Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by halloallesgoed 
I know having this many albums that are already rated really high on the site on your list isn't appreciated, but I feel like if so many people have liked these, then these are the albums I have the best chance of falling in love with.
I don't know where else to start frankly and that´s just what I´m doing, starting, so the chart probably will change a lot in the future.
If you have recommendations based on this list I'ld love to hear them!
- Chart updated: 11/20/2018 21:45
- (Created: 03/16/2015 22:10).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 13 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 92 out of 100 (from 40 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 1970s. (Remove this filter)
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An album I've known for a long time and have always loved. An
out-of-this-world accomplishment. I especially love time.
'Us and them
And after all we're only ordinary men
Me and you
God only knows it's not what we would choose to do' [First added to this chart: 03/17/2015]
out-of-this-world accomplishment. I especially love time.
'Us and them
And after all we're only ordinary men
Me and you
God only knows it's not what we would choose to do' [First added to this chart: 03/17/2015]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
60,008
Rank in 1973:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
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So many different styles, so much creativity. The first time I listened to this I felt like all the songs were kind of fun, but I wondered how long they would stay that way, because it almost seemed too easy how Bowie managed to make every song sound so good and catchy. The feeling only grew.
'let the children lose it
let the children use it
let all the children boogie' [First added to this chart: 03/17/2015]
'let the children lose it
let the children use it
let all the children boogie' [First added to this chart: 03/17/2015]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
43,280
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
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Comments:
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Great, kind of perfect since every song is catchy in its own way, but still never steps totally out of the punkfeel, which is impressive and the latter probably has something to do with Strummer's voice. Favorite is 'train in vain'.
'When they kick at your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun
When the law break in
How you gonna go?
Shot down on the pavement
Or waiting on death row' [First added to this chart: 03/17/2015]
'When they kick at your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun
When the law break in
How you gonna go?
Shot down on the pavement
Or waiting on death row' [First added to this chart: 03/17/2015]
Year of Release:
1979
Appears in:
Rank Score:
30,823
Rank in 1979:
Rank in 1970s:
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Most people wouldn't put a Sabbath lp over all the Zeppelin albums I think, but this thing just has so much personality, which I feel Zeppelin sometimes is lacking, though they make up for it in spades with their technical ability. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be frightened by this record, but songs like the title track and 'iron man' just make me laugh, which I mean in the best possible way. It's the most varied of the Black Sabbath albums I've heard, with them especially stepping out of their familiar sound on 'planet caravan', which they do so succesfully and it's one of the most chill and beautiful songs I know.
'Make a joke and I will sigh
And you will laugh and I will cry' [First added to this chart: 03/17/2015]
'Make a joke and I will sigh
And you will laugh and I will cry' [First added to this chart: 03/17/2015]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
18,780
Rank in 1970:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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The contrast with the album beneath in many ways couldn't be bigger, but the one above is pretty close come to think of it. Tweedy and Joni both seem like difficult people to love, but the music definitely helps a bunch. This album sounds so real to me and it can tear you apart.
[First added to this chart: 12/09/2016]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
16,125
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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The first time I listened to this was the first time I really listened to Bowie. I had just discovered this site and when I suddenly found a hidden portion of my dad's record collection I knew this one was ranked highly. So I listened to it and when the vinyl stopped spinning I loved the first side so much I just spun it again. This is his most homely album imo and it's lyrics are very sophisticated. I think it's very funny how he mocks Andy Warhol and praises the VU on the same album, though explicit and implicit respectively. It's not rare that starting artists wear their influences on their sleave, but it is rare when there's such an unique voice who in hindsight probably didn't need them to get going.
[First added to this chart: 03/17/2015]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
19,255
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Yeah yeah, it's all great.
'We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
And how we found
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.' [First added to this chart: 03/17/2015]
'We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
And how we found
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.' [First added to this chart: 03/17/2015]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
44,727
Rank in 1975:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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This is the album I need when it's been a long time since I've rock 'n rolled. Tracks like the first two, misty mountain hop, four sticks and when the levee breaks are perfect for this purpose. When the levee breaks is my favorite on this album and quite possibly my favorite song in their entire discography for its instantly recognisable driving drums, great vocals and dark guitarriff. It has such an intense atmosphere that makes you feel like you indeed have got to get the hell out of here as soon as you can stop headbanging. It feels like it's constantly building up, but it gives you no relieve.
The battle of evermore takes place on the eve of a big medieval battle atop a big mountain with a view of the valley. There are people dancing around a fire, possibly to celebrate the last evening of their lives, possibly because the tension has taken their mind. Horses are getting more and more restless as everyone starts to realise it's time to prepare and there is no turning back.
I may have gotten a little carried away there but the scene is very clear to me as i'm listening to it now, underrated song.
The bandmembers are essential figures on their respective instruments, but I feel like sometimes their songs lack distinctive personality, because the lyrics are often a bit bland, but on this album there are enough songs that don't have this problem and the other songs just rock so hard the lyrics don't bother me. [First added to this chart: 03/17/2015]
The battle of evermore takes place on the eve of a big medieval battle atop a big mountain with a view of the valley. There are people dancing around a fire, possibly to celebrate the last evening of their lives, possibly because the tension has taken their mind. Horses are getting more and more restless as everyone starts to realise it's time to prepare and there is no turning back.
I may have gotten a little carried away there but the scene is very clear to me as i'm listening to it now, underrated song.
The bandmembers are essential figures on their respective instruments, but I feel like sometimes their songs lack distinctive personality, because the lyrics are often a bit bland, but on this album there are enough songs that don't have this problem and the other songs just rock so hard the lyrics don't bother me. [First added to this chart: 03/17/2015]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
38,621
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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This is not the most musically innovative TH record, but it's my favorite. It's really funny. The lyrics sound like they're written by an alien trying to deal with love, an office job, friends. He has learned these are important things in life, doesn't have the time to think why and whether he agrees. The lyrics seem to mock neurotic workaholics in a really silly way. The vocal may seem grating and obnoxious to some people but this is not about esthetics, he's playing a character. This character wouldn't work with a smooth like Sinatra voice. You've got to hear the nerves and lack of sleep.
All the while the music is really catchy, funky and lighthearted. None of the songs outstay their welcome and take more then 2 seconds to get you into them.
'Loved ones, loved ones visit the building
Take the highway, park and come up and see me
I'll be working, working but if you come visit
I'll put down what I'm doing, my friends are important
Don't you worry 'bout me' [First added to this chart: 12/09/2016]
All the while the music is really catchy, funky and lighthearted. None of the songs outstay their welcome and take more then 2 seconds to get you into them.
'Loved ones, loved ones visit the building
Take the highway, park and come up and see me
I'll be working, working but if you come visit
I'll put down what I'm doing, my friends are important
Don't you worry 'bout me' [First added to this chart: 12/09/2016]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,204
Rank in 1977:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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It's message is still applyable on today's society and even if it wasn't, you'd still agree with everything he says, because of the awesomeness of his voice.
'Don't punish me with brutality' [First added to this chart: 03/17/2015]
'Don't punish me with brutality' [First added to this chart: 03/17/2015]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
18,991
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 25. Page 1 of 3
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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 | 25 | 25% | |
| 1980s | 13 | 13% | |
| 1990s | 15 | 15% | |
| 2000s | 23 | 23% | |
| 2010s | 7 | 7% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| The Beatles | 5 | 5% | |
| David Bowie | 3 | 3% | |
| Kanye West | 3 | 3% | |
| Bob Dylan | 3 | 3% | |
| Radiohead | 3 | 3% | |
| The Smiths | 3 | 3% | |
| Modest Mouse | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 97th to 98thHistoire De Melody Nelson by Serge Gainsbourg |
| Down 1 from 98th to 99thStation To Station by David Bowie |
| Down 1 from 99th to 100thIllinois by Sufjan Stevens |
| New entries |
|---|
| 2012-2017 by Against All Logic |
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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 40 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 07/30/2022 10:32 |  Applerill | 974 | 75/100 |
| ! | 02/29/2020 01:50 |  CA Dreamin | 134 | 88/100 |
| ! | 12/12/2019 21:34 | leniad | 673 | 85/100 |
| ! | 05/03/2019 21:04 |  flamingyesdept | 103 | 84/100 |
| ! | 04/04/2019 22:08 |  Rhyner | 1,457 | 99/100 |
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 1% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 92.0/100, a mean average of 92.1/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 93.5/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 8.8.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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From leniad 12/12/2019 21:34 | #245642
Really like your picks and the explanation on every album , good chart
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
ForegroundNoise 04/04/2019 12:13 | #234495
ForegroundNoise 04/04/2019 12:13 | #234495
Wow, such a great chart! Even if a little bit too saturated with the classics for me ... I love the charm of your notes, keep them up!!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Rivera 04/03/2019 13:17 | #234449
Great choices, great chart. Well done!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
DommeDamian 04/03/2019 12:02 | #234446
DommeDamian 04/03/2019 12:02 | #234446
Wow what a great chart. The descriptions is sweetly written, and hits home pretty much everysingle one of them. And props 4 MMLP
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From backhudson 04/04/2018 21:58 | #212304
Great chart, good write ups!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Ulf 04/04/2018 12:07 | #212281
Very great albums and great descriptions
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From DJENNY 03/24/2018 03:06 | #211601
Love love love this chart.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
JulianR 01/28/2018 21:07 | #206712
JulianR 01/28/2018 21:07 | #206712
great stuff! You definitely must check out the Smile Sessions. It can be a little harder to get into, as its a little more out there than Pet Sounds, but after numerous listens it becomes another masterpiece, almost on par with Pet Sounds
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From platus 07/30/2017 07:58 | #195164
Very good chart
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
corenfro 07/29/2017 21:48 | #195150
corenfro 07/29/2017 21:48 | #195150
Good list - don't worry about having many top rated albums in your list - they're rated highly for a reason. A lot of people on the site don't like the accept that overwhelming consensus might mean a piece of art is pretty darn good and that if you don't have a list of obscure artist no one has ever heard of it must be a terrible list.
I enjoyed reading your comments!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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