B-Side Guys

The Best Albums of 1999

Every album of 1999, 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 Yesterday Was Dramatic – Today Is OK by MúmNumber one of 1999MúmYesterday Was Dramatic – Today Is OK89 B+6 critics · 100% approval · Broad agreement
Average Breakdown73across 1999's albums. That's higher than 32% of the other years here.
Liked48%of 1999's albums scored 75 or higher. Across every year it's 49%.
Most divisiveContentiousBritney Spears, …Baby One More Time split the critics more than any other album of the year.A-Sides0%of 1999's albums earned an A-Side. Across every year it's 6.3%.
  1. 1Album cover for Yesterday Was Dramatic – Today Is OK by Múm
    MúmYesterday Was Dramatic – Today Is OKDecember 1999 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    89B+
  2. 2Album cover for 69 Love Songs by The Magnetic Fields
    The Magnetic Fields69 Love SongsSeptember 7, 1999 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    87B+
  3. 3Album cover for The Battle of Los Angeles by Rage Against the Machine
    Rage Against the MachineThe Battle of Los AngelesSeptember 1999 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    87B+
  4. 4Album cover for Le Tigre by Le Tigre
    Le TigreLe TigreNovember 8, 1999 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  5. 5Album cover for The Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips
    The Flaming LipsThe Soft BulletinMay 17, 1999 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    86B
  6. 6Album cover for Things Fall Apart by The Roots
    The RootsThings Fall ApartFebruary 22, 1999 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  7. 7Album cover for Play by Moby
    MobyPlayMay 17, 1999 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Divided
    84B
  8. 8Album cover for Midnite Vultures by Beck
    BeckMidnite VulturesNovember 20, 1999 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Divided
    84B
  9. 9Album cover for Surrender by The Chemical Brothers
    The Chemical BrothersSurrenderJune 7, 1999 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    83B
  10. 10Album cover for Ágætis byrjun by Sigur Rós
    Sigur RósÁgætis byrjunJune 1999 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    83B

How 1999 grades

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

1999

A0%
B23%
C48%
D14%
F14%

Every year

A6%
B24%
C37%
D22%
F11%
  1. 11Album cover for Mule Variations by Tom Waits
    Tom WaitsMule VariationsApril 14, 1999 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    82B-
  2. 12Album cover for Black on Both Sides by Yasiin Bey
    Yasiin BeyBlack on Both SidesOctober 12, 1999 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    82B-
  3. 13Album cover for Terror Twilight by Pavement
    PavementTerror TwilightMay 24, 1999 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    81B-
  4. 14Album cover for 2001 by Dr. Dre
    Dr. Dre2001November 16, 1999 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  5. 15Album cover for Operation: Doomsday by MF DOOM
    MF DOOMOperation: DoomsdayOctober 19, 1999 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  6. 16Album cover for Da Real World by Missy Elliott
    Missy ElliottDa Real WorldJune 22, 1999 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Broad agreement
    79C+
  7. 17Album cover for The Slim Shady LP by Eminem
    EminemThe Slim Shady LPFebruary 23, 1999 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Divided
    79C+
  8. 18Album cover for 13 by Blur
    Blur13March 15, 1999 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  9. 19Album cover for Murda Muzik by Mobb Deep
    Mobb DeepMurda MuzikAugust 17, 1999 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Broad agreement
    79C+
  10. 20Album cover for Nigga Please by Ol' Dirty Bastard
    Ol' Dirty BastardNigga PleaseSeptember 14, 1999 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Broad agreement
    78C+
  11. 21Album cover for I Am… by Nas
    NasI Am…April 6, 1999 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Broad agreement
    77C+
  12. 22Album cover for Amplified by Q-Tip
    Q-TipAmplifiedNovember 23, 1999 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Broad agreement
    77C+
  13. 23Album cover for FanMail by TLC
    TLCFanMailFebruary 22, 1999 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Broad agreement
    77C+
  14. 24Album cover for When the Pawn… by Fiona Apple
    Fiona AppleWhen the Pawn…November 9, 1999 · 12 reviews · 58% approval · Divided
    77C+
  15. 25Album cover for Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter by Jay-Z
    Jay-ZVol. 3… Life and Times of S. CarterDecember 13, 1999 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    77C+

Where 1999 sits

Average Breakdown, for albums with five or more reviews.

Next to the years around it

199677
199774
199877
1999 (this year)72
200074
200172
200272

By genre

Indie & Alternative79
Hip-Hop & Rap74
Metal & Punk70
Rock68
Pop63
  1. 26Album cover for Make Yourself by Incubus
    IncubusMake YourselfOctober 26, 1999 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Broad agreement
    77C+
  2. 27Album cover for There Is Nothing Left to Lose by Foo Fighters
    Foo FightersThere Is Nothing Left to LoseOctober 4, 1999 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Broad agreement
    76C
  3. 28Album cover for Tha Streetz Iz a Mutha by Kurupt
    KuruptTha Streetz Iz a MuthaNovember 16, 1999 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Broad agreement
    76C
  4. 29Album cover for Slipknot by Slipknot
    SlipknotSlipknotJune 29, 1999 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Some debate
    75C
  5. 30Album cover for … And Then There Was X by DMX
    DMX… And Then There Was XDecember 21, 1999 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    75C
  6. 31Album cover for The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails
    Nine Inch NailsThe FragileSeptember 20, 1999 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Contentious
    75C
  7. 32Album cover for Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers
    Red Hot Chili PeppersCalifornicationApril 30, 1999 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    74C
  8. 33Album cover for The Writing’s on the Wall by Destiny's Child
    Destiny's ChildThe Writing’s on the WallJuly 14, 1999 · 10 reviews · 70% approval · Divided
    74C
  9. 34Album cover for The Man Who by Travis
    TravisThe Man WhoMay 24, 1999 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    74C
  10. 35Album cover for Enema of the State by Blink-182
    Blink-182Enema of the StateJune 1, 1999 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    74C
  11. 36Album cover for Run Devil Run by Paul McCartney
    Paul McCartneyRun Devil RunOctober 4, 1999 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Divided
    74C
  12. 37Album cover for No Limit Top Dogg by Snoop Dogg
    Snoop DoggNo Limit Top DoggJanuary 1, 1999 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    74C
  13. 38Album cover for Astro Lounge by Smash Mouth
    Smash MouthAstro LoungeJune 8, 1999 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    73C
  14. 39Album cover for Supergrass by Supergrass
    SupergrassSupergrassSeptember 20, 1999 · 10 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    72C-
  15. 40Album cover for The Master by Rakim
    RakimThe MasterDecember 1, 1999 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    72C-
  16. 41Album cover for Fight Songs by Old 97's
    Old 97'sFight SongsApril 27, 1999 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Divided
    72C-
  17. 42Album cover for Head Music by Suede
    SuedeHead MusicApril 28, 1999 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Broad agreement
    71C-
  18. 43Album cover for Peace by Eurythmics
    EurythmicsPeaceOctober 19, 1999 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    71C-
  19. 44Album cover for Rainbow by Mariah Carey
    Mariah CareyRainbowOctober 15, 1999 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    71C-
  20. 45Album cover for Synkronized by Jamiroquai
    JamiroquaiSynkronizedJune 7, 1999 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Broad agreement
    70C-
  21. 46Album cover for Significant Other by Limp Bizkit
    Limp BizkitSignificant OtherJune 18, 1999 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Divided
    70C-
  22. 47Album cover for No Angel by Dido
    DidoNo AngelJune 1, 1999 · 9 reviews · 33% approval · Divided
    66D
  23. 48Album cover for Affirmation by Savage Garden
    Savage GardenAffirmationOctober 22, 1999 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Divided
    65D
  24. 49Album cover for On the 6 by Jennifer Lopez
    Jennifer LopezOn the 6April 20, 1999 · 6 reviews · 33% approval · Some debate
    65D
  25. 50Album cover for Bury the Hatchet by The Cranberries
    The CranberriesBury the HatchetApril 19, 1999 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Some debate
    65D
  1. 1Album cover for Rainbow by Mariah Carey
    Mariah CareyRainbowOctober 15, 1999 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    71C-
  2. 2Album cover for Synkronized by Jamiroquai
    JamiroquaiSynkronizedJune 7, 1999 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Broad agreement
    70C-
  3. 3Album cover for No Angel by Dido
    DidoNo AngelJune 1, 1999 · 9 reviews · 33% approval · Divided
    66D
  4. 4Album cover for Affirmation by Savage Garden
    Savage GardenAffirmationOctober 22, 1999 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Divided
    65D
  5. 5Album cover for On the 6 by Jennifer Lopez
    Jennifer LopezOn the 6April 20, 1999 · 6 reviews · 33% approval · Some debate
    65D
  6. 6Album cover for Hours by David Bowie
    David BowieHoursOctober 5, 1999 · 8 reviews · 38% approval · Divided
    59F
  7. 7Album cover for Nightlife by Pet Shop Boys
    Pet Shop BoysNightlifeOctober 9, 1999 · 6 reviews · 17% approval · Divided
    57F
  8. 8Album cover for …Baby One More Time by Britney Spears
    Britney Spears…Baby One More TimeJanuary 12, 1999 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Contentious
    52F
  1. 1Album cover for When the Pawn… by Fiona Apple
    Fiona AppleWhen the Pawn…November 9, 1999 · 12 reviews · 58% approval · Divided
    77C+
  2. 2Album cover for There Is Nothing Left to Lose by Foo Fighters
    Foo FightersThere Is Nothing Left to LoseOctober 4, 1999 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Broad agreement
    76C
  3. 3Album cover for The Man Who by Travis
    TravisThe Man WhoMay 24, 1999 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    74C
  4. 4Album cover for Enema of the State by Blink-182
    Blink-182Enema of the StateJune 1, 1999 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    74C
  5. 5Album cover for Run Devil Run by Paul McCartney
    Paul McCartneyRun Devil RunOctober 4, 1999 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Divided
    74C
  6. 6Album cover for Supergrass by Supergrass
    SupergrassSupergrassSeptember 20, 1999 · 10 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    72C-
  7. 7Album cover for Peace by Eurythmics
    EurythmicsPeaceOctober 19, 1999 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    71C-
  8. 8Album cover for Bury the Hatchet by The Cranberries
    The CranberriesBury the HatchetApril 19, 1999 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Some debate
    65D
  9. 9Album cover for No. 4 by Stone Temple Pilots
    Stone Temple PilotsNo. 4October 26, 1999 · 6 reviews · 33% approval · Contentious
    57F
  10. 10Album cover for Slap-Happy by L7
    L7Slap-HappyAugust 24, 1999 · 7 reviews · 14% approval · Divided
    56F
  11. 11Album cover for The Gift of Game by Crazy Town
    Crazy TownThe Gift of GameNovember 4, 1999 · 5 reviews · 0% approval · Divided
    48F
  1. 1Album cover for 69 Love Songs by The Magnetic Fields
    The Magnetic Fields69 Love SongsSeptember 7, 1999 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    87B+
  2. 2Album cover for The Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips
    The Flaming LipsThe Soft BulletinMay 17, 1999 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    86B
  3. 3Album cover for Midnite Vultures by Beck
    BeckMidnite VulturesNovember 20, 1999 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Divided
    84B
  4. 4Album cover for Ágætis byrjun by Sigur Rós
    Sigur RósÁgætis byrjunJune 1999 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    83B
  5. 5Album cover for Mule Variations by Tom Waits
    Tom WaitsMule VariationsApril 14, 1999 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    82B-
  6. 6Album cover for Terror Twilight by Pavement
    PavementTerror TwilightMay 24, 1999 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    81B-
  7. 7Album cover for 13 by Blur
    Blur13March 15, 1999 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  8. 8Album cover for Make Yourself by Incubus
    IncubusMake YourselfOctober 26, 1999 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Broad agreement
    77C+
  9. 9Album cover for The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails
    Nine Inch NailsThe FragileSeptember 20, 1999 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Contentious
    75C
  10. 10Album cover for Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers
    Red Hot Chili PeppersCalifornicationApril 30, 1999 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    74C
  11. 11Album cover for Astro Lounge by Smash Mouth
    Smash MouthAstro LoungeJune 8, 1999 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    73C
  12. 12Album cover for Head Music by Suede
    SuedeHead MusicApril 28, 1999 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Broad agreement
    71C-
  1. 1Album cover for Le Tigre by Le Tigre
    Le TigreLe TigreNovember 8, 1999 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  2. 2Album cover for Things Fall Apart by The Roots
    The RootsThings Fall ApartFebruary 22, 1999 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  3. 3Album cover for Black on Both Sides by Yasiin Bey
    Yasiin BeyBlack on Both SidesOctober 12, 1999 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    82B-
  4. 4Album cover for 2001 by Dr. Dre
    Dr. Dre2001November 16, 1999 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  5. 5Album cover for Operation: Doomsday by MF DOOM
    MF DOOMOperation: DoomsdayOctober 19, 1999 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  6. 6Album cover for The Slim Shady LP by Eminem
    EminemThe Slim Shady LPFebruary 23, 1999 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Divided
    79C+
  7. 7Album cover for Murda Muzik by Mobb Deep
    Mobb DeepMurda MuzikAugust 17, 1999 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Broad agreement
    79C+
  8. 8Album cover for Nigga Please by Ol' Dirty Bastard
    Ol' Dirty BastardNigga PleaseSeptember 14, 1999 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Broad agreement
    78C+
  9. 9Album cover for I Am… by Nas
    NasI Am…April 6, 1999 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Broad agreement
    77C+
  10. 10Album cover for Amplified by Q-Tip
    Q-TipAmplifiedNovember 23, 1999 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Broad agreement
    77C+
  11. 11Album cover for Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter by Jay-Z
    Jay-ZVol. 3… Life and Times of S. CarterDecember 13, 1999 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    77C+
  12. 12Album cover for Tha Streetz Iz a Mutha by Kurupt
    KuruptTha Streetz Iz a MuthaNovember 16, 1999 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Broad agreement
    76C
  13. 13Album cover for … And Then There Was X by DMX
    DMX… And Then There Was XDecember 21, 1999 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    75C
  14. 14Album cover for No Limit Top Dogg by Snoop Dogg
    Snoop DoggNo Limit Top DoggJanuary 1, 1999 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    74C
  15. 15Album cover for The Master by Rakim
    RakimThe MasterDecember 1, 1999 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    72C-
  16. 16Album cover for Immobilarity by Raekwon
    RaekwonImmobilarityNovember 15, 1999 · 6 reviews · 17% approval · Some debate
    64D
  17. 17Album cover for Forever by Sean Combs
    Sean CombsForeverAugust 24, 1999 · 7 reviews · 29% approval · Some debate
    63D
  18. 18Album cover for Out of Business by EPMD
    EPMDOut of BusinessJuly 20, 1999 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Contentious
    63D
  19. 19Album cover for Venni Vetti Vecci by Ja Rule
    Ja RuleVenni Vetti VecciJune 1, 1999 · 5 reviews · 0% approval · Broad agreement
    61D-
  20. 20Album cover for The Amazing Jeckel Brothers by Insane Clown Posse
    Insane Clown PosseThe Amazing Jeckel BrothersMay 25, 1999 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Contentious
    52F
  1. 1Album cover for The Battle of Los Angeles by Rage Against the Machine
    Rage Against the MachineThe Battle of Los AngelesSeptember 1999 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    87B+
  2. 2Album cover for Slipknot by Slipknot
    SlipknotSlipknotJune 29, 1999 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Some debate
    75C
  3. 3Album cover for Significant Other by Limp Bizkit
    Limp BizkitSignificant OtherJune 18, 1999 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Divided
    70C-
  4. 4Album cover for Issues by Korn
    KornIssuesNovember 15, 1999 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Contentious
    62D-
  5. 5Album cover for Risk by Megadeth
    MegadethRiskAugust 18, 1999 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Contentious
    55F

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