Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by 
calsper 
The difficult task of turning something as subjective as the power of music into an objective measure seems both arbitrary and heuristic if one is to avoid leaving readers with an undifferentiated overview.
In this chart I try to take into consideration certain aspects that I regard as crucial in order to rank the top 100 albums in music history, in which I believe a multifaceted approach is needed.
I rank by taking into account components of the individual album related to:
- Memories: my personal testemonies, confessions and experiences related to the music album as a listener, musician and human being
- History: the significance of music history and the vast impact and ways that single recordings have echoed throughout time as seminal artistic testamonies
- State-dependent emotion: the creative impact that I experience in listening and the emotional states that emerge during the course of the album's runtime
- Production: the soundstage, instrumentation, transparency and mastering of certain albums inducted into this chart as musical detail and presence to me is a highly enriching aspect of experiencing music.
This is a wonderful website. I am honored to be part of it and to have the privilege of being inspired by the whole-hearted music lovers in it. ..Enjoy
Best Casper
- Chart updated: 06/01/2022 08:45
- (Created: 03/09/2015 01:47).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 40 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 90 out of 100 (from 67 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 the 1980s. (Remove this filter)
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Is this the sneakiest masterpiece in pop music? Fagen took a huge risk in clashing with the monopoly of analogue recording when he created what would become perhaps the very reference album in terms of production and execution.
Being the ever early bird to be entirely digitally recorded, "The Nightfly" channels the courage, the wit and ever-determined will to produce this stellar pop record.
With a legendary personnel including Abraham Laboriel Sr., Larry Carlton, Marcus Miller, Greg Phillinganes and legendary Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro, this record is ruthless in its precision and effortless execution.
The lyrical themes are sophisticated and autobiographical, drawn from Fagen's fantasies from his time in the late 50's when fantasizing about his future days, as described in the booklet of the LP.
The liner notes of the record denotes 31 session musicians included in the album, a typical example of Fagen's extreme perfectionist approach to the recording process - this tendency didn't just end with Steely Dan's Gaucho in '80 but continued into his debut solo album that truly is fantastic in the daring exploration in perfect sound and sophistication (and only beaten by one album; "Kamakiriad" from '93 which is the best sounding recording I have ever laid my ears on). [First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
Being the ever early bird to be entirely digitally recorded, "The Nightfly" channels the courage, the wit and ever-determined will to produce this stellar pop record.
With a legendary personnel including Abraham Laboriel Sr., Larry Carlton, Marcus Miller, Greg Phillinganes and legendary Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro, this record is ruthless in its precision and effortless execution.
The lyrical themes are sophisticated and autobiographical, drawn from Fagen's fantasies from his time in the late 50's when fantasizing about his future days, as described in the booklet of the LP.
The liner notes of the record denotes 31 session musicians included in the album, a typical example of Fagen's extreme perfectionist approach to the recording process - this tendency didn't just end with Steely Dan's Gaucho in '80 but continued into his debut solo album that truly is fantastic in the daring exploration in perfect sound and sophistication (and only beaten by one album; "Kamakiriad" from '93 which is the best sounding recording I have ever laid my ears on). [First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
Year of Release:
1982
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,543
Rank in 1982:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
22
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1982 was the year where the reference popular music record was born.
Genius Michael, driven by a learned ferocity and perfectionist approach to music at his artistic peak, mixed with the technical accomplishment and production of genius Quincy Jones, and the absolute musical precision of Toto members Steve Lukather, David Paich and Jeff and Steve Porcaro made this the defining album as being taylored for anyone at anytime.
The production is fearless, ferociously precise and simply lovable, and Michael's energy is unrivalled.
The depth and production-wise thoughtfulness shown in this masterpiece have inspired thousands of artists and producers, and has facilitated an entirely new way of approaching popular music. [First added to this chart: 03/10/2015]
Genius Michael, driven by a learned ferocity and perfectionist approach to music at his artistic peak, mixed with the technical accomplishment and production of genius Quincy Jones, and the absolute musical precision of Toto members Steve Lukather, David Paich and Jeff and Steve Porcaro made this the defining album as being taylored for anyone at anytime.
The production is fearless, ferociously precise and simply lovable, and Michael's energy is unrivalled.
The depth and production-wise thoughtfulness shown in this masterpiece have inspired thousands of artists and producers, and has facilitated an entirely new way of approaching popular music. [First added to this chart: 03/10/2015]
Year of Release:
1982
Appears in:
Rank Score:
16,468
Rank in 1982:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Tim Friese, the producer of this great band, is worthy of the first denotation for this musical pearl. I mention Friese first, because what Talk Talk are to me, is a reference in complex and naked production at the same time.
The band's discography is simply amazing. The aforementioned nakedness to the bliss production is clear through certain other album of their way too short discography (e.g. "Laughing Stock"), and others such as the amazing "The Colour Of Spring" (which I believe to be the best instrumentation an album has ever put out) but still, to me it never reaches the height of "Spirit Of Eden".
Apart from the production, there are still things to say about the great vocal effort from Mark Hollis - these guys are geniuses in their way of expressing emotion through sound.
By this they hit a nerve for me that musically makes Talk Talk one of my favourite bands. [First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
The band's discography is simply amazing. The aforementioned nakedness to the bliss production is clear through certain other album of their way too short discography (e.g. "Laughing Stock"), and others such as the amazing "The Colour Of Spring" (which I believe to be the best instrumentation an album has ever put out) but still, to me it never reaches the height of "Spirit Of Eden".
Apart from the production, there are still things to say about the great vocal effort from Mark Hollis - these guys are geniuses in their way of expressing emotion through sound.
By this they hit a nerve for me that musically makes Talk Talk one of my favourite bands. [First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,418
Rank in 1988:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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[First added to this chart: 04/05/2022]
Year of Release:
1980
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,983
Rank in 1980:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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[First added to this chart: 03/10/2015]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,545
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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David Byrne set out to do the extreme with Eno as producer in '80 when post punk and new wave somehow magically intertwined with obscure funk in their (talking) heads, which was the foundation for the amazing "Remain In Light". Polyrhythmics and samples all over the place is the key to musical fragmentation here.
Actually, literally written out of fragmented post-it notes, this is utterly freely associative and absurd in its poetry - and the music follows in the best way possible.
Radiohead would not have seen the day of light, Yorke has admitted on several occasions, if it wasn't for this recording.
What these guys did later on in their stranger turn towards pop ended up in a quite eccentric discography altogether, but that is another story.
My favourite punk-contingent and -traceable album. "Once In A Lifetime" is in a class of its own. [First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
Actually, literally written out of fragmented post-it notes, this is utterly freely associative and absurd in its poetry - and the music follows in the best way possible.
Radiohead would not have seen the day of light, Yorke has admitted on several occasions, if it wasn't for this recording.
What these guys did later on in their stranger turn towards pop ended up in a quite eccentric discography altogether, but that is another story.
My favourite punk-contingent and -traceable album. "Once In A Lifetime" is in a class of its own. [First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
Year of Release:
1980
Appears in:
Rank Score:
28,543
Rank in 1980:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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1986 saw the release of an album that took world music to its ultimate peak of exposure, where Simon created an album about isolation and redemption that transcended world music to become the whole world's eclectic album.
With a mixture of musical styles, including pop, a cappella, and African roots genres, Simon created these magnificent compositions inspired by his journey to South Africa, collaborating with both African and American artists.
What I pay particular attention to on this great album is the bass of each song. The bass works as an unusual template here that I haven't heard this distinctive before - it sort of works as the essence of everything that happens on the album.
The production is amazing - Simon, working with the best musicians from the black townships, brought a fluid energy and expertise to the soundscape with the help of guitarist Ray Phiri and not to leave out, "Ladysmith Black Mambazo" (who had their career basically based on the popularity of this album).
Here, Simon created an album about isolation and Apartheid and redemption that transcends world music. The bright and insisting grooves accompany the sharp, intelligent, strange and funny lyrics which altogether makes this one of my favourite albums. [First added to this chart: 03/10/2015]
With a mixture of musical styles, including pop, a cappella, and African roots genres, Simon created these magnificent compositions inspired by his journey to South Africa, collaborating with both African and American artists.
What I pay particular attention to on this great album is the bass of each song. The bass works as an unusual template here that I haven't heard this distinctive before - it sort of works as the essence of everything that happens on the album.
The production is amazing - Simon, working with the best musicians from the black townships, brought a fluid energy and expertise to the soundscape with the help of guitarist Ray Phiri and not to leave out, "Ladysmith Black Mambazo" (who had their career basically based on the popularity of this album).
Here, Simon created an album about isolation and Apartheid and redemption that transcends world music. The bright and insisting grooves accompany the sharp, intelligent, strange and funny lyrics which altogether makes this one of my favourite albums. [First added to this chart: 03/10/2015]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,948
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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[First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
Year of Release:
1987
Appears in:
Rank Score:
18,619
Rank in 1987:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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A fantastic and explosive pop record.
Searingly sounding and lyrically great, Johnny Marr finally pulled of this great band's best in 1986 - it really touches me with each listen how great all the songs are. Morrissey's best performance to date on this record as well with gleaming, British and smooth vocals and sounds.
Truly a masterpiece and awe inspiring for me personally. [First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
Searingly sounding and lyrically great, Johnny Marr finally pulled of this great band's best in 1986 - it really touches me with each listen how great all the songs are. Morrissey's best performance to date on this record as well with gleaming, British and smooth vocals and sounds.
Truly a masterpiece and awe inspiring for me personally. [First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
35,169
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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[First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
Year of Release:
1980
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,891
Rank in 1980:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 14. Page 1 of 2
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 3 | 3% | |
| 1960s | 17 | 17% | |
| 1970s | 27 | 27% | |
| 1980s | 14 | 14% | |
| 1990s | 9 | 9% | |
| 2000s | 11 | 11% | |
| 2010s | 19 | 19% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| The Beatles | 5 | 5% | |
| Radiohead | 4 | 4% | |
| Steely Dan | 3 | 3% | |
| Michael Jackson | 2 | 2% | |
| Daft Punk | 2 | 2% | |
| The Jimi Hendrix Experience | 2 | 2% | |
| Pink Floyd | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
51 | 51% | |
 |
31 | 31% | |
 |
5 | 5% | |
 |
5 | 5% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 25th to 26th Histoire De Melody Nelson by Serge Gainsbourg |
| Down 1 from 26th to 27th Skylarking by XTC |
| Down 1 from 27th to 28th The Doors by The Doors |
| Leavers |
|---|
 Astral Weeksby Van Morrison |
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
90/100 (from 67 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 67 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
85/100  | 03/20/2025 22:50 | SomethingSpecial | | 85/100 |
100/100 | 11/08/2022 02:33 | Larcx13 | | 86/100 |
80/100 | 11/07/2022 21:53 | Moondance | | 85/100 |
95/100 | 11/07/2022 14:04 |  flamingyesdept | | 84/100 |
 90/100 | 01/03/2022 17:10 |  Goliath | | 86/100 |
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 2% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 90.4/100, a mean average of 90.4/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 91.1/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 9.0.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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80/100
From Moondance 11/07/2022 21:57
Some terrific comments that I enjoyed reading. The chart reads like a reshuffling of the best of the best BEA rated albums - which is fine....but the chart didn't excite me like the more adventurous charts do.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
DommeDamian 04/28/2022 12:13
DommeDamian 04/28/2022 12:13
Nærmest endnu bedre end 4 år siden.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From Goliath 01/03/2022 17:11
Goliath 01/03/2022 17:11
22 in common, contains many classics, as it should.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
65/100
From 
Boltzmann 09/02/2018 11:20
Boltzmann 09/02/2018 11:20
The most PC chart I have ever seen on this site, and that’s saying something. Do you even have a taste of your own?
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | -1 votes (1 helpful | 2 unhelpful)
100/100
From DommeDamian 11/23/2017 11:09
DommeDamian 11/23/2017 11:09
11 albums og 18 kunstnere. Vi har virkeligt meget til fælles. Fed liste og endnu bedre beskrivelser, homie
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From CharlieBarley 11/16/2017 19:57
CharlieBarley 11/16/2017 19:57
Good chart like the notes plenty of heavy hitters
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From platus 11/16/2017 18:33
very nice chart
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
PanheadWarrior 08/02/2017 22:33
PanheadWarrior 08/02/2017 22:33
A lot of great albums and some albums I will have to check out! I liked reading your album reviews. Very good stuff!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
80/100
From LedZep 05/01/2017 12:18
LedZep 05/01/2017 12:18
It's got all the classics but that's just it, not a single choice I didn't see on basically every chart ever. This is good and bad at the same time. The second thing is that I don't like some of the choices, but descriptions compensate for that. Not that diverse, but still very charming. I'm confused.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
80/100
From 
Liedzeit 04/28/2017 07:52
Liedzeit 04/28/2017 07:52
Too many albums that everybody seems to like, for my taste. No wonder it resembles the Top 100 rearranged most. Only 2 2digits albums (in less than 100 charts). This is hard too understand for me. There is joy in loving albums that are obscure.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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