Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by 
pearljammer13 
Most of these notes were written 6+ years ago. Although they aren’t exactly elegantly written overall, they at least convey my original feelings about these albums and why they’re my favorites. I’m certainly too lazy to try and rewrite them all, and now I look at the original entries as a sort of time capsule to my musical tastes and thoughts in 2011 when I wrote most of them. I still try to update it a couple times a year as my tastes change and I discover more greats, new and old. Thanks for looking.
- Chart updated: 10/22/2020 14:15
- (Created: 07/29/2011 03:22).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 80 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 89 out of 100 (from 126 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 1990s. (Remove this filter)
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The circumstances surrounding E's life at the time make these already beautiful and haunting songs all the more powerful. If you're like me, sometimes you might push the lyrics into the background when listening to music, but this is not an album that allows you to do that. The subject matter is much too heavy to ignore, and the way he brings it all to life is magnificent and very intense, especially when he takes the point of view of his sister. It's dark, depressing, sometimes humorous, sometimes hopeful (thankfully it ends on a hopeful note), and overall simply an essential listen. Writing these songs must have played a huge part in his healing process, and it makes listening to them a truly profound experience. Almost unbearably emotional at times. Favorite songs: Going To Your Funeral (Pt. I and II), Ant Farm, Last Stop: This Town, Climbing To The Moon.
[First added to this chart: 02/04/2013]
Year of Release:
1998
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,514
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Comments:
31
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There are many choices for the greatest "grunge" album, but for me this takes the prize. A few years ago I might have had a different answer, but as time goes by this is proving to age like fine wine. It's a sprawling epic featuring odd time signatures, dark and pensive lyrics, heavy, forceful, and sometimes sludgy (but always catchy) riffs and hooks, and Cornell's spectacular voice to cap it off. Matt Cameron, who is one of rocks greatest drummers, adds another layer to these richly fleshed out and perfectly crafted songs. The sound of a band in perfect harmony in their absolute prime. A historically good snapshot of everything that was right with music in this era. Favorite songs: Like Suicide, The Day I Tried To Live, Fresh Tendrils, Superunknown.
[First added to this chart: 07/28/2011]
Year of Release:
1994
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,671
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One of the biggest and most ambitious album I've heard, the amount of guitars is staggering. It has a ton of different sounds and yet has that unmistakable Pumpkins character. One of those bands that has their own entirely original sound yet never seems to have two songs that sound alike. That to me is the ultimate sign of a great band. The dynamics are bold and almost unparalleled. One moment it's sparse and subtle guitar work, then suddenly it sounds like your surrounded by 10 or more buzzing and driving guitars. It took the soft/loud dynamic from the Pixies, Nirvana etc., and brought it to a different level, never following a formula within a song. The best example is Soma, one of the greatest songs I've ever heard. And you have to appreciate Chamberlain's otherworldly drumming. Favorite songs: Rocket, Soma, Luna, Geek USA, Cherub Rock, Mayonaise, Hummer
[First added to this chart: 07/28/2011]
Year of Release:
1993
Appears in:
Rank Score:
18,124
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One of the most unique albums I’ve heard. The first thing I noticed was his voice, which is very raw and very imperfect. But these qualities make it extremely endearing as the album progresses. It’s wonderful to think how a voice like his can end up fitting so ideally into such beautiful music. The songs themselves are charming and mesmerizing, creating a sort of wayward atmosphere that only exists in this music. The dynamics are simply crazy, as a singular acoustic guitar strumming a rather simple chord progression can be only seconds from massive horns, bagpipes, huge fuzzy electric guitars, or who knows what else. It’s odd and maniacal yet somehow also accessible. I know it’s a polarizing album for people who have heard it, but if you’re willing to let it take you where it’s going, it’s a dazzling journey. Favorite songs: Two Headed Boy Part II, Communist Daughter, Holland, 1945, King Of Carrot Flowers Part I
[First added to this chart: 11/24/2011]
Year of Release:
1998
Appears in:
Rank Score:
34,575
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While unassuming at first, the songwriting of Stuart Murdoch doesn't take long to creep into your head and stay there. He doesn't try to set the world on fire with his music, and I think that's part of it's charm. Between the witty lyrics and infectious melodies, it's remains a wonder how Belle & Sebastian hasn't recieved wide mainstream success over the years. Indie circles have certainly recognized their brilliance though. Not the only masterpiece by Murdoch and co. Favorite songs: Seeing Other People, Mayfly, The Stars Of Track And Field.
[First added to this chart: 11/01/2014]
Year of Release:
1996
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,814
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People tend to forget or don't realize that this came out before Nevermind. It melded a classic sound with a more modern touch, a blend that sounded truly original upon its release. Amazing solos from McCready (Alive is one of my all time favorites) and great riffs from Gossard peppered throughout. Vedder's voice was stunning in this time period, and from the start he's been one of the greatest lyricists on earth. A band that has since been tirelessly copied and emulated but never even close to duplicated. No weak track here, and some of the lesser known cuts are the best. And beyond the actual album some of the B sides from Ten are brilliant too (Yellow Ledbetter, Wash, Footsteps, Alone, etc) Favorite songs: Release, Deep, Porch, Jeremy, Once, Alive...I could list every track.
[First added to this chart: 07/28/2011]
Year of Release:
1991
Appears in:
Rank Score:
19,078
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I suppose it's true that they aren't the most original rock band going, but there's something to be said for an album in which I never even have the urge to skip a song. There's only a handful that I can say that about, and most of them are above this one. And even if it isn't the most original, every song has its own singularity and they all work to make up a fantastic collection. Favorite songs: New Way Home, Everlong, Hey Johnny Park!, My Poor Brain.
[First added to this chart: 07/28/2011]
Year of Release:
1997
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,814
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I'm amazed more people don't have this on their list. Technically it's an EP, and the short length is my only knock against it. A hard rock, even borderline metal band stripping down like this was a huge risk, and they hit an absolute home run. Completely original sounding collection, which is always one of the biggest points in making an album great. The music is so stunning that it more than makes up for anything it might lack lyrically. Favorite songs: Rotten Apple, I Stay Away, Don't Follow, Nutshell.
[First added to this chart: 07/28/2011]
Year of Release:
1994
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,096
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The recent death of Chris Cornell has been difficult for me personally, easily the most affecting of any musician's death in my lifetime. It's caused me to rediscover a band I already loved, bringing an entirely new energy and meaning to songs already bursting with emotion. I've always felt this album was severely underrated. Maybe it isn't quite as good as Superunknown (for me it's pretty damn close), but it still stands alone as an excellent album, and one of the best of a great decade in music. I love that Cornell started encouraging them to open up their sound a little bit, even if it ultimately played a major role in their breakup. It was the right time to expand their sound I think, and songs like Burden In My Hand, Zero Chance, and Blow Up The Outside World show how easy it was for Cornell to switch gears. Songs like those bring his emotionally charged lyrics to the forefront, which always deserved much more appreciation, as well as his generally magnificent songwriting. It was easy to overlook his lyrics on account of his otherworldly voice. He truly was the entire package, and will be missed every day by so many. Favorite songs: Blow Up The Outside World, Pretty Noose, Zero Chance, Never The Machine Forever.
[First added to this chart: 07/31/2011]
Year of Release:
1996
Appears in:
Rank Score:
823
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Comments:
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Another epic from Corgan and co, the different styles and sounds scattered all over the album are almost too many to count. There are so many amazing moments, its truly worth the two hours it takes to listen end to end. The way the piano hook from the opening track loops back in at the end of the last track is absolutely brilliant and gives me chills almost every time. It almost seems like a symbol of life as a journey that eventually comes full circle. Many people hate or are annoyed by Billy Corgan (hard not to be sometimes), but the fact is he created two of the most beautiful albums ever recorded. Favorite songs: Thru The Eyes Of Ruby, Porcelina, Muzzle, Here Is No Why, Tonight, Tonight, Mellon Collie…so many more.
[First added to this chart: 07/28/2011]
Year of Release:
1995
Appears in:
Rank Score:
15,120
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Comments:
Total albums: 31. Page 1 of 4
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
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|
|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 3 | 3% | |
| 1960s | 7 | 7% | |
| 1970s | 9 | 9% | |
| 1980s | 4 | 4% | |
| 1990s | 31 | 31% | |
| 2000s | 32 | 32% | |
| 2010s | 14 | 14% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Led Zeppelin | 5 | 5% | |
| Pearl Jam | 4 | 4% | |
| The White Stripes | 3 | 3% | |
| Radiohead | 3 | 3% | |
| The Shins | 3 | 3% | |
| Iron & Wine | 3 | 3% | |
| Eels | 3 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
There have been no changes to this chart.Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similar charts
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
89/100 (from 126 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 126 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
80/100  | 03/20/2025 15:31 | SomethingSpecial | | 85/100 |
80/100 | 03/06/2025 13:28 | DrewHamster | | 79/100 |
90/100 | 11/17/2020 05:13 | bkogz | | 92/100 |
100/100 | 11/17/2020 02:08 | cooly | | 87/100 |
90/100 | 11/16/2020 21:27 |  CA Dreamin | | 88/100 |
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 88.8/100, a mean average of 88.6/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 89.0/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 9.4.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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100/100
From cooly 11/17/2020 02:08
I see a lot of my favorites along with a lot of new ones, so I'm excited to explore this list
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
Larcx13 11/16/2020 13:58
Larcx13 11/16/2020 13:58
Very interesting picks. A good list overall.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From tk421ucopy 01/25/2019 07:05
Great chart. Challenged my perspective on some albums I haven't paid much mind to. Also pretty cool to see Cloud Nothings so high. Love the descriptions
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From 
ForegroundNoise 01/24/2019 12:07
ForegroundNoise 01/24/2019 12:07
I think when I originally left a comment/rating on this chart I was being far too harsh (it was back when I had just barely joined BEA). Maybe a little too skewed to indie and grunge (and I stand by my comment about the 70s) but the personality in your notes has really grown on me, so I've upped my rating. I feel you're missing out on stuff from other countries (there are some great albums outside of the US/UK/Aus/Canada bubble you know ...) so here's some of my favourite foreign language albums, I hope you find something you like in them!
Brigitte Fontain - Comme á la Radio (1969)
Milton Nasacimento/Lô Borges - Clube Da Esquina (1972)
Fishmans - Long Season (1996)
Sigur Rós - Ágætis Byrjun (1999)
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
Strangel 12/18/2017 02:32
Strangel 12/18/2017 02:32
When I rate a chart I focus more on the willingness to explain the selections and for that alone I rate this chart highly. Considering that your taste in music is also impeccable I give you full points.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From 
NowhereMan 12/13/2017 20:47
NowhereMan 12/13/2017 20:47
Love how personal it is!!!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | -1 votes (0 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
CharlieBarley 12/13/2017 13:47
CharlieBarley 12/13/2017 13:47
Good chart dude. I love the descriptions. It has a good few artists I want to get into. Good number one. Overall very good.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
DommeDamian 12/13/2017 11:25
DommeDamian 12/13/2017 11:25
Strange choices, that's what I like
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From ForegroundNoise 12/13/2017 10:29
ForegroundNoise 12/13/2017 10:29
Really cool chart!! I love the bios for each album, really helps to understand what exactly makes the records tick for you. If I were to put any criticism I'd just say maybe it's worth exploring more stuff that's pre-90s? (I feel so many people on this site suffer from this, me included!) Your top 4 albums from the 70s are all Zeppelin (don't get me wrong, unbelievable band) and if other kinds of rock aren't your thing then that's cool I just feel maybe you're missing out on loads of great stuff! Don't hate pls xx
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From Ben4 06/16/2017 18:16
I love Chutes Too Narrow. My uncle was actually in the Shins back in those days when they were good. I also would agree that Down on the Upside is underrated, and pretty close to as good as Superunknown.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 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. The Velvet Underground | |
| 11. Kendrick Lamar | |
| 12. Neil Young | |
| 13. Miles Davis | |
| 14. The Smiths | |
| 15. The Beach Boys | |
| 16. Kanye West | |
| 17. R.E.M. | |
| 18. Pixies | |
| 19. Jimi Hendrix | |
| 20. Bruce Springsteen |