Top 91 Greatest Music Albums
by 
btener11 
- Chart updated: 17 hours ago
- (Created: 10/07/2012 22:32).
- Chart size: 91 albums.
There are 58 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 91 Greatest Music Albums has an average rating of 90 out of 100 (from 96 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
View the complete list of 58,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.
"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:
14,685
Rank in 1980:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
"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:
19,398
Rank in 1977:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
"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:
8,511
Rank in 1991:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
"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:
11,460
Rank in 1985:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
"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:
42,113
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
"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:
36,442
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
"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:
32,750
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 10/07/2012]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,126
Rank in 1970:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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:
17,811
Rank in 1994:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
"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:
15,678
Rank in 1976:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 91. Page 1 of 10
Don't agree with this chart? Create your own from the My Charts page!
Top 91 Greatest Music Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 8 | 9% | |
| 1970s | 26 | 29% | |
| 1980s | 20 | 22% | |
| 1990s | 19 | 21% | |
| 2000s | 16 | 18% | |
| 2010s | 2 | 2% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| The Beatles | 3 | 3% | |
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 3% | |
| Joy Division | 2 | 2% | |
| Led Zeppelin | 2 | 2% | |
| Talk Talk | 2 | 2% | |
| Katatonia | 2 | 2% | |
| Nirvana | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
47 | 52% | |
 |
28 | 31% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 91 Greatest Music Albums chart changes
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 74th to 75thFor Your Pleasure by Roxy Music |
| Down 1 from 75th to 76thGoat by The Jesus Lizard |
| Down 1 from 76th to 77thThe Egg by Shiner |
| New entries |
|---|
| The Smiths by The Smiths |
Top 91 Greatest Music Albums similar charts
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 50 Greatest Music Albums | goldsoundz | Overall chart | 2011 | |
| RYM Average Rating | Imaybeparanoid | Custom chart | 2016 |  |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | LightRay | Overall chart | 2015 |  |
| My Personal Ranking of Rate Your Music's Top 100 |  Xxnu99etxX | Custom chart | 2020 | |
| BEA+RYM Overall Rank | Imaybeparanoid | Custom chart | 2017 | |
| Desert Island Picks | btener11 | Custom chart | 2013 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | gelud | Overall chart | 2014 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | daly350 | Overall chart | 2013 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | KindofBlue | Overall chart | 2019 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | mv3k | Overall chart | 2024 | |
Top 91 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.
- Gain access to a Dark Mode theme.
- 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 91 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 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 96 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/20/2025 14:49 |  SomethingSpecial | 1,089 | 85/100 | |
| 02/24/2023 03:30 |  AAL2014 | 163 | 92/100 | |
| 02/04/2022 10:58 |  IlMala | 178 | 95/100 | |
| 11/19/2021 05:10 |  foxytreeko | 39 | 80/100 | |
| 11/18/2021 15:03 |  Cytoma | 170 | 90/100 |
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 90.0/100, 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.
Top 91 Greatest Music Albums favourites
Showing all 15 members who have added this chart as a favourite
Top 91 Greatest Music Albums comments
Showing latest 10 comments | Show all 58 comments |
Most Helpful First | Newest First | Positive Sentiment First |
Longest Comments First
(Only showing comments with -2 votes or higher. You can alter this threshold from your profile page. Manage Profile)
From 
jdenny2018 05/29/2018 00:49 | #215730
jdenny2018 05/29/2018 00:49 | #215730
Outstanding chart
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
elo269megv 05/28/2018 23:46 | #215724
elo269megv 05/28/2018 23:46 | #215724
Jazz, punk, metal, pop, classic rock, new wave, prog, rap... can’t help but love this chart! Great top 20 choices as well. Not a big fan of your 80-100 selections outside of Ghostface, Tool and Soft Machine but that’s okay (I don’t think I even like my own haha)!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
ForegroundNoise 05/28/2018 12:05 | #215702
ForegroundNoise 05/28/2018 12:05 | #215702
I feel so conflicted about this chart - so many underground classics I adore (you top 7 is fucking first class) interwoven with records I think are so-so. Love the notes you've done so far, keep em coming and I'll be sure to up my rating :)
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Ulf 05/28/2018 09:12 | #215698
Really nice chart
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Jaymantheman 01/21/2018 08:08 | #206143
Interesting list. Makes me re-think my Tool and Metallica years and how I've forgotten how I loved them, but have little time for that type of music nowadays...
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
JulianR 09/11/2017 05:05 | #197783
JulianR 09/11/2017 05:05 | #197783
love it!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From badger 09/04/2017 14:58 | #197240
may be my favourite top 10 on this site
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
LedZep 02/15/2017 19:11 | #185706
LedZep 02/15/2017 19:11 | #185706
And you have Morphine, love it
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From LedZep 02/15/2017 19:09 | #185705
LedZep 02/15/2017 19:09 | #185705
SO diverse, really great. I never had the nerve to rate popular music (pop, rock, metal albums) in the same chart as jazz and classical, but you've found great compromise. The only thing that makes it 95 instead of 100 - I've listened to only 4 of your top 10 albums. My bad
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From vancevisuals 12/10/2016 01:46 | #179831
like Bitches Brew, good to see some Sabbath and Yes
The White Album is my #1 album
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Your feedback for Top 91 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.
