Top 73 Greatest Music Albums by PaperVinnie 
It's been a few years since I've visited my charts, so I figure it's time for an overhaul. I mostly listen to live music these days, but I'll be revisiting lots of studio stuff and listening to some new stuff soon, in preparation to indulge other music areas I've neglected for a while.
- Chart updated: 12/21/2021 20:15
- (Created: 10/18/2017 15:53).
- Chart size: 73 albums.
There are 30 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 73 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 90 out of 100 (from 37 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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This chart is currently filtered to only show albums from Sonic Youth. (Remove this filter)
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Sonic Youth's fifth album. Combines the avant noise rock jams of their early years with increasing flirting with song structures and melodies. It's an aggressive, pretty, insanely unique record. Thurston and Lee's playing comes together like no other way here, truly they reach their highest studio highs. Teen Age Riot is one of my favorite songs ever.
[First added to this chart: 10/18/2017]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank Score:
17,685
Rank in 1988:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
146
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[First added to this chart: 10/18/2017]
Year of Release:
1987
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,500
Rank in 1987:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Genre(s): Noise rock, post-punk
"Mystery train
Three way plane
Expressway...
...to your skull."
EVOL was the first of Sonic Youth's late 80s trilogy of their best albums. Although this one is the weakest link of the 3, this is the one where they finally begin to take their first step towards mixing their noise punk roots with pop song structure. This is also the album where Lee and Thurston finally begin to realize what they can do with their guitars, and begin to create their signature style which would linger with them for the rest of their career, and with that they created Expressway to Yr Skull, one of the definitive moments for guitar based rock'n roll.
10/10 Tracks: Tom Violence, Shadow of a Doubt, Starpower, Expressway to Yr Skull [First added to this chart: 10/23/2017]
"Mystery train
Three way plane
Expressway...
...to your skull."
EVOL was the first of Sonic Youth's late 80s trilogy of their best albums. Although this one is the weakest link of the 3, this is the one where they finally begin to take their first step towards mixing their noise punk roots with pop song structure. This is also the album where Lee and Thurston finally begin to realize what they can do with their guitars, and begin to create their signature style which would linger with them for the rest of their career, and with that they created Expressway to Yr Skull, one of the definitive moments for guitar based rock'n roll.
10/10 Tracks: Tom Violence, Shadow of a Doubt, Starpower, Expressway to Yr Skull [First added to this chart: 10/23/2017]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,532
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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Genre(s): Alternative rock, experimental rock, noise rock
"Look into his eyes and you shall see
Why everything is quiet and nothing's free
I wonder how he's gonna make her smile
When love is running wild on the diamond sea"
On this album, Sonic Youth reclaimed their throne as the greatest guitar band in the world at that point. Kim switches from bass to guitar on most songs here, which becomes the basis for the sound, she is the balance in the music while Lee and Thurston are two machines, riffing their way through a song before eventually breaking out into cacophony. This album is also a strong record lyrically, Kim takes on a very feminine presence in her lyrics, Lee contributes two of his best songs, while Thurston wrote tributes to other artists, and the ultimate Alt Rock Love Song, "The Diamond Sea".
Key Tracks: Saucer-Like, Washing Machine, Skip Tracer, The Diamond Sea [First added to this chart: 10/24/2017]
"Look into his eyes and you shall see
Why everything is quiet and nothing's free
I wonder how he's gonna make her smile
When love is running wild on the diamond sea"
On this album, Sonic Youth reclaimed their throne as the greatest guitar band in the world at that point. Kim switches from bass to guitar on most songs here, which becomes the basis for the sound, she is the balance in the music while Lee and Thurston are two machines, riffing their way through a song before eventually breaking out into cacophony. This album is also a strong record lyrically, Kim takes on a very feminine presence in her lyrics, Lee contributes two of his best songs, while Thurston wrote tributes to other artists, and the ultimate Alt Rock Love Song, "The Diamond Sea".
Key Tracks: Saucer-Like, Washing Machine, Skip Tracer, The Diamond Sea [First added to this chart: 10/24/2017]
Year of Release:
1995
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,065
Rank in 1995:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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Genre(s): Alternative rock, experimental rock, noise rock
"Dead or alive, there's danger
The Dead are alright with me
We're not gonna run away
We're not gonna leave you stranger
Turn the light on, yr lonely love"
This album might be the only Sonic Youth album that totally stole my attention and became as much of a favorite as Daydream Nation has always been for me, that being said, it isn't ranked as high as other's for obvious reasons. This record not have had an impact, but it's a masterpiece in the right that Sonic Youth weren't done being one of the world's most innovative bands, even though they weren't getting the credit they used to. They continued to blend a more polished, matured sound with their classic use of distortion, and after a few listens, you can clearly tell it blends perfectly. It's a shame they were so ignored in their later years, so many people will just assume that it isn't that great by it's lack of impact. Also, Stones might be one of the most underrated songs of all time.
Key Tracks: Pattern Recognition, Unmade Bed, The Dripping Dream, Stones, I Love You Golden Blue, Peace Attack [First added to this chart: 10/24/2017]
"Dead or alive, there's danger
The Dead are alright with me
We're not gonna run away
We're not gonna leave you stranger
Turn the light on, yr lonely love"
This album might be the only Sonic Youth album that totally stole my attention and became as much of a favorite as Daydream Nation has always been for me, that being said, it isn't ranked as high as other's for obvious reasons. This record not have had an impact, but it's a masterpiece in the right that Sonic Youth weren't done being one of the world's most innovative bands, even though they weren't getting the credit they used to. They continued to blend a more polished, matured sound with their classic use of distortion, and after a few listens, you can clearly tell it blends perfectly. It's a shame they were so ignored in their later years, so many people will just assume that it isn't that great by it's lack of impact. Also, Stones might be one of the most underrated songs of all time.
Key Tracks: Pattern Recognition, Unmade Bed, The Dripping Dream, Stones, I Love You Golden Blue, Peace Attack [First added to this chart: 10/24/2017]
Year of Release:
2004
Appears in:
Rank Score:
450
Rank in 2004:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Genre(s): Experimental rock, psychedelia
"Everyday girl
They blow away
Leaves falling to the water
Wildflowers
For you today"
It's about time I got this album on this chart. Most people listen to Daydream Nation, Goo, and Dirty, and then stop. Which is really sad in my opinion, they're truly missing out on much of Sonic Youth's best work. This album was the product of their getting their own studio and stretching their legs in the studio. That brings us this, a psychdelic, jammy, guitar opus that's simply nothing like anything else they had ever released. On this album, they continue to see where their urges and indulgences in prolonged guitar jams take them. This time around, rather than being playing controlled rhythm oriented riffs and then blasting into noise, they play fascinating complimentary psychedelic riffs, with more poetic and wistful lyricism. I'm not sure yet, but this might just be their best 90's album. No other album could make you trip like this.
10/10 Tracks: Sunday, Wildflower Soul, Hoarfrost, French Tickler [First added to this chart: 10/29/2018]
"Everyday girl
They blow away
Leaves falling to the water
Wildflowers
For you today"
It's about time I got this album on this chart. Most people listen to Daydream Nation, Goo, and Dirty, and then stop. Which is really sad in my opinion, they're truly missing out on much of Sonic Youth's best work. This album was the product of their getting their own studio and stretching their legs in the studio. That brings us this, a psychdelic, jammy, guitar opus that's simply nothing like anything else they had ever released. On this album, they continue to see where their urges and indulgences in prolonged guitar jams take them. This time around, rather than being playing controlled rhythm oriented riffs and then blasting into noise, they play fascinating complimentary psychedelic riffs, with more poetic and wistful lyricism. I'm not sure yet, but this might just be their best 90's album. No other album could make you trip like this.
10/10 Tracks: Sunday, Wildflower Soul, Hoarfrost, French Tickler [First added to this chart: 10/29/2018]
Year of Release:
1998
Appears in:
Rank Score:
422
Rank in 1998:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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Genre(s): Avant-rock, noise rock, alternative rock
"What's real? What is true?
I ain't turning my back on you"
Sonic Youth's 6th album is arguably their most commercial, it has short concentrated songs that were often viewed as accessible. However the nature of these songs are nothing but commercial, Sonic Youth was going through one of the darker points in its career, the result was a fantastic set of beautiful and darker compositions paired with puzzling lyrics that only leave you wondering for much of the album.
Key Tracks: 100%, Theresa's Sound-World, Shoot, Wish Fulfillment, Sugar Kane, Orange Rolls, Angels Spit, On the Strip, JC, Creme Brulee [First added to this chart: 10/23/2017]
"What's real? What is true?
I ain't turning my back on you"
Sonic Youth's 6th album is arguably their most commercial, it has short concentrated songs that were often viewed as accessible. However the nature of these songs are nothing but commercial, Sonic Youth was going through one of the darker points in its career, the result was a fantastic set of beautiful and darker compositions paired with puzzling lyrics that only leave you wondering for much of the album.
Key Tracks: 100%, Theresa's Sound-World, Shoot, Wish Fulfillment, Sugar Kane, Orange Rolls, Angels Spit, On the Strip, JC, Creme Brulee [First added to this chart: 10/23/2017]
Year of Release:
1992
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,172
Rank in 1992:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Genre(s): Alternative rock, experimental rock, noise rock
"From dust to dust they create rock and roll"
Fantastic comeback for Sonic Youth after the disastrous reception of NYC Ghosts & Flowers. Although this album is very accessible for Sonic Youth, it didn't get the commercial success it deserved if you ask me. It's still a fantastic album that finds a perfect blend of melodies and cacophony, distortion and clean riffs, they never lose momentum. This album totally deserves more attention on this site.
Key Tracks: The Empty Page, Disconnection Notice, Rain On Tin, Radical Adults Lick Godhead Style [First added to this chart: 10/24/2017]
"From dust to dust they create rock and roll"
Fantastic comeback for Sonic Youth after the disastrous reception of NYC Ghosts & Flowers. Although this album is very accessible for Sonic Youth, it didn't get the commercial success it deserved if you ask me. It's still a fantastic album that finds a perfect blend of melodies and cacophony, distortion and clean riffs, they never lose momentum. This album totally deserves more attention on this site.
Key Tracks: The Empty Page, Disconnection Notice, Rain On Tin, Radical Adults Lick Godhead Style [First added to this chart: 10/24/2017]
Year of Release:
2002
Appears in:
Rank Score:
624
Rank in 2002:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Genre(s): Alternative rock
Key Tracks: Dirty Boots, Kool Thing, Mote, Disappearer, Titanium Expose [First added to this chart: 10/23/2017]
Key Tracks: Dirty Boots, Kool Thing, Mote, Disappearer, Titanium Expose [First added to this chart: 10/23/2017]
Year of Release:
1990
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,852
Rank in 1990:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 9. Page 1 of 1
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Top 73 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 20 | 27% | |
| 1970s | 23 | 32% | |
| 1980s | 10 | 14% | |
| 1990s | 12 | 16% | |
| 2000s | 5 | 7% | |
| 2010s | 3 | 4% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Sonic Youth | 9 | 12% | |
| Led Zeppelin | 6 | 8% | |
| Radiohead | 5 | 7% | |
| The Beatles | 5 | 7% | |
| Nirvana | 4 | 5% | |
| David Bowie | 4 | 5% | |
| Cream | 3 | 4% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 73 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
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Top 73 Greatest Music Albums ratings
90/100 (from 37 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 37 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 90/100  | 08/25/2021 17:29 |  DriftingOrpheus | | 91/100 |
| 90/100 | 07/09/2020 10:10 |  Goliath | | 86/100 |
| 100/100 | 04/11/2019 16:30 |  hoyquarlow | | 88/100 |
| 95/100 | 11/22/2018 15:50 |  jnfbn | | 96/100 |
| 100/100 | 11/03/2018 10:57 |  DommeDamian | | 90/100 |
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 90.3/100, a mean average of 91.5/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 91.4/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 6.6.
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Top 73 Greatest Music Albums comments
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100/100
From DommeDamian 11/03/2018 10:57
DommeDamian 11/03/2018 10:57
Charts with descriptions are always winning
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From 
DeusExMackia 08/29/2018 23:11
DeusExMackia 08/29/2018 23:11
The off-the-charts love for Sonic Youth is very, very much appreciated, as are the depth of your comments. Love this chart to bits.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
80/100
From PeterSmith 08/07/2018 22:35
I like your chart and great kudos to the effort you are putting and the amount of albums you are powering through. I really enjoy when members make a comment about the album - whether it's the type of album or genre, their favourite tracks, how they got into it or what it means to them. Keep going with that.
You are light on newer stuff and whereas it is okay to pay homage to classics from years ago - it also gives you a chance to better comment on the actual quality of the songs since you are not caught up in the emotions of living through it at the time - I wouldn't want you thinking that great music stopped in the 1970s - with the exception of Sonic Youth.
I grew up listening to music in the 1980s and switched off in the 90's thinking the music wasn't as good anymore. Since I got back into music in 2016 I have caught up on some old classics from 60s, 70s and 80s - but I have been impressed with some excellent bands and albums particularly in the noughties - The Strokes, Arcade Fire, Interpol, The XX, The Killers, Kasabian, Franz Ferdinand, The White Stripes, Snow Patrol, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes & Muse to name a few.
Also don't be afraid to try a bit of Rap or Hip Hop in there - my personal favourites are NWA and Jay Z and Public Enemy.
And your right - comments from the heart. Dont try to be someone you are not. Tell us why you like it, it's not a Music Degree test with points for answers. I'll watch your chart to see how it progresses - just wish I had the time you listen to as much music as you are powering through.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From 
RoundTheBend 07/25/2018 04:52
RoundTheBend 07/25/2018 04:52
You legit. Keep it up mate.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
sophialeviev 07/16/2018 01:16
sophialeviev 07/16/2018 01:16
Great chart. Guess I have to check out Van Halen now?
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
CharlieBarley 07/02/2018 05:55
CharlieBarley 07/02/2018 05:55
My fav sonic Youth album is Goo. But I haven't heard them all yet. Daydream Nation is fantastic but it took a couple of listens before I fell in love with it. I agree too that Led Zeppelin 3 is the best Led Zep album. The first 5 are all great but 3 is my favourite, its a very cool album in terms of being acoustic and all the historical imagery with vikings and Hangmen.
Great notes man. A good chart. I couldn't fault it.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Lgk21 07/02/2018 00:22
Nice chart, I totally agree with you about Sister. Cool to see the chart of someone my age, it doesn't feel like it happens too often.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
flyingcitrus 07/01/2018 17:20
flyingcitrus 07/01/2018 17:20
Its very rock and metal oriented, but I love your picks. Great to see Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., and Television so high up.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From PaperVinnie 04/18/2018 13:21
Thanks Ulf
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
80/100
From Ulf 04/18/2018 08:20
very nice chart with great comments
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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| Best Artists of the 1970s | |
|---|---|
| 1. Pink Floyd | |
| 2. David Bowie | |
| 3. Led Zeppelin | |
| 4. Neil Young | |
| 5. The Rolling Stones | |
| 6. The Clash | |
| 7. Fleetwood Mac | |
| 8. Black Sabbath | |
| 9. The Who | |
| 10. Genesis | |
| 11. Stevie Wonder | |
| 12. Bob Dylan | |
| 13. Yes | |
| 14. Paul McCartney | |
| 15. Bruce Springsteen | |
| 16. Joni Mitchell | |
| 17. Bob Marley | |
| 18. Nick Drake | |
| 19. Joy Division | |
| 20. Queen |