Top 10 Best Alternative Albums of All Time

The Top Ten
1 OK Computer - Radiohead

Definitely my best album in a very long while. Radiohead has been the best in transforming from what I was calling dirty alternative rock to dirty electronic rock. That was just before their electronic turn, and sometimes I regret we don't get the OK Computer sound on their new albums.

Find me a singer that can put more emotion in his voice. I have yet to find a single one.

Good God, what is wrong with you people? Sure, Linkin Park is great as an artist and Hybrid Theory is a great album, but let's talk about quality here. Radiohead is the greatest alternative artist of all time, and OK Computer is the Dark Side of the Moon of the '90s. Not to mention, it's the best album of the '90s.

2 Nevermind - Nirvana

This album is amazing.

It is full of energy, mournfulness, and melody.

Kurt expressed so much in his music, with songs such as Lithium, Breed, Drain You, Polly, Come As You Are, In Bloom, and SLTS. This album defines alternative music!

Thank you to Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl, and Butch Vig.

One of the best albums of all time, and definitely the best alternative album.

This song/album changed the world.

3 Ten - Pearl Jam

One of the greatest albums of all time. Every single song off this album is also great.

Way overshadowed by Nevermind. Also, it has "Black."

4 Siamese Dreams - The Smashing Pumpkins

Amazing album! From the beginning song's opening riff in Cherub Rock to a '90s favorite "Today," throw in Mayonnaise, Rocket, Soma, and Disarm - this album from top to bottom was as solid as they come, awesome!

Great album all the way through.

5 Weezer (Blue Album) - Weezer
6 In Rainbows - Radiohead

Radiohead, in general, is the obvious number 1 choice here.

7 Hybrid Theory - Linkin Park

More than 30 million copies sold worldwide. All the songs in this album are great. It should be at the top.

This album is epic! It should be first!

8 Dirt - Alice In Chains

People don't know how much energy and soul Layne put into singing every song off this album. When you have songs like Down in a Hole, Rain When I Die, Them Bones, Sick Man, Rooster, and Would? all on the same album, you know you did something right. Not to mention how much chemistry developed between Mike and Jerry to develop such great instrumentals.

I'm not the biggest fan of alternative, but this album is without a doubt the best in my opinion. It's a perfect combination of metal and alternative, and this album shows who the true best grunge band is.

9 American Idiot - Green Day

How is this behind Gorillaz? Ever heard of Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Holiday, Jesus of Suburbia, American Idiot, Wake Me Up When September Ends? Also, OK Computer deserves to be higher than Nevermind. Karma Police, Paranoid Android, the list goes on.

I like the band Green Day because their songs are cool.

10 A Rush of Blood to the Head - Coldplay

This album, along with The Bends by Radiohead, should be number one. Kid A is a close second. Also, where is Parachutes by Coldplay on this list? As you can probably tell, Coldplay and Radiohead are my favorite bands. I love OK Computer, but I find it to be overrated. The first half of the album is a lot better than the second half. I know Lucky and No Surprises are good, but I have never understood The Tourist, Electioneering, and Climbing Up the Walls.

But going back to AROBTH, this album is great from start to finish. It starts with probably my favorite song, "Politik," which is loud and has emotional piano from beginning to end. It ends with one of my favorite ballads of all time, "Amsterdam." People need to stop giving Coldplay crap and realize that they are a great band that doesn't just make pop music. They make music that actually has substance, more than all of the pop artists. Just because they get more recognition than other alternative bands doesn't mean that they write meaningless pop music. Overall, I recommend this incredible album to everyone because it is one of the best albums that I have ever listened to.

The Contenders
11 Mesmer Theatre - The Arcana
12 Pastel Painted People in Candy Coloured Crowds - The Arcana
13 Superunknown - Soundgarden
14 In Absentia - Porcupine Tree

Glad it's in the top 10. Extremely underrated album by an extremely underrated band that definitely needs more recognition.

15 Lemon Freddy Phantom of the Sky - The Arcana
16 Dookie - Green Day
17 Doolittle - Pixies

If there weren't Nevermind, there would be no OK Computer. But without Doolittle, there would be no Nevermind. This should be at least in the top 8.

I think this should be in the top 5. At least, it should be number 1. Nevermind, Ritual De La Habitual, Doolittle, OK Computer, Dirt.

18 Tomorrow is Yesterday - The Arcana
19 Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends - Coldplay

Great from start to finish. It has such a distinct sound from anything else, and that makes it even better! The theme and message of this album are clear and persistent in every song. Every single song sounds so different from the others. But every song is absolutely incredible, especially Lovers in Japan, Lost!, and Death and All of His Friends.

20 The Queen is Dead - The Smiths
21 Weather Systems - Anathema
22 Californication - Red Hot Chili Peppers

This album has no bad songs! It should be higher.

23 X&Y - Coldplay

Should be way higher! Absolutely incredible album from start to finish. Every song is great, and the band really shows what they are capable of. The lyrics are also immeasurable.

24 Demon Days - Gorillaz

Pure genius. Every song captures a new emotion and stage in life. I might just be biased because this album got me through some hard times, but I honestly can't even begin to explain my love for this album.

Love all the songs on this album! Especially Feel Good Inc and Dirty Harry!

Amazing. Each song is just so unique and great.

25 Origin of Symmetry - Muse

My personal ranking:

1. Origin of Symmetry (Muse)
2. Kid A (Radiohead)
3. OK Computer (Radiohead)
4. Absolution (Muse)
5. A Rush of Blood to the Head (Coldplay)

8Load More
PSearch List