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: 04/12/2024 14:15
- (Created: 06/01/2012 04:29).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 113 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 89 out of 100 (from 174 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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2011-LIGHTNING ROD
Produced By JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT
1. Alabama Pines
2. Go It Alone
3. We’ve Met
4. Codeine
5. Stopping By
6. Daisy Mae
7. The Ballad Of Nobeard
8. Never Could Believe
9. Heart On A String
10. Save It For Sunday
11. Tour Of Duty
Alternative country may not be for everyone, but any list of the best current songwriters in music would have to include Jason Isbell. The Alabama native became visible during a six year sting with Drive-By Truckers, during which time he contributed songs to three of the band’s albums. He went solo in 2007, and immediately began touring and releasing albums on a regular basis. Here We Rest is his third album, and the second with his band The 400 Unit (named for a wing at a mental hospital in Alabama). The album’s opener, “Alabama Pines”, is worth the purchase alone. Named as Song Of The Year at the 2012 Americana Music Awards, “Pines” is a fine and beautiful piece of work. Not far behind are “Tour Of Duty”, “Got It Alone” and, well, just about every other track on the disc. Isbell is not only a great writer, but he is also an excellent singer and guitarist, and his band is top notch as well.
While not his best album, Here We Rest is still strong enough to stand alongside the rest of his work. Isbell continued his pattern of releasing an album every two years with 2013’s Southeastern. In addition to his four solo albums, he also has two live releases out, with a third having just been recorded at Austin City Limits. His work as a solo artist and as a member of Drive-By Truckers is already impressive, and will hopefully serve as a guiding light for young country artists to follow instead of the trucks and beer and redneck life novelty song hole that the genre has dug itself into over the years. Isbell’s entire discography to date is of top quality, and he deserves to be much better known than he is. But, that isn’t going to happen any time soon. Seek out his music and know that there is still plenty of good, quality talent out there writing great songs for us. [First added to this chart: 05/04/2017]
Produced By JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT
1. Alabama Pines
2. Go It Alone
3. We’ve Met
4. Codeine
5. Stopping By
6. Daisy Mae
7. The Ballad Of Nobeard
8. Never Could Believe
9. Heart On A String
10. Save It For Sunday
11. Tour Of Duty
Alternative country may not be for everyone, but any list of the best current songwriters in music would have to include Jason Isbell. The Alabama native became visible during a six year sting with Drive-By Truckers, during which time he contributed songs to three of the band’s albums. He went solo in 2007, and immediately began touring and releasing albums on a regular basis. Here We Rest is his third album, and the second with his band The 400 Unit (named for a wing at a mental hospital in Alabama). The album’s opener, “Alabama Pines”, is worth the purchase alone. Named as Song Of The Year at the 2012 Americana Music Awards, “Pines” is a fine and beautiful piece of work. Not far behind are “Tour Of Duty”, “Got It Alone” and, well, just about every other track on the disc. Isbell is not only a great writer, but he is also an excellent singer and guitarist, and his band is top notch as well.
While not his best album, Here We Rest is still strong enough to stand alongside the rest of his work. Isbell continued his pattern of releasing an album every two years with 2013’s Southeastern. In addition to his four solo albums, he also has two live releases out, with a third having just been recorded at Austin City Limits. His work as a solo artist and as a member of Drive-By Truckers is already impressive, and will hopefully serve as a guiding light for young country artists to follow instead of the trucks and beer and redneck life novelty song hole that the genre has dug itself into over the years. Isbell’s entire discography to date is of top quality, and he deserves to be much better known than he is. But, that isn’t going to happen any time soon. Seek out his music and know that there is still plenty of good, quality talent out there writing great songs for us. [First added to this chart: 05/04/2017]
3
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[First added to this chart: 01/13/2024]
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2010-MERGE
Produced By MARKUS DRAVS & ARCADE FIRE
1. The Suburbs
2. Ready To Start
3. Modern Man
4. Rococo
5. Empty Room
6. City With No Children
7. Half Light I
8. Half Light II (No Celebration)
9. Suburban War
10. Month Of May
11. Wasted Hours
12. Deep Blue
13. We Used To Wait
14. Sprawl I (Flatland)
15. Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
16. The Suburbs (Continued)
The third release from Arcade Fire is a concept album...not about the suburbs, but, according to band leader Win Butler, a letter from the suburbs. And for those of you who have proclaimed rock to be dead, open your ears...and open your mind. This is not the classic rock from high school, but it is living proof that the kids can still pull it off.
The album opens as strong as any in recent memory...the title tracks flies right into the excellent "Ready To Start", into "Modern Man", and it stays at that level throughout. This 7 piece band has definitely learned their craft well, and prove here that they are not a fluke in any way. The album was a number one in 2010, and for good reason...The Suburbs is hope for the future of rock...even if it doesn't sound anything like what we heard in past decades. But don't forget...that's what has kept it alive for so long. [First added to this chart: 12/21/2012]
Produced By MARKUS DRAVS & ARCADE FIRE
1. The Suburbs
2. Ready To Start
3. Modern Man
4. Rococo
5. Empty Room
6. City With No Children
7. Half Light I
8. Half Light II (No Celebration)
9. Suburban War
10. Month Of May
11. Wasted Hours
12. Deep Blue
13. We Used To Wait
14. Sprawl I (Flatland)
15. Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
16. The Suburbs (Continued)
The third release from Arcade Fire is a concept album...not about the suburbs, but, according to band leader Win Butler, a letter from the suburbs. And for those of you who have proclaimed rock to be dead, open your ears...and open your mind. This is not the classic rock from high school, but it is living proof that the kids can still pull it off.
The album opens as strong as any in recent memory...the title tracks flies right into the excellent "Ready To Start", into "Modern Man", and it stays at that level throughout. This 7 piece band has definitely learned their craft well, and prove here that they are not a fluke in any way. The album was a number one in 2010, and for good reason...The Suburbs is hope for the future of rock...even if it doesn't sound anything like what we heard in past decades. But don't forget...that's what has kept it alive for so long. [First added to this chart: 12/21/2012]
Year of Release:
2010
Appears in:
Rank Score:
22,230
Rank in 2010:
Rank in 2010s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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2013 – SOUTHEASTERN
Produced By DAVID COBB
1. Cover Me Up
2. Stockholm
3. Traveling Alone
4. Elephant
5. Flying Over Water
6. Different Days
7. Live Oak
8. Songs That She Sang In The Shower
9. New South Wales
10. Super 8
11. Yvette
12. Relatively Easy
Maybe the greatest musical joy of the last decade and a half has been watching the growth and rise of Jason Isbell. He joined Drive-By Truckers in 2001, and his powerful songwriting was a big part of that band for the three albums he was with them. But you could tell it wouldn’t last long. You can’t keep a phenomenal songwriter like Isbell to 3 or 4 songs per album for very long. He left the Truckers in 2007, and immediately embarked on a solo career. His writing and his albums have improved ever since, and Southeastern has to rate as one of the very best albums of the 2010’s. Written and recorded in the aftermath of an intervention and rehab, the now sober Isbell lets it all fly free on this album…and it’s beautiful. One song after another is simply masterful, and by the last song you’re not ready for it to end, but you find yourself wishing instead that he’d made this a double album. If you think the album as an art form is dead, then you have simply not heard Southeastern.
The highlights on this album are breathtaking. “Cover Me Up” sets the tone for this most personal and gorgeous work. “Traveling Alone” is everything great about Americana. Then you have the great “Flying Over Water”, “Different Days”, “Live Oak”, and the beautifully touching “Songs That She Sang In The Shower”. Southeastern is an instant classic, an album you will fall in love with immediately, and a truly great work. Isbell’s songs touch the heart, and he paints a picture as fine as anyone ever before him. He’s that rare kind of writer where you find yourself identifying with nearly everything he writes, and you find yourself wishing you could live the world through his eyes. Southeastern is a simple album of amazing songs stacked gently one on top of the other, and it’s absolutely perfect. His follow up, Something More Than Free, continues to show his mastery, but Southeastern is where Isbell reaches the peak. This is a must have, without question. [First added to this chart: 01/19/2023]
Produced By DAVID COBB
1. Cover Me Up
2. Stockholm
3. Traveling Alone
4. Elephant
5. Flying Over Water
6. Different Days
7. Live Oak
8. Songs That She Sang In The Shower
9. New South Wales
10. Super 8
11. Yvette
12. Relatively Easy
Maybe the greatest musical joy of the last decade and a half has been watching the growth and rise of Jason Isbell. He joined Drive-By Truckers in 2001, and his powerful songwriting was a big part of that band for the three albums he was with them. But you could tell it wouldn’t last long. You can’t keep a phenomenal songwriter like Isbell to 3 or 4 songs per album for very long. He left the Truckers in 2007, and immediately embarked on a solo career. His writing and his albums have improved ever since, and Southeastern has to rate as one of the very best albums of the 2010’s. Written and recorded in the aftermath of an intervention and rehab, the now sober Isbell lets it all fly free on this album…and it’s beautiful. One song after another is simply masterful, and by the last song you’re not ready for it to end, but you find yourself wishing instead that he’d made this a double album. If you think the album as an art form is dead, then you have simply not heard Southeastern.
The highlights on this album are breathtaking. “Cover Me Up” sets the tone for this most personal and gorgeous work. “Traveling Alone” is everything great about Americana. Then you have the great “Flying Over Water”, “Different Days”, “Live Oak”, and the beautifully touching “Songs That She Sang In The Shower”. Southeastern is an instant classic, an album you will fall in love with immediately, and a truly great work. Isbell’s songs touch the heart, and he paints a picture as fine as anyone ever before him. He’s that rare kind of writer where you find yourself identifying with nearly everything he writes, and you find yourself wishing you could live the world through his eyes. Southeastern is a simple album of amazing songs stacked gently one on top of the other, and it’s absolutely perfect. His follow up, Something More Than Free, continues to show his mastery, but Southeastern is where Isbell reaches the peak. This is a must have, without question. [First added to this chart: 01/19/2023]
Year of Release:
2013
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,470
Rank in 2013:
Rank in 2010s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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2012 – LIGHTNING ROD
No Production Credit
1. Tour Of Duty
2. Decoration Day
3. Goddamn Lonely Love
4. Heart On A String
5. Danko / Manuel
6. In A Razor Town
7. Alabama Pines
8. Outfit
9. Cigarettes And Wine
10. TVA
11. The Blue
12. Dress Blues
13. Like A Hurricane
How could this possibly go wrong? The answer is, it couldn’t. Recorded live in Jason Isbell’s home state of Alabama, and with enough great material to choose from to make a great double album, this does not disappoint at all. Recorded over two nights in Birmingham and Huntsville, this is everything you’d want from an Isbell show. With a nice handful of tracks from his tenure with Drive-By Truckers augmenting his always improving solo work, Isbell turns in a soulful and powerful performance. And at times, he even eclipses the original recordings. “Decoration Day” is a perfect example of that…this is a stronger and all around better version than the studio version, and you’ll find that many of these tracks compare favorably with their original brethren. And when you can do that, you’ve got yourself the main ingredient for a fine live album. And, as usual, Isbell delivers in fine, fine fashion. All across the board.
A couple of covers stand out here. “Heart On A String” was originally recorded by Candy Staton in the early 70’s, and Isbell gives it a fine and soulful reading. “Like A Hurricane” is the Neil Young song, and it works as a rousing closer. The Truckers tracks, “Decoration Day”. “Goddamn Lonely Love”, “Outfit”, and “Danko / Manuel”, even with it’s odd start without guitars, all work well, and “TVA” is a gem as well…recorded by the Truckers but only released on the later compilation The Fine Print…it’s a nice surprise. The rest are tracks from his first three solo albums, Sirens Of The Ditch, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, and Here We Rest. All are excellent, and if you know anything about Isbell as a writer, you’ll know that none of the material is second rate. In short, Live From Alabama is everything you could want from a Jason Isbell show. One of the finest live albums in recent years, and a must have companion for fans of one of our greatest current songwriters. [First added to this chart: 02/16/2019]
No Production Credit
1. Tour Of Duty
2. Decoration Day
3. Goddamn Lonely Love
4. Heart On A String
5. Danko / Manuel
6. In A Razor Town
7. Alabama Pines
8. Outfit
9. Cigarettes And Wine
10. TVA
11. The Blue
12. Dress Blues
13. Like A Hurricane
How could this possibly go wrong? The answer is, it couldn’t. Recorded live in Jason Isbell’s home state of Alabama, and with enough great material to choose from to make a great double album, this does not disappoint at all. Recorded over two nights in Birmingham and Huntsville, this is everything you’d want from an Isbell show. With a nice handful of tracks from his tenure with Drive-By Truckers augmenting his always improving solo work, Isbell turns in a soulful and powerful performance. And at times, he even eclipses the original recordings. “Decoration Day” is a perfect example of that…this is a stronger and all around better version than the studio version, and you’ll find that many of these tracks compare favorably with their original brethren. And when you can do that, you’ve got yourself the main ingredient for a fine live album. And, as usual, Isbell delivers in fine, fine fashion. All across the board.
A couple of covers stand out here. “Heart On A String” was originally recorded by Candy Staton in the early 70’s, and Isbell gives it a fine and soulful reading. “Like A Hurricane” is the Neil Young song, and it works as a rousing closer. The Truckers tracks, “Decoration Day”. “Goddamn Lonely Love”, “Outfit”, and “Danko / Manuel”, even with it’s odd start without guitars, all work well, and “TVA” is a gem as well…recorded by the Truckers but only released on the later compilation The Fine Print…it’s a nice surprise. The rest are tracks from his first three solo albums, Sirens Of The Ditch, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, and Here We Rest. All are excellent, and if you know anything about Isbell as a writer, you’ll know that none of the material is second rate. In short, Live From Alabama is everything you could want from a Jason Isbell show. One of the finest live albums in recent years, and a must have companion for fans of one of our greatest current songwriters. [First added to this chart: 02/16/2019]
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[First added to this chart: 01/06/2014]
Year of Release:
2010
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,111
Rank in 2010:
Rank in 2010s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 6. 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 | 12 | 12% | |
| 1970s | 22 | 22% | |
| 1980s | 13 | 13% | |
| 1990s | 26 | 26% | |
| 2000s | 21 | 21% | |
| 2010s | 6 | 6% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| The Beatles | 4 | 4% | |
| Drive-By Truckers | 3 | 3% | |
| The Band | 3 | 3% | |
| Nirvana | 2 | 2% | |
| Wilco | 2 | 2% | |
| Jason Isbell | 2 | 2% | |
| Lynyrd Skynyrd | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 5 from 66th to 61st Music From Big Pink by The Band |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 61st to 62nd All Things Must Pass by George Harrison |
| Down 1 from 62nd to 63rd Being There by Wilco |
| Down 1 from 63rd to 64th At Last! by Etta James |
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
89/100 (from 174 votes)
where:
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 174 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 100/100  | 03/29/2024 22:06 |  CassidyInc | | 100/100 |
| 90/100 | 06/11/2023 18:03 |  pedro1976 | | 84/100 |
| 100/100 | 06/03/2023 12:17 |  Schribes | | 99/100 |
| 80/100 | 03/06/2023 07:30 | Moondance | | 84/100 |
| 90/100 | 11/16/2022 17:06 | conallmalone | | 88/100 |
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 88.8/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 12.5.
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100/100
From CassidyInc 03/29/2024 22:06
CassidyInc 03/29/2024 22:06
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)
80/100
From Moondance 03/06/2023 07:40
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) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From samora 10/25/2022 14:15
Great chart, with impressive comments; very inspirational!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From leniad 07/12/2022 00:28
would appreciate more variety from coutries, genres
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From Albumlover6789 02/03/2022 23:20
Lots of new music to discover here
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From 
rockbluesfolkjaz 10/19/2021 18:18
rockbluesfolkjaz 10/19/2021 18:18
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)
95/100
From Johnnyo 07/18/2021 16:41
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)
100/100
From henrygreen0203 05/04/2021 18:55
Nothing but great records here!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
KitchenSink 01/19/2021 23:03
KitchenSink 01/19/2021 23:03
perfect soundtrack to being the only guy left in the rural middle-of-nowhere bar at 4AM (this may sound backhanded but I assure you it's high praise)
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
Mercury 01/14/2021 02:55
Mercury 01/14/2021 02:55
Still Crazy (good) after all these years.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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