Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by seanie542 
- Chart updated: 09/03/2017 17:45
- (Created: 09/14/2015 18:05).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 17 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 90 out of 100 (from 24 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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All things considered, this is my favourite album of the rock era. Beautifully arranged, lyrically intriguing, musically varied, it creates a soundscape that is poignant with just a hint of menace, as if 'The Red Telephone' might ring at any moment. . .which indeed it might. Superlatives are redundant; suffice it to say that this album makes me feel glad to be alive.
FAVOURITE TRACK: Old Man [First added to this chart: 09/14/2015]
FAVOURITE TRACK: Old Man [First added to this chart: 09/14/2015]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
15,419
Rank in 1967:
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Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Ah, Dusty! At the risk of sounding like a gay cliche, she really is an icon - and this is her most iconic record. And what an interesting journey it's had: vocals recorded in New York because she felt intimidated by the Memphis crew, hardly getting a sniff of the charts, and presaging a decline from which it took her nearly twenty years to recover; only for it now to be rightly feted as one of the greatest recordings of its genre, and a template for tortured
blue-eyed (and brown-eyed) souls everywhere. Glad Dusty was alive long enough to savour some appreciation of her genius.
FAVOURITE TRACK: I Don't Want To Hear It Anymore [First added to this chart: 09/14/2015]
blue-eyed (and brown-eyed) souls everywhere. Glad Dusty was alive long enough to savour some appreciation of her genius.
FAVOURITE TRACK: I Don't Want To Hear It Anymore [First added to this chart: 09/14/2015]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,452
Rank in 1969:
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Average Rating:
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A superb send-up of the Sixties, complete with parody of the 'Sgt. Pepper' cover - I think John Lennon at least might have had an envious chuckle, always wanting to be the bad boy. They don't come much 'badder' than Frank - but amid the subversive hullabaloo it should never be forgotten what a superb musician, composer and arranger he is, which is why it works so well. All this, and drug-free too. . .apparently.
FAVOURITE TRACK: Let's Make The Water Turn Black [First added to this chart: 09/14/2015]
FAVOURITE TRACK: Let's Make The Water Turn Black [First added to this chart: 09/14/2015]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,611
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Granted, it's not a conventional pick for favourite Beatles album. Thematically it holds together far less well than many, and there are one or two tracks that can give you a nasty surprise (and not always for the right reasons). But apart from having personal reasons to love this album - it was the last birthday present my mum bought me before she died - those are the very reasons why I love it best: it's like a whitewashed haunted house or remote castle with secret passages nobody's ever been to before. And after all that adventure, a lullaby to send you to sleep. Don't have nightmares. . .
FAVOURITE TRACK: Dear Prudence [First added to this chart: 09/14/2015]
FAVOURITE TRACK: Dear Prudence [First added to this chart: 09/14/2015]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
37,225
Rank in 1968:
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Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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I'm a little surprised to find myself placing this album so high, since I don't play it very often. Partly it's because I find a little of Van Morrison's voice goes a long way with me, and partly because the album requires intense concentration and involvement for which I haven't always got the time - it's not a casual, relaxed chill-out but a profoundly spiritual experience, which needs total immersion. As an Anglo-Irish Catholic I hesitate to say it about a Northern Irish Protestant Knight of the Realm, but I find this, his finest album, almost sacramental.
FAVOURITE TRACK: Cyprus Avenue [First added to this chart: 09/14/2015]
FAVOURITE TRACK: Cyprus Avenue [First added to this chart: 09/14/2015]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
16,291
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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You had to be there, so I went there - wherever that was. I was as bemused as Alice in Wonderland the first time I heard it; but the second time I fell in love with it, and have there remained. But exactly 'where' is it: in a church or in the Highlands, at a seance or at a love-in, on an eco-protest or on cloud nine? Wherever it is, I love going back a lot - though I must remember to "go and play downstairs" sometimes. . .
FAVOURITE TRACK: Swift As The Wind [First added to this chart: 09/14/2015]
FAVOURITE TRACK: Swift As The Wind [First added to this chart: 09/14/2015]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,143
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Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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The wintry landscape of a troubled chanteuse is given the John Cale treatment here in a companion piece to the Velvet Underground's first album featuring Nico. While it may not be as wild and dark as the group's revolutionary offering, it can certainly give you a chill with its unsettling, wistful, forlorn beauty. Like most places with the Reed/Cale stamp on them, it's great as long as you don't have to live there.
FAVOURITE TRACK: The Fairest Of The Seasons [First added to this chart: 09/15/2015]
FAVOURITE TRACK: The Fairest Of The Seasons [First added to this chart: 09/15/2015]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,771
Rank in 1967:
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Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Following her 'eventful' experience at the Monterey Pop Festival, Lauira Nyro could have been forgiven for retiring to lick her wounds in lasting obscurity. Instead, she turned around and produced what for my money is her best album. Later albums certainly have their high spots, but this one shows her many-coloured palette: moody introspection, breadth of vocal range, experimental tempi and sheer danceability. And that Eli. . .ooh, he's a bad one, isn't he, girls?
FAVOURITE TRACK: Timer [First added to this chart: 09/16/2015]
FAVOURITE TRACK: Timer [First added to this chart: 09/16/2015]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,466
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Inspired by an album portraying the signs of the zodiac, this saw the reconstituted Moodies team up with the London Festival Orchestra to go in a very different direction from their original line-up, heralding a new sound which eventually became a bit fey for my taste. However, I've no complaints at all about this; coming at the end of the year which arguably gave birth to the concept album, this is one of its best exemplars, a hymn to the day in all its hues, islands of song in a symphonic sea. (Well, it WAS the Sixties. . .)
FAVOURITE TRACK: Forever Afternoon [Tuesday Afternoon] [First added to this chart: 09/16/2015]
FAVOURITE TRACK: Forever Afternoon [Tuesday Afternoon] [First added to this chart: 09/16/2015]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,892
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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This superior slice of sunshine pop nearly made Brian Wilson give up in defeat when he heard it - although, in fairness, he was in the middle of a major flip-out and this will never detract from his genuis. That said, it is a sumptuous example of Californian soft-psych optimism, and always makes me think of getting ready to go on holiday. What a weird and wonderful destination this album conjures up!
FAVOURITE TRACK: I'm With You [First added to this chart: 09/16/2015]
FAVOURITE TRACK: I'm With You [First added to this chart: 09/16/2015]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
656
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Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 34. 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 | 34 | 34% | |
| 1970s | 50 | 50% | |
| 1980s | 8 | 8% | |
| 1990s | 5 | 5% | |
| 2000s | 3 | 3% | |
| 2010s | 0 | 0% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| The Beatles | 6 | 6% | |
| Joni Mitchell | 6 | 6% | |
| David Bowie | 5 | 5% | |
| Bob Dylan | 4 | 4% | |
| The Beach Boys | 3 | 3% | |
| Neil Young | 3 | 3% | |
| Roxy Music | 3 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
45 | 45% | |
| |
38 | 38% | |
 |
10 | 10% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
There have been no changes to this chart.Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similar charts
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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 24 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 03/20/2025 17:24 |  SomethingSpecial | 1,104 | 85/100 |
| ! | 01/01/2024 09:58 | Moondance | 476 | 85/100 |
| ! | 05/09/2018 04:40 |  jdenny2018 | 102 | 91/100 |
| ! | 04/21/2018 07:56 |  HoldenM | 480 | 95/100 |
| ! | 04/20/2018 18:08 |  LedZep | 1,104 | 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 3% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 89.8/100, a mean average of 91.5/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 91.5/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 6.2.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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From manurock 04/20/2018 14:31 | #213278
Great chart. At the same time you can find well known classics and gems which are generally not found, all with very personal comments. Very happy to see On the beach as the top Neil Young album (that earned you an extra 5 points :D). On the downside, it may lack >2000's albums, but I understand, The 60's and 70's were so special...
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Ulf 04/20/2018 08:42 | #213273
Great chart and nice comments
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
CharlieBarley 10/18/2017 05:20 | #199629
CharlieBarley 10/18/2017 05:20 | #199629
Easily 100/100. This is a glorious chart. I had a bit of time so I read all your notes and I wasn't bored once. Far from it! You write well and with passion, humour and sincerity. It was a pleasure to read this. 22 in common with mine, only 1 album I don't dig - Genesis' Lamb - but I am clearly in the minority it's a very popular album. Several albums/artists to check out. I am going to HMV to buy After Bathing At Baxters today - hopefully it's still in their sale. I love psychedelic music. You write so well I think you could have a career sideline there, if you don't already. Do people still keep blogs? Anyway what a pleasant way to spend half an hour. Looking forward to perusing your other charts now.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From platus 10/17/2017 12:49 | #199597
Excellent chart!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From LedZep 06/15/2017 11:42 | #192634
LedZep 06/15/2017 11:42 | #192634
Excellent descriptions. I can ignore all the flaws and the albums I don't like here (and there aren't many) when there are so many personal reflections on your favourite albums
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
flamingyesdept 01/26/2017 21:22 | #184348
flamingyesdept 01/26/2017 21:22 | #184348
Make that 22! Thanks for making me revisit Tim Buckley :)
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From garycottier 12/11/2016 17:36 | #179889
Very good chart. I've got almost every album there. I looked up your chart because you're only one of two other people beside me who gave ratings for the Cabaret soundtrack. A bit disappointed not to see it in your top 100 but great to see, Nightclubbing, in there. Good stuff.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From flamingyesdept 12/08/2016 02:08 | #179740
flamingyesdept 12/08/2016 02:08 | #179740
21 albums in common! Excellent choices :)
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
Tamthebam 08/04/2016 18:21 | #172310
Tamthebam 08/04/2016 18:21 | #172310
Really good chart has some well known as well as unknown artists and great commentaries they really help when you haven't heard of an album/artist before. Thanks for the time & effort.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
M42K0 03/22/2016 00:47 | #162326
M42K0 03/22/2016 00:47 | #162326
You gotta love this chart.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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