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 38 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 90 out of 100 (from 78 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 1990s. (Remove this filter)
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Discovering this album is why I became an active user on this site. After going through lots of lists and listening to thousands of albums, I end up agreeing with the consensus "best ever album" and I love myself some confirmation bias.
Beautiful chord progressions, fantastic productions, lyrics relevant to the information age. Great compositions, wonderful guitar layering. I hear all of this stuff about it being experimental and "out there" and I suppose it is, and when I first listened to it I thought it was honestly pretty terrible. I couldn't get over mostly the yorke-isms and paranoid android had that obnoxious middle-section. But now dozens of listens in I can forgive those aesthetic shortcomings and now it just sounds like really great melodic music to me.
In fact, no other album has had such an influence and shift on the way I see music.
“They’ll think that I’ve finally lost it completely. I’d show them the stars, and the meaning of life. They’d shove me away, but I’d be alright”
From the opening riff of “Airbag”, to the final ding of “The Tourist” this is a musical. OK Computer is a perfect blend of creativity and musical proficiency. While Radiohead certainly has its influences, there is no question that the sheer breadth and intensity of this album is truly theirs and has no predecessor and, to date, no successor.
If there is any concern about the musical complexity of this album, rest assured a phd student from Michigan University published a 204 page dissertation “Coding OK Computer” detailing the music theory behind this incredible 52:27 minutes of bliss. It’s very rare that you see artists in pop music experimenting with microtonalism, atypical time signatures and frequent key modulations. It’s even rarer for an artist to do so with the satisfying success that is demonstrated on this album.
In the history of art, there are many masterpieces that can touch the soul, but very few that have the power to transport to an entire different dimension. The first two tracks provide the high octane liftoff to take the listener away from the ground of his otherwise meaningless existence; sailing into space. Then the guitar delays and reverb of the “Subterranean Homesick Alien” (the best if not most underrated track) will certainly be enough to evoke longings for a distant planet on this journey through this fine hour-long sonic cosmos.
OK Computer is all about distance - distance from society, and distance from the self. It’s simultaneously both detached, yet deeply intimate. It’s both incredibly melancholic and life affirming. All emotions are present in their most poignant form: the simultaneous dread and beauty of "Let Down" and the cathartic and demonic-sounding "Climbing up the Walls".
OK Computer is a piece of art that - like all great artwork - takes time to fully understand and appreciate. One listen will not do it justice, neither will haphazardly paying attention to it while you surf twitter or instagram or whatever meaningless things you do as a substitute for appreciating good art without distraction. OK Computer is not an album that you tell your friends about who are looking for a catchy hook or a headbanger.
There are many things OK computer is not, but what OK Computer is, is a solid candidate for the greatest album ever recorded. [First added to this chart: 06/07/2015]
Beautiful chord progressions, fantastic productions, lyrics relevant to the information age. Great compositions, wonderful guitar layering. I hear all of this stuff about it being experimental and "out there" and I suppose it is, and when I first listened to it I thought it was honestly pretty terrible. I couldn't get over mostly the yorke-isms and paranoid android had that obnoxious middle-section. But now dozens of listens in I can forgive those aesthetic shortcomings and now it just sounds like really great melodic music to me.
In fact, no other album has had such an influence and shift on the way I see music.
“They’ll think that I’ve finally lost it completely. I’d show them the stars, and the meaning of life. They’d shove me away, but I’d be alright”
From the opening riff of “Airbag”, to the final ding of “The Tourist” this is a musical. OK Computer is a perfect blend of creativity and musical proficiency. While Radiohead certainly has its influences, there is no question that the sheer breadth and intensity of this album is truly theirs and has no predecessor and, to date, no successor.
If there is any concern about the musical complexity of this album, rest assured a phd student from Michigan University published a 204 page dissertation “Coding OK Computer” detailing the music theory behind this incredible 52:27 minutes of bliss. It’s very rare that you see artists in pop music experimenting with microtonalism, atypical time signatures and frequent key modulations. It’s even rarer for an artist to do so with the satisfying success that is demonstrated on this album.
In the history of art, there are many masterpieces that can touch the soul, but very few that have the power to transport to an entire different dimension. The first two tracks provide the high octane liftoff to take the listener away from the ground of his otherwise meaningless existence; sailing into space. Then the guitar delays and reverb of the “Subterranean Homesick Alien” (the best if not most underrated track) will certainly be enough to evoke longings for a distant planet on this journey through this fine hour-long sonic cosmos.
OK Computer is all about distance - distance from society, and distance from the self. It’s simultaneously both detached, yet deeply intimate. It’s both incredibly melancholic and life affirming. All emotions are present in their most poignant form: the simultaneous dread and beauty of "Let Down" and the cathartic and demonic-sounding "Climbing up the Walls".
OK Computer is a piece of art that - like all great artwork - takes time to fully understand and appreciate. One listen will not do it justice, neither will haphazardly paying attention to it while you surf twitter or instagram or whatever meaningless things you do as a substitute for appreciating good art without distraction. OK Computer is not an album that you tell your friends about who are looking for a catchy hook or a headbanger.
There are many things OK computer is not, but what OK Computer is, is a solid candidate for the greatest album ever recorded. [First added to this chart: 06/07/2015]
Year of Release:
1997
Appears in:
Rank Score:
67,340
Rank in 1997:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
851
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I logged in here just to update this chart after discovering Cocteau Twins because I think they may be one of the most criminally underrated bands of all time. This album should be the benchmark for production style of guitar textures and layering because they sound absolutely terrific. They create a buttery smooth yet robust soundscape that you get get lost in.
It should also set the benchmark for great vocal melodies, harmonies and terrific songwriting. The notes that she hits are the notes that you want to hear and not in a way that they're predictable or trite. The notes will be nice and then a couple quick accent notes will come along and just propel the song into a higher dimension. Or a good little melody will come in and then go to another part w/ another different melody and then they will combine them together with great success and synergy. Unlike other artists who attempt this technique, it's not done in a way that makes the build up to the climax seem like a chore. [First added to this chart: 03/30/2018]
It should also set the benchmark for great vocal melodies, harmonies and terrific songwriting. The notes that she hits are the notes that you want to hear and not in a way that they're predictable or trite. The notes will be nice and then a couple quick accent notes will come along and just propel the song into a higher dimension. Or a good little melody will come in and then go to another part w/ another different melody and then they will combine them together with great success and synergy. Unlike other artists who attempt this technique, it's not done in a way that makes the build up to the climax seem like a chore. [First added to this chart: 03/30/2018]
Year of Release:
1990
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,952
Rank in 1990:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
24. (=)
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This was Dr. Dre "The Chronic" at one point but now Snoop Dogg is better person than Dr. Dre and this album has as many good tracks.
[First added to this chart: 05/17/2025]
Year of Release:
1993
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,482
Rank in 1993:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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One of the most influential, and best, hip hop albums of all time. Lyrical mastery, groundbreaking production at the time.
[First added to this chart: 05/15/2016]
Year of Release:
1994
Appears in:
Rank Score:
17,147
Rank in 1994:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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[First added to this chart: 05/15/2016]
Year of Release:
1998
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,387
Rank in 1998:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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[First added to this chart: 06/09/2016]
Year of Release:
1991
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,397
Rank in 1991:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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[First added to this chart: 06/09/2016]
Year of Release:
1997
Appears in:
Rank Score:
13,607
Rank in 1997:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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[First added to this chart: 06/09/2016]
Year of Release:
1999
Appears in:
Rank Score:
11,203
Rank in 1999:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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[First added to this chart: 07/22/2016]
Year of Release:
1995
Appears in:
Rank Score:
17,904
Rank in 1995:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
69. (=)
ゲームボーイ『ポケモン』のサウンドがまるごと入って、遊べるCD [GameBoy "Pokémon" No Sound Ga Marugoto Haitte, Asoberu CD]
Soundtrack compilation
Soundtrack compilation
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It's the pokemon theme music. A little nostialgia here, but I really like some of the patterns here and it's had a profound influence on my own music.
[First added to this chart: 07/22/2016]
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 | 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 | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Caribou | 1 | 1% | |
| St. Vincent | 1 | 1% | |
| Solange | 1 | 1% | |
| U2 | 1 | 1% | |
| Derek & The Dominos | 1 | 1% | |
| Jethro Tull | 1 | 1% | |
| Beck | 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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| BEA Top 100 Reorganized According To My Taste | bonnequestion | Custom chart | 2025 | |
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
90/100 (from 78 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 78 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 100/100  | 03/15/2025 17:55 | EyeKanFly | | 88/100 |
| 80/100 | 03/15/2025 12:39 | SomethingSpecial | | 85/100 |
| 85/100 | 03/15/2025 09:02 |  NowhereMan | | 82/100 |
| 100/100 | 12/24/2024 22:07 | Exist-en-ciel | | 99/100 |
| 75/100 | 09/19/2024 12:53 | LedZep | | 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 2% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 90.0/100, a mean average of 89.5/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 90.6/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 13.5.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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100/100
From 
DommeDamian 09/11/2024 14:00
DommeDamian 09/11/2024 14:00
A highlight on this site. Also love the authenticity in your descriptions
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From thepurplemartin 09/11/2024 12:41
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)
90/100
From Johnnyo 01/25/2023 10:43
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)
85/100
From Moondance 01/25/2023 10:06
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)
95/100
From roberto71 08/15/2020 13:53
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)
90/100
From 
Goliath 07/25/2020 16:39
Goliath 07/25/2020 16:39
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)
100/100
From DommeDamian 07/19/2020 09:54
DommeDamian 07/19/2020 09:54
YOU GET A FAVORITE FROM ME!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
jnfbn 07/19/2020 09:52
jnfbn 07/19/2020 09:52
Remarkable descriptions, great chart!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
ExTeaSea 03/08/2020 04:24
ExTeaSea 03/08/2020 04:24
27 artists in common! That's a bunch! Great chart!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From 
qwert9579 01/02/2020 00:45
qwert9579 01/02/2020 00:45
A lot of work has clearly gone into this. incredible
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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