Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by 
Purplepash 
This is a combination of my favourite albums that I have been obsessed with at some stage and will still happily listen to at any time and recent albums that I love right now.
I have been listening to albums for over 35 years now so nostalgia plays a large part in this list but I love new fresh music as well. For a more accurate representation of my current varied musical tastes please check out my recent yearly charts.
I usually don't have a lot to say - the music does the talking, but I will endeavour to slowly add comments as time goes on.
- Chart updated: 11/21/2021 05:45
- (Created: 12/02/2016 06:18).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 34 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 90 out of 100 (from 84 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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"Last night I dreamt
That somebody loved me
No hope, no harm
Just another false alarm"
Oh the feelings I get from these lines, and from the music, the whole song. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loves Me is one of my favourite songs. Nearly all of The Smiths albums have been my favourite of theirs at some stage...they are all that good...but with the passing of time this is now the one I seem enjoy the most. Although I loved it from first listening when my mate bought it the day it came out.
Favourite songs: As well as Last Night... I love the emotional music, and the sadness of the lyrics, of Death of a Disco Dancer. Girlfriend In A Coma, is a brilliantly dark but bubbly pop song. I love the scathing attack on the music industry machinations in Paint A Vulgar Picture. A Rush and a Push... and Stop Me... are just such fun songs to listen and singalong to. And finishing with the moving I Won't Share You it's an album full of favourite songs. [First added to this chart: 03/29/2017]
That somebody loved me
No hope, no harm
Just another false alarm"
Oh the feelings I get from these lines, and from the music, the whole song. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loves Me is one of my favourite songs. Nearly all of The Smiths albums have been my favourite of theirs at some stage...they are all that good...but with the passing of time this is now the one I seem enjoy the most. Although I loved it from first listening when my mate bought it the day it came out.
Favourite songs: As well as Last Night... I love the emotional music, and the sadness of the lyrics, of Death of a Disco Dancer. Girlfriend In A Coma, is a brilliantly dark but bubbly pop song. I love the scathing attack on the music industry machinations in Paint A Vulgar Picture. A Rush and a Push... and Stop Me... are just such fun songs to listen and singalong to. And finishing with the moving I Won't Share You it's an album full of favourite songs. [First added to this chart: 03/29/2017]
Year of Release:
1987
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,331
Rank in 1987:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
64
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"A lifelong walk to the
Same exact spot"
For a couple of years MM were probably my most listened to artist with this album and Good News being the albums I listened to the most. They are nearly as good as each other in my tastes. Fascinating songs that reward repeat listening.
Favourite song: Parting Of The Sensory is easily the best song on an album full of great songs (Spitting Venom, Dashboard, Little Motel...). [First added to this chart: 03/29/2017]
Same exact spot"
For a couple of years MM were probably my most listened to artist with this album and Good News being the albums I listened to the most. They are nearly as good as each other in my tastes. Fascinating songs that reward repeat listening.
Favourite song: Parting Of The Sensory is easily the best song on an album full of great songs (Spitting Venom, Dashboard, Little Motel...). [First added to this chart: 03/29/2017]
Year of Release:
2007
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,489
Rank in 2007:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
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"And when I'm lying in my bed
I think about life
and I think about death
and neither one particularly appeals to me"
The Smiths were probably my first serious obsession, and one of, if not the most, influential band in the early days of my musical journey. I still listen to them regularly and doubt I'll ever stop.
10/10 songs: That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, Barbarism Begins At Home, The Headmaster Ritual, Rusholme Ruffians. [First added to this chart: 03/29/2017]
I think about life
and I think about death
and neither one particularly appeals to me"
The Smiths were probably my first serious obsession, and one of, if not the most, influential band in the early days of my musical journey. I still listen to them regularly and doubt I'll ever stop.
10/10 songs: That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, Barbarism Begins At Home, The Headmaster Ritual, Rusholme Ruffians. [First added to this chart: 03/29/2017]
Year of Release:
1985
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,820
Rank in 1985:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"t's so easy to laugh
It's so easy to hate
It takes strength to be gentle and kind
Over, over, over, over
It's so easy to laugh
It's so easy to hate
It takes guts to be gentle and kind"
The above lines are my favourite lyrics by anyone ever. They have had a lifelong impact on me. From an album full of great lyrics. I sing along to the whole album...every song.
10/10 songs: I Know It's Over, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, The Queen Is Dead, Bigmouth Strikes Again, & The Boy With The Thorn In His Side. [First added to this chart: 03/29/2017]
It's so easy to hate
It takes strength to be gentle and kind
Over, over, over, over
It's so easy to laugh
It's so easy to hate
It takes guts to be gentle and kind"
The above lines are my favourite lyrics by anyone ever. They have had a lifelong impact on me. From an album full of great lyrics. I sing along to the whole album...every song.
10/10 songs: I Know It's Over, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, The Queen Is Dead, Bigmouth Strikes Again, & The Boy With The Thorn In His Side. [First added to this chart: 03/29/2017]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
38,596
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"Flicker, flicker, flicker blam, pow, pow"
This album is such a treat to listen to. Trippy fun it always makes me happy. The first Pink Floyd album I listened to and I was hooked straight away.
10/10 songs: Interstellar Overdrive, Astronomy Domine, Bike, and The Gnome [First added to this chart: 03/29/2017]
This album is such a treat to listen to. Trippy fun it always makes me happy. The first Pink Floyd album I listened to and I was hooked straight away.
10/10 songs: Interstellar Overdrive, Astronomy Domine, Bike, and The Gnome [First added to this chart: 03/29/2017]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,593
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"I'm very scared for this world, I'm very scared for me"
Document was my first favourite REM album, then for a long time it was Automatic For The People. But now this the one I enjoy revisiting the most, despite Stand ;) Actually Stand is not that bad for what is, a feel good upbeat song. But it's the fragile beauty of You Are The Everything, and the emotionally powerful The Wrong Child (such a sad song and a real grower) that keep me coming back. As well as the classic Orange Crush and all the other great songs.
10/10 songs: You Are The Everything, The Wrong Child, Orange Crush, World Leader Pretend, and Pop Song 89. [First added to this chart: 03/29/2017]
Document was my first favourite REM album, then for a long time it was Automatic For The People. But now this the one I enjoy revisiting the most, despite Stand ;) Actually Stand is not that bad for what is, a feel good upbeat song. But it's the fragile beauty of You Are The Everything, and the emotionally powerful The Wrong Child (such a sad song and a real grower) that keep me coming back. As well as the classic Orange Crush and all the other great songs.
10/10 songs: You Are The Everything, The Wrong Child, Orange Crush, World Leader Pretend, and Pop Song 89. [First added to this chart: 03/29/2017]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,478
Rank in 1988:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"Well, come on and let it happen to you
You gotta open up your mind and let everything come through"
Not their lyrics but they sum up the album. Two covers on this seven song album but both of them are arguably better than the originals. One of my most listened to albums of the late 80s that I still lose myself in every time.
10/10 songs: O.D. Catastrophe, Little Doll, Losing Touch With My Mind [First added to this chart: 05/18/2017]
You gotta open up your mind and let everything come through"
Not their lyrics but they sum up the album. Two covers on this seven song album but both of them are arguably better than the originals. One of my most listened to albums of the late 80s that I still lose myself in every time.
10/10 songs: O.D. Catastrophe, Little Doll, Losing Touch With My Mind [First added to this chart: 05/18/2017]
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[First added to this chart: 12/09/2017]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
44,231
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"Tell me what the weather's like so I don't have to go outside
And I'll shut up and spend a week inside my head"
Amazing album. Musical nervous anxiety.
1010 songs: More Than Any Other Day, Habit, Weather Song, and Gemini (an awsome way to close the album). [First added to this chart: 03/29/2017]
And I'll shut up and spend a week inside my head"
Amazing album. Musical nervous anxiety.
1010 songs: More Than Any Other Day, Habit, Weather Song, and Gemini (an awsome way to close the album). [First added to this chart: 03/29/2017]
Year of Release:
2014
Appears in:
Rank Score:
893
Rank in 2014:
Rank in 2010s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"Does the body rule the mind
Or does the mind rule the body?
I don't know"
I was a teenager in the 80s listening to alternative music so it sort of goes without saying how impactful on me, and how influential this album was. To this day I still try to get my mind to rule my body...but I listen to what my body is saying. The power of positive thinking.
10/10 songs: Still Ill, Reel Around The Fountain, Hand In Glove, What Difference Does It Make? [First added to this chart: 03/29/2017]
Or does the mind rule the body?
I don't know"
I was a teenager in the 80s listening to alternative music so it sort of goes without saying how impactful on me, and how influential this album was. To this day I still try to get my mind to rule my body...but I listen to what my body is saying. The power of positive thinking.
10/10 songs: Still Ill, Reel Around The Fountain, Hand In Glove, What Difference Does It Make? [First added to this chart: 03/29/2017]
Year of Release:
1984
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,770
Rank in 1984:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 2 of 10
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 5 | 5% | |
| 1970s | 10 | 10% | |
| 1980s | 29 | 29% | |
| 1990s | 35 | 35% | |
| 2000s | 5 | 5% | |
| 2010s | 16 | 16% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| The Smiths | 5 | 5% | |
| Pink Floyd | 4 | 4% | |
| Pixies | 4 | 4% | |
| Nirvana | 4 | 4% | |
| Sonic Youth | 3 | 3% | |
| R.E.M. | 3 | 3% | |
| The Pogues | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 82nd to 83rd Toxicity by System Of A Down |
| Down 1 from 83rd to 84th Hatful Of Hollow by The Smiths |
| Down 1 from 84th to 85th Without You I'm Nothing by Placebo |
| New entries |
|---|
 Around The World In A Dayby Prince And The Revolution |
| Leavers |
|---|
 Raiseby Swervedriver |
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
90/100 (from 84 votes)
where:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
m = minimum number of ratings required for an item to appear in a 'top-rated' chart (currently 10).
AV = the site mean average rating.
Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 84 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
95/100  | 08/11/2023 09:11 | KineticEchoes02 | | 88/100 |
100/100 | 06/10/2023 09:06 | ThuramThugood | | 87/100 |
85/100 | 05/15/2023 14:51 |  RevolverCB72 | | 84/100 |
90/100 | 05/23/2022 12:17 |  CharlieBarley | | 94/100 |
95/100 | 02/18/2022 20:13 |  neilgee | | 94/100 |
Rating metrics:
Outliers can be removed when calculating a mean average to dampen the effects of ratings outside the normal distribution. This figure is provided as the trimmed mean. A high standard deviation can be legitimate, but can sometimes indicate 'gaming' is occurring. Consider a simplified example* of an item receiving ratings of 100, 50, & 0. The mean average rating would be 50. However, ratings of 55, 50 & 45 could also result in the same average. The second average might be more trusted because there is more consensus around a particular rating (a lower deviation).
(*In practice, some charts can have several thousand ratings)
This chart is rated in the top 2% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 90.3/100, a mean average of 90.5/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 90.8/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 7.3.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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90/100
From CharlieBarley 05/23/2022 12:18
CharlieBarley 05/23/2022 12:18
Great chart
Similar 80s/90s influences
Like your notes
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From 
Strangel 10/16/2021 09:29
Strangel 10/16/2021 09:29
Pleasantly surprised to see Jebediah (in a slightly odd way). Leading the pack for the Aussie connection. Love your write-ups. Not a fan of The Smiths so that holds me back a bit from gushing over your chart 😁.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From cronadigallina 03/08/2021 17:19
That's an awesome list with surprisingly high ranked Ought and The The. Nice to see Stiff Little Fingers or a few australian bands which I do not know. Great!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From 
EyeKanFly 09/10/2020 22:44
EyeKanFly 09/10/2020 22:44
Awesome chart, a little heavy on the 90s for my taste but the music you have from the 2010s (KG&tLW, Car Seat Headrest, Parquet Courts) are favorites of mine.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From BraddlesHendo 09/10/2020 11:48
This is great I really love The The Infected as well.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
DommeDamian 05/20/2020 19:29
DommeDamian 05/20/2020 19:29
Nothing but love for your fascinating chart!
ICU digging that alternative/noisy sound. Absolute recommend you check out The Replacements and early Captain Beefheart
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Purplepash 12/16/2019 10:45
Purplepash 12/16/2019 10:45
@doubleA: Thanks for the well considered recs. Sound Of Silver, and all of the LCD Soundsystem albums, are already favourites. Ege Bamyasi was great. Loved Feels and Strawberry Jam...not so much Sung Tongs. Still got to get around to Dungen and Ghost but I'm sure I will sometime.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From 
kynes 12/06/2019 10:31
kynes 12/06/2019 10:31
Solid, if a bit devoid of genre diversity. It's always nice to see CSH appreciated.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From 
Jameth 09/27/2019 18:54
Jameth 09/27/2019 18:54
I love you're chart Purple, even if it leans heavily on 80's and 90's alternative and punk. You've gone further down that path than I've been down any. You introduced me to some very good albums that might have taken me years to try, otherwise. I'll be back for more; I need to carry on with Spacemen 3, for sure.
I have to disagree with Nevermind over In Utero, though, even if that is the first CD I ever bought for myself. : P
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From LankyLen 09/26/2019 13:18
Great chart! Putting the Pixies on top is a good call!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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