Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by 
DeusExMackia 
Yo! Thanks for checking out my list of my favourite albums ever. Like most people on BEA, I listen to an absolute ton of music, a lot of which isn't on here. This then is a list of what I consider to be give or take the best music ever made (in my humble opinion).
As of 28th November 2022, this is the rough outline:
- Positions 1 to 20 are as good as it gets. Ordered based on what I'd choose with a gun to my head, so the ones nearer the top are 'better', but it's all relative.
- 20 to ~60 are the albums I'd consider "runner-up best albums ever", a.k.a. "there's not enough room to fit everything into the top 10" and really might as well just be one big joint position.
- Everything below is structured to reflect how highly I regard it, but all can be considered "albums to listen to before you die (in my humble opinion)".
Also, the comments I have made about each album; for some records I could wax lyrical about them for days, and for others I can barely say a word. This, however, in no way determines whether I like a record more than another. And for quite a few of them, I can't even properly articulate why I love them.
For something extra, here are my favorite artists of all time. It's not properly reflected in my choice of albums.
In a rough-but-no-particular order:
The Smiths, David Bowie, Sonic Youth, Joy Division, Pink Floyd, Kate Bush, Fleetwood Mac, R.E.M., Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Diana Ross, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Idles, Fontaines D.C., Lou Reed, Nirvana, Radiohead, New Order, The Doors, The Clash, Prince, Gorillaz, Pet Shop Boys, Suede, The Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, Madonna, Squid, Little Simz, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Pavement, Sophie, Beyoncé, Grace Jones, Lana Del Rey, Kraftwerk, FKA twigs, Slowdive, MBV, Missy Elliott
----
Update 12/11/23: Some big ol' changes in the midfield. With the leaves falling off the trees I've conveniently remembered how obsessed with Slowdive I've always been, so welcome Souvlaki to the top 20 at last. A few other big moves.
Update 21/09/23: Welcome back Wish You Were Here, gone for 2.5 years, and now back on here because I don't think life is quite right without it. Far lower than before, but that's okay. A recent spur of 60s and 70s listening for me has led to the Stones gaining a new entry, and OK Computer making a return too. Two 2010s EPs from some of the most exciting artists living today - Miss Azealia and Miss Twigs - join the mid-pack in the form of 1991 and M3LL155X respectively.
Update 28/11/22: A great purge has occurred. Wholesale reorder. New entries from across the universe. Shock and Awe in the top 20 - I've finally let go of DSOTM's number 2 spot. It better reflects who I am now and what I love. The beautiful thing with a having a list like this is the work it takes to cultivate it and keep it in tune with who you are. See the previous versions of this chart for my older notes :)
Update 21/01/22: Things continues to move with the addition of albums from 2020 and 2021. We're well on the way to seeing the records from the last 30 years outweighing the records older than 30 years.
Update 30/03/21: It's a shock twist! The Top 10 has been updated for the first time since December 2017. Truly glacial pace of change up there, and not without good reason. Lou Reed's Transformer drops 1 place to 11, and still means the world to me. Welcome in our new Number 10 album, Loveless by My Bloody Valentine. A long time in the climbing for this position, I've finally accepted that I love this album more than ranking will ever be able to quantify, and that it deserves to be up there.
Update 09/02/21: Farewell to Wish You Were Here. Tough decision, but I haven't revisited it for so long now. Having it in the Top 20 seemed hard enough, but to be honest, my taste has changed. Welcoming in Bowie's Glastonbury 2000 set and Talking Heads's Stop Making Sense. Two pieces of absolute live perfection to enjoy whilst we aren't allowed to go to real gigs.
- Chart updated: 02/20/2024 14:45
- (Created: 10/20/2014 19:43).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 23 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 89 out of 100 (from 54 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 David Bowie. (Remove this filter)
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Best Songs: Oh! You Pretty Things, Life On Mars?, The Bewlay Brothers...and maybe Quicksand? Queen B*tch? There's far too many here to choose from.
This is it. The one record I'd recommend to absolutely anyone as a must-listen. Bowie's dip into something more gentle and singer-songwriter-esque might be the best thing record music has ever produced.
100/100 [First added to this chart: 10/23/2014]
This is it. The one record I'd recommend to absolutely anyone as a must-listen. Bowie's dip into something more gentle and singer-songwriter-esque might be the best thing record music has ever produced.
100/100 [First added to this chart: 10/23/2014]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
22,120
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Comments:
159
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Best Songs: Station to Station, Golden Years, Wild Is The Wind
This is beyond mad. It's an album that turns you into a fanatic. The darkness, despair, the longing and the decrepit insanity of The Thin White Duke, presented in masterful, theatrical style. Keep listening to this, even if you can't quite get into it. Eventually, the penny will drop - and it drops hard - and you will see that this is an absolute masterpiece.
100/100 [First added to this chart: 10/02/2015]
This is beyond mad. It's an album that turns you into a fanatic. The darkness, despair, the longing and the decrepit insanity of The Thin White Duke, presented in masterful, theatrical style. Keep listening to this, even if you can't quite get into it. Eventually, the penny will drop - and it drops hard - and you will see that this is an absolute masterpiece.
100/100 [First added to this chart: 10/02/2015]
Year of Release:
1976
Appears in:
Rank Score:
13,313
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Best Songs: Drive-In Saturday, Time, Jean Genie
If ever there was monument to the beauty of Glam Rock, this was it. The showmanship, the sheer scale of the energy, the swagger of that riff on Jean Genie and - holy mother of god - Bowie's voice on Drive-In Saturday. Few things come even remotely close to Aladdin Sane.
100/100 [First added to this chart: 10/23/2014]
If ever there was monument to the beauty of Glam Rock, this was it. The showmanship, the sheer scale of the energy, the swagger of that riff on Jean Genie and - holy mother of god - Bowie's voice on Drive-In Saturday. Few things come even remotely close to Aladdin Sane.
100/100 [First added to this chart: 10/23/2014]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,947
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Best Songs: Heroes, Blackout, The Secret Life of Arabia
Bowie's love for kultur-Germania reaches its absolute pinnacle here. "Heroes" paints a dark, dystopian picture of life, set in the ultra-modern world of 70s Deustchland, winding up being one of the most haunting records in rock history. And also one of the most perplexing; is it art rock? Electro-art? Krautrock as envisioned through Bowie and Eno's eyes? Whatever it is, it at once sits firmly in the avant-garde yet also two steps away from reality, making you want to dance one moment and then digging up your darkest thoughts the next. One of the most formidable statements of Bowie's indelible musical power. Everything and more, and still so fucking far out there. [First added to this chart: 09/08/2015]
Bowie's love for kultur-Germania reaches its absolute pinnacle here. "Heroes" paints a dark, dystopian picture of life, set in the ultra-modern world of 70s Deustchland, winding up being one of the most haunting records in rock history. And also one of the most perplexing; is it art rock? Electro-art? Krautrock as envisioned through Bowie and Eno's eyes? Whatever it is, it at once sits firmly in the avant-garde yet also two steps away from reality, making you want to dance one moment and then digging up your darkest thoughts the next. One of the most formidable statements of Bowie's indelible musical power. Everything and more, and still so fucking far out there. [First added to this chart: 09/08/2015]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,741
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Best songs: Wild Is The Wind, Starman, Ziggy Stardust...but in all honesty, the whole thing just has to be experienced in one go.
If you're reading this, I'm sure you're probably little bored of all the Bowie albums on this list. But here me out - you do not get festival headline sets of this calibre very often. Glastonbury 2000 is overwhelmingly perfect, filling you with a sense that you're witnessing an elderstatesmen of all music at one of his absolute high points. Far enough into his career to take full stock of all of his best hits, performed by probably his best band ever (Gail, Earl, Mike, WHAT A COMBO) and twinkingly with that Glastonbury magic, this is peak live Bowie. I well up every time I hear the crowd cheer, it's a touching little reminder of how fucking special David Bowie was and is. [First added to this chart: 02/11/2021]
If you're reading this, I'm sure you're probably little bored of all the Bowie albums on this list. But here me out - you do not get festival headline sets of this calibre very often. Glastonbury 2000 is overwhelmingly perfect, filling you with a sense that you're witnessing an elderstatesmen of all music at one of his absolute high points. Far enough into his career to take full stock of all of his best hits, performed by probably his best band ever (Gail, Earl, Mike, WHAT A COMBO) and twinkingly with that Glastonbury magic, this is peak live Bowie. I well up every time I hear the crowd cheer, it's a touching little reminder of how fucking special David Bowie was and is. [First added to this chart: 02/11/2021]
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Best Songs: Blackstar, Lazarus, I Can't Give Everything Away
It's like saying goodbye to a friend you know you'll never see again. And yet, it's like you've never been closer to one another. Bowie's final persona was one that feels vulnerable, personal, but also at peace. His end was coming, and his final gift was an album showing his acceptance of the inevitable. Heartbreaking, heartfelt, and absolutely brilliant; '★' ties up the loose ends with a precise, magic quality. So long, Thin White Duke. [First added to this chart: 02/24/2016]
It's like saying goodbye to a friend you know you'll never see again. And yet, it's like you've never been closer to one another. Bowie's final persona was one that feels vulnerable, personal, but also at peace. His end was coming, and his final gift was an album showing his acceptance of the inevitable. Heartbreaking, heartfelt, and absolutely brilliant; '★' ties up the loose ends with a precise, magic quality. So long, Thin White Duke. [First added to this chart: 02/24/2016]
Year of Release:
2016
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,597
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Comments:
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Best Songs: Starman, Lady Stardust, Ziggy Stardust
Shock horror, Ziggy Stardust isn't my favourite Bowie album. But I wholeheartedly agree with anyone who ranks it higher than I do. Ziggy is more than just one of the greatest rock albums ever, it's almost like a friend. Bowie's on your side, he knows how you feel, and he's here to tell you that you that it's completely and utterly fine to just be yourself. Cause it's that kind of thinking that results in music as good as this.
Side note: we may never ever be able to fully encapsulate how much Starman has meant to so many people, and continues to do so. It's one of the most important songs in recorded music history, and that's an end of it. [First added to this chart: 11/28/2014]
Shock horror, Ziggy Stardust isn't my favourite Bowie album. But I wholeheartedly agree with anyone who ranks it higher than I do. Ziggy is more than just one of the greatest rock albums ever, it's almost like a friend. Bowie's on your side, he knows how you feel, and he's here to tell you that you that it's completely and utterly fine to just be yourself. Cause it's that kind of thinking that results in music as good as this.
Side note: we may never ever be able to fully encapsulate how much Starman has meant to so many people, and continues to do so. It's one of the most important songs in recorded music history, and that's an end of it. [First added to this chart: 11/28/2014]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
50,096
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 7. Page 1 of 1
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 3 | 3% | |
| 1970s | 20 | 20% | |
| 1980s | 18 | 18% | |
| 1990s | 20 | 20% | |
| 2000s | 7 | 7% | |
| 2010s | 25 | 25% | |
| 2020s | 7 | 7% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| David Bowie | 7 | 7% | |
| Radiohead | 4 | 4% | |
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 3% | |
| Kendrick Lamar | 3 | 3% | |
| Nirvana | 3 | 3% | |
| The Smiths | 3 | 3% | |
| Sonic Youth | 3 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 83rd to 84th 新しい日の誕生 [Birth Of A New Day] by 2814 |
| Down 1 from 84th to 85th Goo by Sonic Youth |
| Down 1 from 85th to 86th Galore by Kirsty MacColl |
| New entries |
|---|
 The White Roomby The KLF |
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
89/100 (from 54 votes)
where:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
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Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 54 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
90/100  | 03/30/2024 17:17 | Johnnyo | | 80/100 |
 100/100 | 07/26/2022 00:35 | Rm12398 | | 89/100 |
| 90/100 | 07/25/2022 12:05 | wizardalien | | 88/100 |
| 90/100 | 12/07/2021 12:35 |  Cytoma | | 90/100 |
| 85/100 | 06/12/2021 14:46 | bobnickmad | | 88/100 |
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).
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This chart is rated in the top 4% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 89.3/100, a mean average of 89.9/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 89.9/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 7.1.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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90/100
From Johnnyo 03/30/2024 17:17
Great chart. Lovin the accompanying notes
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
AlvaroIesus 11/02/2023 09:12
AlvaroIesus 11/02/2023 09:12
So no Beatles?
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From Rm12398 07/26/2022 00:35
Picks are absolutely fantastic and the commentary on how your music taste changes throughout must be great to look back on from a personal perspective. Great list!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
Keatownrodriguez 01/05/2021 22:37
Keatownrodriguez 01/05/2021 22:37
Any chart with this much commentary attached to it is an amazing one in my book!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From Timooosterink 12/02/2019 12:17
Gorillaz! I love every chart with gorillaz!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (1 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
90/100
From rnanderson8 06/05/2019 17:15
Nice chart, I like a lot of your picks for best tracks, crazy how you're so into Bowie, only think a couple of his albums are really up there with the best of all time
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From DeusExMackia 11/13/2018 09:04
DeusExMackia 11/13/2018 09:04
@Sandinistar very good question, they're up there mainly for personal reasons, as in they have personal meaning to myself. They all mean a lot to me in one way or another.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
Sandinistar 11/13/2018 01:34
Sandinistar 11/13/2018 01:34
I'm intrigued, because almost all of your Top 10 are highly regarded albums that I like okay and think are good but think are overrated because they fail as cohesive albums. Would like to understand why you think they're all great, because I'm not opposed to that view I just don't fully get it.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From 
ramthecowy 10/08/2018 14:42
ramthecowy 10/08/2018 14:42
Ha it's taken me long enough to figure out how this site works, but here I am bby xoxo
Love your music, you're such an inspiration, I can't wait for Saturday Night Alternative to start up again.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From ramthecowy 10/08/2018 14:40
ramthecowy 10/08/2018 14:40
Ha it's taken me long enough to figure out how this site works, but here I am bby xoxo
Love your music, you're such an inspiration, I can't wait for Saturday Night Alternative to start up again.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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