B-Side Guys

The Best Albums of 1995

Every album of 1995, 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 Maxinquaye by TrickyNumber one of 1995TrickyMaxinquaye93 A8 critics · 100% approval · Broad agreement · A-Side
Average Breakdown75across 1995's albums. That's higher than 61% of the other years here.
Liked58%of 1995's albums scored 75 or higher. Across every year it's 49%.
Most divisiveContentiousVan Halen, Balance split the critics more than any other album of the year.A-Sides7.7%of 1995's albums earned an A-Side. Across every year it's 6.2%.
  1. 1Album cover for Maxinquaye by Tricky
    TrickyMaxinquayeFebruary 20, 1995 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    93A
  2. 2Album cover for To Bring You My Love by PJ Harvey
    PJ HarveyTo Bring You My LoveJanuary 1995 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    93A
  3. 3Album cover for The Infamous by Mobb Deep
    Mobb DeepThe InfamousApril 18, 1995 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    91A-
  4. 4Album cover for Liquid Swords by GZA
    GZALiquid SwordsNovember 7, 1995 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    90A-
  5. 5Album cover for Everything Is Wrong by Moby
    MobyEverything Is WrongMarch 13, 1995 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    89B+
  6. 6Album cover for Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… by Raekwon
    RaekwonOnly Built 4 Cuban Linx…August 1, 1995 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    89B+
  7. 7Album cover for I Should Coco by Supergrass
    SupergrassI Should CocoMay 15, 1995 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    87B+
  8. 8Album cover for Garbage by Garbage
    GarbageGarbageAugust 15, 1995 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    87B+
  9. 9Album cover for Wrecking Ball by Emmylou Harris
    Emmylou HarrisWrecking BallSeptember 26, 1995 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    86B
  10. 10Album cover for Daydream by Mariah Carey
    Mariah CareyDaydreamSeptember 28, 1995 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    85B

How 1995 grades

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

1995

A8%
B29%
C37%
D15%
F12%

Every year

A6%
B24%
C37%
D22%
F11%
  1. 11Album cover for Washing Machine by Sonic Youth
    Sonic YouthWashing MachineSeptember 26, 1995 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    83B
  2. 12Album cover for Foo Fighters by Foo Fighters
    Foo FightersFoo FightersJune 26, 1995 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    83B
  3. 13Album cover for Different Class by Pulp
    PulpDifferent ClassOctober 26, 1995 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    82B-
  4. 14Album cover for Me Against the World by Tupac Shakur
    Tupac ShakurMe Against the WorldMarch 14, 1995 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Broad agreement
    82B-
  5. 15Album cover for E. 1999 Eternal by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
    Bone Thugs-n-HarmonyE. 1999 EternalJuly 25, 1995 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  6. 16Album cover for Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness by The Smashing Pumpkins
    The Smashing PumpkinsMellon Collie and the Infinite SadnessOctober 23, 1995 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  7. 17Album cover for Tomorrow the Green Grass by The Jayhawks
    The JayhawksTomorrow the Green GrassFebruary 14, 1995 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Broad agreement
    81B-
  8. 18Album cover for The Gold Experience by Prince
    PrinceThe Gold ExperienceApril 26, 1995 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  9. 19Album cover for Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt
    No DoubtTragic KingdomOctober 10, 1995 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    80B-
  10. 20Album cover for …I Care Because You Do by Aphex Twin
    Aphex Twin…I Care Because You DoApril 24, 1995 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Broad agreement
    79C+
  11. 21Album cover for Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette
    Alanis MorissetteJagged Little PillJune 9, 1995 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  12. 22Album cover for The Ghost of Tom Joad by Bruce Springsteen
    Bruce SpringsteenThe Ghost of Tom JoadNovember 21, 1995 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  13. 23Album cover for Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version by Ol' Dirty Bastard
    Ol' Dirty BastardReturn to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty VersionMarch 28, 1995 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Divided
    78C+
  14. 24Album cover for (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? by Oasis
    Oasis(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?October 2, 1995 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  15. 25Album cover for …And Out Come the Wolves by Rancid
    Rancid…And Out Come the WolvesAugust 21, 1995 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    76C

Where 1995 sits

Average Breakdown, for albums with five or more reviews.

Next to the years around it

199280
199375
199480
1995 (this year)75
199677
199774
199878

By genre

Indie & Alternative77
Hip-Hop & Rap77
Rock70
Pop68
  1. 26Album cover for Waiting to Exhale (soundtrack) by various artists
    various artistsWaiting to Exhale (soundtrack)November 13, 1995 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    76C
  2. 27Album cover for Gangsta’s Paradise by Coolio
    CoolioGangsta’s ParadiseOctober 2, 1995 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    76C
  3. 28Album cover for Red Medicine by Fugazi
    FugaziRed MedicineJune 12, 1995 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    75C
  4. 29Album cover for Cypress Hill III: Temples of Boom by Cypress Hill
    Cypress HillCypress Hill III: Temples of BoomOctober 30, 1995 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Unanimous
    75C
  5. 30Album cover for A Northern Soul by The Verve
    The VerveA Northern SoulJuly 3, 1995 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    75C
  6. 31Album cover for Mirror Ball by Neil Young
    Neil YoungMirror BallJune 23, 1995 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Divided
    74C
  7. 32Album cover for Insomniac by Green Day
    Green DayInsomniacOctober 6, 1995 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Divided
    74C
  8. 33Album cover for Subhuman Race by Skid Row
    Skid RowSubhuman RaceMarch 25, 1995 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Broad agreement
    73C
  9. 34Album cover for Eternal E by Eazy-E
    Eazy-EEternal E1995 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    72C-
  10. 35Album cover for Adrenaline by Deftones
    DeftonesAdrenalineOctober 2, 1995 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Broad agreement
    71C-
  11. 36Album cover for KRS-One by KRS-One
    KRS-OneKRS-OneOctober 10, 1995 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    71C-
  12. 37Album cover for Original Soundtracks 1 by Passengers
    PassengersOriginal Soundtracks 1November 1, 1995 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    71C-
  13. 38Album cover for Operation Stackola by Luniz
    LunizOperation StackolaJuly 3, 1995 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Divided
    70C-
  14. 39Album cover for Mr. Smith by LL Cool J
    LL Cool JMr. SmithNovember 20, 1995 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    69D+
  15. 40Album cover for One Hot Minute by Red Hot Chili Peppers
    Red Hot Chili PeppersOne Hot MinuteSeptember 8, 1995 · 9 reviews · 33% approval · Some debate
    68D+
  16. 41Album cover for King for a Day… Fool for a Lifetime by Faith No More
    Faith No MoreKing for a Day… Fool for a LifetimeMarch 13, 1995 · 7 reviews · 29% approval · Divided
    68D+
  17. 42Album cover for Southpaw Grammar by Morrissey
    MorrisseySouthpaw GrammarAugust 28, 1995 · 8 reviews · 38% approval · Some debate
    67D+
  18. 43Album cover for Outside by David Bowie
    David BowieOutsideSeptember 23, 1995 · 8 reviews · 25% approval · Broad agreement
    66D
  19. 44Album cover for Above by Mad Season
    Mad SeasonAboveMarch 14, 1995 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    66D
  20. 45Album cover for These Days by Bon Jovi
    Bon JoviThese DaysJune 2, 1995 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Divided
    65D
  21. 46Album cover for Alice in Chains by Alice in Chains
    Alice in ChainsAlice in ChainsOctober 31, 1995 · 6 reviews · 33% approval · Some debate
    63D
  22. 47Album cover for Kojak Variety by Elvis Costello
    Elvis CostelloKojak VarietyMay 5, 1995 · 10 reviews · 30% approval · Divided
    59F
  23. 48Album cover for Wowee Zowee by Pavement
    PavementWowee ZoweeApril 10, 1995 · 6 reviews · 17% approval · Divided
    57F
  24. 49Album cover for Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton by Eazy-E
    Eazy-EStr8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin ComptonNovember 24, 1995 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Contentious
    55F
  25. 50Album cover for Head over Heels by Paula Abdul
    Paula AbdulHead over HeelsJune 7, 1995 · 6 reviews · 17% approval · Divided
    49F
  1. 1Album cover for Daydream by Mariah Carey
    Mariah CareyDaydreamSeptember 28, 1995 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    85B
  2. 2Album cover for Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt
    No DoubtTragic KingdomOctober 10, 1995 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    80B-
  3. 3Album cover for The Ghost of Tom Joad by Bruce Springsteen
    Bruce SpringsteenThe Ghost of Tom JoadNovember 21, 1995 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  4. 4Album cover for Outside by David Bowie
    David BowieOutsideSeptember 23, 1995 · 8 reviews · 25% approval · Broad agreement
    66D
  5. 5Album cover for Head over Heels by Paula Abdul
    Paula AbdulHead over HeelsJune 7, 1995 · 6 reviews · 17% approval · Divided
    49F
  6. 6Album cover for Thank You by Duran Duran
    Duran DuranThank YouMarch 27, 1995 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Divided
    47F
  1. 1Album cover for I Should Coco by Supergrass
    SupergrassI Should CocoMay 15, 1995 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    87B+
  2. 2Album cover for Different Class by Pulp
    PulpDifferent ClassOctober 26, 1995 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    82B-
  3. 3Album cover for Tomorrow the Green Grass by The Jayhawks
    The JayhawksTomorrow the Green GrassFebruary 14, 1995 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Broad agreement
    81B-
  4. 4Album cover for Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette
    Alanis MorissetteJagged Little PillJune 9, 1995 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  5. 5Album cover for A Northern Soul by The Verve
    The VerveA Northern SoulJuly 3, 1995 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    75C
  6. 6Album cover for Mirror Ball by Neil Young
    Neil YoungMirror BallJune 23, 1995 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Divided
    74C
  7. 7Album cover for Subhuman Race by Skid Row
    Skid RowSubhuman RaceMarch 25, 1995 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Broad agreement
    73C
  8. 8Album cover for These Days by Bon Jovi
    Bon JoviThese DaysJune 2, 1995 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Divided
    65D
  9. 9Album cover for Alice in Chains by Alice in Chains
    Alice in ChainsAlice in ChainsOctober 31, 1995 · 6 reviews · 33% approval · Some debate
    63D
  10. 10Album cover for Kojak Variety by Elvis Costello
    Elvis CostelloKojak VarietyMay 5, 1995 · 10 reviews · 30% approval · Divided
    59F
  11. 11Album cover for Wowee Zowee by Pavement
    PavementWowee ZoweeApril 10, 1995 · 6 reviews · 17% approval · Divided
    57F
  12. 12Album cover for Balance by Van Halen
    Van HalenBalanceJanuary 24, 1995 · 7 reviews · 14% approval · Contentious
    44F
  1. 1Album cover for To Bring You My Love by PJ Harvey
    PJ HarveyTo Bring You My LoveJanuary 1995 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    93A
  2. 2Album cover for Garbage by Garbage
    GarbageGarbageAugust 15, 1995 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    87B+
  3. 3Album cover for Washing Machine by Sonic Youth
    Sonic YouthWashing MachineSeptember 26, 1995 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    83B
  4. 4Album cover for Foo Fighters by Foo Fighters
    Foo FightersFoo FightersJune 26, 1995 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    83B
  5. 5Album cover for Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness by The Smashing Pumpkins
    The Smashing PumpkinsMellon Collie and the Infinite SadnessOctober 23, 1995 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  6. 6Album cover for (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? by Oasis
    Oasis(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?October 2, 1995 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  7. 7Album cover for Red Medicine by Fugazi
    FugaziRed MedicineJune 12, 1995 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    75C
  8. 8Album cover for One Hot Minute by Red Hot Chili Peppers
    Red Hot Chili PeppersOne Hot MinuteSeptember 8, 1995 · 9 reviews · 33% approval · Some debate
    68D+
  9. 9Album cover for King for a Day… Fool for a Lifetime by Faith No More
    Faith No MoreKing for a Day… Fool for a LifetimeMarch 13, 1995 · 7 reviews · 29% approval · Divided
    68D+
  10. 10Album cover for Southpaw Grammar by Morrissey
    MorrisseySouthpaw GrammarAugust 28, 1995 · 8 reviews · 38% approval · Some debate
    67D+
  11. 11Album cover for Above by Mad Season
    Mad SeasonAboveMarch 14, 1995 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    66D
  1. 1Album cover for The Infamous by Mobb Deep
    Mobb DeepThe InfamousApril 18, 1995 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    91A-
  2. 2Album cover for Liquid Swords by GZA
    GZALiquid SwordsNovember 7, 1995 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    90A-
  3. 3Album cover for Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… by Raekwon
    RaekwonOnly Built 4 Cuban Linx…August 1, 1995 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    89B+
  4. 4Album cover for Me Against the World by Tupac Shakur
    Tupac ShakurMe Against the WorldMarch 14, 1995 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Broad agreement
    82B-
  5. 5Album cover for E. 1999 Eternal by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
    Bone Thugs-n-HarmonyE. 1999 EternalJuly 25, 1995 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  6. 6Album cover for Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version by Ol' Dirty Bastard
    Ol' Dirty BastardReturn to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty VersionMarch 28, 1995 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Divided
    78C+
  7. 7Album cover for Gangsta’s Paradise by Coolio
    CoolioGangsta’s ParadiseOctober 2, 1995 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    76C
  8. 8Album cover for Cypress Hill III: Temples of Boom by Cypress Hill
    Cypress HillCypress Hill III: Temples of BoomOctober 30, 1995 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Unanimous
    75C
  9. 9Album cover for Eternal E by Eazy-E
    Eazy-EEternal E1995 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    72C-
  10. 10Album cover for KRS-One by KRS-One
    KRS-OneKRS-OneOctober 10, 1995 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    71C-
  11. 11Album cover for Operation Stackola by Luniz
    LunizOperation StackolaJuly 3, 1995 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Divided
    70C-
  12. 12Album cover for Mr. Smith by LL Cool J
    LL Cool JMr. SmithNovember 20, 1995 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    69D+
  13. 13Album cover for Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton by Eazy-E
    Eazy-EStr8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin ComptonNovember 24, 1995 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Contentious
    55F

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