As part of my Decades project, I counted down my own favorite albums of the year then explored other notable releases with which I was less familiar.

The year 1996 was an all-timer for me, boasting a top five as good as any in the Decades series to date. It’s also notable for giving me my first exposure to Belle and Sebastian and Fiona Apple, two of my all-time favorite artists.

Originally published: 2026 | Song of the Day posts featured: 15

My top ten albums of 1996:

#1. If You’re Feeling Sinister – Belle and Sebastian

#2. The Road to Ensenada – Lyle Lovett

#3. New Adventures in Hi-Fi – R.E.M.

#4. Odelay – Beck

#5. Tidal – Fiona Apple

#6. All This Useless Beauty – Elvis Costello

#7. Crash – Dave Matthews Band

#8. Bringing Down the Horse – The Wallflowers

#9. Fountains of Wayne – Fountains of Wayne

#10. Born on a Pirate Ship – Barenaked Ladies

Other notable albums of 1996…

First Band on the Moon – The Cardigans

The Score – Fugees

ATLiens – OutKast

Spice – Spice Girls

Pinkerton – Weezer