The Marble Index
by Nico

The Marble Index by Nico
Year: 1968
Release date: 1968-11-00
Overall rank: 1,335th   Overall chart history
Average Rating: 
76/100 (from 269 votes)
  Ratings distribution   Average rating history
Accolades:
Award Top albums of 1968 (26th)
Award Top albums of of the 1960s (138th)
Award Best albums of all time (1,335th)

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Nico - The Marble Index [New CD] Bonus Tracks
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Rare Original Nico - The Marble Index - 1968 Gold Elektra - NM/VG++ - John Cale
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Nico bestography

The Marble Index is ranked 3rd best out of 16 albums by Nico on BestEverAlbums.com.

The best album by Nico is Chelsea Girl which is ranked number 629 in the list of all-time albums with a total rank score of 2,708.

Nico album bestography « Higher ranked (927th)
Desertshore
This album (1,335th)
The Marble Index
Lower ranked (5,395th) »
The End...

(N.B. Bestographies include all albums by an artist (and their variations), but do not include albums ranked outside the top 100,000).

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The Marble Index track list

  Track ratings The tracks on this album have an average rating of 79 out of 100 (all tracks have been rated).

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The Marble Index rankings

Rankings summary
Overall rank: 1,335th | 1960s rank: 138th | 1968 rank: 26th

The Marble Index collection

The Marble Index ratings

Average Rating: 
76/100 (from 269 votes)
  Ratings distribution Help Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AV
where:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
m = minimum number of ratings required for an item to appear in a 'top-rated' chart (currently 10).
AV = the site mean average rating.

Showing latest 5 ratings for this album.  | Show all 269 ratings for this album.

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RatingDate updatedMemberAlbum ratingsAvg. album rating
 
80/100
 !
07/04/2026 00:30 matterhornrider  Ratings distribution  5,10481/100
 
90/100
 !
06/22/2026 15:05 Weepingguitarman  Ratings distribution  31881/100
 
60/100
 !
06/12/2026 07:47 Purplepash  Ratings distribution  4,92775/100
 
70/100
 !
03/31/2026 14:50 Hyggevinyl  Ratings distribution  4,43772/100
 
40/100
 !
03/07/2026 22:23 BoxFL  Ratings distribution  2,76651/100

Rating metrics: Help Outliers can be removed when calculating a mean average to dampen the effects of ratings outside the normal distribution. This figure is provided as the trimmed mean. A high standard deviation can be legitimate, but can sometimes indicate 'gaming' is occurring. Consider a simplified example* of an item receiving ratings of 100, 50, & 0. The mean average rating would be 50. However, ratings of 55, 50 & 45 could also result in the same average. The second average might be more trusted because there is more consensus around a particular rating (a lower deviation).
(*In practice, some albums can have several thousand ratings)

This album is rated in the top 5% of all albums on BestEverAlbums.com. This album has a Bayesian average rating of 76.1/100, a mean average of 75.5/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 76.2/100. The standard deviation for this album is 17.3.

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The Marble Index comments

Showing latest 10 comments | Show all 12 comments |
Most Helpful First | Newest First | Positive Sentiment First | Longest Comments First
(Only showing comments with -2 votes or higher. You can alter this threshold from your profile page. Manage Profile)

Rating:  
95/100
From 05/06/2025 00:54 | #308835
The collaboration between Nico and John Cale as her (co-) producer and arranger (Cale composed and played all instruments apart from Nico's harmonium) laid the foundations for what was later to become Postpunk and Goth, a whole decade before these genres evolved. Prophetic and mindblowing!
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
65/100
This record is dark and very creepy and it is tough to not be a little disturbed by the atmosphere created on this record. This is mainly due to the production which is brilliant as it creates a composition of music that all works together so well. In doing this, it creates a tense environment which is where the album shines. Musically, it is quite impressive as well with some great performances and interesting use of instruments. Nico's voice fits this style of music perfectly and is one of the most unique vocals ever. However, there is nothing that really jumps out and grabs me. It lacks that edge to it as well which takes it to another level. Furthermore, it has no real appeal for multiple listens as there isn't really anything to come back for as once you have experienced the atmosphere. Overall, a unique album that is worth the experience but not one that appeals to me in my opinion.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
90/100
From 08/26/2021 21:56 | #272879
Nico was ahead of its time!!!
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 01/09/2019 15:34 | #229381
Very magic and ethereal. It takes some patient listening to appreciate but it's really great.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
100/100
From 03/04/2017 01:10 | #186771
Definetly the best Nico album; the only thing that lacks is a these daysish single, but it dosn't need it. Terrifing.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
70/100
From 02/24/2016 04:48 | #160641
Musically really impressive, but really just isn't something I'd listen to often.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
80/100
From 05/23/2014 09:46 | #112731
This is hardcore.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
The combination of the folk songwriting, eerie harmonium playing, Nico's low voice and experimental leaning arrangements adds up to something frigid and unsettling. Its one of the darkest albums around, it feels like drowning in freezing water.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
100/100
One of the eeriest,darkest,bleakest thing I've ever heard. And also one of the greatest.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +5 votes (5 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
60/100
I just cant seem to get enough Nico. She is just too cool.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (3 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
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