Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by 
Jimmy Dread 
COMPYS INCLUDED SINCE 2018. And why not?
AKA 100 LPs to Save When the World Caves In, or at least the 100 I currently have with me in my pocket squashed onto my iPhone (and hence carry everywhere). Inspired in equal parts by John Peel, my dear late mother, countless friends I've met over the years and music magazines/internet sites, as well as a couple of BEAutiful souls from this very site.
My chart is hardly definitive (strictly one album per act) and by no means representative of 'the greatest' albums per se, but certainly indicative of the LPs that mean the most to me right now. Think of me as an anorak-clad indie-popper with dreadlocks, buffalo sandals, ripped jeans and a set of glowsticks and you'd get some sort of idea of not only my musical tastes, but why I now let my wife choose my wardrobe. Constantly on the hunt for something new to make my soul sing, so if you think you can help, drop me a line. Jimmy, May 2021.
- Chart updated: 05/22/2021 21:45
- (Created: 11/04/2010 18:06).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 98 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 92 out of 100 (from 141 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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PICK - Northern Sky; FIRST HEARD: off back on Melody Maker CD compy, 1994. My spiritual awakening and pastoral epiphany, which also prompted me to reinvent my shopping habits and raid charity shops for vintage shirts. I always swore I'd marry any female fan of Nick Drake on the spot. Reminds me heaps of my Mum (God rest her beautiful soul) who said how lovely it was that I wasn't listening to 'loud stuff that annoyed your father' when she heard it emanating from my teenage bedroom. When my parents went out, I stuck The Fall on.
[First added to this chart: 11/04/2010]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,681
Rank in 1971:
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Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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PICK - Children's Waltz; FIRST HEARD: Friend of a friend on Facebook, oddly enough on the evening of my son's first birthday. Simply put, the most beautiful album I've ever heard in my life. Musical escapism in its purest form - stick this on (especially with your infant child in your arms, bouncing on your knee or happily strapped to the car seat playing with a maraca) and for a moment screw worrying about paying the next bill or that deadline at work - nothing matters. I simply cannot get enough of it - the mix of sunshine pop, folk balladry, sumptuous harmonies and a cover of the Sesame Street theme tune all have a place here. Dust down your Fisher Price record player, give it a spin and let your inner child run innocent and carefree for half an hour. And when life's been dealing you various kicks in the bollocks, sometimes looking at the world through a child's eyes is all you need to get you through.
[First added to this chart: 05/01/2014]
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PICK - Ark Of The Covenant; FIRST HEARD: off back of Rough Trade 25 Years compy. The zenith of my roots reggae years, the best thing that the spectral hand of Lee 'Scratch' Perry ever touched, and the most spiritually uplifting album I'll ever likely listen to from start to finish.
[First added to this chart: 11/04/2010]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,765
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Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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PICK - Blitzkrieg Bop; FIRST HEARD: Uni. Blew my mind the moment I heard it and made me chuck away every single Rave and Speed Garage CD I ever owned, for some reason.
[First added to this chart: 11/04/2010]
Year of Release:
1976
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,950
Rank in 1976:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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PICK - 12XU; FIRST HEARD: Uni. Punk goes to college with tracks lasting less time than it takes to breathe and in Mr. Suit the best song to shout at anally-retentive, pin-striped commuters at Redhill station. I don't do this often, on account of British Rail's stringent policy on personal stereos.
[First added to this chart: 11/04/2010]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,052
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Average Rating:
Comments:
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PICK - We Need Love; FIRST HEARD: off back of 100% Dynamite compy. One of Jamaica's most under-rated singers and Studio One riddims to die for. Soul meets reggae and comes out smiling. Shame bugger all people know about it.
[First added to this chart: 11/04/2010]
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PICK - Alagbon Close; FIRST HEARD: Fela binge started by finding an original UK press of Shakara on Gumtree for a quid, mid-2015. Fela's discography is a total minefield, but this is one bomb that you'd quite happily let go off in your boudoir. Zombie might be a better track than both of these, but both Alagbon Close and I No Get Eye For Back are for me a better 1-2 punch than anything else the great man ever cut. Groovy as fuck.
[First added to this chart: 05/03/2019]
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PICK - Preta Pretinha; FIRST HEARD: Via Brun027 on BEA. I've fallen head-over-heels for 70s MPB in the last few years, and Bruno has been a huge source for recs a plenty. Have listened to this LP tons since I got it and only gutted that I didn't discover it sooner,
[First added to this chart: 07/23/2015]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,983
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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PICK - Run Come Rally; FIRST HEARD: Heard 'Jesus Dread' compilation on listening post in Sounds of the Universe, Broadwick Street, Soho. My favourite record shop by a long chalk - friendly staff, in-house record label which does a fine line in VERY good compilations and a great roots reggae section to boot. Finally found it on vinyl after a bit of hunting - along with the dubwise version (King Tubby's Prophesy of Dub) which is equally as stupendous.
[First added to this chart: 11/04/2010]
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PICK - Africa Brasil (Zumbi); FIRST HEARD: off back of Soul Jazz Tropicalia compilation, which whilst not featuring any tracks from this LP made me fall for Brazilian music in general. I've been hooked on MPB for some time now (with plenty of great recs coming from Brun027's fab chart), listened to loads of weird and wonderful things and can safely say that Jorge Ben is nothing sort of a visionary and a genius. Anyone of 4 LPs could have nabbed this spot, but Africa Brasil is the one that's currently making me dance the most, and most likely always will.
[First added to this chart: 04/30/2015]
Year of Release:
1976
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,514
Rank in 1976:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 33. Page 1 of 4
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 15 | 15% | |
| 1970s | 33 | 33% | |
| 1980s | 18 | 18% | |
| 1990s | 18 | 18% | |
| 2000s | 14 | 14% | |
| 2010s | 2 | 2% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Nick Drake | 1 | 1% | |
| Marine Girls | 1 | 1% | |
| Dr. Alimantado | 1 | 1% | |
| Sidan | 1 | 1% | |
| The Garlands | 1 | 1% | |
| Catherine Ribeiro + Alpes | 1 | 1% | |
| The Roches | 1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
41 | 41% | |
| |
29 | 29% | |
 |
11 | 11% | |
 |
4 | 4% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 16 from 56th to 40thMarquee Moon by Television |
| Up 10 from 38th to 28thKing Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown by Augustus Pablo |
| Up 7 from 96th to 89thThe Piper At The Gates Of Dawn by Pink Floyd |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 24 from 28th to 52ndThe Feeding Of The 5000 by Crass |
| Down 21 from 74th to 95thRed, Yellow & Blue by Born Ruffians |
| Down 8 from 92nd to 100th...And Don't The Kids Just Love It by Television Personalities |
| New entries |
|---|
| Scott 4 by Scott Walker |
| Extensions by McCoy Tyner |
| Crazy Rhythms by The Feelies |
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similar charts
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Top 100 On Vinyl Challenge | Jimmy Dread | Custom chart | 2017 | |
| NME Best Albums Of All Time 2003 | WayneMC | Custom chart | 2019 | |
| NME 's 100 Best Albums Of All Time | New Music Express | Overall chart | 2003 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s | Jimmy Dread | 1970s decade chart | 2021 | |
| Very Good Plus - Vital Vinyl (Collector's Edition) | Jimmy Dread | Custom chart | 2019 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | Melody Maker | Overall chart | 2000 | |
| Melody Maker 100 Greatest Albums of All Time (2000) | WayneMC | Custom chart | 2019 | |
| Letting Someone Else Do a Chart for Me |  btener11 | Custom chart | 2013 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | Wallerand | Overall chart | 2021 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums |  Hanshiro | Overall chart | 2019 |  |
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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 141 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 03/20/2025 14:40 |  SomethingSpecial | 1,104 | 85/100 |
| ! | 01/15/2025 16:13 | Exist-en-ciel | 147 | 98/100 |
| ! | 10/15/2023 16:31 |  joyofdivision | 2 | 98/100 |
| ! | 08/13/2021 00:45 |  Anti | 356 | 87/100 |
| ! | 07/04/2021 04:08 | RioBravo | 201 | 84/100 |
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 92.2/100, a mean average of 92.4/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 92.6/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 11.0.
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums favourites
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
Showing latest 10 comments | Show all 98 comments |
Most Helpful First | Newest First | Positive Sentiment First |
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(Only showing comments with -2 votes or higher. You can alter this threshold from your profile page. Manage Profile)
From joyofdivision 10/15/2023 16:33 | #299498
joyofdivision 10/15/2023 16:33 | #299498
You cheeky monkey. Have updated my chart to include Wham!'s 'The Final', Tame Impala's 'Currents', Bob Marley & The Wailers 'Reggae Owes Me Money' and Joy Division's 'Further'
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From RioBravo 07/04/2021 04:17 | #271315
What a generous personal chart. Thank you for sharing all of that. Nice to see a fellow Room To Live fan.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
StefanR10 06/10/2020 12:29 | #253235
StefanR10 06/10/2020 12:29 | #253235
Cool album chart. I like it and gave you 90 points. Only one point Led Zeppelin is missing but ok that is my mind. But I like very much that you have THE GO! Team so i gave you for that 90 points. The Beatles are here is also ok. I can´t give you full 100 points because there other albums maybe seen on this list.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
gidgidi 08/17/2019 14:46 | #241319
gidgidi 08/17/2019 14:46 | #241319
This is absolutely amazing!!!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
ForegroundNoise 09/17/2018 10:28 | #221202
ForegroundNoise 09/17/2018 10:28 | #221202
An absolute joy to behold.
Not sure why it took me so long to rate this chart but I'm glad I've finally found myself here. Everything I've not already reviewed added to my to do list <3
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
DeusExMackia 07/23/2018 10:09 | #218683
DeusExMackia 07/23/2018 10:09 | #218683
The Smiths' debut in the top 10, you have my approval that's for sure.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | -1 votes (0 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
From Johnnyo 07/21/2018 19:23 | #218620
Just realise when we were talking earlier that I hadn’t visited your chart. Kick ass man. Great diversity. Top chart.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | -1 votes (0 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
From SamNassiri98 03/01/2018 18:14 | #209866
Lot of obscure stuff, should definitely check these out...
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
Hayden 07/08/2017 17:19 | #193935
Hayden 07/08/2017 17:19 | #193935
Yeah... I deserved that shooting down. Glad I came around eventually. A couple of summers back it just finally clicked. Quite glad it did, I'm even finding myself still growing more appreciation over her lyrics with every listen. Anywho, thanks. Been meaning to give my chart a small revamp as of late...
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
TheHolyKiwi 07/08/2017 00:05 | #193909
TheHolyKiwi 07/08/2017 00:05 | #193909
Perfection. Absolute perfection. I need more charts like this on this website... for my own sanity in the least.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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A lot of hard work happens in the background to keep BEA running, and it's especially difficult to do this when we can't pay our hosting fees :(
We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.
