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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It’s so crazy to listen through Talk Talk’s discography knowing it all leads to this. While the band’s entire catalog has something to offer, their last two are my go to records. Laughing Stock in particular.
Laughing Stock is one of the most aesthetically baffling rock albums ever. Every sound adds context and a feeling. The vocals offer guidance for the sake of a more traditional “song”, however often times they feel more like emotional mantras. The drums are played with such an interesting range of touch and the guitars sound blasphemously upset, like gigantic black clouds cloaking an otherwise beautiful sun set. This is a cathartic and harrowing 44 minutes.
Favorite Tracks: Ascension Day, Taphead, New Grass [First added to this chart: 01/17/2022]
Laughing Stock is one of the most aesthetically baffling rock albums ever. Every sound adds context and a feeling. The vocals offer guidance for the sake of a more traditional “song”, however often times they feel more like emotional mantras. The drums are played with such an interesting range of touch and the guitars sound blasphemously upset, like gigantic black clouds cloaking an otherwise beautiful sun set. This is a cathartic and harrowing 44 minutes.
Favorite Tracks: Ascension Day, Taphead, New Grass [First added to this chart: 01/17/2022]
Year of Release:
1991
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,247
Rank in 1991:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
79
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Before picking up a copy of the album and listening to it all the way through, I had heard No One Knows of course. Great song. But when I put the whole album on... I was blown away. This album is so aggressive but at times it almost has a catchy Beatles-esq vibe to it.. A lot of it has to do with the legendary performance from Dave Grohl (making his third appearance on this chart, second behind the drums). But even without Grohl, the songs are good enough to be a modern day classic record. I hear a lot of local bands play very often and to me, much of it sounds like a poor rip off of Songs for the Deaf.
Favorite tracks: No One Knows, First It Giveth, A Song for the Dead
Drummer: Dave Grohl [First added to this chart: 12/03/2014]
Favorite tracks: No One Knows, First It Giveth, A Song for the Dead
Drummer: Dave Grohl [First added to this chart: 12/03/2014]
Year of Release:
2002
Appears in:
Rank Score:
11,577
Rank in 2002:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
73. (74) 
1
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"Let the truth of love be lighted, let the love of truth shine clear. Sensibility, armed with sense and liberty with the heart and mind united in a single perfect sphere."
The Holy Trinity of progressive rock.. at their progiest! From the first notes of the track Hemispheres, to the very last notes of La Villa Strangiato, and the two songs in between, it's a musical experience that everyone should take in at some point. The musicianship is unreal on this record. Rush is simply one of the greats. I can't say enough about them. Enough good. Enough great. They have impacted my life in ways only seldom few have. Doing it with style and grace, technique and taste, reality and fantasy.
I wouldn't love prog (and from there, plenty of other music) if I didn't like Rush to begin with. It’s also worth noting La Villa Strangiato is solidly in the running for not only my most listened to track ever, but my very favorite of all time. I resonate with the prog and the precision, the exquisite execution and flair for dramatic (and comedic) detail. Neil left the drumming world with a w h o l e lot to sift through in the ways of song, solo, lyric, laureate, but La Villa may be his finest gem in the crown. Long may the king reign.
Favorite tracks: Hemispheres and La Villa Strangiato
Drummer: Neil Peart [First added to this chart: 03/21/2014]
The Holy Trinity of progressive rock.. at their progiest! From the first notes of the track Hemispheres, to the very last notes of La Villa Strangiato, and the two songs in between, it's a musical experience that everyone should take in at some point. The musicianship is unreal on this record. Rush is simply one of the greats. I can't say enough about them. Enough good. Enough great. They have impacted my life in ways only seldom few have. Doing it with style and grace, technique and taste, reality and fantasy.
I wouldn't love prog (and from there, plenty of other music) if I didn't like Rush to begin with. It’s also worth noting La Villa Strangiato is solidly in the running for not only my most listened to track ever, but my very favorite of all time. I resonate with the prog and the precision, the exquisite execution and flair for dramatic (and comedic) detail. Neil left the drumming world with a w h o l e lot to sift through in the ways of song, solo, lyric, laureate, but La Villa may be his finest gem in the crown. Long may the king reign.
Favorite tracks: Hemispheres and La Villa Strangiato
Drummer: Neil Peart [First added to this chart: 03/21/2014]
Year of Release:
1978
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,928
Rank in 1978:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Favorite tracks: Buddy Holly, Undone (The Sweater Song), Only In Dreams
Drummer: Patrick Wilson [First added to this chart: 02/27/2018]
Drummer: Patrick Wilson [First added to this chart: 02/27/2018]
Year of Release:
1994
Appears in:
Rank Score:
16,877
Rank in 1994:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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“It’s a long way to find peace of mind, peace of mind.”
[First added to this chart: 04/26/2022]
Year of Release:
2019
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,879
Rank in 2019:
Rank in 2010s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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[First added to this chart: 12/02/2014]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
13,341
Rank in 1975:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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This album is fucking amazing. Scaring the Hoes is as pixelated and puzzling as it is pleasing.
With its outrageous and outrageously good production as well as dynamic duo-MC heroics, Scaring the Hoes sets itself apart in the already strange and complicated world of hip hop. It gets more and more difficult to say this as time goes by, but I don’t think I’ve heard a record…sound…like this. Check out the gargantuan guitar riff sample on Garbage Pale Kids, the hypnotic hyperactivity of Fentanyl Tester, and the absolutely sensational and infectious God Loves You.
It gives shades of Madvillainy, hints of Death Grips, glimpses of clipping. but at the end of the day, JPEG’s individualistic imprint on the world of music is only cementing itself record by record and this is my favorite of his work. When the hilarious and uncompromising Danny Brown is added to the mix, it is nothing but brilliant magic.
I’ve heard a bunch of great records from the past few years, but this is my favorite to be released in a minute. I look forward to seeing how time treats this record, or perhaps more realistically, how this record will treat time.
Favorite Tracks: God Loves You, Garbage Pale Kids, Jack Harlow Combo Meal [First added to this chart: 06/03/2023]
With its outrageous and outrageously good production as well as dynamic duo-MC heroics, Scaring the Hoes sets itself apart in the already strange and complicated world of hip hop. It gets more and more difficult to say this as time goes by, but I don’t think I’ve heard a record…sound…like this. Check out the gargantuan guitar riff sample on Garbage Pale Kids, the hypnotic hyperactivity of Fentanyl Tester, and the absolutely sensational and infectious God Loves You.
It gives shades of Madvillainy, hints of Death Grips, glimpses of clipping. but at the end of the day, JPEG’s individualistic imprint on the world of music is only cementing itself record by record and this is my favorite of his work. When the hilarious and uncompromising Danny Brown is added to the mix, it is nothing but brilliant magic.
I’ve heard a bunch of great records from the past few years, but this is my favorite to be released in a minute. I look forward to seeing how time treats this record, or perhaps more realistically, how this record will treat time.
Favorite Tracks: God Loves You, Garbage Pale Kids, Jack Harlow Combo Meal [First added to this chart: 06/03/2023]
Year of Release:
2023
Appears in:
Rank Score:
827
Rank in 2023:
Rank in 2020s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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[First added to this chart: 01/17/2022]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
19,704
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"Brother will kill brother, spill blood across the land. Killing for religion is something I don't understand."
I used to be one of those 13 year old idiots who only listened to Metallica because there was a 25 year feud between Metallica and Megadeth. Then I heard Holy Wars... The Punishment Due..... Whoa...... What happened?........ I'm supposed to hate this band, but immediately, this is one of the best albums I've ever heard. Crushing. Mean. Fast. Angry. Technical. Melodic. Awesome. Megadeth.
Favorite tracks: Holy Wars.. The Punishment Due, Tornado of Souls, Take No Prisoners
Drummer: Nick Menza [First added to this chart: 12/02/2014]
I used to be one of those 13 year old idiots who only listened to Metallica because there was a 25 year feud between Metallica and Megadeth. Then I heard Holy Wars... The Punishment Due..... Whoa...... What happened?........ I'm supposed to hate this band, but immediately, this is one of the best albums I've ever heard. Crushing. Mean. Fast. Angry. Technical. Melodic. Awesome. Megadeth.
Favorite tracks: Holy Wars.. The Punishment Due, Tornado of Souls, Take No Prisoners
Drummer: Nick Menza [First added to this chart: 12/02/2014]
Year of Release:
1990
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,629
Rank in 1990:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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[First added to this chart: 12/11/2023]
Year of Release:
1985
Appears in:
Rank Score:
19,261
Rank in 1985:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 8 of 10
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| 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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| Best Artists of 1977 | |
|---|---|
| 1. Fleetwood Mac | |
| 2. David Bowie | |
| 3. Pink Floyd | |
| 4. Television | |
| 5. Sex Pistols | |
| 6. Steely Dan | |
| 7. Billy Joel | |
| 8. Bob Marley & The Wailers | |
| 9. Bob Marley | |
| 10. The Clash | |
| 11. Iggy Pop | |
| 12. Kraftwerk | |
| 13. Wire | |
| 14. Ramones | |
| 15. Elvis Costello | |
| 16. Electric Light Orchestra | |
| 17. Talking Heads | |
| 18. Meat Loaf | |
| 19. Suicide | |
| 20. Fela Kuti |