Q: Album Reviews and Scores

Q’s album reviews that count toward B-Side Breakdowns: 923 reviews of 923 albums, going back to 1993, each next to the album’s Breakdown. 923 of them come from Wikipedia ratings boxes, mostly for older albums.

Print magazine, closed in 2020

Top critics

Niall Doherty 9 reviews
Dorian Lynskey 4 reviews
Victoria Segal 3 reviews
Andrew Perry 3 reviews
Dave Everley 2 reviews

See all 17 critics

887 reviews with no named critic yet.

What it reviews

Rock 32%
Indie & Alternative 23%
Pop 14%
Hip-Hop & Rap 10%
Metal & Punk 7%

By the numbers

73average score it gives, on the 0 to 100 scale (923 reviews)

65%of its reviews score an album 75 or higher

17points: how far a typical review lands from its own average score

How its scores spread

0–4983
50s2
60s232
70s4
80s489
90+113

Its top scores

Arctic MonkeysTranquility Base Hotel & Casino 100 Niall Doherty
The 1975A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships 100 Dorian Lynskey
ColdplayMylo Xyloto 100 Simon Goddard
GorillazPlastic Beach 100 David Everley
Manic Street PreachersJournal for Plague Lovers 100
Arctic MonkeysFavourite Worst Nightmare 100
Red Hot Chili PeppersStadium Arcadium 100
Bon JoviThese Days 100

Its newest 200 reviews

	Critic
Manic Street PreachersThis Is My Truth Tell Me Yours	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	80	2021
Thom YorkeANIMA	Niall Doherty Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	82	2019
Liam GallagherWhy Me? Why Not.	Niall Doherty Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	74	2019
ClairoImmunity	Hannah Flint Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	76	2019
Bruce SpringsteenWestern Stars	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	85	2019
MadonnaMadame X	Victoria Segal Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	73	2019
Billie EilishWhen We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?	Dorian Lynskey Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	83	2019
DidoStill on My Mind	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	74	2018
MuseSimulation Theory	Niall Doherty Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	62	2018
GorillazThe Now Now	Tom Doyle Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	73	2018
Troye SivanBloom	Kate Solomon Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	83	2018
Florence + the MachineHigh as Hope	Laura Barton Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	73	2018
Arctic MonkeysTranquility Base Hotel & Casino	Niall Doherty Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	73	2018
Noel Gallagher's High Flying BirdsWho Built the Moon?	Niall Doherty Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	78	2017
BjörkUtopia	Dorian Lynskey Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	82	2017
Taylor SwiftReputation	Dorian Lynskey Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	74	2017
BeckColors	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	79	2017
The 1975A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships	Dorian Lynskey Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	83	2017
MigosCulture II	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	72	2017
Foo FightersConcrete and Gold	Dave Everley Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	72	2017
Queens of the Stone AgeVillains	Dave Everley Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	77	2017
The KillersWonderful Wonderful	Niall Doherty Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	73	2017
GorillazHumanz	Niall Doherty Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	75	2017
Liam GallagherAs You Were	Paul Moody Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	75	2017
Depeche ModeSpirit	Victoria Segal Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	73	2016
The WeekndStarboy	Niall Doherty Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	69	2016
Green DayRevolution Radio	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	72	2016
The AvalanchesWildflower	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	78	2016
RadioheadA Moon Shaped Pool	John Harris Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	88	2016
The Last Shadow PuppetsEverything You’ve Come To Expect	Andrew Perry Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	71	2016
Iggy PopPost Pop Depression	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	79	2016
U2Songs of Experience	Andrew Perry Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	66	2016
The 1975I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it	Niall Doherty Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	75	2015
Panic! at the DiscoDeath of a Bachelor	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	67	2015
Iron MaidenThe Book of Souls	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	78	2015
Duran DuranPaper Gods	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	70	2015
Tame ImpalaCurrents	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	82	2015
MuseDrones	Andrew Perry Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	68	2015
Imagine DragonsSmoke + Mirrors	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	65	2014
Noel Gallagher's High Flying BirdsChasing Yesterday	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	69	2014
AC/DCRock or Bust	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	69	2014
Leonard CohenPopular Problems	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	84	2014
WeezerEverything Will Be Alright in the End	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	72	2014
Manic Street PreachersFuturology	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	84	2013
LordePure Heroine	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	74	2013
Kings of LeonMechanical Bull	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	71	2013
Nine Inch NailsHesitation Marks	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	78	2013
Sigur RósKveikur	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	80	2013
Steven WilsonThe Raven That Refused to Sing (And Other Stories)	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	80	2012
Mumford & SonsBabel	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	63	2012
alt-JAn Awesome Wave	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	74	2012
Tame ImpalaLonerism	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	87	2012
Death GripsThe Money Store	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	78	2012
MadonnaMDNA	Simon Goddard Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	65	2012
Tame ImpalaInnerspeaker	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	83	2011
KasabianVelociraptor!	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	78	2011
BjörkBiophilia	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	78	2011
Beady EyeDifferent Gear, Still Speeding	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	65	2010
Kings of LeonCome Around Sundown	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	63	2010
ColdplayMylo Xyloto	Simon Goddard Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	66	2010
Kid CudiMan on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	73	2010
The Chemical BrothersFurther	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	70	2010
FoalsTotal Life Forever	Rupert Howe Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	75	2010
DeftonesDiamond Eyes	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	75	2010
GorillazPlastic Beach	David Everley Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	84	2009
KissSonic Boom	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	20 1/5	62	2009
WeezerRaditude	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	59	2009
ShakiraShe Wolf	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	71	2009
Pearl JamBackspacer	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	76	2009
SlashSlash	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	61	2009
Manic Street PreachersJournal for Plague Lovers	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	77	2009
30 Seconds to MarsThis Is War	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	70	2009
The ProdigyInvaders Must Die	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	63	2008
Animal CollectiveMerriweather Post Pavilion	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	89	2008
DidoSafe Trip Home	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	69	2008
Taylor SwiftFearless	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	71	2008
Kaiser ChiefsOff with Their Heads	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	62	2008
Sean PaulImperial Blaze	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	47	2008
Snoop DoggMalice n Wonderland	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	66	2008
MorrisseyYears of Refusal	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	70	2008
Sigur RósMeð suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	72	2008
Fleet FoxesFleet Foxes	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	88	2008
The Last Shadow PuppetsThe Age of the Understatement	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	71	2008
DuffyRockferry	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	70	2008
ColdplayViva la Vida or Death and All His Friends	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	76	2007
Jay-ZAmerican Gangster	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	80	2007
R.E.M.Accelerate	Keith Cameron Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	77	2007
The Cure4:13 Dream	Victoria Segal Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	64	2007
James BluntAll the Lost Souls	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	50	2007
Foo FightersEchoes, Silence, Patience & Grace	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	66	2007
Arctic MonkeysFavourite Worst Nightmare	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	82	2007
MikaLife in Cartoon Motion	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	55	2006
KlaxonsMyths of the Near Future	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	65	2006
Gwen StefaniThe Sweet Escape	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	57	2006
SadeStronger Than Pride	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	68	2006
The KillersSam’s Town	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	72	2006
Lily AllenAlright, Still	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	73	2006
Justin TimberlakeFutureSex/LoveSounds	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	76	2006
Thom YorkeThe Eraser	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	74	2006
John MayerContinuum	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	67	2006
KeaneUnder the Iron Sea	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	67	2006
Johnny CashAmerican V: A Hundred Highways	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	84	2006
The RaconteursBroken Boy Soldiers	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	72	2006
Red Hot Chili PeppersStadium Arcadium	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	73	2005
Sheryl CrowWildflower	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	59	2005
The RootsThings Fall Apart	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	86	2005
Wham!Fantastic	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	58	2005
Jennifer LopezThis Is Me… Then	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	61	2005
RöyksoppThe Understanding	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	74	2005
David BowieHours	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	59	2005
PrinceThe Gold Experience	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	80	2005
Missy ElliottThe Cookbook	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	74	2005
LCD SoundsystemLCD Soundsystem	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	84	2005
The HeartbreakersL.A.M.F.	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	81	2005
Missy ElliottMiss E… So Addictive	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	85	2005
Missy ElliottUnder Construction	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	75	2005
Black Eyed PeasMonkey Business	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	52	2005
GorillazDemon Days	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	81	2005
Janet JacksonDamita Jo	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	64	2005
Janet JacksonJanet.	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	72	2005
Bloc PartySilent Alarm	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	79	2005
The DamnedMachine Gun Etiquette	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	82	2004
Cypress HillCypress Hill III: Temples of Boom	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	75	2004
Queens of the Stone AgeLullabies to Paralyze	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	75	2004
Hüsker DüWarehouse: Songs and Stories	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	87	2004
Paul & Linda McCartneyRam	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	81	2004
U2How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	78	2004
The KillersHot Fuss	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	75	2004
Fiona AppleTidal	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	78	2004
PavementSlanted and Enchanted	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	85	2004
The ProdigyAlways Outnumbered, Never Outgunned	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	46	2004
Tom WaitsReal Gone	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	71	2004
Scissor SistersScissor Sisters	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	77	2004
Drowning PoolSinner	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	72	2004
Usher8701	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	66	2004
KeaneHopes and Fears	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	64	2004
Wu-Tang ClanIron Flag	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	76	2004
The Sisters of MercyFloodland	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	82	2004
Def LeppardEuphoria	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	67	2004
PulpHis ‘n’ Hers	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	76	2004
KraftwerkRadio-Activity	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	86	2004
MorrisseyYou Are the Quarry	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	69	2004
Alicia KeysSongs in A Minor	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	76	2004
PixiesTrompe le Monde	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	83	2004
AFISing the Sorrow	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	80	2003
Bruce SpringsteenThe Ghost of Tom Joad	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	78	2003
Limp BizkitResults May Vary	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	48	2003
PrimusSailing the Seas of Cheese	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	80	2003
AudioslaveAudioslave	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	90 4.5/5	62	2003
RadioheadHail to the Thief	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	80	2003
Alice in ChainsDirt	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	65	2003
Red Hot Chili PeppersBlood Sugar Sex Magik	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	84	2003
Dr. DreThe Chronic	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	74	2003
GodsmackFaceless	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	20 1/5	52	2003
EminemThe Slim Shady LP	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	79	2003
RadioheadAmnesiac	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	80	2003
OasisDefinitely Maybe	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	90	2002
Bon JoviThese Days	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	65	2002
Cyndi LauperTrue Colors	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	77	2002
Stone Temple PilotsCore	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	20 1/5	62	1993
Guns N' Roses“The Spaghetti Incident?”	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	66
DMX… And Then There Was X	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	75
Rancid…And Out Come the Wolves	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	76
Sting…Nothing Like the Sun	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	89
Sigur Rós( )	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	83
Oasis(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	78
Slipknot.5: The Gray Chapter	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	74
Moby18	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	63
Adele19	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	66
Motörhead1916	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	83
Bruno Mars24K Magic	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	72
Tupac Shakur2Pacalypse Now	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	77
Deadmau54×4=12	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	67
The Rolling StonesA Bigger Bang	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	75
Depeche ModeA Broken Frame	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	50
IncubusA Crow Left of the Murder…	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	71
EnyaA Day Without Rain	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	57
The StreetsA Grand Don’t Come for Free	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	88
QueenA Night at the Opera	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	89
The VerveA Northern Soul	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	75
The WhoA Quick One	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	76
ColdplayA Rush of Blood to the Head	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	83
The VerveA Storm in Heaven	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	64
GenesisA Trick of the Tail	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	63
Arctic MonkeysAM	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	84
AaliyahAaliyah	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	78
GenesisAbacab	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	40 2/5	63
MuseAbsolution	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	81
MotörheadAce of Spades	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	84
U2Achtung Baby	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	100 5/5	92
Kings of LeonAha Shake Heartbreak	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	75
Dead Can DanceAion	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	78
David BowieAladdin Sane	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	86
Tom WaitsAlice	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	84
Margo PriceAll American Made	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	77
Queen LatifahAll Hail the Queen	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	76
Emmylou HarrisAll I Intended to Be	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	80
The JamAll Mod Cons	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	91
U2All That You Can’t Leave Behind	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	80 4/5	80
Owl CityAll Things Bright and Beautiful	not named Read the review via Wikipedia	60 3/5	51

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