Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by 
corenfro 
*Not necessarily in order yet beyond the top 10-20 or so*
I'm going to try to do the "one album per artist" as much as it pains me to do so. Shoutout to the many albums by The Who, The Beach Boys, Miles Davis, Radiohead, Marvin Gaye, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Kanye West, David Bowie, Yes, Genesis, and Kendrick Lamar. Some of them were VERY hard to pick a "only album from X artist" since some have 2 (or more) really important albums w/ vastly different stories that deserve inclusion (smile vs. pet sounds, tommy vs. who's next, kid a vs. ok computer, to pimp a butterfly vs. good kid madd city, lonerism vs. currents, sgt. pepper vs. others, kind of blue vs. bitches brew). But until I can unlock decade charts I must do this to fit a wider variety of music (there are well over 100 great albums that I really want to consider a top 100 album).
On a site littered with contrarians I actually tried to make a "top greatest music albums" list as opposed to a "top obscure albums you've never heard of" list. Because of this, when choosing which album from an artist to include, I generally err on the side of the more euphonic record when in doubt.
Hipsters and snobs: feel free to downvote at how mainstream I am.
- Chart updated: 05/18/2025 00:15
- (Created: 06/07/2015 21:31).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 39 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 90 out of 100 (from 79 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 1960s. (Remove this filter)
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I've had encounters with Jimi through this album, through his other albums through documentaries and experiences that I simply can't describe with words. It's cliche to say that an artist lives on through their music, but it's the truth because Jimi is the truth. His confidence that oozes out of every measure of his music has been rebirthed inside of me, and the countless people who have connected so intimately with his music.
Establishing the connection is so easy because it's so clear that Jimi was doing exactly what he was meant to do. Because he was so obviously fulfilling his divine purpose, if you will, he was able to put so much of his personality into his music and convey everything he needed to so effectively in such a short period of time.
Jimi's lesson was so poignant: find what you are meant to do and do it because it's all you can do. You are a part of radiant cosmic energy that is unstoppable there is no birth or death or life there is only being. Birth, death and rebirth are only heuristics to help us understand the essence of being.
I may or may not have been tripping hard upon this discovery, but I don't think I'm wrong. [First added to this chart: 01/01/2019]
Establishing the connection is so easy because it's so clear that Jimi was doing exactly what he was meant to do. Because he was so obviously fulfilling his divine purpose, if you will, he was able to put so much of his personality into his music and convey everything he needed to so effectively in such a short period of time.
Jimi's lesson was so poignant: find what you are meant to do and do it because it's all you can do. You are a part of radiant cosmic energy that is unstoppable there is no birth or death or life there is only being. Birth, death and rebirth are only heuristics to help us understand the essence of being.
I may or may not have been tripping hard upon this discovery, but I don't think I'm wrong. [First added to this chart: 01/01/2019]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
21,612
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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I believe this is possibly the most underrated album of all time. This album seemed quirky at first, but like other "quirky" albums that are actually classics, it becomes the new normal when I now listen. This is an acoustic-guitar driven / orchastra / horns driven pop album trying to be psychedelic.
Wonderfully crafted songs, with mysterious well-written lyrics, this was the last album featuring both Arthur and Bryan. Forever Changes requires the listener to adjust, but doing so pays off greatly. Some of the greatest moments from this genre and the 60's in general lie on this piece and most people have never heard of it.
Move over Sloop John B - Andmoreagain is the best Carol Kaye bass line and I will take that to my grave. [First added to this chart: 06/07/2015]
Wonderfully crafted songs, with mysterious well-written lyrics, this was the last album featuring both Arthur and Bryan. Forever Changes requires the listener to adjust, but doing so pays off greatly. Some of the greatest moments from this genre and the 60's in general lie on this piece and most people have never heard of it.
Move over Sloop John B - Andmoreagain is the best Carol Kaye bass line and I will take that to my grave. [First added to this chart: 06/07/2015]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
15,380
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Pet Sounds was a classic and a monumental album. No offense to Rubber Soul but Pet Sounds is to my ears the first *great* art album. I was able to see one of the final performances of pet sounds and it was played with a more modern mix w/ a punchier bass guitar, it sounded great with the upgrade in technology even if Brian's voice isn't what it once was.
Pet sounds is the best album of the 60's - and it was all Wilson. Plagued with mental health issues his whole life, there was a time period where he was able to utilize his wonderfully unique brain to create just some very stunning art. Three things drive this album: vocal harmonies, chord progressions, and aesthetic.
The voice of Brian Wilson along with the other beach boys are just tremendous. They weave through the chord progressions adding and subtracting different notes, it's just wonderful. The mostly major chord progressions will change key without the uncritical listener noticing much of a difference because Wilson does it so smoothly. I'm no music theory expert, but the "God Only Knows" has such a beauty in how it moves between different keys. When I go to play it on piano I'm amazed by it's beautiful simplicity.
Pet Sounds was revolutionary as far as the recording technology that went into it. It sounds a little dated, but there are so many bands today trying to get a similar aesthetic that it's hard to knock him for that. So many different instruments were used for various purposes. You will get a 7 million part harmony on the hook from "You still believe in me" then occasionally music will cut out and have just a bass and piano along Brian's vocals like in the "Here Today" pre-chorus.
This thing is trippy! The debate rages on whether this is psychedelic or pre-psych or whatever but there are many parts on this where you just want to zone in and feel your body reverberate with the music. "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times" was WAY more psychedelic live and I felt like I was tripping my balls off when they played it.
Pet Sounds MADE the Beatles start to be more artistic (they took influence from Zappa as well for this) The Beatles, Animal Collective, Tame Impala, Radiohead, Brian Eno, and may others have the Beach Boys to thank.
SHOUT OUT TO SMILE - BEST UNRELEASED ALBUM OF ALL TIME. IT PAINS ME TO NOT INCLUDE THAT IN THIS LIST!! [First added to this chart: 05/15/2016]
Pet sounds is the best album of the 60's - and it was all Wilson. Plagued with mental health issues his whole life, there was a time period where he was able to utilize his wonderfully unique brain to create just some very stunning art. Three things drive this album: vocal harmonies, chord progressions, and aesthetic.
The voice of Brian Wilson along with the other beach boys are just tremendous. They weave through the chord progressions adding and subtracting different notes, it's just wonderful. The mostly major chord progressions will change key without the uncritical listener noticing much of a difference because Wilson does it so smoothly. I'm no music theory expert, but the "God Only Knows" has such a beauty in how it moves between different keys. When I go to play it on piano I'm amazed by it's beautiful simplicity.
Pet Sounds was revolutionary as far as the recording technology that went into it. It sounds a little dated, but there are so many bands today trying to get a similar aesthetic that it's hard to knock him for that. So many different instruments were used for various purposes. You will get a 7 million part harmony on the hook from "You still believe in me" then occasionally music will cut out and have just a bass and piano along Brian's vocals like in the "Here Today" pre-chorus.
This thing is trippy! The debate rages on whether this is psychedelic or pre-psych or whatever but there are many parts on this where you just want to zone in and feel your body reverberate with the music. "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times" was WAY more psychedelic live and I felt like I was tripping my balls off when they played it.
Pet Sounds MADE the Beatles start to be more artistic (they took influence from Zappa as well for this) The Beatles, Animal Collective, Tame Impala, Radiohead, Brian Eno, and may others have the Beach Boys to thank.
SHOUT OUT TO SMILE - BEST UNRELEASED ALBUM OF ALL TIME. IT PAINS ME TO NOT INCLUDE THAT IN THIS LIST!! [First added to this chart: 05/15/2016]
Year of Release:
1966
Appears in:
Rank Score:
39,146
Rank in 1966:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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The greatest album from the greatest band in the history of music? Not quite.
As much as I've tried to hold to my "Beatles are overrated" mantra, their music is too good and their place history in music too significant for me to not have a Beatles album in the top 10.
This is their response to Wilson's "Pet Sounds" and they experiment with so many ideas on here. For the most part they pan out: "Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite" is a tremendous exploration of new concepts and "studio as instrument" whereas "Within you or Without you" is Harrison's follow up to a similar song on Revolver (Love you to) and it attempts to incorporate strings with Indian classical styles - overstays it's welcome slightly even if it's ultimately successful overall.
Paul is at the top of his songwriting prowess with the infections melodies, catchy bass lines and a nice assist by George with some great guitar work on "Fixing a Hole". Similarly John is at the top of his game on "A Day in the Life" with it's string arrangements and psychedelic feel of the vocals and an assist from Paul in the middle section keeping it from being too ominous.
And the pop-songs on here are just what you expect from the Beatles: super catchy. Beatle-esque pop-sensibilities have spawned hundreds of thousands of trite imitators over the decades following the release. However, the Beatles are mostly unsurpassed in their solid discography of mostly-successful blending of pop and high art. On top of that this is the quintessential psychedelic experience. I wouldn't go so far as to say they are the greatest musical act ever, or the 20th century modern beethoven or mozart, but there's a reason others think that, and a reason they're the best selling band in history. [First added to this chart: 05/15/2016]
As much as I've tried to hold to my "Beatles are overrated" mantra, their music is too good and their place history in music too significant for me to not have a Beatles album in the top 10.
This is their response to Wilson's "Pet Sounds" and they experiment with so many ideas on here. For the most part they pan out: "Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite" is a tremendous exploration of new concepts and "studio as instrument" whereas "Within you or Without you" is Harrison's follow up to a similar song on Revolver (Love you to) and it attempts to incorporate strings with Indian classical styles - overstays it's welcome slightly even if it's ultimately successful overall.
Paul is at the top of his songwriting prowess with the infections melodies, catchy bass lines and a nice assist by George with some great guitar work on "Fixing a Hole". Similarly John is at the top of his game on "A Day in the Life" with it's string arrangements and psychedelic feel of the vocals and an assist from Paul in the middle section keeping it from being too ominous.
And the pop-songs on here are just what you expect from the Beatles: super catchy. Beatle-esque pop-sensibilities have spawned hundreds of thousands of trite imitators over the decades following the release. However, the Beatles are mostly unsurpassed in their solid discography of mostly-successful blending of pop and high art. On top of that this is the quintessential psychedelic experience. I wouldn't go so far as to say they are the greatest musical act ever, or the 20th century modern beethoven or mozart, but there's a reason others think that, and a reason they're the best selling band in history. [First added to this chart: 05/15/2016]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
43,327
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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Sure, if you watched the super bowl you'd think that "The Who" were just another group of washed up old rockers alongside the other super bowl performers The Rolling Stones and Springsteen. The Who were actually quite profoundly good and influential to progressive rock and writing great concept albums.
Tommy was a tough choice over Quadrophonia and Who's next, but I think it's The Who's best album. [First added to this chart: 05/15/2016]
Tommy was a tough choice over Quadrophonia and Who's next, but I think it's The Who's best album. [First added to this chart: 05/15/2016]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,796
Rank in 1969:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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An underrated masterpiece
[First added to this chart: 06/09/2016]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,936
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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[First added to this chart: 05/16/2016]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
40,076
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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[First added to this chart: 07/22/2016]
Year of Release:
1966
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,261
Rank in 1966:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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[First added to this chart: 07/22/2016]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
28,367
Rank in 1969:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
[First added to this chart: 07/22/2016]
Year of Release:
1966
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,465
Rank in 1966:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 12. Page 1 of 2
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 1 | 1% | |
| 1960s | 12 | 12% | |
| 1970s | 24 | 24% | |
| 1980s | 10 | 10% | |
| 1990s | 14 | 14% | |
| 2000s | 14 | 14% | |
| 2010s | 21 | 21% | |
| 2020s | 4 | 4% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Supertramp | 1 | 1% | |
| Kate Bush | 1 | 1% | |
| Mike Oldfield | 1 | 1% | |
| Marvin Gaye | 1 | 1% | |
| Genesis | 1 | 1% | |
| Simon & Garfunkel | 1 | 1% | |
| Sigur Rós | 1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
54 | 54% | |
 |
29 | 29% | |
 |
5 | 5% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 10th to 11th Igor by Tyler, The Creator |
| Down 1 from 11th to 12th How I'm Feeling Now by Charli XCX |
| Down 1 from 12th to 13th Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys |
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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 79 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 11/18/2025 16:18 |  Keatownrodriguez | 84 | 95/100 |
| ! | 03/15/2025 17:55 | EyeKanFly | 209 | 88/100 |
| ! | 03/15/2025 12:39 |  SomethingSpecial | 1,105 | 85/100 |
| ! | 03/15/2025 09:02 |  NowhereMan | 292 | 82/100 |
| ! | 12/24/2024 22:07 | Exist-en-ciel | 130 | 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 2% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 89.9/100, a mean average of 89.4/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 90.4/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 13.5.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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From Keatownrodriguez 11/18/2025 16:19 | #311708
Keatownrodriguez 11/18/2025 16:19 | #311708
You definitely love the classics, nothing wrong with that but I really love the unique/ unexpected picks mixed in
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
DommeDamian 09/11/2024 14:00 | #305235
DommeDamian 09/11/2024 14:00 | #305235
A highlight on this site. Also love the authenticity in your descriptions
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From thepurplemartin 09/11/2024 12:41 | #305234
I’m really fascinated to see how brat sounds into the future and how influential it’ll end up being. It almost sounds like it could be an end cap of an era as much as it could be the start of an entirely new one, but time will tell. Great list, I personally can’t do no duplicate artists, but I respect your effort!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Johnnyo 01/25/2023 10:43 | #293241
Love the note accompanying this entries. Don’t agree with the one album per artist thing but that’s a personal choice. Not going to criticise you for that. Great chart
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Moondance 01/25/2023 10:06 | #293240
Nice chart with a fairly even split across the decades (which is not something you see that often). Overall, a bit too USA focussed ~ and only one album from south of the Equator....
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From roberto71 08/15/2020 13:53 | #257037
Very good selection of classic rock albums. Particularly Tommy and Moody Blues. I don't know why you never see Tommy too much anymore. I guess it's not as popular as it used to be for some strange reason.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
Goliath 07/25/2020 16:39 | #256191
Goliath 07/25/2020 16:39 | #256191
I find it difficult to condone the one album per artist thing, seems arbitrary to me, what's the rational? I agree with you on the 'top obscure albums you've never heard of' comment, this site is full of charts containing albums that make me think, can those albums really be favorites or just 'clever' picks?
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (2 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
From DommeDamian 07/19/2020 09:54 | #255813
DommeDamian 07/19/2020 09:54 | #255813
YOU GET A FAVORITE FROM ME!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
jnfbn 07/19/2020 09:52 | #255812
jnfbn 07/19/2020 09:52 | #255812
Remarkable descriptions, great chart!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
ExTeaSea 03/08/2020 04:24 | #248568
ExTeaSea 03/08/2020 04:24 | #248568
27 artists in common! That's a bunch! Great chart!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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