Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by NJ (2021)

Very much subject to drastically change at any time. I still have so, so much music to listen to. It's overwhelming. Right now I'm in the process of adding descriptions for each entry, so bear with me while I complete that, since I'm rather slow when it comes to writing. I don't like much of the last half of this chart nearly as much as I should, but that's been getting a lot better the more great albums I add. When I first made this chart I struggled to find 10 I was happy putting as the top 10, and now I can easily do a top 50 and feel satisfied, so it's a process.

• Chart updated: 04/07/2021 17:45
• (Created: 07/17/2019 19:59).
• Chart size: 100 albums.

There are 11 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 89 out of 100 (from 22 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.

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1. (=)

Illinois 

 Sufjan Stevens

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This is probably the best argument against the idea of the average track making an album. It's chock full of short instrumental interludes, all of which would drag down the album's average score, yet I wouldn't get rid of any of them. This is the best example, in my opinion, of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts, which is how an album should be. Illinois is truly an epic piece of music, exploring every aspect of humanity, from religion to sexuality to history, through the lens of a study of Illinois. There are so many powerful moments here that it's hard to pick a favorite, but The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us! means a lot to me. Unfortunately it can be quite difficult to listen to this album because Sufjan Stevens is an expert at emotional storytelling, but he also knows how to make things just sound emotional, and I tend to just get too sad.

The key track: The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!
The weakest link: One Last 'Whoo-Hoo!' for the Pullman!!, I guess
The underappreciated gem: The Seer's Tower [First added to this chart: 08/12/2019]

Year of Release:

2005

Appears in:

1,479 charts

Rank Score:

27,692

Rank in 2005:

1

Rank in 2000s:

5

Overall Rank:

45

Average Rating:

 87 (1,699 votes)

Comments:

154

2. (=)

In The Aeroplane Over The Sea 

 Neutral Milk Hotel

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The ultimate indie rock album. It's full of catchy tracks, emotional singing, and dense poetry. On the surface the lyricism here may seem like a bunch of nonsense imagery, but digging a little deeper reveals just how potent and genius a writer Jeff Mangum is. You're not a true hipster until you've cried while singing this album to yourself.

The key track: Holland, 1945 (basic, I know)
The weakest link: [untitled], I guess
The underappreciated gem: Ghost [First added to this chart: 08/10/2019]

Year of Release:

1998

Appears in:

2,251 charts

Rank Score:

53,097

Rank in 1998:

1

Rank in 1990s:

3

Overall Rank:

16

Average Rating:

 88 (2,642 votes)

Comments:

402

3. (=)

Low 

 David Bowie

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David Bowie's most experimental record is his masterpiece. It's both an incredibly important and influential album as well as one which wears its influences on its sleeves, but its legacy shouldn't take away from how amazing it is. Side A contains some of his best rock tracks, and is probably the most beloved and consistent album side in his discography. Side B is more divisive, but in my opinion just as strong. Not everyone can appreciate its ambient instrumentals, largely because their influence has partially rendered them basic in comaprison to its predecessors, but it's still a haunting experience which I'd argue equals Side A.

The key track: Sound and Vision, or Subterraneans if I'm feeling like being a hipster
The weakest link: What in the World
The underappreciated gem: Weeping Wall [First added to this chart: 07/17/2019]

Year of Release:

1977

Appears in:

1,357 charts

Rank Score:

23,771

Rank in 1977:

4

Rank in 1970s:

16

Overall Rank:

54

Average Rating:

 86 (1,843 votes)

Comments:

149

4. (5) 1

Teens Of Denial 

 Car Seat Headrest

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Teens of Denial is, in my opinion, the rock album that defines my generation. Those of us who transitioned from adolescent into adulthood sometime during the last decade. It perfectly captures the feelings of emptiness and extistential dread and self-loathing so many introverted teenagers and young adults feel as they stumble through life. Each song here is fantastic in its own individual way, but the way it all comes together to paint such a vivid portrait of young life is what pushes it to the next level. Very few artists can make a concept album like this - one whose narrative arc is detailed and cleared, while also allowing the songs to breathe on their own. It's a great album, and also an incredibly enjoyable one.

The key track: The Ballad of the Costa Concordia or Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales, depending on my mood
The weakest link: Unforgiving Girl (She's Not An), if I have to pick one
The underappreciated gem: Connect the Dots (The Saga of Frank Sinatra) [First added to this chart: 03/15/2020]

Year of Release:

2016

Appears in:

609 charts

Rank Score:

9,100

Rank in 2016:

4

Rank in 2010s:

24

Overall Rank:

212

Average Rating:

 83 (733 votes)

Comments:

53

5. (4) 1

Trout Mask Replica 

 Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

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This is one of the most challenging records ever released, but I guess for whatever reason I've always enjoyed it. I will admit that it's a rather overlong record, but it's just so unique that it hardly matters. When I'm in the mood for it, there's nothing else that'll do, so it might as well be 28 songs. It's hard to take seriously, but I feel like I'm laughing with the record, not at it. The composition seems like nonsense on the surface, but in reality it's incredibly smart. You don't have to "get" this album, but if it does connect with you like it has with me, there are some real gems here, and it might just change how you listen to music.

The key track: Moonlight On Vermond
The weakest link: Pena
The underappreciated gem: Hair Pie: Bake 1 [First added to this chart: 07/28/2019]

Year of Release:

1969

Appears in:

661 charts

Rank Score:

8,912

Rank in 1969:

10

Rank in 1960s:

34

Overall Rank:

220

Average Rating:

 75 (969 votes)

Comments:

158

6. (=)

Loveless 

 My Bloody Valentine

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It's almost unfortunate that this album exists because Shoegaze as a genre has a lot of excellent records that just really don't matter because this album did it but better. Loveless IS Shoegaze. No other album has come close to matching this album's perfect blend of serene and distorted.

The key track: When You Sleep
The weakest link: Touched
The underappreciated gem: Blown a Wish [First added to this chart: 08/10/2019]

Year of Release:

1991

Appears in:

1,941 charts

Rank Score:

42,055

Rank in 1991:

2

Rank in 1990s:

5

Overall Rank:

21

Average Rating:

 86 (2,174 votes)

Comments:

288

7. (=)

To Pimp A Butterfly 

 Kendrick Lamar

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Teens of Denial is the album of the last decade which best describes the younger generations, but this album perfectly describes the social climate. Perhaps this deserves credit as the greatest artistic achievement of the 2010s music industry, and perhaps the only reason Teens of Denial is higher is my unfortunate rock bias, but all that aside this is an amazing record through-and-through. It's the same length as the album above it, which I described as being overlong, yet every moment feels as though it counts. Perhaps the repetition of the poem throughout the tracks prevents me from enjoying this as often as a couple of other records, but that technique is still incredibly genius and unique. To Pimp A Butterfly is political without being overly judgmental, and certainly with a sense of self-awareness. This is the Nevermind or the Dark Side of the Moon of its era.

The key track: The Blacker the Berry
The weakest link: Momma
The underappreciated gem: For Sale? (Interlude) [First added to this chart: 10/22/2019]

Year of Release:

2015

Appears in:

1,543 charts

Rank Score:

41,202

Rank in 2015:

1

Rank in 2010s:

1

Overall Rank:

23

Average Rating:

 90 (1,923 votes)

Comments:

331

8. (=)

Vespertine 

 Björk

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I'm not sure why the popular opinion is that Homogenic is Bjork's best album, because to me it's clearly Vespertine. It's more beautiful, more consistent, more unique, and more, well, Bjork. Maybe it's overly sentimental and optimistic views on love is a little hard to look back on now seeing as where Bjork would go later on down the road, but this album still remains a shining light in the world.

The key track: Unison
The weakest link: Frosti
The underappreciated gem: Aurora [First added to this chart: 08/11/2019]

Year of Release:

2001

Appears in:

690 charts

Rank Score:

9,240

Rank in 2001:

7

Rank in 2000s:

35

Overall Rank:

204

Average Rating:

 83 (849 votes)

Comments:

47

9. (=)

Uchū Nippon Setagaya 

 フィッシュマンズ [Fishmans]

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Long Season may be the band's most well-known work, but this is their true masterpiece (well, other than the live album, but that doesn't count). Long Season is great no doubt, and the idea of having a one-song-long album is certainly interesting, but ultimately is what drags it down; Uchu Nippon Setagaya takes the perfected style of Long Season and breaks it up into more enjoyable chunks.

The key track: Pokka Pokka
The weakest link: Magic Love
The underappreciated gem: Ushirosugata [First added to this chart: 01/27/2021]

Year of Release:

1997

Appears in:

76 charts

Rank Score:

1,179

Rank in 1997:

30

Rank in 1990s:

289

Overall Rank:

1,503

Average Rating:

 83 (100 votes)

Comments:

4

10. (=)

Blue 

 Joni Mitchell

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This is the singer-songwriter genre perfected. Joni Mitchell's raw, personal storytelling is spread out across 10 perfect tracks. I can't say I enjoy the genre as much as a couple of others - it's a little too barebones for me - which is why it's not higher, but this is pretty damn close to perfection.

The key track: A Case of You
The weakest link: Carey, I guess?
The underappreciated gem: This Flight Tonight [First added to this chart: 07/28/2019]

Year of Release:

1971

Appears in:

1,187 charts

Rank Score:

19,633

Rank in 1971:

6

Rank in 1970s:

22

Overall Rank:

78

Average Rating:

 84 (1,312 votes)

Comments:

85

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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	10	10%
1970s	14	14%
1980s	11	11%
1990s	20	20%
2000s	13	13%
2010s	29	29%
2020s	2	2%

Artist	Albums	%
David Bowie	7	7%
Car Seat Headrest	4	4%
Kanye West	4	4%
Kraftwerk	3	3%
The Beatles	3	3%
The Smiths	3	3%
LCD Soundsystem	3	3%
Show all

Country	Albums	%
	56	56%
	29	29%
	6	6%
	3	3%
	2	2%
	2	2%
	1	1%
Show all

Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes

Biggest climbers
Up 20 from 92nd to 72nd Nervous Young Man by Car Seat Headrest
Up 13 from 29th to 16th How To Leave Town by Car Seat Headrest
Up 11 from 28th to 17th Trans-Europa Express by Kraftwerk

Biggest fallers
Down 3 from 27th to 30th Hunky Dory by David Bowie
Down 2 from 16th to 18th The Beatles (The White Album) by The Beatles
Down 2 from 17th to 19th Meat Is Murder by The Smiths

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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similarity to your chart(s)

Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings

Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 22 ratings for this chart.

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Rating	Date updated	Member	Chart ratings	Avg. chart rating
90/100	02/17/2021 19:15	sweetness	75	84/100
95/100	02/10/2021 21:21	odetoviceroy98	627	87/100
95/100	12/10/2020 12:28	reelcolonel	14	96/100
90/100	11/11/2020 03:33	leniad	462	82/100
95/100	11/10/2020 21:49	Rhyner	1,205	99/100

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 89.4/100, a mean average of 91.1/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 91.5/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 6.0.

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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments

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From Bloaf38 11/29/2020 12:31

Good chart, good to see TMR ranked at number 4. I never gave Carseat Headrest a fair listen. That was an interesting best album pick

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

90/100

From leniad 11/11/2020 03:33

good chart, may comeback when you enter another 50 albums

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

85/100

From alkalineroger 06/23/2020 15:52

Great chart. Although we only share 4 or so albums there’s a lot of albums I love here and will feature as I expand my own chart. Write ups are great also

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +3 votes (3 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

95/100

From odetoviceroy98 06/14/2020 18:14

A lot of great choices!

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

Rating:  

100/100

From DommeDamian 06/14/2020 09:46

More-de-scrip-tions! More-de-scrip-tions! ....

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

85/100

From sssvnnn 05/13/2020 18:54

good chart.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

85/100

From Ledgin72 10/03/2019 12:47

Great chart

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

85/100

From guzguzgarbit 08/13/2019 07:34

Great chart and I'm sure it will be even better when it will be longer.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

90/100

From revolver94 08/13/2019 03:19

These are all great albums! I'd definitely recommend branching out into the current decade a little bit, there's a lot to discover! My first thought was "22, A Million" by Bon Iver (another electronic-departure-from-a-big-band album, like in your intro post), but I'd also suggest "Ten Love Songs" by Susanne Sundfør and "Right from Real" by Lydia Ainsworth.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

90/100

From Timooosterink 08/10/2019 23:48

Nice chart. I would have picked a different order, but great chart

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +3 votes (3 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

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