Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by 
Strangel 
These albums are my favourites. This is not meant to be a 'Greatest Album's' chart, although I would strongly argue for each of my chosen albums in being considered for a greatest albums list. My interest is more toward the alternative/indie and electronic genres with a tendency toward experimentation in the music. I also need to be able to comfortably immerse myself in the music. So while I appreciate, and want to explore the work of Autechre (for example), I get far more pleasure from listening to Burial which has more reverie to the sound rather than almost pure math and tech. Aphex Twin, in fact, manages to bridge these aspects perfectly.
It might be noted that Radiohead dominates the list which simply expresses my belief that they have the uncanny ability to release album after album of near perfect alternative music, shifting the landscape of what's possible whilst always remaining relevant. I don't apologise for this. They are that good.
- Chart updated: 09/27/2024 14:15
- (Created: 07/04/2016 14:26).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 34 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 89 out of 100 (from 53 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
View the complete list of 57,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.
This chart is currently filtered to only show albums from the 1970s. (Remove this filter)
Buy album 
- #Sponsored
This is Led Zepps undoubted magnus opus. Classic songs are dripping from every groove of the vinyl. As much as Stairway to Heaven is lampooned these days it remains a masterpiece of grandiose composition. Plants mystical/mythical story-telling and rock swagger abound whilst Jimmy Page is at the peak of his transformative guitar playing.
Rating: 96/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: Can't argue with historical concensus... Stairway to Heaven... [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Rating: 96/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: Can't argue with historical concensus... Stairway to Heaven... [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
40,487
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
304
Buy album
- #Sponsored
We all know that Dark Side of the Moon is Floyd's magnum opus, the iconic album of the 70s, and one of the great pieces of musical art ever created. But for it's ability to truly transport you to another, mystical place, Wish You Were Here strikes me as the more consistently transcendent work. I especially like the unpretentious tribute to Barrett and unabashed critique of the music industry with both themes being melded into a seamless whole.
Rating: 93/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: ‘We’re just two lost souls, Swimming in a fishbowl, Year after year’ has always been a favourite lyric of mine. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Rating: 93/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: ‘We’re just two lost souls, Swimming in a fishbowl, Year after year’ has always been a favourite lyric of mine. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
46,148
Rank in 1975:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
A gritty masterpiece exploring the depths of the darker aspects of the soul like no other album or band before them. I absolutely love the psychedelic lyrics of Ozzy on this album and I'm not a massive Osbourne fan (although he is far more suited to the essence of Sabbath than Dio ever was). But it's Tommy Iommi and his unique wizardy with the riff that demands a moshing wall of worship with signs of the horn raised before him.
Rating: 91/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: Just focus on Iommi's riffage for the entire album at least once. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Rating: 91/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: Just focus on Iommi's riffage for the entire album at least once. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
19,063
Rank in 1970:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
A bit of a hidden gem, this album. Upon hearing it for the first time I had to keep going back to it. It strikes me as a timeless classic. It doesn't sound in any way dated. It touches you on a deep emotional level which is what a good stripped back acoustic guitar with vocal should do. There is nothing outrageously brilliant about the guitar, vocal, lyrics, or melodies on their own, however they all meld together immaculately.
[First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
18,420
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
My most played album while under the influence of bourbon and pot.
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: The boozy swagger. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: The boozy swagger. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,057
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
This album is adored by so many for good reason. It is surely the most significant early pioneer of headphone-immersion rock appreciation. When listening to DSotM I can easily picture the long-haired, British youth, stoned, sitting on a beanbag alone in their bedroom, with headphones plugged in, wearing their 70s t-shirt and flared jeans.
While I much prefer Wish You Were Here there’s no denying that this is the peak in album production for its era. [First added to this chart: 08/05/2016]
While I much prefer Wish You Were Here there’s no denying that this is the peak in album production for its era. [First added to this chart: 08/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
62,877
Rank in 1973:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
This is a late comer in my chart seeing as I had only heard individual songs here and there but not the entire album. I reckon I’ve listened to it more than 20 times now and I just love it. The baritone voice, and brooding themes anticipate the arrival of Nick Cave in the path of music history and Cave is one of my most respected artists.
[First added to this chart: 02/10/2018]
Year of Release:
1979
Appears in:
Rank Score:
22,714
Rank in 1979:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 7. Page 1 of 1
Don't agree with this chart? Create your own from the My Charts page!
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 6 | 6% | |
| 1970s | 7 | 7% | |
| 1980s | 5 | 5% | |
| 1990s | 29 | 29% | |
| 2000s | 34 | 34% | |
| 2010s | 17 | 17% | |
| 2020s | 2 | 2% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Radiohead | 8 | 8% | |
| Metallica | 4 | 4% | |
| Aphex Twin | 4 | 4% | |
| Burial | 3 | 3% | |
| The National | 3 | 3% | |
| Portishead | 3 | 3% | |
| Nirvana | 3 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
42 | 42% | |
| |
41 | 41% | |
 |
6 | 6% | |
| |
5 | 5% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 5 from 23rd to 18th A Moon Shaped Pool by Radiohead |
| Up 2 from 79th to 77th The Velvet Underground & Nico by The Velvet Underground & Nico |
| Up 2 from 78th to 76th Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 19 from 59th to 78th Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles |
| Down 16 from 69th to 85th Ghosteen by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds |
| Down 12 from 30th to 42nd Absolution by Muse |
| New entries |
|---|
 Wall Of Eyesby The Smile |
| Leavers |
|---|
 The Beatles (The White Album)by The Beatles |
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similar charts
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums |  nextorgd | Overall chart | 2025 |  |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | Kettwig | Overall chart | 2025 |  |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | OurLastBreathe | Overall chart | 2018 |  |
| Top Alternative Pop/Rock Albums | nas062080 | Custom chart | 2013 | |
| Overall Top 100 Ranked Correctly |  Mother Nature's Son | Custom chart | 2014 |  |
| An Objective Ranking Of BEA'S Top 100... |  covecove | Custom chart | 2017 |  |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | Xygni1 | Overall chart | 2012 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2000s | Strangel | 2000s decade chart | 2022 | |
| ranking the overall top 100 |  OKC1 | Custom chart | 2016 |  |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | fred911007 | Overall chart | 2016 | |
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similarity to your chart(s)
Not a member? Registering is quick, easy and FREE!
Why register?
Join a passionate community of over 50,000 music fans.- Create & share your own charts.
- Have your say in the overall rankings.
- Post comments in the forums and vote on polls.
- Comment on or rate any album, artist, track or chart.
- Discover new music & improve your music collection.
- Customise the overall chart using a variety of different filters & metrics.
- Create a wishlist of albums.
- Help maintain the BEA database.
- Earn member points and gain access to increasing levels of functionality!
- ... And lots more!
Register now - it only takes a moment!
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
89/100 (from 53 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 53 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
85/100  | 02/15/2025 09:18 |  DommeDamian | | 89/100 |
 90/100 | 06/12/2024 20:18 | C0NB9NN | | 85/100 |
| 90/100 | 06/10/2024 10:58 |  Tamthebam | | 85/100 |
| 90/100 | 11/19/2023 10:55 |  Bach | | 78/100 |
| 95/100 | 06/17/2020 14:47 |  DriftingOrpheus | | 91/100 |
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 5% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 88.7/100, a mean average of 86.3/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 89.2/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 16.7.
Please log in or register if you want to be able to leave a rating
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums favourites
Showing all 8 members who have added this chart as a favourite
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
Showing latest 10 comments | Show all 34 comments |
Most Helpful First | Newest First | Maximum Rated First |
Longest Comments First
(Only showing comments with -2 votes or higher. You can alter this threshold from your profile page. Manage Profile)
85/100
From DommeDamian 02/15/2025 09:18
DommeDamian 02/15/2025 09:18
Yeah, just like a few others, I'd wish the Radioheads could spread out a bit more. But it's forgivable because of some of the descriptions, always a win in my book.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Strangel 06/11/2024 00:13
Strangel 06/11/2024 00:13
Yeah, as I mentioned in the comments, a lot of bourbon and pot was had while listening to The Doors. It doesn’t detract from the fact that I love the album. Roadhouse Blues got played a lot in the mix around then and I completely forgot it was on Morrison Hotel which, as an album I didn’t take to as much. We probably played the song in addition to LA Woman on a regular basis. Funny what memories do.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From C0NB9NN 06/10/2024 15:03
Very well thought out chart. I can start to picture where you go when you listen to these albums. Personally I don’t like Radiohead, but I don’t see that as a problem on your chart, as when you think an artist is good, they’re good.
I’d hate to be that one person, but Roadhouse Blues is on Morrison Hotel, not L.A. Woman.
17 albums in common.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From Timooosterink 08/30/2019 10:38
Love your chart! I agree on amok it is a very underated album.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From Granny-Smith 06/26/2019 12:36
I like your chart. Have a lot Artists and Albums in common.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
Paule 03/06/2019 11:36
Paule 03/06/2019 11:36
Good list! We share the Radiohead "problem". I suggest you to dive into some older Krautrock and Ambient music. You will find a lot of Radioheads work is influenced by that stuff and there are some gems to be found.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From Kurtco 01/29/2019 18:22
We have 31 albums and 21 artists in common... It's very funny!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From Kurtco 01/29/2019 18:18
I find your chart very interesting and complete. You have musical tastes very similar to mine. Radiohead is one of my favorite bands!
I'm glad you like Icelandic music: Sigur Rós and Björk. I agree with you that "Vespertine" is Björk's best album: It's a real masterpiece. You put a lot of recent music in your chart and it's nice to see AMOK of Atoms For Peace in your rankings. This is surely one of Thom Yorke's underrated albums. I'm really happy to see artists not very well known as Burial, Nick Cave or Amon Tobin who are part of my favorite artist. The 90s are really well represented in your chart with great artists like Nirvana, Aphex Twin, Tool or Massive Attack. Really very good job and very good choice!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
guzguzgarbit 01/21/2019 20:08
guzguzgarbit 01/21/2019 20:08
Good choices, great descriptions, great diversity (even with 8 Radiohead albums!). I particularly appreciate the presence of some electronic (Four Tet, Jon Hopkins, Burial...) among all the rock picks.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From 
jhuik 11/16/2018 14:00
jhuik 11/16/2018 14:00
I don't agree with your top ten, or some other picks, or (as has been noted by others) the excess of Radiohead, but who gives a shit about my opinion. I love the passion in your descriptions and the personalized responses. Great chart!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Please log in or register if you want to be able to add a comment
Your feedback for Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
Let us know what you think of this chart by adding a comment or assigning a rating below!
If you enjoy our site, please consider supporting us by sparing a few seconds to disable your ad blocker.
A lot of hard work happens in the background to keep BEA running, and it's especially difficult to do this when we can't pay our hosting fees :(
We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.
A lot of hard work happens in the background to keep BEA running, and it's especially difficult to do this when we can't pay our hosting fees :(
We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.