Top 40 Greatest Music Albums
by ewehrle92 
I'm still slowly, but surely, making my way through a lot of albums, but I wanted to post my first ever list of my favorite albums. I'd like to think my taste is pretty eclectic, but these albums are the ones I constantly make my way back to every time. Some are just plain awesome in their inventiveness, and others are just pure beauty, and others have just gotten me through tough times. All of these are deeply personal to me in some way, and I hope to find even more to add to this list throughout my journey into musical history.
- Chart updated: 05/30/2016 20:15
- (Created: 05/27/2016 22:46).
- Chart size: 40 albums.
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I know this is certainly not an album that would make anyone's top 100 of a decade alone, but it's comfort music to the extreme. It's mainly my #1 due to how deeply personal it is to me, but the music itself is gorgeous and relaxing in itself.
Favorite tracks: "3 Rounds & a Sound," "I Buried a Bone," "Oviedo." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Favorite tracks: "3 Rounds & a Sound," "I Buried a Bone," "Oviedo." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
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Became my favorite band the second I heard this album. It has everything I need in an album: folk-y revelations, swooning guitar rhythms, consistently different and inventive styles, and a voice full of nostalgia. Mark Kozelek is a fantastic songwriter, but he's never been better than on this album. Plus, only he can do a cover of an upbeat Cars song and make it emotive.
Favorite tracks: "Priest Alley Song," "Trailways," "Make Like Paper." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Favorite tracks: "Priest Alley Song," "Trailways," "Make Like Paper." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Year of Release:
1996
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Rank Score:
538
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One of the most unique and inventive albums to ever exist, yet its ambitions don't get in the way of the heart and emotion of the record. When I first heard Sufjan, I always thought he was an aspiring Nick Drake/ Elliott Smith type, but this album made me realize he's anything but. Only Sufjan could make autotune beautiful.
Favorite tracks: "Impossible Soul," "The Age of Adz," "Too Much." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Favorite tracks: "Impossible Soul," "The Age of Adz," "Too Much." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Year of Release:
2010
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Rank Score:
4,565
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This is easily one of the most introspective albums of my life. It forces me to relive each emotion I've ever felt and reflect on my life. And then again, that's why music exists, isn't it?
Favorite tracks: "Re: Stacks," "Blindsided," "Creature Fear." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Favorite tracks: "Re: Stacks," "Blindsided," "Creature Fear." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Year of Release:
2007
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Rank Score:
11,042
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On first listen, I thought the lyrics were too quirky and dark for my taste (which is weird because those are the two adjectives which my mom describes me), but on further listens, I realized the odd sort of beauty behind it. It forces you to feel so much throughout its run time (blasts it in your face almost), but it works so well. My only complaint is I wish Jeff Mangum didn't stop here...
Favorite tracks: "Oh Comely," "Two-Headed Boy Part 2," "Communist Daughter." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Favorite tracks: "Oh Comely," "Two-Headed Boy Part 2," "Communist Daughter." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Year of Release:
1998
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Rank Score:
32,550
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I know this one seems totally random among the aforementioned group of artists, and usually you'd be totally right to assume that Billy Joel of all people wouldn't be on a list of my favorites. But this album is just pure beauty and artistry from beginning to end. Too bad Billy Joel never topped or even continued down this path. It feels like it belongs to a different place and time, like around the Sinatra era, but plays with more genuine emotion than the artists of that era. The different styles from each song to the next is amazing in itself, but I always feel like I could never listen to any other album when walking around a big city with bright lights.
Favorite tracks: "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant," "Vienna," "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Favorite tracks: "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant," "Vienna," "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Year of Release:
1977
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Rank Score:
6,832
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Probably the first CD, after Radiohead's "Kid A," to really introduce me to what music could be. I listened to this on repeat when going to Toronto, Canada (first time away from home by myself) and it just hit me with so many emotions and wonder. Probably the most distinct time I could feel my life changing and maturing. Anthony Gonzalez's love for cinema is also a plus as I'm a huge movie buff as well, and I can feel it in each beat of the album.
Favorite tracks: "New Map," "OK Pal," "Outro." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Favorite tracks: "New Map," "OK Pal," "Outro." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Year of Release:
2011
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Rank Score:
3,291
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My first Sufjan, my forever Sufjan. I love the idea of concept albums, and this one has equal shares of innovation and emotion - not nearly on the level of "Adz," but damn close (to be fair, they are drastically different styles mind you). Not to mention, it's the perfect road trip album.
Favorite tracks: "Decatur or Round of Applause for Your Stepmother!," "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!," "Chicago" [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Favorite tracks: "Decatur or Round of Applause for Your Stepmother!," "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!," "Chicago" [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Year of Release:
2005
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Rank Score:
20,326
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Just as with Neutral Milk Hotel, this one took quite a few listens before I realized the brilliance of it. Sure, the lyrics are off-the-wall, but the songs also didn't have any real coherence that I could tell. But upon further listens, I realized that it was basically jazz-rock. It wasn't about hitting the perfect notes or scales, but making it up with heart. The perfect album to listen to as a grungy teenager in a room alone; "Late Nineties Bedroom Rock" is right.
Favorite tracks: "Lover's Spit," "Pacific Theme," "Stars and Sons." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Favorite tracks: "Lover's Spit," "Pacific Theme," "Stars and Sons." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Year of Release:
2002
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Rank Score:
5,466
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Probably the newest addition to this list, but it was *the* introspective album before introspection was even a thought. Long before Elliott Smith, Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, there was Nick Drake. Always avoided this album because I couldn't get past his voice, but then I realized his voice is the music. His guitar is so relaxing, but his voice is the emotion. Gone too soon, just like a lot of the best. Also a perfect album to fall asleep to.
Favorite tracks: "Pink Moon," "Which Will," "From the Morning." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Favorite tracks: "Pink Moon," "Which Will," "From the Morning." [First added to this chart: 05/29/2016]
Year of Release:
1972
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Rank Score:
17,517
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Total albums: 40. Page 1 of 4
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Top 40 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 1 | 3% | |
| 1970s | 5 | 13% | |
| 1980s | 3 | 8% | |
| 1990s | 7 | 18% | |
| 2000s | 15 | 38% | |
| 2010s | 9 | 23% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Sufjan Stevens | 3 | 8% | |
| Fleet Foxes | 2 | 5% | |
| M83 | 2 | 5% | |
| Broken Social Scene | 2 | 5% | |
| The Replacements | 2 | 5% | |
| Childish Gambino | 2 | 5% | |
| Lou Reed | 1 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 40 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
There have been no changes to this chart.Top 40 Greatest Music Albums similar charts
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| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 10/19/2016 01:09 | Seab | 2,005 | 93/100 |
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