Special Achievements

This page is for acknowledging some of the more noteworthy pieces of data I found while compiling this list. Each of the albums here are very special in their own way. Good Job Everyone.

Most Times Ranked #1

Winner: Mitski - Be the Cowboy (10)

No surprise here. Mitski dominated the listomania this year, showing up on lists from 66 different publications. She topped 10 of those lists. Even though she barely beat Janelle Monáe (edging her out by only 33 points), she topped 4 more lists than Monáe.

Runners-up: Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour (7)

Idles - Joy as an Act of Resistance (7)







Most Times being Runner-Up

Winner: Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour (10)

This is also not much of a surprise. Critics who liked this album made sure people knew it. Even though Musgraves came in fifth in points, Golden Hour was consistently at the top of lists and holds the record for highest average placement on lists (9.36).

Runners-up: Mitski - Be the Cowboy (8)

Janelle Monáe - Dirty Computer (8)







The Close But No Cigar Award

Winner: Noname - Room 25

This award is for the album that had the most top five placements without ever being ranked #1. Room 25, the newest album from Chicago rapper Noname (formerly Noname Gypsy) was named one of the best five albums of the year by seven different publications. Unfortunately, the album was never named the best of the year by anyone. The highest ranking it received was #2 from The Key, who named Hop Along's Bark Your Head Off, Dog the best album of 2018. Better luck next time.







The Throw It In There Award

Winner: Mount Eerie - Now Only

This award is for the album that appeared on the most lists without ever getting into the top 10 of any list. Now Only is Mount Eerie's follow up to 2017's devastating A Crow Looked At Me. The album was 63rd in points (348 points), and was rated highly by critics when it came out, garnering an 84 on AlbumoftheYear. Yet somehow, it did not make it into the top ten of any of the 16 lists it appeared on. It's highest placement was #12 from Earbuddy. Chin up, bud.