B-Side Guys

The Best Albums of 1996

Every album of 1996, 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 Endtroducing….. by DJ ShadowNumber one of 1996DJ ShadowEndtroducing…..94 A8 critics · 100% approval · Broad agreement · A-Side
Average Breakdown78across 1996's albums. That's higher than 78% of the other years here.
Liked69%of 1996's albums scored 75 or higher. Across every year it's 50%.
Most divisiveContentiousStone Temple Pilots, Tiny Music… Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop split the critics more than any other album of the year.A-Sides10%of 1996's albums earned an A-Side. Across every year it's 6%.
  1. 1Album cover for Endtroducing….. by DJ Shadow
    DJ ShadowEndtroducing…..September 16, 1996 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    94A
  2. 2Album cover for Reasonable Doubt by Jay-Z
    Jay-ZReasonable DoubtJune 25, 1996 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    92A-
  3. 3Album cover for Second Toughest in the Infants by Underworld
    UnderworldSecond Toughest in the InfantsMarch 4, 1996 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    91A-
  4. 4Album cover for Odelay by Beck
    BeckOdelayJune 17, 1996 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    91A-
  5. 5Album cover for Everything Must Go by Manic Street Preachers
    Manic Street PreachersEverything Must GoMay 20, 1996 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    91A-
  6. 6Album cover for Ironman by Ghostface Killah
    Ghostface KillahIronmanOctober 29, 1996 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    90A-
  7. 7Album cover for Being There by Wilco
    WilcoBeing ThereOctober 29, 1996 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    90A-
  8. 8Album cover for Emperor Tomato Ketchup by Stereolab
    StereolabEmperor Tomato KetchupMarch 8, 1996 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    89B+
  9. 9Album cover for If You’re Feeling Sinister by Belle and Sebastian
    Belle and SebastianIf You’re Feeling SinisterNovember 18, 1996 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    89B+
  10. 10Album cover for Soundtracks for the Blind by Swans
    SwansSoundtracks for the BlindOctober 22, 1996 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Divided
    88B+

How 1996 grades

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

1996

A10%
B30%
C43%
D15%
F1%

Every year

A6%
B25%
C37%
D21%
F10%
  1. 11Album cover for New Adventures in Hi-Fi by R.E.M.
    R.E.M.New Adventures in Hi-FiSeptember 9, 1996 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    88B+
  2. 12Album cover for The Score by Fugees
    FugeesThe ScoreFebruary 12, 1996 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    88B+
  3. 13Album cover for Millions Now Living Will Never Die by Tortoise
    TortoiseMillions Now Living Will Never DieJanuary 30, 1996 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    87B+
  4. 14Album cover for Sublime by Sublime
    SublimeSublimeJuly 30, 1996 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    87B+
  5. 15Album cover for Richard D. James Album by Aphex Twin
    Aphex TwinRichard D. James AlbumNovember 4, 1996 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Broad agreement
    85B
  6. 16Album cover for Hell on Earth by Mobb Deep
    Mobb DeepHell on EarthNovember 1, 1996 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    85B
  7. 17Album cover for Who Can You Trust? by Morcheeba
    MorcheebaWho Can You Trust?April 8, 1996 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    84B
  8. 18Album cover for Set the Twilight Reeling by Lou Reed
    Lou ReedSet the Twilight ReelingFebruary 20, 1996 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    83B
  9. 19Album cover for Hard Core by Lil' Kim
    Lil' KimHard CoreNovember 12, 1996 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    83B
  10. 20Album cover for Tellin’ Stories by The Charlatans
    The CharlatansTellin’ Stories1996 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    82B-
  11. 21Album cover for First Band on the Moon by The Cardigans
    The CardigansFirst Band on the MoonAugust 10, 1996 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    82B-
  12. 22Album cover for Ænima by Tool
    ToolÆnimaSeptember 17, 1996 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Divided
    82B-
  13. 23Album cover for Fuzzy Logic by Super Furry Animals
    Super Furry AnimalsFuzzy LogicMay 20, 1996 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  14. 24Album cover for Beautiful Freak by Eels
    EelsBeautiful FreakAugust 5, 1996 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Divided
    80B-
  15. 25Album cover for Dust by Screaming Trees
    Screaming TreesDustJune 25, 1996 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Broad agreement
    80B-

Where 1996 sits

Average Breakdown, for albums with five or more reviews.

Next to the years around it

199376
199480
199575
1996 (this year)78
199774
199878
199973

By genre

Electronic84
Indie & Alternative80
Hip-Hop & Rap78
Rock76
Metal & Punk74
Pop73
  1. 26Album cover for Tigermilk by Belle and Sebastian
    Belle and SebastianTigermilkJune 6, 1996 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  2. 27Album cover for Muddy Waters by Redman
    RedmanMuddy WatersDecember 10, 1996 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  3. 28Album cover for Call the Doctor by Sleater-Kinney
    Sleater-KinneyCall the DoctorMarch 25, 1996 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  4. 29Album cover for Load by Metallica
    MetallicaLoadMay 4, 1996 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  5. 30Album cover for Revival by Gillian Welch
    Gillian WelchRevivalApril 9, 1996 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Divided
    79C+
  6. 31Album cover for Emancipation by Prince
    PrinceEmancipationNovember 19, 1996 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  7. 32Album cover for Tidal by Fiona Apple
    Fiona AppleTidalJuly 23, 1996 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Broad agreement
    78C+
  8. 33Album cover for Beats, Rhymes and Life by A Tribe Called Quest
    A Tribe Called QuestBeats, Rhymes and LifeJuly 29, 1996 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  9. 34Album cover for The Coming by Busta Rhymes
    Busta RhymesThe ComingMarch 15, 1996 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  10. 35Album cover for Reject All American by Bikini Kill
    Bikini KillReject All AmericanApril 5, 1996 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    78C+
  11. 36Album cover for Gone Again by Patti Smith
    Patti SmithGone AgainJune 18, 1996 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Broad agreement
    77C+
  12. 37Album cover for Coming Up by Suede
    SuedeComing UpJuly 26, 1996 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Broad agreement
    77C+
  13. 38Album cover for White Light, White Heat, White Trash by Social Distortion
    Social DistortionWhite Light, White Heat, White TrashSeptember 16, 1996 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    77C+
  14. 39Album cover for Boys for Pele by Tori Amos
    Tori AmosBoys for PeleJanuary 16, 1996 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Contentious
    77C+
  15. 40Album cover for Roots by Sepultura
    SepulturaRootsFebruary 21, 1996 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    76C
  16. 41Album cover for Stakes Is High by De La Soul
    De La SoulStakes Is HighJune 28, 1996 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Divided
    76C
  17. 42Album cover for On Avery Island by Neutral Milk Hotel
    Neutral Milk HotelOn Avery IslandMarch 26, 1996 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Broad agreement
    76C
  18. 43Album cover for One in a Million by Aaliyah
    AaliyahOne in a MillionAugust 27, 1996 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    76C
  19. 44Album cover for It Was Written by Nas
    NasIt Was WrittenJuly 1, 1996 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Divided
    76C
  20. 45Album cover for Crash by Dave Matthews Band
    Dave Matthews BandCrashApril 30, 1996 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Broad agreement
    75C
  21. 46Album cover for Bow Down by Westside Connection
    Westside ConnectionBow DownOctober 22, 1996 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    75C
  22. 47Album cover for No Code by Pearl Jam
    Pearl JamNo CodeAugust 14, 1996 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    74C
  23. 48Album cover for Bilingual by Pet Shop Boys
    Pet Shop BoysBilingualJuly 7, 1996 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    74C
  24. 49Album cover for Car Button Cloth by The Lemonheads
    The LemonheadsCar Button ClothOctober 10, 1996 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Some debate
    73C
  25. 50Album cover for All Eyez on Me by Tupac Shakur
    Tupac ShakurAll Eyez on MeFebruary 13, 1996 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Contentious
    73C
  1. 1Album cover for The Score by Fugees
    FugeesThe ScoreFebruary 12, 1996 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    88B+
  2. 2Album cover for Bilingual by Pet Shop Boys
    Pet Shop BoysBilingualJuly 7, 1996 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    74C
  3. 3Album cover for Older by George Michael
    George MichaelOlderMay 6, 1996 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Some debate
    70C-
  4. 4Album cover for Travelling Without Moving by Jamiroquai
    JamiroquaiTravelling Without MovingAugust 28, 1996 · 8 reviews · 38% approval · Some debate
    68D+
  5. 5Album cover for Spice by Spice Girls
    Spice GirlsSpiceSeptember 19, 1996 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Contentious
    67D+
  1. 1Album cover for Being There by Wilco
    WilcoBeing ThereOctober 29, 1996 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    90A-
  2. 2Album cover for Set the Twilight Reeling by Lou Reed
    Lou ReedSet the Twilight ReelingFebruary 20, 1996 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    83B
  3. 3Album cover for First Band on the Moon by The Cardigans
    The CardigansFirst Band on the MoonAugust 10, 1996 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    82B-
  4. 4Album cover for Fuzzy Logic by Super Furry Animals
    Super Furry AnimalsFuzzy LogicMay 20, 1996 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  5. 5Album cover for Dust by Screaming Trees
    Screaming TreesDustJune 25, 1996 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Broad agreement
    80B-
  6. 6Album cover for Coming Up by Suede
    SuedeComing UpJuly 26, 1996 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Broad agreement
    77C+
  7. 7Album cover for Boys for Pele by Tori Amos
    Tori AmosBoys for PeleJanuary 16, 1996 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Contentious
    77C+
  8. 8Album cover for Crash by Dave Matthews Band
    Dave Matthews BandCrashApril 30, 1996 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Broad agreement
    75C
  9. 9Album cover for No Code by Pearl Jam
    Pearl JamNo CodeAugust 14, 1996 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    74C
  10. 10Album cover for Car Button Cloth by The Lemonheads
    The LemonheadsCar Button ClothOctober 10, 1996 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Some debate
    73C
  11. 11Album cover for Recovering the Satellites by Counting Crows
    Counting CrowsRecovering the SatellitesOctober 14, 1996 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Divided
    70C-
  12. 12Album cover for Mercury Falling by Sting
    StingMercury FallingMarch 8, 1996 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Divided
    68D+
  13. 13Album cover for Tiny Music… Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop by Stone Temple Pilots
    Stone Temple PilotsTiny Music… Songs from the Vatican Gift ShopMarch 26, 1996 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Contentious
    55F
  1. 1Album cover for Odelay by Beck
    BeckOdelayJune 17, 1996 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    91A-
  2. 2Album cover for Everything Must Go by Manic Street Preachers
    Manic Street PreachersEverything Must GoMay 20, 1996 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    91A-
  3. 3Album cover for Emperor Tomato Ketchup by Stereolab
    StereolabEmperor Tomato KetchupMarch 8, 1996 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    89B+
  4. 4Album cover for If You’re Feeling Sinister by Belle and Sebastian
    Belle and SebastianIf You’re Feeling SinisterNovember 18, 1996 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    89B+
  5. 5Album cover for Soundtracks for the Blind by Swans
    SwansSoundtracks for the BlindOctober 22, 1996 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Divided
    88B+
  6. 6Album cover for New Adventures in Hi-Fi by R.E.M.
    R.E.M.New Adventures in Hi-FiSeptember 9, 1996 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    88B+
  7. 7Album cover for Millions Now Living Will Never Die by Tortoise
    TortoiseMillions Now Living Will Never DieJanuary 30, 1996 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    87B+
  8. 8Album cover for Sublime by Sublime
    SublimeSublimeJuly 30, 1996 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    87B+
  9. 9Album cover for Tellin’ Stories by The Charlatans
    The CharlatansTellin’ Stories1996 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    82B-
  10. 10Album cover for Beautiful Freak by Eels
    EelsBeautiful FreakAugust 5, 1996 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Divided
    80B-
  11. 11Album cover for Tigermilk by Belle and Sebastian
    Belle and SebastianTigermilkJune 6, 1996 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  12. 12Album cover for Call the Doctor by Sleater-Kinney
    Sleater-KinneyCall the DoctorMarch 25, 1996 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  13. 13Album cover for Tidal by Fiona Apple
    Fiona AppleTidalJuly 23, 1996 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Broad agreement
    78C+
  14. 14Album cover for Reject All American by Bikini Kill
    Bikini KillReject All AmericanApril 5, 1996 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    78C+
  15. 15Album cover for Gone Again by Patti Smith
    Patti SmithGone AgainJune 18, 1996 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Broad agreement
    77C+
  16. 16Album cover for White Light, White Heat, White Trash by Social Distortion
    Social DistortionWhite Light, White Heat, White TrashSeptember 16, 1996 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    77C+
  17. 17Album cover for On Avery Island by Neutral Milk Hotel
    Neutral Milk HotelOn Avery IslandMarch 26, 1996 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Broad agreement
    76C
  18. 18Album cover for To the Faithful Departed by The Cranberries
    The CranberriesTo the Faithful DepartedApril 19, 1996 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    71C-
  19. 19Album cover for Pinkerton by Weezer
    WeezerPinkertonAugust 24, 1996 · 9 reviews · 56% approval · Broad agreement
    71C-
  20. 20Album cover for Placebo by Placebo
    PlaceboPlaceboJune 12, 1996 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    68D+
  1. 1Album cover for Reasonable Doubt by Jay-Z
    Jay-ZReasonable DoubtJune 25, 1996 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    92A-
  2. 2Album cover for Ironman by Ghostface Killah
    Ghostface KillahIronmanOctober 29, 1996 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    90A-
  3. 3Album cover for Hell on Earth by Mobb Deep
    Mobb DeepHell on EarthNovember 1, 1996 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    85B
  4. 4Album cover for Hard Core by Lil' Kim
    Lil' KimHard CoreNovember 12, 1996 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    83B
  5. 5Album cover for Muddy Waters by Redman
    RedmanMuddy WatersDecember 10, 1996 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  6. 6Album cover for Beats, Rhymes and Life by A Tribe Called Quest
    A Tribe Called QuestBeats, Rhymes and LifeJuly 29, 1996 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  7. 7Album cover for The Coming by Busta Rhymes
    Busta RhymesThe ComingMarch 15, 1996 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  8. 8Album cover for Stakes Is High by De La Soul
    De La SoulStakes Is HighJune 28, 1996 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Divided
    76C
  9. 9Album cover for It Was Written by Nas
    NasIt Was WrittenJuly 1, 1996 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Divided
    76C
  10. 10Album cover for Bow Down by Westside Connection
    Westside ConnectionBow DownOctober 22, 1996 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    75C
  11. 11Album cover for All Eyez on Me by Tupac Shakur
    Tupac ShakurAll Eyez on MeFebruary 13, 1996 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Contentious
    73C
  12. 12Album cover for Ill Na Na by Foxy Brown
    Foxy BrownIll Na Na1996 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    69D+
  13. 13Album cover for The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory by Tupac Shakur
    Tupac ShakurThe Don Killuminati: The 7 Day TheoryNovember 5, 1996 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    61D-
  1. 1Album cover for Endtroducing….. by DJ Shadow
    DJ ShadowEndtroducing…..September 16, 1996 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    94A
  2. 2Album cover for Second Toughest in the Infants by Underworld
    UnderworldSecond Toughest in the InfantsMarch 4, 1996 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    91A-
  3. 3Album cover for Richard D. James Album by Aphex Twin
    Aphex TwinRichard D. James AlbumNovember 4, 1996 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Broad agreement
    85B
  4. 4Album cover for Who Can You Trust? by Morcheeba
    MorcheebaWho Can You Trust?April 8, 1996 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    84B
  5. 5Album cover for Animal Rights by Moby
    MobyAnimal RightsJune 23, 1996 · 9 reviews · 44% approval · Divided
    65D
  1. 1Album cover for Ænima by Tool
    ToolÆnimaSeptember 17, 1996 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Divided
    82B-
  2. 2Album cover for Load by Metallica
    MetallicaLoadMay 4, 1996 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  3. 3Album cover for Roots by Sepultura
    SepulturaRootsFebruary 21, 1996 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    76C
  4. 4Album cover for Evil Empire by Rage Against the Machine
    Rage Against the MachineEvil EmpireMarch 28, 1996 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    72C-
  5. 5Album cover for Antichrist Superstar by Marilyn Manson
    Marilyn MansonAntichrist SuperstarOctober 8, 1996 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Divided
    71C-
  6. 6Album cover for The Great Southern Trendkill by Pantera
    PanteraThe Great Southern TrendkillMay 3, 1996 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Divided
    61D-

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