Top 50 Greatest Music Albums by BoosterShane

I've always wanted to do this and it was much harder than I thought. I tried to balance the greatness of the entire album (not a select few tracks), historical significance as well as which album I love more. A lot of back and forth and a great excuse to listen to all these albums back to back to back! Enjoy!

• Chart updated: 05/18/2017 14:45
• (Created: 12/31/2015 20:46).
• Chart size: 50 albums.

There are 2 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 50 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 88 out of 100 (from 5 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.

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1. (=)

Revolver 

 The Beatles

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How original, Revolver as my #1 album. Well, I leave all the originality to the Beatles and their greatest album of all time. Caught on record are the Beatles at their height, each member balancing and complimenting the other in a cohesion of perfect sound. The last album all members had equal input and dedication, George has 3 songs here! Paul and John still wrote together and requested each other's input (Paul met John every other morning by John's pool to write music) and this influence shines through. They were also developing their songs in the studio and not satisfied with what they had done before.

Each track demonstrates how willingly the Beatles were dedicated to pushing the limits. The advancements made during this recording such as double tracking, bass guitar direct input and a rotating Leslie speaker are well documented. The legendary story about studios around the world tearing down and reconstructing their studios after hearing the sound of the bass drum are well known. The main point is that there are so many important innovations that alone should award the album plenty of merit but the songs here are the true stars. The Beatles weren't pushing boundaries for the hell of it but in the pursuit of a great song. Even before I knew about the historical aspects to the record as I got older and researched music, this was the first record that blew me away upon first listen and continues to do the same decades later. [First added to this chart: 01/02/2016]

Year of Release:

1966

Appears in:

3,479 charts

Rank Score:

56,967

Rank in 1966:

1

Rank in 1960s:

2

Overall Rank:

4

Average Rating:

 91 (4,474 votes)

Comments:

477

2. (=)

Abbey Road 

 The Beatles

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The best Side 2 EVER! Amazing tracks all around and the harmonic layering through out is simply amazing. The addition of the moog adds layers of beauty evident in songs like Because or Here Comes the Sun. A richness that came with maturity, the Beatles and their producer created a swan song that is both haunting and joyful. A juxtaposition of dark and light. Come Together into Something, I Want You into Here Comes the Sun, Side A: assorted tracks, Side B: extended medley. The Beatles some how did the impossible with their last album, they left us satisfied.

I highly advise listening with headphones. [First added to this chart: 01/02/2016]

Year of Release:

1969

Appears in:

3,629 charts

Rank Score:

65,451

Rank in 1969:

1

Rank in 1960s:

1

Overall Rank:

3

Average Rating:

 92 (4,509 votes)

Comments:

466

3. (=)

The Smile Sessions 

 The Beach Boys

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The whole world waited decades for this album and when I finally heard it, it blew me and what I thought of music away. For half a year I listened to this album daily, I just can't get enough. This would have given Sgt. Pepper a run for its money if released in '67 and besides Surfs Up can make me cry. [First added to this chart: 01/02/2016]

Year of Release:

2011

Appears in:

458 charts

Rank Score:

6,316

Rank in 2011:

4

Rank in 2010s:

36

Overall Rank:

279

Average Rating:

 85 (807 votes)

Comments:

74

4. (=)

Close To The Edge 

 Yes

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So textured, so layered and what an amazing build from opening to end. Each song is experimental but catchy, plenty of hooks but sections to take a breath and evaluate. Bruford on drums is superb, one of the greatest performances caught on tape. [First added to this chart: 01/02/2016]

Year of Release:

1972

Appears in:

1,134 charts

Rank Score:

14,443

Rank in 1972:

4

Rank in 1970s:

24

Overall Rank:

90

Average Rating:

 85 (1,419 votes)

Comments:

115

5. (=)

Band Of Gypsys 
Live

 Jimi Hendrix

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Jimi has so many great songs but his best performance was recorded during this set of shows at the Fillmore. The soul and funk that is brilliantly infused into each rock track. Jimi was notoriously unsatisfied in the studio, re-recording guitar parts excessively. He didn't have to worry about that live, you got one shot at it. Jimi was channeling the spirit that New Years, not a better album could be meticulously re-created in the studio. The fire within Jimi jumps out of the recording, capturing the audience he plays for. A moment captured in time that not only still resonates today but inspires countless guitarist's wet dreams; pouting over licks and jams that will last an entire lifetime.

Machine Gun is not only one of the greatest songs ever written but is one of the greatest performance pieces ever. Takes a protest song and makes it more than just about the lyrics and infuses music into his message. Amazing rock licks and solos through out as Buddy and Billie hold down the groove. This album also has Jimi's best solo - Message Of Love. [First added to this chart: 01/02/2016]

Year of Release:

1970

Appears in:

293 charts

Rank Score:

1,896

Rank in 1970:

27

Rank in 1970s:

200

Overall Rank:

948

Average Rating:

 81 (474 votes)

Comments:

23

6. (=)

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 

 The Beatles

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The iconic album of the 60's, amazing music, a fantastic concept and one of the coolest album covers ever. Some of John's greatest songs are found here: Lucy, Mr. Kite and of course the haunting A Day In the Life. Pushed the boundaries of music and influenced everything that came after. A Day In the Life is so ahead of it's time, I find that it still stumps me. I remember the first time I heard the crescendo of horns and strings, I was so frightened I ran up the stairs before the song could even finish. I was 14. [First added to this chart: 01/02/2016]

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

3,416 charts

Rank Score:

50,821

Rank in 1967:

1

Rank in 1960s:

3

Overall Rank:

7

Average Rating:

 90 (4,486 votes)

Comments:

480

7. (=)

Pet Sounds 

 The Beach Boys

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This album taught me more about composition than other album. Beautiful music that he makes exciting with odd and amazing instrumental choices. Brian's harmonies and passion pours out track after track and the lyrics convey that we never truly lose our adolescents, just hide it as we age. When I moved to Chicago when I turned 20, That's Not Me was played on a constant loop! [First added to this chart: 01/02/2016]

Year of Release:

1966

Appears in:

2,779 charts

Rank Score:

45,095

Rank in 1966:

2

Rank in 1960s:

5

Overall Rank:

11

Average Rating:

 88 (3,194 votes)

Comments:

354

8. (=)

Thick As A Brick 

 Jethro Tull

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The greatest concept album ever and one of the greatest songs ever! How Ian Anderson can make a 44 minute song fresh for the entire album astounds me. Each movement is catchy as well as complicated and the lyrics are so cleaver. Not a fan? Don't worry, Ian warns you up front "Really don't mind if you sit this one out..." [First added to this chart: 01/02/2016]

Year of Release:

1972

Appears in:

623 charts

Rank Score:

6,169

Rank in 1972:

8

Rank in 1970s:

73

Overall Rank:

290

Average Rating:

 83 (822 votes)

Comments:

44

9. (=)

Wish You Were Here 

 Pink Floyd

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A perfect mixture of experimental and pop and the way Rick and Dave counter point each other is wonderful. The tone and sound of every instrument is a bench mark for all other performers. Another record that must be listened to with headphones! [First added to this chart: 01/02/2016]

Year of Release:

1975

Appears in:

2,913 charts

Rank Score:

50,779

Rank in 1975:

1

Rank in 1970s:

2

Overall Rank:

8

Average Rating:

 91 (3,945 votes)

Comments:

308

10. (=)

In The Court Of The Crimson King (An Observation By King Crimson) 

 King Crimson

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What are these sounds I'm listening to and why have I not heard them before or since? That's because King Crimson is in a constant shift of redefining music and sounds. There's only 5 tracks but every one of them is perfect all culminating into the title track. I feel like Christopher Walkin when listening but instead of cow bell, its the Mellotron. Does anyone have a couple grand I can borrow so I can finally get one of these things! [First added to this chart: 01/02/2016]

Year of Release:

1969

Appears in:

1,985 charts

Rank Score:

31,606

Rank in 1969:

2

Rank in 1960s:

7

Overall Rank:

25

Average Rating:

 89 (2,349 votes)

Comments:

219

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Total albums: 50. Page 1 of 5

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Top 50 Greatest Music Albums composition

Decade	Albums	%
1930s	0	0%
1940s	0	0%
1950s	1	2%
1960s	17	34%
1970s	17	34%
1980s	10	20%
1990s	4	8%
2000s	0	0%
2010s	1	2%
2020s	0	0%

Artist	Albums	%
The Beatles	6	12%
King Crimson	4	8%
Pink Floyd	3	6%
Bob Dylan	3	6%
David Bowie	2	4%
Rush	2	4%
Pixies	2	4%
Show all

Country	Albums	%
	27	54%
	18	36%
	2	4%
	1	2%
	1	2%
	1	2%

Top 50 Greatest Music Albums chart changes

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Top 50 Greatest Music Albums similarity to your chart(s)

Top 50 Greatest Music Albums ratings

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Rating	Date updated	Member	Chart ratings	Avg. chart rating
90/100	08/18/2017 13:57	FunkyStudent21	18	83/100
90/100	05/15/2017 11:42	Johnnyo	2,014	80/100
95/100	11/04/2016 21:49	Seab	2,017	93/100
90/100	10/30/2016 00:02	TheSmiths82-87	1,839	83/100
100/100	01/14/2016 18:53	Imaybeparanoid	181	89/100

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Top 50 Greatest Music Albums comments

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Rating:  

90/100

From FunkyStudent21 08/18/2017 13:57

Great Chart, nice to see a YMO album

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Rating:  

90/100

From Johnnyo 05/15/2017 11:42

Seriously good chart

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