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 2000s. (Remove this filter)
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Krautrock, jazz and classical music was fuzzing around in a Thomas Edward Yorke, who by 1997 had burned out from the recordings for OK Computer. This variety of genres mixed with Yorke's increasing fascination with computers and programming led to the magnificent creation of Kid A.
Being the follow-up to one of music history's unanimously most important records, what Yorke set out to do was a clear example of an artist true to his integrity, who had the courage and who was not ruined by commercial success to take the easy choice and go towards the sound of The Bends which had the blockbuster-selling guitar driven sound.
The soundscape and production of Kid A is as authentic as nothing else to me and leaves me feeling utterly exhausted and a little paranoid after a focused listen. Yorke masters the way of making instrumentation and emotional expression work together, from the scratching voices on "Everything Is In Its Right Place" to the metallic and reverberating sound of his voice on the title track which feels incredibly isolated and hollow.
A tantalising masterpiece boldly rated higher than their commercial masterpiece OK Computer because of my personal experience with this album and what I believe is the underestimation of Kid A and the revolutionising way of mixing feelings into sound - this really is, I believe, what this album exhibits better than any other in the history of music.
As The Beatles started modern rock, Radiohead ended it, showing how music's perhaps greatest and most influential artists in an almost emerging manner fulfilled the era of modern rock. [First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
Being the follow-up to one of music history's unanimously most important records, what Yorke set out to do was a clear example of an artist true to his integrity, who had the courage and who was not ruined by commercial success to take the easy choice and go towards the sound of The Bends which had the blockbuster-selling guitar driven sound.
The soundscape and production of Kid A is as authentic as nothing else to me and leaves me feeling utterly exhausted and a little paranoid after a focused listen. Yorke masters the way of making instrumentation and emotional expression work together, from the scratching voices on "Everything Is In Its Right Place" to the metallic and reverberating sound of his voice on the title track which feels incredibly isolated and hollow.
A tantalising masterpiece boldly rated higher than their commercial masterpiece OK Computer because of my personal experience with this album and what I believe is the underestimation of Kid A and the revolutionising way of mixing feelings into sound - this really is, I believe, what this album exhibits better than any other in the history of music.
As The Beatles started modern rock, Radiohead ended it, showing how music's perhaps greatest and most influential artists in an almost emerging manner fulfilled the era of modern rock. [First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
Year of Release:
2000
Appears in:
Rank Score:
42,251
Rank in 2000:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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2004 was a genre defining year for music. This is linearly channelled; this is tormented childhood memories, which Arcade Fire turn into something so brave and empowering that one cannot help but to be moved by the story of nostalgic childhood and loss that the album revolves around. Butler is terrifyingly vulnerable and delivers the lyrics in a most beautiful and desperate manner.
The album is celebratory, emotionally rich and life-affirming, and this makes the revolving theme of death as polarised to its nature as possible.
Filled with so much beautiful songwriting and an awe inspiring track-list, music history's biggest post-modern classic is right here in my opinion.
Although Indie by definition died in 2011 (the year which in itself marked a frightening shift in terms of music relativism, e.g. streaming-services, death of listening and album focus) when The Suburbs received Album of the Year at the Grammy's, it was revived right here on their debut and masterpiece. [First added to this chart: 03/10/2015]
The album is celebratory, emotionally rich and life-affirming, and this makes the revolving theme of death as polarised to its nature as possible.
Filled with so much beautiful songwriting and an awe inspiring track-list, music history's biggest post-modern classic is right here in my opinion.
Although Indie by definition died in 2011 (the year which in itself marked a frightening shift in terms of music relativism, e.g. streaming-services, death of listening and album focus) when The Suburbs received Album of the Year at the Grammy's, it was revived right here on their debut and masterpiece. [First added to this chart: 03/10/2015]
Year of Release:
2004
Appears in:
Rank Score:
34,126
Rank in 2004:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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D'angelo took a risky turn from his quite convention soul-driven sound on the'95 Brown Sugar debut, and towards this masterpiece, which is everything but conventional. Loose, groove-based funk mixed with amazing creativity on vocal harmonies and instrumentation, Voodoo is an album to remember.
Voodoo is the definition of an artist true to him or herself, who doesn't mind reeking miles away of love, desire, sexuality, and personal growth which is the core of D'Angelo's songwriting here. But the way in which D'Angelo pulls it off in terms of sensuality and blind confidence is unparalleled, with only Marvin Gaye being a resemblance of a contender... which really says it all.
Production-wise, each song is so creatively composed and crafted - I do not have words, rather a break-dancing facial expression, for how this album sounds.
D'Angelo himself an amazing multi-instrumentalist, but especially guitarist, dictates the band all the way - even Questlove, true to his integrity in terms of groove and his beat, sounds completely submitted to D'Angelo's immaculate timing, where he is the clear driving force.
Brilliant! If there are any audiophiles with an ambitious system reading this, don't hesitate to take Voodoo for a spin. To everyone else; take a listen to this life-affirming album, which confirms that there is a lot to love in life, most of all music. [First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
Voodoo is the definition of an artist true to him or herself, who doesn't mind reeking miles away of love, desire, sexuality, and personal growth which is the core of D'Angelo's songwriting here. But the way in which D'Angelo pulls it off in terms of sensuality and blind confidence is unparalleled, with only Marvin Gaye being a resemblance of a contender... which really says it all.
Production-wise, each song is so creatively composed and crafted - I do not have words, rather a break-dancing facial expression, for how this album sounds.
D'Angelo himself an amazing multi-instrumentalist, but especially guitarist, dictates the band all the way - even Questlove, true to his integrity in terms of groove and his beat, sounds completely submitted to D'Angelo's immaculate timing, where he is the clear driving force.
Brilliant! If there are any audiophiles with an ambitious system reading this, don't hesitate to take Voodoo for a spin. To everyone else; take a listen to this life-affirming album, which confirms that there is a lot to love in life, most of all music. [First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
Year of Release:
2000
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,389
Rank in 2000:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
When my best two friends and I had just rented a camper in New Zealand and were about to encompass on a big adventure, "Fleet Foxes" really were the signature soundtrack to accompany the magnificent journey and landscape of New Zealand. Reminiscent of that March of 2011 as well of 2008 which created a sound in indie never heard before.
This album in dense in emotional expression. Stories told are specific, fragmented and brief of childhood and teenage memories.
Vocal harmonies and melodies are pitch perfect and are really a great listening experience. Production is great as well with a naked, present and authentic sound although still with a clearly expressed soundstage.
"White Winter Hymnal" is probably one of the songs that have been going through my head the most since 2008, even though I find it rather difficult to point out a single track on this fantastic record. [First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
This album in dense in emotional expression. Stories told are specific, fragmented and brief of childhood and teenage memories.
Vocal harmonies and melodies are pitch perfect and are really a great listening experience. Production is great as well with a naked, present and authentic sound although still with a clearly expressed soundstage.
"White Winter Hymnal" is probably one of the songs that have been going through my head the most since 2008, even though I find it rather difficult to point out a single track on this fantastic record. [First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
Year of Release:
2008
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,445
Rank in 2008:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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[First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
Year of Release:
2007
Appears in:
Rank Score:
11,982
Rank in 2007:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Buy album
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[First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
Buy album
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[First added to this chart: 04/11/2015]
Year of Release:
2002
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,399
Rank in 2002:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
[First added to this chart: 03/25/2015]
Year of Release:
2007
Appears in:
Rank Score:
11,065
Rank in 2007:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
[First added to this chart: 03/08/2017]
Year of Release:
2007
Appears in:
Rank Score:
43,866
Rank in 2007:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 11. 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% | |
| The Jimi Hendrix Experience | 2 | 2% | |
| Pink Floyd | 2 | 2% | |
| Led Zeppelin | 2 | 2% | |
| Talk Talk | 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 26thHistoire De Melody Nelson by Serge Gainsbourg |
| Down 1 from 26th to 27thSkylarking by XTC |
| Down 1 from 27th to 28thThe Doors by The Doors |
| Leavers |
|---|
| Astral Weeks by Van Morrison |
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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 67 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 03/20/2025 22:50 |  SomethingSpecial | 1,104 | 85/100 |
| ! | 11/08/2022 02:33 | Larcx13 | 1,145 | 86/100 |
| ! | 11/07/2022 21:53 | Moondance | 476 | 85/100 |
| ! | 11/07/2022 14:04 |  flamingyesdept | 103 | 84/100 |
| ! | 01/03/2022 17:10 |  Goliath | 351 | 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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From Moondance 11/07/2022 21:57 | #291132
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)
From 
DommeDamian 04/28/2022 12:13 | #284751
DommeDamian 04/28/2022 12:13 | #284751
Nærmest endnu bedre end 4 år siden.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Goliath 01/03/2022 17:11 | #278502
Goliath 01/03/2022 17:11 | #278502
22 in common, contains many classics, as it should.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
Boltzmann 09/02/2018 11:20 | #220397
Boltzmann 09/02/2018 11:20 | #220397
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)
From DommeDamian 11/23/2017 11:09 | #201954
DommeDamian 11/23/2017 11:09 | #201954
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)
From CharlieBarley 11/16/2017 19:57 | #201451
CharlieBarley 11/16/2017 19:57 | #201451
Good chart like the notes plenty of heavy hitters
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From platus 11/16/2017 18:33 | #201449
very nice chart
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
PanheadWarrior 08/02/2017 22:33 | #195394
PanheadWarrior 08/02/2017 22:33 | #195394
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)
From LedZep 05/01/2017 12:18 | #190102
LedZep 05/01/2017 12:18 | #190102
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)
From 
Liedzeit 04/28/2017 07:52 | #189955
Liedzeit 04/28/2017 07:52 | #189955
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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