Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by Giant2015

I've been meaning to update this chart for a while as my musical interests have widened a lot over the past few years, but I found I kept putting it off as I was having trouble figuring out how to organize it. While I wanted it to reflect my personal preferences as much as possible, I also felt like I was leaving a lot of great albums and artists that meant a lot to me out by focusing too much on repeats of the same artist. In the end I decided to compromise and go for a one album per artist approach, but also include an Other Classics section in many of the entries-this section is for any other albums by the same artist that left a big impact on me, and can almost be considered as an honorary inclusion in the chart.

My 101-200 list: https://www.besteveralbums.com/thechart.php?c=50830

Favourite songs (subject to change):

Here, There and Everywhere-The Beatles
Movin' On Up-Primal Scream
Dancing On My Own-Robyn
Dog Days Are Over-Florence and the Machine
Life on Mars?-David Bowie
Avril 14th-Aphex Twin
Le Jardin Féerique-Maurice Ravel
Between the Bars-Elliott Smith
Apistat Commander-Xiu Xiu
Providence-Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Nude-Radiohead
Stephanie Says-The Velvet Underground
I Wish I Was the Moon-Neko Case
The Last Time I Saw Richard-Joni Mitchell
Venice Bitch-Lana Del Rey
Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales-Car Seat Headrest
Ahead By a Century-The Tragically Hip
Like a Rolling Stone-Bob Dylan
Helplessness Blues-Fleet Foxes
Purple Rain-Prince

There are 21 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 90 out of 100 (from 47 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.

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Collector's summaryLog in or register to discover the great albums that are missing from your music collection!
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Buy album United States
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Baroque pop; art rock

As much as I dislike how pop-sounding Coldplay has become, I think the more accessible influences fit well on this album, which is anthemic and mainstream while still being interesting and a little risky in terms of song structures and concept. Parachutes might have some better songs, but this is an album that doesn't really have any low points for me. Another album that really benefits from expanded instrumentation, like the strings on "Viva la Vida" and the dulcimer on "Life in Technicolor".

Favourite songs: "Life in Technicolor", "Viva la Vida", "Violet Hill", "Death and All His Friends"

Rating: 10/10

Other Classic(s): A Rush of Blood to the Head
[First added to this chart: 12/30/2016]
Year of Release:
2008
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,583
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Comments:
Buy album United States
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Indie rock; orchestral rock; Steve Reich influence

Probably Sufjan Stevens' most ambitious album and one that manages to present more than 70 minutes of interesting ideas. Love the mix of different styles from track to track; the album also manages to flow together as a whole really well, which can be hard to do with this many different ideas.

Favourite songs: "Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois", "Come On! Feel the Illinoise!", "Chicago", "Casimir Pulaski Day", "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us"

Rating: 9.5/10

Other Classic(s): Michigan
The Age of Adz
[First added to this chart: 06/29/2015]
Year of Release:
2005
Appears in:
Rank Score:
23,012
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Buy album United States
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Baroque pop; sophisti-pop; jazz rock

I really love the sonic atmosphere of this album; it sounds modern but also like it could have been released in the late 70s or 80s along with the music it was inspired by. Combined with the very colourful and lush instrumentation and song structures, as well as Dan Bejar's voice, it almost makes this album feel like a 52-minute long story being read to me; both captivating and relaxing at the same time. The use of horns and strings on this album is incredibly well done and adds to the cinematic feel of this album rather than weighing the songs down with unnecessary instruments.

Favourite songs: "Dream Lover", "Forces From Above", "Hell", "Girl in a Sling", and "Times Square"

Rating: 9.5/10

Other Classic(s): Kaputt
[First added to this chart: 02/14/2018]
Year of Release:
2015
Appears in:
Rank Score:
551
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Buy album United States
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Indie rock; indie folk; orchestral rock

Indie orchestral folk rock in an Arcade Fire style. May not be as intelligent or well-written lyrically as that band, but something about this album is extremely satisfying to listen to for me. There is not a song I don't like on here, and, like The Suburbs, it works pretty well as a road trip album.

Favourite songs: "Seeds", "Yer Spring", "Young Glass", "Seventeen", "Yer Fall"

Rating: 9.5/10
[First added to this chart: 06/29/2015]
Year of Release:
2011
Appears in:
Rank Score:
149
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Comments:
Buy album United States
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Experimental hip hop; conscious rap; jazz

This is an album I keep changing my opinion on as while I think it is brilliant and musically engaging and innovative, it can also be a hard listen to get into. Because of this, I don't like it quite as much as Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City; however, it is still usually a very enjoyable album to me. The lyrics are almost perfect and there are so many interesting and unexpected musical choices. This album also has a very intense and raw energy to it that makes it so gripping to listen to.

Favourite songs: "King Kunta", "Institutionalized", "Alright", "The Blacker the Berry", "I"

Rating: 10/10

Other Classic(s): Good Kid, m.A.A.d. City
[First added to this chart: 09/25/2016]
Year of Release:
2015
Appears in:
Rank Score:
37,065
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Buy album United States
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Chamber pop; progressive pop; art rock

A look at Brian Wilson's mental state that also happens to be highly relatable to me (similarly to Teens of Denial). Took me a while to adjust to the denser music/more "wall of sound" approach on this album, as well as some of the odder instrumental choices, but when it hit me, this became my favourite Beach Boys album and one of the best albums of the '60s (in my opinion).

Favourite songs: "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)", "Let's Go Away for Awhile", "God Only Knows", "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times"

Rating: 9.5/10

Other Classic(s): Smiley Smile
Surf's Up
[First added to this chart: 09/25/2016]
Year of Release:
1966
Appears in:
Rank Score:
44,989
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Comments:
Buy album United States
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Singer-songwriter; folk

A little tougher to listen to than Court and Spark, but a great album in its own way. This album is pretty subdued and solemn in tone compared to Court and Spark, and is more consistent in terms of song-to-song atmosphere. The lyrics on here are some of the best at least of the 70s (and maybe ever) and go especially well with the instrumentation. All of the music on here is great, as usual, but I especially love the piano playing and elaborate compositions on this album. Kind of reminds me of a more piano-based version of Carrie & Lowell.

Favourite songs: "Blue", "California", "River", "A Case of You", "The Last Time I Saw Richard"

Rating: 10/10

Other Classic(s): Court and Spark
[First added to this chart: 10/23/2016]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
17,110
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Comments:
Buy album United States
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Alternative rock; art rock

Probably the darkest and most emotionally draining album on here for me (OK Computer is more frightening than depressing for me, and Kid A at least has a moment of peace at the end with "Motion Picture Soundtrack"), but still an extremely compelling album.

Favourite songs: "3rd Planet", "Dark Center of the Universe", "Alone Down There", "Paper Thin Walls", "Life Like Weeds"

Rating: 9.5/10
[First added to this chart: 12/26/2015]
Year of Release:
2000
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,278
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Comments:
Buy album United States
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Hard rock; pop; funk; R&B

Some of the most dramatic "pop" music (if you can even call it pop) on here but manages to never feel over the top or too self-indulgent. Even the more abstract songs, like "Computer Blue", stay focused throughout. This album also has surprisingly detailed production and instrumental arrangements; it is another one that I can still find new things to appreciate on every listen. A perfect mix of almost every popular 80s music style, from arena rock to funk to soul to new wave/dance, and the flow on this album is incredible (probably one of the best albums on here in that way).

Favourite songs: "Take Me With U", "The Beautiful Ones", "When Doves Cry", "Purple Rain"

Rating: 9.5/10
[First added to this chart: 10/04/2017]
Year of Release:
1984
Appears in:
Rank Score:
16,452
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Comments:
Buy album United States
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Baroque pop; indie pop

Lungs (and Florence and the Machine in general) sometimes gets stereotyped as a typical "indie-pop" album; but there are a few things that make this one stand out from the rest; Florence Welch's voice, the consistently strong songwriting, and the incredible production and instrumentation throughout. This album manages to combine the accessibility and catchiness of an Adele or Lily Allen album with the very baroque and maximal atmosphere of bands like Arcade Fire and The Flaming Lips and not make it sound like a misguided mess, which is something that many other indie pop bands (and even occasionally Florence herself) tend to struggle with. Rather than being distracting or coming across as an obvious attempt to be unique, the instrumental arrangements on this album actually add to the songs and are very nicely detailed and layered; the atmosphere this creates makes this album a very soothing and uplifting listen and one that I am always drawn back to.

Favourite songs: "Dog Days Are Over", "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)", "Drumming Song", "Between Two Lungs", "Cosmic Love", "Blinding"

Rating: 9.5/10
[First added to this chart: 06/29/2015]
Year of Release:
2009
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,500
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Total albums: 100. Page 3 of 10

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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition

Decade Albums %


1930s 0 0%
1940s 0 0%
1950s 0 0%
1960s 8 8%
1970s 21 21%
1980s 11 11%
1990s 14 14%
2000s 31 31%
2010s 14 14%
2020s 1 1%
Artist Albums %


Bob Dylan 1 1%
Joni Mitchell 1 1%
Pink Floyd 1 1%
Iggy Pop 1 1%
Kate Bush 1 1%
Weezer 1 1%
Phoenix 1 1%
Show all
Country Albums %


United States 50 50%
United Kingdom 28 28%
Canada 12 12%
Mixed Nationality 3 3%
Iceland 2 2%
Greece 1 1%
Brazil 1 1%
Show all
Soundtrack? Albums %
No 99 99%
Yes 1 1%

Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes

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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings

Average Rating: 
90/100 (from 47 votes)
  Ratings distributionRatings distribution Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AV
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.

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95/100
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12/11/2023 18:06 skrapoel  Ratings distributionRatings distribution 893/100
  
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03/25/2021 20:02 Rhyner  Ratings distributionRatings distribution 1,38299/100
  
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03/25/2021 16:51 mjp11  Ratings distributionRatings distribution 3795/100
  
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03/25/2021 08:08 ssteve  Ratings distributionRatings distribution 20792/100
  
95/100
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06/13/2020 10:10 StefanR10  Ratings distributionRatings distribution 8388/100

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).
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This chart is rated in the top 3% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 89.9/100, a mean average of 90.3/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 90.7/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 8.9.

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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums favourites

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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments

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Rating:  
95/100
From 06/13/2020 10:11
I like your chart very good artists and some underrated musicians i give you a high rating for the collection. Good taste.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
90/100
From 09/11/2019 03:17
David Bowie is not even close to being proto punk, but good chart nevertheless
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
95/100
From 08/27/2019 06:59
I'm revisiting this chart and my comment on it since it was chart of the day again a couple of days ago.

Whatever reason I gave it an 80 before clearly doesn't hold now; the detail you've put into each note both with your rating and album score is a really nice touch. I get a strong sense of your personality and taste from this lovely chart so I have upped my score accordingly :)
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
95/100
From 08/23/2019 10:25
Love this chart! Love how high you rated Feels by Animal Collective, it's excellent. Nice seeing St. Vincent on a top 100. Perhaps I shall put one of hers on my main chart.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
95/100
From 06/19/2019 22:07
Great chart!
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
100/100
From 03/02/2019 15:49
Fantastic list and the work you have put in to it is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your descriptions and explanations because allows others (less knowledgeable like me) to check out albums they are not familiar or intimate with. What makes your list a 100 for me is the diversity of musical genres, your interesting ranking of albums by some of the great artists (for god’s sake where is Dark Side of the Moon) and the inclusion of lower ranked albums generally that you have personally connected with. Not pretentious at all, I will be checking out your other charts. By the way, I felt the same way as you about the Stones but recently came to love Exile as a whole album. Cheers! [I love Japan- Obscure Alternatives; Gord Downie-Coke Machine Glow]
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
100/100
From 01/21/2019 02:52
Very nice list! Lots of great albums all varied in different genres and decades too. Nice Job!
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
90/100
From 01/20/2019 16:19
Solid!
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
90/100
From 01/20/2019 12:56
Great chart. Can't say I agree with every album you have on the top spots but, hey, it's a personal chart that I respect and I like your comments. Also, though we have not that many albums in common, some of them are ones which I don't tend to have in common with other users.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
100/100
From 01/20/2019 10:04
Ashamed of myself, for not discovering this incredible earlier.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

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