B-Side Guys

The Best Albums of 2002

Every album of 2002, 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 Geogaddi by Boards of CanadaNumber one of 2002Boards of CanadaGeogaddi89 B+6 critics · 100% approval · Broad agreement
Average Breakdown72across 2002's albums. That's higher than 27% of the other years here.
Liked39%of 2002's albums scored 75 or higher. Across every year it's 49%.
Most divisiveContentiousAudioslave, Audioslave split the critics more than any other album of the year.A-Sides0%of 2002's albums earned an A-Side. Across every year it's 6.4%.
  1. 1Album cover for Geogaddi by Boards of Canada
    Boards of CanadaGeogaddiFebruary 13, 2002 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    89B+
  2. 2Album cover for Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by Wilco
    WilcoYankee Hotel FoxtrotApril 22, 2002 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    88B+
  3. 3Album cover for Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips
    The Flaming LipsYoshimi Battles the Pink RobotsMay 13, 2002 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  4. 4Album cover for Songs for the Deaf by Queens of the Stone Age
    Queens of the Stone AgeSongs for the DeafAugust 17, 2002 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    86B
  5. 5Album cover for Alice by Tom Waits
    Tom WaitsAliceMay 7, 2002 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    84B
  6. 6Album cover for Phrenology by The Roots
    The RootsPhrenologyNovember 26, 2002 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    84B
  7. 7Album cover for A Rush of Blood to the Head by Coldplay
    ColdplayA Rush of Blood to the HeadAugust 12, 2002 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    83B
  8. 8Album cover for By the Way by Red Hot Chili Peppers
    Red Hot Chili PeppersBy the WayJuly 9, 2002 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    83B
  9. 9Album cover for ( ) by Sigur Rós
    Sigur Rós( )October 23, 2002 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Broad agreement
    83B
  10. 10Album cover for The Rising by Bruce Springsteen
    Bruce SpringsteenThe RisingJuly 29, 2002 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    83B

How 2002 grades

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

2002

A0%
B25%
C37%
D27%
F11%

Every year

A6%
B24%
C37%
D22%
F11%
  1. 11Album cover for Turn on the Bright Lights by Interpol
    InterpolTurn on the Bright LightsAugust 19, 2002 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    83B
  2. 12Album cover for Up the Bracket by The Libertines
    The LibertinesUp the BracketOctober 14, 2002 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    82B-
  3. 13Album cover for Blood Money by Tom Waits
    Tom WaitsBlood MoneyMay 6, 2002 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    82B-
  4. 14Album cover for Nothing by Meshuggah
    MeshuggahNothingAugust 6, 2002 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  5. 15Album cover for Up! by Shania Twain
    Shania TwainUp!November 18, 2002 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  6. 16Album cover for Steal This Album! by System of a Down
    System of a DownSteal This Album!October 26, 2002 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Broad agreement
    81B-
  7. 17Album cover for The Eminem Show by Eminem
    EminemThe Eminem ShowMay 27, 2002 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  8. 18Album cover for American IV: The Man Comes Around by Johnny Cash
    Johnny CashAmerican IV: The Man Comes AroundNovember 5, 2002 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  9. 19Album cover for God’s Son by Nas
    NasGod’s SonDecember 13, 2002 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Broad agreement
    81B-
  10. 20Album cover for Blacklisted by Neko Case
    Neko CaseBlacklistedAugust 20, 2002 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  11. 21Album cover for Scarlet’s Walk by Tori Amos
    Tori AmosScarlet’s WalkOctober 28, 2002 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  12. 22Album cover for Sea Change by Beck
    BeckSea ChangeSeptember 21, 2002 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Divided
    80B-
  13. 23Album cover for Finally We Are No One by Múm
    MúmFinally We Are No OneMay 20, 2002 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Broad agreement
    79C+
  14. 24Album cover for Legend of the Liquid Sword by GZA
    GZALegend of the Liquid SwordDecember 10, 2002 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Broad agreement
    79C+
  15. 25Album cover for Home by The Chicks
    The ChicksHomeAugust 26, 2002 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Divided
    79C+

Where 2002 sits

Average Breakdown, for albums with five or more reviews.

Next to the years around it

199972
200074
200172
2002 (this year)72
200371
200470
200570

By genre

Indie & Alternative80
Folk, Country & Americana75
Hip-Hop & Rap74
Electronic74
Metal & Punk73
Rock67
Pop66
  1. 26Album cover for Murray Street by Sonic Youth
    Sonic YouthMurray StreetJune 5, 2002 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  2. 27Album cover for Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss by Snoop Dogg
    Snoop DoggPaid tha Cost to Be da BossNovember 25, 2002 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  3. 28Album cover for Yanqui U.X.O. by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
    Godspeed You! Black EmperorYanqui U.X.O.November 4, 2002 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  4. 29Album cover for The Private Press by DJ Shadow
    DJ ShadowThe Private PressMay 22, 2002 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Some debate
    77C+
  5. 30Album cover for When I Was Cruel by Elvis Costello
    Elvis CostelloWhen I Was CruelApril 15, 2002 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Divided
    77C+
  6. 31Album cover for Come Away with Me by Norah Jones
    Norah JonesCome Away with MeFebruary 26, 2002 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    77C+
  7. 32Album cover for Lord Willin’ by Clipse
    ClipseLord Willin’August 20, 2002 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Broad agreement
    76C
  8. 33Album cover for Heathen by David Bowie
    David BowieHeathenJune 5, 2002 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Broad agreement
    76C
  9. 34Album cover for Nellyville by Nelly
    NellyNellyvilleJune 24, 2002 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Broad agreement
    76C
  10. 35Album cover for Under Construction by Missy Elliott
    Missy ElliottUnder ConstructionNovember 11, 2002 · 10 reviews · 70% approval · Divided
    75C
  11. 36Album cover for Highly Evolved by The Vines
    The VinesHighly EvolvedJune 15, 2002 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    74C
  12. 37Album cover for 3D by TLC
    TLC3DNovember 11, 2002 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    74C
  13. 38Album cover for A Gangster and a Gentleman by Styles P
    Styles PA Gangster and a GentlemanJune 25, 2002 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    73C
  14. 39Album cover for Maladroit by Weezer
    WeezerMaladroitMay 11, 2002 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Broad agreement
    73C
  15. 40Album cover for One by One by Foo Fighters
    Foo FightersOne by OneOctober 18, 2002 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Some debate
    73C
  16. 41Album cover for C’mon C’mon by Sheryl Crow
    Sheryl CrowC’mon C’monApril 8, 2002 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    73C
  17. 42Album cover for Vapor Trails by Rush
    RushVapor TrailsMay 14, 2002 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    73C
  18. 43Album cover for It Ain’t Safe No More… by Busta Rhymes
    Busta RhymesIt Ain’t Safe No More…November 25, 2002 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Broad agreement
    73C
  19. 44Album cover for The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse by Jay-Z
    Jay-ZThe Blueprint 2: The Gift & The CurseNovember 12, 2002 · 10 reviews · 70% approval · Some debate
    73C
  20. 45Album cover for Untouchables by Korn
    KornUntouchablesJune 10, 2002 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Broad agreement
    73C
  21. 46Album cover for Spend the Night by The Donnas
    The DonnasSpend the NightOctober 22, 2002 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Contentious
    72C-
  22. 47Album cover for Come with Us by The Chemical Brothers
    The Chemical BrothersCome with UsJanuary 21, 2002 · 11 reviews · 55% approval · Some debate
    72C-
  23. 48Album cover for Quality by Talib Kweli
    Talib KweliQualityNovember 18, 2002 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Contentious
    72C-
  24. 49Album cover for Demolition by Ryan Adams
    Ryan AdamsDemolitionSeptember 23, 2002 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Divided
    72C-
  25. 50Album cover for 100th Window by Massive Attack
    Massive Attack100th WindowDecember 2002 · 9 reviews · 56% approval · Some debate
    71C-
  1. 1Album cover for Up! by Shania Twain
    Shania TwainUp!November 18, 2002 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  2. 2Album cover for C’mon C’mon by Sheryl Crow
    Sheryl CrowC’mon C’monApril 8, 2002 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    73C
  3. 3Album cover for Come with Us by The Chemical Brothers
    The Chemical BrothersCome with UsJanuary 21, 2002 · 11 reviews · 55% approval · Some debate
    72C-
  4. 4Album cover for Let Go by Avril Lavigne
    Avril LavigneLet GoJune 4, 2002 · 6 reviews · 33% approval · Divided
    69D+
  5. 5Album cover for Masquerade by Wyclef Jean
    Wyclef JeanMasqueradeJune 18, 2002 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    68D+
  6. 6Album cover for Release by Pet Shop Boys
    Pet Shop BoysReleaseMarch 20, 2002 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Divided
    68D+
  7. 7Album cover for Justified by Justin Timberlake
    Justin TimberlakeJustifiedNovember 4, 2002 · 10 reviews · 40% approval · Divided
    67D+
  8. 8Album cover for Slicker Than Your Average by Craig David
    Craig DavidSlicker Than Your AverageNovember 9, 2002 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Some debate
    66D
  9. 9Album cover for Stripped by Christina Aguilera
    Christina AguileraStrippedOctober 25, 2002 · 8 reviews · 25% approval · Broad agreement
    65D
  10. 10Album cover for Escapology by Robbie Williams
    Robbie WilliamsEscapologyNovember 18, 2002 · 9 reviews · 22% approval · Divided
    58F
  11. 11Album cover for A New Day Has Come by Céline Dion
    Céline DionA New Day Has ComeMarch 25, 2002 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Divided
    58F
  12. 12Album cover for Storytelling by Belle and Sebastian
    Belle and SebastianStorytellingJune 3, 2002 · 7 reviews · 0% approval · Some debate
    56F
  13. 13Album cover for Charmbracelet by Mariah Carey
    Mariah CareyCharmbraceletDecember 3, 2002 · 6 reviews · 17% approval · Some debate
    51F
  1. 1Album cover for Songs for the Deaf by Queens of the Stone Age
    Queens of the Stone AgeSongs for the DeafAugust 17, 2002 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    86B
  2. 2Album cover for The Rising by Bruce Springsteen
    Bruce SpringsteenThe RisingJuly 29, 2002 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    83B
  3. 3Album cover for Scarlet’s Walk by Tori Amos
    Tori AmosScarlet’s WalkOctober 28, 2002 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  4. 4Album cover for Murray Street by Sonic Youth
    Sonic YouthMurray StreetJune 5, 2002 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  5. 5Album cover for When I Was Cruel by Elvis Costello
    Elvis CostelloWhen I Was CruelApril 15, 2002 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Divided
    77C+
  6. 6Album cover for Maladroit by Weezer
    WeezerMaladroitMay 11, 2002 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Broad agreement
    73C
  7. 7Album cover for One by One by Foo Fighters
    Foo FightersOne by OneOctober 18, 2002 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Some debate
    73C
  8. 8Album cover for Vapor Trails by Rush
    RushVapor TrailsMay 14, 2002 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    73C
  9. 9Album cover for Spend the Night by The Donnas
    The DonnasSpend the NightOctober 22, 2002 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Contentious
    72C-
  10. 10Album cover for Demolition by Ryan Adams
    Ryan AdamsDemolitionSeptember 23, 2002 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Divided
    72C-
  11. 11Album cover for I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love by My Chemical Romance
    My Chemical RomanceI Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your LoveJuly 23, 2002 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Divided
    70C-
  12. 12Album cover for Does This Look Infected? by Sum 41
    Sum 41Does This Look Infected?November 25, 2002 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Some debate
    67D+
  13. 13Album cover for Sticks and Stones by New Found Glory
    New Found GlorySticks and StonesJune 11, 2002 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Divided
    66D
  14. 14Album cover for Up by Peter Gabriel
    Peter GabrielUpSeptember 19, 2002 · 5 reviews · 20% approval · Divided
    65D
  15. 15Album cover for Diorama by Silverchair
    SilverchairDioramaMarch 31, 2002 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Divided
    62D-
  16. 16Album cover for Audioslave by Audioslave
    AudioslaveAudioslaveNovember 15, 2002 · 8 reviews · 38% approval · Contentious
    62D-
  17. 17Album cover for Shaman by Santana
    SantanaShamanOctober 22, 2002 · 7 reviews · 29% approval · Divided
    62D-
  18. 18Album cover for Are You Passionate? by Neil Young
    Neil YoungAre You Passionate?April 9, 2002 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Contentious
    60D-
  19. 19Album cover for The Young and the Hopeless by Good Charlotte
    Good CharlotteThe Young and the HopelessOctober 1, 2002 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Divided
    60D-
  20. 20Album cover for The Last DJ by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
    Tom Petty and the HeartbreakersThe Last DJOctober 8, 2002 · 7 reviews · 14% approval · Divided
    59F
  1. 1Album cover for Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by Wilco
    WilcoYankee Hotel FoxtrotApril 22, 2002 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    88B+
  2. 2Album cover for Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips
    The Flaming LipsYoshimi Battles the Pink RobotsMay 13, 2002 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  3. 3Album cover for Alice by Tom Waits
    Tom WaitsAliceMay 7, 2002 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    84B
  4. 4Album cover for A Rush of Blood to the Head by Coldplay
    ColdplayA Rush of Blood to the HeadAugust 12, 2002 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    83B
  5. 5Album cover for By the Way by Red Hot Chili Peppers
    Red Hot Chili PeppersBy the WayJuly 9, 2002 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    83B
  6. 6Album cover for ( ) by Sigur Rós
    Sigur Rós( )October 23, 2002 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Broad agreement
    83B
  7. 7Album cover for Turn on the Bright Lights by Interpol
    InterpolTurn on the Bright LightsAugust 19, 2002 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    83B
  8. 8Album cover for Up the Bracket by The Libertines
    The LibertinesUp the BracketOctober 14, 2002 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    82B-
  9. 9Album cover for Blood Money by Tom Waits
    Tom WaitsBlood MoneyMay 6, 2002 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    82B-
  10. 10Album cover for Blacklisted by Neko Case
    Neko CaseBlacklistedAugust 20, 2002 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  11. 11Album cover for Sea Change by Beck
    BeckSea ChangeSeptember 21, 2002 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Divided
    80B-
  12. 12Album cover for Yanqui U.X.O. by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
    Godspeed You! Black EmperorYanqui U.X.O.November 4, 2002 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    78C+
  13. 13Album cover for Heathen by David Bowie
    David BowieHeathenJune 5, 2002 · 9 reviews · 67% approval · Broad agreement
    76C
  14. 14Album cover for Highly Evolved by The Vines
    The VinesHighly EvolvedJune 15, 2002 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    74C
  15. 15Album cover for Riot Act by Pearl Jam
    Pearl JamRiot ActSeptember 24, 2002 · 7 reviews · 43% approval · Divided
    65D
  16. 16Album cover for A New Morning by Suede
    SuedeA New MorningSeptember 26, 2002 · 5 reviews · 0% approval · Unanimous
    64D
  1. 1Album cover for Phrenology by The Roots
    The RootsPhrenologyNovember 26, 2002 · 9 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    84B
  2. 2Album cover for The Eminem Show by Eminem
    EminemThe Eminem ShowMay 27, 2002 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  3. 3Album cover for God’s Son by Nas
    NasGod’s SonDecember 13, 2002 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Broad agreement
    81B-
  4. 4Album cover for Legend of the Liquid Sword by GZA
    GZALegend of the Liquid SwordDecember 10, 2002 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Broad agreement
    79C+
  5. 5Album cover for Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss by Snoop Dogg
    Snoop DoggPaid tha Cost to Be da BossNovember 25, 2002 · 10 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    79C+
  6. 6Album cover for Lord Willin’ by Clipse
    ClipseLord Willin’August 20, 2002 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Broad agreement
    76C
  7. 7Album cover for Nellyville by Nelly
    NellyNellyvilleJune 24, 2002 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Broad agreement
    76C
  8. 8Album cover for Under Construction by Missy Elliott
    Missy ElliottUnder ConstructionNovember 11, 2002 · 10 reviews · 70% approval · Divided
    75C
  9. 9Album cover for A Gangster and a Gentleman by Styles P
    Styles PA Gangster and a GentlemanJune 25, 2002 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    73C
  10. 10Album cover for It Ain’t Safe No More… by Busta Rhymes
    Busta RhymesIt Ain’t Safe No More…November 25, 2002 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Broad agreement
    73C
  11. 11Album cover for The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse by Jay-Z
    Jay-ZThe Blueprint 2: The Gift & The CurseNovember 12, 2002 · 10 reviews · 70% approval · Some debate
    73C
  12. 12Album cover for Quality by Talib Kweli
    Talib KweliQualityNovember 18, 2002 · 7 reviews · 71% approval · Contentious
    72C-
  13. 13Album cover for Eve-Olution by Eve
    EveEve-OlutionAugust 22, 2002 · 6 reviews · 33% approval · Some debate
    70C-
  14. 14Album cover for Better Dayz by Tupac Shakur
    Tupac ShakurBetter DayzNovember 26, 2002 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Contentious
    66D
  15. 15Album cover for Man vs. Machine by Xzibit
    XzibitMan vs. MachineOctober 1, 2002 · 9 reviews · 33% approval · Some debate
    65D
  16. 16Album cover for The Last Temptation by Ja Rule
    Ja RuleThe Last TemptationNovember 19, 2002 · 6 reviews · 33% approval · Some debate
    63D
  1. 1Album cover for Geogaddi by Boards of Canada
    Boards of CanadaGeogaddiFebruary 13, 2002 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    89B+
  2. 2Album cover for Finally We Are No One by Múm
    MúmFinally We Are No OneMay 20, 2002 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Broad agreement
    79C+
  3. 3Album cover for The Private Press by DJ Shadow
    DJ ShadowThe Private PressMay 22, 2002 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Some debate
    77C+
  4. 4Album cover for 100th Window by Massive Attack
    Massive Attack100th WindowDecember 2002 · 9 reviews · 56% approval · Some debate
    71C-
  5. 5Album cover for Dutty Rock by Sean Paul
    Sean PaulDutty RockNovember 12, 2002 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Divided
    70C-
  6. 6Album cover for Family Tree by Björk
    BjörkFamily TreeNovember 4, 2002 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    69D+
  7. 7Album cover for 18 by Moby
    Moby18May 2, 2002 · 8 reviews · 50% approval · Contentious
    63D
  1. 1Album cover for American IV: The Man Comes Around by Johnny Cash
    Johnny CashAmerican IV: The Man Comes AroundNovember 5, 2002 · 9 reviews · 78% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  2. 2Album cover for Home by The Chicks
    The ChicksHomeAugust 26, 2002 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Divided
    79C+
  3. 3Album cover for Come Away with Me by Norah Jones
    Norah JonesCome Away with MeFebruary 26, 2002 · 6 reviews · 67% approval · Some debate
    77C+
  4. 4Album cover for Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors by Tim McGraw
    Tim McGrawTim McGraw and the Dancehall DoctorsNovember 26, 2002 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Divided
    71C-
  5. 5Album cover for Unleashed by Toby Keith
    Toby KeithUnleashedJuly 23, 2002 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Divided
    66D
  1. 1Album cover for Nothing by Meshuggah
    MeshuggahNothingAugust 6, 2002 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    81B-
  2. 2Album cover for Steal This Album! by System of a Down
    System of a DownSteal This Album!October 26, 2002 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Broad agreement
    81B-
  3. 3Album cover for Untouchables by Korn
    KornUntouchablesJune 10, 2002 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Broad agreement
    73C
  4. 4Album cover for Lovehatetragedy by Papa Roach
    Papa RoachLovehatetragedyMay 31, 2002 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    68D+
  5. 5Album cover for The Process of Belief by Bad Religion
    Bad ReligionThe Process of BeliefJanuary 21, 2002 · 6 reviews · 17% approval · Some debate
    63D

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