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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This chart is currently filtered to only show albums from the 2010s. (Remove this filter)
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"Been in it before internet had new acts. Mimicking radio's nemesis made me wack. My innocence limited the experience lacked. Ten of us with no tentative tactic that cracked the mind of a literate writer but I did it in fact. You admitted it once I submitted it wrapped in plastic. Remember scribblin' scratchin' dilligent sentences backwards"
I remember the hype. It was here, it was on other sites, it was among friends, musicians, record stores, it was everywhere. And perhaps more than any other record, TPAB not only lived up to that hype, it backflipped over the hype.. did cartwheels around the hype. Just wow.
How Kendrick and company effortlessly blended hip hop, rap, funk, r&b, rock, jazz, soul... I can't believe it. This album made me want to go so much further into not only Kendrick's catalog, but rap as a genre in general. The emotion, intelligence, effort, and power that went into this album has justifiably not gone un-noted. I still remember putting the CD in for the first time, the hook for Wesley's Theory kicked in and I was already sold, buckled in on a trip I had no idea the end destination. This record not only took me along for the ride, it unapologetically made me feel like a part of the album. Kendrick is speaking to you when you play this album. Even if in the end he's really speaking to.. Ehhh, I won't spoil it in case you haven't heard it.
To Pimp A Butterfly is a masterpiece and well on its way to all time great status.
Favorite tracks: Welsey's Theory, The Blacker The Berry, For Free? [First added to this chart: 07/14/2015]
I remember the hype. It was here, it was on other sites, it was among friends, musicians, record stores, it was everywhere. And perhaps more than any other record, TPAB not only lived up to that hype, it backflipped over the hype.. did cartwheels around the hype. Just wow.
How Kendrick and company effortlessly blended hip hop, rap, funk, r&b, rock, jazz, soul... I can't believe it. This album made me want to go so much further into not only Kendrick's catalog, but rap as a genre in general. The emotion, intelligence, effort, and power that went into this album has justifiably not gone un-noted. I still remember putting the CD in for the first time, the hook for Wesley's Theory kicked in and I was already sold, buckled in on a trip I had no idea the end destination. This record not only took me along for the ride, it unapologetically made me feel like a part of the album. Kendrick is speaking to you when you play this album. Even if in the end he's really speaking to.. Ehhh, I won't spoil it in case you haven't heard it.
To Pimp A Butterfly is a masterpiece and well on its way to all time great status.
Favorite tracks: Welsey's Theory, The Blacker The Berry, For Free? [First added to this chart: 07/14/2015]
Year of Release:
2015
Appears in:
Rank Score:
37,240
Rank in 2015:
Rank in 2010s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
364
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"Another time, another place, another line upon your face, another in your way. Down crooked stairs and sideways glances comes the king of second chances, now throw him in the flame."
This album came to me at a very important time in my life. It was late Summer of 2011, I felt empty, I needed a change. I found Wasting Light used at FYE, decided to pick it up, gave it a spin, and my life changed for the better.
When I say this album lifted my spirit, I'm not lying. The vibe on this album was pretty much life changing for me. As for the songs, it's the best work Dave Grohl and company have ever done, and it's in the conversation for the best power-pop-rock record since the mid-90's. Thanks Foos.
Favorite tracks: Dear Rosemary, Arlandria, Walk
Drummer: Taylor Hawkins [First added to this chart: 12/02/2014]
This album came to me at a very important time in my life. It was late Summer of 2011, I felt empty, I needed a change. I found Wasting Light used at FYE, decided to pick it up, gave it a spin, and my life changed for the better.
When I say this album lifted my spirit, I'm not lying. The vibe on this album was pretty much life changing for me. As for the songs, it's the best work Dave Grohl and company have ever done, and it's in the conversation for the best power-pop-rock record since the mid-90's. Thanks Foos.
Favorite tracks: Dear Rosemary, Arlandria, Walk
Drummer: Taylor Hawkins [First added to this chart: 12/02/2014]
Year of Release:
2011
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,971
Rank in 2011:
Rank in 2010s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
23. (=)
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"Bubonic plague spreaded faceless, lurking in the deadest spaces. On your knees, black goat anus, christo anti-clan of shameless, came to whip those shapeless, here we go, devastated."
Death. Fucking. Grips.
One of the most exciting and groundbreaking groups today. Their music is truly an anomaly. I'm not trying to be a hyperbolic trashposter but man, Death Grips is good. Death Grips is refreshing. Death Grips is a culmination of so many authentic emotions and styles blended into a mixed drink of media that will fuck you up real quick.
The Money Store is one of those once or twice in a generation type albums. Through the years, I’ve exposed myself to some music out of my preconceived and ever-changing comfort zone that to this day doesn’t really click with me, and although it's abrasive, brash, anxiety-ridden, fear-driven, and completely glitchy, The Money Store connected with me on first listen. Each track offers something different than the last, be it totally or with subtlety, but they all play a part in the immaculate flow of the record. The beautifully cacophonous layers of production, Zach Hill's monster drumming, and of course Ride's behemoth-breath bars make The Money Store a modern day classic.
Yes yes, Fantano gave this album a 10, and Death Grips is a meme. So fucking what. This is an album everyone should hear.
Favorite Tracks: Bitch Please, Get Got, Hacker
Drummer: Zach Hill [First added to this chart: 08/09/2018]
Death. Fucking. Grips.
One of the most exciting and groundbreaking groups today. Their music is truly an anomaly. I'm not trying to be a hyperbolic trashposter but man, Death Grips is good. Death Grips is refreshing. Death Grips is a culmination of so many authentic emotions and styles blended into a mixed drink of media that will fuck you up real quick.
The Money Store is one of those once or twice in a generation type albums. Through the years, I’ve exposed myself to some music out of my preconceived and ever-changing comfort zone that to this day doesn’t really click with me, and although it's abrasive, brash, anxiety-ridden, fear-driven, and completely glitchy, The Money Store connected with me on first listen. Each track offers something different than the last, be it totally or with subtlety, but they all play a part in the immaculate flow of the record. The beautifully cacophonous layers of production, Zach Hill's monster drumming, and of course Ride's behemoth-breath bars make The Money Store a modern day classic.
Yes yes, Fantano gave this album a 10, and Death Grips is a meme. So fucking what. This is an album everyone should hear.
Favorite Tracks: Bitch Please, Get Got, Hacker
Drummer: Zach Hill [First added to this chart: 08/09/2018]
Year of Release:
2012
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,884
Rank in 2012:
Rank in 2010s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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“If I told you that flower bloomed in a dark room would you trust it?”
I have but 2 faults with Good Kid, one of which isn't even its fault.
1.) The hook of 'Real' for me is unbearable. Like, enough in fact to mention it here. The album would be even better without it. It took a long time for me to appreciate Kendrick's ridiculous (in a good way) bars on this track because of the ridiculous (in a bad way) chorus.
2.) I listened to TPAB first which honestly spoiled this album even slightly for me. However.....
GKMC is going to go down in history. To me the lyrics are relatable and some of the best rap lyrics ever. I can not say I will ever fully relate to the message as I am not black, not from Compton, and not Kendrick Lamar, but for young men of and around my age when I first discovered this record (21) I think there is some incredibly poignant lyrical content there. The music behind it does not slouch either. That's my favorite aspect of Kendrick's music and what sets him apart from his contemporaries.
Favorite tracks: The Art of Peer Pressure, Good Kid, Sing About Me (I'm Dying of Thirst) [First added to this chart: 06/21/2016]
I have but 2 faults with Good Kid, one of which isn't even its fault.
1.) The hook of 'Real' for me is unbearable. Like, enough in fact to mention it here. The album would be even better without it. It took a long time for me to appreciate Kendrick's ridiculous (in a good way) bars on this track because of the ridiculous (in a bad way) chorus.
2.) I listened to TPAB first which honestly spoiled this album even slightly for me. However.....
GKMC is going to go down in history. To me the lyrics are relatable and some of the best rap lyrics ever. I can not say I will ever fully relate to the message as I am not black, not from Compton, and not Kendrick Lamar, but for young men of and around my age when I first discovered this record (21) I think there is some incredibly poignant lyrical content there. The music behind it does not slouch either. That's my favorite aspect of Kendrick's music and what sets him apart from his contemporaries.
Favorite tracks: The Art of Peer Pressure, Good Kid, Sing About Me (I'm Dying of Thirst) [First added to this chart: 06/21/2016]
Year of Release:
2012
Appears in:
Rank Score:
25,807
Rank in 2012:
Rank in 2010s:
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:
1,880
Rank in 2019:
Rank in 2010s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Year of Release:
2014
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,168
Rank in 2014:
Rank in 2010s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 6. Page 1 of 1
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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% | |
| The Beatles | 3 | 3% | |
| Metallica | 3 | 3% | |
| Tool | 3 | 3% | |
| Genesis | 3 | 3% | |
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 3% | |
| David Bowie | 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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