If you’re remotely interested in multi-genre metal, or you went to the Savannah College of Art and Design, chances are you know of Baroness. Their multiple lineup changes, nearly-fatal bus crash on tour, and intricate album covers, painted by frontman John Dyer Baizley, often precede their actual music, which is a damn shame, because we’ll say it out loud right now: there is not a single truly bad album in their discography. However, there’s also no real consensus on what sucks and what doesn’t amongst fans. Ask for a ranking on Reddit and you’ll get as many permutations as we can imagine without asking a math nerd to get us an exact number.
Here’s where we stand.
6. Gold & Grey
We like weird shit as much as the next guy who used to be into hardcore but has somehow lived past the age of 40. But “Gold & Grey” leans a little too hard into the experimental aspect for our taste, and even the kookiest of arrangements can’t hide the fact that the production is awful. Rarely does a layman like ourselves notice stuff like “compression,” but the audio quality of “Gold & Grey” is so crispy that it completely neuters the sprawling compositions Baroness is trying to utilize. This sounds like it’s blowing out the speakers of a 2005 Honda Accord but you’re listening on $500 Bose headphones. Oh well.
Play it again: “Seasons”
Skip it: All of it if you’re an audio engineer
5. Purple
This is the entry that will get our home address leaked on the Baroness subreddit. “Purple” wins a lot of popularity contests, and while that is by no means undeserved, there are simply other albums that accomplish a similar sonic goal as this album, but better. We don’t deny that “Shock Me” is an all-time banger, though. That’s your go-to soundtrack for running a crane through your ex’s front door.
Play it again: “Shock Me,” “Fugue”
Skip it: “The Iron Bell”
4. STONE
The band’s most recent release “STONE” is often considered their “return to form” after the mild mess of “Gold & Grey.” That’s an accurate assessment. “STONE” brings back a kinder, heavier Baroness, complete with some truly top-notch fucking shredding from guitarist Gina Gleason, who also provides backing vocals that somehow match Baizley’s intensity. We genuinely don’t know how she’s doing both of those at the same time when they play live.
Play it again: “Last Word,” “Anodyne,” “Beneath the Rose”
Skip it: “Bloom”
3. Red Album
Our ranking of “Red Album” just above the halfway mark will likely anger early fans who think they’ve never outdone this album, but also anger newer fans who prefer their more highly-polished works. However, “Red Album” is everything you both want and expect from a metal debut. It’s raw, angry, occasionally super moody, and, importantly, fucking loud. But the only reason this isn’t higher is that somewhat predictably, the record loses steam in the middle third. That’s a rookie mistake we can overlook in exchange for skullcrushers like “Isak.”
Play it again: “Rays On Pinion,” “Isak,” “O’Appalachia”
Skip it: “Aleph”
2. Yellow & Green
Utterly massive double album “Yellow & Green” represents Baroness at their most introspective and emotional. This is the gold medal winning work for soul-crushing lyricism, though–Baizley made us cry with nautical metaphors for drug addiction on “March to the Sea,” and more directly on that topic on “Take My Bones Way” (their most-streamed track on Spotify). Put many of these songs on your “Sad Bangers” playlist.
Play it again: “Take My Bones Away,” “March to the Sea,” “Green Theme”
Skip it: The last few tracks of “Green,” if you absolutely must.
1. Blue Record
Baroness’ second album is, pun intended, the blueprint for the rest of their career. Everything they’ve done since has been deviations from the core sound of “Blue Record.” Acoustic interludes between utter ragers? Check. Dual harmonizing guitar leads and shitloads of tom drums? Check. Baizley putting his entire ass into the most emotive and powerful vocals you’ll find this side of the Mason-Dixon line? Check. “Blue” is “Red” that upgraded from a studio apartment to a respectable two-bed, before slowly moving to the suburbs by “Purple.” Pay your respects to the classics with tracks like “A Horse Called Golgotha, “Jake Leg,” and “Swollen and Halo” in particular.
Play it again: Tracks 1-12
Skip it: We dare you.