User Submitted Album

Sublime

1996

3.26

Rating

247

Votes

Distribution

Reggae Punk

Album Summary

Sublime is the self-titled third studio album by American ska punk band Sublime. Produced by Paul Leary and David Kahne, the album was released on July 30, 1996, in the United States by MCA Records. Sublime formed in 1988 in Long Beach, California by vocalist/guitarist Bradley Nowell, bassist Eric Wilson, and drummer Bud Gaugh. The trio toured heavily from their inception while developing their sound. Their first studio release—40 Oz. to Freedom (1992)—featured the single "Date Rape", which attracted heavy airplay in Southern California. MCA signed the band and distributed their second independent album, Robbin' the Hood, in 1994. By the time it came to record their major label debut, Nowell had been struggling with a heroin addiction. Sublime was recorded over a period of three months in Austin, Texas, in sessions characterized by heavy drug use and raucous partying. The album's musical style contains elements of punk rock, reggae, and ska, as well as dancehall, hip hop, and dub music, with tempos ranging wildly. Nowell's lyrical subject matter relates to relationships, prostitution, riots, and addiction. Nowell had been ejected from the recording near its completion. Nowell died due to a heroin overdose in May 1996, just two months prior to the band's major album release, which led to the band's dissolution. Bolstered by numerous hit singles, among them "What I Got", "Santeria", and "Wrong Way", the record proved to be enormously successful, despite the band being defunct and thus not able to promote the album through touring. It sold over five million copies in the United States by the end of the decade, and it continues to be a popular catalog album. The album was released during the third wave ska peak, and etched Sublime into a permanent place among the stars of the 1990s. Critical reviews were positive, praising Nowell's songwriting ability and the album's musical variety. Sublime has since been listed as one of the most well-regarded albums of the 1990s by Spin and Rolling Stone.

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Reviews

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Mar 05 2024 Author

How was this not already on the list?

Mar 08 2024 Author

My main roommate in college absolutely loved Sublime. And by love I mean he played Sublime and this album maybe 90% of the time at his desk when listening to music. So that was my introduction to it. It's not bad, but it's peak 90s skate/surfer reggae-stoner music. Ironically my roommate did not smoke weed.

Mar 05 2024 Author

This is one of the biggest failures of the list. How could they not include Sublime? Their absolutely perfect blend of punk, hip hop, and reggae; their hits that still get attention today; the tragic story of Bradley; it should be a foregone conclusion that this belongs on the list. Maybe it is my bias as a Californian? Is Sublime just not as big of a thing outside of their home state? I genuinely am baffled how this isn't included.

Mar 13 2024 Author

This album takes me back to being a chilled out freshman in high school. I still expect to hear “I can play the guitar like a mother mother riot” in the explicit version. In this albums peak my first girlfriend got me 40oz of Freedom (shout out Pam, a real one). That album gave me feeling of low commitment rebelliousness.

Mar 05 2024 Author

Caress Me Down, What I Got, and Doin' Time are some of the best songs of the '90s, no doubt. This CD made the rounds in my middle school when it came out. I remember having a taped copy of it because my friend let me borrow his CD. All-time great and takes me back right to my friends in middle school and the memories of adolescence (and not truly understanding all the lyrics back then) :D

Mar 05 2024 Author

This would have been an entry of mine if I was allowed 3, so glad to see it make the list either way!

Mar 08 2024 Author

Though I don't really believe in guilty pleasures, this might be mine. Not a perfect album by any means, but surely worth inclusion on the list. Some of the lyrics are cringey, but the combination of genres works for me. An undeniable part of the soundtrack to my high school years.

Mar 13 2024 Author

This is what the 90s felt like

Mar 07 2024 Author

I like Ska, though I don't choose to listen to it a lot, but I've long felt like it is a kind of limited (and limiting) genre. The added punk flavoring and laid back California thing helps it break out of that mold a bit. A lot of the lyrics are pretty puerile and the political-ish stuff is laughable but it does that punk trick of refusing to wear out its welcome, and overall it lands.

Mar 13 2024 Author

This album has and will always kick major ass

Mar 24 2024 Author

Nice record. Not a big fan, but should have been in the list 100%. Instead of some Bob Dylan bullsh*t for example.

Mar 25 2024 Author

Oh god really? Ok. 3/5.

Apr 29 2024 Author

Forgot how many classics originated from this one LP until they kept coming one after the other. The band’s distinctive reggae-punk fusion is at its peak here, infectious and melodic as a sense of carefree wonder meets some heavier instrumentals. You know it’s an effective blend when my father (your standard white dude) feels compelled to belt out ‘Santeria’ every time it comes on rock radio in the car. The highs are definitely high here, but given its runtime the LP does drag a bit later on as not all of the tracks can sustain the wildly impressive first half. Still a great album though, and a worthy addition that should be on the official 1001 if we’re being honest

Oct 23 2024 Author

This was a classic 1001 albums experience. An album I've heard about but never got a chance to listen to that has a couple classic songs and introduces me to some I never would've heard on my own. While I wouldn't say this is a great album and this streak of crass, crude records is getting old, I could at least enjoy what i got santeria and caress me down (a middle school classic for me). I also had no idea that this is the original doin time instead of the much superior lana del rey version.

Mar 09 2024 Author

It broke my stereo one star

Mar 07 2024 Author

The disjunction ends up delicious. Reading notes has you expecting ska from the jump, and when it finally arrives it's hardly the encouraging stuff worth pressing play for. Santeria has just enough name-unrecognition to sneak into my ears, and the album capitalizes in simply musical music. There's a middle stretch of diminished strength, but that's diminished from mighty.

Mar 15 2024 Author

8/10. Has a handful of hits that make up for some of the weaker numbers (Pawn Shop dragggged on). And considering the main list's shortcomings in terms of ska and reggae, this was a refreshing listen

Mar 23 2024 Author

Better than I expected. I didn't know the story about this band or the singer, very sad that he died so young. 4 stars.

Mar 30 2024 Author

That album screams 90's guitar-rock/pop/ska/whatever

Apr 07 2024 Author

Not what I expected! (Better)

Mar 16 2024 Author

I liked the ska songs, but the more 'punky' ones were lacking something

Apr 22 2024 Author

I knew this bandname, but never heared a single note. Although it has that ska vibe I still enjoyed it because of all the styles they blended it with.

Mar 08 2024 Author

Band and album from the second division of that crossover of genres that led the music of much of the 90s. Even Fishbone's albums have stood the test of time better

Sep 13 2024 Author

Now we’re talking! I was expecting more well known bands and albums from the user submissions. I know this one well because I had a huge Sublime phase in college (don’t we all?) I was never even a stoner, but I sure did love songs like 40oz to Freedom and Badfish, which led me to this album. For a band who had an unfortunately short period of operation, they sure did have a big impact culturally. I don’t think any other act that has broken up prior to their major label debut has gone on to find so much renown and notoriety in the scene. Their songs are a nostalgic trip back through time for me that I’ll always have a soft spot for. Love for Sublime is what I got.

Jul 21 2024 Author

One of the best and most nostalgic albums of the 90s. It’s impossible to ignore how good sublime was at making songs that felt like summer. This album is a bit long on the back end but it has some of the best hits alternative has seen and they’ve held up over the years. 7.8/10

May 21 2024 Author

Nostalgic, grew up in OC CA and everyone no matter their musical tastes had this CD in their car visor.

Aug 04 2024 Author

Amazing!

Sep 15 2024 Author

A powerhouse of a SKA album. Excellent example of how SKA should be. Enjoyed it very much.

Nov 25 2024 Author

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WNlcDdVwQc&t=10s It's you It's that shit stuck under my shoe It's that smell inside the van It's my bed sheet covered with sand Sittin' through a shitty band Gettin' dog shit on my hands Gettin' hassled by the man Wakin' up to an alarm Stickin' needles in your arm Pickin' up trash on the freeway Feelin' depressed every day Leaving without making a sound Pickin' my dog up at the pound Livin' in a tweeker pad Gettin' yelled at by my dad Sayin' I'm happy when I'm not Findin' roaches in the pot All these things I do They're waiting for you

Feb 07 2025 Author

Oh man, I love this album. I've loved it for - omfg - nearly 30 years. Sure, the lyrics are horrifying and most of the music is flagrantly stolen from other artists, but it sure is a great vibe that this puts out.

Apr 16 2025 Author

Well I absolutely love this album. Listening to this album as a kid lead to some many bands that I love. Sublime were such a great starting point for me getting into ska and punk etc. This album has some absolute classic bangers but also some great deeper cuts. There are so so many bands that I love that were influenced by Sublime.

Sep 03 2025 Author

Sublime were one of the original third wave ska bands. If it wasn’t for Sublime, I’d wage that bands like Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, and others wouldn’t be around today as we know them. I actually got into Sublime a few years after hearing RBF and LTJ, so I maybe heard them in the wrong order. Anyway, this album is fantastic. I love how the happy sounding music contrasts with the often dark themes in the lyrics - something that has become fairly common in ska-punk as a whole. I love this album. Wrong Way is under-appreciated, in my gammy little opinion.

Nov 05 2025 Author

I know Sublime's hits well but not this album. I've probably listened to it a few times but I really enjoyed giving it a closer listen. The hits are all still awesome - What I Got (the reprise is the superior version), Wrong Way, April 29 1992, Santeria, Caress Me Down, and Doin Time. But some of the non-hits were excellent - Garden Grove (slacker reggae at its best), Same in the End (the ska opens up into a wicked rocker at every chorus), Jailhouse (more slacker reggae with some awesome guitar and bass licks), Burritos (classic ska punk sound), and Under My Voodoo (starts bluesy but turns into Hendrix-like rock). A couple other songs weren't as good but still solid - Seed (irreverent punk), Pawn Shop (they go real heavy a few times in this cover and it's cool), Get Ready (white reggae). If I have one gripe, it's that the album goes a little long. But there's not many songs that I don't like despite that. Maybe a 4.5 but rounding up to 5 because I don't think there's really any other album of this style (or styles) that does it so well. Lots of ska or skater/surfer punk but none as close to as good as this.

Nov 10 2025 Author

An absolute classic album! Loved their unique style. A shame that drugs took the lead singer way too young. A perfect addition to this list!

May 04 2024 Author

Sublime's Sublime might fall a tad short of being sublime, but is it certainly very solid. 4 1/2 stars if the system would allow it.

Jun 28 2024 Author

I like it. The vocal is particularly clear and pleasant without silly affectations that plague punk (eg. Billie Armstrong mimicking British accent) or hard rock (growling and screaming). Sad to hear about the lead singer's death.

Jul 16 2024 Author

I thought they were more pop punk. This was a lovely album full of light reggae rock vibes

Aug 04 2024 Author

This album brought me right back to high school. This album was released after Bradley Nowell’s death and is bookended by absolute hits. I was largely unfamiliar with the middle of the album and it fell a bit flat for me. I was surprised to hear more straightforward rock tracks as Sublime is known for their ska primarily. I’m surprised that Sublime wasn’t on the original list.

Aug 16 2024 Author

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Wrong way, Santeria, Burritos, Get ready

Sep 15 2024 Author

Definitely enjoy the ska punk reggae vibe from Sublime. There is enough really strong tracks in here (Santeria, Wrong Way, What I Got, Sam in the End, Caress Me Down, Doin’ Time) that make the long journey worthwhile. There a bit of uneven content, nothing bad, but not particularly interesting.

Nov 03 2024 Author

Ska punk, reggae rock, alternative rock, hip hop. Me ha gustado bastante. Un 4.

Dec 19 2024 Author

This is an album that I absolutely want to hate. Not because it's a bad album but because it's beloved by some of the most annoying people ever: barely functional burnouts and frat douchebags (this may be a dated experience. I'm 39 and those pukka shelled pukes lost their mind over this way back when I went to school) Now that I got that nonsense out of the way: I really like this album. I don't need to hear any of those singles ever again. The local rock station I'm sometimes subject to at my job still beats those songs into the ground; but they are good songs nonetheless. The rest of the album has more hits than misses. I like when they keep things punkier and not so deep into dub/reggae/whatever territory. It's a really good album. I had this as a teenager and believe me there are few albums I was listening to back in the 90's that I still enjoy today.

Dec 29 2024 Author

Well it's 3c here today and I have a brilliant summer album on.

Feb 03 2025 Author

These are some funky fresh flows

Mar 01 2025 Author

Even though I was cold and starving at the time of listening, I still had a good time ☀️ classic

Mar 15 2025 Author

I've always loved it

Mar 21 2025 Author

It seems like every time somebody says they don't like Sublime, it's not because of the music, but rather because they associate it with an annoying frat bro they knew named Chadley or something. Anyways, banger. Another baffling exclusion from the list. On a roll the past few days.

Apr 22 2025 Author

God, the insane number of hours I've spent driving around stoned as fuck and listening to this album. If we're going strictly by nostalgia, this album is a solid 5 stars, even though I got sick of it by the end of my time in college. We'll see how this album feels in 2025. It's hard to listen to this one with fresh ears. Overall it sounds really good, and I was shocked to find out that it was produced by a member of the Butthole Surfers. The lyrics are often not great, but not terrible either (I'd put them slightly above RHCP in terms of quality). This album is certainly less of a cover album than 40oz was, which is good, but I like listening to that album more. I feel like the highs are really high on this album, the overall quality is pretty good, but then at times the band sounds like they're not trying very hard. 4/5, but far closer to 3/5 than my teenage self would have felt comfortable with

May 02 2025 Author

First rate share. Absolutely should have been in the main list.

May 30 2025 Author

A pivotal ska album that really deserves a spot on this list. Now that I think about, I’m not sure if there was any ska in the original 1001 albums. There was hardly any reggae either - basically just a couple of Marley records and that dogshit Clapton album. I’m very glad I got to check this out again, as I remember not really vibing with it a few years ago. I think I went in expecting bright and punchy horns-led ska like Reel Big Fish, so the harder skank of Sublime just didn’t hit that spot. It’s much more an extension of skate punk, with some hip-hop and almost nu-metal influences in there too, along with some great hooks even if they’re a bit more subtle than other bands. Enjoyed this quite a lot in the end

Aug 28 2025 Author

I've heard this one before! weird flashback of music. Catchy as hell. Predicting a 4. I'm enjoying it more than I expected, especially since their lead singer died.

Sep 16 2025 Author

I like this but I just can’t love it. I feel like maybe it’s not quite what I want it to be. I want it to be more stoner chill reggae, or more punky angry political but it just doesn’t quite hit the mark. It’s harsh, because they have no obligation to please me, but I’m not quite there for a 5 I’m afraid.

Oct 06 2025 Author

Reminds me of my college roommate. He loved these dudes! This album definately deserves to be on the official 1001 list. This stoner ska punk sound was huge in the 90's. Favorite songs: Wrong Way, Santeria, Same In The End, What I Got, Caress Me Down, The Ballad of Johnny Butt, Pawn Shop Least favorite songs: Seed, Get Ready 4/5

Nov 05 2025 Author

I have this album, but it's been a long time since I have listened to it in its entirety. It's a fun album, although a bit overlong. It's sad that the band did not become big until tragedy because it would have been interesting to hear their next steps afterwards. There was a time I got tired of hearing "Santeria," because it seemed on the radio ALL the frigging time. This would be a perfect album of about 40 minutes long, you cut things like "Pawn Shop" and "Seed," maybe put them on the next album or something. It's not that they're bad, but they don't stand up to the top songs on the album Top tracks: "Wrong Way," "Caress Me Down," "What I Got," The Ballad of Johnny Butt"

Nov 16 2025 Author

I didn’t think I was going to like this at first but, in the end, I liked it a lot.

Nov 27 2025 Author

If you see this album at the record store, you should 'pick it up'.

Jun 23 2024 Author

It is a longer album, but it has a lot of well known songs. I have always been on the fence about Sublime. I would definitely listen to some of there songs again, but I do not have the desire to listen to everything by them.

Jul 20 2024 Author

Ska punk plus a wide mix of genres, it's not really my thing but has good energy and some catchy melodies and hooks. Ahead of it's time in 1996 and possibly paving the way for the rock/rap crossover of the early 00s? Like many records or the CD era, it's about 20 mins too long, but that's forgiveable. It's really sad that the singer didn't live to see the release and huge success of this album. Rating: 3 Playlist track: What I Got Date listened: 19/07/24

Sep 09 2024 Author

Sublime was never really my thing, but I will hand it to them. They had a particular gift for building various influences into a sound and vibe that is very much their own. Add to that Bradley Nowell's (RIP) natural charisma, and you have something really interesting. That stylistic diversity can be a double edged sword though, which sometimes can come off as being a bit scattershot and unfocused. But overall, this was a really well made album that absolutely should have made the original list. Fave Songs: Santeria, What I Got, Garden Grove, Wrong Way, April 29, 1992 (Miami), Pawn Shop

Sep 15 2024 Author

I had this album in the 90s, but lost interest in the ska-ish music despite all the hits on it. A fun return to the era today listening to this even though it isn’t going to become a regular listen.

Sep 15 2024 Author

Reminded me of listening to KBCO in the 90s. That's not a bad thing.

Sep 15 2024 Author

This felt a little like hanging with some bros in the '90s. Maybe not my first choice, but I had fun listening to it today!

Nov 21 2024 Author

What I Got" and "Santeria" are great ska punk songs. The rest of the album is ok.

Nov 30 2024 Author

Are you ready for weed party punk music?

Jan 27 2025 Author

I've heard the band name but never listened. This was not for me. It just reeks of the 90s and has that vibe of a type of music I just don't really enjoy. Maybe you had to be there to get it. Also, too long. Cut 20 minutes. My personal rating: 3/5 My rating relative to the list: 3/5 Should this have been included on the original list? Sure why not. I know they've had impact on the industry with this album.

Apr 16 2025 Author

Yeah this was pretty fun actually! I wish I could give it a 3.5. wasn't 100% my thing but I enjoyed that it was upbeat and light hearted. A couple of songs I didn't like so much... pawn shop got a bit annoying. But overall... Good!

Apr 30 2025 Author

In what world is this considered rock? Interesting listen but I couldn’t get that question out of my head.

May 05 2025 Author

"Ska Punk" but really it comes off sounding like a less-funky RHCP. More interesting than I thought it'd be, but still not really a fan

May 12 2025 Author

a solid white boy reggae album. Is it deep? no. Is it ground breaking? no. Is it enjoyable? oh yea.

Jun 09 2025 Author

Funky reggae rock crossover. Interesting and relatively enjoyable. But like a lot of reggae it got a bit repetitive. Perfectly listenable though.

Jun 25 2025 Author

Great examples of 90s ska punk.

Aug 07 2025 Author

Hey I quite like this.

Sep 13 2025 Author

A defining ’90s alt-rock/ska record with undeniable classics. Just not really for me.

Oct 03 2025 Author

Perfectly fine and chill and it's all good (which was more or less one's real-time resopnse to this back in the day), just not very engaging or edgy or interesting in the end. Maybe one's just a square, but is at least a little embarrassed to admit one might like Jack Johnson a bit better.

Nov 19 2025 Author

Ok this is actually good. I am shocked this wasnt on the original list, so I have no complaints about it being here. I’m not obsessed with the vocals but I do see influence and I like the music.

Nov 19 2025 Author

Very much of its time and appealing to a certain subset of society. Still, it's pleasant and I enjoyed listening to it. Sad backstory too.

Nov 27 2025 Author

Mixed feelings towards Sublime, as while they've never been my favourite bands (even with their evergreen karaoke pick "Santeria"), it seems wrong that they're not a part of the original list. Maybe they forgot to release it in the UK or something, because the hits from Sublime's self-titled are all over Canada. I just refreshed myself on the 1996 portion of the book and woof... Didn't need a 2nd Barry Adamson or Everything But the Girl; I'd argue Manic Street Preachers or Belle and Sebastian* didn't need a 2nd album either. There was plenty of room for one 1996 slacker-ska-punk record! 3.5/5 worth it for the singles at least HL: "What I Got", "Santeria", "Burritos", "Get Ready", "Doin' Time" November 27, 2025 *I'm sorry Belle and Sebastian, I would never cut you

Apr 22 2024 Author

This literally doesn't tickle any of my bones.

May 31 2024 Author

This was not that good

Jun 07 2024 Author

This didn't really happen. This never happened.

Oct 14 2024 Author

Of it’s time

Jan 03 2025 Author

I think I'll keep my negative thoughts to myself. The album is well-performed, and while it doesn't gel with me, there are songs that haven't been overplayed to death enough to enjoy. Favorite tracks: "Caress Me Down", "Doin' Time", "Under My Voodoo"

Mar 21 2025 Author

It's hilarious that I just scorched the last pick for being dub and so what do I draw next? The teen angst version of dub. This is way worse than I ever suspected, even though I never gave it the time of day when it was new. They've got 3 good songs.

Apr 23 2025 Author

Another one that was alright, but not great

Jul 25 2025 Author

I was never a Sublime fan, even though they skirt close to some of my favourite genres, they're too far into the ska/reggae/stoner sound and not enough of the punk side for me. This album has its moments though, Pawn Shop is really good, Get Ready is a jammer, but most of it is a little too laid back with some ropey lyrics. High 2/5.

Oct 06 2025 Author

chlling and wibing

Nov 17 2025 Author

The additional albums to this list are exposing that in the gap between British and US listening they also had a list of bog standard song free albums that people listened to as rites of passage in college. It's like they had 20 or 30 Razorlites and Stereophonics as well. Man this is absolute pub band level.

Nov 19 2025 Author

Wow I hated Sublime. Just hated them. Decades pass, I mellow out, haven't heard them since the 90s.... <sigh> the music isn't what I'm into ...but it's actually not bad but these lyrics are just stupid. I'll just politely pass. (but yes this album should have been in the book, so my ranking - as none are - is not subjective) 3/10 2 stars. IMO: like it or not: should this have been in the original book [which should be called: 1001 Albums That Helped to Shape Music History]? yes.

Nov 25 2025 Author

A few hits but a lot of derivative mess

Nov 27 2025 Author

When it comes to ska, the original list only covers the 2 tone era such as Madness and the Specials. Third wave ska really only took off in America, so it's a bit of a misfire not to include the likes of early Smash Mouth, No Doubt, and of course Sublime. Sublime took more than just ska into consideration for their sound though, fusing reggae rock and occasionally straightforward punk to create a multi-faceted album. Even today, they still play Santeria on the radio. So. They obviously did something right. My opinion? I only like the punk parts. So much of Sublime's self-titled appeals to college-aged white guys who are getting really into weed, which is not me. There are some interesting parts (Under My Voodoo kinda goes crazy), but I personally do not get much out of white guys doing reggae. It's not terrible, but it's just not my thing either. CONTENDER FOR THE LIST: Maybe? There's no denying the band was immensely popular during their time (especially with this album) and are a core pillar of third wave ska, I just can't help but feel like they are overrated to some degree. I could lean towards their inclusion on the list, but that doesn't mean I'll like it.

Jun 17 2024 Author

It's like proto nu metal or skate metal, if you didn't grow up with this I really can't see any redeeming qualities to it whatsoever

Jul 19 2024 Author

pure shite

Sep 25 2024 Author

Meh

Mar 30 2025 Author

Nope