Best Albums

Critics

The Highest Rated Albums of 1988

Decade

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

Genre

1988

1. EPMD - Strictly Business

EPMD - Strictly Business

August 30, 1988

Critic Score

100

2 reviews

2. The Go-Betweens - 16 Lovers Lane

The Go-Betweens - 16 Lovers Lane

August 1, 1988

Critic Score

100

2 reviews

3. Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden

Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden

September 16, 1988

Critic Score

98

4 reviews

4. Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

April 14, 1988

Critic Score

96

5 reviews

5. Jackie McLean Quintet - Dynasty

Jackie McLean Quintet - Dynasty

November 5, 1988

Critic Score

96

2 reviews

6. Siouxsie and the Banshees - Peepshow

Siouxsie and the Banshees - Peepshow

September 5, 1988

Critic Score

95

2 reviews

7. Living Colour - Vivid

Living Colour - Vivid

May 3, 1988

Critic Score

95

2 reviews

8. The House of Love - The House of Love

The House of Love - The House of Love

January 1, 1988

Critic Score

95

2 reviews

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

N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton

August 8, 1988

Critic Score

94

4 reviews

10. 808 State - Newbuild

808 State - Newbuild

January 1, 1988

Critic Score

94

2 reviews

11. My Bloody Valentine - Isn't Anything

My Bloody Valentine - Isn't Anything

November 1, 1988

Critic Score

94

3 reviews

12. Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation

Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation

October 1, 1988

Alternative Rock

Critic Score

92

6 reviews

13. Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman

Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman

April 5, 1988

Singer-Songwriter

Critic Score

91

3 reviews

14. Traveling Wilburys - Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1

Traveling Wilburys - Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1

October 18, 1988

Critic Score

90

3 reviews

15. Dead Moon - In the Graveyard

Dead Moon - In the Graveyard

September 1, 1988

Critic Score

90

3 reviews

16. Slick Rick - The Great Adventures of Slick Rick

Slick Rick - The Great Adventures of Slick Rick

November 1, 1988

Critic Score

90

2 reviews

17. Enya - Watermark

Enya - Watermark

September 19, 1988

Critic Score

90

2 reviews

18. Jane's Addiction - Nothing's Shocking

Jane's Addiction - Nothing's Shocking

August 23, 1988

Alternative Rock

Critic Score

90

2 reviews

19. Dwight Yoakam - Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room

Dwight Yoakam - Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room

August 2, 1988

Critic Score

90

2 reviews

20. A.R. Kane - 69

July 1, 1988

Critic Score

90

2 reviews

21. The Sugarcubes - Life's Too Good

The Sugarcubes - Life's Too Good

April 1, 1988

Critic Score

90

2 reviews

22. Half Japanese - Charmed Life

Half Japanese - Charmed Life

January 1, 1988

Critic Score

90

2 reviews

23. Leonard Cohen - I'm Your Man

Leonard Cohen - I'm Your Man

February 2, 1988

Singer-Songwriter

Critic Score

89

4 reviews

24. Pixies - Surfer Rosa

Pixies - Surfer Rosa

March 21, 1988

Alternative Rock

Critic Score

89

4 reviews

25. Galaxie 500 - Today

Galaxie 500 - Today

January 1, 1988

Critic Score

88

2 reviews

THE BEST ALBUMS OF ...

Connect with AOTY

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

Critic Score

All Publications

Entertainment Weekly

New Track: Soccer Mommy – “bloodstream”

New Track: Soccer Mommy – “bloodstream”

Listen: 100 gecs – “ringtone (Remix)” (Feat. Charli XCX, Rico Nasty, & Kero Kero Bonito)

Listen: 100 gecs – “ringtone (Remix)” (Feat. Charli XCX, Rico Nasty, & Kero Kero Bonito)

Tool Announces Massive Spring Tour

Tool Announces Massive Spring Tour

Princess Nokia Announces Two New Albums, Shares New Songs

Princess Nokia Announces Two New Albums, Shares New Songs

1 point / Comment

New Track: No Age – “Turned To String”

New Track: No Age – “Turned To String”

New Album Releases

79

Miss Anthropocene

73

84

MAP OF THE SOUL : 7

70

74

85

73

67

Always Tomorrow

90

Lanterns on the Lake

75

February Playlist

Vinyl Me, Please