Top 50 Greatest Music Albums
by micah88800

These are albums I have spent literally years of my life obsessing over, so this chart is obviously subjective. Still, they are albums I believe are of the highest possible quality. I'm going to attempt to write a small review/comment on every album and what it means to me. I've noticed some of these albums having aged a bit for me, so I'm going to start updating this more often to reflect my current tastes.

• Chart updated: 04/30/2021 23:15
• (Created: 12/01/2016 19:20).
• Chart size: 50 albums.

• Summary
• Composition
• Ratings
• Favourites
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This chart is currently filtered to only show albums from the 1990s. (Remove this filter)

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8. (=)

Loveless 

 My Bloody Valentine

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Love love love this record. The sounds are so grainy and the melodies are often list in the murky production, but every time you listen it gets better and better. At some point this album may bump up to #1. The opening track is a terrific, explosive opener and the quality just keeps going, without ever letting up. The closing chords send off he record in such a heavenly way, you usually restart the album after you finished. This album is why music exists [First added to this chart: 12/01/2016]

Year of Release:

1991

Appears in:

2,162 charts

Rank Score:

28,496

Rank in 1991:

2

Rank in 1990s:

5

Overall Rank:

23

Average Rating:

 86 (2,482 votes)

Comments:

312

9. (=)

(What's The Story) Morning Glory? 

 Oasis

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Before this record, I listened to almost strictly american music. This record was so freaking good that it turned me on to britsh rock. All the alternative british artists I love such as the Smiths or Stone Roses, root back how much this album blew me away. [First added to this chart: 12/01/2016]

Year of Release:

1995

Appears in:

1,774 charts

Rank Score:

17,478

Rank in 1995:

2

Rank in 1990s:

11

Overall Rank:

58

Average Rating:

 81 (2,484 votes)

Comments:

235

16. (=)

Ten 

 Pearl Jam

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Though I might pick Superunkown or Dirt for best grunge album, this is the record that really blew open my love for 90s alt. [First added to this chart: 12/01/2016]

Year of Release:

1991

Appears in:

1,847 charts

Rank Score:

18,295

Rank in 1991:

3

Rank in 1990s:

7

Overall Rank:

52

Average Rating:

 82 (2,346 votes)

Comments:

181

18. (=)

Urban Hymns 

 The Verve

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The feel of this album is hard to describe for me. I dont know why I like it as much as I do, but I REALLY like it.Ultimately, its just great Brit-pop [First added to this chart: 12/01/2016]

Year of Release:

1997

Appears in:

840 charts

Rank Score:

5,553

Rank in 1997:

8

Rank in 1990s:

58

Overall Rank:

305

Average Rating:

 77 (1,109 votes)

Comments:

69

23. (=)

Superunknown 

 Soundgarden

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Underrated on here. This is light years better than Nirvana and the only grunge album that gives it a run for its money is Dirt. Just look at that track list. Almost every song is an alternative rock classic. Half and kickstand are the only songs that are mediocre. If you’re a fan of the 90s alternative rock sound, this album is an absolute essential.

Favorite tracks: Fell on Black Days, Mailman, Fresh Tendrills, Like Suicide [First added to this chart: 12/13/2017]

Year of Release:

1994

Appears in:

953 charts

Rank Score:

8,516

Rank in 1994:

9

Rank in 1990s:

38

Overall Rank:

177

Average Rating:

 81 (1,223 votes)

Comments:

84

24. (=)

The Bends 

 Radiohead

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I would consider myself a Radiohead fan, though I do think they get a liiiitle bit too much praise, specifically their 2000s releases. The Bends is my favorite by them. Its not just because of the straight forward brit-rock, but because the songs are freaking amazing. There really isnt too much to this album other than simply great rock music. It probably wasnt groundbreaking like Kid A or influencial like OK Computer, but song for song, The Bends stands toe to toe with either of those records. So many great moments; "Planet Telex", "High And Dry", Fake Plastic Trees" dominate the first half of the record. My personal favorite part of this album is the 3 closing tracks. Oh man. "Black Star" is my favorite Radiohead song for one thing. Its heartwrenching and beautiful and aggressive all at the same time. And my lord that riff. "Sulk" is an awesome rock and roll song, with a hearty, swingy chorus. Last but not least "Street Spirit". Radiohead leaves this record on an eerie and apocalyptic note with a song that might be impossible to appear happy while listening to. Could very well be my favorite 3 back-to-back songs in music. Bends > Ok Computer. There I said it [First added to this chart: 12/13/2017]

Year of Release:

1995

Appears in:

2,682 charts

Rank Score:

29,045

Rank in 1995:

1

Rank in 1990s:

4

Overall Rank:

22

Average Rating:

 87 (3,931 votes)

Comments:

316

26. (=)

Dirt 

 Alice In Chains

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Dirt rocks. That's all there is to it. With an opening song as epic and explosive as "Them Bones", you know you're in for a hell of a ride. This album is as dark as grunge got, with nearly every song dealing with either death, depression, anger, suicide, drug addiction, etc. The subject matter is extremely heavy, but somehow comes off really fun. The instrumentation and riffing are so top notch."Rain When I Die" is my personal favorite riff time and the bass line on "Would?" is one of the most recognizable bass lines in music. This is the grungiest of the grunge. If you are into that era of music, this album will blow you away. [First added to this chart: 12/13/2017]

Year of Release:

1992

Appears in:

878 charts

Rank Score:

7,382

Rank in 1992:

3

Rank in 1990s:

43

Overall Rank:

213

Average Rating:

 82 (1,146 votes)

Comments:

60

28. (27) 1

Jar Of Flies 

 Alice In Chains

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Another instance of me not being able to pick which release from an artist I like more. Jar of Flies and Dirt are polar opposites, but are companion pieces in the AIC cannon. This record sees AIC plotting the same hopeless marshes, but this time with beautifully depressing acoustic sounds. Being the most metal and sludgy band in the Grunge scene, you wouldnt expect AIC to be able to pull of an acoustic effort with such grace. They go above and beyond [First added to this chart: 12/13/2017]

Year of Release:

1994

Appears in:

391 charts

Rank Score:

3,033

Rank in 1994:

17

Rank in 1990s:

97

Overall Rank:

568

Average Rating:

 82 (637 votes)

Comments:

40

33. (32) 1

Californication 

 Red Hot Chili Peppers

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[First added to this chart: 12/13/2017]

Year of Release:

1999

Appears in:

1,010 charts

Rank Score:

7,432

Rank in 1999:

3

Rank in 1990s:

42

Overall Rank:

211

Average Rating:

 79 (1,651 votes)

Comments:

83

39. (=)

Pinkerton 

 Weezer

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Sometime I feel a little weird listening to this album in my late 20s, so I can understand why Rivers tried to disown it. Sexual frustration being laid bare in the form of music is never going to be pretty, but if I think back on how impactful this was to me as an 18 year old it demands to be in my favorite albums ever. Objectively these songs perfect power-pop, even if the lyrics can be a bit much. [First added to this chart: 04/05/2018]

Year of Release:

1996

Appears in:

1,100 charts

Rank Score:

9,991

Rank in 1996:

2

Rank in 1990s:

29

Overall Rank:

138

Average Rating:

 83 (1,582 votes)

Comments:

148

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Total albums: 11. Page 1 of 2

Top 50 Greatest Music Albums composition

Country	Albums	%
	31	62%
	15	30%
	2	4%
	1	2%
	1	2%

Top 50 Greatest Music Albums chart changes

Top 50 Greatest Music Albums similar charts

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Top 50 Greatest Music Albums similarity to your chart(s)

Top 50 Greatest Music Albums ratings

Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 18 ratings for this chart.

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• Date updated
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Rating	Date updated	Member	Chart ratings	Avg. chart rating
100/100  !	05/03/2021 04:43	mjp11	36	96/100
100/100  !	05/02/2021 20:25	jnfbn	310	96/100
90/100  !	12/08/2020 08:01	DriftingOrpheus	78	91/100
100/100  !	05/19/2020 22:50	Rhyner	1,457	99/100
90/100  !	05/19/2020 18:45	desh79	1,278	93/100

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 2% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 90.6/100, a mean average of 92.8/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 93.2/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 7.9.

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Top 50 Greatest Music Albums comments

Showing all 8 comments |
Most Helpful First | Newest First | Positive Sentiment First | Longest Comments First
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Rating:  

90/100

From DriftingOrpheus 12/08/2020 08:02 | #262251

We have a lot in common! The National and Vampire Weekend are certainly two of my favorite artists of this generation!

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

100/100

From 911Turbo 05/19/2020 13:22 | #251728

great list-reviewing it was a joy.
love your descriptions.
absolute 100/100.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

100/100

From martinjaa 04/08/2020 04:19 | #249655

Loved your list. Good job!

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

75/100

From Thad 11/13/2019 17:43 | #244778

I love some of these albums, overall it does seem a bit bland to me though. Very good #1.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

100/100

From Keatownrodriguez 05/06/2019 19:40 | #235916

Great chart, glad to see someone appreciating Congratulations by MGMT

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

100/100

From DommeDamian 12/02/2018 19:53 | #226055

Magnificent.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

85/100

From LedZep 03/22/2018 23:37 | #211521

Fantastic picks, love the number one!

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

80/100

From SamNassiri98 03/04/2018 19:17 | #210096

Good chart although a bit too one-dimensional... (Maybe check out my charts?)

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

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