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: 4 days ago
- (Created: 04/26/2013 16:15).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 43 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 87 out of 100 (from 69 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 1970s. (Remove this filter)
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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]
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:
Rank Score:
4,000
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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GENRE: Progressive Country
Influential outlaw singer-songwriter Mickey Newbury demonstrates that spirit and soul, not trucks and twang, make for a great country soul song. Cortelia Clark and San Francisco Mabel Joy, in particular, are like any other country/folk songs I have ever heard.
ESSENTIAL
Condensed to a 7" Single:
A-Side: Why You Been Gone So Long
B-Side: Cortelia Clark
FURTHER LISTENING: An American Trilogy compilation, In a New Age, After All These Years [First added to this chart: 03/08/2021]
Influential outlaw singer-songwriter Mickey Newbury demonstrates that spirit and soul, not trucks and twang, make for a great country soul song. Cortelia Clark and San Francisco Mabel Joy, in particular, are like any other country/folk songs I have ever heard.
ESSENTIAL
Condensed to a 7" Single:
A-Side: Why You Been Gone So Long
B-Side: Cortelia Clark
FURTHER LISTENING: An American Trilogy compilation, In a New Age, After All These Years [First added to this chart: 03/08/2021]
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GENRE: Soul
No one bore their soul more than Marvin Gaye and this is a stone cold classic for a reason.
ESSENTIAL
Track: What's Going On [First added to this chart: 04/27/2014]
No one bore their soul more than Marvin Gaye and this is a stone cold classic for a reason.
ESSENTIAL
Track: What's Going On [First added to this chart: 04/27/2014]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
18,974
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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GENRE: Soul
I will never tire of this masterpiece. The song Don't You Worry About a Thing is a vocal exercise in itself.
ESSENTIAL
Condensed to a 7" Single:
A-Side: Higher Ground
B-Side: Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing [First added to this chart: 07/12/2014]
I will never tire of this masterpiece. The song Don't You Worry About a Thing is a vocal exercise in itself.
ESSENTIAL
Condensed to a 7" Single:
A-Side: Higher Ground
B-Side: Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing [First added to this chart: 07/12/2014]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,548
Rank in 1973:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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GENRE: Jazz Rock
This one is hard to beat for accessible jazz-pop. It's an excellent collection of introspective folk songs jazzed up with some fine musicians.
ESSENTIAL
Condensed to a 7” Single:
A-Side: Help Me
B-Side: People’s Parties [First added to this chart: 10/06/2013]
This one is hard to beat for accessible jazz-pop. It's an excellent collection of introspective folk songs jazzed up with some fine musicians.
ESSENTIAL
Condensed to a 7” Single:
A-Side: Help Me
B-Side: People’s Parties [First added to this chart: 10/06/2013]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,233
Rank in 1974:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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GENRE: Reggae
An absolute classic by a phenomenal genius. What a solid, soulful album with a wonderful message of peace. We need more albums like this.
ESSENTIAL
Condensed to a 7” Single:
A-Side: Three Little Birds
B-Side: One Love / People Get Ready [First added to this chart: 07/26/2013]
An absolute classic by a phenomenal genius. What a solid, soulful album with a wonderful message of peace. We need more albums like this.
ESSENTIAL
Condensed to a 7” Single:
A-Side: Three Little Birds
B-Side: One Love / People Get Ready [First added to this chart: 07/26/2013]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,245
Rank in 1977:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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GENRE: Pop Rock
A superb collaborative effort from several talented musicians and songwriters. This deserves all the praise it gets and then some. Excellent from top to bottom
ESSENTIAL
LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM: Go Your Own Way
STEVIE NICKS: Dreams
CHRISTIE MCVIE: Songbird [First added to this chart: 09/07/2016]
A superb collaborative effort from several talented musicians and songwriters. This deserves all the praise it gets and then some. Excellent from top to bottom
ESSENTIAL
LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM: Go Your Own Way
STEVIE NICKS: Dreams
CHRISTIE MCVIE: Songbird [First added to this chart: 09/07/2016]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
30,823
Rank in 1977:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
GENRE: Jazz Rock
Steely Dan has a unique charm. Practically no one else can sing about dildos, porn stars and washed-up middle-age men and make it sound so classy and smooth.
Essential
Condensed to a 7" Single:
A-Side: Peg
B-Side: Deacon Blues [First added to this chart: 09/07/2013]
Steely Dan has a unique charm. Practically no one else can sing about dildos, porn stars and washed-up middle-age men and make it sound so classy and smooth.
Essential
Condensed to a 7" Single:
A-Side: Peg
B-Side: Deacon Blues [First added to this chart: 09/07/2013]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,034
Rank in 1977:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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[First added to this chart: 04/26/2013]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
14,757
Rank in 1970:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
GENRE: Country Rock
What do you do when your founding songwriter (Richie Furay) leaves the band? You carry on with the members you have and ask the pedal steel player if he writes any good shit.
Although the band was originally birthed from the remains of Buffalo Springfield, no members remained at this point, yet the energy of the debut is recaptured here with some exceptional songwriting from three core members of Poco: Paul Cotton, Timothy B. Schmit and Rusty Young. THIS is what I think about when I want to listen to Poco. It’s a delicious blend of West Coast acoustic folk ballads, luscious harmonies, blissed out hard rockers a la Neil Young and a touch of Southern Rock jamming a la Allman Brothers.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
PAUL COTTON: Western Waterloo
RUSTY YOUNG: High and Dry
TIM SCHMIT: Whatever Happened to Your Smile
3 ALBUM RUN:
Crazy Eyes
Seven
Cantamos [First added to this chart: 09/19/2023]
What do you do when your founding songwriter (Richie Furay) leaves the band? You carry on with the members you have and ask the pedal steel player if he writes any good shit.
Although the band was originally birthed from the remains of Buffalo Springfield, no members remained at this point, yet the energy of the debut is recaptured here with some exceptional songwriting from three core members of Poco: Paul Cotton, Timothy B. Schmit and Rusty Young. THIS is what I think about when I want to listen to Poco. It’s a delicious blend of West Coast acoustic folk ballads, luscious harmonies, blissed out hard rockers a la Neil Young and a touch of Southern Rock jamming a la Allman Brothers.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
PAUL COTTON: Western Waterloo
RUSTY YOUNG: High and Dry
TIM SCHMIT: Whatever Happened to Your Smile
3 ALBUM RUN:
Crazy Eyes
Seven
Cantamos [First added to this chart: 09/19/2023]
Total albums: 14. Page 1 of 2
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 5 | 5% | |
| 1960s | 14 | 14% | |
| 1970s | 14 | 14% | |
| 1980s | 14 | 14% | |
| 1990s | 14 | 14% | |
| 2000s | 13 | 13% | |
| 2010s | 13 | 13% | |
| 2020s | 13 | 13% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Alan Jackson | 1 | 1% | |
| Joyce Manor | 1 | 1% | |
| Buffy Sainte-Marie | 1 | 1% | |
| Fleetwood Mac | 1 | 1% | |
| Little Simz | 1 | 1% | |
| Kali Uchis | 1 | 1% | |
| The Get Up Kids | 1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
| 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
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 73rd to 74th Meat Puppets II by Meat Puppets |
| Down 1 from 74th to 75th This Woman by K. T. Oslin |
| New entries |
|---|
| Don't Close Your Eyes by Keith Whitley |
| Leavers |
|---|
| Raising Hell by Run-D.M.C. |
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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 69 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 03/31/2025 12:55 |  SomethingSpecial | 1,105 | 85/100 |
| ! | 12/24/2024 21:47 | Exist-en-ciel | 142 | 98/100 |
| ! | 06/09/2023 15:56 |  Applerill | 974 | 75/100 |
| ! | 11/16/2022 00:40 |  Arthurknight | 382 | 89/100 |
| ! | 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.
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums favourites
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
Showing latest 10 comments | Show all 43 comments |
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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)
From Arthurknight 11/16/2022 00:40 | #291310
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)
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)
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
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)
From 
Jbalbinolr 05/02/2021 23:11 | #269253
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)
From Johnnyo 03/28/2020 09:52 | #249187
Excellent chart
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
salahshoori 01/24/2020 10:47 | #247132
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)
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)
From 
Paule 05/03/2019 20:54 | #235816
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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