RANKED FROM PUBLISHED SCORECARDS
Highest-rated albums of 1989.
A leaderboard of the records we've scored. Explore an era, read the reasoning, and see where your own verdict differs.
2albums in this ranking
Browse individual release years
Only the 108 albums with an unambiguous, usable published score can enter these rankings. Equal scores share a rank; alphabetical ordering within a tie does not imply a preference. This is the site's reviewed selection, not a complete survey of every release.
| Rank | Album / artist | Year | Score / 10 | Label & sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul's Boutique ↗Beastie Boys | 1989 | 9.5 | Capitol Records1 scorecard & notes |
| 1 | 3 Feet High and Rising ↗De La SoulListening guide → | 1989 | 9.5 | Tommy Boy Records |