Chart of Essentiality

Every album that's appeared on the show, ranked by average listener rating.

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Top Tier ≥ 4.5 Essential ≥ 4.0 Close to Essential ≥ 3.0 Struggling < 3.0

96 albums

#	Album ↕	Episode ↕	Avg ↓
1	Kind Of Blue Miles Davis Ep. 5: Episode 5	Ep. 5: Episode 5	4.49
2	Born To Run Bruce Springsteen Ep. 5: Episode 5	Ep. 5: Episode 5	4.41
3	Who’s Next The Who Ep. 17: Episode 17	Ep. 17: Episode 17	4.34
4	Tapestry Carole King Ep. 15: Episode 15	Ep. 15: Episode 15	4.27
5	Revolver The Beatles Ep. 45: Episode 45	Ep. 45: Episode 45	4.26
6	The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars David Bowie Ep. 3: Episode 3	Ep. 3: Episode 3	4.22
7	The Dark Side of the Moon Pink Floyd Ep. 44: Episode 44	Ep. 44: Episode 44	4.21
8	Back in Black AC/DC Ep. 26: Episode 26	Ep. 26: Episode 26	4.21
9	Songs In The Key Of Life Stevie Wonder Ep. 24: Episode 24	Ep. 24: Episode 24	4.18
10	At San Quentin Johnny Cash Ep. 37: Episode 37	Ep. 37: Episode 37	4.17
11	Exodus Bob Marley & The Wailers Ep. 51: Episode 51	Ep. 51: Episode 51	4.17
12	Blood on the Tracks Bob Dylan Ep. 4: Episode 4	Ep. 4: Episode 4	4.16
13	The Joshua Tree U2 Ep. 33: Episode 33	Ep. 33: Episode 33	4.16
14	Born in the U.S.A. Bruce Springsteen Ep. 52: Episode 52	Ep. 52: Episode 52	4.16
15	Pet Sounds The Beach Boys Ep. 12: Episode 12	Ep. 12: Episode 12	4.15
16	Cosmo’s Factory Creedence Clearwater Revival Ep. 42: Episode 42	Ep. 42: Episode 42	4.14
17	The Low End Theory A Tribe Called Quest Ep. 52: Episode 52	Ep. 52: Episode 52	4.11
18	Paranoid Black Sabbath Ep. 6: Episode 6	Ep. 6: Episode 6	4.11
19	Appetite for Destruction Guns N’ Roses Ep. 29: Episode 29	Ep. 29: Episode 29	4.11
20	Rumours Fleetwood Mac Ep. 1: Episode 1	Ep. 1: Episode 1	4.10
21	The Cars The Cars Ep. 21: Episode 21	Ep. 21: Episode 21	4.09
22	Van Halen Van Halen Ep. 35: Episode 35	Ep. 35: Episode 35	4.09
23	Giant Steps John Coltrane Ep. 53: Episode 53	Ep. 53: Episode 53	4.08
24	What’s Going On Marvin Gaye Ep. 48: Episode 48	Ep. 48: Episode 48	4.07
25	Automatic for the People R.E.M. Ep. 6: Episode 6	Ep. 6: Episode 6	4.06
26	Led Zeppelin II Led Zeppelin Ep. 2: Episode 2	Ep. 2: Episode 2	4.05
27	Back to Black Amy Winehouse Ep. 7: Episode 7	Ep. 7: Episode 7	4.05
28	The Number Of The Beast Iron Maiden Ep. 41: Episode 41	Ep. 41: Episode 41	4.04
29	Weezer Weezer Ep. 27: Episode 27	Ep. 27: Episode 27	4.03
30	Bat Out of Hell Meat Loaf Ep. 46: Episode 46	Ep. 46: Episode 46	4.03
31	Ramones Ramones Ep. 53: Episode 53	Ep. 53: Episode 53	4.03
32	Violent Femmes Violent Femmes Ep. 26: Episode 26	Ep. 26: Episode 26	4.03
33	John Prine John Prine Ep. 27: Episode 27	Ep. 27: Episode 27	4.01
34	Jagged Little Pill Alanis Morissette Ep. 25: Episode 25	Ep. 25: Episode 25	4.00
35	Golden Hour Kacey Musgraves Ep. 4: Episode 4	Ep. 4: Episode 4	4.00
36	Paul’s Boutique Beastie Boys Ep. 18: Episode 18	Ep. 18: Episode 18	4.00
37	Parallel Lines Blondie Ep. 1: Episode 1	Ep. 1: Episode 1	4.00
38	Rust Never Sleeps Neil Young, Crazy Horse Ep. 14: Episode 14	Ep. 14: Episode 14	3.99
39	Leftism Leftfield Ep. 38: Episode 38	Ep. 38: Episode 38	3.99
40	Straight Outta Compton N.W.A Ep. 23: Episode 23	Ep. 23: Episode 23	3.98
41	The Modern Lovers The Modern Lovers Ep. 35: Episode 35	Ep. 35: Episode 35	3.98
42	Brothers in Arms Dire Straits Ep. 36: Episode 36	Ep. 36: Episode 36	3.98
43	Pearl Janis Joplin Ep. 9: Episode 9	Ep. 9: Episode 9	3.98
44	So Peter Gabriel Ep. 8: Episode 8	Ep. 8: Episode 8	3.97
45	Roseland NYC Live Portishead Ep. 18: Episode 18	Ep. 18: Episode 18	3.97
46	Thriller Michael Jackson Ep. 3: Episode 3	Ep. 3: Episode 3	3.95
47	Pink Moon Nick Drake Ep. 14: Episode 14	Ep. 14: Episode 14	3.95
48	Sports Huey Lewis and the News Ep. 11: Episode 11	Ep. 11: Episode 11	3.93
49	Breakfast in America Supertramp Ep. 49: Episode 49	Ep. 49: Episode 49	3.92
50	Ten Pearl Jam Ep. 22: Episode 22	Ep. 22: Episode 22	3.92
51	Dookie Green Day Ep. 39: Episode 39	Ep. 39: Episode 39	3.91
52	Blonde on Blonde Bob Dylan Ep. 43: Episode 43	Ep. 43: Episode 43	3.91
53	The Stone Roses The Stone Roses Ep. 31: Episode 31	Ep. 31: Episode 31	3.90
54	Aqualung Jethro Tull Ep. 38: Episode 38	Ep. 38: Episode 38	3.90
55	Metallica Metallica Ep. 28: Episode 28	Ep. 28: Episode 28	3.90
56	The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess Chappell Roan Ep. 17: Episode 17	Ep. 17: Episode 17	3.90
57	Songs From the Big Chair Tears for Fears Ep. 16: Episode 16	Ep. 16: Episode 16	3.90
58	London Calling The Clash Ep. 47: Episode 47	Ep. 47: Episode 47	3.88
59	Rio Duran Duran Ep. 49: Episode 49	Ep. 49: Episode 49	3.86
60	#1 Record Big Star Ep. 48: Episode 48	Ep. 48: Episode 48	3.85
61	The Stranger Billy Joel Ep. 34: Episode 34	Ep. 34: Episode 34	3.85
62	Energy Operation Ivy Ep. 28: Episode 28	Ep. 28: Episode 28	3.85
63	Achtung Baby U2 Ep. 29: Episode 29	Ep. 29: Episode 29	3.84
64	The Band The Band Ep. 39: Episode 39	Ep. 39: Episode 39	3.83
65	Sign "O" The Times Prince Ep. 13: Episode 13	Ep. 13: Episode 13	3.82
66	Exile On Main St The Rolling Stones Ep. 7: Episode 7	Ep. 7: Episode 7	3.80
67	Synchronicity The Police Ep. 19: Episode 19	Ep. 19: Episode 19	3.79
68	The Velvet Underground & Nico The Velvet Underground, Nico Ep. 11: Episode 11	Ep. 11: Episode 11	3.79
69	AM Arctic Monkeys Ep. 22: Episode 22	Ep. 22: Episode 22	3.79
70	The Black Parade My Chemical Romance Ep. 43: Episode 43	Ep. 43: Episode 43	3.73
71	I Just Can’t Stop It The English Beat Ep. 34: Episode 34	Ep. 34: Episode 34	3.72
72	No Depression Uncle Tupelo Ep. 44: Episode 44	Ep. 44: Episode 44	3.70
73	Father of the Bride Vampire Weekend Ep. 9: Episode 9	Ep. 9: Episode 9	3.69
74	A Flock Of Seagulls A Flock Of Seagulls Ep. 21: Episode 21	Ep. 21: Episode 21	3.68
75	The White Room The KLF Ep. 16: Episode 16	Ep. 16: Episode 16	3.65
76	Brothers The Black Keys Ep. 36: Episode 36	Ep. 36: Episode 36	3.63
77	The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion The Black Crowes Ep. 51: Episode 51	Ep. 51: Episode 51	3.62
78	OK Computer Radiohead Ep. 8: Episode 8	Ep. 8: Episode 8	3.57
79	Alive! Kiss Ep. 19: Episode 19	Ep. 19: Episode 19	3.55
80	Hounds Of Love Kate Bush Ep. 41: Episode 41	Ep. 41: Episode 41	3.55
81	A Rush Of Blood To The Head Coldplay Ep. 12: Episode 12	Ep. 12: Episode 12	3.55
82	The Muse The Wood Brothers Ep. 24: Episode 24	Ep. 24: Episode 24	3.53
83	Hot Rats Frank Zappa Ep. 2: Episode 2	Ep. 2: Episode 2	3.52
84	Bellybutton Jellyfish Ep. 31: Episode 31	Ep. 31: Episode 31	3.46
85	Naveed Our Lady Peace Ep. 37: Episode 37	Ep. 37: Episode 37	3.46
86	Apple Mother Love Bone Ep. 46: Episode 46	Ep. 46: Episode 46	3.44
87	G. Love And Special Sauce G. Love & Special Sauce Ep. 13: Episode 13	Ep. 13: Episode 13	3.36
88	Cleopatra The Lumineers Ep. 47: Episode 47	Ep. 47: Episode 47	3.30
89	Bon Iver, Bon Iver Bon Iver Ep. 23: Episode 23	Ep. 23: Episode 23	3.29
90	Lone Rhino Adrian Belew Ep. 42: Episode 42	Ep. 42: Episode 42	3.29
91	Kings of the Wild Frontier Adam and the Ants Ep. 25: Episode 25	Ep. 25: Episode 25	3.26
92	Deja Entendu Brand New Ep. 32: Episode 32	Ep. 32: Episode 32	3.22
93	Once Nightwish Ep. 45: Episode 45	Ep. 45: Episode 45	2.96
94	Lateralus Tool Ep. 15: Episode 15	Ep. 15: Episode 15	2.94
95	Hangin’ Tough New Kids on the Block Ep. 33: Episode 33	Ep. 33: Episode 33	2.49
96	Trout Mask Replica Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band Ep. 32: Episode 32	Ep. 32: Episode 32	2.41