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20 Greatest Alternative Albums

86 items ranked

Rated 2 points - posted 14 years ago by BradHemphill in category Music.

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1.

Heroes (David Bowie)

62 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

2.

London Calling (The Clash)

Regarded by many critics as one of the greatest albums of all time - of any genre, London Calling was groundbreaking - and still influences new alternative and rock bands more than 30 years later.

60 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

3.

Siamese Dream (The Smashing Pumpkins)

52 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

4.

Ten (Pearl Jam)

46 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

5.

OK Computer (Radiohead)

The second most influential album of the 90's, but actually better than the first. OK Computer took pop music to places it had never been. Sounds like its time as much as any album ever has. Best Song: "Karma Police"

39 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

6.

Superunknown (Soundgarden)

38 points - added 12 years ago by NickDrake -

7.

The Queen is Dead (The Smiths)

Morrissey at his sardonic and whiny best. Best song: "There is a Light That Never Goes Out."

34 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

8.

Nevermind

The greatest album of the 90's and one of the best of all time. Still holds up. Best song: "Smell Like Teen Spirit."

30 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

9.

The Bends (Radiohead)

30 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

10.

Urban Hymns (The Verve)

28 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

11.

(What's the Story) Morning Glory? (Oasis)

25 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

12.

Stone Roses (Stone Roses)

24 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

13.

Grace (Jeff Buckley)

24 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

14.

Unknown Pleasures (Joy Division)

23 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

15.

Automatic for the People (R.E.M.)

23 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

16.

Loveless (My Bloody Valentine)

22 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

17.

Definitely Maybe (Oasis)

20 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

18.

Violator (Depeche Mode)

17 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

19.

Rain Dogs (Tom Waits)

15 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

20.

Parklife (Blur)

15 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

21.

Velvet Underground and Nico

The real soundtrack of the late 60's and early 70's. The counter-counter culture. Best song: "Femme Fatale"

14 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

22.

Joshua Tree (U2)

12 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

23.

Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness (The Smashing Pumpkins)

11 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

24.

Peter Gabriel 3 (Peter Gabriel)

11 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

25.

Hatful of Hollow (The Smiths)

10 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

26.

Dummy (Portishead)

10 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

27.

Brotherhood (New Order)

10 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

28.

Low Life (New Order)

10 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

29.

Viva Hate (Morrissey)

10 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

30.

Hounds of Love (Kate Bush)

10 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

31.

Hunky Dory (David Bowie)

10 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

32.

Achtung Baby (U2)

9 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

33.

The Unforgettable Fire (U2)

9 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

34.

The Hurting (Tears for Fears)

9 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

35.

Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (Eurythmics)

9 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

36.

The Head on the Door (The Cure)

9 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

37.

Love (The Cult)

9 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

38.

The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (David Bowie)

One of the original alternative albums - if not THE original alternative album that influenced countless artists in multiple genres.

9 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

39.

This Year's Model (Elvis Costello)

9 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

40.

Surfer Rosa (Pixies)

8 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

41.

War (U2)

7 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

42.

No More Heroes (The Stranglers)

7 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

43.

Feline (The Stranglers)

7 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

44.

Avalon (Roxy Music)

7 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

45.

Closer (Joy Division)

7 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

46.

Doolittle (Pixies)

There would be no Nevermind or OK Computer without Doolittle. That alone makes the Pixies an incredibly significant band. One of the 20 best albums ever made in any genre. Best Song: "Hey"

7 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

47.

Remain in Light (Talking Heads)

7 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

48.

Aural Sculpture (The Stranglers)

6 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

49.

The Pleasure Principle (Gary Numan)

6 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

50.

Burning From The Inside (Bauhaus)

6 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

51.

Trans-Europe Express (Kraftwerk)

5 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

52.

Replicas (Gary Numan and Tubeway Army)

5 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

53.

Never Mind the B****s Here's the S*x Pistols (The S*x Pistols)

4 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

54.

The Dreaming (Kate Bush)

4 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

55.

Dare! (The Human League)

4 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

56.

Daydream Nation (Sonic Youth)

4 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

57.

Fun House (The Stooges)

4 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

58.

Tinderbox (Siouxsie and the Banshees)

3 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

59.

Entertainment! (Gang of Four)

3 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

60.

Floodland (The Sisters of Mercy)

2 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

61.

Tin Drum (Japan)

2 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

62.

Security (Peter Gabriel)

2 points - added 12 years ago by guest -

63.

Slanted and Enchanted (Pavement)

2 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -

64.

Dear Science, (TV on the Radio)

1 point - added 12 years ago by guest -

65.

Oil and Gold (Shriekback)

1 point - added 12 years ago by guest -

66.

The Downward Spiral (Nine Inch Nails)

1 point - added 12 years ago by guest -

67.

High Violet (The National)

1 point - added 12 years ago by guest -

68.

Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven (Love and Rockets)

1 point - added 12 years ago by guest -

69.

Gentlemen Take Polaroids (Japan)

1 point - added 12 years ago by guest -