Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by ShadowColossi

Ok so I rate albums as follows:
I basically just write down all the songs, rank them from 1-5*, and then add up all the *s, / the max number of stars. For example:
Pink Floyd Animals
Pigs on the Wing pt. 1 - *****
Dogs- *****
Pigs- *****
Sheep- *****
Pigs on the Wing pt. 2- *****
25/25=10.0

This chart is a constant work in process- it's very possible it may change multiple times a day. I'm always listening to new music and my opinions on certain albums are also due to change over time- So I apologize if you liked my chart a way it was before, but they're all there anyways. I just like to keep it up to date for my tastes at the moment.

I judge music by complexity and creativity in songwriting, as well as uniqueness. So when something strikes me as well written, complex music with a unique sound, it's bound to one of my favorites. I also believe emotion is a huge thing for music, some songs portray it so well it can make you feel the same way. Anyways, enjoy my chart! Recommendations are ALWAYS welcome :)
Also, I make music and would love if you checked it out!
https://padomine.bandcamp.com/album/imperfection
There are 43 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 93 out of 100 (from 69 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.

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Experimental / Electronic / Neo-Psychedelia

While this may not be the best album to ever exist, this is by far my favorite record. It's been the soundtrack to my life for the better part of 6 years now. From the moment my friend played "My Girls" in his car, I had to know who they were. This was before I had started to get into any of the music you see on this chart. If it weren't for this record, I probably would have never listened to a single record on this chart. I wouldn't even be as in love with music as I am now.
It starts with some soft chords- hushed vocals, and a dizzying twinkle that my ears can't identify. Then after whispering "If I could just leave my body for a night", it explodes into a blissful stomp, as Avey Tare sings the simple pleasures of life- dancing and a song that you love. But all this is temporary, and those pleasures disappear and the dizzying twinkle returns. "In the Flowers" is the perfect way to kick off this record. Throughout the entire record the theme of "shit get's hard, but you can still enjoy the little things" keeps coming back, which is kind of my life philosophy thing. "My Girls" is a song about enjoying a family, "Summertime Clothes" is about midnight walks, "Bluish" is about, well, a girl, "Taste" tells you to enjoy what you enjoy, no matter what others think, and "Brother Sport" was written for Panda Bear's brother, who sort of gave up after the death of their father, telling him to keep going. It is the soundtrack to my life, and it always will be.

10 / 10

Favorite Song: "Taste"

"She's too good to share our favorite things
I'll keep an open mind if you let me in
Don't let your temper rise, don't get a bitter face
Try not to judge me on my kind of taste
And don't go changing clothes when they don't like yours"
[First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
Year of Release:
2009
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,202
Rank in 2009:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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Psychedelic Rock

One of the first records I can truly say I got lost in. After "Pigs on the Wing", I don't know what I expected. But it definitely wasn't the epic 40 minutes that follows. David Gilmour's guitar playing is at its peak on this one, each solo holding its own as one of my favorites. The only time I've heard guitar parts that rival the ones on this record are on Pink Moon and Wish You Were Here. Roger Water's lyrics are amazing as usual, but on this record, they just got it all right. From start to finish it uses constantly shifting tempos and styles, from fast acoustic strumming in D tuning, to sudden solos that come in out of nowhere in standard. Songs that use 15+ different chords, 3 solos, and who knows how many verses, without making it sound strained in any way. It flows perfectly, from one Pig on the Wing to the other. It's just oh, so perfect to me- and it's the only record that has been perfect in my eyes from the moment I heard it, and stayed that way since.

10 / 10

Favorite Song: "Dogs"

"And when you loose control, you'll reap the harvest you have sown
And as the fear grows, the bad blood slows and turns to stone
And it's too late to lose the weight you used to need to throw around
So have a good drown, as you go down, all alone,
Dragged down by the stone"
[First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
22,599
Rank in 1977:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Top rated album (88/100 - 2803 votes)  88 (2,803 votes)
Comments:
Buy album United States
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Post-Rock / Ambient Rock

To me, this album is the audible version of one moment- the moment before. That feeling you get when you know something amazing is going to happen. It's like being at the very top of a huge drop on a roller coaster. Talk Talk repeatedly bring you to the edge for a minute at most- blasting distortion, a trembling voice, and crashing drums- and a piano. Then, just as quickly as it's there- it's gone. The quiet, surreal sounds are back. And again you wait.

9.7 / 10

Favorite Track: "The Rainbow"
[First added to this chart: 03/17/2016]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,224
Rank in 1988:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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Indie Pop / Chamber Rock

For sure the magnum opus for the flaming lips for me, and that says a lot with their huge and varied catalog. But nowhere else does Wayne Coyne's frail voice sound better than backed with pounding drums, swooning synths, and guitar parts that come in and out only to play off of the melodies he is singing. In my opinion, this is the most important record in the neo-psychedelic movement. It paved the ways for bands such as Animal Collective, Tame Impala, and many more, combining a slightly schizo songwriting, with many elements popping in and out, dreamy textures, and a little bit of playfulness. The traces of this record can be found in countless today.

9.7 / 10

Favorite Song: "Suddenly Everything Has Changed"

"Will the fight
For our sanity,
Be the fight
Of our lives?"
[First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
Year of Release:
1999
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,932
Rank in 1999:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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Indie Rock

I don't know why it didn't click with me right away. But this is, in my opinion, Radiohead's most beautifully layered, and textured album. It all feels like a dream that you try to grab a hold of but just can't. The clean guitars and the ominous synth tones transport you to another universe. "Weird FIshes/ Arpeggi" slowly builds on a beutiful chord progression, each note feeling line a raindrop lightly tapping on your face and dripping down, until, after a short quiet moment, pours down even harder with the emotional, almost ominous, outro. "All I Need" is soft and quiet, until the piano takes you into it's dark world. "Nude" just has to be the smoothest piece of music to ever be released, and "Reckoner" swells and dives in ways that demand your full attention. All in all- it's just an incredible world to be in.

9.6 / 10

Favorite Track: "Weird Fishes / Arpeggi"

"I'm the next act
Waiting in the wings
I'm an animal
Trapped in your parked car
I am all the days
That you choose to ignore"
[First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
Year of Release:
2007
Appears in:
Rank Score:
43,840
Rank in 2007:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Top rated album (90/100 - 3945 votes)  90 (3,945 votes)
Comments:
Buy album United States
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Shoegaze

My first introduction to shoe-gazing, and at first I had no clue what to think of it. How could I? It gives you that 2 second drum roll and then it all hits you, full force, all at once. That screeching bending guitar notes and those distortion-drowned power chords just have ridiculous power in them. And all that comes after it is just as good- infinitely powerful while also infinitely sweet.

9.6 / 10

Favorite Song: Tie between literally every track except "Touched"

"When I look at you
Oh, I don't know what's real
Once in a while
And you make me laugh

And I'll see you tomorrow
And it won't be long
Once in a while
Then you take me down
Then you walk away"
[First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
Year of Release:
1991
Appears in:
Rank Score:
28,531
Rank in 1991:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Top rated album (86/100 - 2481 votes)  86 (2,481 votes)
Comments:
Buy album United States
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  • #Sponsored
Chamber Rock

"Stars and Sons" is my favorite bass-line of all time, hands down. It's been stuck in my head for weeks before. "Almost Crimes" is the most fearless full-force song to ever come from a band more than five members, and "Pacific Theme" has my favorite drum line ever. Sounds like a shoe-in for my top ten, huh?

9.6 / 10

Favorite Track: "Pacific Theme"

"Then when you let it
You asked for nothing
Why don't you share it
All of the time you live
There's something out there"
[First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
Year of Release:
2002
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,506
Rank in 2002:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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Post-Punk

I honestly like this better than Unknown Pleasures. I like his voice a lot more. *Runs from tomatoes being thrown at me*
But in all seriousness, I recently went through my rankings and was like "where the fuck is Interpol? I listen to that album like daily. Then I saw it at 43.
I need to rerank my shit man.
This album is emotionally powerful, and very densely packed with great musical moments. The bass never lacks, and the guitars play off each other so well, it may as well be two singers harmonizing. Not to mention the lyrics are beautiful (depressing, but my point stands). Some of my favorite moments include the de-tuning guitars on the outro of "The New", the intense bass-and-drum pounding on the first verse of "Obstacle 1", and the seductive march of "PDA". All-in-all, a head-nodding album that is good when you're feeling contemplative, energetic, or creative.

9.6 / 10

Favorite Track: "PDA"
[First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
Year of Release:
2002
Appears in:
Rank Score:
13,112
Rank in 2002:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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Post-Rock / Post-Classical

*Shudders*
Sorry, I got goosebumps. Every time that just sheer noise that comes in during "Sven-g-englar", I get them. This record is truly beautiful, a must for anyone who loves atmospheric music. I don't know what compelled him to start playing his guitar with his bow, but man am I glad he did. All tracks on here are beautiful in their own respect. The beautiful violin "Staralfur", the power in those drums that kick in during "Ny Batteri", and just the atmospheric beauty of it all.

9.6 / 10

Favorite Track: "Sven-v-englar"

"*insert playing guitar with violin bow & lots of distortion here*"
[First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
Year of Release:
1999
Appears in:
Rank Score:
15,030
Rank in 1999:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Top rated album (86/100 - 1718 votes)  86 (1,718 votes)
Comments:
Buy album United States
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  • iTunes
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  • #Sponsored
Shoegaze / Dream Pop

Slowdive are one of those bands that were irresistable to me from the first listen. I first heard them on youtube going through some shoegaze, and it was "Souvlaki Space Station" with images of planets and space. It fit the song so well, and all of that delay sparked my initial interest and eveentual obsession with guitar effects. "Alison" is the best ambient love song I've ever heard, "40 Days" and "Dagger" are tragic, and "When the Sun Hits" is just shoegaze served on a delicious platter of reverb and distortion. Great record, love almost every track.

9.6 / 10

Favorite Track: "When the Sun Hits"

"The sunshine girl is sleeping
She falls and dreams alone
And me I am her dagger
Too numb to feel her pain"
[First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
Year of Release:
1993
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,794
Rank in 1993:
Rank in 1990s:
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 5 5%
1970s 11 11%
1980s 4 4%
1990s 25 25%
2000s 27 27%
2010s 28 28%
2020s 0 0%
Artist Albums %


Animal Collective 5 5%
Radiohead 5 5%
Pink Floyd 4 4%
Sigur Rós 3 3%
Tame Impala 3 3%
The National 2 2%
Nick Drake 2 2%
Show all
Country Albums %


United States 64 64%
United Kingdom 21 21%
Canada 5 5%
Australia 3 3%
Iceland 3 3%
Mixed Nationality 3 3%
Germany 1 1%

Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes

New entries
New entry Cosmogramma
by Flying Lotus
TitleSourceTypePublishedCountry
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums sg6Overall chart2017
One Album per Artist ChartImaybeparanoidCustom chart2016Unknown
Top 100 Greatest Music Albumsspace22ifyOverall chart2021Unknown
BEA Forum Regulars' Top 100 (2015) HigherThanTheSunCustom chart2015
Top 100 Greatest Music AlbumsbeaOverall chart2021Unknown
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums15henkleaOverall chart2014Unknown
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums Komorebi-DOverall chart2018
One album per artistbeaCustom chart2021Unknown
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums Ironic KarmaOverall chart2015
Top 100 Greatest Music AlbumsImaybeparanoidOverall chart2017Unknown

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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings

Average Rating: 
93/100 (from 69 votes)
  Help 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).
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90/100
 !
07/22/2025 17:23 Johnnyo   2,55780/100
 
80/100
 !
06/19/2020 05:45 DriftingOrpheus   7891/100
 
90/100
 !
08/14/2019 02:07 ExTeaSea   24489/100
 
100/100
 !
07/07/2019 09:15 bertrandu   11088/100
 
95/100
 !
06/23/2019 03:38 Xxnu99etxX   14290/100

Rating metrics: Help 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 1% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 92.7/100, a mean average of 92.3/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 93.7/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 13.4.

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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums favourites

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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments

Showing latest 10 comments | Show all 43 comments |
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Rating:  
90/100
From 07/22/2025 17:23 | #310246
Really, really good chart.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
90/100
From 09/12/2019 04:46 | #242492
@dexme: I don’t understand your comment at all: he only rated a couple of hundreds of albums, he’s chosen some fairly non standard albums albums for this top chart and he wouldn’t go into the trouble to write these long personal comments on his top albums if he was only after the points: for me this chart and the comment that go with it is a winner.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
55/100
From 09/12/2019 03:42 | #242490
Your chart sucks. It only has popular albums. Stop ratings albums just because you want points. How dare you.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
90/100
From 08/14/2019 02:08 | #241146
Really cool chart! Animal Collective and The Unicorns, nice!
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
85/100
From 06/27/2018 01:44 | #217350
Great chart!
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Rating:  
95/100
From 09/15/2017 18:56 | #198055
This has introduced me to so much!!
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
100/100
From 09/15/2017 12:24 | #198043
Nothing new to add. This is really amazing, still.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
85/100
From 09/15/2017 12:18 | #198042
Nice chart!
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Rating:  
100/100
From 09/15/2017 09:19 | #198038
Phenomenal chart my friend. Looks similar to mind, in terms of description. :)))
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Rating:  
100/100
From 09/15/2017 08:38 | #198036
Great chart, I can see mine looking a bit like this in a year's time. By the way, the track on Blonde on Blonde is "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again", not "the Texas Blues".
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Recognised  Decade Charts (2020s)
1. 100 Best Albums of the 2010s: Staff Picks by Billboard (2019)
2. BrooklynVegan's Top Albums of 2010s by BrooklynVegan (2020)
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5. All The Best Albums Of The 2010s, Ranked by Uproxx (2019)
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7. Gorilla vs. Bear Albums of the 2010s by Gorilla vs. Bear (2019)
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10. 100 Best Albums of the 2010s by Rolling Stone (2019)
11. The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s by Pitchfork (2019)
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