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 register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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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:
20,771
Rank in 1975:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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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:
9,782
Rank in 1972:
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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:
20,082
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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:
3,312
Rank in 1989:
Rank in 1980s:
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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:
761
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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:
28,308
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Average Rating:
Comments:
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This is the real Lou Reed unchained. Although there is so much variety in Reed's career, this is the Lou Reed I think of when he is mentioned. Superb lyrics, best of his career, and simple three chord rock n' roll providing a dirty, city backdrop to his incredible stories and musings. Dirty Blvd. is probably my favourite song by him.
FT: Dirty Blvd. [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
FT: Dirty Blvd. [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
Year of Release:
1989
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,502
Rank in 1989:
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Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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The softer side of the Velvets, for the most part. Without Cale's presence, one feels the Velvets here are still as great band but more of a vehicle for Reed's great songwriting. He doesn't fail to deliver here with his best batch of melodies and lyrics as good as ever. Doug Yule's melodic bass playing and soft vocals also give the record another dimension. Great to have Moe Tucker on vocals for After Hours as well.
FT: What Goes On [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
FT: What Goes On [First added to this chart: 06/12/2014]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,535
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Average Rating:
Comments:
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Hendrix's guitar playing is obviously unrelieved but, here it is a particularly unique and transcending. With his first album he proved he was the best, so with the second he could push the boundaries more, finding new sounds and effects, on top of mastering the art of songwriting, which he already had a pretty good knack for! What a shame he went so young, could've made so much more amazing music.
FT: Little Wing [First added to this chart: 01/12/2015]
FT: Little Wing [First added to this chart: 01/12/2015]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,530
Rank in 1967:
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Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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As mentioned earlier, the rawest Velvets record. How were they allowed to release a album with songs like The Gift and Sister Ray? This is the sound of a band who don't give a fuck and were having tremendous fun, but making some of the most powerful music ever put to record. Sister Ray is mad yet incredible. I Heard Her Call My Name, Reed shouts that his mind split open, then his guitar does exactly that, his best moment with the guitar in hand.
FT: Here She Comes Now [First added to this chart: 06/25/2014]
FT: Here She Comes Now [First added to this chart: 06/25/2014]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,901
Rank in 1968:
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Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 21. Page 1 of 3
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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 Rolling Stones | 4 | 8% | |
| The Velvet Underground | 3 | 6% | |
| George Harrison | 2 | 4% | |
| Nick Drake | 2 | 4% | |
| The Waterboys | 2 | 4% | |
| The Beatles | 2 | 4% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 50 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 1 from 9th to 8thNaturally by J.J. Cale |
| Up 1 from 7th to 6thLet It Bleed by The Rolling Stones |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 6th to 7thFisherman's Blues by The Waterboys |
| Down 1 from 8th to 9thHunky Dory by David Bowie |
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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.
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 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 | 1,457 | 99/100 |
| ! | 09/03/2019 10:11 |  ForegroundNoise | 473 | 87/100 |
| ! | 09/03/2019 09:59 |  DommeDamian | 1,004 | 89/100 |
| ! | 04/14/2018 08:14 | Ulf | 186 | 80/100 |
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 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.
Top 50 Greatest Music Albums favourites
Showing all 2 members who have added this chart as a favourite
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!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From DommeDamian 09/03/2019 09:59 | #242151
DommeDamian 09/03/2019 09:59 | #242151
Not my taste, but descriptions are no exception to greatness.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Ulf 04/14/2018 08:14 | #212855
Very nice chart and great comments
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
sssvnnn 11/06/2017 02:37 | #200840
sssvnnn 11/06/2017 02:37 | #200840
love the chart - go on.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
HoldenM 03/26/2017 02:00 | #188095
HoldenM 03/26/2017 02:00 | #188095
Huh. Would you describe yourself as... much of a Lou Reed fan, by chance?
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Lgk21 03/10/2017 03:48 | #187229
Great comments and choices.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
LedZep 09/13/2016 18:37 | #174920
LedZep 09/13/2016 18:37 | #174920
Very solid! 70s choices are really good
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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| Best Artists of 1987 | |
|---|---|
| 1. U2 | |
| 2. Guns N' Roses | |
| 3. Prince | |
| 4. The Smiths | |
| 5. Dinosaur Jr. | |
| 6. Dinosaur | |
| 7. R.E.M. | |
| 8. Michael Jackson | |
| 9. Depeche Mode | |
| 10. Sonic Youth | |
| 11. New Order | |
| 12. Def Leppard | |
| 13. INXS | |
| 14. The Cure | |
| 15. The Jesus And Mary Chain | |
| 16. Pixies | |
| 17. Midnight Oil | |
| 18. Eric B. & Rakim | |
| 19. Fleetwood Mac | |
| 20. Bruce Springsteen |
