Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by 
Romanelli 
With production credits (because producers are important, too). Also track listings, label info and short reviews written by yours truly. I hope this chart is helpful, entertaining, and at least interesting.
- Chart updated: 11/30/2025 23:45
- (Created: 06/01/2012 04:29).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
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2003-SUB POP
Produced By JIMMY TAMBORELLO & CHRIS WALLA
1. The District Sleeps Alone Tonight
2. Such Great Heights
3. Sleeping In
4. Nothing Better
5. Recycled Air
6. Clark Gable
7. We Will Become Silhouettes
8. This Place Is A Prison
9. Brand New Colony
10. Natural Anthem
The Postal Service was formed out of a chance collaboration between produder Jimmy Tamborello and Ben Gibbard, the front man for Death Cab For Cutie. The album became a huge hit, not only because of the single "We Will Become Silhouettes", but because it was a perfect mix of rock and electronic music. It does take some getting used to, but once you get hooked, it's actually a pretty great record.
There has been no follow up, and according to Gibbard, there never will be one. So this remains sort of the David & David of the 2000's...a one off great record with no 2nd album in sight. This is worth having, though. Very much so. [First added to this chart: 10/02/2014]
Produced By JIMMY TAMBORELLO & CHRIS WALLA
1. The District Sleeps Alone Tonight
2. Such Great Heights
3. Sleeping In
4. Nothing Better
5. Recycled Air
6. Clark Gable
7. We Will Become Silhouettes
8. This Place Is A Prison
9. Brand New Colony
10. Natural Anthem
The Postal Service was formed out of a chance collaboration between produder Jimmy Tamborello and Ben Gibbard, the front man for Death Cab For Cutie. The album became a huge hit, not only because of the single "We Will Become Silhouettes", but because it was a perfect mix of rock and electronic music. It does take some getting used to, but once you get hooked, it's actually a pretty great record.
There has been no follow up, and according to Gibbard, there never will be one. So this remains sort of the David & David of the 2000's...a one off great record with no 2nd album in sight. This is worth having, though. Very much so. [First added to this chart: 10/02/2014]
Year of Release:
2003
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,132
Rank in 2003:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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2008 – NEW WEST
Produced By DAVID BARBE
1. Two Daughters And A Beautiful Wife
2. 3 Dimes Down
3. The Righteous Path
4. I’m Sorry Huston
5. Perfect Timing
6. Daddy Needs A Drink
7. Self Destructive Zones
8. Bob
9. Home Field Advantage
10. The Opening Act
11. Lisa’s Birthday
12. That Man I Shot
13. The Purgatory Line
14. The Home Front
15. Checkout Time In Vegas
16. You And Your Crystal Meth
17. Goode’s Field Road
18. A Ghost To Most
19. The Monument Valley
So, how did Drive-By Truckers survive losing their up and coming songwriting star Jason Isbell? They went back in the studio and recorded a double album, that’s how. And while this album may not have the immediacy and power of previous albums like Decoration Day, A Blessing And A Curse and The Dirty South, it does stand up very well on its own. The band returns to a more country oriented sound here, and the songs are a bit simpler, but there are plenty of gems to be found. Mike Cooley, in particular, steps up and helps fill the shoes left vacant by Isbell. He makes the most of his seven contributions to the album, and his best lines are classic: “Bob ain’t light in the loafers/He might kneel, but he never bends over” (from “Bob”), and “Skeletons ain’t got no place to stick their money/Nobody makes britches that size” (from “A Ghost To Most”). “Self Destructive Zones” and “Perfect Timing” are high quality, as is the refreshing “Lisa’s Birthday”.
Patterson Hood’s highlights include “Two Daughters And A Beautiful Wife”, about musician Bryan Harvey, who was murdered with his family in a home invasion: “Daddy Needs A Drink”, and “You And Your Crystal Meth”. Bassist Shonna Tucker brings three songs herself, including the fine “The Purgatory Line”. There’s a bit of filler here (a double album was certainly an ambitious idea), but Brighter Than Creation’s Dark is a nice transitional album for the band, a return to their roots, and a glimpse of what was to come in the future. And they have stayed busy: since this album, they have released three studio efforts, three live albums, and a pair of compilations. Drive-By Truckers have always released listenable records, and this one is certainly no exception. Always consistently good…this is one of those bands that you just can’t go wrong with. Carriers of the torch for Southern rock, for damn sure. [First added to this chart: 05/31/2012]
Produced By DAVID BARBE
1. Two Daughters And A Beautiful Wife
2. 3 Dimes Down
3. The Righteous Path
4. I’m Sorry Huston
5. Perfect Timing
6. Daddy Needs A Drink
7. Self Destructive Zones
8. Bob
9. Home Field Advantage
10. The Opening Act
11. Lisa’s Birthday
12. That Man I Shot
13. The Purgatory Line
14. The Home Front
15. Checkout Time In Vegas
16. You And Your Crystal Meth
17. Goode’s Field Road
18. A Ghost To Most
19. The Monument Valley
So, how did Drive-By Truckers survive losing their up and coming songwriting star Jason Isbell? They went back in the studio and recorded a double album, that’s how. And while this album may not have the immediacy and power of previous albums like Decoration Day, A Blessing And A Curse and The Dirty South, it does stand up very well on its own. The band returns to a more country oriented sound here, and the songs are a bit simpler, but there are plenty of gems to be found. Mike Cooley, in particular, steps up and helps fill the shoes left vacant by Isbell. He makes the most of his seven contributions to the album, and his best lines are classic: “Bob ain’t light in the loafers/He might kneel, but he never bends over” (from “Bob”), and “Skeletons ain’t got no place to stick their money/Nobody makes britches that size” (from “A Ghost To Most”). “Self Destructive Zones” and “Perfect Timing” are high quality, as is the refreshing “Lisa’s Birthday”.
Patterson Hood’s highlights include “Two Daughters And A Beautiful Wife”, about musician Bryan Harvey, who was murdered with his family in a home invasion: “Daddy Needs A Drink”, and “You And Your Crystal Meth”. Bassist Shonna Tucker brings three songs herself, including the fine “The Purgatory Line”. There’s a bit of filler here (a double album was certainly an ambitious idea), but Brighter Than Creation’s Dark is a nice transitional album for the band, a return to their roots, and a glimpse of what was to come in the future. And they have stayed busy: since this album, they have released three studio efforts, three live albums, and a pair of compilations. Drive-By Truckers have always released listenable records, and this one is certainly no exception. Always consistently good…this is one of those bands that you just can’t go wrong with. Carriers of the torch for Southern rock, for damn sure. [First added to this chart: 05/31/2012]
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2000-LOST HIGHWAY
Produced By T-BONE BURNETT
1. Po’ Lazarus (James Carter & The Prisoners)
2. Big Rock Candy Mountain (Harry McClintock)
3. You Are My Sunshine (Norman Blake)
4. Down To The River To Pray (Alison Krauss)
5. I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow (Radio Station Version) (Soggy Bottom Boys & Dan Tyminski)
6. Hard Time Killing Floor Blues (Chris Thomas King)
7. I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow (Instrumental) (Norman Blake)
8. Keep On The Sunny Side (The Whites)
9. I’ll Fly Away (Alison Krauss & Gillian Welch)
10. Nobody But The Baby (Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss & Gillian Welch)
11. In The Highways (Leah, Sarah, & Hannah Peasall)
12. I Am Weary, Let Me Rest (The Cox Family)
13. I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow (Instrumental) (John Hartford)
14. O Death (Ralph Stanley)
15. In The Jailhouse Now (Soggy Bottom Boys & Tim Blake Nelson)
16. I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow (With Band) (Soggy Bottom Boys & Dan Tyminski)
17. Indian War Whoop (Instrumental) (John Hartford)
18. Lonesome Valley (The Fairfield Four)
19. Angel Band (The Stanley Brothers)
One of my favorite films of all time. Also, one of the most consistently fine soundtracks you’ll find. The music assembled here by T-Bone Burnett fits perfectly into the depression era 1930’s. Old Timey music. As an album, it’s amazing, and as a soundtrack, it’s flawless. Great performances from the likes of Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch, Ralph Stanley, and the rest are a perfect match for the film’s retelling of The Odyssey. Even Tim Blake Nelson, one of the film’s starts (he plays the born again Delmar) gives a fine performance on “In The Jailhouse Now”.
The central song is, of course, “I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow”, represented here with 4 different versions. Which is okay, as the song plays a big part in the story. This soundtrack got a lot of people to discover this lost music, and brought some great forgotten songs back into public view. And again…a great film. A rarity when both the film and the soundtrack are top notch. [First added to this chart: 05/31/2012]
Produced By T-BONE BURNETT
1. Po’ Lazarus (James Carter & The Prisoners)
2. Big Rock Candy Mountain (Harry McClintock)
3. You Are My Sunshine (Norman Blake)
4. Down To The River To Pray (Alison Krauss)
5. I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow (Radio Station Version) (Soggy Bottom Boys & Dan Tyminski)
6. Hard Time Killing Floor Blues (Chris Thomas King)
7. I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow (Instrumental) (Norman Blake)
8. Keep On The Sunny Side (The Whites)
9. I’ll Fly Away (Alison Krauss & Gillian Welch)
10. Nobody But The Baby (Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss & Gillian Welch)
11. In The Highways (Leah, Sarah, & Hannah Peasall)
12. I Am Weary, Let Me Rest (The Cox Family)
13. I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow (Instrumental) (John Hartford)
14. O Death (Ralph Stanley)
15. In The Jailhouse Now (Soggy Bottom Boys & Tim Blake Nelson)
16. I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow (With Band) (Soggy Bottom Boys & Dan Tyminski)
17. Indian War Whoop (Instrumental) (John Hartford)
18. Lonesome Valley (The Fairfield Four)
19. Angel Band (The Stanley Brothers)
One of my favorite films of all time. Also, one of the most consistently fine soundtracks you’ll find. The music assembled here by T-Bone Burnett fits perfectly into the depression era 1930’s. Old Timey music. As an album, it’s amazing, and as a soundtrack, it’s flawless. Great performances from the likes of Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch, Ralph Stanley, and the rest are a perfect match for the film’s retelling of The Odyssey. Even Tim Blake Nelson, one of the film’s starts (he plays the born again Delmar) gives a fine performance on “In The Jailhouse Now”.
The central song is, of course, “I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow”, represented here with 4 different versions. Which is okay, as the song plays a big part in the story. This soundtrack got a lot of people to discover this lost music, and brought some great forgotten songs back into public view. And again…a great film. A rarity when both the film and the soundtrack are top notch. [First added to this chart: 05/31/2012]
Year of Release:
2000
Appears in:
Rank Score:
468
Rank in 2000:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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2004 – NEW WEST
Produced By DAVID BARBE
1. Where The Devil Don’t Stay
2. Tornadoes
3. The Day John Henry Died
4. Puttin’ People On The Moon
5. Carl Perkins’ Cadillac
6. The Sands Of Iwo Jima
7. Danko/Manuel
8. The Boys From Alabama
9. Cottonseed
10. The Buford Stick
11. Daddy’s Cup
12. Never Gonna Change
13. Goddamn Lonely Love
If you ask me what my favorite album is, I can’t answer that. If you ask me what my favorite song is, I’ll put on “Danko/Manuel” by Drive-By Truckers and tell you that this is as close as it gets. In fact, if you’re going to be in a band with me, being willing to play this song is the first test. The Dirty South, the Truckers fifth album, is as good as they get…and that’s pretty damned excellent. Having a songwriter like Jason Isbell limited to just four songs speaks volumes about how loaded the Truckers really were. A loose concept album about the downside of Southern living, The Dirty South marks the peak of the career of this excellent Southern rock and alt-country giant. It’s all good here.
Mike Cooley delivers some of his most memorable material in “Where The Devil Don’t Stay”, “Daddy’s Cup”, and the brilliant story song “Carl Perkins’ Cadillac”. Patterson Hood brings “Puttin’ People On The Moon”, about people driven down by environmental pollution. “Tornadoes” and “The Sands Of Iwo Jima” are excellent, and “The Boys Of Alabama” gives you the “other side of the story” of Buford Pusser and Walking Tall. And Isbell, along with the perfect “Danko/Manuel”, brings the rollicking “Never Gonna Change”, and closes things with this perfect lyric: “I’ll take two of what you’re having/I’ll take all of what you’ve got/To kill this Goddamned lonely, Goddamned lonely love”. This is a great album. Please go buy it. [First added to this chart: 04/19/2017]
Produced By DAVID BARBE
1. Where The Devil Don’t Stay
2. Tornadoes
3. The Day John Henry Died
4. Puttin’ People On The Moon
5. Carl Perkins’ Cadillac
6. The Sands Of Iwo Jima
7. Danko/Manuel
8. The Boys From Alabama
9. Cottonseed
10. The Buford Stick
11. Daddy’s Cup
12. Never Gonna Change
13. Goddamn Lonely Love
If you ask me what my favorite album is, I can’t answer that. If you ask me what my favorite song is, I’ll put on “Danko/Manuel” by Drive-By Truckers and tell you that this is as close as it gets. In fact, if you’re going to be in a band with me, being willing to play this song is the first test. The Dirty South, the Truckers fifth album, is as good as they get…and that’s pretty damned excellent. Having a songwriter like Jason Isbell limited to just four songs speaks volumes about how loaded the Truckers really were. A loose concept album about the downside of Southern living, The Dirty South marks the peak of the career of this excellent Southern rock and alt-country giant. It’s all good here.
Mike Cooley delivers some of his most memorable material in “Where The Devil Don’t Stay”, “Daddy’s Cup”, and the brilliant story song “Carl Perkins’ Cadillac”. Patterson Hood brings “Puttin’ People On The Moon”, about people driven down by environmental pollution. “Tornadoes” and “The Sands Of Iwo Jima” are excellent, and “The Boys Of Alabama” gives you the “other side of the story” of Buford Pusser and Walking Tall. And Isbell, along with the perfect “Danko/Manuel”, brings the rollicking “Never Gonna Change”, and closes things with this perfect lyric: “I’ll take two of what you’re having/I’ll take all of what you’ve got/To kill this Goddamned lonely, Goddamned lonely love”. This is a great album. Please go buy it. [First added to this chart: 04/19/2017]
Year of Release:
2004
Appears in:
Rank Score:
764
Rank in 2004:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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2005-LOST HIGHWAY
Produced By TOM SCHICK
1. Magnolia Moontan
2. Sweet Illusions
3. Meadowlake Street
4. When Will You Come Back Home
5. Beautiful Sorta
6. Now That You're Gone
7. Cherry Lane
8. Mockingbird
9. How Do You Keep Love Alive
1. Easy Plateau
2. Let It Ride
3. Rosebud
4. Cold Roses
5. If I Am A Stranger
6. Dance All Night
7. Blossom
8. Life Is Beautiful
9. Friends
2005 was quite as year for Ryan Adams. He released 3 albums, and played the Hurricane Katrina benefit, AND somehow found the time to hang out and play shows with Phil Lesh. Cold Roses was his first album of the year, and his first with The Cardinals. The album is typical Adams: some amazingly catchy and beautiful songs, surrounded by songs that just seem to scream "look at me! I'm prolific, and I'm not afraid to release anything!". Adams ups the annoyance quotient by releasing this as a double album, when the music on both discs would easily fit on one.
But, the good moments far outshine the bad, as is usually the case with Ryan Adams. The Cardinals are a great band, and he even gets the excellent Rachel Yamagata to sing along. All in all, you'll be happy with this. It's an album that has grown on me steadily over the years, and it never disappoints. Just don't pay double album price for it..buy it online for a better price. Ripping people off like that is not cool. [First added to this chart: 05/31/2012]
Produced By TOM SCHICK
1. Magnolia Moontan
2. Sweet Illusions
3. Meadowlake Street
4. When Will You Come Back Home
5. Beautiful Sorta
6. Now That You're Gone
7. Cherry Lane
8. Mockingbird
9. How Do You Keep Love Alive
1. Easy Plateau
2. Let It Ride
3. Rosebud
4. Cold Roses
5. If I Am A Stranger
6. Dance All Night
7. Blossom
8. Life Is Beautiful
9. Friends
2005 was quite as year for Ryan Adams. He released 3 albums, and played the Hurricane Katrina benefit, AND somehow found the time to hang out and play shows with Phil Lesh. Cold Roses was his first album of the year, and his first with The Cardinals. The album is typical Adams: some amazingly catchy and beautiful songs, surrounded by songs that just seem to scream "look at me! I'm prolific, and I'm not afraid to release anything!". Adams ups the annoyance quotient by releasing this as a double album, when the music on both discs would easily fit on one.
But, the good moments far outshine the bad, as is usually the case with Ryan Adams. The Cardinals are a great band, and he even gets the excellent Rachel Yamagata to sing along. All in all, you'll be happy with this. It's an album that has grown on me steadily over the years, and it never disappoints. Just don't pay double album price for it..buy it online for a better price. Ripping people off like that is not cool. [First added to this chart: 05/31/2012]
Year of Release:
2005
Appears in:
Rank Score:
466
Rank in 2005:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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2001-MADJACK
Produced By CODY DICKINSON & LUCERO
1. Little Silver Heart
2. My Best Girl
3. Wandering Star
4. A Dangerous Thing
5. Drink ‘Till We’re Gone
6. Raising Hell
7. Banks Of The Arkansas
8. All Sewn Up
9. Wasted
10. Hold Fast
11. Better Than This
12. All These Love Songs
13. No Roses No More
14. It Gets Worse At Night
If you walked into the darkest, loneliest bar in the southern United States, ordered up a beer and a shot, and settled into a night of drinking alone, the voice you would hear singing all night would be that of Lucero’s Ben Nichols. A band that is described as having a very Memphis sound, they were helped early along by benefactors Luther and Cody Dickinson of North Mississippi All Stars: both played on this album, and Cody helped produce irt. After working in Memphis for a number of years, they released this record and began a trip that continues today as one of the hardest working rock bands in the world.
This album, their first full length release, is alt-country at its most alt. Containing additional elements of punk and soul while maintaining the raw sound that defines Lucero, the band is as good as can be…but the real star is Nichols. His voice creaks through every song, bring a unique quality and toughness to the songs…a big reason why Lucero stands out as much as they do. Technically a debut album, this is a great start to a Lucero collection that so far includes 8 studio albums. And they tour almost non stop, so getting to see them shouldn’t be a problem. This is a fine first effort, and there were even better ones to come. [First added to this chart: 12/06/2013]
Produced By CODY DICKINSON & LUCERO
1. Little Silver Heart
2. My Best Girl
3. Wandering Star
4. A Dangerous Thing
5. Drink ‘Till We’re Gone
6. Raising Hell
7. Banks Of The Arkansas
8. All Sewn Up
9. Wasted
10. Hold Fast
11. Better Than This
12. All These Love Songs
13. No Roses No More
14. It Gets Worse At Night
If you walked into the darkest, loneliest bar in the southern United States, ordered up a beer and a shot, and settled into a night of drinking alone, the voice you would hear singing all night would be that of Lucero’s Ben Nichols. A band that is described as having a very Memphis sound, they were helped early along by benefactors Luther and Cody Dickinson of North Mississippi All Stars: both played on this album, and Cody helped produce irt. After working in Memphis for a number of years, they released this record and began a trip that continues today as one of the hardest working rock bands in the world.
This album, their first full length release, is alt-country at its most alt. Containing additional elements of punk and soul while maintaining the raw sound that defines Lucero, the band is as good as can be…but the real star is Nichols. His voice creaks through every song, bring a unique quality and toughness to the songs…a big reason why Lucero stands out as much as they do. Technically a debut album, this is a great start to a Lucero collection that so far includes 8 studio albums. And they tour almost non stop, so getting to see them shouldn’t be a problem. This is a fine first effort, and there were even better ones to come. [First added to this chart: 12/06/2013]
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Produced by Cody Dickinson.
[First added to this chart: 08/09/2016]
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2002-THIRD MAN
Produced By JACK WHITE
1. Seven Nation Army
2. Black Math
3. There's No Home For You Here
4. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
5. In The Cold, Cold Night
6. I Want To Be The Boy To Warm Your Mother's Heart
7. You've Got Her In Your Pocket
8. Ball And Biscuit
9. The Hardest Button To Button
10. Little Acorns
11. Hypnotize
12. The Air Near My Fingers
13. Girl, You Have No Faith In Medicine
14. Well It's True That We Love One Another
I'm not really quite sure what I was thinking in 2002, but I was surely not listening to what I should have been. This includes Elephant by The White Stripes, a split up couple pretending to be brother and sister all dressed in blood red and white and tearing up the music world with the biggest sounding two man band you've ever seen. Elephant leads off with the stunning "Seven Nation Army" and never slows down.
Jack White is a fine songwriter and frontman, with a rare presence that shines through on record. Elephant is a great album, and if you haven't discovered the Whites yet, this is the place to start. You won't be disappointed. [First added to this chart: 05/31/2012]
Produced By JACK WHITE
1. Seven Nation Army
2. Black Math
3. There's No Home For You Here
4. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
5. In The Cold, Cold Night
6. I Want To Be The Boy To Warm Your Mother's Heart
7. You've Got Her In Your Pocket
8. Ball And Biscuit
9. The Hardest Button To Button
10. Little Acorns
11. Hypnotize
12. The Air Near My Fingers
13. Girl, You Have No Faith In Medicine
14. Well It's True That We Love One Another
I'm not really quite sure what I was thinking in 2002, but I was surely not listening to what I should have been. This includes Elephant by The White Stripes, a split up couple pretending to be brother and sister all dressed in blood red and white and tearing up the music world with the biggest sounding two man band you've ever seen. Elephant leads off with the stunning "Seven Nation Army" and never slows down.
Jack White is a fine songwriter and frontman, with a rare presence that shines through on record. Elephant is a great album, and if you haven't discovered the Whites yet, this is the place to start. You won't be disappointed. [First added to this chart: 05/31/2012]
Year of Release:
2003
Appears in:
Rank Score:
11,400
Rank in 2003:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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2003 – AMERICAN
Produced By RICK RUBIN & ETHAN JOHNS
1. Stumbling Through The Dark
2. Tailspin
3. All The Right Reasons
4. Save It For A Rainy Day
5. Eyes Of Sarahjane
6. One Man’s Problem
7. Don’t Let The World Get In Your Way
8. Come To The River
9. Angelyne
10. Madman
11. You Look So Young
12. Tampa To Tulsa
13. Will I See You In Heaven
14. Stumbling Through The Dark (Reprise)
The Jayhawks were a hugely influential band in the Minneapolis music scene in the late 80’s and early 90’s. They were a guiding light for bands like Uncle Tupelo and The Gear Daddies. Their career was just beginning to take shape with the wonderful album Tomorrow The Green Grass (which unfortunately sold little), when co-founder Mark Olson left to be with his new wife, Victoria Williams (and to be in a band with her). The Jayhawks struggled behind Gary Louris for years, and it seemed that the magic had left with Olson. And then…out of nowhere came Rainy Day Music. The Jayhawks had slowly strayed from their country rock roots after Olson departed, but here, Louris brings it all back with a vengeance. The result is one of the most beautiful albums of the 2000’s, and a call back to bands like The Flying Burrito Brothers, Poco, and the early work of the Eagles. This is an amazing comeback…and this is an amazing album.
A very acoustic album with amazing hooks and perfect harmonies. Louris co-wrote “Stumbling Through The Dark” with Matthew Sweet, and it never wavers from there. Former Eagle Bernie Leadon lends his banjo to “Tailspin”. Tracks like “All The Right Reasons”, “Eyes Of Sarahjane”, “Don’t Let The World Get In Your Way” and “Save It For A Rainy Day” would have all been hits in a perfect world. As it is, Rainy Day Music is a quiet and under-appreciated masterpiece by a band that always should have been bigger than they were. If you haven’t yet discovered the joys of The Jayhawks, start here. If you loved what Gram Parsons, Poco, Eagles, and every other country rock band before them did, then you will love The Jayhawks. They went on hiatus after this album, ending their new found momentum quickly, but there have been reunions…even one with Mark Olson. But this is the shining moment for this band. And it should not be missed. [First added to this chart: 05/31/2012]
Produced By RICK RUBIN & ETHAN JOHNS
1. Stumbling Through The Dark
2. Tailspin
3. All The Right Reasons
4. Save It For A Rainy Day
5. Eyes Of Sarahjane
6. One Man’s Problem
7. Don’t Let The World Get In Your Way
8. Come To The River
9. Angelyne
10. Madman
11. You Look So Young
12. Tampa To Tulsa
13. Will I See You In Heaven
14. Stumbling Through The Dark (Reprise)
The Jayhawks were a hugely influential band in the Minneapolis music scene in the late 80’s and early 90’s. They were a guiding light for bands like Uncle Tupelo and The Gear Daddies. Their career was just beginning to take shape with the wonderful album Tomorrow The Green Grass (which unfortunately sold little), when co-founder Mark Olson left to be with his new wife, Victoria Williams (and to be in a band with her). The Jayhawks struggled behind Gary Louris for years, and it seemed that the magic had left with Olson. And then…out of nowhere came Rainy Day Music. The Jayhawks had slowly strayed from their country rock roots after Olson departed, but here, Louris brings it all back with a vengeance. The result is one of the most beautiful albums of the 2000’s, and a call back to bands like The Flying Burrito Brothers, Poco, and the early work of the Eagles. This is an amazing comeback…and this is an amazing album.
A very acoustic album with amazing hooks and perfect harmonies. Louris co-wrote “Stumbling Through The Dark” with Matthew Sweet, and it never wavers from there. Former Eagle Bernie Leadon lends his banjo to “Tailspin”. Tracks like “All The Right Reasons”, “Eyes Of Sarahjane”, “Don’t Let The World Get In Your Way” and “Save It For A Rainy Day” would have all been hits in a perfect world. As it is, Rainy Day Music is a quiet and under-appreciated masterpiece by a band that always should have been bigger than they were. If you haven’t yet discovered the joys of The Jayhawks, start here. If you loved what Gram Parsons, Poco, Eagles, and every other country rock band before them did, then you will love The Jayhawks. They went on hiatus after this album, ending their new found momentum quickly, but there have been reunions…even one with Mark Olson. But this is the shining moment for this band. And it should not be missed. [First added to this chart: 05/31/2012]
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2003 – NEW WEST
Produced By DAVID BARBE
1. The Deeper In
2. Sink Hole
3. Hell No, I Ain’t Happy
4. Marry Me
5. My Sweet Annette
6. Outfit
7. Heathens
8. Sounds Better In The Song
9. (Something's Got To) Give Pretty Soon
10. Your Daddy Hates Me
11. Careless
12. When The Pin Hits The Shell
13. Do It Yourself
14. Decoration Day
15. Loaded Gun In The Closet
In 2003, Drive-By Truckers were a band that was quickly growing their brand of Southern rock into a thriving mature collection of great songs and great stories. Coming off of the fantastic double album Southern Rock Opera, the Truckers switched gears a bit with Decoration Day. Not only was Mike Cooley growing quickly as a songwriting force in the band almost equal to Patterson Hood, but they had also added Jason Isbell, a young third guitarist who would prove over the short time he would be in the band (and over his now exceptional solo career) that he was a top notch writer as well. Decoration Day is loaded with great songs, along with a new found maturity not found on their previous albums. Hood is still the main writer here, but Cooley adds four tracks along with only two from Isbell. But those two tracks are the highlight of the album, showing the first glimpse of what a special writer Isbell would soon become.
Isbell’s “Decoration Day” and “Outfit” are both great songs. Hood’s “The Deeper In” is about the only people in the US to have served jail time for brother/sister incest. Many of the songs continue the Truckers tradition of making music about life in the American South, but Decoration Day is darker than their previous albums…but it still manages to be enough fun to hold interest. The album was recorded mostly live in the studio, with half of the tracks being first take performances. Decoration Day is the beginning if the Isbell era for the band, and while the next album, The Dirty South, would be much stronger, this one is still an important part of the band’s discography. It’s a great listen, and well worth the time. Not the Trucker’s best work, but also not an album that should be dismissed as a lesser work. [First added to this chart: 05/31/2012]
Produced By DAVID BARBE
1. The Deeper In
2. Sink Hole
3. Hell No, I Ain’t Happy
4. Marry Me
5. My Sweet Annette
6. Outfit
7. Heathens
8. Sounds Better In The Song
9. (Something's Got To) Give Pretty Soon
10. Your Daddy Hates Me
11. Careless
12. When The Pin Hits The Shell
13. Do It Yourself
14. Decoration Day
15. Loaded Gun In The Closet
In 2003, Drive-By Truckers were a band that was quickly growing their brand of Southern rock into a thriving mature collection of great songs and great stories. Coming off of the fantastic double album Southern Rock Opera, the Truckers switched gears a bit with Decoration Day. Not only was Mike Cooley growing quickly as a songwriting force in the band almost equal to Patterson Hood, but they had also added Jason Isbell, a young third guitarist who would prove over the short time he would be in the band (and over his now exceptional solo career) that he was a top notch writer as well. Decoration Day is loaded with great songs, along with a new found maturity not found on their previous albums. Hood is still the main writer here, but Cooley adds four tracks along with only two from Isbell. But those two tracks are the highlight of the album, showing the first glimpse of what a special writer Isbell would soon become.
Isbell’s “Decoration Day” and “Outfit” are both great songs. Hood’s “The Deeper In” is about the only people in the US to have served jail time for brother/sister incest. Many of the songs continue the Truckers tradition of making music about life in the American South, but Decoration Day is darker than their previous albums…but it still manages to be enough fun to hold interest. The album was recorded mostly live in the studio, with half of the tracks being first take performances. Decoration Day is the beginning if the Isbell era for the band, and while the next album, The Dirty South, would be much stronger, this one is still an important part of the band’s discography. It’s a great listen, and well worth the time. Not the Trucker’s best work, but also not an album that should be dismissed as a lesser work. [First added to this chart: 05/31/2012]
Year of Release:
2003
Appears in:
Rank Score:
523
Rank in 2003:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 22. Page 1 of 3
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 10 | 10% | |
| 1970s | 21 | 21% | |
| 1980s | 11 | 11% | |
| 1990s | 32 | 32% | |
| 2000s | 22 | 22% | |
| 2010s | 4 | 4% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Drive-By Truckers | 3 | 3% | |
| The Beatles | 3 | 3% | |
| The Band | 3 | 3% | |
| Whiskeytown | 2 | 2% | |
| Wilco | 2 | 2% | |
| Jason Isbell | 2 | 2% | |
| The Jimi Hendrix Experience | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 2 from 39th to 37th Decoration Day by Drive-By Truckers |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 37th to 38th Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 1 by The Traveling Wilburys |
| Down 1 from 38th to 39th The Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd |
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| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums |  RFNAPLES | Overall chart | 2013 | |
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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 179 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 05/19/2025 19:46 | StreakyNuno | 131 | 82/100 |
| ! | 05/19/2025 12:26 |  Repo | 558 | 100/100 |
| ! | 03/15/2025 22:29 | BlueNote | 91 | 74/100 |
| ! | 01/29/2025 12:37 |  SomethingSpecial | 1,105 | 85/100 |
| ! | 01/15/2025 18:01 | Exist-en-ciel | 125 | 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 6% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 88.6/100, a mean average of 87.4/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 88.7/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 12.5.
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums favourites
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
Showing latest 10 comments | Show all 114 comments |
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From StreakyNuno 05/19/2025 19:47 | #309063
I like the Chart but The Black Crowes album, even though it is an excellent album, is an exaggeration to consider it the best ever.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Repo 05/19/2025 12:28 | #309062
Repo 05/19/2025 12:28 | #309062
A wondrous labor of love! GREAT notes!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
CassidyInc 03/29/2024 22:06 | #302746
CassidyInc 03/29/2024 22:06 | #302746
Neat chart, but the write ups and historical perspective you've included for many of these albums make it something special. I had a good chuckle when I finally arrived to Loveless, the album I was most excited to hear your thoughts on, and there was nothing there!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Moondance 03/06/2023 07:40 | #294755
What I found most intriguing is where you actually argue in your comments why an album isn't that great - which is an unusual way to create a greatest 100 chart. A bit too US-orientated for my liking and too many so-so bands. Good to see one album each from Australia & New Zealand.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From samora 10/25/2022 14:15 | #290788
Great chart, with impressive comments; very inspirational!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From leniad 07/12/2022 00:28 | #287280
would appreciate more variety from coutries, genres
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +4 votes (4 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Albumlover6789 02/03/2022 23:20 | #280650
Lots of new music to discover here
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
rockbluesfolkjaz 10/19/2021 18:18 | #275181
rockbluesfolkjaz 10/19/2021 18:18 | #275181
There's a lot of excellent choices here. Many of which I'll be listening to as well. Thanks for this list!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Johnnyo 07/18/2021 16:41 | #271703
Stunning chart. I own 83 of the albums in your chart so it's inevitable that I'm going to love it. Also love the notes. Great addition.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From henrygreen0203 05/04/2021 18:55 | #269359
Nothing but great records here!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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