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, 10/15/24, 6/11/25
- Chart updated: 06/18/2025 05:45
- (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 86 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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"We are planets to each other drifting in our orbits to a brief eclipse. Each of us a world apart, alone and yet together like two passing ships"
"Wave after wave, will flow with the tide, and bury the world as it does. Tide after tide, will flow and recede leaving life to go on as it was."
"A simple kind mirror to reflect upon our own. All the busy little creatures chasing out their destinies. Living in their pools, they soon forget about the sea."
My favorite band and the most influential in terms of the progress of my musicianship. One of their most consistent works and I always just cycle the three Rush albums on this list as being my favorite by them.
On this one, as always the musicianship and chemistry between what are really prog rock's Three Amigos is top notch. Neil Peart’s drumming on this album is as smart, creative, dissonant, and mind-bendingly impactful as ever, and his lyricism is absolutely top notch on this album aside from the Geddy-penned Different Strings, a solid set of lyrics itself. The Spirit of Radio is one of the band’s finest moments, giving the listener a broad-scope borage of flipping through the radio stations while simultaneously maintaining a perfect line-through of a singular statement. Natural Science is a powerhouse and a high point in their career, as well as Freewill with one of the most consistently amazing and off-kilter solo sections in a rock song ever. After my third time seeing on (this time on the R40 tour) they broke out Jacob's Ladder and I loved every second. Speaking of which, if you didn't see the R40 tour and like Rush, you fucking missed out. Plain and simple.
Favorite tracks: Freewill, Jacob's Ladder, Natural Science.
Drummer: Neil Peart, one of the true heroes I’ve ever had in this life. Most certainly not a long-awaited friend, but absolutely a life-long inspiration. [First added to this chart: 10/03/2015]
"Wave after wave, will flow with the tide, and bury the world as it does. Tide after tide, will flow and recede leaving life to go on as it was."
"A simple kind mirror to reflect upon our own. All the busy little creatures chasing out their destinies. Living in their pools, they soon forget about the sea."
My favorite band and the most influential in terms of the progress of my musicianship. One of their most consistent works and I always just cycle the three Rush albums on this list as being my favorite by them.
On this one, as always the musicianship and chemistry between what are really prog rock's Three Amigos is top notch. Neil Peart’s drumming on this album is as smart, creative, dissonant, and mind-bendingly impactful as ever, and his lyricism is absolutely top notch on this album aside from the Geddy-penned Different Strings, a solid set of lyrics itself. The Spirit of Radio is one of the band’s finest moments, giving the listener a broad-scope borage of flipping through the radio stations while simultaneously maintaining a perfect line-through of a singular statement. Natural Science is a powerhouse and a high point in their career, as well as Freewill with one of the most consistently amazing and off-kilter solo sections in a rock song ever. After my third time seeing on (this time on the R40 tour) they broke out Jacob's Ladder and I loved every second. Speaking of which, if you didn't see the R40 tour and like Rush, you fucking missed out. Plain and simple.
Favorite tracks: Freewill, Jacob's Ladder, Natural Science.
Drummer: Neil Peart, one of the true heroes I’ve ever had in this life. Most certainly not a long-awaited friend, but absolutely a life-long inspiration. [First added to this chart: 10/03/2015]
Year of Release:
1980
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,117
Rank in 1980:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
32
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“You’re in my blood like holy wine, you taste so bitter and so sweet. I could drink a case of you and I would still be on my feet, I would still be on my feet.”
Blue is not only Joni’s overall finest effort, I’d consider it purely one of the greatest collections of songs a writer has ever compiled. My emotions flow and my voice cracks as I try to sing along. This is fragility on display. Opening yourself up in ways that are frankly fucking alien to me, but I’ll be damned if it’s not been therapeutic for me in those regards.
All I Want opens the album in a fashion that only this album deserves. It’s a wandery ride of uncertainty anchored by a certainly fantastic set of chords and choice of instrumentation. From there, songs such as Carey, California, and A Case Of You provide me with lyrics and melodies I will never forget.
I’ve said this about a number of albums on this chart, but hey… I adore this record.
Favorite Tracks: All I Want, Carey, A Case of You [First added to this chart: 01/19/2021]
Blue is not only Joni’s overall finest effort, I’d consider it purely one of the greatest collections of songs a writer has ever compiled. My emotions flow and my voice cracks as I try to sing along. This is fragility on display. Opening yourself up in ways that are frankly fucking alien to me, but I’ll be damned if it’s not been therapeutic for me in those regards.
All I Want opens the album in a fashion that only this album deserves. It’s a wandery ride of uncertainty anchored by a certainly fantastic set of chords and choice of instrumentation. From there, songs such as Carey, California, and A Case Of You provide me with lyrics and melodies I will never forget.
I’ve said this about a number of albums on this chart, but hey… I adore this record.
Favorite Tracks: All I Want, Carey, A Case of You [First added to this chart: 01/19/2021]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
16,902
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"The fawn-eyed girl with sun browned legs danced on the edge of his dreams. And her voice rings in his ears like the music of the spheres."
This was the album that made me fall in love with Rush, and it was the first full Rush album I had ever heard. That alone is reason enough for me to feel Signals could be 20 spots higher on the list, but I digress.
It’s not just Subdivisions for me, although that track is phenomenal. The Analog Kid, with one of Alex Lifeson’s greatest solos, and the Digital Man, a career highlight as far as Geddy Lee’s bass tracks go, strike me each listen with their thought provoking lyrics and chemistry-soaked instrumentation. The Weapon features some of Neil Peart's most well composed and challenging drumming on record. Losing It offers some of his most moving and engaging lyrics to date.
Signals is, in a way, the Rush fan’s Rush album. While it isn’t a concept record in the way of a Tommy or The Wall, there is the theme of a life cycle running through the course of the album. The analog kid grows up to be a digital man and is eventually confronted with the worst clause in our binding contracts with the human condition, old age. With age comes perspective, both of bitterness and understanding.
It’s also pretty poignant commentary on where the band acknowledged themselves to be at the time of this record. Technology was taking over music, slowly but surely theirs as well. Rush went from a blues rock band playing their high school dances to arena packing synth/laser/pyro spectacle now with keyboards, electronic drums, and MTV at their disposal.
I think this album is entirely underrated, on this site or otherwise.... So much so that at one point it took me nearly 3 years to realize it wasn't on my fucking chart...
Favorite Tracks: The Analog Kid, The Weapon, Losing It
Drummer: Neil Peart [First added to this chart: 11/15/2016]
This was the album that made me fall in love with Rush, and it was the first full Rush album I had ever heard. That alone is reason enough for me to feel Signals could be 20 spots higher on the list, but I digress.
It’s not just Subdivisions for me, although that track is phenomenal. The Analog Kid, with one of Alex Lifeson’s greatest solos, and the Digital Man, a career highlight as far as Geddy Lee’s bass tracks go, strike me each listen with their thought provoking lyrics and chemistry-soaked instrumentation. The Weapon features some of Neil Peart's most well composed and challenging drumming on record. Losing It offers some of his most moving and engaging lyrics to date.
Signals is, in a way, the Rush fan’s Rush album. While it isn’t a concept record in the way of a Tommy or The Wall, there is the theme of a life cycle running through the course of the album. The analog kid grows up to be a digital man and is eventually confronted with the worst clause in our binding contracts with the human condition, old age. With age comes perspective, both of bitterness and understanding.
It’s also pretty poignant commentary on where the band acknowledged themselves to be at the time of this record. Technology was taking over music, slowly but surely theirs as well. Rush went from a blues rock band playing their high school dances to arena packing synth/laser/pyro spectacle now with keyboards, electronic drums, and MTV at their disposal.
I think this album is entirely underrated, on this site or otherwise.... So much so that at one point it took me nearly 3 years to realize it wasn't on my fucking chart...
Favorite Tracks: The Analog Kid, The Weapon, Losing It
Drummer: Neil Peart [First added to this chart: 11/15/2016]
Year of Release:
1982
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,125
Rank in 1982:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"I feel the sense of possibilities. I feel the wrench of hard realities."
Chalk another one up for albums I've seen played live in it's entirety. And what a performance it was. First time seeing Rush and they play this record? Blame it on one of two things: plain ol' luck, or only being 16 at the time of them celebrating the album’s 30th anniversary.
For the album itself, I think most Rush fans can agree that it’s a masterpiece and along with Permanent Waves a phenomenal bridge from crazy prog and technical shit to the more synth oriented arrangements of the mid to late 80's.
Of course this is not just a great album, but a must have for any drummer. Some of the Professor's finest work on this one (who hasn't fucking air drummed to the Tom Sawyer solo?). As well as some of the group's finest writing and crafting. It's hard to beat the production on this one too as it is so sharp and gives all the sounds their own meticulous space. Moving Pictures is a MUST on headphones.
Favorite tracks: The Camera Eye, Limelight, YYZ
Drummer: Neil Peart [First added to this chart: 10/03/2015]
Chalk another one up for albums I've seen played live in it's entirety. And what a performance it was. First time seeing Rush and they play this record? Blame it on one of two things: plain ol' luck, or only being 16 at the time of them celebrating the album’s 30th anniversary.
For the album itself, I think most Rush fans can agree that it’s a masterpiece and along with Permanent Waves a phenomenal bridge from crazy prog and technical shit to the more synth oriented arrangements of the mid to late 80's.
Of course this is not just a great album, but a must have for any drummer. Some of the Professor's finest work on this one (who hasn't fucking air drummed to the Tom Sawyer solo?). As well as some of the group's finest writing and crafting. It's hard to beat the production on this one too as it is so sharp and gives all the sounds their own meticulous space. Moving Pictures is a MUST on headphones.
Favorite tracks: The Camera Eye, Limelight, YYZ
Drummer: Neil Peart [First added to this chart: 10/03/2015]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,337
Rank in 1981:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
79. (=)
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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:
2,770
Rank in 1978:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 5. Page 1 of 1
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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 | 12 | 12% | |
| 1970s | 31 | 31% | |
| 1980s | 13 | 13% | |
| 1990s | 22 | 22% | |
| 2000s | 12 | 12% | |
| 2010s | 6 | 6% | |
| 2020s | 3 | 3% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
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|
|
| The Beatles | 4 | 4% | |
| Rush | 4 | 4% | |
| David Bowie | 3 | 3% | |
| Metallica | 3 | 3% | |
| Tool | 3 | 3% | |
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 3% | |
| Genesis | 3 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| |
59 | 59% | |
 |
29 | 29% | |
 |
5 | 5% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 2 from 12th to 10th Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys |
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
90/100 (from 86 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 86 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 85/100  | 03/14/2025 17:39 | SomethingSpecial | | 85/100 |
| 75/100 | 03/07/2025 14:27 | DrewHamster | | 79/100 |
| 90/100 | 02/27/2025 11:02 |  zwiebel | | 86/100 |
| 95/100 | 08/31/2024 20:46 | Johnnyo | | 80/100 |
| 90/100 | 03/06/2024 20:43 | Moondance | | 85/100 |
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 90.1/100, a mean average of 90.6/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 90.6/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 7.5.
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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) | +1 votes (1 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) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From bobnickmad 03/04/2023 19:28
Great chart both on diversity and quality.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
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) | +2 votes (2 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) | +1 votes (1 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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