Top 64 Greatest Music Albums
by 
ForegroundNoise 
My old tutor sits opposite me, the wrinkled contours of his face and erratic white wisps of hair blurring the boundaries between him and the old mahogany office surrounding us. Before he speaks, he seems for a moment to be no less a part of the furniture than the armchair he sits in. He starts suddenly, a thought occurring to him.
“Do you remember that first classics society meeting, right when you first got here? Where you had to bring a poem or painting or something and talk to us all about it?” The words break the silence in a flurry, as if he’s afraid someone is about to catch him in the act.
“Yes.” My tone betrays my anticipation.
“Well, I bet no-one ever told you what that whole thing was really all about did they?” He is leaning in now, the smile plastered across his face so infectious it starts to illuminate the dark room.
“You see the problem is, is that everyone is looking the art. There, ha!” he nods to himself; a finger points upwards. “That’s your first mistake.” I raise an eyebrow in response, but he is submerged in thought, eyes cast down to the carpet.
“Some people are worried about the art. They want the right bit of art not the wrong bit; they want to show off how clever they are that they know this bit of art and you don’t. Some aren’t so fussed about it; they just pick whatever they like. Some even take a look at it all and think ‘No not for me, I don’t think so’, and try and take the whole thing apart. Show us a scrap of paper with a scribble on it. ‘I’m not playing your game’ - oh yes you are! See what they don’t know, is that as soon as they were invited to play they were playing it. All of us were. The art was never the important bit, I was never looking at the art, I was looking at YOU.”
With the final word his eyes move back to me. The finger points forward.
“Yes, you, there! Whatever you picked, whatever you did, you can't help but give us a reflection of yourself. That's what I was looking for. Not the art. I wasn’t looking at what you were saying about it. I was looking at what it was saying about you.”
***
I've fallen out of love with this chart in recent times, probably because there's something a little too overwhelming in having to represent my favourites out of every album ever. The problem that arises with these colossal, era-spanning anthologies is that they find it hard to strike a balance between acknowledging the cultural context and subsequent limitations of some of these records, and just eulogising the past.
Lately I've found it much more rewarding to focus on my decade and year charts so this one might be left to gather dust for a while. As of 2021/05/13 I've given up trying to order these from best to bestest, and instead have decided to list out some favourites ordered (roughly) by genre; this is NOT in order of favourite to 64th favourite. More extensive decade lists to follow as soon as I can.
Much love,
FN xx
- Chart updated: 08/11/2024 11:15
- (Created: 09/28/2017 14:21).
- Chart size: 64 albums.
There are 48 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 64 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 93 out of 100 (from 87 votes). Please log in or create an account to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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Available from 
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neofolk
(Durtro, 55;27)
"I see the twinkling stars
I drop a photograph
I bend to pick it up
My heart leaps as I see your face
Stare up at me from the paper
As if still alive on this earth
When I return my eyes to the stars
They gather
They pucker
And are blind
And are blind"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 05/19/2021]
neofolk
(Durtro, 55;27)
"I see the twinkling stars
I drop a photograph
I bend to pick it up
My heart leaps as I see your face
Stare up at me from the paper
As if still alive on this earth
When I return my eyes to the stars
They gather
They pucker
And are blind
And are blind"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 05/19/2021]
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progressive folk • psychedelic folk • freak folk
(Dawn, 42:08)
"Chastity chaser virile for the virgin's virtue
Excite her exciter you better go before you bleed and he hurts you"
___________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 10/16/2018]
progressive folk • psychedelic folk • freak folk
(Dawn, 42:08)
"Chastity chaser virile for the virgin's virtue
Excite her exciter you better go before you bleed and he hurts you"
___________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 10/16/2018]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,559
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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progressive folk
(Harvest, 41:25)
"What a lovely day
What a day to play
At living
What a mess we make
What a trust we break
Not giving
Our wings to our children
O how we fail them
O how we nail them"
___________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 10/16/2018]
progressive folk
(Harvest, 41:25)
"What a lovely day
What a day to play
At living
What a mess we make
What a trust we break
Not giving
Our wings to our children
O how we fail them
O how we nail them"
___________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 10/16/2018]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
741
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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chamber folk • progressive folk
(Drag City, 55:38)
"In bodies that don't keep
Dumbstruck with the sweetness of being
Until we don't be"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 10/28/2017]
chamber folk • progressive folk
(Drag City, 55:38)
"In bodies that don't keep
Dumbstruck with the sweetness of being
Until we don't be"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 10/28/2017]
Year of Release:
2006
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,177
Rank in 2006:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
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contemporary folk
(Island, 28:22)
"Which will you hope for?
Which can it be?
Which will you take, now
If you won't take me?"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 11/03/2017]
contemporary folk
(Island, 28:22)
"Which will you hope for?
Which can it be?
Which will you take, now
If you won't take me?"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 11/03/2017]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
16,575
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
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Average Rating:
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psychedelic folk
(Kapp, 39:50)
"Sometimes I wonder
Should I wake him to see
All those bright bubble drops
In the still slickened streets,
Sometimes I wonder
Has he ever really seen them?
Sometimes I wonder
Has he ever really seen me?"
___________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 05/19/2021]
psychedelic folk
(Kapp, 39:50)
"Sometimes I wonder
Should I wake him to see
All those bright bubble drops
In the still slickened streets,
Sometimes I wonder
Has he ever really seen them?
Sometimes I wonder
Has he ever really seen me?"
___________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 05/19/2021]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
951
Rank in 1970:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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avant-folk • chamber folk
(Reprise, 29:44)
"You are beautiful and you are alone"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 02/10/2019]
avant-folk • chamber folk
(Reprise, 29:44)
"You are beautiful and you are alone"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 02/10/2019]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,833
Rank in 1970:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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drone • psychedelic folk • avant-folk
(n/a, 157:12)
"And she sat down into the room,
Then cry, cry, then fell asleep"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 05/19/2021]
drone • psychedelic folk • avant-folk
(n/a, 157:12)
"And she sat down into the room,
Then cry, cry, then fell asleep"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 05/19/2021]
Year of Release:
2006
Appears in:
Rank Score:
782
Rank in 2006:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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neo-psychedelia
(Animal, 60:38)
"I told the baker's daughter that I didn't want the water
She only likes it when I beg, so I expect she's waiting"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 05/19/2021]
neo-psychedelia
(Animal, 60:38)
"I told the baker's daughter that I didn't want the water
She only likes it when I beg, so I expect she's waiting"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 05/19/2021]
Year of Release:
2000
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,182
Rank in 2000:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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indie folk • psychedelic folk • lo-fi / slacker rock
(K, 66:10)
"I faced death
I went in with my arms swinging
But I heard my own breath
And I had to face that I'm still living"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 10/01/2017]
indie folk • psychedelic folk • lo-fi / slacker rock
(K, 66:10)
"I faced death
I went in with my arms swinging
But I heard my own breath
And I had to face that I'm still living"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 10/01/2017]
Year of Release:
2001
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,107
Rank in 2001:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 64. Page 1 of 7
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Top 64 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 5 | 8% | |
| 1970s | 19 | 30% | |
| 1980s | 8 | 13% | |
| 1990s | 15 | 23% | |
| 2000s | 13 | 20% | |
| 2010s | 4 | 6% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Robert Wyatt | 1 | 2% | |
| Harold Budd | 1 | 2% | |
| Current 93 | 1 | 2% | |
| Dinosaur Jr. | 1 | 2% | |
| Modest Mouse | 1 | 2% | |
| Portishead | 1 | 2% | |
| Sigur Rós | 1 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
32 | 50% | |
| |
19 | 30% | |
 |
3 | 5% | |
 |
3 | 5% | |
 |
2 | 3% | |
 |
2 | 3% | |
 |
1 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 64 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
Top 64 Greatest Music Albums similar charts
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| Top 50 Greatest Music Albums |  gbass | Overall chart | 2018 | |
| AOTYs ranked | Onater | Custom chart | 2018 | |
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| Top 50 Greatest Music Albums | luis | Overall chart | 2014 |  |
| Top 40 Greatest Music Albums | 112806 | Overall chart | 2023 | |
| Top 50 Greatest Music Albums | The Tourist | Overall chart | 2010 | |
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Top 64 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).
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Showing latest 3 ratings for this chart. | Show all 87 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 12/25/2024 18:33 | Exist-en-ciel | 165 | 97/100 |
| ! | 01/06/2023 08:58 | Johnnyo | 2,688 | 80/100 |
| ! | 07/09/2022 03:54 | leniad | 669 | 85/100 |
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 1% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 93.4/100, a mean average of 93.6/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 94.3/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 7.7.
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Top 64 Greatest Music Albums favourites
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Top 64 Greatest Music Albums forum mentions
This chart has been referenced 4 times on the forums, Explore the wider forum discussion to see what members have said about it.
From ForegroundNoise 03/03/2019 14:59 in Anniversary Lists ...
ForegroundNoise 03/03/2019 14:59 in Anniversary Lists ...“Hello again everyone!! Thanks so much to all those that gave recommendations for my 1969 list!! I've decided so as not to take too much time away from my degree to reduce these lists to just a top 5 albums (instead of ten) since I try and put a lot of effort into these write-ups and it's v time…”
View topic (2 mentions) →From 
BestEverAlbums 10/21/2018 08:00 in Chart of the day (#2555): By sidneyfranklyn
BestEverAlbums 10/21/2018 08:00 in Chart of the day (#2555): By sidneyfranklyn“Today's chart of the day Top 50 Greatest Music Albums by sidneyfranklyn () 1. Laughing Stock by Talk Talk (1991) 2. Music For 18 Musicians by Steve Reich (1978) 3. Kid A by Radiohead (2000) 4. Journey In Satchidananda by Alice Coltrane (1971) 5. Spiderland by Slint (1991) 6. Daydream Nation by…”
(2 mentions across Chart of the Day topics)View latest topic →
Top 64 Greatest Music Albums comments
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From
sageamagoo TOP 100 COMMENTER 10/24/2017 23:00 | #200035
sageamagoo TOP 100 COMMENTER 10/24/2017 23:00 | #200035
Great list, all sorts of classics here that aren't on your average BEA chart. Easy to see your love of good music come through!
Tortoise and Fishmans are two groups that were just refreshing to discover, music that's awesome in a way I'd never thought of before.
Have you listened to Hounds of Love yet? It's an excellent album that's entirely in its own realm, with real meaning and feeling. I don't usually give recommendations of popular albums, but I gave it a miss the first time I heard of it and regret that decision.
Anyway, please check out my own chart, and feel free to give me a recommendation or two in return!
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From
AMEIER 01/12/2020 22:16 | #246797
AMEIER 01/12/2020 22:16 | #246797
First of all, thank you so much for your comment in my page! I really was touched by your words.
About your chart here, I have to admit that I don't know 80% of this. The ones I do I know the value and know that they are great! Also, I feel like you are a powerhouse of music knowledge and would love to keep trading more information and passion for this! Last but not least, wish you to complete this with 100 albums. cheers!
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From
doubleA 09/13/2019 06:37 | #242529
doubleA 09/13/2019 06:37 | #242529
Simply a wonderful chart! Everything from the writing to the variety of picks are filled with so much personality. In the notes for the albums you manage to very accurately capture exactly what makes it great, what makes it cling to you. When it comes to that story in your introduction; "give us a reflection of yourself", you absolutely managed to do that.
From the small discography I yet have I can still recommend to you Ta Det Lugnt by Dungen, Hypnotic UnderWorld by Ghost (JP) and Unorthodox Behaviour by Brand X.
I also want to thank you for the work I've seen by you on this site in the form of well-written comments. Seen them at lots of places and I'm a big fan, keep em' coming ;)
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From
Arthurknight 12/14/2017 22:17 | #203113
Arthurknight 12/14/2017 22:17 | #203113
Thank you for the lovely comment and wow you've only been at this since September?? Outstanding effort. I like your picks, all familiar and loved albums - you've selected them delicately. I particularly love your Reich placement, I literally just removed that album from my top 100 because I've found myself listening a lot more to Different Trains so I have to ponder on the issue for a while, but it is really a composition out of this world.
Anyway, you've seen my chart so I thought I'd recommend some things that aren't on there instead:
Dub Housing - Pere Ubu
Y - The Pop Group
American Water - Silver Jews
Harmony in Ultraviolet - Tim Hecker
Klaus Mitffoch - Klaus Mitffoch
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From
Antonio-Pedro TOP 100 COMMENTER 12/24/2017 15:09 | #203818
Antonio-Pedro TOP 100 COMMENTER 12/24/2017 15:09 | #203818
Absolutely in love with your notes, might take them out and buy a candy for them, hoping more of them will come in the future! Great work mada mate
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