Top 71 Greatest Music Albums by 
indieshins 
UPDATE 2022: Slowly going through the process of updating this chart - I thought I'd do that rather than create an entirely new one. This new chart will hopefully give a more complete picture of my musical tastes and the development of it since I first made this chart. I hope to have a good variety of eras and genres, and a good mix of objective and subjective picks.
I have two sides to my musical identity: first, left-field, experimental, artsy, alternative, cerebral. Second, accessible, catchy, fun, possibly mainstream (though not necessarily). Often, a favourite album will have elements of both. In any case, I intend to represent both sides amply here.
Notes will be added gradually over time.
- Chart updated: 04/12/2024 07:15
- (Created: 06/08/2017 04:40).
- Chart size: 71 albums.
There are 3 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 71 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 90 out of 100 (from 15 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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I tend to tell people this is my favourite album. It's probably Radiohead's most beautiful album (AMSP cuts it close), with the various guitar effects and the influences of dub coming to the fore beautifully. I love the way that many of the songs are based around a recurring motif which is then layered upon, creating a hypnotic, spacious and relaxing atmosphere. Additionally, Thom's vocals are exquisite on this album. They sound very much as if he is in the room with you, confessing his deepest feelings - but in a way that implies he is understanding of your own feelings. An album I can put on at any time and cheer up. Masterful.
Honourable Mentions: The Bends, OK Computer, Kid A [First added to this chart: 06/09/2017]
Honourable Mentions: The Bends, OK Computer, Kid A [First added to this chart: 06/09/2017]
Year of Release:
2007
Appears in:
Rank Score:
45,858
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394
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Often considered Costello's masterpiece, and with good reason. It's an absolute masterclass in writing sophisticated pop from beginning to end. The snake-like groove on opener Beyond Belief accompanies one of the man's best lyrics, rich with metaphor and wordplay. To boot, the song's melody is completely through composed, never quite repeating. Further delights abound - the accordion led "novelette" The Long Honeymoon, the wonderfully eccentric ... And In Every Home, Human Hands (my personal favourite), and the eerie closer "The Town Cryer." This is near perfect from start to finish, and really rewards close listening. A masterpiece of baroque pop.
Honourable Mentions: Really any of his previous albums; King of America, Blood and Chocolate [First added to this chart: 06/09/2017]
Honourable Mentions: Really any of his previous albums; King of America, Blood and Chocolate [First added to this chart: 06/09/2017]
Year of Release:
1982
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,181
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There was a time when my chart wouldn't have had a Beatles album, but that was in my "they're overrated" days. Now, they're just as close to my heart as ever. This is my favourite. I loved how they came out of their psychedelic period still able to write weird and wonderful songs, popping with witty instrumental parts and characteristically catchy melodies. It doesn't hurt that it's their longest album. As with most doubles, there's some filler here, but somehow, the lesser songs become a part of a larger experience that is absolutely irresistible. I love this album to death, and it's still what I put when I need a Beatles fix.
[First added to this chart: 06/09/2017]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
38,761
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Their most dynamic and interesting album. The title track is legendary with a great lyric and delivery from Morrissey and some crazy guitar work from Marr. Then Frankly Mr Shankly and I Know Its Over complete a perfect opening trifecta. Elsewhere there's Cemetry Gates and There Is A Light, the latter arguably their single finest song. Just a great album.
Honourable Mentions: Self-Titled, Meat is Murder [First added to this chart: 12/03/2023]
Honourable Mentions: Self-Titled, Meat is Murder [First added to this chart: 12/03/2023]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
35,208
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This is my Mum's favourite album, and she tried a few times to get me into it. I guess I had to come back to it myself to understand. It's absolutely beautiful, and one of the most spontaneous sounding albums ever made - probably because it was. Recorded in just two days, the instrumentals are largely improvised from vague instructions given by Morrison. The lyrics sound stream of consciousness, and are vividly poetic. It's hard to put into words. Better just to listen to it.
[First added to this chart: 06/09/2017]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
17,107
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Another underrated beauty, the finest psych-pop album contemporary to the genre's birth (at least in my opinion). Stunning harmonies, a jazzy harmonic sophistication, catchy melodies. I want This Will Be Our Year played at my wedding. Brilliant!
[First added to this chart: 06/09/2017]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
14,289
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I could have picked Ziggy, my other favourite. But the weirdness of the pop side here is irresistible, and the instrumental side is also haunting and beautiful. I love the use of synths here - the razor sharp tones used on Breaking Glass, the watery sheen of the guitars and keys on Sound and Vision. Overall, an experimental pop masterpiece that saw Bowie continue his domination of the '70s.
[First added to this chart: 06/09/2017]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
17,620
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Ah Macca! Genius of pop songcraft and lightweight lyrics. Of course, he's capable when he tries, but the old assessment of him stands - he is a melodist at heart, whilst Lennon was about the words. When you're able to come up with a set of tunes as indelible as this, though, it really doesn't matter. There are so many great songs here - side one is perfect, but there are plenty of gems on the second side as well. His best post-Beatles effort.
[First added to this chart: 06/09/2017]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,519
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It took me ages to get around to listening to this because its not on streaming services. But when I did, I was greeted with a masterpiece. Every track here is epic, and beautifully atmospheric. Robert Fripp is a ridiculous guitarist - some of the most mind-bending solos I've ever heard. Love it!
[First added to this chart: 04/08/2018]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
29,304
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I avoided Genesis for a long time, just because they didn't seem like my sort of band. I suppose I was thinking of the Phil Collins era though, because this is amazing. I had a hard time liking progressive rock for a long time, but this was part of what converted me. I love the instrumentals here - Steve Hackett in particular impresses me (but then I am a guitarist). More than that, the songs are really catchy, making them greater than simple displays of virtuosity.
[First added to this chart: 04/08/2018]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,688
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Total albums: 16. Page 1 of 2
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Top 71 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
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|
|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 2 | 3% | |
| 1960s | 9 | 13% | |
| 1970s | 14 | 20% | |
| 1980s | 10 | 14% | |
| 1990s | 10 | 14% | |
| 2000s | 16 | 23% | |
| 2010s | 10 | 14% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Stevie Wonder | 1 | 1% | |
| Emitt Rhodes | 1 | 1% | |
| Tom Waits | 1 | 1% | |
| Bruce Springsteen | 1 | 1% | |
| Wilco | 1 | 1% | |
| Opeth | 1 | 1% | |
| John Zorn | 1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 71 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
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Top 71 Greatest Music Albums ratings
90/100 (from 15 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 15 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
100/100  | 01/15/2025 17:38 | Exist-en-ciel | | 99/100 |
 80/100 | 03/18/2023 22:49 | Moondance | | 85/100 |
| 95/100 | 03/18/2023 15:12 |  AAL2014 | | 92/100 |
| 100/100 | 09/11/2022 02:06 |  HoldenM | | 95/100 |
| 95/100 | 10/20/2021 22:19 |  Rhyner | | 99/100 |
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 3% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 89.5/100, a mean average of 92.0/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 91.9/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 9.6.
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Top 71 Greatest Music Albums comments
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80/100
From Moondance 03/18/2023 22:51
Cool chart - cool comments. Continue to enjoy your adventure through the amazing albums of the past 60+ years. Looking forward to seeing you complete a top 100.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Johnnyo 04/15/2018 06:41
This is a very good chart and I particularly like the time that you have dedicated to explaining why each album qualifies.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
ForegroundNoise 10/24/2017 08:19
ForegroundNoise 10/24/2017 08:19
Love the unique picks with the comments to justify them, what I look for in a great chart!!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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