Top 35 Greatest Music Albums
by Happy

If you think that I have too many albums from the same artist, let it be known that I personally don't like the idea of only having one album per artist. The reason why is because I feel that some bands can't be defined by just one album, like the Beatles. So I will only list albums that I consider "definitive", ones that, when combined, while give you a good idea of what a band's greatest sounds are in each era. The album also has to be good enough to make the list. I'll also try to keep it at 2 tops if at all possible.

• Chart updated: 12/28/2013 22:00
• (Created: 01/22/2012 08:13).
• Chart size: 35 albums.

• Summary
• Composition
• Ratings
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1. (=)

Pinkerton 

 Weezer

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Means more to me than any other album here. Manages to do so many things that other albums failed to do, all in just under 35 minutes. It's shows beauty through complexity at times and simplicity at other times. It makes the listener feel both uneasy and at ease. It brings both pleasure and disgust. It's fun some of the time and serious at other times. Most of all, it's totally honest. Personally, it reminds me of life itself. [First added to this chart: 07/27/2013]

Year of Release:

1996

Appears in:

1,101 charts

Rank Score:

9,775

Rank in 1996:

2

Rank in 1990s:

30

Overall Rank:

141

Average Rating:

 83 (1,588 votes)

Comments:

148

2. (=)

Quadrophenia 

 The Who

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Nothing like Quadrophenia will ever be made again, or at least it's highly unlikely. For starters, concept albums, let alone rock operas, are not that common in music. Second, this is arguably the most talented group of rock musicians ever assembled. Roger Daltrey is one of the greatest singers, Keith Moon one of the greatest drummers, John Entwistle one of the greatest bassists, and Pete Townshend is an underrated guitarist, along with being an amazing songwriter. Timeless without a doubt. [First added to this chart: 06/11/2013]

Year of Release:

1973

Appears in:

946 charts

Rank Score:

6,992

Rank in 1973:

6

Rank in 1970s:

53

Overall Rank:

226

Average Rating:

 83 (1,352 votes)

Comments:

103

3. (=)

Unfortunate Snort 

 Pinkly Smooth

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[First added to this chart: 01/31/2012]

Year of Release:

2002

Appears in:

6 charts

Rank Score:

7

Rank in 2002:

1,194

Rank in 2000s:

12,460

Overall Rank:

66,124

Average Rating:

 73 (10 votes)

Comments:

0

4. (=)

Revolver 

 The Beatles

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[First added to this chart: 01/28/2012]

Year of Release:

1966

Appears in:

3,595 charts

Rank Score:

48,954

Rank in 1966:

1

Rank in 1960s:

2

Overall Rank:

4

Average Rating:

 91 (4,602 votes)

Comments:

486

5. (=)

Paranoid 

 Black Sabbath

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[First added to this chart: 01/28/2012]

Year of Release:

1970

Appears in:

1,741 charts

Rank Score:

18,703

Rank in 1970:

1

Rank in 1970s:

16

Overall Rank:

50

Average Rating:

 86 (2,114 votes)

Comments:

140

6. (=)

Funeral 

 Arcade Fire

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When I first heard "Neighborhood #1" I was disappointed, but when I finally heard the whole album I realized it was a great song, along with everything else here. The only problem I have with it is the drumming. For some reason I feel like its way too generic. Other than that, solid throughout. [First added to this chart: 07/31/2012]

Year of Release:

2004

Appears in:

2,890 charts

Rank Score:

33,734

Rank in 2004:

1

Rank in 2000s:

3

Overall Rank:

15

Average Rating:

 88 (3,675 votes)

Comments:

402

7. (=)

Exile On Main St. 

 The Rolling Stones

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[First added to this chart: 01/28/2012]

Year of Release:

1972

Appears in:

1,969 charts

Rank Score:

19,525

Rank in 1972:

2

Rank in 1970s:

13

Overall Rank:

45

Average Rating:

 85 (2,364 votes)

Comments:

211

8. (=)

Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness 

 The Smashing Pumpkins

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[First added to this chart: 12/16/2012]

Year of Release:

1995

Appears in:

1,506 charts

Rank Score:

14,734

Rank in 1995:

3

Rank in 1990s:

15

Overall Rank:

81

Average Rating:

 83 (1,871 votes)

Comments:

169

9. (=)

The Number Of The Beast 

 Iron Maiden

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[First added to this chart: 06/20/2012]

Year of Release:

1982

Appears in:

739 charts

Rank Score:

6,125

Rank in 1982:

3

Rank in 1980s:

34

Overall Rank:

267

Average Rating:

 81 (1,036 votes)

Comments:

65

10. (=)

In Utero 

 Nirvana

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[First added to this chart: 06/19/2012]

Year of Release:

1993

Appears in:

1,782 charts

Rank Score:

17,305

Rank in 1993:

2

Rank in 1990s:

11

Overall Rank:

58

Average Rating:

 85 (2,689 votes)

Comments:

178

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Total albums: 35. Page 1 of 4

Top 35 Greatest Music Albums composition

Country	Albums	%
	15	43%
	15	43%
	3	9%
	1	3%
	1	3%

Top 35 Greatest Music Albums chart changes

Top 35 Greatest Music Albums similar charts

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Top 35 Greatest Music Albums similarity to your chart(s)

Top 35 Greatest Music Albums ratings

Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 16 ratings for this chart.

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Rating	Date updated	Member	Chart ratings	Avg. chart rating
85/100  !	05/12/2016 09:18	TheSmiths82-87	1,829	83/100
75/100  !	08/13/2014 11:38	pannkakesangen	47	74/100
100/100  !	02/18/2014 11:46	vinnid127	68	83/100
80/100  !	12/29/2013 00:33	SuedeSwede	320	85/100
85/100  !	12/28/2013 22:22	benpaco	142	85/100

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 has a Bayesian average rating of 83.8/100, a mean average of 83.1/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 82.6/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 8.1.

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Top 35 Greatest Music Albums comments

Showing latest 10 comments | Show all 11 comments |
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Rating:  

75/100

From pannkakesangen 08/13/2014 11:38 | #119383

nice

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

100/100

From vinnid127 02/18/2014 11:46 | #103493

saw your comment on Pinkerton man, really brilliant. Great chart as well :)

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

80/100

From SuedeSwede 12/29/2013 00:37 | #99025

17 albums in common. It's a good consistent chart. But it's so predictable. If you're looking for a recent album with "sonic impact" try 'Lonerism' by Tame Impala or 'Bloom' by Beach House.

It's a different kind of "sonic impact" to what you have in your chart as they're both laid back psychedelic/indie but they are ambient and hit you with many crescendos and unexpected twists. I would seriously recommend them and they would open up a new dimension of listening for you.

Still, nice chart, if a bit basic.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

85/100

From benpaco 12/28/2013 22:25 | #99011

Not a bad start, interesting to see where it goes! If you're looking for "modern indie recs" still, try The Papersons, The Airborne Toxic Event, or White Lies. Given your chart, I think you'll like at least one of the three.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

90/100

From Antonio-Pedro 12/23/2013 10:40 | #98538

A great chart in there nice picks 13 albums in Common

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

90/100

From MrFrogger 05/28/2013 01:18 | #77394

I love this chart!

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Rating:  

75/100

From junodog4 05/25/2012 03:11 | #42982

Nothing wrong with this chart at all... Who's gonna criticize it harshly? Good stuff.

Who the hell are Pinkly Smooth?

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

90/100

From Facetious 01/27/2012 09:58 | #35964

Of the 5 albums here, 3 are on my top 10. So, yes, what is here right now is pretty good. Would love to see what other albums make it when this chart is expanded!

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