Top 98 Greatest Music Albums
by camsh 
No EPs or live albums will be included. This is list will always remain incomplete, as I could listen to a new album any day that could enter my top 10.
I love each and every one of these albums with all my heart. Just some more than others.
Favourite lyric and favourite tracks are included.
Gimme recs please :)
- Chart updated: 01/10/2015 23:45
- (Created: 05/09/2013 22:52).
- Chart size: 98 albums.
There are 49 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 98 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 88 out of 100 (from 52 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 Who. (Remove this filter)
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"Is it me, for a moment?
The stars are falling
The heat is rising, the past is calling."
This is without a doubt The Who, and Pete Townshend's magnum opus. The music is sublime, the lyrics perfectly capture what it was like being a mod in the 60s and the concept is a thing of beauty. I'm always finding new subtle things about it that I absolutely love.
Now here's why this album is better for me than any I've ever heard. This album has defined who I am as a person. I have never related to a fictional character more than Jimmy, and his four personalities are all remnant in myself. One day I will go fully in depth into my adoration for this album, but because of the limit on words, I will keep it brief. But it's reclaimed the top spot for a reason. It does what all of the other 99 albums on this chart do, but gives it that extra 10%.
Favourite tracks- I've Had Enough, 5:15, Love Reign O'er Me [First added to this chart: 05/09/2013]
The stars are falling
The heat is rising, the past is calling."
This is without a doubt The Who, and Pete Townshend's magnum opus. The music is sublime, the lyrics perfectly capture what it was like being a mod in the 60s and the concept is a thing of beauty. I'm always finding new subtle things about it that I absolutely love.
Now here's why this album is better for me than any I've ever heard. This album has defined who I am as a person. I have never related to a fictional character more than Jimmy, and his four personalities are all remnant in myself. One day I will go fully in depth into my adoration for this album, but because of the limit on words, I will keep it brief. But it's reclaimed the top spot for a reason. It does what all of the other 99 albums on this chart do, but gives it that extra 10%.
Favourite tracks- I've Had Enough, 5:15, Love Reign O'er Me [First added to this chart: 05/09/2013]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,191
Rank in 1973:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
103
Buy album
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"Don't cry, don't raise your eye,
It's only teenage wasteland."
I may be in a minority who would love to have seen a finished Lifehouse. Pete's ideas for Lifehouse were incredibly intricate and complex and it's a shame that it was abandoned. The best was left for this album. Anyway, it's a representation of everything good about The Who. Being the transition period from a quirky 60's pop-rock band to anthemic stadium rockers, it does what it does extraordinarily well. While Quadrophenia is The Who's magnum opus, I feel this is the album that defines the band to a tee.
Favourite tracks- Baba O'Riley, Behind Blue Eyes, Won't Get Fooled Again [First added to this chart: 05/11/2013]
It's only teenage wasteland."
I may be in a minority who would love to have seen a finished Lifehouse. Pete's ideas for Lifehouse were incredibly intricate and complex and it's a shame that it was abandoned. The best was left for this album. Anyway, it's a representation of everything good about The Who. Being the transition period from a quirky 60's pop-rock band to anthemic stadium rockers, it does what it does extraordinarily well. While Quadrophenia is The Who's magnum opus, I feel this is the album that defines the band to a tee.
Favourite tracks- Baba O'Riley, Behind Blue Eyes, Won't Get Fooled Again [First added to this chart: 05/11/2013]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
21,553
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
"See me, feel me, touch me, heal me."
Can't fully explain why I love this album. It's incredibly complex: some may see it as pretentious. The idea is mad. But it worked. It's the album that made The Who. And for good reason too. It's elements of black comedy, emotion and spiritual awakening made the first rock opera an experience worth listening to. For the record, the film is so bad it's good. Keith Moon's Uncle Ernie needs to be seen to be believed.
Favourite tracks- Amazing Journey, Pinball Wizard, We're Not Gonna Take It [First added to this chart: 06/10/2013]
Can't fully explain why I love this album. It's incredibly complex: some may see it as pretentious. The idea is mad. But it worked. It's the album that made The Who. And for good reason too. It's elements of black comedy, emotion and spiritual awakening made the first rock opera an experience worth listening to. For the record, the film is so bad it's good. Keith Moon's Uncle Ernie needs to be seen to be believed.
Favourite tracks- Amazing Journey, Pinball Wizard, We're Not Gonna Take It [First added to this chart: 06/10/2013]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,829
Rank in 1969:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 3. Page 1 of 1
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Top 98 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 11 | 11% | |
| 1970s | 16 | 16% | |
| 1980s | 12 | 12% | |
| 1990s | 26 | 27% | |
| 2000s | 20 | 20% | |
| 2010s | 13 | 13% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| The Beatles | 5 | 5% | |
| Pink Floyd | 4 | 4% | |
| Genesis | 3 | 3% | |
| Frank Turner | 3 | 3% | |
| Radiohead | 3 | 3% | |
| Arcade Fire | 3 | 3% | |
| The Smiths | 3 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 98 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 88th to 89th What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? by The Vaccines |
| Down 1 from 89th to 90th Love Ire & Song by Frank Turner |
| Down 1 from 90th to 91st Rewind The Film by Manic Street Preachers |
| New entries |
|---|
 LoveBloodby King Charles |
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Top 98 Greatest Music Albums ratings
88/100 (from 52 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 52 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
90/100  | 09/24/2025 08:08 | Johnnyo | | 80/100 |
85/100 | 03/20/2025 17:28 |  SomethingSpecial | | 85/100 |
85/100 | 05/30/2018 21:52 | vruslov | | 89/100 |
95/100 | 03/07/2017 16:50 |  hereforashortime | | 84/100 |
85/100 | 05/15/2016 23:24 |  buzzdainer | | 90/100 |
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 6% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 88.4/100, a mean average of 88.9/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 88.9/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 8.0.
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Top 98 Greatest Music Albums favourites
Showing all 11 members who have added this chart as a favourite
Top 98 Greatest Music Albums comments
Showing latest 10 comments | Show all 49 comments |
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90/100
From Johnnyo 09/24/2025 08:09
Excellent chart. Particularly like the write ups. Great job
#311036 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From buzzdainer 05/15/2016 23:24
buzzdainer 05/15/2016 23:24
Very strong chart. I appreciate the enthusiastic rankings for Funeral and OK Computer, which I agree are wonderful albums.
#166093 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
80/100
From eyal91 06/15/2015 22:33
Seems that you like concept albums, nice chart.
#143892 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From manurock 01/10/2015 22:27
It may contain too many well known albums (mainly classics or indie rock) for my taste but still I found some nice suprises like Elbow or Pulp (I'll have to listen to This is Hardcore) and we both admire many other british bands, starting with our beloved Pink Floyd. Plus your comments are great so well done for your chart.
#131240 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From 
AMEIER 12/22/2014 04:24
AMEIER 12/22/2014 04:24
Really loved your chart, even so I do not know a bunch of things, witch I will for sure, get to know. But what I liked the most is how you describe with your words these masterpieces and your notably sensitivity. Thanks!!!
#129864 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From Nykeaula 10/07/2014 18:58
Impressive work.
I just got nothing to say about this impressive chart, Just Respect.
#123622 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
70/100
From 
Martinborras 09/22/2014 19:08
Martinborras 09/22/2014 19:08
There are many things that are ok for me, but The Wall second and especially American Idiot Third, are ideas that i dont share at all. Cool descriptions by the way.
#122432 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From bluenose 09/14/2014 11:26
A cracking chart...most I have listened too but will now go looking for Captain Dangerous. Would have got more albeit for 1 or 2 blips in my personal choice. Don't want to say as I feel I could get lynched for voicing this opinion. But still a above average chart
#121923 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From 
SuedeSwede 06/26/2014 21:49
SuedeSwede 06/26/2014 21:49
This comment is beneath your viewing threshold.
#115372 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | -3 votes (5 helpful | 8 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
JMGL95 06/21/2014 12:33
JMGL95 06/21/2014 12:33
Great taste! Love the chart. Great artists, and great albums. I'll take note of some albums I haven't listened yet.
Also, the idea of adding your favourite tracks and lyrics is so interesting. I should do the same in my chart someday.
#114934 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.
| Best Ever Artists | |
|---|---|
| 1. The Beatles | |
| 2. Radiohead | |
| 3. Pink Floyd | |
| 4. David Bowie | |
| 5. Bob Dylan | |
| 6. Led Zeppelin | |
| 7. The Rolling Stones | |
| 8. Arcade Fire | |
| 9. Nirvana | |
| 10. The Velvet Underground | |
| 11. Neil Young | |
| 12. Kendrick Lamar | |
| 13. Miles Davis | |
| 14. The Smiths | |
| 15. The Beach Boys | |
| 16. R.E.M. | |
| 17. Kanye West | |
| 18. Pixies | |
| 19. Bruce Springsteen | |
| 20. Jimi Hendrix |
