Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by 
AAL2014 
Thanks for checking out my chart! BEA is a godsend of a website for me and has been for close to a decade now. I’ve spent countless hours of my free time here organizing my thoughts and checking out music that’s new to me. Very much in the same way listening to albums is respite for me, ranking them and arranging my thoughts is just the same.
Here you'll find some of that taking shape. My Top 100 will always be a work in progress, as I imagine anyone's would. But here's a couple things you'll find with my chart in particular:
---- My favorite (or thereabouts) lyric from each non-instrumental album.
----Being a drummer for going on 15 years, here you'll find the drummer(s) who played on each of my top 100 records to give a some due credit or to shoutout a hero.
—— As of 7/9/22, I am no longer enforcing 1 entry per artist in the top 25. I want the albums I love the most to be represented the way that accurately depicts what they’ve meant in my life.
Hope you enjoy. Let me know of any thoughts or if you have any recommendations for me in the comments. I’d love to hear them!
CHART OF THE DAY- 8/9/18, 5/10/21, 3/1/22, 10/13/22, 5/1/23
- Chart updated: 03/18/2024 05:15
- (Created: 03/18/2014 17:15).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 49 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 90 out of 100 (from 83 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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[First added to this chart: 04/09/2023]
Year of Release:
2007
Appears in:
Rank Score:
51,154
Rank in 2007:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
386
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"Oh the welts of your scorn, my love, give me more, send whips of opinion down my back, give me more."
Not too many albums like this. Not too many albums as good as this one. So eclectic, so inspiring and emotive, so fucking painful to listen to but beautiful at the same time. Buckley's voice is so one of a kind and he used it incredibly here. Great guitarist too! Not to mention, his backing band provides so much sound so well. I did not expect the drums on this album to be so good but they are by all accounts, incredible. Mojo Pin is one of the most underrated songs ever.
Favorite tracks: Mojo Pin, Last Goodbye, Hallelujah
Drummer: Matt Johnson [First added to this chart: 10/04/2015]
Not too many albums like this. Not too many albums as good as this one. So eclectic, so inspiring and emotive, so fucking painful to listen to but beautiful at the same time. Buckley's voice is so one of a kind and he used it incredibly here. Great guitarist too! Not to mention, his backing band provides so much sound so well. I did not expect the drums on this album to be so good but they are by all accounts, incredible. Mojo Pin is one of the most underrated songs ever.
Favorite tracks: Mojo Pin, Last Goodbye, Hallelujah
Drummer: Matt Johnson [First added to this chart: 10/04/2015]
Year of Release:
1994
Appears in:
Rank Score:
19,227
Rank in 1994:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
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Cosmo’s Factory is simply one of the most stacked albums of its era. Classic rock banger after classic rock banger.
At the helm of nearly every aspect of the band was John Fogerty. A viciously proficient multi-instrumentalist with the voice of time-hardened hound dog. Playing most of the instruments here and writing every note aside from the couple of covers across the track list, Fogerty made a lasting effort primed for repeat listening. Road trips, parties, listening alone in your room, whatever the case may be, there is a case to be made to play this record anytime.
Favorite Tracks: Lookin Out My Back Door, Up Around the Bend, Long As I Can See The Light
Drummer: Doug Clifford [First added to this chart: 02/11/2022]
At the helm of nearly every aspect of the band was John Fogerty. A viciously proficient multi-instrumentalist with the voice of time-hardened hound dog. Playing most of the instruments here and writing every note aside from the couple of covers across the track list, Fogerty made a lasting effort primed for repeat listening. Road trips, parties, listening alone in your room, whatever the case may be, there is a case to be made to play this record anytime.
Favorite Tracks: Lookin Out My Back Door, Up Around the Bend, Long As I Can See The Light
Drummer: Doug Clifford [First added to this chart: 02/11/2022]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,978
Rank in 1970:
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Average Rating:
Comments:
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“..And though the holes were rather small, they had to count them all. Now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall.”
This was the first Beatles album I ever heard all the way through. That's a special moment in anyone's life, mine all the same. I found the album to be interesting and musically very unique but then A Day in the Life kicked in and I forgot about any other song ever made.. ever.
Some may say that this record is overrated or it's importance is overstated, etc etc.. But to me it's pretty much right where it needs to be and deserves its place in music history. Maybe the single most recognized album cover of all time.. okay second to Dark Side of the Moon, but it's still close. I think people get too up in arms about this album. It's not worth it. Just listen to the art, man. For a fresh listen, I recommend to most recent remix.
Favorite tracks: A Day in the Life, She's Leaving Home, Sgt Peppers...
Drummer: Ringo Starr (and probably Paul McCartney) [First added to this chart: 12/02/2014]
This was the first Beatles album I ever heard all the way through. That's a special moment in anyone's life, mine all the same. I found the album to be interesting and musically very unique but then A Day in the Life kicked in and I forgot about any other song ever made.. ever.
Some may say that this record is overrated or it's importance is overstated, etc etc.. But to me it's pretty much right where it needs to be and deserves its place in music history. Maybe the single most recognized album cover of all time.. okay second to Dark Side of the Moon, but it's still close. I think people get too up in arms about this album. It's not worth it. Just listen to the art, man. For a fresh listen, I recommend to most recent remix.
Favorite tracks: A Day in the Life, She's Leaving Home, Sgt Peppers...
Drummer: Ringo Starr (and probably Paul McCartney) [First added to this chart: 12/02/2014]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
50,842
Rank in 1967:
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"The band is just fantastic, yeah that's really what I think. Oh, and by the way, which one's Pink?"
This album really represents in a lot of ways what an album can be. Not only that, but this is one of those records I would consider in the handful of *THE* classic rock albums. I grew up hearing so much of this material (and obviously a lot of other Floyd stuff) on local classic rock radio, I can't help but feel so many memories rush back when I put this record on as I heard so much of it without ever pressing play on the album for years. When I did, it was a treat, and to this day it continues to be.
Wish You Were Here is another sonic masterpiece from one of rock's most treasured ensembles. You put this album on, you sit for what feels like 10 minutes, the albums over, you wonder what happened. It's one of those records. An incredible experience highlighted by terrific production and monstrously good David Gilmour-isms and Roger Waters songwriting.
Favorite Tracks: Wish You Were Here, Have A Cigar, Shine On You Crazy Diamond.
Drummer: Nick Mason [First added to this chart: 07/19/2015]
This album really represents in a lot of ways what an album can be. Not only that, but this is one of those records I would consider in the handful of *THE* classic rock albums. I grew up hearing so much of this material (and obviously a lot of other Floyd stuff) on local classic rock radio, I can't help but feel so many memories rush back when I put this record on as I heard so much of it without ever pressing play on the album for years. When I did, it was a treat, and to this day it continues to be.
Wish You Were Here is another sonic masterpiece from one of rock's most treasured ensembles. You put this album on, you sit for what feels like 10 minutes, the albums over, you wonder what happened. It's one of those records. An incredible experience highlighted by terrific production and monstrously good David Gilmour-isms and Roger Waters songwriting.
Favorite Tracks: Wish You Were Here, Have A Cigar, Shine On You Crazy Diamond.
Drummer: Nick Mason [First added to this chart: 07/19/2015]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
50,797
Rank in 1975:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
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"I have crossed between the polls, for me there's no mystery. Once a man like the sea I raged, once a woman like the Earth I gave. But there is in fact more Earth than sea."
There's something special about Gabriel's Genesis, this record being the centerpiece of their phenomenal tenure. As you've already seen, Foxtrot edges this one out to me as it is a bit more cohesive, but the highlights on here are just as strong and beautiful. Dancing With The Moonlit Knight is one of the most amazing compositions in rock music. Anthemic, well-composed, engaging, musically stunning. Same goes for Firth of Fifth and the Cinema Show. The sing-songy fun of I Know What I Like shows the less serious side of the band while not losing an ounce of musicality and quirk.
Favorite tracks: Dancing With the Moonlit Knight, Firth of Fifth, The Cinema Show
Drummer: Phil Collins [First added to this chart: 12/02/2014]
There's something special about Gabriel's Genesis, this record being the centerpiece of their phenomenal tenure. As you've already seen, Foxtrot edges this one out to me as it is a bit more cohesive, but the highlights on here are just as strong and beautiful. Dancing With The Moonlit Knight is one of the most amazing compositions in rock music. Anthemic, well-composed, engaging, musically stunning. Same goes for Firth of Fifth and the Cinema Show. The sing-songy fun of I Know What I Like shows the less serious side of the band while not losing an ounce of musicality and quirk.
Favorite tracks: Dancing With the Moonlit Knight, Firth of Fifth, The Cinema Show
Drummer: Phil Collins [First added to this chart: 12/02/2014]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
11,642
Rank in 1973:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Gahh I love Zappa. His mind and his music. I don't think there was a figure quite like him before, and I really don't think we'll see one like him again. Zappa was a true genius and to me, Apostrophe cements that fact because it's more musically oriented than a few other favorite records by him. Of course, the hilarious "concept" or at the very least story that goes through the record makes me love it too. The use of wind instruments and xylophone add to the brilliance of the record. And Frank's vocals sound pretty good on it too!This was the album that introduced me to Zappa, and over the Summer, I introduced my younger cousin to Zappa through this album too,.... what have I done?
Favorite tracks: St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast, Cosmik Debris, Stink Foot.
Drummer(s): Aynsley Dunbar, Jim Gordon, Ralph Humphrey, Johnny Guerin. [First added to this chart: 12/08/2014]
Favorite tracks: St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast, Cosmik Debris, Stink Foot.
Drummer(s): Aynsley Dunbar, Jim Gordon, Ralph Humphrey, Johnny Guerin. [First added to this chart: 12/08/2014]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,519
Rank in 1974:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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I can't remember where I read it or who wrote it, but a quote about this album comes to mind and resonates with me whenever I see this album cover. "The shot on the album cover is as close and personal a view of Dylan as we will ever see." WOW. Talk about a great observation. The album cover also perfectly summarizes Dylan's artistry with this possibly being his finest moment. This album is songwriter's paradise and does not drag for moment. A lot of clarity even for being a double album at the time. First few times listening to this album had my head spinning from the totally immersive lyrics.
Favorite Tracks: One of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later), Sad Eyed Lady of the Low Lands, Just Like A Woman
Drummer: Kenny Buttrey, Bobby Gregg [First added to this chart: 10/18/2015]
Favorite Tracks: One of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later), Sad Eyed Lady of the Low Lands, Just Like A Woman
Drummer: Kenny Buttrey, Bobby Gregg [First added to this chart: 10/18/2015]
Year of Release:
1966
Appears in:
Rank Score:
27,801
Rank in 1966:
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Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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“Darkness. Imprisoning me. All that I see, absolute horror. I cannot live, I cannot die. Trapped in myself, body my holding cell.”
The first 5 Metallica albums changed my life, but as a musician no album more so than this one. I was into playing challenging shit, and at the time this album was a mountain of a challenge for me, a lot of which still is as I revisit it on drums from time to time. This is Metallica's proggiest effort and I love that. Despite that fact, it does not lose much aggression even though there is literally no low end in the mix. For some reason though, that gives this record a lot of character.. sorry bass players.
But yeah, you could certainly say Lars has been a huge influence on me.
Favorite tracks: Blackened, One, Dyers Eve
Drummer: Lars Ulrich [First added to this chart: 10/03/2015]
The first 5 Metallica albums changed my life, but as a musician no album more so than this one. I was into playing challenging shit, and at the time this album was a mountain of a challenge for me, a lot of which still is as I revisit it on drums from time to time. This is Metallica's proggiest effort and I love that. Despite that fact, it does not lose much aggression even though there is literally no low end in the mix. For some reason though, that gives this record a lot of character.. sorry bass players.
But yeah, you could certainly say Lars has been a huge influence on me.
Favorite tracks: Blackened, One, Dyers Eve
Drummer: Lars Ulrich [First added to this chart: 10/03/2015]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,024
Rank in 1988:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"So let it be written, let it be done. I'm sent here by the chosen one. I'm Creeping Death."
Easily Metallica's second best record. Certainly a huge step up in songwriting, production, and performance from the debut but in my opinion not as complete as the crown jewel, Master of Puppets. My history with this album goes back to the same time as when I got Master. A friend burned me both albums (still have them) on a couple blank discs and my music world changed forever. Every note of this album is burned into my memory. Heavy and intense but very fucking beautiful.
Favorite tracks: Ride the Lightning, Creeping Death, For Whom the Bell Tolls.
Drummer: Lars Ulrich [First added to this chart: 10/03/2015]
Easily Metallica's second best record. Certainly a huge step up in songwriting, production, and performance from the debut but in my opinion not as complete as the crown jewel, Master of Puppets. My history with this album goes back to the same time as when I got Master. A friend burned me both albums (still have them) on a couple blank discs and my music world changed forever. Every note of this album is burned into my memory. Heavy and intense but very fucking beautiful.
Favorite tracks: Ride the Lightning, Creeping Death, For Whom the Bell Tolls.
Drummer: Lars Ulrich [First added to this chart: 10/03/2015]
Year of Release:
1984
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,214
Rank in 1984:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 6 of 10
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
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| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 1 | 1% | |
| 1960s | 10 | 10% | |
| 1970s | 34 | 34% | |
| 1980s | 13 | 13% | |
| 1990s | 21 | 21% | |
| 2000s | 13 | 13% | |
| 2010s | 6 | 6% | |
| 2020s | 2 | 2% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Rush | 4 | 4% | |
| Tool | 3 | 3% | |
| Genesis | 3 | 3% | |
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 3% | |
| David Bowie | 3 | 3% | |
| The Beatles | 3 | 3% | |
| Metallica | 3 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
58 | 58% | |
 |
28 | 28% | |
 |
6 | 6% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 7 from 97th to 90th Nevermind by Nirvana |
| Up 7 from 88th to 81st Electric Ladyland by The Jimi Hendrix Experience |
| Up 3 from 83rd to 80th Hounds Of Love by Kate Bush |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 5 from 86th to 91st White Pony by Deftones |
| Down 3 from 80th to 83rd Mingus Ah Um by Charles Mingus |
| Down 3 from 81st to 84th The Marshall Mathers LP by Eminem |
| New entries |
|---|
 To Be Kindby Swans |
| Leavers |
|---|
 Temple Of The Dogby Temple Of The Dog |
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
90/100 (from 83 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 83 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 90/100  | 03/06/2024 20:43 | Moondance | | 84/100 |
| 90/100 | 05/02/2023 03:05 |  ffudnebbuh | | 91/100 |
| 100/100 | 03/04/2023 19:28 | bobnickmad | | 88/100 |
| 90/100 | 01/30/2023 16:43 |  Goliath | | 86/100 |
| 100/100 | 10/13/2022 20:00 | BLO | | 91/100 |
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 90.3/100, a mean average of 90.8/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 90.8/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 7.4.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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90/100
From ffudnebbuh 05/02/2023 03:05
ffudnebbuh 05/02/2023 03:05
nice variety
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From BraddlesHendo 05/01/2023 12:32
5 stars just for time and effort given to your chart. Some absolute beautiful albums in your Top 100.?
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From bobnickmad 03/04/2023 19:28
Great chart both on diversity and quality.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From Johnnyo 10/13/2022 16:55
Great chart and really diggin the notes accompanying the albums. Trying to do more of this myself but failing miserably
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From Moondance 10/13/2022 09:12
Fascinating chart. Enjoyed the intro & album commentary ~ and appreciate the effort required to put the chart together. The chart is far too US-centric for my tastes - but I respect your choices, however they fall. Interestingly, you have Born To Run at #2 & I have it at #3; and the line you quote from the album is also my favourite line ~ so we have that and another 9 albums in common.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From leniad 07/10/2022 01:29
i have to give your chart a 100, excellent albums you choose, steview wonder along with prince and bowie are for me top 3 solo artists ever, if you count jazz then is bowie, miles davis, stevie and prince
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From KineticEchoes02 07/06/2022 07:43
Hey man, I've come back to your chart - somehow on a first glance I gave it a 95, but it easily deserves a 100. This is the best chart I have read. Love your work - many similar tastes to mine, and the descriptions and stories within are awesome. From a bass player to a drummer - rock on dude!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From leniad 03/01/2022 12:05
Love it!
Great taste and like your writing , keep going
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
Larcx13 11/22/2020 01:30
Larcx13 11/22/2020 01:30
You put a lot of effort on this chart and you have a lot of really good picks. Really good chart!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From AAL2014 11/02/2020 13:10
AAL2014 11/02/2020 13:10
11/2/2020
The chart is yet again in transition mode (as always, but now moreso than in a while). Been taking in a lot of music new to me, a lot of music that I'm loving and resonating with. The chart will slowly but surely show that and the specific examples of what I'm talking about.
Just wanted to reach out to everybody who has given me high scores recently, it's always cool to see that every once in a while. However, there's more additions to include, more rearranging to be done, and much better descriptions. I've been feeling very motivated recently.
And look at that.. only 435 chart versions in....
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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