Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by henrygreen0203

100 artists, 100 albums released between the 1950s-2020s. I unashamedly love the music of American "hillbillies" playing rock music (the literal meaning of "rockabilly") but I also like singer-songwriter country-folk, power-pop, alternative rock and alternative R&B.

I include my ratings and my recommendations.

I hope you discover something here that you never dreamed you would enjoy!

• Chart updated: 11/08/2025 00:15
• (Created: 04/26/2013 16:15).
• Chart size: 100 albums.

• Summary
• Composition
• Ratings
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1.

The Sound A Body Makes When It’s Still 

 Hot Mulligan

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Damn, I've been watching these guys for a few years now and they have been incredibly solid while delivering the maturity that rewards a listener when sticking to an artist.

A-Side: And a Big Load
B-Side: Monica Lewinskibidi

Year of Release:

2025

Appears in:

7 charts

Rank Score:

20

Rank in 2025:

234

Rank in 2020s:

3,388

Overall Rank:

38,024

Average Rating:

 72 (5 votes)

Comments:

0

2. (=)

On The Impossible Past 

 The Menzingers

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GENRE: Punk Rock / Heartland Rock

O nostalgia, where art thou? The Menzingers make a perfect blend of pop punk and heartland rock. This is irresistible.

ESSENTIAL

Track: Good Things / Burn After Writing

3 ALBUM RUN:
On the Impossible Past
Rented World
After the Party [First added to this chart: 02/09/2019]

Year of Release:

2012

Appears in:

49 charts

Rank Score:

415

Rank in 2012:

65

Rank in 2010s:

613

Overall Rank:

3,537

Average Rating:

 75 (44 votes)

Comments:

1

3. (=)

Bleed American 

 Jimmy Eat World

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Jimmy Eat World are true trailblazers. So many bands still try to take a page from this blend of alternative rock, emo and punk.

3 ALBUM RUN:
Bleed American
Futures
Chase This Light [First added to this chart: 07/22/2021]

Year of Release:

2001

Appears in:

268 charts

Rank Score:

1,540

Rank in 2001:

18

Rank in 2000s:

166

Overall Rank:

1,128

Average Rating:

 75 (340 votes)

Comments:

24

4. (=)

Something To Write Home About 

 The Get Up Kids

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A really special album from the turn of the century. This record hits deeply with several hard hitting thoughtful songs with a few decent ballads that aren't drawn out too long.

ESSENTIAL

3 ALBUM RUN:
Something to Write Home About
On a Wire
Guilt Show [First added to this chart: 08/06/2021]

Year of Release:

1999

Appears in:

52 charts

Rank Score:

334

Rank in 1999:

59

Rank in 1990s:

708

Overall Rank:

4,248

Average Rating:

 73 (58 votes)

Comments:

2

5. (=)

Tim 

 The Replacements

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GENRE: Alternative Rock

This album is a brilliant mess, but the heart on sleeve approach pays off and the songs will hit you where it hurts the most.

ESSENTIAL

Condensed to a 7" Single:
A-Side: Bastards of Young
B-Side: Swingin' Party

3 ALBUM RUN:
Let It Be
Tim
Pleased to Meet Me [First added to this chart: 08/12/2021]

Year of Release:

1985

Appears in:

511 charts

Rank Score:

3,909

Rank in 1985:

8

Rank in 1980s:

64

Overall Rank:

440

Average Rating:

 81 (568 votes)

Comments:

38

6. (=)

#1 Record 

 Big Star

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Well deserving of its cult status and ridiculously ahead of its time. Most indie rock is directly inspired by the jagged guitars and angsty vocals of Velvet Underground and the jangling guitars and melodic sweetness of Big Star.

This album unfolds like a Southern love letter to the British Invasion: Contents include the melodies of The Beatles, the power chords of The Who, the vocals of Led Zeppelin, the energy of The Rolling Stones and the lyrical romanticism of The Beach Boys.

It's easy to see the influence on 80's alternative artists like REM and The Replacements, who were looking to add melody, passion and substance to their music. It definitely influenced Wilco too, especially with its showcasing of the acoustic guitar. Also interesting is the Christian inspiration in some of the lyrics (Ballad of El Goodo).

TRACK: Thirteen [First added to this chart: 03/03/2020]

Year of Release:

1972

Appears in:

545 charts

Rank Score:

4,003

Rank in 1972:

12

Rank in 1970s:

102

Overall Rank:

423

Average Rating:

 82 (655 votes)

Comments:

43

7. (=)

Pet Sounds 

 The Beach Boys

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GENRE: Baroque Pop

Somewhat similar in sound to Pet Sounds and early Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, a la West Coast 1960s, but this album has some excellent guitar-driving back-tracks that aren't completely washed away in overproduction, making it fresh and enjoyable.

ABOVE AVERAGE

Condensed to a 7" Single:
A-Side: Walk Away Renee
B-Side: She May Call You Up Tonight

3 ALBUM RUN:
Pet Sounds
Smiley Smile
Wild Honey [First added to this chart: 04/05/2014]

Year of Release:

1966

Appears in:

2,853 charts

Rank Score:

39,125

Rank in 1966:

2

Rank in 1960s:

5

Overall Rank:

11

Average Rating:

 88 (3,275 votes)

Comments:

360

8. (=)

The "Chirping" Crickets 

 The Crickets

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GENRE: Rock 'n Roll

Four hillbillies from the flatlands of Texas combine gritty rock-'n'-roll with bittersweet songs of love and loss.

RECOMMENDED

Condensed to a 7" Single:
A-Side: That'll Be the Day
B-Side: Not Fade Away

3 ALBUM RUN:
The Chirping Crickets
Buddy Holly
In Style with the Crickets [First added to this chart: 01/20/2020]

Year of Release:

1957

Appears in:

320 charts

Rank Score:

2,806

Rank in 1957:

3

Rank in 1950s:

15

Overall Rank:

611

Average Rating:

 78 (336 votes)

Comments:

28

9. (=)

To Pimp A Butterfly 

 Kendrick Lamar

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GENRE: Hip Hop

I think I prefer Good Kid MAAD City and its powerful conclusion, but there is no denying the staying power of this LP and Kendrick Lamar in general.

ESSENTIAL

FURTHER LISTENING: Good Kid MAAD City

Track: King Kunta [First added to this chart: 02/13/2023]

Year of Release:

2015

Appears in:

1,845 charts

Rank Score:

31,555

Rank in 2015:

1

Rank in 2010s:

1

Overall Rank:

19

Average Rating:

 89 (2,301 votes)

Comments:

371

10. (=)

Igor 

 Tyler, The Creator

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GENRE: Hip Hop

A bright shining beacon for sunny alternative hip-hop, brimming with talented guest stars.

ESSENTIAL

Condensed to a 7” Single:
A-Side Earfquake
B-Side: New Magic Wand [First added to this chart: 08/18/2025]

Year of Release:

2019

Appears in:

669 charts

Rank Score:

6,919

Rank in 2019:

2

Rank in 2010s:

28

Overall Rank:

232

Average Rating:

 83 (816 votes)

Comments:

62

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Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10

Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition

Country	Albums	%
	65	65%
	18	18%
	4	4%
	4	4%
	2	2%
	1	1%
	1	1%
Show all

Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes

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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similarity to your chart(s)

Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings

Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 69 ratings for this chart.

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• Date updated
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Rating	Date updated	Member	Chart ratings	Avg. chart rating
85/100  !	03/31/2025 12:55	SomethingSpecial	1,105	85/100
100/100  !	12/24/2024 21:47	Exist-en-ciel	125	99/100
90/100  !	06/09/2023 15:56	Applerill	974	75/100
100/100  !	11/16/2022 00:40	Arthurknight	382	89/100
75/100  !	11/15/2022 04:32	Mmorrison22	3	77/100

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 18% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 87.2/100, a mean average of 86.2/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 87.4/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 14.2.

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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums favourites

Showing all 2 members who have added this chart as a favourite

Lgk21

Nyoink77

Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments

Showing latest 10 comments | Show all 43 comments |
Most Helpful First | Newest First | Positive Sentiment First | Longest Comments First
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Rating:  

85/100

From Johnnyo 12/24/2023 14:42 | #300641

Like the chart a lot. Just out of interest, was the 12 or 13 per decade deliberate or a happy coincidence?

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

100/100

From Arthurknight 11/16/2022 00:40 | #291310

really nice unapologetic taste; nice to be reminded about nanci griffith too

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

75/100

From Mmorrison22 11/15/2022 04:32 | #291286

lot's of stuff I haven't heard of - love the inclusion of Meat Puppets & Rina Sawayama!

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

90/100

From leniad 07/18/2022 04:41 | #287562

changing my opinion, interesting chart !!

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

From Goliath 07/04/2021 14:52 | #271321

There are non-US artists as well, just saying.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +3 votes (3 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

70/100

From Jbalbinolr 05/02/2021 23:11 | #269253

Don't know many of the albums in here, this'be a tough one to visit, pretty eclectic indeed.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

85/100

From Johnnyo 03/28/2020 09:52 | #249187

Excellent chart

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

90/100

From salahshoori 01/24/2020 10:47 | #247132

Great chart! There's lots of albums that I have to check from your chart, and isn't that the goal of sharing our taste?

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

90/100

From pctrooper 09/24/2019 00:52 | #242987

Certainly quite an original chart. Nice stuff.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

75/100

From Paule 05/03/2019 20:54 | #235816

Good chart idea! Even though I am personally not that into americana, some solid albums can be found here.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

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