Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by Santiago 
- Chart updated: 09/19/2025 05:45
- (Created: 06/27/2012 09:45).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 52 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 92 out of 100 (from 93 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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The "White Album" has more great songs than entire discographies of other artists, while at the same time carrying some of The Beatles' most ridiculous tunes (and some of the latter are actually good) Despite all this unevenness, the record as a whole sounds spontaneous and creatively boundless.
This is not a perfect, round album, so I am not sure why it generates such a strong feeling in me. I see it as a warm, nostalgic, playful, weird and powerful collection of songs. Listening to the White Album is always an event for me; an event that requires paying attention and showing deference to the genius involved in putting all this outstanding music together.
With occasion of the 50th anniversary of its release, Jordan Orlando wrote an article for the New Yorker, aptly titled "The Accidental Perfection of The Beatles' White Album". Indeed, this messy, mismatched mumbo jumbo of a record cannot be more beautiful. [First added to this chart: 06/28/2012]
This is not a perfect, round album, so I am not sure why it generates such a strong feeling in me. I see it as a warm, nostalgic, playful, weird and powerful collection of songs. Listening to the White Album is always an event for me; an event that requires paying attention and showing deference to the genius involved in putting all this outstanding music together.
With occasion of the 50th anniversary of its release, Jordan Orlando wrote an article for the New Yorker, aptly titled "The Accidental Perfection of The Beatles' White Album". Indeed, this messy, mismatched mumbo jumbo of a record cannot be more beautiful. [First added to this chart: 06/28/2012]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
37,280
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
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Comments:
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For many, this is the best Latin American album ever. I agree.
Rubén Blades is an intelligent, literate composer and here we find him at his height, offering 7 instant classics that are enjoyable as much as relevant... or "epochal" can really be a more appropriate word.
The extremely well crafted lyrics prompt laughs, tears and reflection by recounting everyday anonymous stories or important social Latin American issues. Rubén Blades is such an outstanding songwriter and his lyrics are so creative, relevant and powerful, that he deserves the Nobel Prize in Literature more than Bob Dylan. I wonder if they are listening to Ruben Blades in Sweeden? [First added to this chart: 09/14/2012]
Rubén Blades is an intelligent, literate composer and here we find him at his height, offering 7 instant classics that are enjoyable as much as relevant... or "epochal" can really be a more appropriate word.
The extremely well crafted lyrics prompt laughs, tears and reflection by recounting everyday anonymous stories or important social Latin American issues. Rubén Blades is such an outstanding songwriter and his lyrics are so creative, relevant and powerful, that he deserves the Nobel Prize in Literature more than Bob Dylan. I wonder if they are listening to Ruben Blades in Sweeden? [First added to this chart: 09/14/2012]
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The ultimate Soul concept album, it has crossed genre borders and is frequently listed as one of the best records ever based on quality of its music, the effortless way in which the songs flow, the warm voice of Marvin Gaye and the somber but hopeful lyrics.
It´s really sad to see that many decades after its release, the issues approached in the lyrics are still pretty much unsolved. The poorest Americans dying on wars abroad, racial tensions and environmental disaster are realities that we see everyday. For all these reasons, this record continues to be relevant; or actually, it´s even more relevant than ever before [First added to this chart: 06/28/2012]
It´s really sad to see that many decades after its release, the issues approached in the lyrics are still pretty much unsolved. The poorest Americans dying on wars abroad, racial tensions and environmental disaster are realities that we see everyday. For all these reasons, this record continues to be relevant; or actually, it´s even more relevant than ever before [First added to this chart: 06/28/2012]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
18,956
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Considered strange by some and a masterpiece by many. The music and the musical ideas will blow the mind of most.
[First added to this chart: 09/14/2012]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,182
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What an amazing collection of music! George Harrison reaches his peak, with two of his best ever songs while the medleys on the "B side" are some of the most beautiful music ever created by The Beatles. Even Ringo has a fun song here!
Sometimes, I forget how extremely good the Beatles are, until I play this record, after not listening it for a while, and it just keeps blowing my mind again and again.
In addition, it has one of the most iconic and recognizable artworks of all time with a picture that has entered pop culture.
The only low point for me is "Maxwell´s Silver Hammer". I can understand Lennon and Harrison tired of playing these "Granny Tunes" as John used to call them. [First added to this chart: 06/28/2012]
Sometimes, I forget how extremely good the Beatles are, until I play this record, after not listening it for a while, and it just keeps blowing my mind again and again.
In addition, it has one of the most iconic and recognizable artworks of all time with a picture that has entered pop culture.
The only low point for me is "Maxwell´s Silver Hammer". I can understand Lennon and Harrison tired of playing these "Granny Tunes" as John used to call them. [First added to this chart: 06/28/2012]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
57,282
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Average Rating:
Comments:
6. (=)
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The powerful mix of amazing guitar riffs, bass lines and drums with some catchy melodies and very fun lyrics makes it a classic. This is a very fun record to listen to, by a very fun and charismatic band.
Listening to the Pixies always elicits a "screw everything" mood... and that's a great feeling.
Some of the songs even feel like they have been left with a "not so great" finish, but that only adds more personality. It´s like if the band didn´t take all the recording process so seriously, and as long as the songs sounded fresh, powerful and fun, they could go unpolished.
It feels like a statement of a relaxed way of seeing life. [First added to this chart: 06/03/2018]
Listening to the Pixies always elicits a "screw everything" mood... and that's a great feeling.
Some of the songs even feel like they have been left with a "not so great" finish, but that only adds more personality. It´s like if the band didn´t take all the recording process so seriously, and as long as the songs sounded fresh, powerful and fun, they could go unpolished.
It feels like a statement of a relaxed way of seeing life. [First added to this chart: 06/03/2018]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,017
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[First added to this chart: 07/04/2012]
Year of Release:
1998
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,790
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Rank in 1990s:
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Average Rating:
Comments:
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I like the mix of Brazilian rhythms and topics with 70's style sounds, especially funk.
The lyrics are charmingly naive because they feel extremely honest and appropriate for the time, place and situation of the composer.
The stories in the songs and the way they are told are a fantastic window into many aspects of the urban "carioca" Afro-Brazilian culture.
Topics like Football, History, Mysticism and "Candomblé" are treated in a fresh, creative, sometimes lighthearted, sometimes dignified manner. [First added to this chart: 07/04/2012]
The lyrics are charmingly naive because they feel extremely honest and appropriate for the time, place and situation of the composer.
The stories in the songs and the way they are told are a fantastic window into many aspects of the urban "carioca" Afro-Brazilian culture.
Topics like Football, History, Mysticism and "Candomblé" are treated in a fresh, creative, sometimes lighthearted, sometimes dignified manner. [First added to this chart: 07/04/2012]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,835
Rank in 1974:
Rank in 1970s:
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Average Rating:
Comments:
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Beautiful songs individually, but foremost an inspiring collection of tunes that create a dreamy, contemplative mood when the album is played entirely. You can spend the whole fall and winter listening to this album as there is no better music to match a beautiful dark, grey and rainy Vancouver day.
[First added to this chart: 11/16/2015]
Year of Release:
2001
Appears in:
Rank Score:
969
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This album displays different jazz styles spanning 3 decades in a single beautiful collection of songs. Charles Mingus is my favourite bass player.
[First added to this chart: 09/14/2012]
Year of Release:
1959
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,065
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Comments:
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 | 7 | 7% | |
| 1960s | 22 | 22% | |
| 1970s | 27 | 27% | |
| 1980s | 11 | 11% | |
| 1990s | 12 | 12% | |
| 2000s | 10 | 10% | |
| 2010s | 11 | 11% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| The Beatles | 6 | 6% | |
| Radiohead | 4 | 4% | |
| Miles Davis | 4 | 4% | |
| The Cure | 3 | 3% | |
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 3% | |
| Neil Young | 3 | 3% | |
| Jorge Ben | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
49 | 49% | |
 |
27 | 27% | |
 |
7 | 7% | |
| |
4 | 4% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 83 from 90th to 7th Moon Safari by Air |
| Up 5 from 16th to 11th OK Computer by Radiohead |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 5 from 7th to 12th The Shape Of Jazz To Come by Ornette Coleman |
| Down 4 from 11th to 15th Rubber Soul by The Beatles |
| Down 2 from 14th to 16th The Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd |
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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 93 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 11/19/2025 12:39 | BorderFreeAndrew | 102 | 81/100 |
| ! | 11/19/2025 09:04 |  DommeDamian | 1,004 | 89/100 |
| ! | 02/09/2025 10:18 |  SomethingSpecial | 1,104 | 85/100 |
| ! | 07/31/2024 19:12 | bobnickmad | 31 | 88/100 |
| ! | 09/02/2023 04:53 | LoxiasV | 4 | 89/100 |
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 1% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 91.5/100, a mean average of 92.2/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 92.1/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 6.2.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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From BorderFreeAndrew 11/19/2025 12:41 | #311726
While quite different from my own chart, I very much appreciate the diversity of genres and nationalities that tends to be sorely missing from most user charts.
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From bobnickmad 09/06/2024 15:22 | #305154
Cool and diverse list.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From EyeKanFly 08/29/2023 14:28 | #298904
EyeKanFly 08/29/2023 14:28 | #298904
Really cool chart, great comments which you added for pretty much every album. Lots of recommendations for Spanish- and Portuguese-language music. Based on the albums in your list that I know and love, I'm sure to find something I like from the albums I haven't heard.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Johnnyo 02/09/2023 06:23 | #293803
I like your list a lot. Very diverse, great comments and obviously very Personal. What more do you want from a chart?
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Moondance 02/09/2023 02:04 | #293801
Nice diversity - especially with the number of Latin American & jazz inspired artists/albums ~ definitely unique in that sense and says something about your personal tastes. Personally, I didn't get all that excited by your selections ~ which says something about my personal tastes.
I am sure the following observation will change over time, but I was intrigued by what I guess is a coincidence in your chart having 11 albums in each decade of the 80's, 90's, 00's & 10's.
BTW, nice to see one entry from Australia.
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From leniad 04/08/2022 17:10 | #283932
pretty much an excellent chart, love your jazz picks
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From 
rockbluesfolkjaz 09/19/2021 20:35 | #273960
rockbluesfolkjaz 09/19/2021 20:35 | #273960
Nice list. Interesting to see classic rock mixed with stuff I've been unaware of. Thanks for the eye opener!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From mianfei 08/19/2021 14:17 | #272653
I have mixed emotions about this chart on the whole.
‘Escafandra’ is at large not wrong about it being good in terms of its variety chronologically and its regional scope. The former is something I demand of charts; whilst the latter does add a great deal of interest. The jazz albums also add a lot of interest although they are by no means unique. However, I must say that the chart is weak on one decade – the 1990s, from which the albums included – with the conspicuous exception of ‘Dummy’ – really are to my mind overrated at best.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Bloaf38 11/29/2020 19:07 | #261647
The White album is a good pick for number 1. It's stuck with me a lot longer than Abbey Road
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
StefanR10 10/24/2020 23:35 | #259742
StefanR10 10/24/2020 23:35 | #259742
You put the Beatles on number 1 what is clearly cool. But i like the rest of your list as much as i can. Some artists i don´t know before from Spain and Brazil but that makes the diversity .
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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