NME 's 100 Best Albums Of All Time by New Music Express (2003) 
New Musical Express is a British music, film, gaming, and culture website and brand. These are their best albums of all time. New Music Express, better known as NME, is a weekly music magazine in the UK. It is often credited as the starting point for many successful British bands and it was also responsible for the first UK Singles Chart. NME published their list of the 100 best albums of all time in 2003.
(Official website: www.nme.com)
There are 72 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and NME 's 100 Best Albums Of All Time has an average rating of 71 out of 100 (from 166 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
There is a more recent chart by New Music Express in which rank scores have been awarded - The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time by New Music Express (2013) .
View the complete list of 51,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.
Year of Release:
1989
Appears in:
Rank Score:
27,062
Rank in 1989:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
202
Year of Release:
1989
Appears in:
Rank Score:
39,990
Rank in 1989:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Year of Release:
1966
Appears in:
Rank Score:
47,458
Rank in 1966:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
22,753
Rank in 1977:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Year of Release:
1966
Appears in:
Rank Score:
60,091
Rank in 1966:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
17,811
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
7.
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Year of Release:
2001
Appears in:
Rank Score:
34,937
Rank in 2001:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
40,564
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
48,922
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,371
Rank in 1977:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
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NME 's 100 Best Albums Of All Time composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 15 | 15% | |
| 1970s | 30 | 30% | |
| 1980s | 17 | 17% | |
| 1990s | 25 | 25% | |
| 2000s | 13 | 13% | |
| 2010s | 0 | 0% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| The Smiths | 4 | 4% | |
| The Rolling Stones | 3 | 3% | |
| David Bowie | 3 | 3% | |
| The White Stripes | 2 | 2% | |
| Pulp | 2 | 2% | |
| Primal Scream | 2 | 2% | |
| The Clash | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
NME 's 100 Best Albums Of All Time similar charts
- NME Best Albums Of All Time 2003 by WayneMC (2019)
- Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by
RFNAPLES (2013) - Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by Channel 4 (2005)
- Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by Melody Maker (2000)
- NME Best 500 Albums Of All Time (1-100) 2013 by WayneMC (2016)
- The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time by New Music Express (2013)
- NME: The 100 greatest albums of all time by Johnnyo (2021)
- 100 Greatest Albums Ever by Q (2006)
- 100 Greatest Albums Ever by Q (2003)
- The Guardian 100 Best Albums Ever by The Guardian (1997)
NME 's 100 Best Albums Of All Time similarity to your chart(s)
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Other all time overall charts
- Top 100 Albums by ABC (published 2006)
- The 100 Greatest Albums Of All Time by Absolute Radio (published 2012)
- Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by Channel 4 (published 2005)
- The 100 Greatest Rock Albums Of All Time by Classic Rock (published 2001)
- The 100 Greatest Albums of All Time by Consequence of Sound (published 2022)
- Top 100 Albums Ever by Consequence of Sound (published 2010)
- The 100 All-Time Greatest Albums by Entertainment Weekly (published 2013)
- The Guardian 100 Best Albums Ever by The Guardian (published 1997)
- Greatest 100 Albums of All Time by The Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums with NME
(published 2006)
- Greatest Albums Of All Time by Hartbeat! (published 1996)
- Top 90.3 Listener Voted Albums by KEXP (published 2008)
- Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by Melody Maker (published 2000)
- 100 Greatest Albums of All Time by Mojo (published 1995)
- Mojo Readers: The 100 Greatest Albums Ever Made by Mojo (published 1996)
- Die 20 besten Alben der Geschichte by Musikexpress.de (published 2011)
- The Definitive 200 by National Association of Recording Merchandisers (published 2007)
- The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time by New Music Express (published 2013)
- New Musical Express Writers Top 100 Albums by New Music Express (published 1993)
- NME 's 100 Best Albums Of All Time by New Music Express (published 2003)
- NME's Best Albums Of All Time by New Music Express (published 1985)
- NME Readers' All-Time Top 100 Albums by New Music Express (published 1988)
- Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by Q (published 1997)
- 100 Greatest Albums Ever by Q (published 2006)
- 100 Greatest Albums Ever by Q (published 2003)
- Die 100 besten Alben der Musikgeschichte by radioeins (published 2019)
- Top 500 Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone (published 2003)
- Top 500 Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone (published 2005)
- The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone (published 2020)
- Top 500 Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone (published 2012)
- Die besten Alben aller Zeiten by Rolling Stone Deutschland (published 2004)
- Top 100 Albums by Rolling Stone Deutschland (published 1997)
- Os 100 Melhores Discos de Todos Os Tempos by Sinewave (published 2012)
- The Top 50 Albums of All Time by Sound & Vision Magazine (published 2010)
- 100 Greatest Albums Of All Time by The Sound (published 2018)
- All Time Top 100 Albums by Sounds (UK) (published 1985)
- Die 100 Alben des Jahrhunderts by Spex (published 2000)
- The Greatest Rock Albums by uDiscoverMusic (published 2015)
- 200 Greatest Albums of All Time by Uncut (published 2016)
- The Top 100 Albums by VH1 (published 2001)
- Virgin All-Time Top 1000 Albums by Virgin (published 1994)
- Virgin All-Time Top 1000 Albums by Virgin (published 2000)
- Virgin All-Time Top 1000 Albums by Virgin (published 1998)
- Die 100 besten Platten des Jahrhunderts by Wiener (published 1999)
- Best Album Ever by ZigZag (published 1971)
- Albums of the Century by ZigZag (published 1975)
Other charts by New Music Express
Year charts
- NME Albums Of The Year 2022 by New Music Express (2022 year chart)
- The 50 best albums of 2021 by New Music Express (2021 year chart)
- The 50 best albums of 2020 by New Music Express (2020 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2019 by New Music Express (2019 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2018 by New Music Express (2018 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2017 by New Music Express (2017 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2016 by New Music Express (2016 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2015 by New Music Express (2015 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2014 by New Music Express (2014 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2013 by New Music Express (2013 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2012 by New Music Express (2012 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2011 by New Music Express (2011 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2010 by New Music Express (2010 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2009 by New Music Express (2009 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2008 by New Music Express (2008 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2007 by New Music Express (2007 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2006 by New Music Express (2006 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2005 by New Music Express (2005 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2004 by New Music Express (2004 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2003 by New Music Express (2003 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2002 by New Music Express (2002 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2001 by New Music Express (2001 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 2000 by New Music Express (2000 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1999 by New Music Express (1999 year chart)
- NME Albums of the Year 1998 by New Music Express (1998 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1997 by New Music Express (1997 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1996 by New Music Express (1996 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1995 by New Music Express (1995 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1994 by New Music Express (1994 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1993 by New Music Express (1993 year chart) (published 2016)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1992 by New Music Express (1992 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1991 by New Music Express (1991 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1990 by New Music Express (1990 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1989 by New Music Express (1989 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1988 by New Music Express (1988 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1987 by New Music Express (1987 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1986 by New Music Express (1986 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1985 by New Music Express (1985 year chart) (published 2016)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1984 by New Music Express (1984 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1983 by New Music Express (1983 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1982 by New Music Express (1982 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1981 by New Music Express (1981 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1980 by New Music Express (1980 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1979 by New Music Express (1979 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1978 by New Music Express (1978 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1977 by New Music Express (1977 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1976 by New Music Express (1976 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1975 by New Music Express (1975 year chart)
- NME Albums Of The Year 1974 by New Music Express (1974 year chart)
Decade charts
- NME's Greatest Albums of The Decade: The 2010s by New Music Express (2010s decade chart) (published 2019)
- Top 100 Greatest Albums of the 2000s by New Music Express (2000s decade chart) (published 2009)
- Top 100 Greatest Albums of the 1980s by New Music Express (1980s decade chart) (published 1990)
- Top 100 Greatest Albums of the 1970s by New Music Express (1970s decade chart) (published 1980)
- Top 50 Greatest Albums of the 1960s by New Music Express (1960s decade chart) (published 1993)
Overall charts
- NME 's 100 Best Albums Of All Time by New Music Express (published 2003)
- The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time by New Music Express (published 2013)
- NME's Best Albums Of All Time by New Music Express (published 1985)
- New Musical Express Writers Top 100 Albums by New Music Express (published 1993)
- NME Readers' All-Time Top 100 Albums by New Music Express (published 1988)
[New Music Express was founded in 1952.]
NME 's 100 Best Albums Of All Time ratings
71/100 (from 166 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 166 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
90/100  | 04/25/2022 17:53 | Kevins2art | | 90/100 |
15/100 | 09/21/2021 08:51 |  DommeDamian | | 90/100 |
20/100 | 07/26/2021 17:55 | Raddi27 | | 73/100 |
90/100 | 06/04/2021 01:50 |  Skroskznik | | 92/100 |
75/100 | 12/11/2020 07:56 |  pjohnsongolf | | 89/100 |
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 has a Bayesian average rating of 71.0/100, a mean average of 70.8/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 70.1/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 20.8.
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NME 's 100 Best Albums Of All Time favourites
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NME 's 100 Best Albums Of All Time comments
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20/100
From Raddi27 07/26/2021 17:57
Any 500 best ever album list without artists from South America nor Africa should be considered a joke. Some awful indie rock picks instead of great gems from around the world. Awful list.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | -1 votes (0 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
65/100
From 
Goliath 07/22/2020 17:46
Goliath 07/22/2020 17:46
7 in the top 10 that I wouldn't put in the top 100.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
55/100
From Thad 12/14/2019 20:39
This is a really weird turn for the chart considering their older one available on this website... seems like at some point they just decided to become complete rockists. To be fair though, there are some bold rock picks on here even if the whole list is lacking in any sort of variety, so I'll let it off without a terrible score.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
80/100
From Johnnyo 08/04/2017 11:58
Decent enough although, as you'd expect from NME, rather odd choices here and there incl. No. 1
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From HeyItIsWilliam 07/04/2017 18:34
Love the variety on this list! A little Britain-heavy, but not that much of a problem seeing as the music is good.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
80/100
From weston 06/23/2017 03:06
Nice list - good mix of taste. Obvious British bias with Stone Roses upfront, and extensive Smith and and Rolling Stones. But not a bad thing.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From tomsmith79 03/27/2017 21:06
Little heavy on the British side but that's to be expected from NME. Otherwise a really cool and diverse list
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
60/100
From 
21stCenturySchiz 10/11/2016 01:19
21stCenturySchiz 10/11/2016 01:19
ok
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From stangetzaway 07/16/2016 03:21
Pretty good representative chart. Parochialism well tempered unlike some of the RS and Pitchfork charts.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
exileonthehell 07/06/2016 02:09
exileonthehell 07/06/2016 02:09
Marquee #1 Please
New Music Express NME!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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| Best Artists of 2002 | |
|---|---|
| 1. Wilco | |
| 2. Interpol | |
| 3. Coldplay | |
| 4. The Flaming Lips | |
| 5. Queens Of The Stone Age | |
| 6. Broken Social Scene | |
| 7. Beck | |
| 8. Sigur Rós | |
| 9. Red Hot Chili Peppers | |
| 10. Porcupine Tree | |
| 11. The Libertines | |
| 12. Boards Of Canada | |
| 13. Eminem | |
| 14. Johnny Cash | |
| 15. The Streets | |
| 16. Damien Rice | |
| 17. Audioslave | |
| 18. Bruce Springsteen | |
| 19. The Mountain Goats | |
| 20. Tom Waits |