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

104 albums

#	Album ↕	Episode ↕	Avg ↓
1	Kind Of Blue Miles Davis Ep. 5: Episode 5	Ep. 5: Episode 5	4.36
2	Paranoid Black Sabbath Ep. 6: Episode 6	Ep. 6: Episode 6	4.27
3	Back in Black AC/DC Ep. 26: Episode 26	Ep. 26: Episode 26	4.25
4	Born To Run Bruce Springsteen Ep. 5: Episode 5	Ep. 5: Episode 5	4.25
5	Who’s Next The Who Ep. 17: Episode 17	Ep. 17: Episode 17	4.24
6	At San Quentin Johnny Cash Ep. 37: Episode 37	Ep. 37: Episode 37	4.23
7	Appetite for Destruction Guns N’ Roses Ep. 29: Episode 29	Ep. 29: Episode 29	4.16
8	Revolver The Beatles Ep. 45: Episode 45	Ep. 45: Episode 45	4.15
9	The Dark Side of the Moon Pink Floyd Ep. 44: Episode 44	Ep. 44: Episode 44	4.14
10	The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars David Bowie Ep. 3: Episode 3	Ep. 3: Episode 3	4.14
11	Tapestry Carole King Ep. 15: Episode 15	Ep. 15: Episode 15	4.13
12	Purple Rain Prince And The Revolution Ep. 56: Episode 56	Ep. 56: Episode 56	4.12
13	Blood on the Tracks Bob Dylan Ep. 4: Episode 4	Ep. 4: Episode 4	4.11
14	Born in the U.S.A. Bruce Springsteen Ep. 52: Episode 52	Ep. 52: Episode 52	4.10
15	John Prine John Prine Ep. 27: Episode 27	Ep. 27: Episode 27	4.09
16	The Cars The Cars Ep. 21: Episode 21	Ep. 21: Episode 21	4.09
17	The Joshua Tree U2 Ep. 33: Episode 33	Ep. 33: Episode 33	4.09
18	Led Zeppelin II Led Zeppelin Ep. 2: Episode 2	Ep. 2: Episode 2	4.09
19	Van Halen Van Halen Ep. 35: Episode 35	Ep. 35: Episode 35	4.08
20	Exodus Bob Marley & The Wailers Ep. 51: Episode 51	Ep. 51: Episode 51	4.08
21	Rumours Fleetwood Mac Ep. 1: Episode 1	Ep. 1: Episode 1	4.07
22	Songs In The Key Of Life Stevie Wonder Ep. 24: Episode 24	Ep. 24: Episode 24	4.04
23	Bat Out of Hell Meat Loaf Ep. 46: Episode 46	Ep. 46: Episode 46	4.03
24	Cosmo’s Factory Creedence Clearwater Revival Ep. 42: Episode 42	Ep. 42: Episode 42	4.01
25	Automatic for the People R.E.M. Ep. 6: Episode 6	Ep. 6: Episode 6	4.00
26	The Low End Theory A Tribe Called Quest Ep. 52: Episode 52	Ep. 52: Episode 52	3.97
27	So Peter Gabriel Ep. 8: Episode 8	Ep. 8: Episode 8	3.96
28	The Number Of The Beast Iron Maiden Ep. 41: Episode 41	Ep. 41: Episode 41	3.96
29	Jagged Little Pill Alanis Morissette Ep. 25: Episode 25	Ep. 25: Episode 25	3.95
30	Brothers in Arms Dire Straits Ep. 36: Episode 36	Ep. 36: Episode 36	3.95
31	Paul’s Boutique Beastie Boys Ep. 18: Episode 18	Ep. 18: Episode 18	3.95
32	Ten Pearl Jam Ep. 22: Episode 22	Ep. 22: Episode 22	3.95
33	Giant Steps John Coltrane Ep. 53: Episode 53	Ep. 53: Episode 53	3.95
34	Back to Black Amy Winehouse Ep. 7: Episode 7	Ep. 7: Episode 7	3.95
35	Metallica Metallica Ep. 28: Episode 28	Ep. 28: Episode 28	3.94
36	What’s Going On Marvin Gaye Ep. 48: Episode 48	Ep. 48: Episode 48	3.94
37	Pet Sounds The Beach Boys Ep. 12: Episode 12	Ep. 12: Episode 12	3.93
38	Ramones Ramones Ep. 53: Episode 53	Ep. 53: Episode 53	3.93
39	Thriller Michael Jackson Ep. 3: Episode 3	Ep. 3: Episode 3	3.92
40	Weezer Weezer Ep. 27: Episode 27	Ep. 27: Episode 27	3.91
41	Parallel Lines Blondie Ep. 1: Episode 1	Ep. 1: Episode 1	3.91
42	Roseland NYC Live Portishead Ep. 18: Episode 18	Ep. 18: Episode 18	3.89
43	Sports Huey Lewis and the News Ep. 11: Episode 11	Ep. 11: Episode 11	3.88
44	Violent Femmes Violent Femmes Ep. 26: Episode 26	Ep. 26: Episode 26	3.88
45	Exile On Main St The Rolling Stones Ep. 7: Episode 7	Ep. 7: Episode 7	3.87
46	Rust Never Sleeps Neil Young, Crazy Horse Ep. 14: Episode 14	Ep. 14: Episode 14	3.87
47	Songs From the Big Chair Tears for Fears Ep. 16: Episode 16	Ep. 16: Episode 16	3.87
48	Rio Duran Duran Ep. 49: Episode 49	Ep. 49: Episode 49	3.85
49	Golden Hour Kacey Musgraves Ep. 4: Episode 4	Ep. 4: Episode 4	3.85
50	London Calling The Clash Ep. 47: Episode 47	Ep. 47: Episode 47	3.83
51	Breakfast in America Supertramp Ep. 49: Episode 49	Ep. 49: Episode 49	3.82
52	Pearl Janis Joplin Ep. 9: Episode 9	Ep. 9: Episode 9	3.82
53	Bridge Over Troubled Water Simon & Garfunkel Ep. 55: Episode 55	Ep. 55: Episode 55	3.82
54	The Stone Roses The Stone Roses Ep. 31: Episode 31	Ep. 31: Episode 31	3.81
55	Straight Outta Compton N.W.A Ep. 23: Episode 23	Ep. 23: Episode 23	3.81
56	The Stranger Billy Joel Ep. 34: Episode 34	Ep. 34: Episode 34	3.81
57	Achtung Baby U2 Ep. 29: Episode 29	Ep. 29: Episode 29	3.80
58	Synchronicity The Police Ep. 19: Episode 19	Ep. 19: Episode 19	3.79
59	Leftism Leftfield Ep. 38: Episode 38	Ep. 38: Episode 38	3.79
60	The Modern Lovers The Modern Lovers Ep. 35: Episode 35	Ep. 35: Episode 35	3.77
61	Blonde on Blonde Bob Dylan Ep. 43: Episode 43	Ep. 43: Episode 43	3.77
62	Pink Moon Nick Drake Ep. 14: Episode 14	Ep. 14: Episode 14	3.74
63	The Velvet Underground & Nico The Velvet Underground, Nico Ep. 11: Episode 11	Ep. 11: Episode 11	3.74
64	Sign "O" The Times Prince Ep. 13: Episode 13	Ep. 13: Episode 13	3.73
65	The Band The Band Ep. 39: Episode 39	Ep. 39: Episode 39	3.73
66	The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess Chappell Roan Ep. 17: Episode 17	Ep. 17: Episode 17	3.70
67	Dookie Green Day Ep. 39: Episode 39	Ep. 39: Episode 39	3.69
68	Energy Operation Ivy Ep. 28: Episode 28	Ep. 28: Episode 28	3.69
69	The Trinity Session Cowboy Junkies Ep. 54: Episode 54	Ep. 54: Episode 54	3.67
70	#1 Record Big Star Ep. 48: Episode 48	Ep. 48: Episode 48	3.67
71	Rust in Peace Megadeth Ep. 57: Episode 57	Ep. 57: Episode 57	3.67
72	The White Room The KLF Ep. 16: Episode 16	Ep. 16: Episode 16	3.66
73	AM Arctic Monkeys Ep. 22: Episode 22	Ep. 22: Episode 22	3.64
74	A Flock Of Seagulls A Flock Of Seagulls Ep. 21: Episode 21	Ep. 21: Episode 21	3.60
75	The Black Parade My Chemical Romance Ep. 43: Episode 43	Ep. 43: Episode 43	3.59
76	Aqualung Jethro Tull Ep. 38: Episode 38	Ep. 38: Episode 38	3.59
77	I Just Can’t Stop It The English Beat Ep. 34: Episode 34	Ep. 34: Episode 34	3.59
78	No Depression Uncle Tupelo Ep. 44: Episode 44	Ep. 44: Episode 44	3.56
79	OK Computer Radiohead Ep. 8: Episode 8	Ep. 8: Episode 8	3.54
80	The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion The Black Crowes Ep. 51: Episode 51	Ep. 51: Episode 51	3.53
81	Workbook Bob Mould Ep. 57: Episode 57	Ep. 57: Episode 57	3.51
82	A Rush Of Blood To The Head Coldplay Ep. 12: Episode 12	Ep. 12: Episode 12	3.51
83	Brothers The Black Keys Ep. 36: Episode 36	Ep. 36: Episode 36	3.50
84	Alive! Kiss Ep. 19: Episode 19	Ep. 19: Episode 19	3.50
85	It's a Shame About Ray The Lemonheads Ep. 56: Episode 56	Ep. 56: Episode 56	3.47
86	Hounds Of Love Kate Bush Ep. 41: Episode 41	Ep. 41: Episode 41	3.46
87	The Muse The Wood Brothers Ep. 24: Episode 24	Ep. 24: Episode 24	3.45
88	(I'm) Stranded The Saints Ep. 54: Episode 54	Ep. 54: Episode 54	3.41
89	Father of the Bride Vampire Weekend Ep. 9: Episode 9	Ep. 9: Episode 9	3.40
90	Hot Rats Frank Zappa Ep. 2: Episode 2	Ep. 2: Episode 2	3.39
91	Apple Mother Love Bone Ep. 46: Episode 46	Ep. 46: Episode 46	3.38
92	Welcome Interstate Managers Fountains Of Wayne Ep. 55: Episode 55	Ep. 55: Episode 55	3.37
93	Bellybutton Jellyfish Ep. 31: Episode 31	Ep. 31: Episode 31	3.36
94	G. Love And Special Sauce G. Love & Special Sauce Ep. 13: Episode 13	Ep. 13: Episode 13	3.27
95	Naveed Our Lady Peace Ep. 37: Episode 37	Ep. 37: Episode 37	3.27
96	Kings of the Wild Frontier Adam and the Ants Ep. 25: Episode 25	Ep. 25: Episode 25	3.20
97	Bon Iver, Bon Iver Bon Iver Ep. 23: Episode 23	Ep. 23: Episode 23	3.19
98	Cleopatra The Lumineers Ep. 47: Episode 47	Ep. 47: Episode 47	3.18
99	Lone Rhino Adrian Belew Ep. 42: Episode 42	Ep. 42: Episode 42	3.15
100	Deja Entendu Brand New Ep. 32: Episode 32	Ep. 32: Episode 32	2.97
101	Once Nightwish Ep. 45: Episode 45	Ep. 45: Episode 45	2.90
102	Lateralus Tool Ep. 15: Episode 15	Ep. 15: Episode 15	2.86
103	Hangin’ Tough New Kids on the Block Ep. 33: Episode 33	Ep. 33: Episode 33	2.38
104	Trout Mask Replica Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band Ep. 32: Episode 32	Ep. 32: Episode 32	2.26