Top 44 Greatest Music Albums
by Crumpet

I must admit, not very diverse, but I like what I like. (No more than 4 albums per artist, no compilations)
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A poetic masterpiece with no truly weak tracks. The best tracks here are the stunning title track which has genius lyrics and a truly enthralling melody and the opening "A Child's Christmas in Wales" which is a wonderful song. Everything else on here is fantastic as well, the album for me tops even Cale's work with the Velvet Underground and anything done by any of his bandmates. The most intellegent and beautiful album of all time. [First added to this chart: 03/01/2018]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,293
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This alternates with TMWStW from time to time, but I generally consider it my favourite Bowie album. Every track (other than the cover) is amazing, but the best are “Time”, “The Prettiest Star” and “Lady Grinning Soul”. [First added to this chart: 01/15/2018]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,422
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Along with Aladin Sane this is my favourite David Bowie album, and its perhaps not the one people would generally expect, but TMWStW is a glam rock masterpiece that is alway fun to listen to. The opening track, "The Width of a Circle" is a brillaint opener that takes us to so many places, this is followed by the best track "All the Madmen" which is an incredible song and, for me, a very nostalgic one. The most notable tracks after this are "Running Gun Blues", "After All" and, of course, the classic title track. [First added to this chart: 01/15/2018]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,674
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[First added to this chart: 12/21/2018]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,676
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What many would consider Bowie's masterpiece, TRaFoZSatSfM (I'm not typing that out) is an album that needs no more said about it, people much more talented than me have explained why this album is so great. I would mention though that "It Ain't Easy" isn't a good song, infact Bowie had an issue with covers early in his career, often putting them on his albums and they often weren't good (luckily he would overcome this problem and start doing some really good covers {see Station to Station}, but that's a story for another day).

This is, of course, one of the best concept albums of all time and has several perfect songs, these include (but are not limited to) "Lady Stardust", "Five Years" and, my favourite, "Rock and Roll Suicide".
[First added to this chart: 01/15/2018]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
42,112
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Top rated album (90/100 - 3569 votes)  90 (3,569 votes)
Comments:
21. (=)
[First added to this chart: 04/04/2018]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,886
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26. (=)
Side 1 of Fear is perhaps the best side of any John Cale album, and while the album as a whole isn't quite my favourite of his, it does feature many classic songs. As I said, side 1 is a marvel starting off with the magnificent "Fear is a Mans Best Friend" which is followed by (one of the best tracks on the album) "Buffal Ballet". After this we have the catchy "Baracuda" and two very lovely songs, "Emily", which is my favourite track and the almost Eastenders-like "Ship of Fools".

Side 2 opens with a fun and lyrically rich track, "Gun", which is really entertaining if slightly overlong. After this is unfortunately my least favourite track, the unpleasant "The Man Who Couldn't Afford an Orgy" (or TMWCAaO, from now on) which is just rather bland and repetitive, though I might be more forgiving if not for Cale's pronunciation of the word orgy, but the song isn't very good regardless. After this we return to greatness with "You Know More than I Know" before stepping down to the closer "Mommama Scuba", which is good, but not great.

Overall, I think that this would be my favourite Cake album if only TMWCAaO was replaced with it's B-Side. "Sylvia Said", a beautiful song that really should have been picked for the album, but, as should be evident, I love this album even if it is slightly flawed.
[First added to this chart: 03/10/2018]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
653
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Probably Procol Harum's most consistant album, Grand Hotel is the best thing the group recorded after the 60s and the predecessor to the also fantastic Exotic Birds and Fruit. The album starts off with the momentous title track which was apparently Douglas Adams' inspiration for his second Hitchhikers Guide book "The Resteraunt at the End of the Unverse" (another reason to be thankful for this track) and is followed by a series of great songs, the best of which being the fantastic "A Rum Tale". [First added to this chart: 01/15/2018]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
298
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[First added to this chart: 01/15/2018]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,431
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Average Rating:
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[First added to this chart: 02/13/2018]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
20,322
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Average Rating:
Top rated album (87/100 - 2215 votes)  87 (2,215 votes)
Comments:
Total albums: 18. Page 1 of 2
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Top 44 Greatest Music Albums composition

Top 44 Greatest Music Albums chart changes

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Top 44 Greatest Music Albums ratings

Average Rating: 
86/100 (from 6 votes)
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RatingDate updatedMemberChart ratingsAvg. chart rating
 
95/100
 
09/04/2019 19:45 sssvnnn  Ratings distribution  2,87783/100
The chart has been updated since this rating was assigned   
90/100
 
03/01/2018 16:27 bobbyb5  Ratings distribution  72590/100
The chart has been updated since this rating was assigned   
80/100
 
02/24/2018 18:06 PeterSmith  Ratings distribution  6882/100
The chart has been updated since this rating was assigned   
90/100
 
02/18/2018 05:28 jlancast1996  Ratings distribution  2293/100
The chart has been updated since this rating was assigned   
85/100
 
02/03/2018 15:50 LedZep  Ratings distribution  1,10384/100
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Top 44 Greatest Music Albums comments

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Rating:  
95/100
From 09/04/2019 19:47 | #242203
Fantastic chart.
If you go on to 100 albums I hope I can give the full 100 points for the chart...
Good to have one more John Cale fan on BEA.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
90/100
From 03/01/2018 16:32 | #209851
I gave you lots of bonus points for having Procol Harum as number one. Is the album that you have the US version which includes Whiter Shade of Pale, or the original UK version without it? The reason I ask is because Whiter Shade of Pale is my number one single of all time. I made a singles chart and put it at number 1. You didn't mention it in your description, so I presume you're rating the album that didn't include it. Still an awesome choice though.
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
80/100
From 02/21/2018 23:48 | #209144
I like the Smiths - Hatfull of Hollow was my first and only album for over 30 years but recently getting into the others although they'll have to go some to push Hatfull (but there's history and emotional attachment there)
How Soon Is Now is one of my favourite tracks of all time - so thanks for making me listen to that as I write this.
Agree with LedZep, look at other charts that feature the Smiths and Morrisey and see what those guys are into, you might find a new favourite band.
One thing though, I've never seen anyone choose The Man Who Sold the World over Ziggy - what's that all about? I'm a big Bowie fan but that order has never entered my mind!!
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
90/100
From 02/18/2018 05:29 | #208636
I think you'd really enjoy The Cure's album Disintegration if you've not heard it already. Good chart!
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
85/100
From 02/03/2018 15:52 | #207076
This is pretty great start, it's not that diverse but you'll discover many new albums through BEA if you're willing to listen. Expecting even better top 100!
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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