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
- Chart updated: 02/20/2018 21:45
- (Created: 01/14/2016 05:31).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 42 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 93 out of 100 (from 68 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 1970s. (Remove this filter)
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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]
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:
23,488
Rank in 1977:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
200
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Acoustic
As a guitar player, picking a "favorite" guitar player is very difficult. Especially for someone like me who can get into just about any piece of music with a guitar in it in general. But Nick Drake is most definately my favorite. The skill and precision that he displays on this album should tell you why. I've learned many of these songs, but there are some that I just cannot get. The rhythms are rediculously quick, and sometimes quite awkward, but they sound way too good for me not to try. So I try and try and try.... And truthfully, sometimes get nowhere. But hell I'm gonna keep trying. Anyways- This album is great from start to finish. It's soft and calming, and it's an album that is good when you want to falls asleep, when you're feeling down, or when you're in the happiest of moods. It's just good.
9.5 / 10
Favorite Track: "The Road"
"You can take a road that takes you to the stars now
I can take a road that will see me through" [First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
As a guitar player, picking a "favorite" guitar player is very difficult. Especially for someone like me who can get into just about any piece of music with a guitar in it in general. But Nick Drake is most definately my favorite. The skill and precision that he displays on this album should tell you why. I've learned many of these songs, but there are some that I just cannot get. The rhythms are rediculously quick, and sometimes quite awkward, but they sound way too good for me not to try. So I try and try and try.... And truthfully, sometimes get nowhere. But hell I'm gonna keep trying. Anyways- This album is great from start to finish. It's soft and calming, and it's an album that is good when you want to falls asleep, when you're feeling down, or when you're in the happiest of moods. It's just good.
9.5 / 10
Favorite Track: "The Road"
"You can take a road that takes you to the stars now
I can take a road that will see me through" [First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
18,645
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Psychedelic Rock
That guitar in "Shin On You Crazy Diamond Parts I-V" is possible the most beautiful guitar work I've ever heard- and yet so simple. A soft, electronic chord in the back ground and some slow bends, working around the same 6 or so notes most of the time- and yet it immediately strikes you as a work of genius. That's just the power of this band for you- they effortlessly pump out minute after minute of accessible, great music, despite the long track lengths. The middle three tracks are as radio-friendly as they get (besides the one low point on the album for me "Welcome to the Machine"), fantastic tracks. "Wish You Were Here" is another example of simple perfection. "Have a Cigar" may be the busiest song on the record, but oh is it good. And the guitar solo at the end is excellent. It's in the top 50 on this site for a reason. The two end pieces are incredible pieces of music that change tempos often, and have guitar parts that never cease to give you goosebumps.
9.6 / 10
Favorite Track: "Shine On You Crazy Diamond I-V"
"You were caught in the crossfire of childhood and stardom, blown on the steel breeze.
Come on you target for faraway laughter, come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!" [First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
That guitar in "Shin On You Crazy Diamond Parts I-V" is possible the most beautiful guitar work I've ever heard- and yet so simple. A soft, electronic chord in the back ground and some slow bends, working around the same 6 or so notes most of the time- and yet it immediately strikes you as a work of genius. That's just the power of this band for you- they effortlessly pump out minute after minute of accessible, great music, despite the long track lengths. The middle three tracks are as radio-friendly as they get (besides the one low point on the album for me "Welcome to the Machine"), fantastic tracks. "Wish You Were Here" is another example of simple perfection. "Have a Cigar" may be the busiest song on the record, but oh is it good. And the guitar solo at the end is excellent. It's in the top 50 on this site for a reason. The two end pieces are incredible pieces of music that change tempos often, and have guitar parts that never cease to give you goosebumps.
9.6 / 10
Favorite Track: "Shine On You Crazy Diamond I-V"
"You were caught in the crossfire of childhood and stardom, blown on the steel breeze.
Come on you target for faraway laughter, come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!" [First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
46,460
Rank in 1975:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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Psychedelic Rock
You've all heard it I hope. But I'll write about it anyways. It's one of the very first records to incorporate sampling, and just good old fashioned psychedelia into an atmospheric, well flowing record. And it still sounds just as good today as it did back then. It does contain a little bit of filler in my opinion, but the rest of the tracks more than make up for the slow points.
9 / 10
Favorite Track: "Time"
"Breathe
Breathe in the air
Don't be afraid to care" [First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
You've all heard it I hope. But I'll write about it anyways. It's one of the very first records to incorporate sampling, and just good old fashioned psychedelia into an atmospheric, well flowing record. And it still sounds just as good today as it did back then. It does contain a little bit of filler in my opinion, but the rest of the tracks more than make up for the slow points.
9 / 10
Favorite Track: "Time"
"Breathe
Breathe in the air
Don't be afraid to care" [First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
63,919
Rank in 1973:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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Psychedelic Rock
A great record that has been my favorite by the Doors for a long time. I love almost every track here- the instrumentation is creative, and never repeats itself for too long, and on top of that, the songs are simply catchy. Great mix of pretty much everything you'd want in a record.
8.8 / 10
Favorite Song: "Riders on the Storm" [First added to this chart: 04/22/2016]
A great record that has been my favorite by the Doors for a long time. I love almost every track here- the instrumentation is creative, and never repeats itself for too long, and on top of that, the songs are simply catchy. Great mix of pretty much everything you'd want in a record.
8.8 / 10
Favorite Song: "Riders on the Storm" [First added to this chart: 04/22/2016]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,149
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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Folk / Acoustic
I have this one here instead one of their live records for a few reasons- this was the first Grateful Dead record I ever picked up and listened to, and I fell in love with these tracks. Secondly, there are so many live options for me to chose from, I get overwhelmed even thinking about picking a favorite- and most of them are lesser seen ones that I own on vinyl. On my birthday one year, a theater in my town was featuring a showing of their concert in Woodstock- my 17th birthday luckily, so I was able to get in, because, ya know, Woodstock. But anyways the coordination they had with each other and all of the little tangents and subtle changes they put into their music was incredible. So although this is my favorite Grateful Dead record- think of this more as my tribute to the band itself here. And if you haven't ever given them a shot, possibly dismissing it as "hippie garbage" (I pray to fucking Yorke you didn't), please give this incredible act a shot.
8.8 / 10
Favorite Track: "Dire Wolf"
"When I awoke, the Dire Wolf, six hundred pounds of sin
Was grinning at my window, all I said was come on in
Don't murder me, I beg of you, don't murder me
Please, don't murder me" [First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
I have this one here instead one of their live records for a few reasons- this was the first Grateful Dead record I ever picked up and listened to, and I fell in love with these tracks. Secondly, there are so many live options for me to chose from, I get overwhelmed even thinking about picking a favorite- and most of them are lesser seen ones that I own on vinyl. On my birthday one year, a theater in my town was featuring a showing of their concert in Woodstock- my 17th birthday luckily, so I was able to get in, because, ya know, Woodstock. But anyways the coordination they had with each other and all of the little tangents and subtle changes they put into their music was incredible. So although this is my favorite Grateful Dead record- think of this more as my tribute to the band itself here. And if you haven't ever given them a shot, possibly dismissing it as "hippie garbage" (I pray to fucking Yorke you didn't), please give this incredible act a shot.
8.8 / 10
Favorite Track: "Dire Wolf"
"When I awoke, the Dire Wolf, six hundred pounds of sin
Was grinning at my window, all I said was come on in
Don't murder me, I beg of you, don't murder me
Please, don't murder me" [First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,555
Rank in 1970:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Folk
One of my favorite albums lyrically, probably only topped by Lonerism, simply because I relate to the lyrics on that one to a rediculous degree. This was the closes thing Dylan had to a break up record, with all the words hinting at romantic trouble, such as the spiteful "Idiot Wind".
8.6 / 10
Favorite Track: "Simple Twist of Fate" [First added to this chart: 03/04/2016]
One of my favorite albums lyrically, probably only topped by Lonerism, simply because I relate to the lyrics on that one to a rediculous degree. This was the closes thing Dylan had to a break up record, with all the words hinting at romantic trouble, such as the spiteful "Idiot Wind".
8.6 / 10
Favorite Track: "Simple Twist of Fate" [First added to this chart: 03/04/2016]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
21,905
Rank in 1975:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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Psychedelic Rock
So many high points and so many low points... Pink Floyd's most inconsistent record. "In the Flesh", "In the Flesh??", "Comfortably Numb", "Young Lust" are fantastic, which is why it made it on this list.
8.5 / 10
Favorite Track: "In the Flesh" [First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
So many high points and so many low points... Pink Floyd's most inconsistent record. "In the Flesh", "In the Flesh??", "Comfortably Numb", "Young Lust" are fantastic, which is why it made it on this list.
8.5 / 10
Favorite Track: "In the Flesh" [First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
Year of Release:
1979
Appears in:
Rank Score:
26,964
Rank in 1979:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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Classic Rock
Good god this record has some great tracks.
8.5 / 10
Favorite Track: "Ramble Tamble" [First added to this chart: 02/15/2016]
Good god this record has some great tracks.
8.5 / 10
Favorite Track: "Ramble Tamble" [First added to this chart: 02/15/2016]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,603
Rank in 1970:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Chamber Rock
Although I wish his guitar was higher in the mix, the lush instrumentation on this record adds an entirely new atmosphere to Nick Drake's world. This one feels even calmer than his usual records, which is saying something.
8.4 / 10
Rank by Artist: 2
Favorite Track: "Hazey Jane I" [First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
Although I wish his guitar was higher in the mix, the lush instrumentation on this record adds an entirely new atmosphere to Nick Drake's world. This one feels even calmer than his usual records, which is saying something.
8.4 / 10
Rank by Artist: 2
Favorite Track: "Hazey Jane I" [First added to this chart: 01/16/2016]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,987
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 11. Page 1 of 2
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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% | |
| Tame Impala | 3 | 3% | |
| Sigur Rós | 3 | 3% | |
| Nick Drake | 2 | 2% | |
| Elliott Smith | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| New entries |
|---|
 Cosmogrammaby Flying Lotus |
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
93/100 (from 68 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 68 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
80/100  | 06/19/2020 05:45 |  DriftingOrpheus | | 91/100 |
90/100 | 08/14/2019 02:07 |  ExTeaSea | | 89/100 |
100/100 | 07/07/2019 09:15 |  bertrandu | | 88/100 |
95/100 | 06/23/2019 03:38 |  Xxnu99etxX | | 90/100 |
100/100 | 02/27/2019 02:15 |  Rhyner | | 99/100 |
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 1% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 92.7/100, a mean average of 92.4/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 93.8/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 13.5.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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90/100
From 
dihansse 09/12/2019 04:46
dihansse 09/12/2019 04:46
@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)
55/100
From dexmc 09/12/2019 03:42
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)
90/100
From ExTeaSea 08/14/2019 02:08
ExTeaSea 08/14/2019 02:08
Really cool chart! Animal Collective and The Unicorns, nice!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From Reppu1976 06/27/2018 01:44
Great chart!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From 
elo269megv 09/15/2017 18:56
elo269megv 09/15/2017 18:56
This has introduced me to so much!!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
HoldenM 09/15/2017 12:24
HoldenM 09/15/2017 12:24
Nothing new to add. This is really amazing, still.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From SamNassiri98 09/15/2017 12:18
Nice chart!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
DommeDamian 09/15/2017 09:19
DommeDamian 09/15/2017 09:19
Phenomenal chart my friend. Looks similar to mind, in terms of description. :)))
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
Flay 09/15/2017 08:38
Flay 09/15/2017 08:38
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".
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
75/100
From platus 09/15/2017 08:29
Interesting chart
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