Earlier this week we kicked off our first ever count down of the Best Australian Albums of All Time. And today we reveal the top 20 as voted by the AU review’s contributors.
With a broad diversity of ages in our contributor base, this list of 40 albums reflects that. Covering multiple generations of Australian musicians, and a wide range of genres. We hope you take the time to rediscover some classics, and maybe take a moment to appreciate some you missed along the way. Without further ado, let’s see who sits in the top half of our list.
20. RUFUS DU SOL – Solace
I remember when RUFUS DU SOL would be one of the first acts to open Laneway Festival. Look at them now. Injecting real soul and passion into densely layered electronica ended up being a winning formula, and it’s written most beautifully with Solace. It’s those achingly vulnerable songs, like the title track, that really heightened what we’ve come to expect from the Sydney boys. Songs like “Treat You Better” and “Underwater” were perfect examples of highly evolved, elegant songwriting and an uncanny ability to turn the drama on paper into some of the most profound blockbusters in modern music history.
– Chris Singh
19. Missy Higgins – The Sound of White
Complete with national treasures “Scar” and “The Special Two”, Missy’s debut album cemented her as one of the country’s greatest songwriters. It bounces between pop, soul and blues with both her signature husky voice and deft piano playing. The wisdom in every lyric still feels like a warm hug all these years later.
– Dylan Oxley
18. Crowded House – Woodface
This one is almost self-explanatory. With hits like “Fall At Your Feet”, “Four Seasons In One Day” and “Weather With You”, it’s just as much a staple in any Aussie household as a Woolies mudcake. Interestingly, the record was initially knocked back by their US label before Neil Finn asked permission from his brother Tim to use eight of the songs they’d been working on for a separate project. All of these ended up on the record, Tim joined the band, and the rest is history.
– Sarah Duggan
17. Silverchair – Frogstomp
Silverchair’s Frogstomp is one of the most important Australian albums of the ’90s, not just for its success but for its sheer audacity. Released in 1995 when the band were barely 15, it delivered a raw, unpolished grunge sound that rivalled their American contemporaries while carrying its own suburban Australian grit. Singles like Tomorrow and Pure Massacre hit with surprising weight and maturity, proving that the band were more than a novelty act. Nearly three decades on, Frogstomp still holds up as a landmark debut that captured the restless energy of youth and captured the world’s attention.
– Elissa Bramley
16. The Church – Of Skins and Heart
More than four decades on, The Church’s debut album Of Skins and Heart stands as both a time capsule of Australia’s post-punk awakening and the first chapter of one of the country’s most enduring alternative bands. Released in 1981, it introduced a group that would go on to craft lush, atmospheric records like The Blurred Crusade and Starfish.
“The Unguarded Moment”, remains one of the great Australian singles of the era: bright, chiming guitars wrapped around Steve Kilbey’s enigmatic lyrics, delivering a chorus that still soars.
The sprawling “Is This Where You Live” runs nearly eight minutes, its moody dynamics hinting at the widescreen psychedelia that would define their later work. Tracks like “Memories in Future Tense” and “Bel-Air” balance immediacy with atmosphere, showcasing the twin-guitar interplay that became The Church’s signature.
– Pete Dovgan
15. Hunters and Collectors – Human Frailty
Released in 1986, Human Frailty became a high-rotation album for me when I entered my pub rock era in the 1990s. It’s impossible for me to hear this album without instantly being transported to the iconic Selina’s at Coogee Bay Hotel, with the floors and walls throbbing to the massive low end of H&C. Accompanied by their punchy horn section, I can still hear the well-lubricated, predominantly male audience belting out “you don’t make me feel like I’m a woman anymore” from ‘Say Goodbye’. One of H&C’s most popular tracks, ’Throw Your Arms Around Me’ features large on this album, and always guarantees full crowd involvement. Human Frailty is the heart of my H&C collection, and will always remind me of Australian summer road trips and hot and sweaty nights in Sydney pubs.
– Jennifer Lavis-Quinlin
14. Gang of Youths – The Positions
The Positions came at a time when Gang of Youths had steadily built a reliable fan base and exemplary live show. As a debut, it was raw and allowed frontman Dave Le’aupepe to showcase his songwriting from a pretty tumultuous time of his young life. With the anthemic “Magnolia” leaving a lasting imprint on their live sets since, even now on its tenth anniversary, The Positions still hits with every listen.
– Dylan Marshall
13. DZ Deathrays – Black Rat
Black Rat marked a pivotal moment for Brisbane (then) duo DZ Deathrays, solidifying them as certified rock stalwarts. While they may have traded in some of their dance-punk chaos for sharper songwriting and heavier riffs, the album retains the hooky, high-energy that sets them apart. From fan-favourite singles like Gina Works At Hearts and Reflective Skull to the almighty Ocean Exploder, every moment hits hard.
Last year I caught Black Rat‘s 10 year anniversary gig – where DZ celebrated by playing it in full. The show proved how big of a punch this record still packs. Black Rat isn’t only a career-defining release for DZ; it’s one of the best modern Australian rock albums.
– Sarah Robbins
12. Tame Impala – Currents
Following the success of Innerspeaker and Lonerism taking them from a band playing support in Australian clubs, to festivals and stages all over the world, there was a lot of pressure on Kevin Parker to deliver with this third LP. And it did not disappoint, With Currents taking what we knew and love about the project, polishing it and bringing them into the mainstream – a place they’ve sat ever since. And the album has only gotten more popular and lauded with age. And now it’s the record you play when people ask – where should I start with the Tame Impala catalogue? And with good reason. It’s a masterpiece.
– Larry Heath
11. AC/DC – Back in Black
AC/DC’s Back in Black is a defining moment in rock history and a powerful statement of resilience. Released in 1980 following the death of Bon Scott, it introduced Brian Johnson with a set of songs that were lean, punchy, and unforgettable. From the swagger of “You Shook Me All Night Long” to the raw force of the title track, the album captured the band at their peak, channelling loss into pure rock energy. More than four decades on, it remains one of the most influential and best-selling albums ever made.
– Elissa Bramley
10. Julia Jacklin – Crushing
Nobody does heartbreak like Julia Jacklin. Her sophomore album Crushing took Australia by storm with its emotional power, sharp lyricism and that iconic mint green merch. Jacklin, an ever-astute wordsmith, journeys through heartbreak and healing, both of romantic relationships and ones with the self. She’s disarmingly introspective, deftly moving between searing numbers like opener ‘Body’ or the haunting ‘When The Family Flies In’, and upbeat dance-through-the-pain bops like ‘Pressure To Party’ and ‘You Were Right’. Crushing hits hard because it’s honest. Jacklin proved she can be simultaneously vulnerable and confident, and she hasn’t looked back since.
– Sarah Robbins
9. John Farnham – Whispering Jack
We feel we needn’t say more than post this song. And I think Australia would agree.
He’ll forever be the voice. And this album will forever have made sure of it.
8. Silverchair – Neon Ballroom
Silverchair’s Neon Ballroom was a bold reinvention that cemented the band as one of Australia’s most ambitious acts. Released in 1999, it moved beyond the raw grunge of their early years into darker, more layered territory, weaving strings and piano into the alternative rock framework. Tracks like Emotion Sickness and Ana’s Song (Open Fire) showcased Daniel Johns’ lyrical depth and vulnerability, tackling themes of mental health and identity. The result was an album that pushed Silverchair beyond their teen-band origins, proving they could evolve and innovate while staying true to their emotional core.
– Elissa Bramley
7. The Avalanches – Since I Left You
The Avalanches never really needed a comeback to keep their legacy intact. Since I Left You still stands as one of the most surprisingly complex high watermarks in the history of Australian music. It’s fashioned as a celebration of music, and every sprawling sample feels like a dusty new treasure echoing strands of sound some people may not even know exist these days. It’s still a feat to have more than 3,500 samples and still put out something that sounds coherent and unique, hinged on the type of playful genius that we’ve genuinely never seen recreated in music since.
– Chris Singh
6. The Cat Empire – Two Shoes
Combining sounds from a wide array of different musical genres, The Cat Empire’s second album Two Shoes was released in April 2005 and defined the Melbourne-based ska-jazz band’s instantly recognisable style. The album was recorded in Havana, Cuba, which you can hear in the Latin influences throughout the tracks, such as the use of brass instruments and flamenco-style guitar riffs. Two Shoes is an album which perfectly balances moments of humour and lightness such as the hit single, The Car Song, with more serious tracks, such as Miserere, showcasing the range of songwriters and singers, Felix Riebl and Harry Angus. Band members Ollie McGill and Ryan Monro also contributed to the writing of several of the tracks. In recording the 11 track album (which has gone on to spawn longer special editions in the years since), it took an impressive array of extra musicians to add trumpets, violins, saxophones, trombones and more. Notable tracks, aside from The Car Song (which boasts classic lines such as ‘It’s Monday, bloody Monday, and there’s two things I forgot. I forgot to do my homework, and I’ve only got one sock’) are the opening track, Sly, and the title track, Two Shoes. This is an album you can dance to and an album that stays with you.
Deservedly, it was the band’s first #1 on the ARIA charts, and it serves as a nice reminder that great music doesn’t always have to be serious.
– Emily Paull
Stepping it up from their debut album, Two Shoes leans into a Cuban and Latin vibe that has enabled the band to continue playing tracks from the album even 20 years after its release. With horns and brass a-plenty, there’s still a level of freshness in tracks like “The Car Song” and “Sly” that sets Two Shoes apart from any of their other subsequent releases.
– Dylan Marshall
5. The Presets – Apocalypso
Apocalypso nabbed Australian Album of the Year at the 2008 J Awards, which perhaps prophesied the records legacy. On their sophomore album, The Presets hit their stride with a dark, surging, electro record that defined Australian techno. From the urgency of ‘My People’ (an absolute belter that still goes so hard on the dancefloor) to the melancholy of personal favourite ‘This Boy’s in Love’ and the frenetic ‘Talk Like That’, Apocalypso is stacked with dancefloor heavy-hitters. Beneath the pulsing beats are musings on nostalgia, regret and hope amidst an ever-relatable sense of the world falling apart – encapsulating both the dread and the vibrancy of its portmanteau title. 17 years on, Apocalypso remains one of the most unforgettable Australian albums of all time.
– Sarah Robbins
Apocalypso is the defining moment in Australian dance music. An album that brought alternative dance to the masses, even now more than 16 years after its release, you can’t escape a great night out on the dance floor without indulging a little bit in tracks like “My People”, “Talk Like That” and “This Boys in Love”. Released in a period of time where indie-sleaze reigned supreme, looking back on it now, Apocalypso more than rightfully holds its place as a pivotal moment in Australian music.
– Dylan Marshall
4. Midnight Oil – 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
The Oils came into my world when I was just a kid, when my older and infinitely cooler brother planted this vinyl album on the family stereo. I wasn’t allowed to like the music he liked, but secretly it was hearing the Oils for the first time that caused a new part of my brain to awaken. Although too young to fully appreciate the meaning of the lyrics – this would come a bit later – I knew this was unlike anything I’d heard before, and so Australian sounding. Peter Garrett’s voice, the power of the music, and Rob Hirst’s drums were a revelation. Over the years this album has remained with me, as a benchmark of Australian musical talent, and as a huge part of the soundtrack to my own evolution from a quiet kid into, I hope, a socially aware adult with an acute appreciation for the artists who dare to sing about politics and contentious issues. Long live the mighty Oils.
– Jennifer Lavis-Quinlin
3. Hoodoo Gurus – Stoneage Romeos
Stoneage Romeos is the 1984 debut album from Hoodoo Gurus. It is a quirky collection of songs with a nod to b-grade movies, the cover art symbolising “One Million Years B.C.” Songs such as “Lelani”, where a girl is sacrificed to the volcano gods and “Tojo” , a song about Darwin’s Cyclone Tracy struck a chord with Australian listeners. “Dig it Up” about a dead girlfriend and “Death Ship” about a ghostly empty ship further showed that the band were willing to explore unusual topics in an off-beat and fun way. The album still holds up today and the band recently toured the 40th anniversary of the album.
– John Goodridge
2. Violent Soho – Hungry Ghost
As much as we all love this record, seeing it come at number two may be a surprise to many. Hell, it didn’t even make our top 10 in our best of 2013 album list. But it’s an album that has been consistently in rotation for so may of our contributors since its release. While it is a record that wouldn’t exist without many that sit before it on this list, it’s a record that can now comfortably sit amongst the greatest rock records of all time this country has produced. And what Sosefina Fuamoli said on that 2013 list still remains true:
Hands down one of the most, if not THE most, heavily played album that is currently sitting in my iTunes from 2013. What’s not to like about Hungry Ghost? The shift in tone shows progression from the Brisbane boys (“OK Cathedral”, “Hungry Ghost”, “Fur Eyes”), while “Covered In Chrome” is quintessential Violent Soho brilliance. An anthem for a live show culture that Violent Soho and comrades have established through the year, “Covered In Chrome” is sure to be THE song of many’s year. Rightly so, too.
1. INXS – Kick
Imagine releasing an album so good that more than half its songs could be the best song the band has ever made. As we approach its 40th anniversary, Kick rightfully holds its place as one of, if not, the best Australian albums of all time. Formative for so many generations that followed its release, Kick slaps from front to back; filled with cool, genre defining hooks, vocals and melodies that will be hard to top, whether it be now or in another 40 years.
– Dylan Marshall
Look back at part one of our list HERE.
