Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by Exist-en-ciel 
In order to give this list balance, diversity and coherence, I imposed certain rules on myself in its development:
- One album per artist with one exception
- A maximum of 10 albums from the BEA top 100
- A maximum of 25 albums from the BEA top 1000
- A maximum of 50 albums from the BEA top 2000
- A maximum of 5 compilations
- A maximum of 5 live albums
- A maximum of 5 EPs
- A maximum of 20 albums per decade
- A minimum of 10 albums per decade (60s-10s)
- A minimum of 15 countries represented
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Ranks 1 to 23: top 23
Ranks 24 to 100: chronology 1963-2024
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23 best ever songs:
• Symphony No. 9 in D minor - 4th movement (Presto) - Ludwig van Beethoven (1824)
• Boléro - Maurice Ravel (1928)
• Echoes - Pink Floyd (1971)
• The Musical Box - Genesis (1971)
• Supper's Ready - Genesis (1972)
• Firth of Fifth - Genesis (1973)
• The Cinema Show - Genesis (1973)
• In the Cage - Genesis (1974)
• Comme un sage - Harmonium (1976)
• Disorder - Joy Division (1979)
• Duke's Travels - Genesis (1980)
• Once in a Lifetime - Taking Heads (1980)
• Lorelei - Cocteau Twins (1984)
• Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) - Kate Bush (1985)
• Bizarre Love Triangle - New Order (1986)
• It's Alright - Pet Shop Boys (1988)
• Digging in the Dirt - Peter Gabriel (1992)
• Unison - Björk (2001)
• J'erre - Dumas (2003)
• Where I End and You Begin - Radiohead (2003)
• Olympians - Fuck Buttons (2009)
• Afterlife - Arcade Fire (2013)
• Over and Over - Beach House (2022)
- Chart updated: 07/25/2025 00:45
- (Created: 08/24/2022 18:20).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
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Spiritual Jazz
8.7/10
Track selection: Part I - Acknowledgement (& Part IV - Psalm)
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1. Part I - Acknowledgement 9
2. Part II - Resolution 8.5
3. Part III - Pursuance / Part IV - Psalm 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/24/2022]
8.7/10
Track selection: Part I - Acknowledgement (& Part IV - Psalm)
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1. Part I - Acknowledgement 9
2. Part II - Resolution 8.5
3. Part III - Pursuance / Part IV - Psalm 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/24/2022]
Year of Release:
1965
Appears in:
Rank Score:
16,236
Rank in 1965:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
101
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Jazz-Rock
8.7/10
Track selection: Willie the Pimp & The Gumbo Variations
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1. Peaches en Regalia 8.5
2. Willie the Pimp 9
3. Son of Mr. Green Genes 8.5
4. Little Umbrellas 8.5
5. The Gumbo Variations 9
6. It Must Be a Camel 8.5 [First added to this chart: 12/21/2024]
8.7/10
Track selection: Willie the Pimp & The Gumbo Variations
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1. Peaches en Regalia 8.5
2. Willie the Pimp 9
3. Son of Mr. Green Genes 8.5
4. Little Umbrellas 8.5
5. The Gumbo Variations 9
6. It Must Be a Camel 8.5 [First added to this chart: 12/21/2024]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,171
Rank in 1969:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Modal Jazz
8.6/10
Track selection : So What
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1. So What 9
2. Freddie Freeloader 8.5
3. Blue in Green 8.5
4. All Blues 8.5
5. Flamenco Sketches 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/25/2022]
8.6/10
Track selection : So What
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1. So What 9
2. Freddie Freeloader 8.5
3. Blue in Green 8.5
4. All Blues 8.5
5. Flamenco Sketches 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/25/2022]
Year of Release:
1959
Appears in:
Rank Score:
23,114
Rank in 1959:
Rank in 1950s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
9. (=)
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Romanticism
8.6/10
Track selection: 5th movement (Im Tempo des Scherzos)
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1. Allegro maestoso. Mit durchaus ernstem und feierlichem Ausdruck 8.5
2. Andante moderato. Sehr gemächlich. Nie eilen 8.5
3. In ruhig fließender Bewegung 8.5
4. Urlicht. Sehr feierlich, aber schlicht 8.5
5. Im Tempo des Scherzos 9 [First added to this chart: 09/02/2022]
8.6/10
Track selection: 5th movement (Im Tempo des Scherzos)
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1. Allegro maestoso. Mit durchaus ernstem und feierlichem Ausdruck 8.5
2. Andante moderato. Sehr gemächlich. Nie eilen 8.5
3. In ruhig fließender Bewegung 8.5
4. Urlicht. Sehr feierlich, aber schlicht 8.5
5. Im Tempo des Scherzos 9 [First added to this chart: 09/02/2022]
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Chamber Folk
8.6/10
Track selection: Sawdust & Diamonds
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1. Emily 8.5
2. Monkey & Bear 8.5
3. Sawdust & Diamonds 9
4. Only Skin 8.5
5. Cosmia 8.5 [First added to this chart: 09/13/2022]
8.6/10
Track selection: Sawdust & Diamonds
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1. Emily 8.5
2. Monkey & Bear 8.5
3. Sawdust & Diamonds 9
4. Only Skin 8.5
5. Cosmia 8.5 [First added to this chart: 09/13/2022]
Year of Release:
2006
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,799
Rank in 2006:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Free Jazz
8.5/10
Track selection: Hare Krishna
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1. Universal Consciousness 8.5
2. Battle at Armageddon 8.5
3. Oh Allah 8.5
4. Hare Krishna 8.5
5. Sita Ram 8.5
6. The Ankh of Amen-Ra 8.5 [First added to this chart: 11/29/2024]
8.5/10
Track selection: Hare Krishna
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1. Universal Consciousness 8.5
2. Battle at Armageddon 8.5
3. Oh Allah 8.5
4. Hare Krishna 8.5
5. Sita Ram 8.5
6. The Ankh of Amen-Ra 8.5 [First added to this chart: 11/29/2024]
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Folk Pop
8.5/10
Track selection: Homeward Bound (live at Carnegie Hall)
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1. Mrs. Robinson 8.5
2. For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her 8.5
3. The Boxer 9
4. The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) 8.5
5. The Sound of Silence 8.5
6. I Am a Rock 8
7. Scarborough Fair / Canticle 8.5
8. Homeward Bound 8.5
9. Bridge Over Troubled Water 9
10. America 8
11. Kathy's Song 8.5
12. El condor pasa (If I Could) 8.5
13. Bookends 8.5
14. Cecilia 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/29/2022]
8.5/10
Track selection: Homeward Bound (live at Carnegie Hall)
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Mrs. Robinson 8.5
2. For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her 8.5
3. The Boxer 9
4. The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) 8.5
5. The Sound of Silence 8.5
6. I Am a Rock 8
7. Scarborough Fair / Canticle 8.5
8. Homeward Bound 8.5
9. Bridge Over Troubled Water 9
10. America 8
11. Kathy's Song 8.5
12. El condor pasa (If I Could) 8.5
13. Bookends 8.5
14. Cecilia 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/29/2022]
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New Wave
8.5/10
Track selection: Once in a Lifetime
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1. Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) 8.5
2. Crosseyed and Painless 8.5
3. The Great Curve 8.5
4. Once in a Lifetime 9.5
5. Houses in Motion 8.5
6. Seen and Not Seen 8
7. Listening Wind 8.5
8. The Overload 8 [First added to this chart: 08/24/2022]
8.5/10
Track selection: Once in a Lifetime
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) 8.5
2. Crosseyed and Painless 8.5
3. The Great Curve 8.5
4. Once in a Lifetime 9.5
5. Houses in Motion 8.5
6. Seen and Not Seen 8
7. Listening Wind 8.5
8. The Overload 8 [First added to this chart: 08/24/2022]
Year of Release:
1980
Appears in:
Rank Score:
28,451
Rank in 1980:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Minimalism
8.5/10
Track selection: Femenine
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Feminine 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/24/2022]
8.5/10
Track selection: Femenine
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Feminine 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/24/2022]
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Avant-Garde Jazz
8.4/10
Track selection: Trio and Group Dancers (Stop! Look! And Sing Songs of Revolutions!) / Single Solos and Group Dance (Saint and Sinner Join in Merriment on Battle Front) / Group and Solo Dance (Of Love, Pain, and Passioned Revolt, Then Farewell, My Beloved, 'Til It's Freedom Day)
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1. Solo Dancer (Stop! Look! And Listen, Sinner Jim Whitney!) 8.5
2. Duet Solo Dancers (Heart's Beat and Shades in Physical Embraces) 8
3. Group Dancers (Soul Fusion) (Freewoman and Oh, This Freedom's Slave Cries) 8.5
4. Trio and Group Dancers (Stop! Look! And Sing Songs of Revolutions!) / Single Solos and Group Dance (Saint and Sinner Join in Merriment on Battle Front) / Group and Solo Dance (Of Love, Pain, and Passioned Revolt, Then Farewell, My Beloved, 'Til It's Freedom Day) 8.5 [First added to this chart: 12/02/2024]
8.4/10
Track selection: Trio and Group Dancers (Stop! Look! And Sing Songs of Revolutions!) / Single Solos and Group Dance (Saint and Sinner Join in Merriment on Battle Front) / Group and Solo Dance (Of Love, Pain, and Passioned Revolt, Then Farewell, My Beloved, 'Til It's Freedom Day)
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Solo Dancer (Stop! Look! And Listen, Sinner Jim Whitney!) 8.5
2. Duet Solo Dancers (Heart's Beat and Shades in Physical Embraces) 8
3. Group Dancers (Soul Fusion) (Freewoman and Oh, This Freedom's Slave Cries) 8.5
4. Trio and Group Dancers (Stop! Look! And Sing Songs of Revolutions!) / Single Solos and Group Dance (Saint and Sinner Join in Merriment on Battle Front) / Group and Solo Dance (Of Love, Pain, and Passioned Revolt, Then Farewell, My Beloved, 'Til It's Freedom Day) 8.5 [First added to this chart: 12/02/2024]
Year of Release:
1963
Appears in:
Rank Score:
13,271
Rank in 1963:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 32. Page 1 of 4
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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 | 20 | 20% | |
| 1980s | 16 | 16% | |
| 1990s | 14 | 14% | |
| 2000s | 20 | 20% | |
| 2010s | 13 | 13% | |
| 2020s | 6 | 6% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Genesis | 2 | 2% | |
| Peter Gabriel | 1 | 1% | |
| Eno | 1 | 1% | |
| Frou Frou | 1 | 1% | |
| Alice Coltrane | 1 | 1% | |
| The Smiths | 1 | 1% | |
| Sigur Rós | 1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
32 | 32% | |
 |
32 | 32% | |
| |
15 | 15% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
There have been no changes to this chart.Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similar charts
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| Top 99 Music Albums of the 1970s | Exist-en-ciel | 1970s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums |  NJ | Overall chart | 2024 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2000s | Exist-en-ciel | 2000s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums |  LAF2 | Overall chart | 2018 | |
| My Personal Ranking of Rate Your Music's Top 100 |  Xxnu99etxX | Custom chart | 2020 |  |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums |  jomth | Overall chart | 2019 |  |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | Lisandro | Overall chart | 2023 |  |
| PPV Overall Ranking | bea | Custom chart | 2021 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | mjp11 | Overall chart | 2025 | |
| Best Albums(1 Per Artist) | dougcummings | Custom chart | 2022 | |
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
88/100 (from 4 votes)
where:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
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N.B. The average rating for this chart will not be reliable as it has been rated very few times.
Showing all 4 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 100/100  | 07/12/2025 02:56 |  splashfoop | | 79/100 |
| 85/100 | 01/26/2025 12:16 | SomethingSpecial | | 85/100 |
| 95/100 | 01/16/2025 13:51 |  DommeDamian | | 89/100 |
| 95/100 | 01/15/2025 17:13 |  Joeingram | | 93/100 |
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We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.