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
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------
Ranks 1 to 23: top 23
Ranks 24 to 100: chronology 1963-2024
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------
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.
There are 0 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 88 out of 100 (from 4 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
View the complete list of 56,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.
This chart is currently filtered to only show compilation albums. (Remove this filter)
Buy album 
- #Sponsored
Progressive Rock
8.6/10
10 Genesis 1970-1975 favorite songs:
1. The Cinema Show (1973)
2. Supper's Ready (1972)
3. The Musical Box (1971)
4. Firth of Fifth (1973)
5. In the Cage (1974)
6. The Fountain of Salmacis (1971)
7. The Return of the Giant Hogweed (1971)
8. Carpet Crawlers (1974)
9. Watcher of the Skies (1972)
10. Stagnation (1970)
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
• Trespass (1970) 8.6
1. Looking for Someone 8.5
2. White Mountain 8.5
3. Visions of Angels 8
4. Stagnation 9
5. Dusk 8.5
6. The Knife 9
• Nursery Cryme (1971) 8.8
7. The Musical Box 9.5
8. For Absent Friends 8
9. The Return of the Giant Hogweed 9.5
10. Seven Stones 8.5
11. Harold the Barrel 8.5
12. Harlequin 8.5
13. The Fountain of Salmacis 9.5
• Foxtrot (1972) 8.8
14. Watcher of the Skies 9.5
15. Time Table 8
16. Get 'Em Out by Friday 8.5
17. Can-utility and the Coastliners 9
18. Horizons 8.5
19. Supper's Ready 9.5
• Selling England by the Pound (1973) 8.8
20. Dancing With the Moonlit Knight 9
21. I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) 8.5
22. Firth of Fifth 9.5
23. More Fool Me 8
24. The Battle of Epping Forest 9
25. After the Ordeal 8.5
26. The Cinema Show 9.5
27. Aisle of Plenty 9
• The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974) 8.6
28. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway 9
29. Fly on a Windshield 9
30. Broadway Melody of 1974 8.5
31. Cuckoo Cocoon 8.5
32. In the Cage 9.5
33. The Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging 8.5
34. Back in N.Y.C. 9
35. Hairless Heart 8.5
36. Counting Out Time 8.5
37. Carpet Crawlers 9.5
38. The Chamber of 32 Doors 8.5
39. Lilywhite Lilith 8.5
40. The Waiting Room 9
41. Anyway 8.5
42. Here Comes the Supernatural Anaesthetist 8.5
43. The Lamia 8.5
44. Silent Sorrow in Empty Boats 8.5
45. The Colony of Slippermen 9
46. Ravine 8
47. The Light Dies Down on Broadway 8.5
48. Riding the Scree 8.5
49. In the Rapids 8.5
50. It 8.5
• Extra tracks 7.8
51. Happy the Man 8
52. Twilight Alehouse 8.5
53. Shepherd (BBC) 7.5
54. Pacidy (BBC) 7.5
55. Let Us Now Make Love (BBC) 7.5
56. Going Out to Get You (Demo) 7.5
57. Provocation (Demo) 8
58. Frustation (Demo) 8
59. Manipulation (Demo) 8
60. Resignation (Demo) 8 [First added to this chart: 08/27/2022]
8.6/10
10 Genesis 1970-1975 favorite songs:
1. The Cinema Show (1973)
2. Supper's Ready (1972)
3. The Musical Box (1971)
4. Firth of Fifth (1973)
5. In the Cage (1974)
6. The Fountain of Salmacis (1971)
7. The Return of the Giant Hogweed (1971)
8. Carpet Crawlers (1974)
9. Watcher of the Skies (1972)
10. Stagnation (1970)
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
• Trespass (1970) 8.6
1. Looking for Someone 8.5
2. White Mountain 8.5
3. Visions of Angels 8
4. Stagnation 9
5. Dusk 8.5
6. The Knife 9
• Nursery Cryme (1971) 8.8
7. The Musical Box 9.5
8. For Absent Friends 8
9. The Return of the Giant Hogweed 9.5
10. Seven Stones 8.5
11. Harold the Barrel 8.5
12. Harlequin 8.5
13. The Fountain of Salmacis 9.5
• Foxtrot (1972) 8.8
14. Watcher of the Skies 9.5
15. Time Table 8
16. Get 'Em Out by Friday 8.5
17. Can-utility and the Coastliners 9
18. Horizons 8.5
19. Supper's Ready 9.5
• Selling England by the Pound (1973) 8.8
20. Dancing With the Moonlit Knight 9
21. I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) 8.5
22. Firth of Fifth 9.5
23. More Fool Me 8
24. The Battle of Epping Forest 9
25. After the Ordeal 8.5
26. The Cinema Show 9.5
27. Aisle of Plenty 9
• The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974) 8.6
28. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway 9
29. Fly on a Windshield 9
30. Broadway Melody of 1974 8.5
31. Cuckoo Cocoon 8.5
32. In the Cage 9.5
33. The Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging 8.5
34. Back in N.Y.C. 9
35. Hairless Heart 8.5
36. Counting Out Time 8.5
37. Carpet Crawlers 9.5
38. The Chamber of 32 Doors 8.5
39. Lilywhite Lilith 8.5
40. The Waiting Room 9
41. Anyway 8.5
42. Here Comes the Supernatural Anaesthetist 8.5
43. The Lamia 8.5
44. Silent Sorrow in Empty Boats 8.5
45. The Colony of Slippermen 9
46. Ravine 8
47. The Light Dies Down on Broadway 8.5
48. Riding the Scree 8.5
49. In the Rapids 8.5
50. It 8.5
• Extra tracks 7.8
51. Happy the Man 8
52. Twilight Alehouse 8.5
53. Shepherd (BBC) 7.5
54. Pacidy (BBC) 7.5
55. Let Us Now Make Love (BBC) 7.5
56. Going Out to Get You (Demo) 7.5
57. Provocation (Demo) 8
58. Frustation (Demo) 8
59. Manipulation (Demo) 8
60. Resignation (Demo) 8 [First added to this chart: 08/27/2022]
4
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Folk Pop
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]
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]
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Ethereal Wave
8.4/10
Tracks selection: Aikea-Guinea & Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. The Spangle Maker 8
2. Millimillenary 8
3. Wax and Wane 8
4. Hitherto 8
5. Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops 8.5
6. From the Flagstones 8
7. Aikea-Guinea 8.5
8. Lorelei 9.5
9. Pepper-Tree 8
10. Musette and Drums 9.5 [First added to this chart: 08/24/2022]
8.4/10
Tracks selection: Aikea-Guinea & Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. The Spangle Maker 8
2. Millimillenary 8
3. Wax and Wane 8
4. Hitherto 8
5. Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops 8.5
6. From the Flagstones 8
7. Aikea-Guinea 8.5
8. Lorelei 9.5
9. Pepper-Tree 8
10. Musette and Drums 9.5 [First added to this chart: 08/24/2022]
Buy album
- #Sponsored
C86
8.1/10
Track selection: Shimmer
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Don't Say If 8
2. On My Mind 8
3. Trust Me 8
4. My Empty Head 8
5. Shimmer 8.5
6. Tell Me Why 8
7. You're Gonna Cry [Demo] 8
8. I Don't Care 8
9. I Could Be in Heaven 8.5
10. Nothing Kills 8
11. When I'm With You 8
12. BAD 8
13. Heaven Is Blue 8
14. If Not for You 8.5
15. Heaven Knows [Tranquiliser Mix] 8
16. Love Cuts 8
17. Out of Love 8
18. Happy All the Time 8.5
19. Life of Crime [Demo] 8
20. You're Gonna Get Hurt 8
21. Sportscar Girl 8
22. Turning You Blue [Campfire Mix] 8.5 [First added to this chart: 01/14/2025]
8.1/10
Track selection: Shimmer
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Don't Say If 8
2. On My Mind 8
3. Trust Me 8
4. My Empty Head 8
5. Shimmer 8.5
6. Tell Me Why 8
7. You're Gonna Cry [Demo] 8
8. I Don't Care 8
9. I Could Be in Heaven 8.5
10. Nothing Kills 8
11. When I'm With You 8
12. BAD 8
13. Heaven Is Blue 8
14. If Not for You 8.5
15. Heaven Knows [Tranquiliser Mix] 8
16. Love Cuts 8
17. Out of Love 8
18. Happy All the Time 8.5
19. Life of Crime [Demo] 8
20. You're Gonna Get Hurt 8
21. Sportscar Girl 8
22. Turning You Blue [Campfire Mix] 8.5 [First added to this chart: 01/14/2025]
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Post-Rock
8.2/10
Track selection: Hafsól
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Salka 8
2. Hljómalind 8.5
3. Í gær 8
4. Von 8
5. Hafsól 9
6. Samskeyti (live) 8
7. Starálfur (live) 8.5
8. Vaka (live) 8
9. Ágætis byrjun (live) 8
10. Heysátan (live) 8
11. Von (live) 8 [First added to this chart: 01/13/2025]
8.2/10
Track selection: Hafsól
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Salka 8
2. Hljómalind 8.5
3. Í gær 8
4. Von 8
5. Hafsól 9
6. Samskeyti (live) 8
7. Starálfur (live) 8.5
8. Vaka (live) 8
9. Ágætis byrjun (live) 8
10. Heysátan (live) 8
11. Von (live) 8 [First added to this chart: 01/13/2025]
Total albums: 5. Page 1 of 1
Don't agree with this chart? Create your own from the My Charts page!
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% | |
| Claudio Abbado / Wiener Philharmoniker / Friedrich Gulda | 1 | 1% | |
| Cocteau Twins | 1 | 1% | |
| Ariane Moffatt | 1 | 1% | |
| Terry Riley | 1 | 1% | |
| DJ Shadow | 1 | 1% | |
| Julia Holter | 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
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similarity to your chart(s)
Not a member? Registering is quick, easy and FREE!
Why register?
Join a passionate community of over 50,000 music fans.- Create & share your own charts.
- Have your say in the overall rankings.
- Post comments in the forums and vote on polls.
- Comment on or rate any album, artist, track or chart.
- Discover new music & improve your music collection.
- Customise the overall chart using a variety of different filters & metrics.
- Create a wishlist of albums.
- Help maintain the BEA database.
- Earn member points and gain access to increasing levels of functionality!
- ... And lots more!
Register now - it only takes a moment!
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.
m = minimum number of ratings required for an item to appear in a 'top-rated' chart (currently 10).
AV = the site mean average rating.
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 |
Please log in or register if you want to be able to leave a rating
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums favourites
Please log in or register if you want to be able to add a favourite
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
Be the first to add a comment for this Chart - add your comment!
Please log in or register if you want to be able to add a comment
Your feedback for Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
Let us know what you think of this chart by adding a comment or assigning a rating below!
If you enjoy our site, please consider supporting us by sparing a few seconds to disable your ad blocker.
A lot of hard work happens in the background to keep BEA running, and it's especially difficult to do this when we can't pay our hosting fees :(
We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.
A lot of hard work happens in the background to keep BEA running, and it's especially difficult to do this when we can't pay our hosting fees :(
We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.