Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by 
baystateoftheart 
How I Stopped Worrying And Learned To Love The Chart (Sort Of)
It would be fair to label me a perfectionist. So naturally, making this chart has been a time-consuming process. Since creating it in 2015, I’ve tested out dozens of different rating criteria, inclusion criteria, note styles, and so on. None of this experimentation has been satisfying, because a chart that represents one’s personal taste is not something that can be perfected unless that taste is static. I guarantee I couldn’t listen to all 100 albums in this chart without my preferences changing in the process, let alone assess recorded music more broadly without radical turnover. So here we are: as a perfectionist, I have come to terms with the fact that this chart will never approach perfection. It will remain a laggy approximation of the music I love. And truthfully, that is all it needs to be. BEA has given me a valuable nudge to let a project be simply good enough.
This introductory reflection serves in place of written notes describing what I love about each of these records. Because while musical preferences ebb and flow, insights and thoughts generated by a piece of music feel more ephemeral still, and that is perhaps as it should be.
Edits to the chart I'm working on:
1. Scoring more of my favorite albums to add them
2. Creating a further listening section for each artist
Now for our regularly-scheduled programming.
- Chart updated: 10/26/2025 23:45
- (Created: 10/09/2015 21:56).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 30 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 91 out of 100 (from 55 votes). Please log in or create an account to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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Baroque Pop
Score: 98.5
Further Listening:
2. The Smile Sessions 91.8
2a. Endless Summer 88.8
3. Wild Honey 83.0
4. Smiley Smile 80.4
5. The Beach Boys Today! 77.6
6. Friends 76.8
7. Sunflower 76.4
8. Surf's Up 74.4
9. Holland TBD 3.5/5
10. Surfin' U.S.A. TBD 3/5
~ [First added to this chart: 10/09/2015]
Score: 98.5
Further Listening:
2. The Smile Sessions 91.8
2a. Endless Summer 88.8
3. Wild Honey 83.0
4. Smiley Smile 80.4
5. The Beach Boys Today! 77.6
6. Friends 76.8
7. Sunflower 76.4
8. Surf's Up 74.4
9. Holland TBD 3.5/5
10. Surfin' U.S.A. TBD 3/5
~ [First added to this chart: 10/09/2015]
Year of Release:
1966
Appears in:
Rank Score:
36,498
Rank in 1966:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Spiritual Jazz • Avant-Garde Jazz
Score: 97.7
Further Listening:
2. Meditations TBD 4/5
3. Coltrane "Live" At The Village Vanguard TBD 4/5
4. Live At Birdland TBD 4/5
5. Impressions TBD 4/5
6. The Olatunji Concert: The Last Live Recording TBD 4/5
7. Ascension 80.0
8. Coltrane - John Coltrane Quartet TBD 4/5
9. Giant Steps TBD 4/5
10. My Favorite Things TBD 4/5
~ [First added to this chart: 02/21/2016]
Score: 97.7
Further Listening:
2. Meditations TBD 4/5
3. Coltrane "Live" At The Village Vanguard TBD 4/5
4. Live At Birdland TBD 4/5
5. Impressions TBD 4/5
6. The Olatunji Concert: The Last Live Recording TBD 4/5
7. Ascension 80.0
8. Coltrane - John Coltrane Quartet TBD 4/5
9. Giant Steps TBD 4/5
10. My Favorite Things TBD 4/5
~ [First added to this chart: 02/21/2016]
Year of Release:
1965
Appears in:
Rank Score:
14,737
Rank in 1965:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Contemporary Folk • Singer/Songwriter
Score: 97.6
Further Listening:
2. Songs From A Room 81.0
3. Songs Of Love And Hate TBD 4/5
4. New Skin For The Old Ceremony TBD 3.5/5
5. You Want It Darker TBD 3.5/5
6. Thanks For The Dance TBD 3.5/5
7. I'm Your Man TBD 3/5
~ [First added to this chart: 02/21/2016]
Score: 97.6
Further Listening:
2. Songs From A Room 81.0
3. Songs Of Love And Hate TBD 4/5
4. New Skin For The Old Ceremony TBD 3.5/5
5. You Want It Darker TBD 3.5/5
6. Thanks For The Dance TBD 3.5/5
7. I'm Your Man TBD 3/5
~ [First added to this chart: 02/21/2016]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,591
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
MPB • Samba
Score: 95.9
Further Listening:
2. Novos Baianos F.C. TBD 4/5
3. Novos Baianos TBD 4/5
~ [First added to this chart: 09/28/2017]
Score: 95.9
Further Listening:
2. Novos Baianos F.C. TBD 4/5
3. Novos Baianos TBD 4/5
~ [First added to this chart: 09/28/2017]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,748
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Chicago Soul • Film Soundtrack • Funk
Score: 95.8
Further Listening:
2. Curtis 93.2
3. Back To The World 89.2
4. Got To Find A Way TBD 4.5/5
5. There's No Place Like America Today TBD 4.5/5
6. Sweet Exorcist TBD 4/5
7. Roots TBD 4/5
8. Curtis / Live! TBD 4/5
~ [First added to this chart: 02/21/2016]
Score: 95.8
Further Listening:
2. Curtis 93.2
3. Back To The World 89.2
4. Got To Find A Way TBD 4.5/5
5. There's No Place Like America Today TBD 4.5/5
6. Sweet Exorcist TBD 4/5
7. Roots TBD 4/5
8. Curtis / Live! TBD 4/5
~ [First added to this chart: 02/21/2016]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,110
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Dance-Pop • Synthpop
Score: 95.2
Further Listening:
2. E•MO•TION: Side B 88.4
3. Dedicated TBD 4/5
4. Dedicated Side B TBD 4/5
5. Kiss TBD 3.5/5
~ [First added to this chart: 09/24/2017]
Score: 95.2
Further Listening:
2. E•MO•TION: Side B 88.4
3. Dedicated TBD 4/5
4. Dedicated Side B TBD 4/5
5. Kiss TBD 3.5/5
~ [First added to this chart: 09/24/2017]
Year of Release:
2015
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,246
Rank in 2015:
Rank in 2010s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Indie Pop
Score: 94.8
Further Listening:
2. Contra TBD 4/5
3. Vampire Weekend TBD 4/5
4. Father Of The Bride TBD 4/5
~ [First added to this chart: 10/09/2015]
Score: 94.8
Further Listening:
2. Contra TBD 4/5
3. Vampire Weekend TBD 4/5
4. Father Of The Bride TBD 4/5
~ [First added to this chart: 10/09/2015]
Year of Release:
2013
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,787
Rank in 2013:
Rank in 2010s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Jazz Fusion • Modal Jazz
Score: 94.8
Further Listening:
2. On The Corner TBD 4.5/5
3. Bitches Brew TBD 4/5
4. Dark Magus TBD 4/5
5. Live-Evil TBD 4/5
6. My Funny Valentine: Miles Davis In Concert TBD 4/5
7. A Tribute To Jack Johnson 80.2
8. Sketches Of Spain 80.0
9. Cookin' With The Miles Davis Quintet - Miles Davis Quintet TBD 4/5
10. Workin' With The Miles Davis Quintet - Miles Davis Quintet TBD 4/5
~ [First added to this chart: 01/21/2017]
Score: 94.8
Further Listening:
2. On The Corner TBD 4.5/5
3. Bitches Brew TBD 4/5
4. Dark Magus TBD 4/5
5. Live-Evil TBD 4/5
6. My Funny Valentine: Miles Davis In Concert TBD 4/5
7. A Tribute To Jack Johnson 80.2
8. Sketches Of Spain 80.0
9. Cookin' With The Miles Davis Quintet - Miles Davis Quintet TBD 4/5
10. Workin' With The Miles Davis Quintet - Miles Davis Quintet TBD 4/5
~ [First added to this chart: 01/21/2017]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,532
Rank in 1969:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Conscious Hip Hop • Jazz Rap
Score: 94.8
Further Listening:
2. Room 25 TBD 4/5
~ [First added to this chart: 11/11/2017]
Score: 94.8
Further Listening:
2. Room 25 TBD 4/5
~ [First added to this chart: 11/11/2017]
Year of Release:
2016
Appears in:
Rank Score:
652
Rank in 2016:
Rank in 2010s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Singer/Songwriter • Contemporary Folk
Score: 94.6
Further Listening:
2. The Hissing Of Summer Lawns 92.2
3. Ladies Of The Canyon 88.4
4. Miles Of Aisles TBD 4.5/5
5. Court And Spark 84.8
6. Hejira TBD 4/5
7. For The Roses TBD 4/5
8. Clouds TBD 4/5
9. Song To A Seagull TBD 4/5
10. Don Juan's Reckless Daughter TBD 4/5
~ [First added to this chart: 10/09/2015]
Score: 94.6
Further Listening:
2. The Hissing Of Summer Lawns 92.2
3. Ladies Of The Canyon 88.4
4. Miles Of Aisles TBD 4.5/5
5. Court And Spark 84.8
6. Hejira TBD 4/5
7. For The Roses TBD 4/5
8. Clouds TBD 4/5
9. Song To A Seagull TBD 4/5
10. Don Juan's Reckless Daughter TBD 4/5
~ [First added to this chart: 10/09/2015]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
15,371
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
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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 | 29 | 29% | |
| 1980s | 8 | 8% | |
| 1990s | 11 | 11% | |
| 2000s | 10 | 10% | |
| 2010s | 27 | 27% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Fela Kuti | 8 | 8% | |
| Joni Mitchell | 3 | 3% | |
| Jenny Hval | 3 | 3% | |
| Curtis Mayfield | 3 | 3% | |
| The Avalanches | 2 | 2% | |
| Marvin Gaye | 2 | 2% | |
| Kendrick Lamar | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
53 | 53% | |
 |
17 | 17% | |
 |
9 | 9% | |
 |
8 | 8% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
There have been no changes to this chart.
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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 3 ratings for this chart. | Show all 55 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 08/28/2026 08:25 |  MadhattanJack | 349 | 86/100 |
| ! | 08/10/2026 22:24 | jnmayles | 32 | 90/100 |
| ! | 04/07/2025 03:44 |  slatsheit | 28 | 88/100 |
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 90.6/100, a mean average of 91.4/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 91.4/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 7.3.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums favourites
Showing all 6 members who have added this chart as a favourite
Forum mentions
This chart has been referenced 12 times on the forums, Explore the wider forum discussion to see what members have said about it.
From 
BestEverAlbums 08/28/2026 08:00 in Chart of the day (#5418): By baystateoftheart
BestEverAlbums 08/28/2026 08:00 in Chart of the day (#5418): By baystateoftheart“Today's chart of the day Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by baystateoftheart () 1. by (1966) 2. by (1965) 3. by (1967) 4. by (1972) 5. by (1972) 6. (2015) 7. by (2013) 8. by (1969) 9. (1971) 11. by (2015) 12. by by (2012) 14. (1989) 15. (1970) 16. (2007) 17. by (1964) 18. by (1975) 19. by (1971) 21.…”
View forum post →From BestEverAlbums 02/14/2026 09:00 in Chart of the day (#5223): By baystateoftheart
BestEverAlbums 02/14/2026 09:00 in Chart of the day (#5223): By baystateoftheart“Today's chart of the day Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by ) 1. Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys (1966) 2. A Love Supreme by John Coltrane (1965) 3. Songs Of Leonard Cohen by Leonard Cohen (1967) 4. Acabou Chorare by Novos Baianos (1972) 5. Super Fly by Curtis Mayfield (1972) 6. E•Mo•Tion by Carly Rae…”
View forum post →From BestEverAlbums 12/15/2024 09:00 in Chart of the day (#4799): By baystateoftheart
BestEverAlbums 12/15/2024 09:00 in Chart of the day (#4799): By baystateoftheart“Today's chart of the day Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by baystateoftheart () 1. Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys (1966) 2. A Love Supreme by John Coltrane (1965) 3. Songs Of Leonard Cohen by Leonard Cohen (1967) 4. Acabou Chorare by Novos Baianos (1972) 5. Superfly by Curtis Mayfield (1972) 6.…”
View forum post →Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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From
jnmayles 08/10/2026 22:24 | #315632
as the only other person on this site to rank part time's virgo's maze, that's how i got here.
interesting list. not surprised we were born in the same year. (Edited)
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From
slatsheit 04/07/2025 03:45 | #308376
slatsheit 04/07/2025 03:45 | #308376
Interesting and broad-ranging list! (Edited)
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From
BorderFreeAndrew 12/15/2024 19:09 | #306521
A solid collection of classics from a diversity of genres and eras. My only gripe: 8 Fela albums on an All-time Top 100 is at least 5 too many IMO. On the plus side, I was very pleasantly surprised to see "(For God's Sake) Give More Power To The People" by The Chi-Lites, one of my favorite forgotten soul masterpieces, here! (Edited)
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From
Tamthebam 12/15/2024 10:24 | #306515
Tamthebam 12/15/2024 10:24 | #306515
A great chart full of diversity we only have 7 artists in common but your " Further Listening" is a revelation and very helpful thanks. (Edited)
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From
Johnnyo 11/12/2023 22:42 | #299949
Fantastic chart (Edited)
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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