Here are 11 greatest hits albums from alternative rock acts that every serious vinyl collector needs on their shelf.
Sure, greatest hits albums can be a quick cash grab for artists repacking their best songs just in time for the holiday gift-giving season. But some bands put serious thought into their “best of” collections.
READ MORE: 13 Essential ’90s Alternative Rock Albums Everyone Needs to Own on Vinyl
The Cure has multiple “greatest hits” albums. In 2001, the band took a different approach by releasing acoustic versions of their most beloved songs.
Other artists opt to use unreleased tracks to draw interest in their greatest hits collections. Green Day called upon a country music star to duet with Billie Joe Armstrong when they dropped Greatest Hits: God’s Favorite Band in 2017.
See what other alternative bands have released their greatest hits on vinyl and which ones need to be part of your collection.
The Cure, Acoustic Hits (2001)
the cure acoustic hits album cover
Key tracks: Acoustic versions of “Friday I’m in Love,” “Just Like Heaven,” “Close to Me”
Dinosaur Jr., The Best of Dinosaur Jr. – Ear Bleeding Country (2002)
dinosaur jr ear bleeding country album cover
Key tracks: “In a Jar,” “Feel The Pain,” “Start Choppin'”
Foo Fighters, Greatest Hits (2009)
foo fighters greatest hits album cover
Key tracks: “Everlong,” “My Hero,” “Best of You”
Green Day, Greatest Hits: God’s Favorite Band (2017)
green day god’s favorite band album cover
Key tracks: “When I Come Around,” “American Idiot,” “Ordinary World (duet with Miranda Lambert)”
Pearl Jam, Rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991-2003) (2004)
pearl jam rearviewmirror album cover
Key tracks: “Even Flow,” “Black,” “Dissident”
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Greatest Hits (2003)
red hot chili peppers greatest hits album cover
Key tracks: “Under the Bridge,” “Give it Away,” “Californication”
Smashing Pumpkins, Rotten Apples (The Smashing Pumpkins – Greatest Hits) (2001)
smashing pumpkins greatest hits album cover
Key tracks: “Today,” “1979,” “Tonight, Tonight”
Stone Temple Pilots, Thank You (2003)
stone temple pilots thank you album cover
Key tracks: “Vasoline,” “Big Empty” “Interstate Love Song”
Sublime, Greatest Hits (1999)
sublime greatest hits album cover
Key tracks: “What I Got,” “Santeria,” “Smoke Two Joints”
311, Greatest Hits ’93-’03 (2004)
311 greatest hits album cover
Key tracks: “Down,” “Amber,” “Come Original”
The White Stripes, My Sister Thanks You and I Thank You – The White Stripes Greatest Hits (2020)
white stripes greatest hits album cover
Key tracks: “Seven Nation Army,” “Icky Thump,” “Fell in Love With a Girl”
Many of the bands in this list helped carry the alternative music scene in the 1990s. Here is a look back at the best alt-rock album each year of the decade.
Best Alternative Album of Each Year of the 1990s
Alt-rock finally got a mainstream spotlight in the ’90s and these are the albums that made the most of having that broader platform.
Gallery Credit: Chad Childers, Loudwire
The Most Played Songs Live of 35 Big Alternative Rock Bands
From the ’80s through present day, see what some of alt-rock’s biggest bands played the most live.
* Stats were compiled as of March 4, 2024.
Gallery Credit: Chad Childers, Loudwire
