B-Side Guys

The Best Albums of 1997

Every album of 1997, 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 OK Computer by RadioheadNumber one of 1997RadioheadOK Computer91 A-8 critics · 100% approval · Broad agreement · A-Side
Average Breakdown74across 1997's albums. That's higher than 54% of the other years here.
Liked53%of 1997's albums scored 75 or higher. Across every year it's 50%.
Most divisiveContentiousThe Flaming Lips, Zaireeka split the critics more than any other album of the year.A-Sides2.7%of 1997's albums earned an A-Side. Across every year it's 6%.
  1. 1Album cover for OK Computer by Radiohead
    RadioheadOK ComputerMay 21, 1997 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    91A-
  2. 2Album cover for Buena Vista Social Club by Buena Vista Social Club
    Buena Vista Social ClubBuena Vista Social ClubJune 23, 1997 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    91A-
  3. 3Album cover for Vanishing Point by Primal Scream
    Primal ScreamVanishing PointJune 25, 1997 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    88B+
  4. 4Album cover for Dig Your Own Hole by The Chemical Brothers
    The Chemical BrothersDig Your Own HoleMarch 25, 1997 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    87B+
  5. 5Album cover for The Boatman’s Call by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
    Nick Cave and the Bad SeedsThe Boatman’s CallMarch 2, 1997 · 11 reviews · 91% approval · Some debate
    87B+
  6. 6Album cover for Be Here Now by Oasis
    OasisBe Here NowAugust 21, 1997 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    87B+
  7. 7Album cover for Pop by U2
    U2PopFebruary 26, 1997 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    87B+
  8. 8Album cover for The Fat of the Land by The Prodigy
    The ProdigyThe Fat of the LandJune 30, 1997 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    87B+
  9. 9Album cover for Homogenic by Björk
    BjörkHomogenicSeptember 20, 1997 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  10. 10Album cover for Portishead by Portishead
    PortisheadPortisheadSeptember 29, 1997 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    86B

How 1997 grades

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

1997

A3%
B36%
C35%
D16%
F11%

Every year

A6%
B25%
C37%
D21%
F10%
  1. 11Album cover for Time Out of Mind by Bob Dylan
    Bob DylanTime Out of MindSeptember 26, 1997 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  2. 12Album cover for Dig Me Out by Sleater-Kinney
    Sleater-KinneyDig Me OutApril 8, 1997 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    85B
  3. 13Album cover for Life After Death by The Notorious B.I.G.
    The Notorious B.I.G.Life After DeathMarch 25, 1997 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    85B
  4. 14Album cover for In It for the Money by Supergrass
    SupergrassIn It for the MoneyApril 21, 1997 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Broad agreement
    84B
  5. 15Album cover for Supa Dupa Fly by Missy Elliott
    Missy ElliottSupa Dupa FlyJuly 11, 1997 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    84B
  6. 16Album cover for Wu-Tang Forever by Wu-Tang Clan
    Wu-Tang ClanWu-Tang ForeverMay 26, 1997 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    84B
  7. 17Album cover for Urban Hymns by The Verve
    The VerveUrban HymnsSeptember 29, 1997 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Divided
    84B
  8. 18Album cover for The Lonesome Crowded West by Modest Mouse
    Modest MouseThe Lonesome Crowded WestNovember 18, 1997 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    83B
  9. 19Album cover for Baduizm by Erykah Badu
    Erykah BaduBaduizmFebruary 11, 1997 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Broad agreement
    83B
  10. 20Album cover for Brighten the Corners by Pavement
    PavementBrighten the CornersJanuary 8, 1997 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    83B
  11. 21Album cover for Mogwai Young Team by Mogwai
    MogwaiMogwai Young TeamOctober 21, 1997 · 10 reviews · 70% approval · Some debate
    83B
  12. 22Album cover for Too Far to Care by Old 97's
    Old 97'sToo Far to CareJune 17, 1997 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Broad agreement
    83B
  13. 23Album cover for The Action Is Go by Fu Manchu
    Fu ManchuThe Action Is Go1997 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    82B-
  14. 24Album cover for Blur by Blur
    BlurBlurJanuary 29, 1997 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    82B-
  15. 25Album cover for F♯ A♯ ∞ by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
    Godspeed You! Black EmperorF♯ A♯ ∞August 14, 1997 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    82B-

Where 1997 sits

Average Breakdown, for albums with five or more reviews.

Next to the years around it

199480
199575
199678
1997 (this year)74
199878
199973
200074

By genre

Electronic85
Indie & Alternative79
Rock73
Hip-Hop & Rap73
Pop66
  1. 26Album cover for Dots and Loops by Stereolab
    StereolabDots and LoopsSeptember 22, 1997 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Broad agreement
    80B-
  2. 27Album cover for Homework by Daft Punk
    Daft PunkHomeworkJanuary 20, 1997 · 10 reviews · 70% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  3. 28Album cover for The Colour and the Shape by Foo Fighters
    Foo FightersThe Colour and the ShapeMay 10, 1997 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  4. 29Album cover for Strangers Almanac by Whiskeytown
    WhiskeytownStrangers AlmanacJuly 29, 1997 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Divided
    80B-
  5. 30Album cover for When Disaster Strikes… by Busta Rhymes
    Busta RhymesWhen Disaster Strikes…September 16, 1997 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  6. 31Album cover for Come On Over by Shania Twain
    Shania TwainCome On OverNovember 4, 1997 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Divided
    79C+
  7. 32Album cover for The 18th Letter by Rakim
    RakimThe 18th LetterOctober 31, 1997 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  8. 33Album cover for Surfacing by Sarah McLachlan
    Sarah McLachlanSurfacingJuly 15, 1997 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Unanimous
    78C+
  9. 34Album cover for In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 by Jay-Z
    Jay-ZIn My Lifetime, Vol. 1October 27, 1997 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Broad agreement
    78C+
  10. 35Album cover for Good Feeling by Travis
    TravisGood FeelingSeptember 8, 1997 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Broad agreement
    78C+
  11. 36Album cover for The Carnival by Wyclef Jean
    Wyclef JeanThe CarnivalJune 24, 1997 · 10 reviews · 70% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  12. 37Album cover for Shleep by Robert Wyatt
    Robert WyattShleepSeptember 29, 1997 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    77C+
  13. 38Album cover for Share My World by Mary J. Blige
    Mary J. BligeShare My WorldApril 22, 1997 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Divided
    75C
  14. 39Album cover for Middle of Nowhere by Hanson
    HansonMiddle of NowhereMay 6, 1997 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    75C
  15. 40Album cover for Flaming Pie by Paul McCartney
    Paul McCartneyFlaming PieApril 1, 1997 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    75C
  16. 41Album cover for Life thru a Lens by Robbie Williams
    Robbie WilliamsLife thru a LensSeptember 10, 1997 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    74C
  17. 42Album cover for Earthling by David Bowie
    David BowieEarthlingFebruary 1, 1997 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    73C
  18. 43Album cover for Butterfly by Mariah Carey
    Mariah CareyButterflySeptember 10, 1997 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Divided
    73C
  19. 44Album cover for Nimrod by Green Day
    Green DayNimrodOctober 10, 1997 · 9 reviews · 56% approval · Some debate
    73C
  20. 45Album cover for Ultra by Depeche Mode
    Depeche ModeUltraApril 10, 1997 · 11 reviews · 55% approval · Some debate
    73C
  21. 46Album cover for The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum by L7
    L7The Beauty Process: Triple PlatinumJanuary 1, 1997 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Some debate
    72C-
  22. 47Album cover for Take a Look Over Your Shoulder by Warren G
    Warren GTake a Look Over Your ShoulderFebruary 24, 1997 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Divided
    72C-
  23. 48Album cover for Zaireeka by The Flaming Lips
    The Flaming LipsZaireekaOctober 28, 1997 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Contentious
    71C-
  24. 49Album cover for No Way Out by Puff Daddy & The Diddymen Family
    Puff Daddy & The Diddymen FamilyNo Way OutJuly 22, 1997 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Divided
    71C-
  25. 50Album cover for Around the Fur by Deftones
    DeftonesAround the FurJuly 31, 1997 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Divided
    71C-
  1. 1Album cover for Middle of Nowhere by Hanson
    HansonMiddle of NowhereMay 6, 1997 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    75C
  2. 2Album cover for Earthling by David Bowie
    David BowieEarthlingFebruary 1, 1997 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    73C
  3. 3Album cover for All Saints by All Saints
    All SaintsAll SaintsOctober 15, 1997 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    69D+
  4. 4Album cover for Left of the Middle by Natalie Imbruglia
    Natalie ImbrugliaLeft of the MiddleNovember 24, 1997 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    69D+
  5. 5Album cover for Spiceworld by Spice Girls
    Spice GirlsSpiceworldOctober 31, 1997 · 6 reviews · 33% approval · Contentious
    63D
  6. 6Album cover for The Big Picture by Elton John
    Elton JohnThe Big PictureSeptember 22, 1997 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Broad agreement
    61D-
  7. 7Album cover for Medazzaland by Duran Duran
    Duran DuranMedazzalandSeptember 10, 1997 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Divided
    59F
  8. 8Album cover for Still Waters by Bee Gees
    Bee GeesStill WatersMarch 10, 1997 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Some debate
    56F
  1. 1Album cover for Pop by U2
    U2PopFebruary 26, 1997 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    87B+
  2. 2Album cover for Time Out of Mind by Bob Dylan
    Bob DylanTime Out of MindSeptember 26, 1997 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  3. 3Album cover for In It for the Money by Supergrass
    SupergrassIn It for the MoneyApril 21, 1997 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Broad agreement
    84B
  4. 4Album cover for Urban Hymns by The Verve
    The VerveUrban HymnsSeptember 29, 1997 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Divided
    84B
  5. 5Album cover for Brighten the Corners by Pavement
    PavementBrighten the CornersJanuary 8, 1997 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    83B
  6. 6Album cover for Too Far to Care by Old 97's
    Old 97'sToo Far to CareJune 17, 1997 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Broad agreement
    83B
  7. 7Album cover for The Action Is Go by Fu Manchu
    Fu ManchuThe Action Is Go1997 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    82B-
  8. 8Album cover for Strangers Almanac by Whiskeytown
    WhiskeytownStrangers AlmanacJuly 29, 1997 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Divided
    80B-
  9. 9Album cover for Surfacing by Sarah McLachlan
    Sarah McLachlanSurfacingJuly 15, 1997 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Unanimous
    78C+
  10. 10Album cover for Good Feeling by Travis
    TravisGood FeelingSeptember 8, 1997 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Broad agreement
    78C+
  11. 11Album cover for Flaming Pie by Paul McCartney
    Paul McCartneyFlaming PieApril 1, 1997 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    75C
  12. 12Album cover for Life thru a Lens by Robbie Williams
    Robbie WilliamsLife thru a LensSeptember 10, 1997 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    74C
  13. 13Album cover for Ultra by Depeche Mode
    Depeche ModeUltraApril 10, 1997 · 11 reviews · 55% approval · Some debate
    73C
  14. 14Album cover for The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum by L7
    L7The Beauty Process: Triple PlatinumJanuary 1, 1997 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Some debate
    72C-
  15. 15Album cover for Reload by Metallica
    MetallicaReloadNovember 15, 1997 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Some debate
    70C-
  16. 16Album cover for Nine Lives by Aerosmith
    AerosmithNine LivesMarch 12, 1997 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    70C-
  17. 17Album cover for Destination Anywhere by Jon Bon Jovi
    Jon Bon JoviDestination AnywhereJune 4, 1997 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Contentious
    68D+
  18. 18Album cover for Bridges to Babylon by The Rolling Stones
    The Rolling StonesBridges to BabylonSeptember 27, 1997 · 7 reviews · 29% approval · Some debate
    66D
  19. 19Album cover for Generation Swine by Mötley Crüe
    Mötley CrüeGeneration SwineMay 25, 1997 · 6 reviews · 33% approval · Divided
    58F
  20. 20Album cover for Album of the Year by Faith No More
    Faith No MoreAlbum of the YearJune 3, 1997 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Contentious
    56F
  1. 1Album cover for OK Computer by Radiohead
    RadioheadOK ComputerMay 21, 1997 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    91A-
  2. 2Album cover for Vanishing Point by Primal Scream
    Primal ScreamVanishing PointJune 25, 1997 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    88B+
  3. 3Album cover for The Boatman’s Call by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
    Nick Cave and the Bad SeedsThe Boatman’s CallMarch 2, 1997 · 11 reviews · 91% approval · Some debate
    87B+
  4. 4Album cover for Be Here Now by Oasis
    OasisBe Here NowAugust 21, 1997 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    87B+
  5. 5Album cover for Dig Me Out by Sleater-Kinney
    Sleater-KinneyDig Me OutApril 8, 1997 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    85B
  6. 6Album cover for The Lonesome Crowded West by Modest Mouse
    Modest MouseThe Lonesome Crowded WestNovember 18, 1997 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    83B
  7. 7Album cover for Mogwai Young Team by Mogwai
    MogwaiMogwai Young TeamOctober 21, 1997 · 10 reviews · 70% approval · Some debate
    83B
  8. 8Album cover for Blur by Blur
    BlurBlurJanuary 29, 1997 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    82B-
  9. 9Album cover for F♯ A♯ ∞ by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
    Godspeed You! Black EmperorF♯ A♯ ∞August 14, 1997 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    82B-
  10. 10Album cover for Dots and Loops by Stereolab
    StereolabDots and LoopsSeptember 22, 1997 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Broad agreement
    80B-
  11. 11Album cover for The Colour and the Shape by Foo Fighters
    Foo FightersThe Colour and the ShapeMay 10, 1997 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  12. 12Album cover for Shleep by Robert Wyatt
    Robert WyattShleepSeptember 29, 1997 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    77C+
  13. 13Album cover for Zaireeka by The Flaming Lips
    The Flaming LipsZaireekaOctober 28, 1997 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Contentious
    71C-
  14. 14Album cover for Tubthumper by Chumbawamba
    ChumbawambaTubthumperAugust 25, 1997 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    70C-
  15. 15Album cover for The Mollusk by Ween
    WeenThe MolluskJune 25, 1997 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Contentious
    70C-
  16. 16Album cover for Von by Sigur Rós
    Sigur RósVon1997 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    70C-
  17. 17Album cover for Maladjusted by Morrissey
    MorrisseyMaladjustedJuly 30, 1997 · 9 reviews · 11% approval · Some debate
    58F
  1. 1Album cover for Life After Death by The Notorious B.I.G.
    The Notorious B.I.G.Life After DeathMarch 25, 1997 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    85B
  2. 2Album cover for Supa Dupa Fly by Missy Elliott
    Missy ElliottSupa Dupa FlyJuly 11, 1997 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    84B
  3. 3Album cover for Wu-Tang Forever by Wu-Tang Clan
    Wu-Tang ClanWu-Tang ForeverMay 26, 1997 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    84B
  4. 4Album cover for When Disaster Strikes… by Busta Rhymes
    Busta RhymesWhen Disaster Strikes…September 16, 1997 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  5. 5Album cover for The 18th Letter by Rakim
    RakimThe 18th LetterOctober 31, 1997 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  6. 6Album cover for In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 by Jay-Z
    Jay-ZIn My Lifetime, Vol. 1October 27, 1997 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Broad agreement
    78C+
  7. 7Album cover for The Carnival by Wyclef Jean
    Wyclef JeanThe CarnivalJune 24, 1997 · 10 reviews · 70% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  8. 8Album cover for No Way Out by Puff Daddy & The Diddymen Family
    Puff Daddy & The Diddymen FamilyNo Way OutJuly 22, 1997 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Divided
    71C-
  9. 9Album cover for The Album by The Firm
    The FirmThe AlbumOctober 21, 1997 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Divided
    68D+
  10. 10Album cover for The Art of War by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
    Bone Thugs-n-HarmonyThe Art of WarJuly 29, 1997 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Contentious
    64D
  11. 11Album cover for The Untouchable by Scarface
    ScarfaceThe UntouchableMarch 11, 1997 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Divided
    64D
  12. 12Album cover for Back in Business by EPMD
    EPMDBack in BusinessSeptember 23, 1997 · 6 reviews · 33% approval · Divided
    63D
  13. 13Album cover for Big Willie Style by Will Smith
    Will SmithBig Willie StyleNovember 24, 1997 · 6 reviews · 17% approval · Divided
    62D-
  14. 14Album cover for R U Still Down? (Remember Me) by Tupac Shakur
    Tupac ShakurR U Still Down? (Remember Me)November 25, 1997 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Contentious
    59F
  1. 1Album cover for Dig Your Own Hole by The Chemical Brothers
    The Chemical BrothersDig Your Own HoleMarch 25, 1997 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    87B+
  2. 2Album cover for The Fat of the Land by The Prodigy
    The ProdigyThe Fat of the LandJune 30, 1997 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    87B+
  3. 3Album cover for Homogenic by Björk
    BjörkHomogenicSeptember 20, 1997 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  4. 4Album cover for Portishead by Portishead
    PortisheadPortisheadSeptember 29, 1997 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    86B
  5. 5Album cover for Homework by Daft Punk
    Daft PunkHomeworkJanuary 20, 1997 · 10 reviews · 70% approval · Some debate
    80B-

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