Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by Anti
Chart of the Day #1346 (June 25, 2015)
Chart of the Day #1564 (January 29, 2016)
Chart of the Day #1920 (January 19, 2017)
Chart of the Day #2385 (May the 4th be with you, 2018)
Chart of the Day #2668 (February 11, 2019)
Chart of the Day #2859 (August 21, 2019)
Chart of the Day #3093 (April 11, 2020)
Chart of the Day #3538 (July 3, 2021)
Chart of the Day #4179 (April 4, 2023)
[March 14th, 2023 Update] I don't think I'll ever be satisfied with this chart. Hell, I just updated it and I'm still not happy with it. There's just so many albums on the edge that can teeter in or fall out. I will always be updating. Maybe one day I will do the 1 artist rule, but for right now, the only significant rule is no compilations featuring entire albums. Using RYM genres with some of my own additions. I'll probably end up overhauling this in a few months anyways...
This gets harder and harder with the more time that passes and listens I accumulate.
As always, continuously tweaking.
Any questions?
- Chart updated: 10/02/2023 22:15
- (Created: 01/26/2014 17:22).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 136 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 91 out of 100 (from 194 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
View the complete list of 53,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.
I've written, rewritten, erased, and started from scratch on notes too many times over. Loveless is one of the harder ones to write about because I want to say something that hasn't been said before, but it seems impossible. "Wall of sound." "Psychedelic." "Hazy." "Dreamy." These are the typical descriptors of Loveless and while they are 100% valid and accurate, I feel they never suffice for what I truly feel about the album. It was the first "difficult" album I came to love. I first listened to it in 2013, right around the time this hobby took off for me, and it undoubtedly challenged what I thought music should sound like. And of course with repeated listens, this album became my favorite album of all time, personal attachments, sentiments, and significance attached.
I think what keeps me so enthralled with Loveless is this juxtaposition that often goes unspoken. The story (I'd go as far as saying myth) of Loveless is well-known to indie heads nowadays. In short, Kevin Shield's perfectionism kept the album in development for long periods and the band's time in the studio nearly bankrupted Creation records, so the story goes. In Totally Dublin's interview with Bilinda Butcher, she went into detail about the stress of recording the album and how it strained relationships within the band. She closes the story with explaining why it's called Loveless, saying that the album was made during a "loveless" time. I can't find the exact quote anymore because I found it off a Reddit post and the full interview found from a Google search omits that portion for some reason. But the quote burned into my mind. It makes complete sense.
I do think this juxtaposition is fairly overlooked. Go look at the comments section on any website. People call it an emotional and romantic album. There's even an article listing 25 reasons to have sex to it (via Riverfront Times). It's a source of warm and fuzzy feelings for so many listeners, but it's made during a "loveless" period where the band was so mentally stressed. It does make me reflect on the "loveless" periods of my life and how music, true friends, and family have been supportive during the moments. And somehow, Loveless ends up being an soundtrack to those moments. But it's not only my "sad boi hours" album, because I blast it when I'm feeling great. But this long-winded note can be summarized by the cliché, "This album has been with me through significant moments and milestones."
I'm truly grateful for this record's existence. It is a perfect album and I thank Kevin Shields, Bilinda Butcher, Debbie Googe, and Colm Ó Cíosóig for their hard work and self sacrifice to release, what I find, as the Greatest Album of All Time. I'm forever in love with this record and I will never lose appreciation of the band's efforts. [First added to this chart: 01/29/2014]
Slowcore is a genre I often find myself being impatient with, especially when I was first getting into this hobby. You probably won't find another slowcore album in this chart (but if another one makes its way on here I will edit appropriately. Stratosphere by Duster is a remarkable outlier regarding my interest with slowcore. It's characterized by its lofi analogue sound that makes this masterpiece sound like an intimate work of art. It reminds me of the Galaxie 500 album On Fire, to which listeners label it as an accidental masterpiece. Like On Fire, this album was made by kids playing their instruments and writing some sincere songs. How could they have known that they would drop a masterpiece sought-after by many indie head record collectors?
As the genre tag suggests, the songs on this album aren't fast paced or party anthems. These are songs for when you are lying on your bedroom comforter and you just want to drift. The lofi recording makes Stratosphere sound intimate, yet expansive. If you look at the physical releases of this album, the back cover features an airplane taking off, which is the perfect representation of this album. You're tucked in an airplane. The body shell of the plane is a pretty enclosed space. You sit shoulder to shoulder with your travel companion(s) or a stranger(s). But look out the window. You see the Earth right in front of you. You're mostly unaffected by weather or the interactions going on at the ground. You're just cruising through the atmosphere. That is exactly what this album feels like. Most songs are instrumentally rock-based, but there are a few moments on here, like the title track, where it's an ambient drone, further capitalizing on this drifting feeling created by the album. The vocals aren't flashy. They sound as if they're confessing some bottled up emotions: quiet, at a volume that only you, the person engaged in the conversation, can hear. The analogue touches makes the album feel homemade, increasing the intimacy. It's all a sincere gift to the listener. [First added to this chart: 11/01/2015]
Tired Sounds of Stars of the Lid is one of the most celestial sounding records out there and I don't think it gets enough recognition for that. Its minimal approach to ambient music is probably what prevents listeners from unanimously agreeing on the descriptor, but it's hard not to imagine yourself in a deep space that is beautifully lit by stars and galaxies and colored by marvelous nebulas. Its lengthy run time is a bit daunting, but it's necessary to allow yourself to escape into a cosmic dream without any constraints. If you love to study to ambient music, this album is perfect for you. Even if you have no need to read or study and you are simply on the computer, this album is still an absolute pleasure listen to. [First added to this chart: 04/09/2015]
What's so appealing about Boards of Canada is that, unlike other electronic artists at the time, they avoid trying to sound as futuristic as possible. Instead, they use older electronic instruments to create a dreamy, psychedelic, and memory-inducing soundscape. They don't want you to think forward to advanced metropolises, flying cars, tablets, laptops, etc. They want you to think back to your childhood and all the memories and feelings along side it.
Their debut, Music Has the Right to Children, is an established 90s classic and is a bright and blissful record; a must listen for music fans of all kinds. I do prefer its darker counterpart, Geogaddi, for its more atmospheric feel and introspective twist. Some listeners like to describe this album as "disturbing" and I fail to see that side to it. I do agree it's *darker*, but not in a disturbing way; more like a nocturnal way. Anyways, this is an excellent album for headphone listening and dreaming. [First added to this chart: 11/29/2014]
Deathconsciousness is remarkable because it avoids the clichés of typical depressive records, yet pierces your heart in the sharpest way possible. I use "sharp" not describing the music, because the lofi aesthetic makes it sound like an organized mess (I sweat that's a compliment and benefit to the record). Rather, I'm describing the guilty sadness this album evokes. Really good depressive records are impactful listens, even if you aren't sad. Deathconsciousness does just that with incredible potency.
It's a double album where the first half generally feels more ambient and the second half is filled with delicious wall of sound shoegaze with a post-punk chip in its shoulder. This structure was definitely intentional and my interpretation is that the ambient portions ease you into a sea of sorrow, setting you up for the post-punk shoegazey moments to just destroy you. By the end of it all, you're barely breathing.
I place this album in my favorite albums of all time list not only because how sonically entertaining it is, but it is yet another album that broadened my tastes in music and challenged me to look deeper than what is on the surface level of the music I enjoy. In other words, it's one of the first "difficult" albums I came to love, like Loveless. I highly recommend purchasing the vinyl from The Flenser if you've enjoyed this album, because they did an excellent job laying the album out on analogue format. It also comes with a booklet I admittedly haven't read yet, but I apparently gives a lot of contextual readings for particular moments on the album. [First added to this chart: 09/10/2014]
This album really does age like fine wine. As the years go by, it gets more beautiful and more melancholic, almost like how life is. During childhood, we don't exactly see things we like as beautiful. Rather, we see the things we like typically as "fun" or "happy." That was definitely my initial impression with this record. It's some fun indie psychedelic rock & pop (even though I did not use such terminology at the time). The things that I loved the most about this record were the warpy sounds, odd jams, and cinematic moments. But as I age and revisit this album, it does seem to get progressively more melancholic, but I also notice how damn beautiful it is. Songs like "A Spoonful Weighs a Ton" make me misty-eyed as the violins that complement the song simmer in the background. Wayne Coyne's vocals and love-focused song-writing sounds so fragile and innocent. And "Feeling Yourself Disintegrate" / "Sleeping on the Roof" might just be the most beautiful, tear-jerking, and stunning finish to an album ever. That guitar solo, specifically, at the end of "Feeling Yourself Disintegrate" feels like the end of childhood. It gets me every time.
But this album isn't specifically about aging or going through the cycles of life. One of its main concepts is talking about the invention of the atomic bomb. It's another component to how melancholic this album can be, especially since we live in a day in age where a dystopian, nuclear future may very well happen. The chances are low, but it still may happen. But even though Loveless is my favorite album of all time as of now, I think this would be the album I put on if doomsday ever comes. Hopefully that day never comes. And if that day never comes, I think I would want this as the last album I ever hear. The perfect bittersweet soundtrack. [First added to this chart: 01/26/2014]
This album is kind of a dark horse for its placement on my favorite albums of all time list. Its genre tag isn't necessarily the reason it's a dark horse because doom metal is my favorite kind of metal. It's more so the ideologies it presents. The cover is literally Satan smoking out of bong. When I discovered this album, I never touched a joint or bong in my entire life. Plus, I was raised Catholic, so the blatant hellish imagery made me hesitant to play this record. But after an Anthony Fantano vinyl update, which at the time was a source for music discovery, I decided to give this album a shot and was immediately impressed. Thick, fuzzy, and heavy (italicize heavy) guitars that produce some powerful riffs just dominate this album. It's like trying to trudge trough a dab tarpit, but you ultimately get consumed.
I did my fair share of the devil's lettuce in undergrad, but quit since it makes me feel sluggish. But I do support the legalization of the substance for less stigmatization towards research on it. But I mention that because you don't have to be a dope smoker to enjoy this album. It is a consistently pulverizing and enjoyable throughout its 70 minutes and an excellent gateway to more extreme metal genres. [First added to this chart: 06/30/2014]
This is the best heartbreak/depressive/sad boi album I've ever heard. Phil Elverum details his emotions and thoughts while going through a rough break up and backing his tremendous writing is beautiful lofi instrumentations that sound like they are made out of the essence of the Pacific Northwest. It's hard not to imagine yourself in the mountainous rainforest biome while you're listening. Many listeners, myself included, find this album very comforting during lonely times. It feels like a warm blanket you can wrap around your shoulders, and the sincerity behind Phil's voice makes it very comforting because you know you aren't alone in experiencing these emotions.
Yeah, I've gone through some breakups and, as an individual with an anxious attachment system, I get the impression that I almost always experience the more bitter side. Fortunately, music has been a tremendous form of therapy during those times and The Glow Pt. 2 is an album I can always find solace in. It's weird because sometimes when I read the lyrics I feel like they accurately narrate how I felt or my experiences. This is especially true on the track "The Moon" where Phil revisits landmark locations from his past relationship in an effort to wipe the slate clean. During these visits, he'd remember what him and his girlfriend were doing at that time, making the trip do more damage than good. I'd be lying to you if I said I haven't done and experienced the same thing.
With how hauntingly accurate the lyrics about processing break up emotions can be, I always turn to this album and hit play as a way to remind myself that it is okay to feel these negative emotions. It's just the necessary evil of life. [First added to this chart: 12/31/2014]
Don't agree with this chart? Create your own from the My Charts page!
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
Decade | Albums | % | |
---|---|---|---|
1930s | 0 | 0% | |
1940s | 0 | 0% | |
1950s | 0 | 0% | |
1960s | 6 | 6% | |
1970s | 21 | 21% | |
1980s | 7 | 7% | |
1990s | 30 | 30% | |
2000s | 20 | 20% | |
2010s | 16 | 16% | |
2020s | 0 | 0% |
Artist | Albums | % | |
---|---|---|---|
|
|||
Miles Davis | 3 | 3% | |
Natural Snow Buildings | 2 | 2% | |
My Bloody Valentine | 2 | 2% | |
ボリス [Boris] | 2 | 2% | |
Beach House | 2 | 2% | |
Boards Of Canada | 2 | 2% | |
Swans | 2 | 2% | |
Show all |
Country | Albums | % | |
---|---|---|---|
|
|||
48 | 48% | ||
20 | 20% | ||
7 | 7% | ||
5 | 5% | ||
4 | 4% | ||
3 | 3% | ||
3 | 3% | ||
Show all |
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
Biggest climbers |
---|
Up 32 from 48th to 16th Floating Into The Night by Julee Cruise |
Up 2 from 17th to 15th Get Up With It by Miles Davis |
Up 2 from 16th to 14th What's Going On by Marvin Gaye |
Biggest fallers |
---|
Down 3 from 7th to 10th The Glow Pt. 2 by The Microphones |
Down 3 from 14th to 17th Feels by Animal Collective |
Down 3 from 15th to 18th Dots And Loops by Stereolab |
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similar charts
- My Vinyl Collection (I) by Anti (2019)
- Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by Joeingram (2024)
- Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by josh333 (2016)
- essential dank memes for all you plebs by HazeyTwilight (2015)
- Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by scwrlw (2022)
- Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by pjohnsongolf (2023)
- Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by Thearei30ee (2022)
- My Vinyl Collection (VI) by Anti (2020)
- The BEA Friendly Chart by alelsupreme (2015)
- Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by KindofBlue (2019)
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similarity to your chart(s)
Not a member? Registering is quick, easy and FREE!
Why register?
- Join a passionate community of over 50,000 music fans.
- Create & share your own charts.
- Have your say in the overall rankings.
- Post comments in the forums and vote on polls.
- Comment on or rate any album, artist, track or chart.
- Discover new music & improve your music collection.
- Customise the overall chart using a variety of different filters & metrics.
- Create a wishlist of albums.
- Help maintain the BEA database.
- Earn member points and gain access to increasing levels of functionality!
- ... And lots more!
Register now - it only takes a moment!
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
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 194 ratings for this chart.
Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
11/03/2023 13:36 | Tamthebam | 552 | 85/100 | |
04/04/2023 17:03 | Johnnyo | 2,014 | 80/100 | |
04/04/2023 14:37 | EyeKanFly | 207 | 88/100 | |
04/04/2023 12:51 | BraddlesHendo | 491 | 91/100 | |
01/08/2023 21:16 | MadhattanJack | 156 | 84/100 |
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 2% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 91.3/100, a mean average of 89.9/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 91.6/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 13.7.
Please log in or register if you want to be able to leave a rating
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums favourites
Showing latest 20 members who have added this chart as a favourite | Show all 30 members
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
Showing latest 10 comments | Show all 136 comments |
Most Helpful First | Newest First | Maximum Rated First |
Longest Comments First
(Only showing comments with -2 votes or higher. You can alter this threshold from your profile page. Manage Profile)
Really nice chart
I could've sworn I'd commented another time this was Chart of the Day, but this is really a wonderful chart. Not all albums or genres I love, but every single album here is masterfully crafted and excels at what the artists sets out to do. I've taken some recs from here in the past, and as you continue to update, I think I'll continue to do so (Technodelic is the only one of the new additions that I haven't heard yet, excited to try that one out). I also appreciate the genre descriptors, that's a huge help in deciding whether it's of interest to me or not
This chart’s breadth of scope and genre is so exciting, featuring classics as well as some more obscure but achingly beautiful records. Thanks!
THE ULTIMATE RYM USER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
very fun chart
cool chart man
Great chart!
Bravo! Terrific chart. Love the pretense-free comments and insight. Also a huge fan of the "listen to this on a _______, _______ day" bits.
Really nice chart. I have discovered a lot of gems by going through your list. Extra points for the added descriptions.
Hell yeah great list and great comments on albums.
Great chart! I love the diversity and the fact that it is mostly comprised of albums with that unique quality to them. I'll be sure to check out those which are new for me.
Please log in or register if you want to be able to add a comment
Your feedback for Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
A lot of hard work happens in the background to keep BEA running, and it's especially difficult to do this when we can't pay our hosting fees :(
We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.