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: 21 hours ago
- (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 87 out of 100 (from 3 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
View the complete list of 55,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.
1. (=)
Buy album 
- #Sponsored
This album title (this year of release) : Beethoven IX · Lucerne, 1954 (1990)
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
Choral Symphony
9.1/10
Track selection: 4th movement (Presto)
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso 9
2. Molto vivace - Presto 9
3. Adagio molto e cantabile - Andante moderato - Tempo primo - Andante moderato - Adagio - Lo stesso tempo 9
4. Presto 9.5 [First added to this chart: 08/31/2022]
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
Choral Symphony
9.1/10
Track selection: 4th movement (Presto)
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso 9
2. Molto vivace - Presto 9
3. Adagio molto e cantabile - Andante moderato - Tempo primo - Andante moderato - Adagio - Lo stesso tempo 9
4. Presto 9.5 [First added to this chart: 08/31/2022]
0
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Theme and Variation
9/10
Track selection: Aria & Variations 1-15
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Aria & Variations 1-15 9
2. Variations 16-30 & Aria 9 [First added to this chart: 08/25/2022]
9/10
Track selection: Aria & Variations 1-15
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Aria & Variations 1-15 9
2. Variations 16-30 & Aria 9 [First added to this chart: 08/25/2022]
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Progressive Folk
8.9/10
Tracks selection: Comme un sage & Lumières de vie
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Proloque 8.5
2. Comme un fou 9
3. Sommeil sans rêves 8.5
4. Chanson noire 9
5. Le premier ciel 9
6. L'exil 9
7. Le corridor 9
8. Lumières de vie 9
9. Comme un sage 9.5
10. Épilogue 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/25/2022]
8.9/10
Tracks selection: Comme un sage & Lumières de vie
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Proloque 8.5
2. Comme un fou 9
3. Sommeil sans rêves 8.5
4. Chanson noire 9
5. Le premier ciel 9
6. L'exil 9
7. Le corridor 9
8. Lumières de vie 9
9. Comme un sage 9.5
10. Épilogue 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/25/2022]
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Art Rock
8.8/10
Track selection: Secret World (live)
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Red Rain 9
2. More Than This 8.5
3. Secret World 9.5
4. Games Without Frontiers 9
5. Mercy Street 8.5
6. Darkness 8.5
7. Digging in the Dirt 9.5
8. Don't Give Up 8.5
9. The Tower That Ate People 8.5
10. Growing Up 8.5
11. San Jacinto 8.5
12. Solsbury Hill 9
13. Sledgehammer 8.5
14. Signal to Noise 9
15. In Your Eyes 9
16. Come Talk to Me 8.5
17. Shock the Monkey 8.5
18. Biko 9 [First added to this chart: 08/24/2022]
8.8/10
Track selection: Secret World (live)
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Red Rain 9
2. More Than This 8.5
3. Secret World 9.5
4. Games Without Frontiers 9
5. Mercy Street 8.5
6. Darkness 8.5
7. Digging in the Dirt 9.5
8. Don't Give Up 8.5
9. The Tower That Ate People 8.5
10. Growing Up 8.5
11. San Jacinto 8.5
12. Solsbury Hill 9
13. Sledgehammer 8.5
14. Signal to Noise 9
15. In Your Eyes 9
16. Come Talk to Me 8.5
17. Shock the Monkey 8.5
18. Biko 9 [First added to this chart: 08/24/2022]
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Spiritual Jazz
8.7/10
Track selection: Part I - Acknowledgement (& Part IV - Psalm)
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Part I - Acknowledgement 9
2. Part II - Resolution 8.5
3. Part III - Pursuance / Part IV - Psalm 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/24/2022]
8.7/10
Track selection: Part I - Acknowledgement (& Part IV - Psalm)
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Part I - Acknowledgement 9
2. Part II - Resolution 8.5
3. Part III - Pursuance / Part IV - Psalm 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/24/2022]
Year of Release:
1965
Appears in:
Rank Score:
16,576
Rank in 1965:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Jazz-Rock
8.7/10
Track selection: Willie the Pimp & The Gumbo Variations
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Peaches en Regalia 8.5
2. Willie the Pimp 9
3. Son of Mr. Green Genes 8.5
4. Little Umbrellas 8.5
5. The Gumbo Variations 9
6. It Must Be a Camel 8.5 [First added to this chart: 12/21/2024]
8.7/10
Track selection: Willie the Pimp & The Gumbo Variations
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Peaches en Regalia 8.5
2. Willie the Pimp 9
3. Son of Mr. Green Genes 8.5
4. Little Umbrellas 8.5
5. The Gumbo Variations 9
6. It Must Be a Camel 8.5 [First added to this chart: 12/21/2024]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,446
Rank in 1969:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Orchestral Song
8.6/10
Track selection: III. Lento - Cantabile-semplice
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. I. Lento - Sostenuto tranquillo ma cantabile 8.5
2. II. Lento e largo - Tranquillissimo 8.5
3. III. Lento - Cantabile-semplice 9 [First added to this chart: 08/29/2022]
8.6/10
Track selection: III. Lento - Cantabile-semplice
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. I. Lento - Sostenuto tranquillo ma cantabile 8.5
2. II. Lento e largo - Tranquillissimo 8.5
3. III. Lento - Cantabile-semplice 9 [First added to this chart: 08/29/2022]
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Modal Jazz
8.6/10
Track selection : So What
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. So What 9
2. Freddie Freeloader 8.5
3. Blue in Green 8.5
4. All Blues 8.5
5. Flamenco Sketches 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/25/2022]
8.6/10
Track selection : So What
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. So What 9
2. Freddie Freeloader 8.5
3. Blue in Green 8.5
4. All Blues 8.5
5. Flamenco Sketches 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/25/2022]
Year of Release:
1959
Appears in:
Rank Score:
23,953
Rank in 1959:
Rank in 1950s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
9. (=)
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Romanticism
8.6/10
Track selection: 5th movement (Im Tempo des Scherzos)
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Allegro maestoso. Mit durchaus ernstem und feierlichem Ausdruck 8.5
2. Andante moderato. Sehr gemächlich. Nie eilen 8.5
3. In ruhig fließender Bewegung 8.5
4. Urlicht. Sehr feierlich, aber schlicht 8.5
5. Im Tempo des Scherzos 9 [First added to this chart: 09/02/2022]
8.6/10
Track selection: 5th movement (Im Tempo des Scherzos)
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Allegro maestoso. Mit durchaus ernstem und feierlichem Ausdruck 8.5
2. Andante moderato. Sehr gemächlich. Nie eilen 8.5
3. In ruhig fließender Bewegung 8.5
4. Urlicht. Sehr feierlich, aber schlicht 8.5
5. Im Tempo des Scherzos 9 [First added to this chart: 09/02/2022]
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Chamber Folk
8.6/10
Track selection: Sawdust & Diamonds
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Emily 8.5
2. Monkey & Bear 8.5
3. Sawdust & Diamonds 9
4. Only Skin 8.5
5. Cosmia 8.5 [First added to this chart: 09/13/2022]
8.6/10
Track selection: Sawdust & Diamonds
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Emily 8.5
2. Monkey & Bear 8.5
3. Sawdust & Diamonds 9
4. Only Skin 8.5
5. Cosmia 8.5 [First added to this chart: 09/13/2022]
Year of Release:
2006
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,959
Rank in 2006:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
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% | |
| Fuck Buttons | 1 | 1% | |
| Jorge López Ruiz | 1 | 1% | |
| Metric | 1 | 1% | |
| Joanna Newsom | 1 | 1% | |
| Joy Division | 1 | 1% | |
| Radiohead | 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 100 Music Albums of the 1970s | Exist-en-ciel | 1970s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums |  NJ | 2024 | | |
| My Personal Ranking of Rate Your Music's Top 100 |  Xxnu99etxX | custom chart | 2020 |  |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums |  LAF2 | 2018 | | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums |  jomth | 2019 |  | |
| PPV Overall Ranking | bea | custom chart | 2021 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | Lisandro | 2023 |  | |
| Best Albums(1 Per Artist) | dougcummings | custom chart | 2022 | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums |  Onater | 2019 | | |
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums |  pjohnsongolf | 2024 | |
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!
Other overall charts by Exist-en-ciel
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | Exist-en-ciel | 2025 | |
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums ratings
87/100 (from 3 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 3 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 85/100  | 5 days ago | 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.