Sublime

This is one of those “never need to hear it again” records for me. My friends played the ever-loving shit out of this record in the back half of the 90’s and I didn’t care for it then, mostly just tolerated it when it came on. Feel the same way now - this record is not for me, never has been. It should probably be on the list, yes, but I can’t stand this band.

Have always felt Sublime is one of the most overrated bands of the 90s. Maybe it was overexposure, but these songs just result in some viseral reaction in me. Maybe it is the fact that there are countless Ska, Ska punk, and reggae bands that do it sooo much better. Anyway, I know it is a me thing, and this album isn't terrible. But still...3/5

sorry but i hated this.

Con 59 minutos sigue pareciendo muy largo. En los 90 pensaba lo mismo. Me gusta What I Got eso sí. Mucho más que Santería, a la que nunca le encontré la gracia.

I started to listen to it, but I only thought it was generic and derivative. With a closer look (and after "Santeria"), I realized it was pretty ahead of its time for a 96's ska-punk band. Overall, they did it very well but in a very unstable way, with the songs going from the most reggae to actual punk, with no interludes or internal coherence, sounding more like a mixtape than an album.

Some absolute bangers, some cheesy nonsense, but it's a good package. Could probably trim a few songs to make it perfect, but it's a solid album.

To the person who wrote the second five-star review currently topping this section : it's indeed a California thing. Yet it's also the nostalgia of lots of gen-X kids that's talking here (across the States and beyond). I never thought this was a perfect record, to be honest. Between the ropey lyrics and the predictable stuff music-wise, you'd have to be a bit deluded -- or a bit too driven by said nostalgia -- to give this one five stars in my book. But I still recognize the album's huge impact for American third wave ska / white dub-reggae / alt-rock. Honestly, most of the songs can't beat the ska-punk tracks of Rancid and The Suicide Machine at their best for me. But "Santeria", "What I Got" and "Doin' Time" (interpolating Gershwin's "Summertime") are clearly very nice bops. Lana del Rey covered the latter track (instead of Gershwin's original song) for a reason, right? There is such a sad story behind the release of this record though... Guess that makes some listeners want to embrace life a little more. Life, and not a crippling addiction. Take good care of yourselves out there, alright? Going to the beach right now. Taking my headphones with me. I'm still on holidays and this is a nice time to revisit the details of this record I haven't mentioned up there. Hence why I am only leaving a short review for once. Peace. ✌🏼 3.5/5 for the purposes of this list dedicated to essential albums, rounded up to 4. 8.5/10 for more general purposes (5 for the musicianship and production values + 3.5 for the artistry) ---- Number of albums from the original list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 465 Albums from the original list I *might* include in mine later on: 288 Albums from the original list I won't include in mine: 336 ---- Number of albums from the users list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 118 Albums from the users list I *might* select for mine later on: 131 (including this one) Albums from the users list I won't select for mine: 288 ---- Ah Émile, je viens de me rendre compte que c'est à moi de répondre ! Je me suis emmêlé les pinceaux sur le suivi des messages cet été, on dirait... Petite question au préalable : tu as rejoint le serveur discord du générateur ? Et si oui, quel est ton pseudo là-bas ? Dis-moi juste ta réponse là-dessus dans ta prochaine review dès que tu vois ce message. Je te réponds ensuite en bonne et due forme dans la foulée (je vérifierai tes reviews tous les jours, j'ai moyen de le faire, je suis toujours en vacances...)

I know way too many of these songs from simply listening to the radio in the ‘90’s, but man do I hate this band. They really left their mark on the scene, though, I can give them that.

I did not expect that I would like this record this much.

This is lovely, first off. Secondly, it has just about no range at all. Thirdly, this album has great songwriting. Fourthly, large parts of this project felt home made. That ain’t bad it’s just facts, dawg. Strong vibe emanating from every aspect of the record. A defining sound for the nineties. Great work. This album was crafted with heroin, love, and death. Great pick. Long live Lou. 4/5

there’s like two songs here that are *really* good (Santeria, and Doin’ Time) the rest is just kinda forgettable and mid? like I didn’t hate it, but it felt like it was only those two songs that spike WAY up in quality - 7/10

Owned this album when it came out and just realized it's not on the list? Ridiculous. I've forgotten how awesome this is. 4/5

Grew up listening to this album and only recently discovered that it was a posthumous release. I mean, maybe not in the typical sense given that it was released two months after Nowell's death and he was directly involved in its sequencing and production... But still, its the kind of album that makes you wonder what the back half of the 90s would have looked like had things gone a little differently. While 40oz to Freedom is a bloated cult classic paying homage to their various influences and providing party culture anthems (Let's Go Get Stoned, Smoke Two Joints, Badfish, 40oz to Freedom), self-titled refined their material and sound into a radio accessible format making numerous crossover hits (Santeria, What I Got, Wrong Way) that shaped the sound of the 90s. All the while, they didn't stray far from their roots and keep plenty of the ska-punk influences in play. I would argue that there is something approaching a "perfect" album here if they had exercised just a touch more editorial privilege. The run from Garden Grove to Pawn Shop has fantastic energy and flow and I wouldn't mind if the album stopped there. Which is not to say the remaining 8 songs don't offer anything -- they just feel a little tacked on and sloppy by comparison. That said, I do really enjoy The Ballad of Johnny Butt, Doin' Time, and for as silly and horny as it is Caress Me Down. For me this is a 9/10 album -- high 4.

If I had to pick a single album to be ambassador for an entire decade, this is on the short list for the 90's. I know it would have to compete with the grunge scene, but this stoner rock/blue-eyed reggae really transports me into the carefree nature of the 90s. What I Got top 100 song?

Such a dang good album and a complete classic from the 90s. Not sure how many times I have listened fully to this album but I definitely know every song. Every time I hear What I Got I can only ever picture biking around as the SlimJim guy in Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX

1-8-7 on a mothafuckin COP! This album really shows everything that Sublime was capable of. Love the noisy punk songs to Doin Time. One of my favorite albums ever.

This album was really popular when I was in university; you could hear it every day somewhere in the dorms. I enjoyed it then, but listening to it today, it doesn't really hold up. A bit to tame and a bit to bland. All that being said, it was sort of a culmination of a bit of a cultural movement and I think it had a huge impact on the industry. I'm giving it a 3/5 for enjoyment, but it's easily a 5/5 choice for the list. Great pick.

This may be one of the most overrated records of the 90s. Every puka shell necklace wearing white kid was all of a sudden into reggae. It's recorded well and has a good flow. But it's really not that good. It's way more concerned about being cool than being good. The lyrics throughout are just the most cringe.

This is not just a pinnacle of the 90s ska revival, but a peak of mid-90s alternative rock in general. There are so many lyrical ear worms to this album. It clearly should be on the original list over multiple Morrissey solo albums.

Wow. This is so 90s. Ironically, I remember being annoyed by it in the 90s, and teenage daughter listens to it all the time now in 2026. I still don't get it.

Ridiculous Ridiculous

Some fun ska-punky tracks, some less fun tracks too. Mostly fun though.

Sub optimal ska

Estilo variado entre funky, algo de punk-rock, reggae, rock suave,... Sucesión de estilos que no se hace muy pesado y que aporta un toque de aire fresco y novedoso. Quizás le falte que las canciones terminen por enganchar un poco más.

Heavy ’90s nostalgia on this one... it’s got all the hits, but it’s not their strongest work. 40oz. to Freedom is where they really nailed the blend of their influences and hit their peak.

A lot of nostalgia for those singles. The rest of the album is a little long. Maybe a 3.5

I have listened to Sublime way to much to not give this the 5 it deserves.

Instant 5* - great pick!

Paradoxically, the band occupies a state of being that is both its namesake and the furthest thing from being the truth. On the one hand, they genuinely are sublime in their use of beats, social commentary, and vibe. On the other hand, they're about as subtle as a brick to the head. Their lyrics are blunt, surface level, and immature. Combined, it weaves a tapestry that is irresistible to discerning listeners that simultaneously revels in the brokenness of the systems that constrain them while demanding tectonic social change. Would have loved to see what Bradley would think of the state of play today.

Well this is unfortunate, since it has rightly been excluded from the official list. I am not familiar with Sublime outside of their ubiquitous hits that everyone has heard. I have always loved the part in the 'What I Got' song where he says "I can play the guitar like a motherfuckin' riot" and then proceeds to play the most basic and boring guitar riff/solo anyone has ever heard. Hilarious stuff. I think that kind of encapsulates this band in a nutshell. This album was a very tough listen, and I will not ever listen to it again.

For each user submission I will decide if I believe it was submitted to "correct the record" and deserves inclusion on the main list or if its more of a personal favorite or pet album of the user. This one for me gets serious nostalgia points as someone who listened to Sublime allot in the 90s in high school. I believe this is list worthy as well!

Another that didn’t really grab me when it first came out. I know my brother in law loves this record. First time sitting down to listen to it in full most likely since it first came out. Still not my thing.

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

¿Por qué gritas tanto? No me parece sublime para nada. Además es un poco largo. No, lo siento.

Refining the project started by UB40 to sing Ragea about your own experience, Sublime using off beat guitar to croon about the plight of urban poor, and it hits just right. Santeria is a perfect song, and the rest supports it well. 10/10.

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

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

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.

A few hits but a lot of derivative mess

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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"

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.

chlling and wibing

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Hey I quite like this.

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.

Great examples of 90s ska punk.

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

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

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

"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

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

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

Another one that was alright, but not great

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

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!

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.

Nope

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.

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.

I've always loved it

A true ska punk classic. It was my first introduction to the genre. One of my friends just discovered them at the time and was playing Santeria all the time. There are some tracks here and there that I find a bit underwhelming, but overall I love this album. I love the blend of styles, the energy, the lyricism of Brad Nowell (even though some of it did not age well). So many classics on it and it flows so well. More deserving of a spot than a lot of what is on the original list in my opinion. 8/10

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

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.

These are some funky fresh flows

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.

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"

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

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.

Are you ready for weed party punk music?

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

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

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

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.

Of it’s time

Meh

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!

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Amazing!

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.

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

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

pure shite

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