The best experimental albums

Ranked by every score on sleeves, critics' and listeners'. An album with few scores is pulled toward the average until more come in, so one perfect score cannot top the list.

  1. 1In RainbowsRadiohead · 4.7 from 3 scores
  2. 2Merriweather Post PavilionAnimal Collective · 4.5 from 3 scores
  3. 3Hounds of LoveKate Bush · 5 from 1 score
  1. 4The BeatlesThe Beatles5 from 1 score
  2. 5You Forgot It in PeopleBroken Social Scene4.5 from 2 scores
  3. 6The Velvet Underground & NicoThe Velvet Underground4.5 from 1 score
  4. 7VeckatimestGrizzly Bear4.2 from 3 scores
  5. 8Bottomless PitDeath Grips4 from 2 scores
  6. 9SATURATION IIBROCKHAMPTON3.5 from 1 score
  7. 10SATURATIONBROCKHAMPTON3.5 from 1 score
  8. 11In ColourJamie xx3.8 from 4 scores
  9. 12This Is All Yoursalt‐J3.3 from 3 scores
  10. 13An Awesome Wavealt‐J3 from 2 scores
  11. 14Ghosts I–IVNine Inch Nails2.5 from 2 scores