Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by 
EyeKanFly 
First update since 2020 (major or otherwise)
I've decided to include classical music in the chart, that's the biggest change. I've also embraced soundtracks, compilations, and live music more in the past few years and I think my chart reflects that more now.
While I haven't limited myself to 1 album per artist, I have limited myself to 1 version of each album or piece, which mainly applies to classical (otherwise I could've had a dozen recordings of Dvorak's 9th in my top 100) but also when artists have recorded multiple versions of their albums (e.g. studio and live) or cover versions exist.
All of these albums mean something very important to me, even if some of them didn't originate as "albums" (whether they be classical pieces, soundtracks, live sets, or compilations). Along with my companion charts where I've ranked my top albums all the way out to 1000, I think this presents a clear picture of my favorite music.
- Chart updated: 12/26/2023 22:15
- (Created: 04/13/2013 22:22).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 49 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 89 out of 100 (from 68 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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This chart is currently filtered to only show albums from the 2000s. (Remove this filter)
“We slept in parking lots, I don’t mind…I’ve made a lot of mistakes, in my mind” - Chicago
“Oh God of Progress, have you degraded or forgot us?” - Come On! Feel the Illinoise! (Part I: The World’s Columbian Exposition – Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me in a Dream)
I have a vision of a film version of the Devil in the White City, or perhaps a musical or a ballet, which is set to the music of this album. The architects and engineers dance around their table to Come On! Feel the Illinoise! H. H. Holmes paces the hallways of his murder hotel to John Wayne Gacy, Jr. The first Ferris wheel is constructed to The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders. Holmes reckons with his murders to They Are Night Zombies!!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come back from the Dead!! Ahhhh! Daniel Burnham surveys his great white city to The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts. [First added to this chart: 04/13/2013]
“Oh God of Progress, have you degraded or forgot us?” - Come On! Feel the Illinoise! (Part I: The World’s Columbian Exposition – Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me in a Dream)
I have a vision of a film version of the Devil in the White City, or perhaps a musical or a ballet, which is set to the music of this album. The architects and engineers dance around their table to Come On! Feel the Illinoise! H. H. Holmes paces the hallways of his murder hotel to John Wayne Gacy, Jr. The first Ferris wheel is constructed to The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders. Holmes reckons with his murders to They Are Night Zombies!!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come back from the Dead!! Ahhhh! Daniel Burnham surveys his great white city to The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts. [First added to this chart: 04/13/2013]
Year of Release:
2005
Appears in:
Rank Score:
19,789
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“Paradise comes at a price that I am not prepared to pay. What were we built for? Will someone tell me please?” - Megalomania
“You wanted more than I was worth, and you think I was scared, yeah, and you needed proof” - Hyper Music
While Muse have fallen out of favor with me in pretty much every album since 2012, they were my favorite band of my formative years, and I still love so much of their work. Plug in Baby and Megalomania played on repeat during my commute to my job in high school. The video of Feeling Good (live and drunk) forever lives in my heart as the ultimate version of this song. A 2009 Muse concert was among the best of my life, and I’m sure I will continue to love them even if other favorite musicians push Muse off the throne. [First added to this chart: 04/13/2013]
“You wanted more than I was worth, and you think I was scared, yeah, and you needed proof” - Hyper Music
While Muse have fallen out of favor with me in pretty much every album since 2012, they were my favorite band of my formative years, and I still love so much of their work. Plug in Baby and Megalomania played on repeat during my commute to my job in high school. The video of Feeling Good (live and drunk) forever lives in my heart as the ultimate version of this song. A 2009 Muse concert was among the best of my life, and I’m sure I will continue to love them even if other favorite musicians push Muse off the throne. [First added to this chart: 04/13/2013]
Year of Release:
2001
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,381
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“Don’t waste your time or time will waste you” - Knights of Cydonia
“How could you send us so far away from home when you know damn well that this is wrong?” - Soldier’s Poem
I know I said Megalomania and Plug in baby used to play on repeat during my commute… but Knights of Cydonia really got the most replays. Back in the days of iTunes, no song had more plays. For the longest time, this album reigned supreme as my #1 of all time, and I still love it. Just because it’s dropped down to #9 doesn’t mean I love it any less, just that I now love 8 others slightly more (including of course another Muse album; both in the top 3 for a long time). [First added to this chart: 04/13/2013]
“How could you send us so far away from home when you know damn well that this is wrong?” - Soldier’s Poem
I know I said Megalomania and Plug in baby used to play on repeat during my commute… but Knights of Cydonia really got the most replays. Back in the days of iTunes, no song had more plays. For the longest time, this album reigned supreme as my #1 of all time, and I still love it. Just because it’s dropped down to #9 doesn’t mean I love it any less, just that I now love 8 others slightly more (including of course another Muse album; both in the top 3 for a long time). [First added to this chart: 04/13/2013]
Year of Release:
2006
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,215
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“Working for the Church while your family dies, you take what they give you and you keep it inside. Every spark of friendship and love will die without a home.” - Intervention
[First added to this chart: 04/13/2013]
Year of Release:
2007
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,010
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“They say the devil’s water, it ain’t so sweet. You don’t have to drink right now, but you can dip your feet every once in a little while” - When You Were Young
[First added to this chart: 04/13/2013]
Year of Release:
2006
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,609
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“I tried to give you up but I’m addicted” - Time Is Running Out
“I won’t give you up. I won’t let you down, and I won’t leave you falling if the moment ever comes” - Endlessly [First added to this chart: 04/13/2013]
“I won’t give you up. I won’t let you down, and I won’t leave you falling if the moment ever comes” - Endlessly [First added to this chart: 04/13/2013]
Year of Release:
2003
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,871
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“Do you realize that everyone you know someday will die, and instead of saying all of your goodbyes, just let them know you realize” - Do You Realize??
“The sun doesn’t go down, it’s just an illusion caused by the world spinning ‘round” - Do You Realize?? [First added to this chart: 04/13/2013]
“The sun doesn’t go down, it’s just an illusion caused by the world spinning ‘round” - Do You Realize?? [First added to this chart: 04/13/2013]
Year of Release:
2002
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,679
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“‘We’re making music to engage the audience’, insists bassist Reid Anderson. And after experiencing this sinuous and spellbinding set from the trio you’ll agree wholeheartedly.” - Amar Patel in his 2007 review for the BBC
[First added to this chart: 06/02/2013]
Video game music can be some of the most complex music to compose and record due to varying needs to synchronize to the ever-changing gameplay. Mojito Yokota and Koji Kondo set a new standard in video game music with these orchestral compositions that were recorded for one of the most dynamic video games of its time.
Total albums: 9. Page 1 of 1
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 1 | 1% | |
| 1950s | 3 | 3% | |
| 1960s | 21 | 21% | |
| 1970s | 18 | 18% | |
| 1980s | 11 | 11% | |
| 1990s | 9 | 9% | |
| 2000s | 9 | 9% | |
| 2010s | 21 | 21% | |
| 2020s | 7 | 7% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Queen | 3 | 3% | |
| Miles Davis | 3 | 3% | |
| Charles Mingus | 3 | 3% | |
| Bruce Springsteen | 3 | 3% | |
| Sufjan Stevens | 3 | 3% | |
| Muse | 3 | 3% | |
| Pink Floyd | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
45 | 45% | |
 |
27 | 27% | |
 |
7 | 7% | |
 |
5 | 5% | |
 |
4 | 4% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 49 from 85th to 36thJoy As An Act Of Resistance. by Idles |
| Up 48 from 89th to 41stThe Original Sound Track Of The Movie Black Orpheus (Orfeu Negro) by Antônio Carlos Jobim & Luiz Floriano Bonfá |
| Up 42 from 69th to 27thAtrocity Exhibition by Danny Brown |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 57 from 34th to 91stOtis Blue / Otis Redding Sings Soul by Otis Redding |
| Down 52 from 23rd to 75thAbbey Road by The Beatles |
| Down 47 from 22nd to 69thDie Mensch·Maschine by Kraftwerk |
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similar charts
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2010s | EyeKanFly | 2010s decade chart | 2024 | |
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| Rearranging the top 100 |  flamingyesdept | Custom chart | 2022 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums |  antiloopje | Overall chart | 2020 |  |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s | EyeKanFly | 1960s decade chart | 2024 | |
| If The BEA Overall Chart Had A One Album Per Artist Rule... |  Romanelli | Custom chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | TheNowhereGuy | Overall chart | 2020 |  |
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AVwhere:
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 68 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/20/2026 15:56 | jnmayles | 23 | 89/100 | |
| 03/02/2025 11:18 |  SomethingSpecial | 1,089 | 85/100 | |
| 08/28/2024 11:44 | mianfei | 173 | 62/100 | |
| 08/23/2024 18:36 |  Tamthebam | 651 | 85/100 | |
| 05/13/2024 02:38 |  AvalancheGrips | 127 | 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 is rated in the top 5% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 88.7/100, a mean average of 88.6/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 89.1/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 9.5.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
Showing latest 10 comments | Show all 49 comments |
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From mianfei 08/28/2024 11:43 | #304995
I like the variation — I agree with your change to include classical music as it adds to the perspective needed for an all-time chart.
Even outside the classical choices, I like the diversity in the chart even if I am anything but a fan of some choices like Muse, Queen, Meatloaf, Pulp and Pink Floyd. There are some really noteworthy choices like ‘Black Unity’ and ‘ArchAndroid’ that are not that often seen.
The notes are worthwhile, too.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
Mercury 10/23/2021 01:15 | #275281
Mercury 10/23/2021 01:15 | #275281
Some how and for some reason I had this as a 80. Must have been a thumb fuck up or I was in some kinda mood, because, despite not having particularly similar tastes on some fundamental levels, this chart is great! Despite only being 8% objectively correct, its great! (lol I kid of course).
Thanks for nudging me to check out Mitski!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From leniad 08/30/2021 20:07 | #273081
agree with majority
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
seb7 04/15/2021 21:10 | #268587
seb7 04/15/2021 21:10 | #268587
Your 60s/70s/80s picks are amazing. I have the inverse problem with your chart that you have with mine, in that a lot of the 00's/10's picks I haven't listened to. Great chart anyways!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
RoundTheBend 01/01/2021 17:58 | #263587
RoundTheBend 01/01/2021 17:58 | #263587
In an alternate universe, I could see this being my list. Dig it.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
Larcx13 11/11/2020 12:42 | #260622
Larcx13 11/11/2020 12:42 | #260622
Not the biggest fan of some of your choices, but there's still a lot of interesting stuff on here.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From vancevisuals 06/25/2020 21:02 | #254508
i like the Boss...
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +3 votes (3 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
StefanR10 06/25/2020 19:03 | #254502
StefanR10 06/25/2020 19:03 | #254502
Good album chart I like it some classic here and I like very much to see here Elton John good work. A little bit much Muse and the shins but ok good. So I give you 10 points less.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
revolver94 04/14/2020 02:50 | #249913
revolver94 04/14/2020 02:50 | #249913
yes agreed!! nice to see another chart very heavy on the past decade. and yes I like my comments too lol, gives a sense of substance without actually having to think to much ;)
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From pctrooper 01/25/2020 00:34 | #247143
Definitely an interesting and unique chart, but this is honestly a bit of a mixed bag for me as there is a lot of stuff I'm not into. Some cool picks nevertheless. I would really like to get into Mitski's work more but whenever I listen to one of her albums I feel like there are a couple amazing songs and the rest is just underwhelming.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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