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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Rap
Only listened to this album in Sept 18 off the back of 808s & Heartbreaks and College Dropout - but this album is much better for me and bursts right into my top 10 ahead of many albums I have known and loved for decades - such is the quality of this album. From the start of the album he delivers great track after great track - smart beats and lyrics and great sampling including Daft Punk (who I love).
I love every single track on this album, but give an extra nod to Homecoming and Big Brother - the later all about his relationship with mentor Jay Z.
Can't agree with where his head is at the moment, but can't deny the quality of music he has delivered. [First added to this chart: 01/01/2019]
Only listened to this album in Sept 18 off the back of 808s & Heartbreaks and College Dropout - but this album is much better for me and bursts right into my top 10 ahead of many albums I have known and loved for decades - such is the quality of this album. From the start of the album he delivers great track after great track - smart beats and lyrics and great sampling including Daft Punk (who I love).
I love every single track on this album, but give an extra nod to Homecoming and Big Brother - the later all about his relationship with mentor Jay Z.
Can't agree with where his head is at the moment, but can't deny the quality of music he has delivered. [First added to this chart: 01/01/2019]
Year of Release:
2007
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,283
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63
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Indie Folk
2018 first time listen - picked up through comments and views on this site as never heard of them - thank you all. This is a beautiful and delicate album with Flume being the outstanding track - love that feedback sound on the amp. Lovely songs and delivered from the heart. Scheduled to catch them live in 2020 (pre Covid19 that was) [First added to this chart: 05/27/2018]
2018 first time listen - picked up through comments and views on this site as never heard of them - thank you all. This is a beautiful and delicate album with Flume being the outstanding track - love that feedback sound on the amp. Lovely songs and delivered from the heart. Scheduled to catch them live in 2020 (pre Covid19 that was) [First added to this chart: 05/27/2018]
Year of Release:
2007
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,920
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17. (=)
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Hip Hop
I got this late in 2018 after enjoying Graduation and College Dropout. I get this is not everyone's cup of tea with his behaviour and views no doubt having an influence on some, but you can't hide that he delivers some top tunes and excellent production. [First added to this chart: 01/01/2019]
I got this late in 2018 after enjoying Graduation and College Dropout. I get this is not everyone's cup of tea with his behaviour and views no doubt having an influence on some, but you can't hide that he delivers some top tunes and excellent production. [First added to this chart: 01/01/2019]
Year of Release:
2010
Appears in:
Rank Score:
26,186
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Only heard this early 2017 after seeing their name pop up in a chart and having never heard of them before. What an absolute find - and I predicted that this album will climb the more I become familiar with it which is what is happening here.
Again, maybe not the best singer in the world, but his delivery is full of anguish and his lyrics are strange and enticing. A smattering of non-rock instruments appear on this album. If you haven't heard it give it a listen, if you don't get it first time go back later. [First added to this chart: 03/17/2018]
Again, maybe not the best singer in the world, but his delivery is full of anguish and his lyrics are strange and enticing. A smattering of non-rock instruments appear on this album. If you haven't heard it give it a listen, if you don't get it first time go back later. [First added to this chart: 03/17/2018]
Year of Release:
1998
Appears in:
Rank Score:
39,525
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Indie Rock - Space Rock
I got this Dec 18 and immediately fell in love with this album. "He's Simple" opener is a near 9 minutes of delicate excellence - a modern day version of Bowie's "Space Oddity" with the acoustic, space themed lyrics and almost a ship lift off bridge similar to Bowie's 1969 effort.
The whole album is delicate with plenty of space. On occasion they have a Flaming Lips feel.
Top tracks include "Hewletts Daughter" both "Jed" songs, "Broken Household Appliances" amongst others. [First added to this chart: 01/01/2019]
I got this Dec 18 and immediately fell in love with this album. "He's Simple" opener is a near 9 minutes of delicate excellence - a modern day version of Bowie's "Space Oddity" with the acoustic, space themed lyrics and almost a ship lift off bridge similar to Bowie's 1969 effort.
The whole album is delicate with plenty of space. On occasion they have a Flaming Lips feel.
Top tracks include "Hewletts Daughter" both "Jed" songs, "Broken Household Appliances" amongst others. [First added to this chart: 01/01/2019]
Year of Release:
2000
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,012
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Metal
I only got hold of this album in 2019 as Metal isn't really my go to place. But this is so much more than Metal - it is white-man-rap. These tunes are pumping and the lyrics and delivery just demand your attention. [First added to this chart: 05/06/2019]
I only got hold of this album in 2019 as Metal isn't really my go to place. But this is so much more than Metal - it is white-man-rap. These tunes are pumping and the lyrics and delivery just demand your attention. [First added to this chart: 05/06/2019]
Year of Release:
1992
Appears in:
Rank Score:
11,970
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Funk
First listen for me in 2020 after enjoying There's A Riot Going On - but this album just reached out for me more. Had never been too into Funk so don't know how early this is in the funk genre but it does seem pretty early with a '69 release date.
This is the sort of album I would never have come across before joining this site. Everday People is the stand out track for me but what a funky album. [First added to this chart: 08/13/2020]
First listen for me in 2020 after enjoying There's A Riot Going On - but this album just reached out for me more. Had never been too into Funk so don't know how early this is in the funk genre but it does seem pretty early with a '69 release date.
This is the sort of album I would never have come across before joining this site. Everday People is the stand out track for me but what a funky album. [First added to this chart: 08/13/2020]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,660
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Rock
This was a new listen in 2020 and totally took me by surprise. All I knew of the Beach Boys was their California surfing sound - and expected with a title about the Surf that this was gonna be more of the same. That would not have been a bad thing, and although I enjoy the technical complexity of that style, I found this set of tunes much more enjoyable and accessible for me. Yeah there are still some of their signature close harmonies but it is a much more straight forward album with nearly every tune strong. [First added to this chart: 06/14/2020]
This was a new listen in 2020 and totally took me by surprise. All I knew of the Beach Boys was their California surfing sound - and expected with a title about the Surf that this was gonna be more of the same. That would not have been a bad thing, and although I enjoy the technical complexity of that style, I found this set of tunes much more enjoyable and accessible for me. Yeah there are still some of their signature close harmonies but it is a much more straight forward album with nearly every tune strong. [First added to this chart: 06/14/2020]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,221
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Indie Rock
First heard this in 2019 and love their chilled relax desolate feel. "Blame It On The Tetons" just resonates with me and is one of my all time fav songs. [First added to this chart: 05/02/2020]
First heard this in 2019 and love their chilled relax desolate feel. "Blame It On The Tetons" just resonates with me and is one of my all time fav songs. [First added to this chart: 05/02/2020]
Year of Release:
2004
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,373
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Alternative Rock
Another band my brothers tried to get me into but took a while before I was ready to start listening - started with Daisies of the Galaxy and got a few other albums before I got this one only in 2017 which I think is their best - great band on record and live [First added to this chart: 02/17/2018]
Another band my brothers tried to get me into but took a while before I was ready to start listening - started with Daisies of the Galaxy and got a few other albums before I got this one only in 2017 which I think is their best - great band on record and live [First added to this chart: 02/17/2018]
Year of Release:
1996
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,052
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Total albums: 34. Page 1 of 4
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
| 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% | |
| Pink Floyd | 2 | 2% | |
| Kanye West | 2 | 2% | |
| Queen | 2 | 2% | |
| Stevie Wonder | 2 | 2% | |
| Neutral Milk Hotel | 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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