Best Albums

Rolling Stone

www.rollingstone.com

Highest Rated Albums of 1988

Decade

1980s
- All Time
- 2020s
- 2010s
- 2000s
- 1990s
- 1980s
- 1970s
- 1960s

Source

Rolling Stone
- All
- AllMusic
- Entertainment Weekly
- Pitchfork
- Rolling Stone
- Sputnikmusic

Genre

All
- All
- Alt-Country
- Alternative Rock
- Americana
- AOR
- Folk
- Folk Rock
- Funk
- Hard Rock
- Heavy Metal
- Hip Hop
- Jangle Pop
- Metal
- New Wave
- Pop
- Pop Rock
- Pop Soul
- Post-Punk
- Rock
- Singer-Songwriter
- Sophisti-Pop
- Soul
- Synthpop
- Thrash Metal

1988

1. Johnny Cash - Water from the Wells of Home

Johnny Cash - Water from the Wells of Home

May 1, 1988

Score

100

2. N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton

N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton

August 8, 1988

Score

100

3. Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians - Globe of Frogs

Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians - Globe of Frogs

Score

80

4. Guy Clark - Old Friends

Guy Clark - Old Friends

Score

80

5. The Traveling Wilburys - The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1

The Traveling Wilburys - The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1

October 18, 1988

Score

80

6. The Feelies - Only Life

The Feelies - Only Life

September 13, 1988

Score

80

7. The Smithereens - Green Thoughts

The Smithereens - Green Thoughts

March 16, 1988

Score

80

8. UB40 - UB40

July 11, 1988

Score

80

9. Wire - A Bell Is a Cup Until It Is Struck

Wire - A Bell Is a Cup Until It Is Struck

May 16, 1988

Score

80

10. The Robert Cray Band - Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

The Robert Cray Band - Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

August 8, 1988

Score

80

11. John Hiatt - Slow Turning

John Hiatt - Slow Turning

August 30, 1988

Score

80

12. Dwight Yoakam - Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room

Dwight Yoakam - Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room

August 2, 1988

Score

80

13. Traveling Wilburys - Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1

Traveling Wilburys - Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1

October 18, 1988

Score

80

14. Steve Earle - Copperhead Road

Steve Earle - Copperhead Road

October 17, 1988

Score

80

15. Ultramagnetic MCs - Critical Beatdown

Ultramagnetic MCs - Critical Beatdown

October 4, 1988

Score

80

16. Was (Not Was) - What Up Dog

Was (Not Was) - What Up Dog

January 1, 1988

Score

80

17. Big Daddy Kane - Long Live the Kane

Big Daddy Kane - Long Live the Kane

June 21, 1988

Score

80

18. Enya - Watermark

Enya - Watermark

September 19, 1988

Score

80

19. Slick Rick - The Great Adventures of Slick Rick

Slick Rick - The Great Adventures of Slick Rick

November 1, 1988

Score

80

20. Randy Newman - Land of Dreams

Randy Newman - Land of Dreams

September 1, 1988

Score

80

21. Billy Bragg - Workers Playtime

Billy Bragg - Workers Playtime

September 1, 1988

Score

80

22. Richard Thompson - Amnesia

Richard Thompson - Amnesia

October 1, 1988

Score

80

23. Brian Wilson - Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson - Brian Wilson

July 12, 1988

Score

80

24. Van Morrison & The Chieftains - Irish Heartbeat

Van Morrison & The Chieftains - Irish Heartbeat

February 1, 1988

Score

80

25. Graham Parker - The Mona Lisa's Sister

Graham Parker - The Mona Lisa's Sister

April 1, 1988

Score

80

1

NOTE: This is not a year end list. This list is ordered by the ratings Rolling Stone awarded albums throughout 1988.

ROLLING STONE'S HIGHEST RATED ALBUMS OF ...

Connect with AOTY

Become a Donor
Donor badge, no ads + more benefits.

Advertisement

New Album Releases

82

Megan Thee Stallion

72

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

78

68

Phoebe Bridgers

87

Idiot Prayer: Nick Cave Alone at Alexandra Palace

Advertisement

October Playlist