Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by 
CA Dreamin 
If BEA allowed unofficial releases, Songs From the Black Hole by Weezer would be on here.
Currently adding personal feedback on select albums. Always a work in progress.
Suggestions welcome.
- Chart updated: 09/03/2023 20:15
- (Created: 06/23/2014 04:23).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 41 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 89 out of 100 (from 79 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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"...I was always caged, but now I'm free."
The Colour and the Shape was a liberating album for me. It introduced me to post-grunge, and I still say it is the best post-grunge album. You'll see more post-grunge it you care to keep looking down this list. Anyway, Foo Fighters were a logical place to go after I discovered Nirvana. They're not as dark and heavy as Nirvana, but sometimes I want the grunge sound, but not the Rape Me and Polly-level of depressing lyrics. And what's wrong with that?
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Everlong
2. My Poor Brain
3. Wind Up [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
The Colour and the Shape was a liberating album for me. It introduced me to post-grunge, and I still say it is the best post-grunge album. You'll see more post-grunge it you care to keep looking down this list. Anyway, Foo Fighters were a logical place to go after I discovered Nirvana. They're not as dark and heavy as Nirvana, but sometimes I want the grunge sound, but not the Rape Me and Polly-level of depressing lyrics. And what's wrong with that?
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Everlong
2. My Poor Brain
3. Wind Up [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
Year of Release:
1997
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,064
Rank in 1997:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
64
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"Never again is what you swore the time before"
Recently revisited Depeche Mode and Violator is their best. For a while I was between this and Black Celebration but Violator aged better. Standing the test of time and dozens of re-listens is the mark of truly great album. Depeche Mode is a one-a-kind band. I can think of only a couple bands that try sounding like them, and they fail to live up to them. Depeche Mode shows you can make music from non-traditional sounds and instruments. And for a guy like me who loves traditional-sounding rock, the fact Depeche Mode can hook me like few other bands is very impressive.
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Policy of Truth
2. Personal Jesus
3. Sweetest Perfection [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
Recently revisited Depeche Mode and Violator is their best. For a while I was between this and Black Celebration but Violator aged better. Standing the test of time and dozens of re-listens is the mark of truly great album. Depeche Mode is a one-a-kind band. I can think of only a couple bands that try sounding like them, and they fail to live up to them. Depeche Mode shows you can make music from non-traditional sounds and instruments. And for a guy like me who loves traditional-sounding rock, the fact Depeche Mode can hook me like few other bands is very impressive.
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Policy of Truth
2. Personal Jesus
3. Sweetest Perfection [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
Year of Release:
1990
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,622
Rank in 1990:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"Are you listening?
Whoa oh oh oh oh oh"
Yes I am listening, and Bleed American kicks ass. Not sure why it's ranked so low. It's probably a tad high on my list, but it's hard to imagine my list without it. Bleed American sums up my music taste so well. It's got the rock sound and the pop catchiness. The album flows well. It mixes up the tempo. Great closing track. What's not to love?
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Bleed American
2. Your House
3. The Middle [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
Whoa oh oh oh oh oh"
Yes I am listening, and Bleed American kicks ass. Not sure why it's ranked so low. It's probably a tad high on my list, but it's hard to imagine my list without it. Bleed American sums up my music taste so well. It's got the rock sound and the pop catchiness. The album flows well. It mixes up the tempo. Great closing track. What's not to love?
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Bleed American
2. Your House
3. The Middle [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
Year of Release:
2001
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,657
Rank in 2001:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"She lived like a murder, but she died, just like suicide"
What an album. I don't usually go for long albums, but this is an exception. From the badass blitzkrieg opener, through the epic closer, and killer in between, this is that rare hour-long+ album that holds my attention start-to-finish.
Superunknown is the best grunge albums. The reason I have Superunknown over them all is because of the song I quoted above. 'Like Suicide' is more layered than anything off Nirvana's albums. Kurt Cobain, while an outstanding songwriter, never pushed his songs over 5 minutes, while Cornell did it often, and did it well. It's okay, everyone has to play to their strengths. As for other non-Nirvana Grunge albums, none that I've listened to are as consistent as Superunknown, although Purple comes close.
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Superunknown
2. Let Me Drown
3. 4th of July [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
What an album. I don't usually go for long albums, but this is an exception. From the badass blitzkrieg opener, through the epic closer, and killer in between, this is that rare hour-long+ album that holds my attention start-to-finish.
Superunknown is the best grunge albums. The reason I have Superunknown over them all is because of the song I quoted above. 'Like Suicide' is more layered than anything off Nirvana's albums. Kurt Cobain, while an outstanding songwriter, never pushed his songs over 5 minutes, while Cornell did it often, and did it well. It's okay, everyone has to play to their strengths. As for other non-Nirvana Grunge albums, none that I've listened to are as consistent as Superunknown, although Purple comes close.
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Superunknown
2. Let Me Drown
3. 4th of July [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
Year of Release:
1994
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,894
Rank in 1994:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"I'm all lost in the supermarket."
I'm always lost in the supermarket. Too many things to consider...health, hunger, shelf life, money, endless options. Somebody just feed me, please. Or better yet, just play this awesome album for me when I'm least expecting it.
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Clampdown
2. Brand New Cadillac
3. Rudie Can't Fail [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
I'm always lost in the supermarket. Too many things to consider...health, hunger, shelf life, money, endless options. Somebody just feed me, please. Or better yet, just play this awesome album for me when I'm least expecting it.
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Clampdown
2. Brand New Cadillac
3. Rudie Can't Fail [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
Year of Release:
1979
Appears in:
Rank Score:
36,160
Rank in 1979:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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It's funny how we sometimes discover an artist by accident. Above I mention that my fondness for Forrest Gump led me to The Doors. Well it was The Graduate that led me to Simon & Garfunkel. Forrest Gump and The Graduate are among my favorite films, while The Doors and Paul Simon are among my favorite artists.
Anyway, this is S&G's best album. It may be thematically disjointed, ranging from anti-Vietnam, to the joys of life, to life's sadnesses. But that's Paul Simon for you. He had many ideas/feelings to express, he wouldn't make an album focusing on one. Unlike dozens of other iconic musicians we've had over the years, Paul Simon seems very down-to-earth.
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Flowers Never Bend With The Rainfall
2. Scarborough Fair/Canticle
3. Homeward Bound [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
Anyway, this is S&G's best album. It may be thematically disjointed, ranging from anti-Vietnam, to the joys of life, to life's sadnesses. But that's Paul Simon for you. He had many ideas/feelings to express, he wouldn't make an album focusing on one. Unlike dozens of other iconic musicians we've had over the years, Paul Simon seems very down-to-earth.
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Flowers Never Bend With The Rainfall
2. Scarborough Fair/Canticle
3. Homeward Bound [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
Year of Release:
1966
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,600
Rank in 1966:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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I recently re-listened to this plus the two Cure albums on here. For years I had considered Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me the weakest of the three. But the simple catchiness of Head of the Door had grown a little stale, while the slow atmosphere of Disintegration had grown boring for my usual need for quick satisfaction when it comes to music. But Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me surprised me with how well it aged. It has great simple/catchy tracks (Torture, The Perfect Girl, Just Like Heaven) and great atmospheric tracks (The Kiss, If Only Tonight We Could Sleep). It's the most diverse and eclectic album they made during their prime, which is why, for now, I have it as their highest. We'll see if that lasts.
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Just Like Heaven
2. Catch
3. The Perfect Girl [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Just Like Heaven
2. Catch
3. The Perfect Girl [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
Year of Release:
1987
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,829
Rank in 1987:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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[First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
Year of Release:
1978
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,297
Rank in 1978:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"If you should die before me, ask if you could bring a friend."
I listened to this song the night I heard Scott Weiland died. R.I.P.
Unlike Core, Weiland demonstrated here he was a damn good singer. While the other band members demonstrated they can write more than three chords. Purple doesn't get as much credit as it deserves. Grunge, post-grunge, alt-rock, hard rock, whatever you want to call it, it's one the best albums of its era.
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Vasoline
2. Still Remains
3. Lounge Fly [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
I listened to this song the night I heard Scott Weiland died. R.I.P.
Unlike Core, Weiland demonstrated here he was a damn good singer. While the other band members demonstrated they can write more than three chords. Purple doesn't get as much credit as it deserves. Grunge, post-grunge, alt-rock, hard rock, whatever you want to call it, it's one the best albums of its era.
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. Vasoline
2. Still Remains
3. Lounge Fly [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
Year of Release:
1994
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,786
Rank in 1994:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"Throw down the morning papers and spill my tea. I don't know what's wrong with me. The cups and plates are in a conspiracy."
There isn't anything wrong with an occasional comedy song, which is how I view 'On Any Other Day.' Much of the Police's work was downbeat, fringing on depressing. But 'On Any Other Day' makes good humor out of life's shit times. Whenever I'm down, I sometimes listen to 'On Any Other Day' and laugh, realizing my troubles are nothing compared to subject of this song. By the way, the song was written by Stewart Copeland.
That's one reason I hold this album in such high regard. Not only was Sting's songwriting a big leap over their debut, Outlandos d'Amour, but the other band members got in on the action too. Sting was still the driving force of the band. And here on Reggatta de Blanc, the band improved their sound and hit their stride.
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. The Bed's Too Big Without You
2. Bring On The Night
3. Message in a Bottle [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
There isn't anything wrong with an occasional comedy song, which is how I view 'On Any Other Day.' Much of the Police's work was downbeat, fringing on depressing. But 'On Any Other Day' makes good humor out of life's shit times. Whenever I'm down, I sometimes listen to 'On Any Other Day' and laugh, realizing my troubles are nothing compared to subject of this song. By the way, the song was written by Stewart Copeland.
That's one reason I hold this album in such high regard. Not only was Sting's songwriting a big leap over their debut, Outlandos d'Amour, but the other band members got in on the action too. Sting was still the driving force of the band. And here on Reggatta de Blanc, the band improved their sound and hit their stride.
My Top 3 Tracks:
1. The Bed's Too Big Without You
2. Bring On The Night
3. Message in a Bottle [First added to this chart: 06/23/2014]
Year of Release:
1979
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,596
Rank in 1979:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 2 of 10
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 17 | 17% | |
| 1970s | 17 | 17% | |
| 1980s | 20 | 20% | |
| 1990s | 30 | 30% | |
| 2000s | 14 | 14% | |
| 2010s | 2 | 2% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| The Beach Boys | 3 | 3% | |
| Simon & Garfunkel | 3 | 3% | |
| The Who | 3 | 3% | |
| The Cure | 3 | 3% | |
| The Police | 3 | 3% | |
| Radiohead | 3 | 3% | |
| Led Zeppelin | 3 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 5 from 12th to 7th The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 7th to 8th The Doors by The Doors |
| Down 1 from 8th to 9th The Cars by The Cars |
| Down 1 from 9th to 10th The Stranger by Billy Joel |
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
89/100 (from 79 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 79 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 100/100  | 01/06/2024 23:11 |  RoundTheBend | | 92/100 |
| 100/100 | 08/31/2023 02:43 | Ranger | | 100/100 |
| 90/100 | 05/12/2023 13:12 |  Goliath | | 86/100 |
| 90/100 | 08/24/2022 16:19 | Johnnyo | | 80/100 |
| 100/100 | 06/18/2022 01:15 | Nkelleyslc | | 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 5% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 89.0/100, a mean average of 88.9/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 89.4/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 9.8.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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100/100
From Ranger 08/31/2023 02:48
Great list and love the included commentary!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From Johnnyo 08/24/2022 16:21
Given your taste in music I’m surprise that there is no Hendrix in the start, or maybe I missed it. Despite that, great chart
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From RoundTheBend 12/24/2019 06:03
RoundTheBend 12/24/2019 06:03
Really dig the comments on this chart, and the selections.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
DommeDamian 12/23/2019 14:03
DommeDamian 12/23/2019 14:03
The way you've constructed your chart now has made it all unique. One Hundred%
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From 
ForegroundNoise 12/23/2019 10:47
ForegroundNoise 12/23/2019 10:47
Wow, previously had 70/100 for this chart but that was far too harsh a score. The effort you've gone into making this chart is hugely commendable - well done! That said, despite your great variety when it comes to time periods, it's a shame that (as far as I can tell) not a single person of colour managed to make it into your picks (and nothing outside of English speaking countries!). I wonder if maybe you gave some jazz/hip hop/electronic releases a try you might be pleasantly surprised, only time will tell xx
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (2 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
100/100
From Villain 01/26/2019 14:31
Great chart, nice to see a guy who likes to keep in the rock realm. I hope that I can develop my chart to this point someday. I still have a long way to go.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From Kuzh69 12/01/2018 00:00
very nice.... so glad to see i’m not the only one to remember how
awesome the cars were and are.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From jeffrey-hodgson 10/12/2018 13:05
Like Who's Next in the top 10
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (1 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
85/100
From 
NickGordons 09/01/2018 22:48
NickGordons 09/01/2018 22:48
Great chart, wow I just think about Billy Joel, he's legendary and popular musician in every country of this f*ckin world and so underrated...
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | -1 votes (0 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
CharlieBarley 08/03/2018 23:01
CharlieBarley 08/03/2018 23:01
I can't believe I haven't commented on your chart before! I thought I had. It makes excellent reading - your notes are warm, human and lively. I like your stories man. Its an honest chart too, just your favourite albums. No hipster posturing and I dig that. I haven't read it all yet but I will (its late). Definitely one of my favourite charts I've seen on BEA. It's right up there. Loving your work. Great to see someone else has the same 3 favourite Cure albums as me.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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| Best Artists of the 1960s | |
|---|---|
| 1. The Beatles | |
| 2. The Velvet Underground | |
| 3. Jimi Hendrix | |
| 4. Bob Dylan | |
| 5. The Beach Boys | |
| 6. The Jimi Hendrix Experience | |
| 7. The Velvet Underground & Nico | |
| 8. Led Zeppelin | |
| 9. The Doors | |
| 10. The Rolling Stones | |
| 11. King Crimson | |
| 12. John Coltrane | |
| 13. Frank Zappa | |
| 14. The Kinks | |
| 15. Love | |
| 16. Van Morrison | |
| 17. Charles Mingus | |
| 18. Neil Young | |
| 19. Miles Davis | |
| 20. The Zombies |