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 2000s. (Remove this filter)
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In the simplest terms, this album just makes me happy and glad to be alive. I've never been able to pinpoint what exactly it is about these songs that make me feel this way, but I've given up trying and just accepted that there is no album I enjoy more than this one. No matter how I feel, every time I pop this in it makes my day better. James Mercer has a knack for writing melodies you can't forget, and don't want to. It's such a downright fun album that it's overall depth and brilliance is unassuming. Transcendent melodies and stunning lyrics. Favorite songs: So Says I, Fighting In A Sack, Kissing The Lipless, Young Pilgrims.
[First added to this chart: 07/28/2011]
Year of Release:
2003
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,875
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Comments:
41
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Over the past year plus I've become more and more enchanted by this masterpiece, now an album I can't see myself living without. A subdued acoustic southern tinged classic. Upon first listen it doesn't sound like something that should appear in a greatest album chart, but it has a certain magic in it's simplicity and lo fi gentle sound. Sam Beam seems to channel Nick Drake at points with his soft vocal delivery over nothing but an acoustic guitar. Also love when he adds banjo or slide guitar to give it another layer. It sounds like it should be playing on some southern farmhouse's back porch. Favorite songs: Weary Memory, Promise What You Will, The Rooster Moans, Upward Over The Mountain.
[First added to this chart: 01/06/2012]
Year of Release:
2002
Appears in:
Rank Score:
906
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The word “genius” is clearly overused in music, but I don’t think there's any doubt that it’s a perfect description for Jack White. He took a band made up of himself and an amateur drummer, and turned it into one of the greatest and most original bands of a generation. The White Stripes influence will continue to grow over the years. Love the way the distorted guitar kicks off this album. Favorite Songs: Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground, Now Mary, Offend In Every Way.
[First added to this chart: 07/28/2011]
Year of Release:
2001
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,888
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Here's an artist that should be a giant in the world of singer songwriters/indie folk, and yet is very little known. This is a masterpiece that words can't do justice. If you're looking for something on the soft side with an air of melancholy, look no further. For me this is forever connected to the death of a family member, as I listened to it a ton while mourning the loss. It was a perfect companion, and I'll forever love listening to it and thinking of this person. But it doesn't need a connection like that to be emotionally affecting, as it's impossible not to be moved by these songs. Another album I now can't see living without. Favorite songs: Light Year, Big Black Car, Idaho, Dandelion Wine.
[First added to this chart: 05/23/2017]
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An aggressive, high energy, fresh sounding rock album. His accent, fast paced vocal delivery, and distinctive lyrics give the whole album a very unique feel. 13 songs, not one of them even remotely skippable. Favorite songs: I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor..., From The Ritz To The Rubble, Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured, View From The Afternoon.
[First added to this chart: 09/22/2012]
Year of Release:
2006
Appears in:
Rank Score:
16,584
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This is one of those albums that’s universally likeable to rock fans. Sometimes the influences are obvious, but at the same time they make the sound their own. Andy Hull is a great frontman and one of the best lyricists around today. The first five songs are one of the best five song stretches of rock songs that I know of. Favorite Songs: I’ve Got Friends, Shake It Out, In My Teeth, Mean Everything To Nothing
[First added to this chart: 07/28/2011]
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A symphonic extravaganza. If you’ve never heard this album, you HAVE to hear it at least once. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it commands respect either way. Stevens is definitely one of the greatest musicians I’ve ever heard. Countless instruments from violins and trumpets to vibes and even an occasional banjo for a nice southern touch. A grandiose effort that demands your full attention. A lot of great lyrical narratives as well. Favoites songs: Jacksonville, The Man Of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts, Chicago, The Tallest Man, The Broadest Shoulders.
[First added to this chart: 01/27/2012]
Year of Release:
2005
Appears in:
Rank Score:
20,994
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Lo-fi at its finest, another album of retro sounding indie tunes. For the most part its very lighthearted and never takes itself seriously, which to me is why it becomes so great, much like Chutes Too Narrow. Made somewhat famous by Zach Braff’s Garden State film, it’s great cover to cover. When I hear the opening melodies of Caring Is Creepy it instantly lifts me. Favorite Songs: Caring Is Creepy, Girl Inform Me, New Slang, Know Your Onion!
[First added to this chart: 07/28/2011]
Year of Release:
2001
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,880
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Home of one of the most recognizable and greatest songs of the decade, the whole cd is incredible. They’re just so damn unique. Favorite Songs: The Air Near My Fingers, Ball And Biscuit, You’ve Got Her In Your Pocket, Seven Nation Army.
[First added to this chart: 07/31/2011]
Year of Release:
2003
Appears in:
Rank Score:
11,633
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38. (=)
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A lot of people think this album is way overrated, which I suppose I can understand. But putting it into context, it pretty much pioneered the prevailing sound of the 2000’s, at least outside of the total mainstream. Their music is extremely precise and angular, and is usually pretty simple chord structures, but they take those chords and layer it into something much more complex. And if you step back from just the chords and listen to the album as a whole, it’s a very unique sound…almost like they took rock music and pushed it over into the new millennium. Favorite Songs: Soma, Last Nite, Someday, When It Started.
[First added to this chart: 07/28/2011]
Year of Release:
2001
Appears in:
Rank Score:
29,570
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Total albums: 32. 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.
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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 | | 86/100 |
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 Artists of the 2000s | |
|---|---|
| 1. Radiohead | |
| 2. Arcade Fire | |
| 3. The Strokes | |
| 4. Coldplay | |
| 5. Sufjan Stevens | |
| 6. Muse | |
| 7. Arctic Monkeys | |
| 8. Animal Collective | |
| 9. Wilco | |
| 10. The White Stripes | |
| 11. Kanye West | |
| 12. Phil Elverum | |
| 13. Interpol | |
| 14. Modest Mouse | |
| 15. Queens Of The Stone Age | |
| 16. Madvillain | |
| 17. LCD Soundsystem | |
| 18. Godspeed You! Black Emperor | |
| 19. The National | |
| 20. The Flaming Lips |