Top 100 Greatest Music Albums by 
Strangel 
These albums are my favourites. This is not meant to be a 'Greatest Album's' chart, although I would strongly argue for each of my chosen albums in being considered for a greatest albums list. My interest is more toward the alternative/indie and electronic genres with a tendency toward experimentation in the music. I also need to be able to comfortably immerse myself in the music. So while I appreciate, and want to explore the work of Autechre (for example), I get far more pleasure from listening to Burial which has more reverie to the sound rather than almost pure math and tech. Aphex Twin, in fact, manages to bridge these aspects perfectly.
It might be noted that Radiohead dominates the list which simply expresses my belief that they have the uncanny ability to release album after album of near perfect alternative music, shifting the landscape of what's possible whilst always remaining relevant. I don't apologise for this. They are that good.
- Chart updated: 09/27/2024 14:15
- (Created: 07/04/2016 14:26).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 34 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 89 out of 100 (from 53 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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I feel like this album has been overlooked or missed completely by a large percentage of music lovers. If you are one of them then make this the next album you immerse yourself in. As close to my heart/soul as Boatman’s.
Rating: 98/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: The poetic closer, Darker with the Day -
'Inside I sat, seeking the presence of a God
I searched through the pictures in a leather-bound book
I found a woolly lamb dozing in an issue of blood
And a gilled Jesus shivering on a fisherman's hook' [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Rating: 98/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: The poetic closer, Darker with the Day -
'Inside I sat, seeking the presence of a God
I searched through the pictures in a leather-bound book
I found a woolly lamb dozing in an issue of blood
And a gilled Jesus shivering on a fisherman's hook' [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Year of Release:
2001
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,930
Rank in 2001:
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18
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In an era where heavy music was less relevant as a means to voice generational disquiet, Tool came from out of the ether to smack us in the face with this album of sublime music. They came to us when we were in need of expressing intelligent anger whilst also connecting with the latent artistic sensibility of a wider collective. They got us in touch with the art of Alex Grey, the comedic social commentary of Bill Hicks, and the depth psychology of Carl Jung. All of this was interwoven into the package that was AEnima, the album. The music itself rumbled like thunder without ever getting overcooked with pretensions. The title track roused a passion from within for those who saw through the plastic world of Los Angeles America without ever making us want to hurt anyone, afterall, Mother Nature will take care of that. Won't she? The musicianship is cleverly layered and artistically motivated. It is one of the few heavy albums I can return to time and again.
Rating: 97/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: The visceral lyrical rant demonstrated by Maynard in the title track.
'Learn to Swim'! [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Rating: 97/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: The visceral lyrical rant demonstrated by Maynard in the title track.
'Learn to Swim'! [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1996
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,855
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In this astonishing album Beth Gibbons has managed to tap into the melancholic heartbreak of a neglected divine feminine. To have that sensibility alone is a grand feat but to also manage to define a whole genre (trip hop), to go with it, makes this album an absolute classic. This is not background music - instead this album implores you to listen attentively because She has been ignored for far too long.
Rating: 96/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: The emotional fragility in Beth Gibbon's voice is almost unbearably palpable in the song Roads. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Rating: 96/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: The emotional fragility in Beth Gibbon's voice is almost unbearably palpable in the song Roads. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1994
Appears in:
Rank Score:
16,919
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I feel that this album has even more magnificence within than Agaetis Byrjun, reaching the crescendos with greater impact. I rate Agaetis Byrjun slightly higher in my ranking largely because it was just so revolutionary for me on its release. I can't think of a weak moment on this album. It is one of the most beautiful musical releases of all time.
Rating: 96/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: While there are many sublime moments on this album, Sigur Ros hits one of the most euphoric crecendos you'll ever come across with a pure post-rock cacophony of sound in Glosoli. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Rating: 96/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: While there are many sublime moments on this album, Sigur Ros hits one of the most euphoric crecendos you'll ever come across with a pure post-rock cacophony of sound in Glosoli. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Year of Release:
2005
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,586
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Oh what might've been. We can only imagine the possibilities that may have arisen had he been around for the past 20 years releasing albums every few years. While his talent is undoubted, it is more the ablity to convey the deep emotons of human love and frailty that truly blows the mind. He had a truly gifted voice that angels would envy and he used it on this album in ways that have left an indelible impact on those who fell in love with it and grew with it. The pieced together posthumous albums that came after Grace never really recaptured this genius but I have no doubt that there would have been much more in store.
Rating: 96/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: It's a cover, but it's possibly the best cover ever done. Unlike with the original by Cohen, I could listen to Buckley's Hallelujah every day. The emotion permeating through every vocal exertion is heartbreakingly beautiful. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Rating: 96/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: It's a cover, but it's possibly the best cover ever done. Unlike with the original by Cohen, I could listen to Buckley's Hallelujah every day. The emotion permeating through every vocal exertion is heartbreakingly beautiful. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1994
Appears in:
Rank Score:
18,106
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For a period of time in the 80s Metallica were at the pinnacle of alternative music. They were innovative, edgy, controversial, and above-all, relevant to a groundswell of angry youths wanting to rebel against a generally aloof, removed ruling class. Ironically, when grunge came about, Metallica's attempt to remain relevant means they lost relevance. The sound and lyrics coming from Master of Puppets is what engaged this generation of misfits and because they were the leaders of this genre, they could so easily have progressed without alienating their fan base so radically. MoP is grand in scale, with a very tight group of musicians, powerfully projecting intricate compositions. Add to this themes revolving around the senselessness of War, drug addiction, and religious hypocrisy, and you have a thrashing metal album with real integrity.
Rating: 96/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: The title track is an epic metal masterpiece. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Rating: 96/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: The title track is an epic metal masterpiece. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,931
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17. (18) 
1
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Superseding the relevancy of heavy metal, Nirvana gave the alienated masses 'grunge' with this incredibly catchy collection of noise-tinged distemper. Nirvana riled against excesses (other than that coming from amps) and in so doing relegated the naffness of 80s to the realms of history. Nevermind relies on the quiet-loud-quiet-loud formula and it works so well in drawing out all the latent disaffection waiting to erupt in unrepentant youth.
Rating: 96/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: Smells Like Teen Spirit signified the arrival of Grunge. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Rating: 96/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: Smells Like Teen Spirit signified the arrival of Grunge. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1991
Appears in:
Rank Score:
39,654
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If you've grown up with Radiohead, following their progress as a band, you are incredibly fortunate. Their evolution, and willingness to continuously expand their creative output, has meant that the anticipation of what their next LP has to offer is a truly incredible journey for a fan to be on. AMSP's bones are structurally provided by many years of Thom Yorke's musical doodling but the sound is magnificently filled out by Johnny Greenwood's orchestral compositions while the other band member's contribute in their usually understated way to provide another classic album.
Rating: 95/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: The prominent orchestral arrangements. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Rating: 95/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: The prominent orchestral arrangements. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Year of Release:
2016
Appears in:
Rank Score:
15,643
Rank in 2016:
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It was charismatic, catchy, dark, and extremely provocative for its time. This was a band conceived from psychedelic acid rain falling on the fertile soil of rock n roll and absorbed into the roots of the Blues. This album is the first debut on this list and the amazing thing is it came out just the year after Revolver. The Doors were alternative from the very beginning. The Beatles took a few albums to find the alternate route but The Doors were the epitome of an alternative band. Sure, they had the catchy immediacy of Light My Fire but they weren't going to follow any template for rock success. They were here to take us on a shamanic journey... if we were ready and willing to open ourselves to a deeper mystery within the lyrics and the hypnotic music. The End is quite possibly the greatest song ever written since the inception of rock music. It challenged the listener like no other music before it. How is it even possible for a young band to write such an epic closing track on their first album? I just wish I'd managed to see them live.
Rating 97/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: The End [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Rating 97/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: The End [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
27,670
Rank in 1967:
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This album was quintessential cool. Right from the opening 'shoot me' lyric, drowned out by a fuzzy bass riff and Lennon handclaps on Come Together, you are immediately drawn into a chilled out sense of detachment from a troubled world. The first half is as strong a half an album as you'll find; classic song after classic song. The second half works really well for what the tracks were. They work better as a medley as opposed to individual songs and having them flow into one another seamlessly makes a different type of listening experience. But it has lowered it a little on the list for me in that I can easily skip that part of the album. It's hard to put my finger on why that is because I still really enjoy listening to the second side yet I also often avoid it. Go figure.
Rating: 96/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: George Harrison stealing the show with the best track on the album, Something, a true classic. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Rating: 96/100
ALBUM HIGHLIGHT: George Harrison stealing the show with the best track on the album, Something, a true classic. [First added to this chart: 07/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
60,112
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Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 2 of 10
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 6 | 6% | |
| 1970s | 7 | 7% | |
| 1980s | 5 | 5% | |
| 1990s | 29 | 29% | |
| 2000s | 34 | 34% | |
| 2010s | 17 | 17% | |
| 2020s | 2 | 2% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Radiohead | 8 | 8% | |
| Aphex Twin | 4 | 4% | |
| Metallica | 4 | 4% | |
| Tool | 3 | 3% | |
| The Beatles | 3 | 3% | |
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 3 | 3% | |
| Pearl Jam | 3 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
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42 | 42% | |
| |
41 | 41% | |
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6 | 6% | |
| |
5 | 5% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 5 from 23rd to 18th A Moon Shaped Pool by Radiohead |
| Up 2 from 79th to 77th The Velvet Underground & Nico by The Velvet Underground & Nico |
| Up 2 from 78th to 76th Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 19 from 59th to 78th Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles |
| Down 16 from 69th to 85th Ghosteen by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds |
| Down 12 from 30th to 42nd Absolution by Muse |
| New entries |
|---|
 Wall Of Eyesby The Smile |
| Leavers |
|---|
 The Beatles (The White Album)by The Beatles |
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
89/100 (from 53 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.
Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 53 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
85/100  | 02/15/2025 09:18 |  DommeDamian | | 89/100 |
 90/100 | 06/12/2024 20:18 | C0NB9NN | | 85/100 |
| 90/100 | 06/10/2024 10:58 |  Tamthebam | | 85/100 |
| 90/100 | 11/19/2023 10:55 |  Bach | | 78/100 |
| 95/100 | 06/17/2020 14:47 |  DriftingOrpheus | | 91/100 |
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 5% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 88.7/100, a mean average of 86.3/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 89.2/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 16.7.
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Top 100 Greatest Music Albums comments
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85/100
From DommeDamian 02/15/2025 09:18
DommeDamian 02/15/2025 09:18
Yeah, just like a few others, I'd wish the Radioheads could spread out a bit more. But it's forgivable because of some of the descriptions, always a win in my book.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Strangel 06/11/2024 00:13
Strangel 06/11/2024 00:13
Yeah, as I mentioned in the comments, a lot of bourbon and pot was had while listening to The Doors. It doesn’t detract from the fact that I love the album. Roadhouse Blues got played a lot in the mix around then and I completely forgot it was on Morrison Hotel which, as an album I didn’t take to as much. We probably played the song in addition to LA Woman on a regular basis. Funny what memories do.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From C0NB9NN 06/10/2024 15:03
Very well thought out chart. I can start to picture where you go when you listen to these albums. Personally I don’t like Radiohead, but I don’t see that as a problem on your chart, as when you think an artist is good, they’re good.
I’d hate to be that one person, but Roadhouse Blues is on Morrison Hotel, not L.A. Woman.
17 albums in common.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From Timooosterink 08/30/2019 10:38
Love your chart! I agree on amok it is a very underated album.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From Granny-Smith 06/26/2019 12:36
I like your chart. Have a lot Artists and Albums in common.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
Paule 03/06/2019 11:36
Paule 03/06/2019 11:36
Good list! We share the Radiohead "problem". I suggest you to dive into some older Krautrock and Ambient music. You will find a lot of Radioheads work is influenced by that stuff and there are some gems to be found.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From Kurtco 01/29/2019 18:22
We have 31 albums and 21 artists in common... It's very funny!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From Kurtco 01/29/2019 18:18
I find your chart very interesting and complete. You have musical tastes very similar to mine. Radiohead is one of my favorite bands!
I'm glad you like Icelandic music: Sigur Rós and Björk. I agree with you that "Vespertine" is Björk's best album: It's a real masterpiece. You put a lot of recent music in your chart and it's nice to see AMOK of Atoms For Peace in your rankings. This is surely one of Thom Yorke's underrated albums. I'm really happy to see artists not very well known as Burial, Nick Cave or Amon Tobin who are part of my favorite artist. The 90s are really well represented in your chart with great artists like Nirvana, Aphex Twin, Tool or Massive Attack. Really very good job and very good choice!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
guzguzgarbit 01/21/2019 20:08
guzguzgarbit 01/21/2019 20:08
Good choices, great descriptions, great diversity (even with 8 Radiohead albums!). I particularly appreciate the presence of some electronic (Four Tet, Jon Hopkins, Burial...) among all the rock picks.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From 
jhuik 11/16/2018 14:00
jhuik 11/16/2018 14:00
I don't agree with your top ten, or some other picks, or (as has been noted by others) the excess of Radiohead, but who gives a shit about my opinion. I love the passion in your descriptions and the personalized responses. Great chart!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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