Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by mandomikey 
- Chart updated: 09/14/2022 19:45
- (Created: 07/04/2013 02:33).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 12 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 88 out of 100 (from 24 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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The only album I've purchased and subsequently worn-out in 3 different formats (Tape, CD, and vinyl LP). The accompanying newspaper insert is satisfying in its own right, but the lilting musical and lyrical escapades achieve massive heights several times over.
[First added to this chart: 07/03/2013]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,120
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Equal mix of the finest song craftsmanship and ambient-soaked interludes. A lush, lengthy train voyage to the end of summer.
[First added to this chart: 07/03/2013]
Year of Release:
2002
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,211
Rank in 2002:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
A divine kaleidoscope of colors and imagery, a trip balanced neatly with sorrowful introspection and hopeful exuberance.
[First added to this chart: 01/01/2020]
Year of Release:
1999
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,672
Rank in 1999:
Rank in 1990s:
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Comments:
The 6-stringed poet at his finest. Augmented by achingly beautiful (yet sparse) instrumental ornamentation.
[First added to this chart: 01/12/2020]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
784
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Rank in 1970s:
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Average Rating:
Comments:
Astonishing arrangement and musical interplay from the Canadian trio. 1 complaint: it needs a longer run-time, or so it seems.
[First added to this chart: 07/03/2013]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,879
Rank in 1981:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
This was the template-setter for another favorite, "Relayer", as both records begin with a long-form piece sprawling across side 1, followed by 2 extended pieces on side 2.
[First added to this chart: 07/08/2015]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
13,767
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
At times chaotic, others serene... a captivating mosaic. The first real Prog album might also be one of the best ever for overall balance.
[First added to this chart: 07/03/2013]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
27,874
Rank in 1969:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Miraculous how the lads from Liverpool (with great help from George Martin) managed to wring out so many sweet sound droppings from the fast-wilting lemon that was the Beatles.
[First added to this chart: 07/03/2013]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
56,589
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Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Marillion's first, some complain that it's a bit of a Gabriel-era Genesis copy. I appreciate it for what it is, a brooding and pulsating monster, with 6 distinct epics.
[First added to this chart: 07/07/2015]
Year of Release:
1983
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,503
Rank in 1983:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Pummeling, soaring rock anthems with chunky yet tasteful guitar riffage. Mike Patton's vocal dynamics dazzle.
[First added to this chart: 07/03/2013]
Year of Release:
1992
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,095
Rank in 1992:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 6 | 6% | |
| 1970s | 44 | 44% | |
| 1980s | 17 | 17% | |
| 1990s | 14 | 14% | |
| 2000s | 10 | 10% | |
| 2010s | 9 | 9% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Jethro Tull | 3 | 3% | |
| King Crimson | 3 | 3% | |
| Genesis | 3 | 3% | |
| Pink Floyd | 2 | 2% | |
| Porcupine Tree | 2 | 2% | |
| Kate Bush | 2 | 2% | |
| The Flaming Lips | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
 |
55 | 55% | |
 |
30 | 30% | |
 |
6 | 6% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
There have been no changes to this chart.Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similar charts
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | Deckiller | Overall chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums |  IlMala | Overall chart | 2022 |  |
| Top 100 Greatest Progressive Albums | leniad | Custom chart | 2022 |  |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s | Imaybeparanoid | 1970s decade chart | 2017 | |
| Genre #1: Prog | Imaybeparanoid | Custom chart | 2017 | |
| Prog magazine 100 greatest prog albums voted by readers (2014) |  Robert Anton Wilson | Custom chart | 2014 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | JPin8497 | Overall chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s | Lisandro | 1970s decade chart | 2019 |  |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s | Ashmark | 1970s decade chart | 2018 | |
| my fav progressive (aka, fav genesis) |  paladisiac | Custom chart | 2022 | |
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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 24 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/22/2025 21:36 | Filipe | 1 | 80/100 | |
| 08/08/2023 13:58 |  Tamthebam | 651 | 85/100 | |
| 12/12/2022 05:06 | Moondance | 476 | 85/100 | |
| 12/11/2022 20:53 | Johnnyo | 2,575 | 80/100 | |
| 10/26/2022 01:17 | mrmcrook | 789 | 93/100 |
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 7% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 88.3/100, a mean average of 89.4/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 89.4/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 6.8.
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums favourites
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
Showing latest 10 comments | Show all 12 comments |
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From Filipe 08/22/2025 21:36 | #310610
Very nice chart! There-s a lot of records in common with my personal top 100 (still working on it) but also a lot of albums I'm keen to discover.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Moondance 12/12/2022 05:08 | #291917
I've previously rated this chart, but looking at it now, I like it much much more. What I really like is that you are not bound to any BEA group think, you are a champion for the outliers, your comments are short & sharp & honest. I even forgive you for having 2 Dylan albums - neither of which is from the 60's or 70's (very unique indeed). What I cannot forgive is that you have no Australian artists/albums - hence, a deduction of 5 pts (:)).
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Johnnyo 12/11/2022 20:53 | #291909
Ace chart.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From mrmcrook 10/26/2022 01:25 | #290804
I like your notes. I like a lot of the prog bands in your list but haven't got many of their albums, so it's always good to have some insight and view points of others. Few artists in common but overall many others that are in my decades lists but never quite hit my top 100
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Moondance 05/29/2022 09:33 | #285790
An interesting chart that encapsulates your passion. Nice to see Thick As A Brick at no.1 and also the inclusion of some BEA outliers (Al Stewart, Wishbone Ash). Also good to see a single (latter) Dylan album in there. From your chart I would say we are the same vintage. Wondering if you had any Aussie albums hovering near your top 100?
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Quoman 07/15/2020 17:50 | #255631
Very good job with all the comments. It gives an extra value. Also it's easier to understand why you have shoosen the albums you have shoosen and there is no way that I can argue with your choices. Many great British prog albums from the 70's, and not just the obvious ones which I like! I'm not familiar with all of them and have to check some of them out for sure.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
StefanR10 07/15/2020 12:01 | #255622
StefanR10 07/15/2020 12:01 | #255622
Very good, i can see here some albums that are not so common and I like that here is much 1970s stuff. And Some Artists i don´t know so much.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Steppenwolf666 07/04/2016 11:27 | #170495
A lot of good stuff here.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
sssvnnn 05/15/2016 22:19 | #166062
sssvnnn 05/15/2016 22:19 | #166062
I like your Chart.
pleased to see Richie Havens "Wishing Well" -
Such a soulful album.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From asyty7 12/31/2015 03:04 | #155397
Lots of classics and few unsung albums. Nice older, top list.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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