Encyclopedia of Popular Music: Album Reviews and Scores

Encyclopedia of Popular Music’s album reviews that count toward B-Side Breakdowns: 906 reviews of 906 albums, going back to 2002, each next to the album’s Breakdown. 906 of them come from Wikipedia ratings boxes, mostly for older albums.

Reference book

Its critics

Colin Larkin 693 reviews
Martin C. Strong 5 reviews

208 reviews with no named critic yet.

What it reviews

Rock 54%
Metal & Punk 12%
Pop 9%
Indie & Alternative 7%
Folk, Country & Americana 6%

By the numbers

70average score it gives, on the 0 to 100 scale (906 reviews)

50%of its reviews score an album 75 or higher

19points: how far a typical review lands from its own average score

How its scores spread

0–49128
50s0
60s322
70s0
80s308
90+148

Its top scores

Etta JamesAt Last! 100 Colin Larkin
Stephen StillsManassas 100 Colin Larkin
Steve WinwoodArc of a Diver 100
Big StarNumber 1 Record 100 Colin Larkin
SantanaCaravanserai 100 Colin Larkin
Frank SinatraCome Dance with Me! 100 Colin Larkin
Frank SinatraCome Fly with Me 100 Colin Larkin
Fairport ConventionUnhalfbricking 100 Colin Larkin

Its newest 200 reviews

	Critic
The KinksPreservation Act 2	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	62	2010
Army of LoversThe Gods of Earth and Heaven	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	67	2008
Jeff BeckFlash	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	57	2007
RushFeedback	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	not yet	2007
The CarpentersLovelines	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	53	2007
The Allman Brothers BandSeven Turns	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	74	2007
John ColtraneSoultrane	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	83	2007
TelevisionTelevision	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	71	2007
Sick of It AllCall to Arms	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	63	2006
The Afghan WhigsUp in It	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	55	2006
Grace JonesWarm Leatherette	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	79	2006
Elvis PresleyElvis Is Back!	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	82	2006
FlipperGone Fishin’	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	65	2006
Canned HeatBoogie with Canned Heat	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	68	2006
John ColtraneAscension	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	93	2006
Jefferson AirplaneBark	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	66	2006
Jeff BeckThere & Back	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	50	2006
Bee GeesHigh Civilization	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	47	2006
Bee GeesLife in a Tin Can	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	37	2006
Dolly PartonAll I Can Do	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	76	2006
Dolly PartonDolly	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	63	2006
Dolly Parton9 to 5 and Odd Jobs	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	73	2006
Dolly PartonMy Tennessee Mountain Home	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	77	2006
Etta JamesAt Last!	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	98	2006
HawkwindSpace Bandits	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	53	2006
Stephen StillsManassas	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	89	2006
Muddy WatersFolk Singer	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	83	2006
Otis ReddingComplete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	87	2006
Morbid AngelHeretic	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	60	2006
Steve Miller BandAbracadabra	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	67	2006
Chuck BerryBerry Is on Top	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	87	2006
EntombedWolverine Blues	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	79	2006
Steve WinwoodArc of a Diver	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	89	2006
The Saints(I’m) Stranded	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	86	2006
Tom Petty and the HeartbreakersYou’re Gonna Get It!	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	67	2006
Carlos SantanaOneness	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	53	2006
Grateful DeadFrom the Mars Hotel	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	75	2006
Crowded HouseCrowded House	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	77	2006
Neil Young and Crazy HorseRagged Glory	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	86	2006
Sick of It AllJust Look Around	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	67	2005
Miles DavisAmandla	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	70	2005
Peter ToshNo Nuclear War	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	55	2005
Big StarNumber 1 Record	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	90	2005
SuffocationBreeding the Spawn	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	65	2005
Bee GeesChildren of the World	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	75	2005
New York DollsToo Much Too Soon	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	82	2005
HawkwindQuark, Strangeness and Charm	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	73	2005
LoveLove	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	73	2005
LoveDa Capo	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	85	2005
Sleater-KinneyDig Me Out	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	85	2005
Grateful DeadTerrapin Station	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	71	2005
SantanaCaravanserai	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	90	2005
Electric WizardDopethrone	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	82	2005
TortoiseMillions Now Living Will Never Die	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	87	2005
Frank SinatraCome Dance with Me!	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	93	2005
Frank SinatraCome Fly with Me	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	87	2005
Fairport ConventionUnhalfbricking	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	93	2005
Al StewartYear of the Cat	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	76	2005
The CharlatansTellin’ Stories	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	82	2005
A Flock of SeagullsA Flock of Seagulls	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	73	2005
Robbie WilliamsSwing When You’re Winning	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	56	2005
Elton JohnThe Big Picture	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	61	2005
Dolly PartonCoat of Many Colors	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	85	2005
FreeFire and Water	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	84	2005
Paul McCartneyLiverpool Sound Collage	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	57	2005
Joni MitchellWild Things Run Fast	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	67	2005
Joni MitchellMingus	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	72	2005
Joni MitchellSong to a Seagull	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	60	2005
L7L7	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	65	2005
Van MorrisonSaint Dominic’s Preview	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	96	2005
Ringo StarrI Wanna Be Santa Claus	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	53	2005
KissRock and Roll Over	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	70	2005
David Lee RothEat ‘Em and Smile	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	73	2005
Napalm DeathThe Code Is Red…Long Live the Code	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	63	2005
Cocteau TwinsVictorialand	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	68	2005
Dolly PartonHere You Come Again	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	50	2005
Captain BeefheartShiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller)	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	85	2005
Captain BeefheartClear Spot	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	83	2005
DevoDuty Now for the Future	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	70	2005
John ColtraneImpressions	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	77	2005
Wire154	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	89	2005
Joni MitchellDon Juan’s Reckless Daughter	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	54	2005
JapanQuiet Life	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	67	2005
The HeartbreakersL.A.M.F.	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	81	2005
DonovanBarabajagal	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	73	2005
Killing JokeWhat’s THIS For…!	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	73	2005
EelsBeautiful Freak	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	80	2005
Big BlackAtomizer	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	85	2005
GoldfrappFelt Mountain	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	71	2005
The Incredible String BandThe Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	93	2005
TrafficJohn Barleycorn Must Die	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	85	2005
Miles DavisIn a Silent Way	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	95	2005
Miles DavisQuiet Nights	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	47	2005
Miles Davis QuintetWorkin’ with The Miles Davis Quintet	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	100	2005
Sananda MaitreyaIntroducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D’Arby	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	76	2005
Randy NewmanSail Away	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	97	2005
Paul SimonThere Goes Rhymin’ Simon	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	95	2005
Black Label SocietyStronger than Death	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	70	2005
MelvinsStag	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	53	2005
OtepSevas Tra	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	68	2005
The FiremanStrawberries Oceans Ships Forest	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	68	2004
The KinksMuswell Hillbillies	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	92	2004
Elton JohnGoodbye Yellow Brick Road	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	79	2004
En VogueFunky Divas	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	74	2004
HawkwindHall of the Mountain Grill	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	77	2004
StereolabPeng!	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	69	2004
FugaziRepeater	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	78	2004
Elton JohnPeachtree Road	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	75	2004
The Doobie BrothersThe Captain and Me	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	80	2004
The Doobie BrothersToulouse Street	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	72	2004
Bob DylanOh Mercy	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	83	2004
BeckStereopathetic Soulmanure	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	57	2004
Stevie Ray VaughanCouldn’t Stand the Weather	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	84	2004
AutechreAmber	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	77	2004
AutechreIncunabula	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	77	2004
AutechreLP5	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	85	2004
AutechreTri Repetae	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	87	2004
Duran DuranAstronaut	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	55	2004
Joe JacksonNight and Day	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	82	2004
HawkwindLevitation	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	70	2004
The Beach BoysThe Beach Boys	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	58	2004
Paul McCartneyDriving Rain	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	73	2004
UnderworldDubnobasswithmyheadman	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	87	2004
UnderworldSecond Toughest in the Infants	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	91	2004
SublimeSublime	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	87	2004
Iron ButterflyBall	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	53	2004
Van MorrisonTupelo Honey	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	88	2004
Steely DanThe Royal Scam	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	83	2004
MinistryWith Sympathy	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	46	2004
Talking HeadsTalking Heads: 77	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	86	2004
The Jimi Hendrix ExperienceAre You Experienced	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	100	2004
MinistryFilth Pig	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	53	2004
HawkwindHawkwind	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	77	2004
RushPower Windows	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	62	2004
PulpFreaks	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	53	2004
PulpHis ‘n’ Hers	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	76	2004
PulpSeparations	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	64	2004
Primal ScreamSonic Flower Groove	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	47	2004
Cradle of FilthDamnation and a Day	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	69	2004
…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	73	2004
Goo Goo DollsDizzy Up the Girl	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	72	2003
Stone Temple PilotsShangri-La Dee Da	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	66	2003
Hootie & the BlowfishCracked Rear View	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	80	2003
QueenNews of the World	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	64	2003
MinistryThe Land of Rape and Honey	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	84	2003
Phil CollinsNo Jacket Required	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	80	2003
Mary J. BligeWhat’s the 411?	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	80	2003
Shellac1000 Hurts	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	72	2003
BadfingerStraight Up	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	80	2003
The Rolling StonesExile on Main St.	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	99	2003
Black FlagLoose Nut	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	50	2002
Black FlagSlip It In	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	60	2002
Miles Davis‘Round About Midnight	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	87
Metallica…And Justice for All	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	73
Supertramp…Famous Last Words…	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	53
Melvins(A) Senile Animal	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	74
Lynyrd Skynyrd(Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd)	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	92
R. Kelly12 Play	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	75
The Rolling Stones12 X 5	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	90
Richard Thompson13 Rivers	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	82
The Beach Boys15 Big Ones	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	53
Van Halen1984	Martin C. Strong Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	87
Dr. Dre2001	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	81
Rush2112	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	77
Billy Joel52nd Street	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	75
The BeatlesA Hard Day’s Night	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	94
QueenA Kind of Magic	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	58
QueenA Night at the Opera	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	89
Jethro TullA Passion Play	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	53
The WhoA Quick One	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	76
Elton JohnA Single Man	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	58
Sonic YouthA Thousand Leaves	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	77
Miles DavisA Tribute to Jack Johnson	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	96
ABBAABBA: The Album	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	73
The BeatlesAbbey Road	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	99
SantanaAbraxas	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	93
The Mothers of InventionAbsolutely Free	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	80
MotörheadAce of Spades	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	84
Richard ThompsonAcoustic Classics II	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	75
DeftonesAdrenaline	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	71
AerosmithAerosmith	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	62
Jefferson AirplaneAfter Bathing at Baxter’s	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	63
Neil YoungAfter the Gold Rush	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	99
ZZ TopAfterburner	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	76
SepulturaAgainst	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	63
David BowieAladdin Sane	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	86
FlipperAlbum – Generic Flipper	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	89
Alice CooperAlice Cooper Goes to Hell	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	47
The JamAll Mod Cons	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	91
The Beach BoysAll Summer Long	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	73
George HarrisonAll Things Must Pass	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	96
Pete TownshendAll the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	70
NickelbackAll the Right Reasons	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	51
Morbid AngelAltars of Madness	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	81
Grateful DeadAmerican Beauty	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	98
Iggy PopAmerican Caesar	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	73
AnthraxAmong the Living	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	80
The DoorsAn American Prayer	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	58
AnastaciaAnastacia	Colin Larkin Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	64
Pink FloydAnimals (Pink Floyd album)	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	80