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Rolling Stone
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Highest Rated Albums of 1986
Decade
1980s
All Time
2020s
2010s
2000s
1990s
1980s
1970s
1960s
Source
Rolling Stone
All
AllMusic
Entertainment Weekly
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Rolling Stone
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Genre
All
All
Alternative Rock
Art Pop
Country
Dance Pop
Folk
Folk Rock
Hard Rock
Hardcore Hip Hop
Hardcore Punk
Heavy Metal
Hip Hop
Indie Pop
Jangle Pop
Metal
New Wave
Pop
Pop Rock
Post-Punk
Punk
Punk Rock
Rock
Singer-Songwriter
Synthpop
1980s
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1
.
Bad Brains - I Against I
November 1, 1986
Alternative Metal
Score
100
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2
.
Peter Gabriel - So
May 19, 1986
Pop Rock
Score
100
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3
.
Paul Simon - Graceland
August 12, 1986
Singer-Songwriter
Score
100
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4
.
Run-D.M.C. - Raising Hell
May 15, 1986
Hip Hop
Score
100
Source →
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5
.
The Smiths - The Queen is Dead
June 16, 1986
Jangle Pop
Score
100
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6
.
Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill
November 15, 1986
Hip Hop
Score
100
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7
.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Blood & Chocolate
September 15, 1986
Pop Rock
Score
90
Source →
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Music
8
.
Depeche Mode - Black Celebration
March 17, 1986
Synthpop
Score
90
Source →
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9
.
Frank Zappa - Jazz from Hell
November 15, 1986
Electronic
Score
80
Source →
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10
.
Mantronix - Music Madness
May 1, 1986
Score
80
Source →
Amazon
iTunes
Music
11
.
Pretenders - Get Close
November 4, 1986
Score
80
Source →
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12
.
Elvis Costello - King of America
February 21, 1986
Pop Rock
Score
80
Source →
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Music
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13
.
Billy Bragg - Talking With the Taxman About Poetry
September 1, 1986
Folk Rock
Score
80
Source →
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Music
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14
.
Janet Jackson - Control
February 2, 1986
R&B
Score
80
Source →
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Music
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15
.
Genesis - Invisible Touch
June 9, 1986
Pop Rock
Score
80
Source →
Amazon
iTunes
Music
Spotify
16
.
Hüsker Dü - Candy Apple Grey
March 1, 1986
Alternative Rock
Score
80
Source →
Amazon
iTunes
Music
Spotify
17
.
New Order - Brotherhood
September 29, 1986
Synthpop
Score
80
Source →
Amazon
iTunes
Music
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18
.
Sonic Youth - EVOL
May 1, 1986
Noise Rock
Score
80
Source →
Amazon
iTunes
Music
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19
.
The Rolling Stones - Dirty Work
March 24, 1986
Rock
Score
80
Source →
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iTunes
Music
Spotify
20
.
Madonna - True Blue
June 30, 1986
Synthpop
Score
80
Source →
Amazon
iTunes
Music
Spotify
21
.
R.E.M. - Lifes Rich Pageant
July 28, 1986
Alternative Rock
Score
80
Source →
Amazon
iTunes
Music
Spotify
22
.
James Brown - Gravity
September 15, 1986
Score
70
Source →
Amazon
iTunes
Music
Spotify
23
.
Kool Moe Dee - Kool Moe Dee
Hip Hop
Score
70
Source →
Amazon
iTunes
Music
Spotify
24
.
They Might Be Giants - They Might Be Giants
November 4, 1986
Indie Pop
Score
70
Source →
Amazon
iTunes
Music
Spotify
25
.
Billy Joel - The Bridge
July 29, 1986
Piano Rock
Score
70
Source →
Amazon
iTunes
Music
Spotify
1
2
3
NOTE:
This is not a year end list. This list is ordered by the ratings Rolling Stone awarded albums throughout 1986.
ROLLING STONE'S HIGHEST RATED ALBUMS OF ...
2021
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1987
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