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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This chart is currently filtered to only show albums from the 1980s. (Remove this filter)
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This album title (this year of release) : Beethoven IX · Lucerne, 1954 (1990)
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Choral Symphony
9.1/10
Track selection: 4th movement (Presto)
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1. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso 9
2. Molto vivace - Presto 9
3. Adagio molto e cantabile - Andante moderato - Tempo primo - Andante moderato - Adagio - Lo stesso tempo 9
4. Presto 9.5 [First added to this chart: 08/31/2022]
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Choral Symphony
9.1/10
Track selection: 4th movement (Presto)
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1. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso 9
2. Molto vivace - Presto 9
3. Adagio molto e cantabile - Andante moderato - Tempo primo - Andante moderato - Adagio - Lo stesso tempo 9
4. Presto 9.5 [First added to this chart: 08/31/2022]
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Theme and Variation
9/10
Track selection: Aria & Variations 1-15
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1. Aria & Variations 1-15 9
2. Variations 16-30 & Aria 9 [First added to this chart: 08/25/2022]
9/10
Track selection: Aria & Variations 1-15
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1. Aria & Variations 1-15 9
2. Variations 16-30 & Aria 9 [First added to this chart: 08/25/2022]
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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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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
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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]
Year of Release:
1980
Appears in:
Rank Score:
28,543
Rank in 1980:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Orchestral Music
8.5/10
Track selection: Boléro
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1. Boléro 9.5
2. Alborada del gracioso 8.5
3. Rapsodie espagnole 8
4. La valse 8 [First added to this chart: 08/31/2022]
8.5/10
Track selection: Boléro
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1. Boléro 9.5
2. Alborada del gracioso 8.5
3. Rapsodie espagnole 8
4. La valse 8 [First added to this chart: 08/31/2022]
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Progressive Rock
7.9/10
Track selection: Duke's Travels
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1. Behind the Lines 8.5
2. Duchess 8
3. Guide Vocal 7
4. Man of Our Times 8.5
5. Misunderstanding 8
6. Heathaze 7
7. Turn It On Again 8
8. Alone Tonight 7.5
9. Cul-de-Sac 7.5
10. Please Don't Ask 7
11. Duke's Travels 9.5
12. Duke's End 8 [First added to this chart: 08/25/2022]
7.9/10
Track selection: Duke's Travels
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1. Behind the Lines 8.5
2. Duchess 8
3. Guide Vocal 7
4. Man of Our Times 8.5
5. Misunderstanding 8
6. Heathaze 7
7. Turn It On Again 8
8. Alone Tonight 7.5
9. Cul-de-Sac 7.5
10. Please Don't Ask 7
11. Duke's Travels 9.5
12. Duke's End 8 [First added to this chart: 08/25/2022]
Year of Release:
1980
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,915
Rank in 1980:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Gothic Rock
8.2/10
Track selection: A Strange Day
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1. One Hundred Years 8
2. A Short Term Effect 8
3. The Hanging Garden 8.5
4. Siamese Twins 8
5. The Figurehead 8.5
6. A Strange Day 8.5
7. Cold 8.5
8. Pornography 7.5 [First added to this chart: 01/17/2025]
8.2/10
Track selection: A Strange Day
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1. One Hundred Years 8
2. A Short Term Effect 8
3. The Hanging Garden 8.5
4. Siamese Twins 8
5. The Figurehead 8.5
6. A Strange Day 8.5
7. Cold 8.5
8. Pornography 7.5 [First added to this chart: 01/17/2025]
Year of Release:
1982
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,941
Rank in 1982:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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Baroque Music
8.3/10
Tracks selection: Concerto no. 4 in F minor, 'L'inverno (Winter)', RV 297 - 1rst movement (Allegro non molto)
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• Concerto no. 1 in E, 'La Primavera (Spring)', RV 269 8.1
1. i. Allegro 8.5
2. ii. Largo 8
3. iii. Allegro (Danza Pastorale) 8
• Concerto no. 2 in G minor, 'L'estate (Summer)', RV 315 8.2
4. i. Allegro non molto - Allegro 8.5
5. ii. Adagio - Presto - Adagio 8
6. iii. Presto (Tempo impetuoso d'estate) 8
• Concerto no. 3 in F, 'L'autunno (Autumn)', RV 293 8
7. i. Allegro (Ballo, e canto de 'villanelli) 8.5
8. ii. Adagio Molto (Ubriachi dormienti) 7.5
9. iii. Allegro (La caccia) 8
• Concerto no. 4 in F minor, 'L'inverno (Winter)', RV 297
10. i. Allegro non molto 9
11. ii. Largo 8.5
12. iii. Allegro 8.5 [First added to this chart: 09/11/2022]
8.3/10
Tracks selection: Concerto no. 4 in F minor, 'L'inverno (Winter)', RV 297 - 1rst movement (Allegro non molto)
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• Concerto no. 1 in E, 'La Primavera (Spring)', RV 269 8.1
1. i. Allegro 8.5
2. ii. Largo 8
3. iii. Allegro (Danza Pastorale) 8
• Concerto no. 2 in G minor, 'L'estate (Summer)', RV 315 8.2
4. i. Allegro non molto - Allegro 8.5
5. ii. Adagio - Presto - Adagio 8
6. iii. Presto (Tempo impetuoso d'estate) 8
• Concerto no. 3 in F, 'L'autunno (Autumn)', RV 293 8
7. i. Allegro (Ballo, e canto de 'villanelli) 8.5
8. ii. Adagio Molto (Ubriachi dormienti) 7.5
9. iii. Allegro (La caccia) 8
• Concerto no. 4 in F minor, 'L'inverno (Winter)', RV 297
10. i. Allegro non molto 9
11. ii. Largo 8.5
12. iii. Allegro 8.5 [First added to this chart: 09/11/2022]
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New Romantic
8.1/10
Track selection: It's M'y Life
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1. Dum Dum Girl 8
2. Such a Shame 8.5
3. Renée 8
4. It's My Life 9
5. Tomorrow Started 8
6. The Last Time 8
7. Call in the Night Boy 8
8. Does Caroline Know? 7.5
9. It's You 8 [First added to this chart: 01/13/2025]
8.1/10
Track selection: It's M'y Life
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1. Dum Dum Girl 8
2. Such a Shame 8.5
3. Renée 8
4. It's My Life 9
5. Tomorrow Started 8
6. The Last Time 8
7. Call in the Night Boy 8
8. Does Caroline Know? 7.5
9. It's You 8 [First added to this chart: 01/13/2025]
Year of Release:
1984
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,148
Rank in 1984:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Impressionism
8.3/10
Track selection: Gymnopedie No.1
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1. Gymnopédie No.1 9
2. Gymnopédie No.2 8.5
3. Gymnopédie No.3 8.5
4. Je te veux 8
5. 4 Préludes flasques 8
6. Prélude en tapisserie 8
7. 4ème Nocturne 8
8. Vieux sequins et vieilles cuirasses 8
9. Embryons desséchés 8
10. Gnossienne No. 1 8.5
11. Gnossienne No. 2 8.5
12. Gnossienne No. 3 8.5
13. Gnossienne No. 4 8.5
14. Gnossienne No. 5 8.5
15. Gnossienne No. 6 8
16. Sonatine bureaucratique 8
17. Le Picadilly 8 [First added to this chart: 09/13/2022]
8.3/10
Track selection: Gymnopedie No.1
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Gymnopédie No.1 9
2. Gymnopédie No.2 8.5
3. Gymnopédie No.3 8.5
4. Je te veux 8
5. 4 Préludes flasques 8
6. Prélude en tapisserie 8
7. 4ème Nocturne 8
8. Vieux sequins et vieilles cuirasses 8
9. Embryons desséchés 8
10. Gnossienne No. 1 8.5
11. Gnossienne No. 2 8.5
12. Gnossienne No. 3 8.5
13. Gnossienne No. 4 8.5
14. Gnossienne No. 5 8.5
15. Gnossienne No. 6 8
16. Sonatine bureaucratique 8
17. Le Picadilly 8 [First added to this chart: 09/13/2022]
Total albums: 16. Page 1 of 2
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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% | |
| Simon & Garfunkel | 1 | 1% | |
| Kate Bush | 1 | 1% | |
| Sweet Trip | 1 | 1% | |
| The Moody Blues | 1 | 1% | |
| Aphex Twin | 1 | 1% | |
| Lydia Képinski | 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 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.