Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by 
NowhereMan 
32 years of age.
RECOMMENDATIONS ALWAYS WELCOME.
I will be tidying this up at some point - many of these chart notes were published over a decade ago; I need to refine and amend accordingly. I am also in the process of amending and reviewing ratings of various albums - many ratings have held steadfast from when I first joined this wonderful website in 2009.
ORDER CHANGES REGULARLY.
My top artists: (Bracketed numbers are for own personal reference)
1. The Beatles - an audio best friend; they make the world a lot brighter and optimistic. The absolute pinnacle. The best thing the world has produced. Colossal. (13/13)
---------------------------
2. Electric Light Orchestra (9/11)
---------------------------
(Interchangeable order)
The Rolling Stones (7/9)
Pink Floyd (5/8)
Led Zeppelin (5/6)
The Smiths (8/8)
Neil Young (17/21)
The Velvet Underground (4/5)
Bob Dylan (16/23)
The Who (7/7)
David Bowie (8/14)
Oasis (10/10)
The Beach Boys (6/11)
Radiohead (7/8)
Simon & Garfunkel (6/6)
The Kinks (5/6)
Bruce Springsteen (12/12)
Arcade Fire (7/9)
The Stone Roses (1/2)
R.E.M (11/11)
Brian Eno (5/5)
The Tallest Man On Earth (2/2)
Tame Impala (5/5)
Fleetwood Mac (4/5)
Paul Simon (15/16)
John Lennon (6/6)
Paul McCartney (19/19)
George Harrison (5/9)
Wings (8/8)
Nick Drake (3/3)
The Flaming Lips (2/5)
Weezer (4/5)
Wilco (2/5)
The National (3/5)
Cream (4/4)
Coldplay (3/4)
Van Morrison (3/5)
Arctic Monkeys (3/5)
Death Cab for Cutie (5/6)
The Cure (2/7)
Genesis (1/7)
The War on Drugs (1/3)
The Strokes (4/7)
Belle & Sebastian (2/5)
Paul Weller (4/13)
The Style Council (5/5)
Fleet Foxes (2/2)
Vampire Weekend (4/5)
The Zombies (2/2)
CCR (4/5)
The Band (2/2)
My ratings on an album can be based on the emotion it evokes within me, the quality of the musicianship, the amount of nostalgia it summons and its importance within the broader pantheon of music. Even something as simple as how many times it gives me goosebumps across the length of an outing.
ONE ALBUM PER ARTIST - it is also most certain I have heard a an abundance of other material by each artist only the one I will have chosen is the one that I am digging the most currently and resonates the most to me at this point in my life.
More chart notes to come.
Thanks for viewing.
- Chart updated: 07/26/2026 19:45
- (Created: 10/18/2011 23:28).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 93 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 86 out of 100 (from 121 votes). Please log in or create an account to leave a comment or assign a rating.
Log in or create an account to rate this chart, leave comments or join the discussion.
Available from 
These lot are an audio best friend; they make the world a lot brighter and optimistic. The absolute pinnacle. The best thing the world has produced. A Colossus.
Obviously for people who know me on this site I am four obsessed. They are the soundtrack to my life and are one the greatest pleasures in life for me. They are like an audio best friend - they are always there when in need.
I can be digging any given Beatle album more than the others on any given day, so this position is very much prone to change and agonising deliberation!
I am most definitely what people may still call a 'Beatlemaniac'. I read, breathe, listen to and love them.
[First added to this chart: 10/18/2011]
Obviously for people who know me on this site I am four obsessed. They are the soundtrack to my life and are one the greatest pleasures in life for me. They are like an audio best friend - they are always there when in need.
I can be digging any given Beatle album more than the others on any given day, so this position is very much prone to change and agonising deliberation!
I am most definitely what people may still call a 'Beatlemaniac'. I read, breathe, listen to and love them.
[First added to this chart: 10/18/2011]
Year of Release:
1966
Appears in:
Rank Score:
46,079
Rank in 1966:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
The second half of this record is amongst some of my favourite quarter of an hour's worth of music I have come across. To me, this is the duo's peak. ...Troubled Water was a superficial project - despite its merits - I have always taken the view it sounds more of a Paul Simon solo project.
[First added to this chart: 10/25/2017]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,787
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
Dylan's magnum opus. Whilst not only working best as a cohesive album, it also possesses his greatest individual numbers. Stuck Inside The Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again and Sad Eye Lady Of The Lowlands may well both be my top two Dylan songs - and that's a prestigious accolade indeed. The run from Visions of Johanna through to Most likely you go your way (and I'll go mine) largely remains unparalleled. There are snippets of lyrics on here that are just sublime - note 4th Time Around. Perennially uplifting. Will always be one of my all time favourites. It's been with me years now.
[First added to this chart: 10/18/2011]
[First added to this chart: 10/18/2011]
Year of Release:
1966
Appears in:
Rank Score:
23,304
Rank in 1966:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
Possesses one of the most perennially captivating soundscapes I have ever subjected my ears to.
[First added to this chart: 06/08/2023]
[First added to this chart: 06/08/2023]
Year of Release:
1999
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,362
Rank in 1999:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
For a two-year period at university (during which time I barely came on this site) any opportunity I had to listen to music it would be Morrissey, Marr and co. Their discography contains some of the most bittersweet, romantic and melancholy lyrics/melodies. For me this album takes the cake - for now.
[First added to this chart: 10/17/2017]
[First added to this chart: 10/17/2017]
Year of Release:
1985
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,157
Rank in 1985:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
Prolific as hell. What an artist. Any style he can do it to a monumental standard. For the time this is the current pick. Some of his best melodies and guitar work can be discovered here. I know it seems that every other album is deemed “underrated” on this site, but these collection of songs truly are.
[First added to this chart: 10/18/2011]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,889
Rank in 1969:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
[First added to this chart: 10/18/2011]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,380
Rank in 1981:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
The overlooked seventies effort from Floyd. Ironically, the best. Gilmour's guitar playing is at it's most consistent and mesmerising, whilst the lyrics are open for interpretation. A compelling listen.
This album really did help those countless hours of study and revision I had to endure once upon a time at school.
[First added to this chart: 10/18/2011]
This album really did help those countless hours of study and revision I had to endure once upon a time at school.
[First added to this chart: 10/18/2011]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
21,018
Rank in 1977:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
I always forget how exceptional this record is until I elect to put it on.
[First added to this chart: 10/18/2011]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
14,806
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
After looking at the front cover of this one for a substantial amount of time I anticipated it to be a heavy, hard-going listen. I was so surprised when my experience was the complete opposite. What I did find were some of the most charming and beautiful psychedelic-pop songs. I was bouncing and smiling to this one immediately. It's contagious. I knew half the lyrics by the third of fourth listen. I adore it. I thank you, Zombies, for sticking together through your final days to produce this absolute gem.
[First added to this chart: 10/18/2011]
[First added to this chart: 10/18/2011]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
13,170
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
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 | 17 | 17% | |
| 1970s | 23 | 23% | |
| 1980s | 12 | 12% | |
| 1990s | 16 | 16% | |
| 2000s | 18 | 18% | |
| 2010s | 12 | 12% | |
| 2020s | 2 | 2% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| The Flaming Lips | 1 | 1% | |
| American Football | 1 | 1% | |
| Nektar | 1 | 1% | |
| Creedence Clearwater Revival | 1 | 1% | |
| Tame Impala | 1 | 1% | |
| The Postal Service | 1 | 1% | |
| U2 | 1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
47 | 47% | |
| |
40 | 40% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| New entries |
|---|
| Leavers |
|---|
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similar charts
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Island Discs: Top 100 | NowhereMan | Custom chart | 2018 | |
| If The BEA Overall Chart Had A One Album Per Artist Rule... |  Romanelli | Custom chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | tim0505 | Overall chart | 2026 | |
| Most listened to Albums by BEA members 2014 - 2024 |  Liedzeit | Custom chart | 2024 |  |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s | NowhereMan | 1970s decade chart | 2026 | |
| Rearrange Top 100 |  Larcx13 | Custom chart | 2020 |  |
| BEA's Top 100 re-ranked |  EyeKanFly | Custom chart | 2020 | |
| My Ranking of the BEA top 100 |  sszwalbenest | Custom chart | 2021 | |
| Those That Deserve More Recognition : | NowhereMan | Custom chart | 2023 | |
| Going With My Gut: The Overall Chart Top 100 Re-ranked |  CharlieBarley | Custom chart | 2024 | |
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similarity to your chart(s)
Not a member? Creating an account is quick, easy and FREE!
Join 50,000+ music fans
- Join a community of over 50,000 music fans.
- Create & share your own charts.
- Influence the overall album 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.
- Unlock Dark Mode and other member features.
- Help maintain the BEA database.
- Earn member points and gain access to increasing levels of functionality!
- And much more.
Join now It only takes a moment.
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AVwhere:
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 3 ratings for this chart. | Show all 121 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 12/18/2025 07:32 | Exist-en-ciel | 166 | 97/100 |
| ! | 08/18/2025 23:30 |  LadyGodiva | 96 | 97/100 |
| ! | 01/25/2025 14:13 |  SomethingSpecial | 1,089 | 86/100 |
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 has a Bayesian average rating of 86.2/100, a mean average of 84.8/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 86.3/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 14.6.
Please log in or create an account if you want to be able to leave a rating
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums favourites
Showing latest 10 members who have added this chart as a favourite | Show all 12 members
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums forum mentions
This chart has been referenced 12 times on the forums, Explore the wider forum discussion to see what members have said about it.
From 
BestEverAlbums 11/10/2025 09:00 in Chart of the day (#5127): By NowhereMan
BestEverAlbums 11/10/2025 09:00 in Chart of the day (#5127): By NowhereMan“Today's chart of the day Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by ) 1. Revolver by The Beatles (1966) 2. Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel (1968) 3. Blonde On Blonde by Bob Dylan (1966) 4. The Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips (1999) 5. Comes A Time by Neil Young (1978) 6. Meat Is Murder by The Smiths (1985)…”
View forum post →From BestEverAlbums 03/10/2025 08:00 in Chart of the day (#4884): By NowhereMan
BestEverAlbums 03/10/2025 08:00 in Chart of the day (#4884): By NowhereMan“Today's chart of the day Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by NowhereMan () 1. Revolver by The Beatles (1966) 2. Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel (1968) 3. Blonde On Blonde by Bob Dylan (1966) 4. The Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips (1999) 5. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere by Neil Young & Crazy Horse…”
View forum post →From BestEverAlbums 04/24/2024 08:00 in Chart of the day (#4565): By NowhereMan
BestEverAlbums 04/24/2024 08:00 in Chart of the day (#4565): By NowhereMan“Today's chart of the day Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by NowhereMan () 1. Revolver by The Beatles (1966) 2. Hatful Of Hollow by The Smiths (1984) 3. Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel (1968) 4. Time by Electric Light Orchestra (1981) 5. A Deeper Understanding by The War On Drugs (2017) 6. The Smile…”
View forum post →Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
Showing latest 5 comments | Show all 93 comments |
Top Comments First | Newest First | Positive Sentiment First | Longest Comments First
(Showing comments with any number of votes. Manage Profile)
Top Comments First | Newest First | Positive Sentiment First | Longest Comments First
(Showing comments with any number of votes. Manage Profile)
From
Jimmy Dread TOP 100 COMMENTER 08/13/2014 20:36 | #119444
Jimmy Dread TOP 100 COMMENTER 08/13/2014 20:36 | #119444
Sorry, just can't get into this chart at all. It's just one of those cardboard cut-out monotonous 60s-and-70s-rock-and-pop by numbers affairs. Totally get that it's your bag - no problem with that - but you've got a wonderful opportunity on this site to expand your horizons and try some new stuff. Here's hoping you do soon... start with Big Star or Teenage Fanclub and see how you get on...
Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 5
From
meccalecca TOP 100 COMMENTER 05/31/2014 21:20 | #113399
meccalecca TOP 100 COMMENTER 05/31/2014 21:20 | #113399
I love the Beatles and the 60s and 70s in general, but it would be nice to see a bit more variety. A lot of amazing music came out in the last few decades
Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 6
From
armoury 07/31/2014 19:52 | #118210
Reading this solely as a chart, I found myself a little bored. most of these are stone cold classics and that's no bad thing and considering that I unequivocally love at least 30 albums on this it's not a matter of disliking the albums , I craved for a bit of personality in the chart, something unexpected to come through the corner and that seldom happened. Yet despite my problems with the list overall I thought this was a fantastic read, whilst you may not exert much personality into your chart you flood your albums with character as you pick and choose tracks with, at times, beautiful and always intelligent perception. A brilliant read.
My personal recommendations which are closer to the overall tone of your chart would be Patti Smith-Horses (although listen to Dancing Barefoot first), Primal Scream-Screamadelica and Modest Mouse-The Moon and Antarctica.
If you're willing to try some-less classic, but equally brilliant artists such as Wild Beasts,D'Angelo (just ignore the awful cover for Voodoo) and Ty Segal.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 3
From
SuedeSwede TOP 100 COMMENTER 08/20/2014 23:20 | #119868
SuedeSwede TOP 100 COMMENTER 08/20/2014 23:20 | #119868
Actually no I won't sink to that level, it's just ingenuine and petty. Here's an honest rating. I can give you reasons why if you like, but it's arbitrary since improving a chart to cater one's needs would be doing things to please others, and that's just about as phony as rating an album you've not even listened to, so just keep the chart the way it is.
It's honest, at least it's that. And there's probably a few decent recs I could dig from here. Overall, it's just not for me.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 2
From
Johnnyo TOP 100 COMMENTER 10/24/2011 11:42 | #29029
Really nice chart but yes, too much Beatles / Beatles solo albums & ELO. I see that you lean quite heavily towards British bands so would suggest a few US acts to investigate. You also seem to like the 60's / 70's so I'd suggest the Allman Brothers, Jefferson Airplane, Doors & Spirit to get you on the road to more bands.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 2
What do you think of this chart? Join the conversation!!
Log in or create an account to rate this chart, leave comments or join the discussion.
