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
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4. (=)

Stadium Arcadium 

 Red Hot Chili Peppers

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The first album I ever truly fell in love with. It may be nostalgia, but this album rocks like no other album ive heard. It is the perfect alternative rock album. This is Part 1 of albums that shaped my musical taste. [First added to this chart: 12/01/2016]

Year of Release:

2006

Appears in:

477 charts

Rank Score:

3,040

Rank in 2006:

9

Rank in 2000s:

92

Overall Rank:

566

Average Rating:

 73 (947 votes)

Comments:

55

11. (=)

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Is This It 

 The Strokes

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Overrated. Sure. However thhe influence of this record is monumental, on my personal taste as well as '00s music as a whole. [First added to this chart: 12/01/2016]

Year of Release:

2001

Appears in:

2,469 charts

Rank Score:

28,341

Rank in 2001:

1

Rank in 2000s:

4

Overall Rank:

25

Average Rating:

 86 (3,037 votes)

Comments:

277

14. (=)

Boxer 

 The National

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As stated above, I love these records almost evenly. This one is definitely more ground breaking and unique, so I completely understand why its consistently ranked higher than their other albums and is most people's favorite. I have to say, the drum work here is breath taking. The drums are not just keeping the beat, the add an incredibly valuable dynamic to the songs, almost to the point of being the center-piece of the album. The track listing is near perfect( "Racing Like a Pro" being the only song I'm not completely crazy about). The opening track "Fake Empire" is their most recognizable song and for good reason, its the perfect starting place for this album and the band as a whole. The stretch from "Green Gloves" to "Start a War" is maybe my favorite 4 song stretch in all of music. Every song in that block is damn near perfect. "Slow Show" specifically is one of my personal favorite songs of all time. It sits at the middle of the album and encapsulate the entire vibe of the record. Energetic and depressing, but uplifting in a delicate way only the National can deliver. "Gospel" is a perfect closer and makes you just want to start the album over. I cant say enough good about this absolute classic. Very recommended [First added to this chart: 12/13/2017]

Year of Release:

2007

Appears in:

998 charts

Rank Score:

9,470

Rank in 2007:

4

Rank in 2000s:

21

Overall Rank:

146

Average Rating:

 82 (1,210 votes)

Comments:

92

15. (=)

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By The Way 

 Red Hot Chili Peppers

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Another banger from my all-time favorite band. Once again, Red Hot Chili Peppers prove why they are the number one alternative rock band of the era. This albums shows a more intimate and very welcome side to the group. Vulnerable isnt usually a term used when describing the Chili Peppers, but here its out in full force, and its a nice adjustment for them. They might rock a little less here, but the melodies pop more beautifully than anywhere else in the discography. A couple fillers, but overall an extremely good listen. [First added to this chart: 12/13/2017]

Year of Release:

2002

Appears in:

607 charts

Rank Score:

4,043

Rank in 2002:

9

Rank in 2000s:

66

Overall Rank:

416

Average Rating:

 76 (1,083 votes)

Comments:

61

19. (=)

Good News For People Who Love Bad News 

 Modest Mouse

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Part 2 of the albums that shaped my musical development. I listened this record a lot when I was 15, so it obviously it has some serious nostalgic value. That being said, its still an AMAZING record objectively. I believe is their best album. Its very commercially viable,which brings a fun and creative side to the standard Modest Mouse brood. [First added to this chart: 12/13/2017]

Year of Release:

2004

Appears in:

664 charts

Rank Score:

4,202

Rank in 2004:

7

Rank in 2000s:

63

Overall Rank:

400

Average Rating:

 80 (975 votes)

Comments:

47

27. (47) 20

Graduation 

 Kanye West

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[First added to this chart: 04/30/2021]

Year of Release:

2007

Appears in:

568 charts

Rank Score:

3,994

Rank in 2007:

9

Rank in 2000s:

69

Overall Rank:

424

Average Rating:

 78 (1,144 votes)

Comments:

65

32. (31) 1

Sam's Town 

 The Killers

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Part 3 of 3 for albums that shaped my taste. This record was a huge part of my love of Indie rock. A lack of hit singles was the best thing that could have happened to this record. Instead of a collection of hits like Hot Fuss, Sam's Town is better swallowed whole(especially made relevant by the FANTASTIC Interlude and Exitlude) The Killers wore their Springsteen-influence on their sleeves but its still very much a record that sounds like no other. [First added to this chart: 03/01/2018]

Year of Release:

2006

Appears in:

433 charts

Rank Score:

2,638

Rank in 2006:

10

Rank in 2000s:

100

Overall Rank:

652

Average Rating:

 74 (831 votes)

Comments:

43

35. (36) 1

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix 

 Phoenix

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The only word I can think of when describing this record is magical. Absolutely perfect from beginning to end. An album worth playing on repeat. Pheonix hasnt made anything close to this in terms of quality since, but this record is a towering achievement of their sound. [First added to this chart: 03/25/2018]

Year of Release:

2009

Appears in:

623 charts

Rank Score:

3,776

Rank in 2009:

5

Rank in 2000s:

75

Overall Rank:

452

Average Rating:

 79 (894 votes)

Comments:

44

36. (34) 2

Transatlanticism 

 Death Cab For Cutie

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[First added to this chart: 04/05/2021]

Year of Release:

2003

Appears in:

545 charts

Rank Score:

3,928

Rank in 2003:

7

Rank in 2000s:

71

Overall Rank:

436

Average Rating:

 79 (772 votes)

Comments:

39

37. (=)

First Impressions Of Earth 

 The Strokes

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Though I have Is This It? ranked higher, personally I enjoy this album more. I put Is This It? up there due to its influence, but objectively these songs give me more joy. From the spectacular YOLO, to 15 Minutes, you have A LOT of good indie rock. This album is a complete outlier in their discography, more abrasive and in-your-face than their other records. Its full of underrated gems; Razorblade, On the Other Side, Electricytscape, and Red Light are all absolutely fantastic songs. If you are a strokes fan, this album is essential. [First added to this chart: 12/13/2017]

Year of Release:

2005

Appears in:

325 charts

Rank Score:

1,471

Rank in 2005:

21

Rank in 2000s:

180

Overall Rank:

1,186

Average Rating:

 73 (713 votes)

Comments:

49

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Total albums: 12. 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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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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