Top 88 Music Albums of 1990
by 
Romanelli 
- Chart updated: 12/03/2025 01:45
- (Created: 04/11/2012 18:20).
- Chart size: 88 albums.
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Produced by George Drakoulias. In 1990, southern rock was dead. The Black Criowes changed all of that with their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker. They would go on to make more complex music with Marc Ford on guitar, but on their debut, there's an energy and hunger that is palpable more than it would ever be again. "Stare It Cold", "Twice As Hard", "Seeing Things" are highly ignored parts of their discography, but this album stands as a great beginning for a band that would later be hung with a revolving door of musicians and questionable musical directions. But here, they just rock.
[First added to this chart: 04/11/2012]
Year of Release:
1990
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,259
Rank in 1990:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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1990-MUTE
Produced By DEPECHE MODE & FLOOD
1. World In My Eyes
2. Sweetest Perfection
3. Personal Jesus
4. Halo
5. Waiting For The Night
6. Enjoy The Silence
7. Policy Of Truth
8. Blue Dress
9. Clean
During the 1980’s, I never quite got Depeche Mode. After all, it was cheesy synth dance music, and the younger me was all about guitars, dammit. Then, at the dawn of the 90’s, came Violator, and a whole new understanding of what Depeche Mode was really all about. There was nothing soft or cheesy about what was happening on this album, and it was immediately apparent that this band had grown a lot from the days of lite pop songs like “Just Can’t Get Enough” that had ruled the waves of KROQ. THIS Depeche Mode was serious, could really play, was growing fast, and more than anything else, had real and powerful songwriting at their disposal. A band that had featured very little to no guitars during the 80’s now had guitarist Martin Gore as their principal songwriter, adding a depth to their music that had been sorely missed in their early days. For me, Violator changed the way I saw Depeche Mode forever…both for future and for past releases. From afterthought to a seriously great band in one album for me. Sometimes things just work out for the best.
Not to say that Violator isn’t a dance record. And the fact is, it was the album that put them on the charts in the United States. It’s a pop record. It’s a pop gem. From the opening synth of “World In My Eyes”, you get right away that it’s also a pretty dark record. Before you know it, you’re rocking to the exceptional “Personal Jesus”, and basking in the glory of great songs like “Enjoy The Silence”, “Halo”, and “Policy Of Truth”. Together with Black Celebration and Music For The Masses, Violator marks the end of a great trilogy of albums that was the peak of Depeche Mode. And despite the critical mixed bag of reviews it got (some dismissed it as a straight pop album, which is absurd), this is the one album by this band you should definitely end up with. Violator is as close to perfection as they ever got, and it’s one that you should definitely own. Dismiss this as pop if you must…but I say it would be a much better world if all pop aspired to be like Violator. [First added to this chart: 10/29/2012]
Produced By DEPECHE MODE & FLOOD
1. World In My Eyes
2. Sweetest Perfection
3. Personal Jesus
4. Halo
5. Waiting For The Night
6. Enjoy The Silence
7. Policy Of Truth
8. Blue Dress
9. Clean
During the 1980’s, I never quite got Depeche Mode. After all, it was cheesy synth dance music, and the younger me was all about guitars, dammit. Then, at the dawn of the 90’s, came Violator, and a whole new understanding of what Depeche Mode was really all about. There was nothing soft or cheesy about what was happening on this album, and it was immediately apparent that this band had grown a lot from the days of lite pop songs like “Just Can’t Get Enough” that had ruled the waves of KROQ. THIS Depeche Mode was serious, could really play, was growing fast, and more than anything else, had real and powerful songwriting at their disposal. A band that had featured very little to no guitars during the 80’s now had guitarist Martin Gore as their principal songwriter, adding a depth to their music that had been sorely missed in their early days. For me, Violator changed the way I saw Depeche Mode forever…both for future and for past releases. From afterthought to a seriously great band in one album for me. Sometimes things just work out for the best.
Not to say that Violator isn’t a dance record. And the fact is, it was the album that put them on the charts in the United States. It’s a pop record. It’s a pop gem. From the opening synth of “World In My Eyes”, you get right away that it’s also a pretty dark record. Before you know it, you’re rocking to the exceptional “Personal Jesus”, and basking in the glory of great songs like “Enjoy The Silence”, “Halo”, and “Policy Of Truth”. Together with Black Celebration and Music For The Masses, Violator marks the end of a great trilogy of albums that was the peak of Depeche Mode. And despite the critical mixed bag of reviews it got (some dismissed it as a straight pop album, which is absurd), this is the one album by this band you should definitely end up with. Violator is as close to perfection as they ever got, and it’s one that you should definitely own. Dismiss this as pop if you must…but I say it would be a much better world if all pop aspired to be like Violator. [First added to this chart: 10/29/2012]
Year of Release:
1990
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,258
Rank in 1990:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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1990-ISLAND
Produced By GEOFF WORKMAN
1. Around The Block Again
2. Chain Reaction
3. Fly Me Courageous
4. Look What You've Done To Your Brother
5. For You
6. Let's Go Dancing
7. The Innocent
8. Together
9. Lost In The Shuffle
10. Build A Fire
11. Rush Hour
This is what the lower echelon of bands from Georgia sounded like. Drivin-N-Cryin even had a minor pedigree (drummer Jeff Sullivan played with the Robinson brothers before they were the Black Crowes), but although they survived a long time, they never really amounted to much. In fact, guitarist and singer Kevn Kinney's solo albums are all much better than anything he recorded with this band. And while Fly Me Courageous is by no means its worst album, there really isn't much to recommend it. The title track was a semi-hit because of the timing with the Gulf War, but not much else stuck.
Although still a band, they have recorded only one full length album since 1997. Not that many have noticed. The country pop-metal-rock whatever it is that they play has not endured well. Look for Kinney's solo albums instead. [First added to this chart: 06/10/2025]
Produced By GEOFF WORKMAN
1. Around The Block Again
2. Chain Reaction
3. Fly Me Courageous
4. Look What You've Done To Your Brother
5. For You
6. Let's Go Dancing
7. The Innocent
8. Together
9. Lost In The Shuffle
10. Build A Fire
11. Rush Hour
This is what the lower echelon of bands from Georgia sounded like. Drivin-N-Cryin even had a minor pedigree (drummer Jeff Sullivan played with the Robinson brothers before they were the Black Crowes), but although they survived a long time, they never really amounted to much. In fact, guitarist and singer Kevn Kinney's solo albums are all much better than anything he recorded with this band. And while Fly Me Courageous is by no means its worst album, there really isn't much to recommend it. The title track was a semi-hit because of the timing with the Gulf War, but not much else stuck.
Although still a band, they have recorded only one full length album since 1997. Not that many have noticed. The country pop-metal-rock whatever it is that they play has not endured well. Look for Kinney's solo albums instead. [First added to this chart: 06/10/2025]
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Produced by Paul Q. Kolderie & Sean Slade. Maybe the single most important alt-country album ever made. The title later became the name of the musical movement it represented, and the music has been an endless inspiration to every alt-country band since. Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy sound like amateurs, their brand of country is puzzling, and nothing sounds like it should work...but every bit of it does. A brilliant, rough as sandpaper and perfect debut album. An absolutely must have.
[First added to this chart: 04/11/2012]
Year of Release:
1990
Appears in:
Rank Score:
390
Rank in 1990:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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1990-EPIC
Produced By TIM PALMER
1. Burning Tree
2. Wigs, Blues And High Heeled Shoes
3. Fly On
4. Mistreated Lover
5. Masquerade
6. Playing In The Wind
7. Last Laugh
8. Crush
9. Same Old Story
10. Baker's Song
11. Baby Blue
12. Turtle
The more I listen to this, the more I like it. Burning Tree’s debut (and only) album was released at the height of hair glam, which may be why it didn’t sell much. This album is more late 60’s rock than it is Motley Crue and Poison. The album became lost in the shuffle and they split before making another one. Guitarist Marc Ford shows his brilliance throughout, and the songs grow on you, particularly “Masquerade”, “Fly On”, and “Same Old Story”. Unfortunately, not a hit in the bunch, but it all sounds pretty good. A good, cohesive energy is here, and who knows what they could have done with another chance. The critics loved it…the public never heard it. There are some lyrical question marks…”She’s got a crush on one of us/But she don’t know which one it is” on “Crush” is just silly, and maybe I’m not cool, but I have no idea what “She makes me do the turtle” (from “Turtle”) means.
Ford joined the Black Crowes in 1992. The other members, Doni Gray and Mark Dutton, went on to play on side projects with members of Guns ‘N Roses. [First added to this chart: 04/13/2012]
Produced By TIM PALMER
1. Burning Tree
2. Wigs, Blues And High Heeled Shoes
3. Fly On
4. Mistreated Lover
5. Masquerade
6. Playing In The Wind
7. Last Laugh
8. Crush
9. Same Old Story
10. Baker's Song
11. Baby Blue
12. Turtle
The more I listen to this, the more I like it. Burning Tree’s debut (and only) album was released at the height of hair glam, which may be why it didn’t sell much. This album is more late 60’s rock than it is Motley Crue and Poison. The album became lost in the shuffle and they split before making another one. Guitarist Marc Ford shows his brilliance throughout, and the songs grow on you, particularly “Masquerade”, “Fly On”, and “Same Old Story”. Unfortunately, not a hit in the bunch, but it all sounds pretty good. A good, cohesive energy is here, and who knows what they could have done with another chance. The critics loved it…the public never heard it. There are some lyrical question marks…”She’s got a crush on one of us/But she don’t know which one it is” on “Crush” is just silly, and maybe I’m not cool, but I have no idea what “She makes me do the turtle” (from “Turtle”) means.
Ford joined the Black Crowes in 1992. The other members, Doni Gray and Mark Dutton, went on to play on side projects with members of Guns ‘N Roses. [First added to this chart: 04/13/2012]
6. (=)
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[First added to this chart: 11/26/2012]
Year of Release:
1990
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,849
Rank in 1990:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Produced by Ed Stasium. Hard to find now in the US...you might have to buy it as an import. This is the follow up to their breakthrough album, Vivid. It does not contain "Cult Of Personality", which may explain why it's not well known. But this is just as good, if not better than, Vivid. Particularly the rollicking "Love Rears Its Ugly Head", the excellent "Elvis Is Dead", and the just as good "Type". Living Colour deserves to be known for much more than "Cult", and a great place to hear just how good they were is right here on Time's Up. A meaningful purchase.
[First added to this chart: 05/10/2012]
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[First added to this chart: 04/13/2012]
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1990-TWIN/TONE
Produced By ROBYN HITCHCOCK
1. Cynthia Mask
2. Certainly Clickot
3. Queen Elvis
4. Flesh Cartoons
5. Chinese Water Python
6. Executioner
7. Linctus House
8. Sweet Ghost Of Light
9. College Of Ice
10. Transparent Lover
11. Beautiful Girl
12. Raining Twilight Coast
13. Clean Steve
14. Agony Of Pleasure
15. Glass Hotel
16. Satellite
17. Aquarium
18. Queen Elvis II
Robyn Hitchcock tends to be a kind of forgotten figure in the music of the 80’s, but he really shouldn’t be. After fronting The Soft Boys in the late 70’s, Hitchcock emerged as a solo artist in 1981, and with his band The Egyptians in 1985. He opened the 90’s with Eye, a completely acoustic and completely solo album: he’s the only player on it. Eye features some really fascinating pieces, some of which had appeared in earlier full band incarnations (“Queen Elvis”, for example).
Most of the songs work very well, but there are a few uncomfortable moments: “Agony Of Pleasure” may be the most awkward acoustic song ever recorded. Despite being pretty uneven, Eye has just enough great moments to make it worthwhile. “Clean Steve”, “Satellite”, and “Cynthia Mask” work exceptionally well, and the short instrumental “Chinese Water Python” is beautiful. This is not Hitchcock’s best work, but it is among his most interesting. [First added to this chart: 07/27/2012]
Produced By ROBYN HITCHCOCK
1. Cynthia Mask
2. Certainly Clickot
3. Queen Elvis
4. Flesh Cartoons
5. Chinese Water Python
6. Executioner
7. Linctus House
8. Sweet Ghost Of Light
9. College Of Ice
10. Transparent Lover
11. Beautiful Girl
12. Raining Twilight Coast
13. Clean Steve
14. Agony Of Pleasure
15. Glass Hotel
16. Satellite
17. Aquarium
18. Queen Elvis II
Robyn Hitchcock tends to be a kind of forgotten figure in the music of the 80’s, but he really shouldn’t be. After fronting The Soft Boys in the late 70’s, Hitchcock emerged as a solo artist in 1981, and with his band The Egyptians in 1985. He opened the 90’s with Eye, a completely acoustic and completely solo album: he’s the only player on it. Eye features some really fascinating pieces, some of which had appeared in earlier full band incarnations (“Queen Elvis”, for example).
Most of the songs work very well, but there are a few uncomfortable moments: “Agony Of Pleasure” may be the most awkward acoustic song ever recorded. Despite being pretty uneven, Eye has just enough great moments to make it worthwhile. “Clean Steve”, “Satellite”, and “Cynthia Mask” work exceptionally well, and the short instrumental “Chinese Water Python” is beautiful. This is not Hitchcock’s best work, but it is among his most interesting. [First added to this chart: 07/27/2012]
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[First added to this chart: 01/26/2013]
Year of Release:
1990
Appears in:
Rank Score:
649
Rank in 1990:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 70. Page 1 of 7
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Top 88 Music Albums of 1990 composition
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Yo La Tengo | 1 | 1% | |
| They Might Be Giants | 1 | 1% | |
| Lightnin' Hopkins | 1 | 1% | |
| Big Bill Broonzy | 1 | 1% | |
| Sinéad O'Connor | 1 | 1% | |
| EPMD | 1 | 1% | |
| AC/DC | 1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
48 | 55% | |
 |
25 | 28% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
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Top 88 Music Albums of 1990 ratings
Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AVwhere:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
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Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 10 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 05/29/2025 22:48 |  Repo | 559 | 100/100 |
| ! | 10/11/2022 05:34 | leniad | 673 | 85/100 |
| ! | 08/09/2020 01:40 |  zwiebel | 189 | 86/100 |
| ! | 03/10/2020 01:08 | DJENNY | 4,365 | 100/100 |
| ! | 09/13/2019 07:28 |  desh79 | 1,278 | 93/100 |
Rating metrics:
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).
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This chart is rated in the top 10% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 87.9/100, a mean average of 90.0/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 90.0/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 9.2.
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From leniad 10/11/2022 05:34 | #290358
great effort
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From Chambord 05/13/2021 17:27 | #269718
Interesting chart! I can't rate as I've only heard maybe 3-5% of the albums on it - amazing how much music there is out there!
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From guigs13 01/05/2013 23:14 | #60263
Nice chart.
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From Johnnyo 04/27/2012 12:27 | #41041
Nice chart. Especially like the inclsion of Ludlow Garage. Great live album.
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