Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by PeterSmith 
I've been listening to lots of albums new to me over the last few years having grown up to late 70's and 80's soundtrack. I had foolishly chucked learning new music as we entered the 90's thinking I had my bands and albums that I would need. I missed so much excellent stuff.
I recall liking a lot of stuff I was hearing on the radio as we moved into the 2000's but didn't follow up with who they were - I have since found many of these songs on albums that I have since listened to.
Takes a wee bit to shift the albums and artists you've grown up with and loved for years, but slowly working through many classic albums and some more obscure stuff getting highlighted on this web site - loving the journey and some of it is shifting my old favourites for sure.
Grew up with Pink Floyd, Bowie, Queen, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, U2, Bob Marley.
Loving the Rap and Hip Hop of NWA, Kanye West, Public Enemy & Jay Z.
Loving the Alt Rock, Indie Rock , Space and Electronic Rock of the likes of Grandaddy, Interpol, The Killers, White Stripes, REM, MGMT, Muse, Franz Ferdinand amongst others.
Loving the more ambient and folky sound of Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Grandaddy, Sigur Ros, Air.
Loving the more punky sound of Greenday, Pixies, Jane's Addiction and Modest Mouse
And finding some old classics with The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Carole King.
Also finding that familiarity does play a big part - don't often love albums straight away and need to give them half dozen listens before I start to get it.
I have revamped the results and removed the 2 artist max and just went for my favourites. Meant it has pushed out artists like Paul Weller, Garbage, Bob Marley, Elliot Smith, The Cure, The National, Beck, Foo Fighters, Beatles, Bob Dylan, Adele, The Band, Leftfield and Akon to name but a few - sorry folks.
- Chart updated: 12/28/2021 22:15
- (Created: 11/13/2017 23:37).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 24 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 88 out of 100 (from 38 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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Indie rock psychedelic rock psych folk drone
Only finally getting round in April 19 to catching up with more from Neutral Milk Hotel after falling in love with their Aeroplane Over The Sea. Whilst not as strong, this is still an excellent album and probably like their other album, I am sure that this will also be a grower but can come in at 59 for now [First added to this chart: 05/06/2019]
Only finally getting round in April 19 to catching up with more from Neutral Milk Hotel after falling in love with their Aeroplane Over The Sea. Whilst not as strong, this is still an excellent album and probably like their other album, I am sure that this will also be a grower but can come in at 59 for now [First added to this chart: 05/06/2019]
Year of Release:
1996
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,984
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44
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Rock - New Wave
When I first saw 68 Guns on TOTP I was amazed. My sister got me into them and many happy memories of them in concert. I love this album still and think the tunes are excellent. They got compared to being the Welsh U2 but I think that's a lazy suggestion. 68 Guns, Blaze of Glory and Howling Wind amongst my favourites and especially live. [First added to this chart: 02/22/2018]
When I first saw 68 Guns on TOTP I was amazed. My sister got me into them and many happy memories of them in concert. I love this album still and think the tunes are excellent. They got compared to being the Welsh U2 but I think that's a lazy suggestion. 68 Guns, Blaze of Glory and Howling Wind amongst my favourites and especially live. [First added to this chart: 02/22/2018]
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Post Rock
A first listen in 2020 and to be honest I wasn't expecting too much - I had liked their early singles without being bowled over and ready to become a die hard fan. This was a real surprise for me - a bit like the same journey I had with Depeche Mode with Violator.
It only has 6 long tracks that build up the sound without ever quite reaching a crescendo. [First added to this chart: 08/13/2020]
A first listen in 2020 and to be honest I wasn't expecting too much - I had liked their early singles without being bowled over and ready to become a die hard fan. This was a real surprise for me - a bit like the same journey I had with Depeche Mode with Violator.
It only has 6 long tracks that build up the sound without ever quite reaching a crescendo. [First added to this chart: 08/13/2020]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank Score:
11,263
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Indie Rock - Art Rock - Baroque Pop
Another great album from Arcade Fire and another that I have only heard in 2017. Rococo and Sprawl II are now amongst my greatest tracks of all time. [First added to this chart: 03/17/2018]
Another great album from Arcade Fire and another that I have only heard in 2017. Rococo and Sprawl II are now amongst my greatest tracks of all time. [First added to this chart: 03/17/2018]
Year of Release:
2010
Appears in:
Rank Score:
22,192
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Rock
Again, not normally into the rockier sound of these type of bands, but when it's a great album you gotta just accept it and acknowledge it.
In addition to Stairway, When the Levee Breaks is such a great track - love the grind from it, and Four Sticks is also a top tune.
Not too big a fan of The Battle of Evermore though [First added to this chart: 03/17/2018]
Again, not normally into the rockier sound of these type of bands, but when it's a great album you gotta just accept it and acknowledge it.
In addition to Stairway, When the Levee Breaks is such a great track - love the grind from it, and Four Sticks is also a top tune.
Not too big a fan of The Battle of Evermore though [First added to this chart: 03/17/2018]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
44,303
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Indie Rock
Heard this for the first time in 2019 and absolutely loved the opener "Get Innocuous". Great tunes throughout. [First added to this chart: 05/02/2020]
Heard this for the first time in 2019 and absolutely loved the opener "Get Innocuous". Great tunes throughout. [First added to this chart: 05/02/2020]
Year of Release:
2007
Appears in:
Rank Score:
13,675
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Rock
Been with Queen for years - their Greatest Hits really is a Greatest Hits with plenty of superb, uplifting anthems as well as really beautiful songs. Freddie Mercury really was a show man and is sadly missed. The band members all contribute songs which probably results in their albums having some wacky stuff on it. This album has Killer Queen, but I rate the Lap of the Gods (both tracks); Tenement Funster and She Makes Me as the stand out tracks. Less into the rocky Brighton Rock and Stone Cold Crazy; nor Misfire and the banjo inspired Leroy Brown. I see many Queen fans going for Day at the Races or Night At the Opera, but I just feel this album holds together better and the tunes I noted above just blow my mind [First added to this chart: 02/22/2018]
Been with Queen for years - their Greatest Hits really is a Greatest Hits with plenty of superb, uplifting anthems as well as really beautiful songs. Freddie Mercury really was a show man and is sadly missed. The band members all contribute songs which probably results in their albums having some wacky stuff on it. This album has Killer Queen, but I rate the Lap of the Gods (both tracks); Tenement Funster and She Makes Me as the stand out tracks. Less into the rocky Brighton Rock and Stone Cold Crazy; nor Misfire and the banjo inspired Leroy Brown. I see many Queen fans going for Day at the Races or Night At the Opera, but I just feel this album holds together better and the tunes I noted above just blow my mind [First added to this chart: 02/22/2018]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,089
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Soul, funk, rock, jazz
Great singer and musician - I liked many of his singles years ago without every getting any albums. Got this towards end of 2018 and digging the vibe. The better known stuff stands out - Living In The City, Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing and the excellent Misstra Know It All [First added to this chart: 05/06/2019]
Great singer and musician - I liked many of his singles years ago without every getting any albums. Got this towards end of 2018 and digging the vibe. The better known stuff stands out - Living In The City, Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing and the excellent Misstra Know It All [First added to this chart: 05/06/2019]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,944
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Garage Rock Revival - Blues Rock - Punk Blues
I knew Seven Nation Army when it was out, but wasn't into getting new albums and bands at the time. My mistake as I missed out on them along with Arcade Fire, The Strokes, The Killers amongst others. Only got this album 2017 and it will probably feature higher over time.
Top tracks apart from Seven Nation Army include There's No Home For You Here; Ball and Biscuit and Well It's True We Love One Another amongst others. That last track is subliminal and is a conversation between Holly and Jack, and I just love the way they drag Meg into it and her reluctant contribution [First added to this chart: 02/22/2018]
I knew Seven Nation Army when it was out, but wasn't into getting new albums and bands at the time. My mistake as I missed out on them along with Arcade Fire, The Strokes, The Killers amongst others. Only got this album 2017 and it will probably feature higher over time.
Top tracks apart from Seven Nation Army include There's No Home For You Here; Ball and Biscuit and Well It's True We Love One Another amongst others. That last track is subliminal and is a conversation between Holly and Jack, and I just love the way they drag Meg into it and her reluctant contribution [First added to this chart: 02/22/2018]
Year of Release:
2003
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,860
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Average Rating:
Comments:
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Country Rock
So much to love with the short and tight album - although not too keen on The Losing End which might be just the wrong side of country for my tastes. Love the feel and rhythm of Cinnamon Girl and the woe of Down By The River [First added to this chart: 02/17/2018]
So much to love with the short and tight album - although not too keen on The Losing End which might be just the wrong side of country for my tastes. Love the feel and rhythm of Cinnamon Girl and the woe of Down By The River [First added to this chart: 02/17/2018]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,363
Rank in 1969:
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Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 7 of 10
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
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| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 1 | 1% | |
| 1960s | 5 | 5% | |
| 1970s | 25 | 25% | |
| 1980s | 16 | 16% | |
| 1990s | 17 | 17% | |
| 2000s | 25 | 25% | |
| 2010s | 11 | 11% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Arcade Fire | 3 | 3% | |
| U2 | 3 | 3% | |
| Queen | 2 | 2% | |
| Stevie Wonder | 2 | 2% | |
| Neutral Milk Hotel | 2 | 2% | |
| David Bowie | 2 | 2% | |
| The Beatles | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
51 | 51% | |
| |
34 | 34% | |
 |
5 | 5% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 1 from 100th to 99th Bloom by Beach House |
| Up 1 from 99th to 98th Violator by Depeche Mode |
| Up 1 from 98th to 97th An Awesome Wave by alt-J |
| Leavers |
|---|
 Fleet Foxesby Fleet Foxes |
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
88/100 (from 38 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 38 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
90/100  | 04/12/2023 17:47 | chavaloricardin | | 83/100 |
85/100 | 09/04/2022 11:28 | Thearei30ee | | 88/100 |
95/100 | 07/03/2022 18:38 |  ffudnebbuh | | 91/100 |
85/100 | 06/25/2022 23:42 | Rm12398 | | 89/100 |
100/100 | 01/17/2022 20:46 | wizardalien | | 88/100 |
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 12% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 87.8/100, a mean average of 88.3/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 88.3/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 6.8.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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90/100
From chavaloricardin 04/08/2023 05:49
Siempre es bueno ver "Hopes And Fears" incluido en los charts... Tenemos 18 álbumes en común y en general, me gustaron mucho tus elecciones. Hay un par de álbumes que no he escuchado todavía pero lo haré.
English review
It's always good to see "Hopes And Fears" included in the charts... We have 18 albums in common and overall, I really liked your choices. There are a couple of albums I haven't heard yet but I will.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From ffudnebbuh 07/03/2022 18:40
ffudnebbuh 07/03/2022 18:40
Like your chart, am familiar with most of it and the artists that I am not, I will put on Pandora or Spotify. That is the only way that I can keep up with everything going on.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From wizardalien 01/17/2022 20:49
Very nice. It's actually very similar to mine despite us clearly being of different eras. There's still a lot of yours that I haven't even listened to, so I think I might have to listen to some of your top 100 as it seems we have similar tastes...
Got to love anyone's chart that also has Inform Educate Entertain, Seldom Seen Kid, An Awesome Wave and Sleeping with Ghosts - all four are underrated on this site overall.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From 
CharlieBarley 12/29/2021 09:59
CharlieBarley 12/29/2021 09:59
Great chart mate. I used to have Wish You Were Here as my number one for years. It is my favourite album really but I like to mix it up.
You have a broad and eclectic taste in music.
All my peeps like Amy McDonald.
Good to see War of the Worlds. We did that at school too . Back in 85.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From 
Goliath 12/28/2021 10:52
Goliath 12/28/2021 10:52
Nothing wrong with having Pink Floyd at number 1 and 2. Slightly too many in the 2000's for me, otherwise interesting chart.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
rockbluesfolkjaz 12/19/2021 20:57
rockbluesfolkjaz 12/19/2021 20:57
Interesting list. I love seeing Floyd's Wish You Were Here at or close to the top. Having Dark Side beneath it is daring for sure. There's nothing wrong with being 2 of course, and personal taste is what individual lists are all about anyway.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From StreakyNuno 12/19/2021 16:32
Great albuns!!! Pink Floyd in first and second?
Fantastic👌
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From craab 11/25/2021 05:03
Great comments. I love your chart. Got some leads off it to for my own listening, e.g. Amy McDonald.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From 
Larcx13 10/27/2020 08:23
Larcx13 10/27/2020 08:23
Some really good picks. im not a big fan of kanye and coldplay. I really dont understand the appeal. To each their own..
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From pctrooper 05/04/2020 00:06
Have to say, many picks are a bit too hip for myself (if maybe that is the right word). Arcade Fire, Modest Mouse, Coldplay for example I usually can't be bothered with. Nevertheless, there is a good batch of mutually respected albums between you and I, and I appreciate all your words of describing music and sharing your perspective. I really like your #1 choice a lot.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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