Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by carpents 
I realized I'm not very good at giving commentary on albums, because I don't always understand why I like what I like. (I can usually tell you why I *don't* like something though, which is more often.) I tried to comment on something relevant, maybe not insightful to the record but explaining why I like it.
- Chart updated: 03/09/2019 20:15
- (Created: 04/06/2016 22:51).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 14 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 88 out of 100 (from 35 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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I remember listening to 'Washer' (on cassette, no less) on the way to band practice, and being blown away. We were one of the many bands which heard it and shifted from power-chord garage rock to something deeper. I'm still amazed at how young these guys were when they wrote this music.
[First added to this chart: 04/10/2016]
Year of Release:
1991
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,088
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Got this album in the late 90s along with hundreds of other CDs. The first couple listens it felt abrasive. It finally broke through and I connected to the emotion in this album; I still don't even understand what he's saying all the time, but with this album you don't have to.
[First added to this chart: 04/10/2016]
Year of Release:
1998
Appears in:
Rank Score:
32,498
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Sparse and beautiful.
[First added to this chart: 04/10/2016]
Year of Release:
2004
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,223
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Rank in 2000s:
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An entire album which feels like a nightmare. (In a good way.)
[First added to this chart: 04/10/2016]
Year of Release:
1989
Appears in:
Rank Score:
26,251
Rank in 1989:
Rank in 1980s:
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The height of the Pixies, and the height of Black Francis, which is a way better name than 'Frank Black'.
[First added to this chart: 04/10/2016]
Year of Release:
1989
Appears in:
Rank Score:
31,427
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The final third of this album blows me away.
[First added to this chart: 04/10/2016]
Year of Release:
1994
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,304
Rank in 1994:
Rank in 1990s:
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Average Rating:
Comments:
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No one knows what is coming
or who will harvest what we have sown
or how I've been dulling and dumbing
in the service of the heart alone
2 hours of something which defies explanation. It's an extraordinary mixture of instruments and sounds, piano, harp, drums, clapping, sticks rattling, tambourines, horns, strings, something else? My first listen on headphones had my brain twitching from side to side hearing all of the cacophony in amazement of how seamlessly it all works. There are sparse songs too which are hauntingly beautiful and instantly transport me to this strange world that Joanna Newsom creates with tiny twists of phrase.
Her voice is smoother here than on her other works, but like all the random instrumentation it just fits. I wouldn't change a single word.
I was tired of being drunk
My face cracked like a joke
So I swung through here
like a brace of jackrabbits
with their necks all broke
God, you can't drop even one song lest you'd be left with a hollowed-out husk.
I try to reserve enough space to make it all the way through this album, and then feel like starting it right over.
It does not suffice for you to say I am a sweet girl
Or to say you hate to see me sad because of you
It does not suffice to merely lie beside each other
As those who love each other do [First added to this chart: 03/09/2019]
or who will harvest what we have sown
or how I've been dulling and dumbing
in the service of the heart alone
2 hours of something which defies explanation. It's an extraordinary mixture of instruments and sounds, piano, harp, drums, clapping, sticks rattling, tambourines, horns, strings, something else? My first listen on headphones had my brain twitching from side to side hearing all of the cacophony in amazement of how seamlessly it all works. There are sparse songs too which are hauntingly beautiful and instantly transport me to this strange world that Joanna Newsom creates with tiny twists of phrase.
Her voice is smoother here than on her other works, but like all the random instrumentation it just fits. I wouldn't change a single word.
I was tired of being drunk
My face cracked like a joke
So I swung through here
like a brace of jackrabbits
with their necks all broke
God, you can't drop even one song lest you'd be left with a hollowed-out husk.
I try to reserve enough space to make it all the way through this album, and then feel like starting it right over.
It does not suffice for you to say I am a sweet girl
Or to say you hate to see me sad because of you
It does not suffice to merely lie beside each other
As those who love each other do [First added to this chart: 03/09/2019]
Year of Release:
2010
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,720
Rank in 2010:
Rank in 2010s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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So sad that he killed himself, I love where this album was going. Elliott Smith was brilliant and haunted, and so is his music.
[First added to this chart: 04/10/2016]
Year of Release:
2004
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,209
Rank in 2004:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
I never got into BTS in the 90s even though I listened to some of them. Maybe it was Doug Martsh's vocals, or the odd song structure. Re-discovered their albums in the 00s and something clicked. If I had to pick one song which encapsulates Built To Spill it would be 'Randy Described Eternity'.
[First added to this chart: 04/10/2016]
Year of Release:
1997
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,997
Rank in 1997:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
I liked Pablo Honey, not initially but after a year or so. Then I loved The Bends, which seemed like a natural progression from Pablo. And then OK Computer came out, and I was amazed. It was anything but a natural progression, but something entirely new built upon their previous work.
Looking back it doesn't seem possible that Radiohead would be a 'one-hit' band, but with the Bends and OK Computer, Radiohead said "we don't care" and changed the game. I'm sure there was pressure for them to make another 'Creep' and I'm glad they didn't. [First added to this chart: 04/10/2016]
Looking back it doesn't seem possible that Radiohead would be a 'one-hit' band, but with the Bends and OK Computer, Radiohead said "we don't care" and changed the game. I'm sure there was pressure for them to make another 'Creep' and I'm glad they didn't. [First added to this chart: 04/10/2016]
Year of Release:
1997
Appears in:
Rank Score:
63,501
Rank in 1997:
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 | 2 | 2% | |
| 1960s | 4 | 4% | |
| 1970s | 7 | 7% | |
| 1980s | 9 | 9% | |
| 1990s | 38 | 38% | |
| 2000s | 23 | 23% | |
| 2010s | 17 | 17% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Built To Spill | 3 | 3% | |
| The Smiths | 3 | 3% | |
| Joanna Newsom | 2 | 2% | |
| Radiohead | 2 | 2% | |
| The Afghan Whigs | 2 | 2% | |
| Suede | 2 | 2% | |
| Neutral Milk Hotel | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 23 from 88th to 65thFor Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver |
| Up 15 from 86th to 71stParanoid by Black Sabbath |
| Up 8 from 29th to 21stElectro-Shock Blues by Eels |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 15 from 31st to 46thThe Hour Of Bewilderbeast by Badly Drawn Boy |
| Down 10 from 25th to 35thAmerican VI: Ain't No Grave by Johnny Cash |
| Down 7 from 17th to 24thThe Queen Is Dead by The Smiths |
| New entries |
|---|
| Sprained Ankle by Julien Baker |
| Lush by Snail Mail |
| Stranger In The Alps by Phoebe Bridgers |
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similar charts
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1990s | carpents | 1990s decade chart | 2017 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2000s | carpents | 2000s decade chart | 2019 | |
| Top Alternative Pop/Rock Albums | nas062080 | Custom chart | 2013 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1990s | pdapperens | 1990s decade chart | 2015 |  |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1990s |  flyingcitrus | 1990s decade chart | 2018 |  |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1990s |  TheHolyKiwi | 1990s decade chart | 2015 |  |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1990s | NamibiaStarr | 1990s decade chart | 2016 |  |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1990s |  calsper | 1990s decade chart | 2015 |  |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1990s |  Taric | 1990s decade chart | 2012 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1990s |  decemberhotel | 1990s decade chart | 2015 | |
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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 35 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 01/05/2026 16:21 | jnmayles | 12 | 88/100 |
| ! | 09/27/2025 19:45 | Johnnyo | 2,569 | 80/100 |
| ! | 03/24/2025 10:06 |  SomethingSpecial | 1,098 | 85/100 |
| ! | 02/27/2020 07:59 |  Amirkhosro | 99 | 92/100 |
| ! | 02/27/2020 01:08 | bonnequestion | 37 | 98/100 |
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 9% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 88.1/100, a mean average of 89.0/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 88.8/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 9.0.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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From jnmayles 01/05/2026 16:21 | #312479
We're the only two on this site with Fuzz in our top 100 of all time. Had to check your chart out. You've got some stuff in here I've never heard that I'll have to check out.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Johnnyo 09/27/2025 19:45 | #311116
Really, really like this chart. Great stuff
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Amirkhosro 02/27/2020 07:59 | #248281
Amirkhosro 02/27/2020 07:59 | #248281
I love this chart's vibe. Spiderland FTW
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From bonnequestion 02/27/2020 01:09 | #248274
Very interesting chart with nice comments and a lot of personal picks, just like I love them! Good job!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
gidgidi 10/12/2019 14:07 | #243677
gidgidi 10/12/2019 14:07 | #243677
Great chart. I feel like I don’t any more explanations, I think I got everything you said here :)
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
DommeDamian 12/24/2018 11:20 | #227798
DommeDamian 12/24/2018 11:20 | #227798
Love the descriptions, love the albums.
PS: We don't know if it was Elliott who took his life away, nonetheless RIP.
PPS: I disagree that Revolver and BoB is unlistenable.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
dihansse 07/25/2018 20:39 | #218787
dihansse 07/25/2018 20:39 | #218787
top chart and I put many of those albums on my wishlist
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
ForegroundNoise 07/04/2018 08:29 | #217731
ForegroundNoise 07/04/2018 08:29 | #217731
I wouldn't worry about your notes I enjoyed them very much (sometimes less is more!). I adore many of your picks (we have a shared no1!) though maybe the 60s and 70s have been neglected a little? I'm not a massive classic rock head by any means (we also share a general lack of enthusiasm for the big four) but I feel to limit the two combined decades to less than 10 picks seems a little harsh; here's a few of my faves from those decades that maybe you'll enjoy (having looked through your ratings)
Steve Reich - Music For 18 Musicians
Wire - Pink Flag
Amon Düül II - Yeti
The Red Krayola - The Parable Of Arable Land
King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King (I know this is obvious but it's worth a listen if you haven't reviewed it yet)
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
junodog4 03/09/2018 23:47 | #210513
junodog4 03/09/2018 23:47 | #210513
Nice chart.
...but you really need to give Jon Spencer another listen.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (1 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
From 
jhuik 05/27/2017 16:16 | #191520
jhuik 05/27/2017 16:16 | #191520
Great list. All legit picks. And I love that you added Laura Marling's newest already.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (1 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
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| Best Ever Artists | |
|---|---|
| 1. The Beatles | |
| 2. Radiohead | |
| 3. Pink Floyd | |
| 4. David Bowie | |
| 5. Bob Dylan | |
| 6. Led Zeppelin | |
| 7. The Rolling Stones | |
| 8. Arcade Fire | |
| 9. Nirvana | |
| 10. Neil Young | |
| 11. The Velvet Underground | |
| 12. Kendrick Lamar | |
| 13. Miles Davis | |
| 14. The Smiths | |
| 15. R.E.M. | |
| 16. The Beach Boys | |
| 17. Kanye West | |
| 18. Bruce Springsteen | |
| 19. Pixies | |
| 20. Jimi Hendrix |
