Album cover for 4-Track Demos by PJ Harvey
    PJ Harvey4-Track DemosOctober 19, 1993 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  4. 4Album cover for Transient Random-Noise Bursts with Announcements by Stereolab
    StereolabTransient Random-Noise Bursts with AnnouncementsAugust 1993 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    80B-
  5. 5Album cover for Into the Labyrinth by Dead Can Dance
    Dead Can DanceInto the LabyrinthSeptember 13, 1993 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  6. 6Album cover for Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins
    The Smashing PumpkinsSiamese DreamJuly 26, 1993 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Unanimous
    79C+
  7. 7Album cover for Souvlaki by Slowdive
    SlowdiveSouvlakiJune 1, 1993 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Divided
    79C+
  8. 8Album cover for Tuesday Night Music Club by Sheryl Crow
    Sheryl CrowTuesday Night Music ClubAugust 3, 1993 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Broad agreement
    73C
  9. 9Album cover for Pablo Honey by Radiohead
    RadioheadPablo HoneyFebruary 22, 1993 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Broad agreement
    68D+
  1. 1Album cover for Buhloone Mindstate by De La Soul
    De La SoulBuhloone MindstateSeptember 21, 1993 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    87B+
  2. 2Album cover for Doggystyle by Snoop Dogg
    Snoop DoggDoggystyleNovember 23, 1993 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  3. 3Album cover for Bacdafucup by Onyx
    OnyxBacdafucupMarch 30, 1993 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Broad agreement
    80B-
  4. 4Album cover for Black Sunday by Cypress Hill
    Cypress HillBlack SundayJuly 20, 1993 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    77C+
  5. 5Album cover for Return of the Boom Bap by KRS-One
    KRS-OneReturn of the Boom BapSeptember 28, 1993 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Some debate
    74C
  6. 6Album cover for Down with the King by Run-DMC
    Run-DMCDown with the KingMay 4, 1993 · 7 reviews · 29% approval · Broad agreement
    70C-
  7. 7Album cover for Lethal Injection by Ice Cube
    Ice CubeLethal InjectionDecember 7, 1993 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Divided
    65D
  8. 8Album cover for 14 Shots to the Dome by LL Cool J
    LL Cool J14 Shots to the DomeMarch 30, 1993 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Divided
    62D-

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