Top 50 Greatest Music Albums
by aidanstickyguin 
- Chart updated: 03/24/2020 13:15
- (Created: 06/12/2014 20:30).
- Chart size: 50 albums.
There are 15 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 50 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 89 out of 100 (from 23 votes). Please log in or create an account to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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All four of the Velvets records are superb. Some may argue that White Light/ White Heat is more of a showcase of what they were all about, away from the Exploding Plastic Inevitable, Warhol and Nico. However here they showcase both sides of their genius, the simple touching ballads like Femme Fatale and I'll Be Your Mirror, and the dirty loud distorted animal found on White Light/White Heat, on songs such as Heroin, Venus in Furs and European Son to name a few. Then to have Nico's unique vocals is a superb addition to the few songs she features on. And once again behind it all Reed's stunningly direct, observational lyrics are pure genius.
Favourite Track (so difficult but...): All Tomorrow's Parties [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
Favourite Track (so difficult but...): All Tomorrow's Parties [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
37,051
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Dylan at his poetic best, as simple as that.
FT: Tangled Up in Blue [First added to this chart: 03/15/2015]
FT: Tangled Up in Blue [First added to this chart: 03/15/2015]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
19,327
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Some would fairly argue that Lou Reed has had many more impressive achievements than Transformer. However the quality of the songwriting, particularly the melodies, are unrivaled in his illustrious career. Top that off with a nice glam polish thanks to Ronson and Bowie, and you have one of the finest, most enjoyable records of the century. At the heart of it remains Lou Reeds honesty and genius.
Favourite Track: Walk on the Wild Side [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
Favourite Track: Walk on the Wild Side [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,214
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The best guitar album ever made in my opinion. The way that Verlaine and Lloyd play off each other is incredible. Marque Moon the title track has a solo that can send you into a trance. Whilst Verlaine was versed in jazz, blues and the Velvets, Lloyd channeled the pop-rock of the Rolling Stones and the combination works like a dream. Topped off with Verlaine's unique warbled vocals and poetic lyrics.
Favourite Track: Marque Moon [First added to this chart: 10/13/2014]
Favourite Track: Marque Moon [First added to this chart: 10/13/2014]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
18,478
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Just a damn good batch of songs. Not much more can be said. That is the thing with Petty, he's just the absolute master of writing catchy rock/pop tunes, and this is his finest batch of songs.
FT: Free Fallin' [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
FT: Free Fallin' [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
Year of Release:
1989
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,302
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The Stones' best music in my opinion was made with Mick Taylor. The superb bluesly licks that filled Sticky Fingers and others are unrivaled. However Jagger and Richards were at a songwriting peak with Let it Bleed, putting down incredibly dark and rocking tracks such as Midnight Rambler and Gimme' Shelter. Whilst they were on the road to becoming better musicians, they have never challenged the superb songs of Let it Bleed.
FT: Midnight Rambler [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
FT: Midnight Rambler [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
16,293
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Mike Scott like no other is able to channel the wild spirit and inspiration he gets and put it onto record. This is serviced best for him with the background of his native Celtic styled music. The meeting of fidel player Scott Wickham was crucial. After making a superb but pop orientated record, Scott embraced his roots and soared to new heights as a lyricist with superb wit it places; And a Bang on the Ear, and incredible spirituality in others; Fishermans' Blues.
FT: Fishermans' Blues [First added to this chart: 03/07/2016]
FT: Fishermans' Blues [First added to this chart: 03/07/2016]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,243
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JJ Cale created some of the best music. The chances are with his albums, if you like one of them, you'll like all of them. No one has ever quite sounded like him, as much as Clapton tries, and his unique style of guitar playing is devastatingly appealing. This is his strongest collection of songs.
FT: Magnolia [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
FT: Magnolia [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
728
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Before Ziggy reared his head, came this slightly more self conscious release. Dripping with Bowie's influences such as Dylan, The Velvet Underground and many more, Bowie dressed his best ever batch of songs with a touch of America. The main reason this is his best is there isn't a weak song right through from Changes to The Belway Brothers.
FT: Kooks [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
FT: Kooks [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
18,118
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Average Rating:
Comments:
10. (=)
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Only album of this century to feature in the top 10. With such an incredible energy the Strokes were able to channel the rock music that they had grown up on and bring it into the modern world, without sounding old-fashioned, but instead super-modern. While the Strokes have released much good music, they have never come close to the rawness and genius of their debut.
FT: Soma [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
FT: Soma [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
Year of Release:
2001
Appears in:
Rank Score:
26,707
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Total albums: 50. Page 1 of 5
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Top 50 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 10 | 20% | |
| 1970s | 26 | 52% | |
| 1980s | 9 | 18% | |
| 1990s | 3 | 6% | |
| 2000s | 2 | 4% | |
| 2010s | 0 | 0% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Lou Reed | 6 | 12% | |
| The Velvet Underground | 4 | 8% | |
| The Rolling Stones | 4 | 8% | |
| Tom Petty | 3 | 6% | |
| George Harrison | 2 | 4% | |
| Nick Drake | 2 | 4% | |
| The Beatles | 2 | 4% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 50 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
Up 1 from 9th to 8th |
Up 1 from 7th to 6th |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
Down 1 from 6th to 7th |
Down 1 from 8th to 9th |
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Top 50 Greatest Music Albums ratings
Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AVwhere:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
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m = minimum number of ratings required for an item to appear in a 'top-rated' chart (currently 10).
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Showing latest 3 ratings for this chart. | Show all 23 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 06/13/2020 18:00 | treefingers | 5 | 95/100 |
| ! | 09/03/2019 17:28 |  Rhyner | 1,462 | 99/100 |
| ! | 09/03/2019 10:11 |  ForegroundNoise | 472 | 87/100 |
Rating metrics:
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This chart is rated in the top 5% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 88.6/100, a mean average of 89.3/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 89.8/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 9.0.
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Top 50 Greatest Music Albums favourites
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Top 50 Greatest Music Albums forum mentions
This chart has been referenced 3 times on the forums, Explore the wider forum discussion to see what members have said about it.
From 
BestEverAlbums 09/03/2019 08:00 in Chart of the day (#2872): By aidanstickyguin
BestEverAlbums 09/03/2019 08:00 in Chart of the day (#2872): By aidanstickyguin“Today's chart of the day Top 50 Greatest Music Albums by aidanstickyguin () 1. The Velvet Underground And Nico by The Velvet Underground And Nico (1967) 2. Blood On The Tracks by Bob Dylan (1975) 3. Transformer by Lou Reed (1972) 4. Marquee Moon by Television (1977) 5. Full Moon Fever by Tom Petty…”
(3 mentions across Chart of the Day topics)View latest topic →
Top 50 Greatest Music Albums comments
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From
ForegroundNoise 09/03/2019 10:15 | #242153
ForegroundNoise 09/03/2019 10:15 | #242153
Really like the way you put forward your opinions on these albums, the detail for each entry is a nice touch!
I think maybe the only thing this chart is lacking (and partly why 50% of the entries are from the 70s) is more diversity in terms of genre; under Marquee Moon you mention Verlaine's appreciation for jazz whilst no jazz picks crack your top 50, whilst could the lack of albums from this century be possibly down to the absence of more modern forms of electronic music and hip hop? Overall a lovely chart, seems like it hasn't been touched in a while, would be very interested to see if your thoughts on it has changed!
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From
bobbyb5 01/14/2017 15:19 | #182719
bobbyb5 01/14/2017 15:19 | #182719
I love Transformer and Berlin too, but why after those ones do people always choose his crapola 80s stuff and not the great Rock n Roll Heart or Sally Can't Dance? Bad reputations I guess. But its a shame.Those are good albums.
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From
Amirkhosro 03/26/2017 09:42 | #188121
Amirkhosro 03/26/2017 09:42 | #188121
Not gonna lie, I listen to Lou Reed more than any other musician as well. I'm curious what you think of Lulu. It's on of his top 10 for me.
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From
bluesbrew82 03/12/2017 22:21 | #187336
Great chart. Love Lou Reed but maybe too much Lou for a top 50. Fisherman's Blues in the top ten is great. A beautiful album! Good job
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From
vancevisuals 11/05/2017 13:15 | #200763
I actually listened to 33 & 1/3 the other day.
Had not listened to that album in a long time.
forgot how good is is. great pick!
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