Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by AvalancheGrips

Top Songs (somewhat in order):
The Avalanches- Live At Dominoes
Songs: Ohia- Farewell Transmission
Swans- Bring The Sun/Toussaint L'Ouverture
Grizzly Bear- Sleeping Ute
Low- Fly
Viet Cong- Death
Swans- Finally, Peace
Swans- A Piece Of The Sky
Against All Logic- Cityfade
Sudan Archives- Home Maker
Viagra Boys- Baby Criminal
Fleet Foxes- Third Of May
Sonic Youth- Daydream Nation
Godspeed You! Black Emperor- Storm
Denzel Curry- Melt Session #1
Denzel Curry- Walkin
Talking Heads- Born Under Punches
Black Country, New Road- The Place Where He Inserted the Blade
Godspeed You! Black Emperor- Dead Flag Blues
Radiohead- How To Disappear Completely
Komm, Susser Todd- Arianne
Marty Robbins- Big Iron
Kendrick Lamar- These Walls
Kendrick Lamar- Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst
Radiohead- There, There
MGMT- Siberian Breaks
Black Midi- Slow
MGMT- Little Dark Age
Low- White Horses
Kendrick Lamar- Wesley's Theory
Grizzly Bear- Yet Again
Big Thief- Time Escaping
Injury Reserve- Outside
Nina Simone- Sinnerman
Black Country, New Road- Haldern

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Buy album United States
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Wow! THREE Swans albums in a row, what an idiot. Well, I've been thinking about this for quite a while and I finally came to the decision to include all four in my top ten. It would be dishonest if I didn't. Swans, in my opinion of course, is the greatest musical project probably of all time. Over the last 30-40 years, Mr. Gira and his friends have been releasing consistently well performed, thoughtful, and boundary destroying music. They have taken on many genres and sounds to great avail and have influenced countless other artists and musicians. If you don't like or "get" Swans, that is totally okay, it really isn't meant for everyone. 3 years ago, I never would have even considered listening to this stuff regularly. Now, I can't stop. It's compulsive at this point. I'll conclude by saying that I believe everyone should give them a try, because I believe there really is a piece of God in this music, and I don't even really believe in God.

Some words on the trilogy:
I have listened to each album of the trilogy separately many, many times. But one time, and hopefully again, I listened to them consecutively. Yeah all six hours. What I can say is that these albums were definitely meant to be listened consecutively. Each final track to each album flows seamlessly into the intro of the next. The thematic cohesion is on point. The brutality of "Apostate" flows right into the quiet, but building "Screen Shot" and its brutality is similar to that of the aggressive nature of To Be Kind as a whole. The sheer noise of the track "To Be Kind" flows into the somber and methodical "Cloud of Forgetting". And the trilogy ends perfectly with the triumphant and beautiful "Finally, Peace". This song feels like victory. There is a real sense of progression over the span of this trilogy. It goes from insanity and lunacy in the song "Lunacy" to transcendence and harmony in the song "Finally, Peace". Even the album covers show this. The Seer's album cover is an animal, this represents our animalistic origins. Then To Be Kind has a human baby, a primitive yet somewhat advanced being ready to develop further. Finally, The Glowing Man, an abstract shape representing the transcendence beyond physical existence. However, this shape looks like a human hand meaning it is humanity that has ascended. This is just my interpretation at least.

I'd also like to talk about what I call the Behemoths. These are songs 15 or more minutes in length. There are 8 of them in this 29 track trilogy. These are often the strongest and most groundbreaking tracks on each album. It takes a tremendous amount of skill and forethought to create such flawless tracks at such length. Only it seems that Gira and crew did not put so much forethought. It appears that many were entirely improvised and evolved over the span of their tours and studio performances. This probably takes even more skill to achieve. These men truly are music gods, or actual gods, who can tell?

The Seer: What a terrifying album. Upon my first listen, I was afraid to look out my dark windows, in fear of seeing some primordial man peering in and plotting to eat me. I rarely dream, but my dreams after this album would probably be intense nightmares if I did. Unlike many other albums, I didn't really preview any songs on this one, and I did the same with Soundtracks. I was taken aback by some of the moments of pure horror and pure beauty. I'm afraid to spoil some of the moments for new listeners. These points on the album are what made it so insanely amazing to me. But if you have listened to it, keep reading. For people who haven't, please do before I spoil it. The last 4 minutes of "The Seer" scared the shit out me. Not because they were particularly scary but because they came out of nowhere. It went from a solid droney track to a groovy, psychotic uproar. I mean these words in the best way possible. "Song for a Warrior" took me completely by surprise in how beautiful it is. This is probably the first time I almost cried on my first listening of a song. Then, what I consider the greatest moment on The Seer, "A Piece of the Sky". There are so many moments of pure beauty and bliss on this track. When the jangly zithers and dulcimers? come in after the dark drone, I feel a sense ascension. Then the groovy rock instrumental comes in and lifts me up even more, and then the final 5 minutes. Oh my God, the final 5 minutes of this track are orgasmic, I hate that word but it's true. Gira really shows himself as a lyrical genius here. Then, all of this ascension is brought down and obliterated by "Apostate". This song represents the most depraved and disgusting aspects of humanity. Of course, this song is amazing too. I believe each album in the trilogy represents a part of humanity's evolution. This album is the primordial period of desolation and brutality. It's not the same brutality as To Be Kind though. This is the world and the universe inflicting violence on humanity. This is insanity.

Favorite Songs: "Lunacy", "The Seer", Song for a Warrior, "A Piece of the Sky", "Apostate"
[First added to this chart: 02/10/2019]
Year of Release:
2012
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,980
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Comments:
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This album is also brutal, but it's more concentrated and precise. The tight, repeating grooves that pound and punch are representative of early man's violence against itself. I'd say that this includes the time we live in now as well. Screen Shot is for sure a look into modern day society. It demonstrates that at any one point in time, everything that we think is important doesn't exist. They do not matter in the grand scheme. There is a strong child and baby motif on this album. The word "kind" means child in German, that was no accident. This probably means that humanity is starting to develop but is still primitive. "Bring The Sun/Toussaint L'Ouverture" is half about... God? Love? and half about the revolution of Haiti. This second half is very important to the overall theme of the album that I pick up on. It's a violent revolution, in response to violence committed by France. Humanity cannot escape violence, whether it is righteous or not.

Most of the songs start with a simple beat, just drums and bass most times. Slowly and gradually these songs devolve into savage and inhuman beat downs. "Screen Shot" starts with a very methodical and minimal riff then becomes more intense with a piano riff and eerie sounds in the background. The last minute and a half grow even more intense with some harsh and grating synths and probably lapsteel guitar. "A Little God In My Hands" also starts with a minimal groove with the final moments being filled with insane synths and horns. The second section of "She Loves Us" starts with Michael Gira chanting "Hallelujah" and then degrades into him screaming horrible obscenities. "Oxygen" is probably the greatest example of this. It starts yet again with a minimal beat. Then, after a brief pause, the music comes back with super intense horns that remind me of elephant war cries. Michael Giras just becomes an animal on the second half of this track. These tracks really show the unwinding depravity of humanity in this point of existence.

"Bring The Sun/Toussaint L'Ouverture" is quite possibly Swans's greatest achievement. The first minute is already the most intense moment so far on the album. The climax of "Bring The Sun" is probably my favorite eight minutes of music. Then there is the phase of horse noises, saws, bells, and whistles with a wall of noise added in the mixture. Then "Toussaint L'Ouverture" comes in. This song is like an extension of The End by the Doors. The bass groove mixed with the dynamic drum beat is what makes it so good for me. This track really is the pinnacle of all music to me.

The grooves on this album and the pounding atmosphere are really Swans at their peak, amazing that they peaked 30 years after starting by the way, shows how amazing their career has been. The songs are harsh but catchy in some way. There are beautiful moments like "Nathalie Neal" and I'd even say the climax of "Bring the Sun". The production is top notch as always. It's another perfect album by Swans.

Favorite Songs: "A Little God In My Hands", "Bring the Sun/Toussaint L'Ouverture", "She Loves Us", "Nathalie Neal"
[First added to this chart: 02/10/2019]
Year of Release:
2014
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,168
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Buy album United States
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The Glowing Man is the transcended human. Humanity has reached godhood on this album. This album is noticeably less violent and more droney and contemplative. It's like heaven. There is a sense of finality to this album, probably because it was the last of this lineup. But it's representative of the final stage of humanity. We have traded violence for thought. A trade we have yet to agree on in current times.

It took me a while to like this album. I didn't see it as an equal to the others in the trilogy. Somehow, I came around to it. I'd say the density of outstanding tracks on this album is greater, maybe because it has less songs but is the same length. Swans really perfected the mix of droney parts with groovy and punchy parts. Two examples of this are "Frankie M" and "The Glowing Man". These two songs are basically perfect. "Frankie M" feels like such an iconic track for Swans. The intro drones are heavenly and the incoming groove is so classy. "The Glowing Man" has the best groove on any Swans album, right in the middle of the track. The final song on this album is also one of the greatest moments in Swans's discography. "Finally, Peace" is such a gorgeous and uplifting song and the perfect way to end the trilogy. I still feel that this is the weakest album in the trilogy, but it's so damn near perfect that I don't hold that much against it.

This trilogy has changed the way I will look at music forever. It is probably the greatest achievement in music history, better than the Beatles, by far. Come back in thirty years and Swans will be the most influential band in history, I'm telling you. These guys deserve so much more credit than they get. I hope in the future, more people will see their genius. Wow, I wrote way too much.

Favorite Songs: "Cloud of Unknowing", "The World Looks Red / The World Looks Black", "Frankie M", "The Glowing Man", "Finally, Peace"
[First added to this chart: 02/22/2020]
Year of Release:
2016
Appears in:
Rank Score:
967
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Buy album United States
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Oh my god! This album is like climbing a 10,000 mile mountain. It is punishing and brutal. However, listening all the way through is super rewarding. The first half is perfect and the second is not far from it. There are horrific and disgusting tracks like "All Lined Up", "Volcano", and "I Love You This Much". There are colossal behemoths like "Helpless Child", "Animus", "The Sound", and "The Final Sacrifice". There are cathartic and pleasing tracks like "Live Through Me", "Blood Section", "Red Velvet Corridor", and "Secret Friends". Finally, there are ambient drone tracks like "I Was a Prisoner In Your Skull", "The Beautiful Days", and "Surrogate 2". The album is so diverse but it is one of the most cohesive albums I've ever listened to, and Michael Gira, God basically, was able to achieve with a double album at that. This album is depraved and vile, yet it is nostalgic and beautiful even. It really was a harrowing experience listening to this for the first time, but it was one that made me better. I think it is severely underrated even though it really is not for everyone.

Favorite Tracks: "I Was A Prisoner In Your Skull", "Helpless Child", "Volcano", "Animus", "The Sound"
[First added to this chart: 01/13/2019]
Year of Release:
1996
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,519
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Total albums: 4. Page 1 of 1

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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition

Decade Albums %


1930s 0 0%
1940s 0 0%
1950s 0 0%
1960s 3 3%
1970s 15 15%
1980s 4 4%
1990s 20 20%
2000s 22 22%
2010s 23 23%
2020s 13 13%
Artist Albums %


Swans 4 4%
Black Midi 3 3%
Radiohead 3 3%
Can 3 3%
Godspeed You! Black Emperor 3 3%
Gorillaz 2 2%
Talk Talk 2 2%
Show all
Country Albums %


United States 49 49%
United Kingdom 26 26%
Mixed Nationality 5 5%
Canada 4 4%
Germany 3 3%
Japan 3 3%
Australia 3 3%
Show all
Compilation? Albums %
No 99 99%
Yes 1 1%
Live? Albums %
No 99 99%
Yes 1 1%

Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes

Biggest fallers
Faller Down 1 from 82nd to 83rd
For The First Time
by Black Country, New Road
Faller Down 1 from 83rd to 84th
Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
by Big Thief
Faller Down 1 from 84th to 85th
Nymphs
by Nicolas Jaar

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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings

Average Rating: 
91/100 (from 66 votes)
  Ratings distributionRatings distribution Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AV
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This chart is rated in the top 1% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 91.3/100, a mean average of 91.6/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 92.1/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 8.3.

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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments

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Rating:  
85/100
From 08/28/2023 10:15
A young persons chart only 22 albums from the 60's, 70's & 80's but your descriptions are brilliant so that lifts the chart to 85/100
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
90/100
From 02/07/2023 20:04
Great descriptions accompanying the entries. Good chart
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Rating:  
90/100
From 02/07/2023 17:33
That's a lot of depressing albums. Also, Komm Susser Tod is definitely one of the greatest songs ever!
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Rating:  
100/100
From 10/31/2022 22:52
I was right, this thing DOES increase in quality based on fascinating descriptions.
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From 08/10/2022 20:11
@leniad

I have heard all of those albums actually lol. Bitches Brew by Miles Davis is just outside of my top 100 and was on here for a little bit. Jazz on its own isn't my favorite, I love it when it's incorporated with other genres, à la progressive rock, post-rock, Hip-Hop
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Rating:  
100/100
From 08/10/2022 17:20
you really like swans jajaja, also you already consider ants from up there in top 10, interesting, good chart overall
want to know if you have heard jazz? if not here are 3 albums i recommend you

The black saint and the sinner lady- charles mingus
ins a silent way - miles davis
a love supreme - john coltrane
Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Rating:  
100/100
From 08/10/2022 16:57
Fantastic chart!
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Rating:  
90/100
From 02/09/2022 19:13
cool picks
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Rating:  
100/100
From 02/06/2022 02:30
Very modern chart!
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Rating:  
95/100
From 02/06/2022 01:25
Nice descriptions on your top picks.
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Best Artists of the 2000s
1. Radiohead
2. Arcade Fire
3. The Strokes
4. Coldplay
5. Sufjan Stevens
6. Arctic Monkeys
7. Wilco
8. Muse
9. Animal Collective
10. The White Stripes
11. Kanye West
12. Phil Elverum
13. Interpol
14. Modest Mouse
15. Queens Of The Stone Age
16. Madvillain
17. Godspeed You! Black Emperor
18. LCD Soundsystem
19. The National
20. The Flaming Lips
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