# The 17 Best Albums Released on Island Records

> Reggae landmarks, stadium-sized rock anthems, hushed folk confessionals and glam art-pop reinventions all trace back to one legendary imprint. Cast your vote for the crown jewel!

*By YPB Team · Published July 9, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-17-best-albums-released-on-island-records*

---

## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Exodus** — score 1000/1000
   Bob Marley & The Wailers' 1977 reggae landmark, named album of the century by Time magazine.
2. **Achtung Baby** — score 785/1000
   U2's 1991 reinvention into darker, electronic-tinged rock recorded in Berlin.
3. **Roxy Music** — score 700/1000
   Roxy Music's 1972 debut, a glam-art-rock manifesto that redefined British pop.
4. **The Joshua Tree** — score 577/1000
   U2's 1987 masterpiece blending American roots music with soaring anthems.
5. **Rain Dogs** — score 576/1000
   Tom Waits' 1985 experimental blues-and-junkyard-cabaret song cycle about urban outcasts.
6. **Mr. Fantasy** — score 500/1000
   Traffic's 1967 psychedelic debut that launched Island into the UK rock scene.
7. **Pink Moon** — score 500/1000
   Nick Drake's stark, haunting 1972 final album, rediscovered decades later as a cult masterpiece.
8. **No Need to Argue** — score 500/1000
   The Cranberries' 1994 album featuring the global hit 'Zombie'.
9. **Catch a Fire** — score 500/1000
   Bob Marley & The Wailers' 1973 international breakthrough that brought reggae to the world.
10. **Tea for the Tillerman** — score 409/1000
   Cat Stevens' 1970 folk-rock album of introspective, enduring singer-songwriter classics.
11. **Let England Shake** — score 409/1000
   PJ Harvey's Mercury Prize-winning 2011 album meditating on war and English history.
12. **In the Court of the Crimson King** — score 409/1000
   King Crimson's 1969 debut, a foundational progressive-rock statement.
13. **Nightclubbing** — score 300/1000
   Grace Jones' 1981 new-wave and reggae-infused art-pop landmark.
14. **Back to Black** — score 167/1000
   Amy Winehouse's 2006 soul-revival classic that made her a global star.
15. **Fire and Water** — score 167/1000
   Free's 1970 blues-rock album featuring the anthem 'All Right Now'.
16. **Aqualung** — score 167/1000
   Jethro Tull's 1971 progressive-rock album exploring faith and social themes.
17. **Liege & Lief** — score 167/1000
   Fairport Convention's 1969 album that pioneered British electric folk.

Tags: music, island records, label