Top 100 Greatest Music Albums
by samistake2ice

ANNOUNCEMENT: I'm currently starting with my year charts working through my decades and finishing with an updated version of my overall. Probably sometime in November, when my 2015 chart is a little more solid, will I be done with this chart. Thank you.

This is my "100 Favorite Albums List"

I think it's pretty hard to definitively rank your favorite albums so lets just say each one of these albums is accurate give or take 5 spots.

I grew up in the 90s, but was raised on a lot of 60s and 70s blues rock. I love Americana/Country/Folk having grown up in Texas, but I think my tastes are pretty broad. If there are albums on my list that you've never heard of (& there are) I recommend having a listen.

Enjoy

• Chart updated: 07/12/2016 15:45
• (Created: 12/27/2012 03:00).
• Chart size: 100 albums.

• Summary
• Composition
• Ratings
• Favourites
• Comments
• Your feedback

View the complete list of 57,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.

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1. (=)

Southeastern 

 Jason Isbell

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As a long time fan of his former band, The Drive-by Truckers, I thought the group really struggled after his bloody departure. I also think that the pain from that transition allowed for growth in both. 10 years ago, Isbell was an exiting young songwriter/guitar player. Now, after exceeding past multiple hurdles and finally finding solid ground. Jason Isbell is the force and voice by which every hopeful artist in the genre should try to compare. Southeastern is a testament to "the fight", be it addiction, disease, heartache, or station in life. You can overcome.

"You been strippin' in Prtland since the day you turned 16, you got one thing to sell in Benzodiazepine" - Different Days

Favorite Tracks: Elephant, Different Days, Relatively Easy [First added to this chart: 01/26/2014]

Year of Release:

2013

Appears in:

202 charts

Rank Score:

1,462

Rank in 2013:

19

Rank in 2010s:

173

Overall Rank:

1,191

Average Rating:

 76 (183 votes)

Comments:

18

2. (4) 2

Pet Sounds 

 The Beach Boys

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What a musical genius Brian Wilson is. This album is so ambitious and odd, and yet at the same time catchy and beautiful. The instrumentation and the harmonies are amazing. I wonder what the trajectory and legacy of the beach boys would have been if they had continued down this path.

Favorite Tracks: God Only Knows, Sloop John B, I just Wasn't Made For These Times [First added to this chart: 12/26/2012]

Year of Release:

1966

Appears in:

2,858 charts

Rank Score:

39,162

Rank in 1966:

2

Rank in 1960s:

5

Overall Rank:

11

Average Rating:

 88 (3,277 votes)

Comments:

360

3. (2) 1

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 

 The Beatles

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Best Beatles Album?? It certainly is worthy of consideration. It's incredibly personal to me because it was one of the album that frequented my folks record player when i was growing up. Probably is the Beatles album I have listen to the most.

"And of course, Henry the Horse dances the Waltz" - Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite

Favorite Tracks: With a Little Help From My Friends, Getting Better, Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite [First added to this chart: 12/26/2012]

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

3,494 charts

Rank Score:

43,290

Rank in 1967:

1

Rank in 1960s:

3

Overall Rank:

8

Average Rating:

 90 (4,592 votes)

Comments:

491

4. (3) 1

Blood On The Tracks 

 Bob Dylan

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I just love Bob Dylan, that's about it. I'm inexplicably drawn to this album, more than the rest, however. The narratives in the songs and even the cover art just pique my interest.

"You're an idiot, babe. It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe." - Idiot Wind

Favorite Tracks: Idiot Wind, Tangled Up in Blue, Simple Twist of Fate [First added to this chart: 12/26/2012]

Year of Release:

1975

Appears in:

1,866 charts

Rank Score:

20,887

Rank in 1975:

2

Rank in 1970s:

11

Overall Rank:

42

Average Rating:

 87 (2,200 votes)

Comments:

168

5. (=)

Hospice 

 The Antlers

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Favorite Tracks: Kettering, Bear, Wake [First added to this chart: 12/26/2012]

Year of Release:

2009

Appears in:

650 charts

Rank Score:

5,268

Rank in 2009:

2

Rank in 2000s:

48

Overall Rank:

322

Average Rating:

 81 (845 votes)

Comments:

85

6. (=)

For Emma, Forever Ago 

 Bon Iver

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Favorite Tracks: Skinny Love, re: Stacks, Creature Fear [First added to this chart: 12/26/2012]

Year of Release:

2007

Appears in:

1,224 charts

Rank Score:

11,000

Rank in 2007:

3

Rank in 2000s:

14

Overall Rank:

118

Average Rating:

 83 (1,537 votes)

Comments:

114

7. (=)

East Nashville Skyline 

 Todd Snider

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If you have followed my charts you would know that Todd is one of my favorite songwriting personalities of all time. He combines Randy Newman's wit, with John Prine's settings and completely makes it his own brand of folk music that Woody Guthrie would be proud to play. He is in many ways partly responsible for Jason Isbell's ascent, as Isbell would surely tell you. But after much deliberation on which Snider album was my favorite, settled on ENS because its his seemingly most personal. Named for where he calls home, the songs range from the death of friend (Play a train song) to societal commentary (ballad of the kingsman) and finishes with a message that we can all strive to follow (enjoy yourself). In my opinion Snider belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of folk music. If i were to tell you to listen to one Snider song it would be "Ballad of the Kingsmen".

"Now, Brothers and Sisters, I am only one guy, and I don't even know the words to that song Louie, Louie" - Ballad of the Kingsmen

Favorite Tracks: Ballad of the Kingsmen, Age Like Wine, Play a Train Song [First added to this chart: 05/14/2013]

Year of Release:

2004

Appears in:

14 charts

Rank Score:

56

Rank in 2004:

330

Rank in 2000s:

3,526

Overall Rank:

19,040

Average Rating:

 76 (16 votes)

Comments:

0

8. (=)

Nothing's Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now 

 Justin Townes Earle

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I know it may seem a bit premature to rank an album this current so high, but it has been stuck in my head since the day I bought it. In contrast to Magical Mystery Tour above, this album is filled with longing and failure, and empty emotion stemming from real life feelings of trying to gain a fathers respect. In this album every thing is cloudy and grey, yet there is just enough optimism to push forward.

"I tell her I been gettin' sick again, and we both pretend we don't know why" - Movin' On

Favorite Tracks: Movin' On, Unfortunately Anna, Memphis in the Rain [First added to this chart: 12/26/2012]

Year of Release:

2012

Appears in:

20 charts

Rank Score:

85

Rank in 2012:

292

Rank in 2010s:

2,768

Overall Rank:

13,456

Average Rating:

 74 (22 votes)

Comments:

4

9. (=)

Transformer 

 Lou Reed

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It's possible in this last update Transformer got a huge bump because of Lou Reed's passing. But, I have been listening to this album almost non stop since his death and I hear something new, or gain a different appreciation of a song, every time. RIP Lou Reed, you will be missed.

Favorite Tracks: Hanging Around, Take a Walk On the Wild Side, Perfect Day [First added to this chart: 12/26/2012]

Year of Release:

1972

Appears in:

1,239 charts

Rank Score:

9,798

Rank in 1972:

6

Rank in 1970s:

36

Overall Rank:

141

Average Rating:

 83 (1,539 votes)

Comments:

91

10. (=)

Shadows, Greys & Evil Ways 

 The White Buffalo

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Why The White Buffalo is still so underrepresented is a mystery to me. Shadows, Greys, & Evil Ways follows the life of Joey White from when he is punk kid dealing with young love, through war and trauma, ptsd and the struggle that comes with trying to insert yourself back in to the real world. FInally finishing with his reluctant acceptance of death. The Story is heartbreaking and exhausting, while simultaneously uplifting and funny. Joey White is one of the best characters written in song.

"If My faith isnt Blind, will i be left behind?" - Pray to You Now

Favorite Tracks: This Year, Joe & Jolene, Pray to You Now [First added to this chart: 01/26/2014]

Year of Release:

2013

Appears in:

18 charts

Rank Score:

82

Rank in 2013:

332

Rank in 2010s:

2,875

Overall Rank:

13,921

Average Rating:

 72 (16 votes)

Comments:

2

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Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10

Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition

Country	Albums	%
	78	78%
	14	14%
	3	3%
	2	2%
	1	1%
	1	1%
	1	1%

Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes

Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similar charts

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Top 100 Music Albums of the 2000s	samistake2ice	2000s decade chart	2016
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums	glitter-bubbles	Overall chart	2015
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s	samistake2ice	1970s decade chart	2023
Top 100 Music Albums of the 2010s	samistake2ice	2010s decade chart	2020
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums	mjbreuer	Overall chart	2020
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums	RaineyWins	Overall chart	2015
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums	bdsball04	Overall chart	2022

Top 100 Greatest Music Albums similarity to your chart(s)

Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings

Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 51 ratings for this chart.

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• Rating
• Date updated
• Member

Rating	Date updated	Member	Chart ratings	Avg. chart rating
85/100  !	03/20/2025 14:44	SomethingSpecial	1,104	85/100
90/100  !	06/16/2024 10:41	Moondance	476	85/100
90/100  !	02/18/2023 20:23	Johnnyo	2,557	80/100
95/100  !	09/18/2021 21:52	DommeDamian	1,004	89/100
100/100  !	02/17/2021 06:01	pjohnsongolf	272	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 has a Bayesian average rating of 86.5/100, a mean average of 86.9/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 86.7/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 9.5.

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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums favourites

Showing all 5 members who have added this chart as a favourite

henrygreen0203

Radioscope

Mez123

Mercury

drivebytornado

Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments

Showing latest 10 comments | Show all 37 comments |
Most Helpful First | Newest First | Positive Sentiment First | Longest Comments First
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Rating:  

90/100

From Moondance 06/16/2024 10:42 | #303979

Very thoughtful chart - lots of love/lots to discover here!

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

90/100

From Johnnyo 02/18/2023 20:23 | #294188

Great chart. Not sure if you are still active on the site but would be great to see an updated chart.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

100/100

From Mercury 01/13/2021 22:44 | #264381

hey just wanted to stop by and look at this old chart that i love. miss the "good ol days" when we'd chat on the forums about folk singer/songwriter albums. Hope you're doing well. Hard to beleive that its really been nearly 5 years since you updated this bad boy.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

95/100

From DommeDamian 11/04/2020 20:18 | #260193

fun fact: I saw your #1 as soon as I'd finish it for the first time.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

100/100

From henrygreen0203 07/08/2017 17:54 | #193936

There's an incredible collection of talented songwriters in this collection. You could literally use this list for a introductory course in American songwriting. Love this chart!

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

80/100

From TheHolyKiwi 07/08/2017 12:24 | #193926

Fantastic stuff my friend!

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

85/100

From LedZep 06/03/2017 22:38 | #191932

Not exactly my cup of tea, but the brilliance of this chart cannot be denied

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

95/100

From buzzdainer 06/06/2016 18:34 | #168052

Awesome chart! Happy to see Southeastern and Closing Time getting some love.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

85/100

From Mez123 10/07/2015 23:32 | #151148

Great chart I enjoyed reading through your comments. Your right we have similar tastes. Peace The MEZ

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

From samistake2ice 07/29/2015 11:43 | #146673

For whatever reason I just can't get into calexico. Their new album is all I've listened to, and I feel like it's sorta been pushed down my throat. I'll listen to the others today.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

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