Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by hahol 
I think personal charts always are feelings,combined with nostalgic connections to your youth and childhood favourites melted together with lifeexperiences and strong impressions from the past. I can not point at classic albums from the near past, because defining classics takes time! A great example is Nick Drake!
Some 25 years passed before his genius was rediscovered! I hope there are still several other artists out there to be appreciated and yet are to be discovered from the hidden past!
- Chart updated: 03/21/2025 14:15
- (Created: 09/24/2014 20:22).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 32 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 89 out of 100 (from 58 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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Bob Dylan's albums are a journey through his life. From his debut in 1962 to this day his story is written through music and words in 6 decades. It has been ups and downs, but this man is destined to go on and on and ....!
In the 60's he mattered as the artist who gave rock importance and depth! His unwillingness to adapt , but do his own thing, made him the most influential artist ever! How many important artists have made cover versions of this man's output or made songs derived from his works? I name a few: Jimi Hendrix (All along the watchtower), Beatles (Rubber Soul), Stones (Aftermath), Elvis Presley (Tomorrow is a long time), Manfred Mann, Hollies, Fairport Convention ....! Blonde on Blonde was the last record in the trilogy of his "thin wild mercury sound" after going "electric". He was booed at his live concerts at the time, called Judas from the folk purists, but Dylan never compromised! His vision was clear and he was in his own bubble at the time. Unbelievable he made music so mysterious and enigmatic in such circumstances, but he did! I think this album is his masterpiece of this decade, a groundbreaking doublealbum at the time and with a lot of superb songs! My favourites are :
I want you, Just like a woman, Visions of Johanna, One of us must know and the sublime epic Sad eyed lady of the Lowlands. This 11,5 minutes long song written to his wife (Sara), is an absolute masterpiece.
The retirement (motorcycle-accident ) from live appearances perhaps saved his life in the period to come, but Dylan never came back to this greatness and significance! [First added to this chart: 10/02/2014]
In the 60's he mattered as the artist who gave rock importance and depth! His unwillingness to adapt , but do his own thing, made him the most influential artist ever! How many important artists have made cover versions of this man's output or made songs derived from his works? I name a few: Jimi Hendrix (All along the watchtower), Beatles (Rubber Soul), Stones (Aftermath), Elvis Presley (Tomorrow is a long time), Manfred Mann, Hollies, Fairport Convention ....! Blonde on Blonde was the last record in the trilogy of his "thin wild mercury sound" after going "electric". He was booed at his live concerts at the time, called Judas from the folk purists, but Dylan never compromised! His vision was clear and he was in his own bubble at the time. Unbelievable he made music so mysterious and enigmatic in such circumstances, but he did! I think this album is his masterpiece of this decade, a groundbreaking doublealbum at the time and with a lot of superb songs! My favourites are :
I want you, Just like a woman, Visions of Johanna, One of us must know and the sublime epic Sad eyed lady of the Lowlands. This 11,5 minutes long song written to his wife (Sara), is an absolute masterpiece.
The retirement (motorcycle-accident ) from live appearances perhaps saved his life in the period to come, but Dylan never came back to this greatness and significance! [First added to this chart: 10/02/2014]
Year of Release:
1966
Appears in:
Rank Score:
25,025
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I might have chosen any of this group's first five albums and placed them in my top ten, but this album is my personal favourite against all odds. Long distance love, All that you dream, One love stand, Somebody's leavin', Mercenary territory. Love them all ! Long distance love might be one of the most underrated songs in this group's catalog. I place it on top of the list! Sublime music!
[First added to this chart: 10/02/2014]
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This is one of the most moving melancholic pieces in music history along with Gustav Mahler's best classical works.
Shine on you crazy diamond is a beautiful starter, producing an atmospheric soundscape that set you in trance. Mindfulness music, cosmic blues .... Whatever you may call it? Relax and let it flow through your heart and brain. Of course this album is dedicated to their former leader, Syd Barrett. His absense is the thematic pillar for "Shine on you crazy diamond" and "Wish you were here".
This is close to perfection and Floyd defines a new direction and dimension within popular music. [First added to this chart: 10/02/2014]
Shine on you crazy diamond is a beautiful starter, producing an atmospheric soundscape that set you in trance. Mindfulness music, cosmic blues .... Whatever you may call it? Relax and let it flow through your heart and brain. Of course this album is dedicated to their former leader, Syd Barrett. His absense is the thematic pillar for "Shine on you crazy diamond" and "Wish you were here".
This is close to perfection and Floyd defines a new direction and dimension within popular music. [First added to this chart: 10/02/2014]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
44,741
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The Byrds' main singer and songwriter on his own and most inventive. A string of well-crafted songs. Not a weak track. Listen to beauties like From a silver phial, Strength of strings, Silver raven, Lady of the North and the title track!
A masterpiece and not dated a second. [First added to this chart: 10/23/2014]
A masterpiece and not dated a second. [First added to this chart: 10/23/2014]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,613
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Beatles' swansong is a decent and magnificent farewell. Mature music and mostly pure manna for the public. From the start Come together to The End, there are lots of genious songs: Something, Oh! Darling, Here comes the sun, Because, and McCartney's trilogy She came in through the bathroom window, Golden Slumbers, Carry that weight.
One of the best albums ever! [First added to this chart: 10/23/2014]
One of the best albums ever! [First added to this chart: 10/23/2014]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
57,323
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The Beatles is an institution in popular music, It is hard to point out the most important album, but Sgt.Pepper was the last album where the groupmembers cooperated with synergy! My favourite track by the group is A day in the life. I never get tired listening to it and of course it is the obvious end of this album. There are albums I appreciate more, but the significance of this album as an artwork is without any doubt! It is said that this record put Brian Wilson into "coma" and set the standard for the year of "summer of love"!
[First added to this chart: 10/02/2014]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
43,219
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My favourite jazz album! Coltrane and Miles are dynamite! A perfect record and a milestone in music history! One of the most influential records ever!
[First added to this chart: 10/23/2014]
Year of Release:
1959
Appears in:
Rank Score:
22,218
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Like a rolling stone is the birth of what we call rock music. From now on is music and words equally significant. Dylan defines what matters and give a damn in the popformula and patterns that exist in the musicscene. Over 6 minutes long, this track foresee what to come. Desolation row do it perhaps even better and every artist that matters is overwhelmed by this workaholic maniac who writes lyric as potent as a Nobelprizewinner. All of a sudden the music changes! Rock is defined as a serious artform!
[First added to this chart: 10/23/2014]
Year of Release:
1965
Appears in:
Rank Score:
27,337
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Comments:
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This has some of their best tunes, but also mediocre ones. Their most eclectic work to date! But on this they are 4 individual soloartists. Still a very impressive doublealbum!
[First added to this chart: 12/13/2014]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
37,280
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Comments:
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Robert Fripp's first progressive milestone is groundbreaking in its definition of a new genre. From the stress and precision of 21.century schizoid man to the totally relaxing mood of I talk to the Wind, the record is given a dynamic counterbalance. Epitaph is a stunning musical achievement and a learningbook in intelligent use of the mellotron. This is where the word progressive music is used and defined for the first time. A truly original piece of work. Still influential, but never repeated.
[First added to this chart: 10/02/2014]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
28,437
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Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 2 | 2% | |
| 1960s | 26 | 26% | |
| 1970s | 53 | 53% | |
| 1980s | 10 | 10% | |
| 1990s | 7 | 7% | |
| 2000s | 2 | 2% | |
| 2010s | 0 | 0% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Bob Dylan | 6 | 6% | |
| Pink Floyd | 4 | 4% | |
| The Beatles | 4 | 4% | |
| The Byrds | 3 | 3% | |
| Little Feat | 3 | 3% | |
| Procol Harum | 2 | 2% | |
| Peter Gabriel | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
42 | 42% | |
 |
41 | 41% | |
 |
6 | 6% | |
 |
6 | 6% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
There have been no changes to this chart.Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similar charts
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s | hahol | 1970s decade chart | 2016 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | tim0505 | Overall chart | 2025 | |
| Ya joking? Should've been higher! All Time edition |  Purplepash | Custom chart | 2025 | |
| Overall for yours truly |  RoundTheBend | Custom chart | 2020 | |
| Re-Ranking BEA's Top 100 | sunnydhamm | Custom chart | 2020 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | mjbreuer | Overall chart | 2020 | |
| My Ranking of the BEA top 100 |  sszwalbenest | Custom chart | 2021 | |
| BEA top 100 reranked - 2020 |  LedZep | Custom chart | 2023 |  |
| BEA's Top 100 - The Correct Order |  babyBlueSedan | Custom chart | 2020 | |
| Rearrange Top 100 |  Larcx13 | Custom chart | 2020 |  |
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Top 100 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 58 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 04/01/2025 21:53 | Moondance | 476 | 85/100 |
| ! | 04/01/2025 13:54 |  Tamthebam | 649 | 85/100 |
| ! | 03/20/2025 16:47 |  SomethingSpecial | 1,104 | 85/100 |
| ! | 12/16/2021 10:37 |  Goliath | 351 | 86/100 |
| ! | 12/16/2021 05:55 | weston | 80 | 87/100 |
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 6% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 88.6/100, a mean average of 89.0/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 89.0/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 8.7.
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums favourites
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
Showing latest 10 comments | Show all 32 comments |
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From tk421ucopy 12/15/2021 15:40 | #277527
I respect your comment that "defining classics takes time," but I don't find my favorite albums are always classics. And to take that a step further, sometimes I'm just worn out on the classics. I wish there was more outisde of the 60s and 70s, but regardless nice chart with the best descriptions I've read in a while.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From areminder 08/01/2020 04:38 | #256549
Wonderful chart, I enjoyed your annotations. Going to check out Hjernen Er Alene.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
StefanR10 07/31/2020 19:08 | #256529
StefanR10 07/31/2020 19:08 | #256529
Some interesting picks. Great to see some unknown artist and some classics I give 90 points for that.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
DommeDamian 07/31/2020 17:10 | #256526
DommeDamian 07/31/2020 17:10 | #256526
Favorited!
Not only do you have amazing albums included (from MJ to The Byrds), your descriptions are short and perfect, showing off your emotional intelligence and intellectuality. Don't let NE1 tell otherwise :)
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Larcx13 07/31/2020 17:05 | #256525
Larcx13 07/31/2020 17:05 | #256525
Yes! Blonde on Blonde #1!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From DommeDamian 11/30/2019 14:54 | #245280
DommeDamian 11/30/2019 14:54 | #245280
Really amazing chart, but damn that #1 description (and choice) hit hard man ;)
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
ForegroundNoise 11/30/2019 10:22 | #245275
ForegroundNoise 11/30/2019 10:22 | #245275
Even if the music is not generally my cup of tea, the care you've taken in writing for each of these albums is astonishing and impressive. That said, I don't think I agree with your statement: "I can not point at classic albums from the near past, because defining classics takes time!" - this shouldn't be a list of albums you 'think' are classics, these are just your favourite albums!! The whole idea of 'classics' is a subjective construction anyway, I fear that some underground picks might miss your radar because of this standardisation of the rock canon. Would be nice to see some more of your fringe tastes come through!!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Juneof44 03/13/2019 22:46 | #233473
Very impressive, i love the comments for every album.
Just a little lack of nowadays records.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From platus 11/11/2017 08:37 | #201157
Great chart! I agree completely. Excellent comments, by the way.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | -1 votes (0 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
From vancevisuals 11/11/2017 01:28 | #201147
to our children's children's children brst Moody Blues
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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