Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by 
mozzmozz 
DESERT ISLAND DISCS:
I imagine that these albums are the only ones I can listen to on my Desert Island. So I'll want a great variety. That's why I have limited it to only 2 albums per artist. This means there is no Sgt Pepper, no Led Zep IV, no Dark Side Of The Moon, no In Rainbows, no Deadwing. But this means I can add some gorgeous if less well know gems from Fresh Maggots, Gazpacho and Dubstar.
Lookout for the following lesser-well known albums in my chart:
- Air Conditioning by Curved Air
- The Machine That Cried by String Driven Thing
- Hard Nose The Highway by Van Morrison
- Not Of This World by Pendragon
- The Magnificent Tree by Hooverphonic
- Fresh Maggots by Fresh Maggots
- Night by Gazpacho
- Variations On A Dream by The Pineapple Thief
- Identity by Airbag
- Disgraceful by Dubstar
- Chart updated: 03/23/2018 22:15
- (Created: 11/14/2017 17:28).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 13 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 91 out of 100 (from 27 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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JAZZ, PROG ROCK, EXPERIMENTAL.
Bought this in the early 70s at a street market in Exeter because I liked the "brown paper" packaging. Didn't like it at first. But over the years it grew on me big time. Hugh Hopper's base lines are amazing. Mike Ratledge's "Bees In A Bottle" keyboard style defines their unique form of Jazz. Robert Wyatt's vocals on Moon In June are genius. But this is Elton Dean's showcase - his Alto Sax soars on this album... the last 5 minutes of "Slightly All The Time" is sax-heaven. [First added to this chart: 11/14/2017]
Bought this in the early 70s at a street market in Exeter because I liked the "brown paper" packaging. Didn't like it at first. But over the years it grew on me big time. Hugh Hopper's base lines are amazing. Mike Ratledge's "Bees In A Bottle" keyboard style defines their unique form of Jazz. Robert Wyatt's vocals on Moon In June are genius. But this is Elton Dean's showcase - his Alto Sax soars on this album... the last 5 minutes of "Slightly All The Time" is sax-heaven. [First added to this chart: 11/14/2017]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,633
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PROG ROCK.
This was the first Porcupine Tree album I bought. And I think that might be the reason why it's still my favourite. It's an album that demonstrates the full range of progressive music that Porcupine Tree has become famous for. From Steven Wilson's guitar solos to Richard Barbieri's moody keyboards this is the best album to listen to if you are new to Porcupine Tree. [First added to this chart: 11/14/2017]
This was the first Porcupine Tree album I bought. And I think that might be the reason why it's still my favourite. It's an album that demonstrates the full range of progressive music that Porcupine Tree has become famous for. From Steven Wilson's guitar solos to Richard Barbieri's moody keyboards this is the best album to listen to if you are new to Porcupine Tree. [First added to this chart: 11/14/2017]
Year of Release:
2002
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,266
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ROCK.
All the Beatles albums were groundbreaking for the time that they were released. But Abbey Road contained a sequence of 9 tracks that joined up into one 16 minute long sequence that is almost orgasmic.
"You Never Give Me Your Money", "Sun King", "Mean Mr. Mustard", "Polythene Pam", "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window", "Golden Slumbers", "Carry That Weight", "The End" and finally "Her Majesty" comprise one of the best musical moments of all time ... IMHO. [First added to this chart: 11/14/2017]
All the Beatles albums were groundbreaking for the time that they were released. But Abbey Road contained a sequence of 9 tracks that joined up into one 16 minute long sequence that is almost orgasmic.
"You Never Give Me Your Money", "Sun King", "Mean Mr. Mustard", "Polythene Pam", "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window", "Golden Slumbers", "Carry That Weight", "The End" and finally "Her Majesty" comprise one of the best musical moments of all time ... IMHO. [First added to this chart: 11/14/2017]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
57,349
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ELECTRONIC, AMBIENT, EXPERIMENTAL.
After the awesome success of OK Computer, you wouldn't have thought they could better it. But I think they did. By changing direction, and introducing Electronic and Jazz flavours, they continued to innovate. I particularly like "Treefingers", "Kid A", "How To Disappear Completely" and of course "Everything In Its Right Place". [First added to this chart: 11/14/2017]
After the awesome success of OK Computer, you wouldn't have thought they could better it. But I think they did. By changing direction, and introducing Electronic and Jazz flavours, they continued to innovate. I particularly like "Treefingers", "Kid A", "How To Disappear Completely" and of course "Everything In Its Right Place". [First added to this chart: 11/14/2017]
Year of Release:
2000
Appears in:
Rank Score:
42,345
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PROG ROCK, EXPERIMENTAL.
Not the most popular of Pink Floyd's albums. Even the band didn't like it much. But I think it's an amazing album, and improves with each listen. The conjunction of jazz, chorals, trains and motorbikes makes for groundbreaking music. [First added to this chart: 11/14/2017]
Not the most popular of Pink Floyd's albums. Even the band didn't like it much. But I think it's an amazing album, and improves with each listen. The conjunction of jazz, chorals, trains and motorbikes makes for groundbreaking music. [First added to this chart: 11/14/2017]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,795
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PROG ROCK.
Mr White - my art teacher in the 1970s - allowed my to play this album in Art Classes. It was the original picture disc album, but it got played so much with a dodgy needle it got ruined. So I had to buy a new copy.
I love the violin as part of rock music, and Darryl Way on this album soars to violin heaven. And Sonja Kristina's vocals are a perfect match, sounding as good as Grace Slick. Favourite track "Screw" leaves me gasping. [First added to this chart: 11/27/2017]
Mr White - my art teacher in the 1970s - allowed my to play this album in Art Classes. It was the original picture disc album, but it got played so much with a dodgy needle it got ruined. So I had to buy a new copy.
I love the violin as part of rock music, and Darryl Way on this album soars to violin heaven. And Sonja Kristina's vocals are a perfect match, sounding as good as Grace Slick. Favourite track "Screw" leaves me gasping. [First added to this chart: 11/27/2017]
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FOLK.
Lovely songs, intricate acoustic guitar playing and those soft dreamy vocals, what's not to like about Nick Drake? Hard to decide which Nick Drake album to put here, but this album is accompanied with string arrangements that blend well with Nick's guitar, so gets my vote. The words on "Fruit Tree" are so sad and prescient of his later demise.
"So men of fame; Can never find a way; ‘til time has flown; Far from their dying day". [First added to this chart: 11/27/2017]
Lovely songs, intricate acoustic guitar playing and those soft dreamy vocals, what's not to like about Nick Drake? Hard to decide which Nick Drake album to put here, but this album is accompanied with string arrangements that blend well with Nick's guitar, so gets my vote. The words on "Fruit Tree" are so sad and prescient of his later demise.
"So men of fame; Can never find a way; ‘til time has flown; Far from their dying day". [First added to this chart: 11/27/2017]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,866
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INDIE ROCK, BAROQUE, FOLK.
This albums drips with Sufjan's emotional and creative juices. "John Wayne Gacy Jnr" is a contender for the most poignant song of all time. It brings tears to me eyes. [First added to this chart: 11/22/2017]
This albums drips with Sufjan's emotional and creative juices. "John Wayne Gacy Jnr" is a contender for the most poignant song of all time. It brings tears to me eyes. [First added to this chart: 11/22/2017]
Year of Release:
2005
Appears in:
Rank Score:
20,373
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ART ROCK, JAZZ, EXPERIMENTAL.
It's not very often that an artist releases their best album just weeks before they die. When I first heard Blackstar, I couldn't believe how prescient the lyrics were to be ... "Look up here, I'm in heaven; I've got scars that can't be seen" is from Lazarus.
And the title track "Blackstar" is a Magnum Opus. [First added to this chart: 11/22/2017]
It's not very often that an artist releases their best album just weeks before they die. When I first heard Blackstar, I couldn't believe how prescient the lyrics were to be ... "Look up here, I'm in heaven; I've got scars that can't be seen" is from Lazarus.
And the title track "Blackstar" is a Magnum Opus. [First added to this chart: 11/22/2017]
Year of Release:
2016
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,307
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ART ROCK, PROG.
We waited for 12 years (since "The Red Shoes") for another album from Kate. Well worth the wait. Definitely. Featuring blackbirds, her son Bertie, and (err hmmmm) Rolf Harris. Songs from everyday life (washing machines) all the way from the recitation of Pi and architecture. These are songs essentially about the nature of life. Love it. [First added to this chart: 12/01/2017]
We waited for 12 years (since "The Red Shoes") for another album from Kate. Well worth the wait. Definitely. Featuring blackbirds, her son Bertie, and (err hmmmm) Rolf Harris. Songs from everyday life (washing machines) all the way from the recitation of Pi and architecture. These are songs essentially about the nature of life. Love it. [First added to this chart: 12/01/2017]
Year of Release:
2005
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,761
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Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 1 | 1% | |
| 1960s | 17 | 17% | |
| 1970s | 28 | 28% | |
| 1980s | 3 | 3% | |
| 1990s | 13 | 13% | |
| 2000s | 34 | 34% | |
| 2010s | 4 | 4% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Van Der Graaf Generator | 2 | 2% | |
| Radiohead | 2 | 2% | |
| Pink Floyd | 2 | 2% | |
| R.E.M. | 2 | 2% | |
| Nick Drake | 2 | 2% | |
| Joni Mitchell | 2 | 2% | |
| The Moody Blues | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
52 | 52% | |
| |
29 | 29% | |
 |
4 | 4% | |
 |
4 | 4% | |
 |
4 | 4% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
There have been no changes to this chart.Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similar charts
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2000s | mozzmozz | 2000s decade chart | 2018 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s | mozzmozz | 1970s decade chart | 2018 | |
| BEA Top 100 Reorganized According To My Taste | bonnequestion | Custom chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums |  nextorgd | Overall chart | 2025 |  |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | ConnorSziklasi | Overall chart | 2018 | |
| BEA Top 200 Reorganized According To My Taste | bonnequestion | Custom chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | alert23 | Overall chart | 2025 | |
| BEA 100 (One Album per Artist) |  BozoTyrannus | Custom chart | 2020 |  |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums |  Glitterboiii | Overall chart | 2023 | |
| Re-Ranking BEA's Top 100 | sunnydhamm | Custom chart | 2020 | |
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Top 100 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).
AV = the site mean average rating.
Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 27 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 03/20/2025 14:35 |  SomethingSpecial | 1,104 | 85/100 |
| ! | 01/02/2024 17:11 |  Tamthebam | 649 | 85/100 |
| ! | 04/02/2021 03:55 | Steppenwolf666 | 88 | 89/100 |
| ! | 02/17/2021 05:54 |  pjohnsongolf | 272 | 89/100 |
| ! | 05/09/2019 19:01 | Macker5 | 9 | 82/100 |
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 90.8/100, a mean average of 92.6/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 92.6/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 6.3.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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From 
sssvnnn 03/13/2020 22:54 | #248702
sssvnnn 03/13/2020 22:54 | #248702
Thanks for introducing me to The String Driven Thing - gorgeous album.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Lgk21 02/12/2019 02:39 | #231820
Very interesting stuff. I'm not a huge prog guy we still have a bunch of overlap. Love your rationales.
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From 
ForegroundNoise 02/10/2019 09:46 | #231720
ForegroundNoise 02/10/2019 09:46 | #231720
Really like the notes you've got interspersed throughout the chart!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
ExTeaSea 12/14/2018 18:46 | #227106
ExTeaSea 12/14/2018 18:46 | #227106
Your chart is awesome! Love the amount of prog old-school and modern. Van Der Graaf in common nice! Found your charts through Pat Metheny of all people haha. I think it's really cool Atom Heart Mother is in your top ten, excellent title track for sure. One of the most spaced out jams ever. 21 artists in common!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From sssvnnn 11/15/2018 22:59 | #224986
sssvnnn 11/15/2018 22:59 | #224986
100.
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From 
jdenny2018 07/19/2018 13:58 | #218493
jdenny2018 07/19/2018 13:58 | #218493
Thorough, interesting, and very much like my list. Fantastic list and descriptions!
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From 
JulianR 03/21/2018 04:40 | #211381
JulianR 03/21/2018 04:40 | #211381
Amazing stuff! Love the prog picks. I can't imagine not including Hand Cannot Erase in a chart with two (and kinda four) steven wilson albums, but to each their own. Also some great picks hiding in the nether regions of this chart, like spiderland, one of my personal favs
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From reinvanoyen 03/17/2018 17:05 | #211131
Mozzmozz, I just read your comment on my chart and figured someone who knows and appreciates both The God Machine and Ryley Walker must have a varied and great taste. Your top 100 chart does not disapoint. Being in my mid 20's, there's so much music to discover for me in this list. I've been getting into Soft Machine recently, man...what a band! Your other choices of both 70's prog and newer prog are just amazing as well. I love the inclusion of the notes, really gives each pick a story. Keep tinkering with the order! ;)
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From 
LedZep 01/13/2018 22:25 | #205424
LedZep 01/13/2018 22:25 | #205424
Full of great prog I gotta give a listen or two :)
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From 
SquishypuffDave 12/19/2017 08:31 | #203541
SquishypuffDave 12/19/2017 08:31 | #203541
For an artist in my top ten, it's ridiculous that I haven't gotten around to Kate Bush's full discography yet. I will amend that asap.
Though it doesn't list many albums in common, about a third of these have been on my chart at one time or another. We both seem to like albums with a somewhat pastoral vibe.
Deerhoof are ridiculously prolific, I'm glad you got a kick out of them. Other good entry points are La Isla Bonita and Friend Opportunity.
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