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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"I don't feel any shame, I won't apologise.
When there ain't nowhere you can go.
Running away from pain when you've been victimised.
Tales from another broken home."
From the first time I heard this album, I knew it would be an important one. Like Quadrophenia, it shaped the mould of who I am today. So many happy and sad memories are triggered by this album. American Idiot and Holiday are summer anthems of my childhood. Jesus of Suburbia and St Jimmy are songs that remind me of my band and when we have played those songs in a unanimous frenzy. Boulevard of Broken Dreams and Letterbomb remind me of times recently where I have unjustly kicked out at the world. And then there's the music. It is an exciting and epic album (moreso than Green Day ever had done before or have done since), but has quite a lot of heart to it. And that is what I look for in albums. It is easily my favourite modern concept album and it will always be a modern classic. Perhaps the classicest, if that is a word. May I enjoy it forever more.
Favourite tracks- Jesus of Suburbia, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Letterbomb [First added to this chart: 05/09/2013]
When there ain't nowhere you can go.
Running away from pain when you've been victimised.
Tales from another broken home."
From the first time I heard this album, I knew it would be an important one. Like Quadrophenia, it shaped the mould of who I am today. So many happy and sad memories are triggered by this album. American Idiot and Holiday are summer anthems of my childhood. Jesus of Suburbia and St Jimmy are songs that remind me of my band and when we have played those songs in a unanimous frenzy. Boulevard of Broken Dreams and Letterbomb remind me of times recently where I have unjustly kicked out at the world. And then there's the music. It is an exciting and epic album (moreso than Green Day ever had done before or have done since), but has quite a lot of heart to it. And that is what I look for in albums. It is easily my favourite modern concept album and it will always be a modern classic. Perhaps the classicest, if that is a word. May I enjoy it forever more.
Favourite tracks- Jesus of Suburbia, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Letterbomb [First added to this chart: 05/09/2013]
Year of Release:
2004
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,340
Rank in 2004:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
142
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"We'll find a way to offer up the night tonight
The indescribable moments of your life tonight
The impossible is possible tonight"
By all respects, this album should be higher. I think this is the album that defines my music taste. It has its heavy moments, its light moments, its dark moments, its progressive moments, its quiet moments and they all culminate in one epic of an album. I can't find any faults with it either: for a double album, there is no filler and there's no pretentiousness to be found in other double albums of its kind (COUGHreflektorCOUGH). In the end, although this is a near-to-perfect album, I prefer the other 14 above it.
Favourite tracks- Tonight Tonight, Thirty Three, 1979 [First added to this chart: 05/11/2013]
The indescribable moments of your life tonight
The impossible is possible tonight"
By all respects, this album should be higher. I think this is the album that defines my music taste. It has its heavy moments, its light moments, its dark moments, its progressive moments, its quiet moments and they all culminate in one epic of an album. I can't find any faults with it either: for a double album, there is no filler and there's no pretentiousness to be found in other double albums of its kind (COUGHreflektorCOUGH). In the end, although this is a near-to-perfect album, I prefer the other 14 above it.
Favourite tracks- Tonight Tonight, Thirty Three, 1979 [First added to this chart: 05/11/2013]
Year of Release:
1995
Appears in:
Rank Score:
14,906
Rank in 1995:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"And one day we will die
And our ashes will fly from the aeroplane over the sea
But for now we are young
Let us lay in the sun
And count every beautiful thing we can see"
Took a few listens to grow on me. Took even more listens to decide it belongs in the top 20. The hype and acclaim of this album shouldn't go unnoticed. It is a weird but heart-wrenchingly beautiful album. Semen and Anne Frank and two headed boys and whatnot.
Favourite tracks- In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, Holland 1945, Two Headed Boy Pt 2 [First added to this chart: 05/11/2013]
And our ashes will fly from the aeroplane over the sea
But for now we are young
Let us lay in the sun
And count every beautiful thing we can see"
Took a few listens to grow on me. Took even more listens to decide it belongs in the top 20. The hype and acclaim of this album shouldn't go unnoticed. It is a weird but heart-wrenchingly beautiful album. Semen and Anne Frank and two headed boys and whatnot.
Favourite tracks- In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, Holland 1945, Two Headed Boy Pt 2 [First added to this chart: 05/11/2013]
Year of Release:
1998
Appears in:
Rank Score:
34,022
Rank in 1998:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"I remember I was told there's a new love that's born
For each one that has died."
So, Dream Theater. The kings of modern prog. At some point, they had to deliver their masterpiece and it arrived in rock opera form. This album feels like it should be a stage play; it is divided into acts and scenes, has vivid characters and a very theatrical story. And I utterly adored it from first listen.
Favourite tracks- Home, The Spirit Carries On, Finally Free [First added to this chart: 05/09/2013]
For each one that has died."
So, Dream Theater. The kings of modern prog. At some point, they had to deliver their masterpiece and it arrived in rock opera form. This album feels like it should be a stage play; it is divided into acts and scenes, has vivid characters and a very theatrical story. And I utterly adored it from first listen.
Favourite tracks- Home, The Spirit Carries On, Finally Free [First added to this chart: 05/09/2013]
Year of Release:
1999
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,296
Rank in 1999:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"I've known a lot of girls before
What's the harm in knowin' one more?
Maybe we could even get together
Maybe you could break my heart next summer"
AKA 'Rivers Cuomo's girl troubles'. Regardless, this is a very entertaining album which is funny, sad, angry, heartbreaking and painfully relatable at the same time.
Favourite tracks- Tired of Sex, El Scorcho, Falling for You [First added to this chart: 07/25/2013]
What's the harm in knowin' one more?
Maybe we could even get together
Maybe you could break my heart next summer"
AKA 'Rivers Cuomo's girl troubles'. Regardless, this is a very entertaining album which is funny, sad, angry, heartbreaking and painfully relatable at the same time.
Favourite tracks- Tired of Sex, El Scorcho, Falling for You [First added to this chart: 07/25/2013]
Year of Release:
1996
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,242
Rank in 1996:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change"
This album has been with me for a long long time. It was the catalyst of my addiction to music. I'm also in a minority that think this album is miles ahead of Thriller. Not a single bad track on this album and it all flows together really well.
Favourite tracks- Man in the Mirror, Dirty Diana, Smooth Criminal [First added to this chart: 05/12/2013]
Take a look at yourself and then make a change"
This album has been with me for a long long time. It was the catalyst of my addiction to music. I'm also in a minority that think this album is miles ahead of Thriller. Not a single bad track on this album and it all flows together really well.
Favourite tracks- Man in the Mirror, Dirty Diana, Smooth Criminal [First added to this chart: 05/12/2013]
Year of Release:
1987
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,302
Rank in 1987:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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"It's so safe to play along
Little soldiers in a row
Falling in and out of love
With something sweet to throw away."
Take 'The Who Sell Out'. Add more crunching guitars, more drugs, more desert strangeness and Dave Grohl and you will have Songs for the Deaf. Messrs Homme, Oliveri, Lanegan and Grohl create a sound that's truly special on this album. And it's one of those albums that takes you on a journey. From the double-kill of Millionaire and No One Knows to the almost hangover-ish Mosquito Song, it's an album that will take you round the desert in a truck with pirate radio soundtracking all the way. Genius.
Favourite tracks- No One Knows, Go with the Flow, Mosquito Song [First added to this chart: 05/09/2013]
Little soldiers in a row
Falling in and out of love
With something sweet to throw away."
Take 'The Who Sell Out'. Add more crunching guitars, more drugs, more desert strangeness and Dave Grohl and you will have Songs for the Deaf. Messrs Homme, Oliveri, Lanegan and Grohl create a sound that's truly special on this album. And it's one of those albums that takes you on a journey. From the double-kill of Millionaire and No One Knows to the almost hangover-ish Mosquito Song, it's an album that will take you round the desert in a truck with pirate radio soundtracking all the way. Genius.
Favourite tracks- No One Knows, Go with the Flow, Mosquito Song [First added to this chart: 05/09/2013]
Year of Release:
2002
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,561
Rank in 2002:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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"Do you realise that everyone you know someday will die?"
I think this album is what it feels like to be in space/or floating on a cloud. It's ridiculously well produced and is a generally lovely album to listen to.
Favourite tracks- Fight Test, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt 1, Do You Realize?? [First added to this chart: 06/11/2013]
I think this album is what it feels like to be in space/or floating on a cloud. It's ridiculously well produced and is a generally lovely album to listen to.
Favourite tracks- Fight Test, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt 1, Do You Realize?? [First added to this chart: 06/11/2013]
Year of Release:
2002
Appears in:
Rank Score:
11,054
Rank in 2002:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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"It was good what we did yesterday
And I'd do it once again
The fact that you are married
Only proves you're my best friend"
Honestly, I can't see how someone couldn't like this album. The Velvets have never sounded better or more polished. It has recurring themes of feeling lost and empty that make it a perfect nighttime album.
Favourite tracks- Candy Says, What Goes On, Pale Blue Eyes [First added to this chart: 06/15/2013]
And I'd do it once again
The fact that you are married
Only proves you're my best friend"
Honestly, I can't see how someone couldn't like this album. The Velvets have never sounded better or more polished. It has recurring themes of feeling lost and empty that make it a perfect nighttime album.
Favourite tracks- Candy Says, What Goes On, Pale Blue Eyes [First added to this chart: 06/15/2013]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,745
Rank in 1969:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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"I know some day you'll have a beautiful life
I know you'll be the sun in somebody else's sky
But why, why can't it be mine?"
The highlight of the grunge era for me. Eddie Vedder's vocals are truly beautiful. Seriously underrated vocalist/lyricist. And the music gives these lyrics justice. Songs like Once, Black and Jeremy give me shivers up the spine every time I hear them.
Favourite tracks- Even Flow, Black, Jeremy [First added to this chart: 05/11/2013]
I know you'll be the sun in somebody else's sky
But why, why can't it be mine?"
The highlight of the grunge era for me. Eddie Vedder's vocals are truly beautiful. Seriously underrated vocalist/lyricist. And the music gives these lyrics justice. Songs like Once, Black and Jeremy give me shivers up the spine every time I hear them.
Favourite tracks- Even Flow, Black, Jeremy [First added to this chart: 05/11/2013]
Year of Release:
1991
Appears in:
Rank Score:
18,817
Rank in 1991:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 35. Page 1 of 4
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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% | |
| Blur | 3 | 3% | |
| Genesis | 3 | 3% | |
| Frank Turner | 3 | 3% | |
| Radiohead | 3 | 3% | |
| Arcade Fire | 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 comments
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90/100
From Johnnyo 09/24/2025 08:09
Excellent chart. Particularly like the write ups. Great job
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.
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.
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.
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!!!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.