1975–1999 · 250 albums
The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
The 250 best electronic albums of the 20th century, 1975 to 1999: the years when the machine stopped being an effect and became the instrument.
Records here carry no merit tier, and that is deliberate rather than an omission. The 21st century asks which band a record belongs to. This canon asks something else: where the ranking disagrees with the dancefloor, with influence, and with everyone else’s polls. Those three measures are on every entry, and the gaps between them are the argument.
- Albums
- 250
- Artists
- 174
- Most represented
- techno · 93
- Busiest year
- 1994 · 34
- Number 1 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1992 - Number 2 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1991 - Number 3 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1991 - Number 5 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 6 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 8 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998 - Number 9 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1990 - Number 10 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 11 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 12 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 13 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 14 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 15 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 17 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998 - Number 18 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1991 - Number 19 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 20 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 21 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 22 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 23 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 25 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 26 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 27 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 30 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 32 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1991 - Number 34 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 35 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 36 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 37 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 38 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 39 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 40 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 42 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1977 - Number 43 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1992 - Number 44 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 45 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 46 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 48 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 49 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 50 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 51 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 52 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1989 - Number 53 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 54 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 55 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 56 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 57 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1988 - Number 58 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 59 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 60 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1992 - Number 61 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 62 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1991 - Number 63 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 64 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 65 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 66 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1992 - Number 67 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 68 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 69 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 70 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 73 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1981 - Number 74 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 75 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1984 - Number 76 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998 - Number 77 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 78 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 79 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1992 - Number 80 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 81 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 82 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 83 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 84 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 85 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 86 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998 - Number 87 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 88 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 89 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 90 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 91 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 92 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 94 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 97 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 98 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 99 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 100 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 101 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1979 - Number 102 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 103 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 104 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998 - Number 105 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1978 - Number 106 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998 - Number 107 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 109 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 110 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 113 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 114 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998 - Number 115 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 116 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 117 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998 - Number 118 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1989 - Number 119 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 120 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 121 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 122 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 123 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1991 - Number 124 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1991 - Number 125 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998 - Number 126 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 127 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998 - Number 128 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 129 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1974 - Number 130 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 131 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 132 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 133 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998 - Number 134 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 135 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1988 - Number 136 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1992 - Number 137 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1979 - Number 138 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 139 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1983 - Number 141 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1975 - Number 142 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 143 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 144 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1988 - Number 145 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998 - Number 146 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 147 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 148 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1983 - Number 149 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1991 - Number 150 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1984 - Number 151 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 152 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998 - Number 153 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1989 - Number 154 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 155 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 157 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 159 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 160 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 161 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1990 - Number 162 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 163 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1991 - Number 164 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 165 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 166 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1990 - Number 167 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1992 - Number 168 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1992 - Number 169 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1991 - Number 170 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 171 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 172 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1989 - Number 173 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 174 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 175 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 176 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 177 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 178 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 179 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 180 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 181 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 182 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 183 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 184 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 185 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 186 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 187 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1990 - Number 188 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 189 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 191 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 192 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 193 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 194 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 195 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 196 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 197 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1990 - Number 198 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1992 - Number 199 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 200 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998 - Number 201 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 202 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1991 - Number 204 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 205 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1992 - Number 206 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1992 - Number 207 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1992 - Number 209 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 210 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 211 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 213 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 214 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 215 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 216 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 217 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998 - Number 218 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 219 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 221 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 222 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 223 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 224 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 225 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1996 - Number 226 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 227 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998 - Number 228 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998 - Number 229 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 231 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1995 - Number 232 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 233 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
Journeys By DJ: Coldcut (70 Minutes Of Madness)
Coldcut · 1995
house · trip-hop · jungle · drum and bass · techno · dub · downtempo · hip hop
1995 - Number 234 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 235 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 236 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 237 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 239 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 240 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 241 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 242 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 243 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 244 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 245 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1993 - Number 246 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1994 - Number 248 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1997 - Number 249 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1999 - Number 250 on The 250 Best Electronic Albums of the 20th Century
1998
How this list was made
Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works 85-92 takes the top place. Below it, 174 artists share 250 positions, and 50 of them appear more than once. The list bunches hard in the middle nineties: 1994, 1995 and 1997 contribute more than thirty albums each. That is not a bias in the ranking. It is when the music was inventing its dialects fastest. Techno leads the genre count, then ambient, then downtempo and IDM.
Every entry also carries three measures that disagree with the ranking on purpose: a dancefloor placing, an influence placing, and an external-poll position where the record has one. They are not decoration. Selected Ambient Works 85-92 is first overall and 193rd on the dancefloor. That gap is an argument about what the record is actually for, and reading the three against the main order is the most useful thing on any album page.