Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by 
btener11 
- Chart updated: 04/30/2026 02:15
- (Created: 10/07/2012 22:32).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 58 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 90 out of 100 (from 97 votes). Please log in or create an account to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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"Just for one moment - thought I'd found my way
Destiny unfolded - I watched it slip away..."
The Allmusic review for Closer describes it as a disjointed album that lacks the cohesiveness of its predecessor, yet from my first listen, the songs almost seemed to blend into each other. The mood doesn't change much along the way, hitting on various shades of depression, shifting from anger to paranoia, fear to despair. But while the mood changes little, Closer still takes the listener on a journey. The journey is marked by spikes in urgency ("A Means to an End," "Twenty-Four Hours"), the swelling and dying of restrained rage ("Colony"), and the fleeting presence of haunting specters ("Heart and Soul," "The Eternal"). Another crucial piece to the album's seamless flow is its being bookended by two of the greatest opening/closing tracks ever recorded ("Atrocity Exhibition"/"Decades"). Closer is loaded with classic Joy Division moments, yet it feels more like one grand opus than a collection of songs. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
Destiny unfolded - I watched it slip away..."
The Allmusic review for Closer describes it as a disjointed album that lacks the cohesiveness of its predecessor, yet from my first listen, the songs almost seemed to blend into each other. The mood doesn't change much along the way, hitting on various shades of depression, shifting from anger to paranoia, fear to despair. But while the mood changes little, Closer still takes the listener on a journey. The journey is marked by spikes in urgency ("A Means to an End," "Twenty-Four Hours"), the swelling and dying of restrained rage ("Colony"), and the fleeting presence of haunting specters ("Heart and Soul," "The Eternal"). Another crucial piece to the album's seamless flow is its being bookended by two of the greatest opening/closing tracks ever recorded ("Atrocity Exhibition"/"Decades"). Closer is loaded with classic Joy Division moments, yet it feels more like one grand opus than a collection of songs. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
Year of Release:
1980
Appears in:
Rank Score:
14,240
Rank in 1980:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
"Then Richie, Richie said
'Hey man let's dress up like cops
Think of what we could do!'
But something, something
It said 'you better not.'" [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
'Hey man let's dress up like cops
Think of what we could do!'
But something, something
It said 'you better not.'" [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
18,430
Rank in 1977:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"Mother numb to and devout to
Reckon luck sees us the same"
Mark Hollis is a master of space & silence; and space & silence have never been employed on a (post) rock album as well as they are on Laughing Stock. But Laughing Stock is more like a symphony than a rock album; orchestration, not energy, is at the heart of each composition. Every sound serves a distinct purpose, has its own contextual meaning. Laughing Stock (like Spirit of Eden before it) produced no singles, and there was no tour following its release. As Mark Hollis explained, it would be impossible to duplicate on stage the sound they perfected in the studio - especially with so many musicians involved. Thus, Laughing Stock served as the conclusion to Hollis' brilliant two-part "fuck you" to the music industry. Well played, sir. Well played. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
Reckon luck sees us the same"
Mark Hollis is a master of space & silence; and space & silence have never been employed on a (post) rock album as well as they are on Laughing Stock. But Laughing Stock is more like a symphony than a rock album; orchestration, not energy, is at the heart of each composition. Every sound serves a distinct purpose, has its own contextual meaning. Laughing Stock (like Spirit of Eden before it) produced no singles, and there was no tour following its release. As Mark Hollis explained, it would be impossible to duplicate on stage the sound they perfected in the studio - especially with so many musicians involved. Thus, Laughing Stock served as the conclusion to Hollis' brilliant two-part "fuck you" to the music industry. Well played, sir. Well played. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
Year of Release:
1991
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,056
Rank in 1991:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"In my cowardice I became at once a man, and did what all we grown men do when face to face with suffering and injustice; I preferred not to see them”. - Marcel Proust, "Swann's Way"
Here, Tom Waits simultaneously acknowledges and rejects Proust's sentiment. Rain Dogs instantly transports the listener to another time and place. One where bizarre and dejected figures strike impressionistic poses in a dank and drunken haze. "Singapore" sets the tone from the first bar. Waits' genius is his ability to sympathize with these grotesque characters, to show the world their souls - their love and their pain. What's more is Waits' ability to draw the listeners in close, and make space for their empathy as well. Harrowing pieces like "Time," "Blind Love" and "Downtown Train" humanize those dejected and unwanted wretches whom we usually prefer not to see. And with the heart-wrenching closer, "Anywhere I Lay My Head," the journey feels both significant and worthwhile. Rain Dogs is more than a mere musical endeavor - it is a humanistic one. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
Here, Tom Waits simultaneously acknowledges and rejects Proust's sentiment. Rain Dogs instantly transports the listener to another time and place. One where bizarre and dejected figures strike impressionistic poses in a dank and drunken haze. "Singapore" sets the tone from the first bar. Waits' genius is his ability to sympathize with these grotesque characters, to show the world their souls - their love and their pain. What's more is Waits' ability to draw the listeners in close, and make space for their empathy as well. Harrowing pieces like "Time," "Blind Love" and "Downtown Train" humanize those dejected and unwanted wretches whom we usually prefer not to see. And with the heart-wrenching closer, "Anywhere I Lay My Head," the journey feels both significant and worthwhile. Rain Dogs is more than a mere musical endeavor - it is a humanistic one. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
Year of Release:
1985
Appears in:
Rank Score:
11,094
Rank in 1985:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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"Oh no love, you're not alone
No matter what or who you've been
No matter when or where you've seen
All the knives seem to lacerate your brain
I've had my share, I'll help you with the pain
You're not alone" [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
No matter what or who you've been
No matter when or where you've seen
All the knives seem to lacerate your brain
I've had my share, I'll help you with the pain
You're not alone" [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
40,439
Rank in 1972:
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Average Rating:
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Available from
"You know I'd give you everything I've got
for a little peace of mind" [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
for a little peace of mind" [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
35,142
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
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Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
"Oh Mother, I can feel
The soil falling over my head
And as I climb into an empty bed
Oh well. Enough said." [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
The soil falling over my head
And as I climb into an empty bed
Oh well. Enough said." [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
31,244
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
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Average Rating:
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"Did you know life has given love a guarantee
To last through forever and another day?" [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
To last through forever and another day?" [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
Year of Release:
1976
Appears in:
Rank Score:
15,845
Rank in 1976:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
[First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,732
Rank in 1970:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
It's never over
My kingdom for a kiss upon her shoulder
It's never over
All my riches for her smiles when I slept so soft against her.
It's never over
All my blood for the sweetness of her laughter
It's never over
She's a tear that hangs inside my soul forever..." [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
My kingdom for a kiss upon her shoulder
It's never over
All my riches for her smiles when I slept so soft against her.
It's never over
All my blood for the sweetness of her laughter
It's never over
She's a tear that hangs inside my soul forever..." [First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
Year of Release:
1994
Appears in:
Rank Score:
17,453
Rank in 1994:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
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 | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 8 | 8% | |
| 1970s | 25 | 25% | |
| 1980s | 23 | 23% | |
| 1990s | 25 | 25% | |
| 2000s | 17 | 17% | |
| 2010s | 2 | 2% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Nirvana | 3 | 3% | |
| Tool | 3 | 3% | |
| The Beatles | 3 | 3% | |
| Joy Division | 2 | 2% | |
| Katatonia | 2 | 2% | |
| Talk Talk | 2 | 2% | |
| Pixies | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
57 | 57% | |
 |
27 | 27% | |
 |
4 | 4% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
Down 1 from 57th to 58th |
Down 1 from 58th to 59th |
Down 1 from 59th to 60th |
| New entries |
|---|
| Leavers |
|---|
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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 3 ratings for this chart. | Show all 97 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 05/03/2026 14:13 |  Bach | 971 | 78/100 |
| ! | 03/20/2025 14:49 |  SomethingSpecial | 1,089 | 86/100 |
| ! | 02/24/2023 03:30 |  AAL2014 | 163 | 92/100 |
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 2% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 89.9/100, a mean average of 90.4/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 90.4/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 8.0.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums favourites
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums forum mentions
This chart has been referenced 5 times on the forums, Explore the wider forum discussion to see what members have said about it.
From 
BestEverAlbums 05/03/2026 08:00 in Chart of the day (#5301): By btener11
BestEverAlbums 05/03/2026 08:00 in Chart of the day (#5301): By btener11“Today's chart of the day Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by ) 1. Closer by Joy Division (1980) 2. Marquee Moon by Television (1977) 3. Laughing Stock by Talk Talk (1991) 4. Rain Dogs by Tom Waits (1985) 5. The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars by David Bowie (1972) 6. The…”
(5 mentions across Chart of the Day topics)View latest topic →
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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From
craola 07/24/2014 20:24 | #117697
craola 07/24/2014 20:24 | #117697
Thank you for the comment. I disagree you you about the absurdity of having 18 albums from the 10s though.
Populations have increased, and there are more albums being released now than ever before (by a lot), so one should fully expect to see charts loaded with recently-released albums, statistically speaking. Now, I do believe that it's harder to find quality a midst all the crap than it was in the 70s (26 albums from the 70s!?), but there's more out there now than ever.
Looking at your list, I think you should give music post-Y2K more attention, but that of course is only a suggestion.
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From
philbutrin 08/09/2014 17:49 | #119095
philbutrin 08/09/2014 17:49 | #119095
thanks for the comment on my list... apparently we are the only two people who have included "your body above me" in any chart :-) i first saw black lab as an opening act at a concert and they put on an excellent live show. if you're a fan of paul durham's voice, one of my all-time favorite cover versions is his rendition of "your ghost" by kristin hersh from a cd on another of my charts: www.besteveralbums.com/thechart.php?a=64467
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From
gtroda 03/21/2013 03:48 | #69255
Since you asked so nicely on my chart I won't retaliate with a low rating. But like you said to my chart, there isn't a lot here for me. Actually there's a lot here that I've never listened to. So I'm just going to abstain from voting at this time.
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From
unwound 10/24/2012 22:28 | #53352
unwound 10/24/2012 22:28 | #53352
A solid 20 albums in common!
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From
Jasonconfused TOP 100 COMMENTER 03/19/2013 21:06 | #68990
Jasonconfused TOP 100 COMMENTER 03/19/2013 21:06 | #68990
Thanks for the comment. I actually used to have Don't Break the Oath on my chart as well but over time as I added new things to my chart I decided I'd just go with one Mercyful Fate album personally I just prefer Melissa.
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