Top 10 Best Albums of 1994

In the whirlwind of grunge, hip-hop, R&B, pop, and alternative rock, 1994 was a year of genre-blending, envelope-pushing, and star-making. It was a year when new artists made their grand entrances and established artists reached new heights. It was a year when music felt raw, real, and incredibly exciting.

So, what's your pick for the best album of 1994? Maybe it's an album that defined the sound of the '90s for you. Perhaps it's a record that you have a personal connection with, one that became the soundtrack to your life that year. Or maybe it's an album that you discovered years later, but has since become an integral part of your music library.

Whatever your pick, this is the place to make your voice heard. This is a celebration of the music of 1994, a chance to reminisce about the sounds that defined the year, and a platform to discover albums that might have slipped under your radar.

From iconic releases to hidden gems, this list aims to cover the breadth and depth of 1994's music scene. And remember, you're not just browsing this list, you're shaping it. So, vote for your favorite albums of '94, and see how your choices stack up against the opinions of others.
The Top Ten
The Blue Album - Weezer

Easily the best album of '94, not one flaw in it. It tells the story of four nerdy boys from LA. Songs like Buddy Holly and Undone make this album great.

The true gems are The World Has Turned and Left Me Here and In the Garage.

Guys, really? Without Weezer, there's no Madonna.

OK, that's an exaggeration, but really, all the rock albums belong on top of the pop albums because without rock, there's no pop music.

Weezer is the best band since 1992! Why is their best album at number 8? Weezer is much better than Madonna!

Definitely Maybe - Oasis

Great vocals, great songs, great album. We didn't know how good it was until 1997 when the quality of Oasis started going downhill. By 2008, it was practically a lost cause. If it weren't for this and Morning Glory, Oasis wouldn't be half as good as they are.

Beautiful, never forget it. Each song is a classic and unique in its own way. If you haven't already, pick this one out and give it a listen!

Oasis was the best band of the '90s. Madonna can't be compared to Oasis. Oasis songs are anthems for a whole generation of youth.

The Downward Spiral - Nine Inch Nails

Best album of '94. It brought industrial music into the mainstream and solidified Trent Reznor's place among the musical greats.

Dookie - Green Day

Number 53? Seriously? This album killed grunge, started a whole new generation of punk, and the songs from this album still get played on the radio.

WHAT? Number 40? What is this? This is real talent. Real music. Green Day writes their own music, unlike some of the albums above.

Green Day literally revolutionized the whole punk rock scene with this album. It deserves to be number one.

Smash - The Offspring

Never Mind the Bollocks is my favorite punk, and this comes next. Grunge influences also, riffs that will stay in your mind. Really awesome, especially if you are a teenager.

The album holds the record for being "the greatest selling album on an independent record label of all time."

Great mixture of grunge and punk rock. If you like heavy riffs, really cool. You should listen, you will never forget.

Superunknown - Soundgarden
Jar of Flies - Alice in Chains
Far Beyond Driven - Pantera
MTV Unplugged in New York - Nirvana

This was also partly a tribute to Kurt Cobain, who died earlier that year. RIP.

Korn - Korn

The Newcomers

? The Space Age Playboys - Warrior Soul
? Death Row - Accept
The Contenders
Purple - Stone Temple Pilots
Bedtime Stories - Madonna

I prefer Erotica, but this one has some jams too. Take a Bow, Secret, and Bedtime Story are superb singles.

Take a Bow is one of the greatest songs ever!

Illmatic - Nas

When Nas released this album, he was a hip-hop prodigy, becoming one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time. This album was a stepping stone for the genre and should be in the number one spot.

The most classic album of the year and it should be in the top ten, that's for sure. Every song is lyrically amazing.

Dummy - Portishead

From beginning to finish, a fantastic listen. I can't think of a more layered, nuanced, and cerebral record than Dummy.

Grace - Jeff Buckley
Out in L.A. - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Ill Communication - Beastie Boys
Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain - Pavement
Big Ones - Aerosmith
Stranger Than Fiction - Bad Religion
American Recordings - Johnny Cash
Youthanasia - Megadeth
Awake - Dream Theater
Mellow Gold - Beck

"Alcohol on my hands, I got plans, to ditch myself and get outside. Dancing, throwing plates, decapitating their laughing dates, swirling chickens caught in flight, out of focus, much too bright, coming down, shiny teeth, game shows suckers trying to bleed, but I got the bug and I got a drug and I got something better than love."

Beck left anti-folk defined and mixed experimental lo-fi folk with hip-hop ideas.

Salute to Disney - Arthur Fiedler & the Boston Pops Orchestra
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