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
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Ranks 1 to 23: top 23
Ranks 24 to 100: chronology 1963-2024
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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: 24 hours ago
- (Created: 08/24/2022 18:20).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
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This chart is currently filtered to only show albums from the 1990s. (Remove this filter)
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Orchestral Song
8.6/10
Track selection: III. Lento - Cantabile-semplice
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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
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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]
4
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Shoegaze
8.5/10
Track selection: Only Shallow
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1. Only Shallow 9
2. Loomer 8.5
3. Touched 8
4. To Here Knows When 8.5
5. When You Sleep 8.5
6. I Only Said 8.5
7. Come In Alone 8.5
8. Sometimes 8.5
9. Blown a Wish 8.5
10. What You Want 8.5
11. Soon 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/28/2022]
8.5/10
Track selection: Only Shallow
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1. Only Shallow 9
2. Loomer 8.5
3. Touched 8
4. To Here Knows When 8.5
5. When You Sleep 8.5
6. I Only Said 8.5
7. Come In Alone 8.5
8. Sometimes 8.5
9. Blown a Wish 8.5
10. What You Want 8.5
11. Soon 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/28/2022]
Year of Release:
1991
Appears in:
Rank Score:
31,545
Rank in 1991:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Progressive Rock
8/10
Track selection: Miracle of Life
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1. I Would Have Waited Forever 8
2. Shock to the System 8
3. Masquerade 8
4. Lift Me Up 8
5. Without Hope You Cannot Start the Day 7.5
6. Saving My Heart 8.5
7. Miracle of Life 9
8. Silent Talking 8
9. More We Live - Let Go 8.5
10. Angkor Wat 8
11. Dangerous (Look in the Light of What You're Searching For) 7.5
12. Holding On 7.5
13. Evensong 8
14. Take the Water to the Mountain 8 [First added to this chart: 01/04/2025]
8/10
Track selection: Miracle of Life
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. I Would Have Waited Forever 8
2. Shock to the System 8
3. Masquerade 8
4. Lift Me Up 8
5. Without Hope You Cannot Start the Day 7.5
6. Saving My Heart 8.5
7. Miracle of Life 9
8. Silent Talking 8
9. More We Live - Let Go 8.5
10. Angkor Wat 8
11. Dangerous (Look in the Light of What You're Searching For) 7.5
12. Holding On 7.5
13. Evensong 8
14. Take the Water to the Mountain 8 [First added to this chart: 01/04/2025]
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Dream Pop
8.2/10
Track selection: Catch the Breeze
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1. Spanish Air 8.5
2. Celia's Dream 8.5
3. Catch the Breeze 8.5
4. Ballad of Sister Sue 8
5. Erik's Song 8
6. Waves 8
7. Brighter 8
8. The Sadman 8
9. Primal 8.5 [First added to this chart: 01/14/2025]
8.2/10
Track selection: Catch the Breeze
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1. Spanish Air 8.5
2. Celia's Dream 8.5
3. Catch the Breeze 8.5
4. Ballad of Sister Sue 8
5. Erik's Song 8
6. Waves 8
7. Brighter 8
8. The Sadman 8
9. Primal 8.5 [First added to this chart: 01/14/2025]
Year of Release:
1991
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,213
Rank in 1991:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Punk Blues
8.2/10
Track selection: Papa Won't Leave You, Henry
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1. Papa Won't Leave You, Henry 8.5
2. I Had a Dream, Joe 8.5
3. Straight to You 8.5
4. Brother, My Cup Is Empty 8
5. Christina the Astonishing 8
6. When I First Came to Town 8
7. John Finn's Wife 8.5
8. Loom of the Land 8
9. Jack the Ripper 8 [First added to this chart: 01/07/2025]
8.2/10
Track selection: Papa Won't Leave You, Henry
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Papa Won't Leave You, Henry 8.5
2. I Had a Dream, Joe 8.5
3. Straight to You 8.5
4. Brother, My Cup Is Empty 8
5. Christina the Astonishing 8
6. When I First Came to Town 8
7. John Finn's Wife 8.5
8. Loom of the Land 8
9. Jack the Ripper 8 [First added to this chart: 01/07/2025]
Year of Release:
1992
Appears in:
Rank Score:
990
Rank in 1992:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
57. (=)
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Smooth Soul
8.2/10
Track selection: No Ordinary Love
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1. No Ordinary Love 8.5
2. Feel No Pain 8.5
3. I Couldn't Love You More 8
4. Like a Tattoo 8
5. Kiss of Life 8.5
6. Cherish the Day 8.5
7. Pearls 8
8. Bullet Proof Soul 8
9. Mermaid 8 [First added to this chart: 12/13/2024]
8.2/10
Track selection: No Ordinary Love
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. No Ordinary Love 8.5
2. Feel No Pain 8.5
3. I Couldn't Love You More 8
4. Like a Tattoo 8
5. Kiss of Life 8.5
6. Cherish the Day 8.5
7. Pearls 8
8. Bullet Proof Soul 8
9. Mermaid 8 [First added to this chart: 12/13/2024]
Year of Release:
1992
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,553
Rank in 1992:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Singer-Songwriter
8.3/10
Track selection: Roman Candle
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1. Roman Candle 8.5
2. Condor Ave 8.5
3. No Name #1 8.5
4. No Name #2 8.5
5. No Name #3 8.5
6. Drive All Over Town 7.5
7. No Name #4 8
8. Last Call 8.5 [First added to this chart: 01/07/2025]
8.3/10
Track selection: Roman Candle
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Roman Candle 8.5
2. Condor Ave 8.5
3. No Name #1 8.5
4. No Name #2 8.5
5. No Name #3 8.5
6. Drive All Over Town 7.5
7. No Name #4 8
8. Last Call 8.5 [First added to this chart: 01/07/2025]
Year of Release:
1994
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,101
Rank in 1994:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Trip Hop
8.4/10
Track selection: Roads
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Mysterons 8.5
2. Sour Times 8.5
3. Strangers 8.5
4. It Could Be Sweet 8
5. Wandering Star 8.5
6. Numb 8.5
7. Roads 9.5
8. Pedestal 8
9. Biscuit 8
10. Glory Box 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/28/2022]
8.4/10
Track selection: Roads
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Mysterons 8.5
2. Sour Times 8.5
3. Strangers 8.5
4. It Could Be Sweet 8
5. Wandering Star 8.5
6. Numb 8.5
7. Roads 9.5
8. Pedestal 8
9. Biscuit 8
10. Glory Box 8.5 [First added to this chart: 08/28/2022]
Year of Release:
1994
Appears in:
Rank Score:
17,245
Rank in 1994:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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IDM
8/10
Track selection: Alberto Balsalm
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Acrid Avid Jam Shred 8.5
2. The Waxen Pith 8
3. Wax the Nip 8
4. Icct Hedral (Edit) 8
5. Ventolin (Video Version) 7.5
6. Come On You Slags! 8
7. Start as You Mean to Go On 8
8. Wet Tip Hen Ax 7.5
9. Mookid 8
10. Alberto Balsalm 9
11. Cow Cud Is a Twin 8
12. Next Heap With 7.5 [First added to this chart: 01/07/2025]
8/10
Track selection: Alberto Balsalm
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. Acrid Avid Jam Shred 8.5
2. The Waxen Pith 8
3. Wax the Nip 8
4. Icct Hedral (Edit) 8
5. Ventolin (Video Version) 7.5
6. Come On You Slags! 8
7. Start as You Mean to Go On 8
8. Wet Tip Hen Ax 7.5
9. Mookid 8
10. Alberto Balsalm 9
11. Cow Cud Is a Twin 8
12. Next Heap With 7.5 [First added to this chart: 01/07/2025]
Year of Release:
1995
Appears in:
Rank Score:
873
Rank in 1995:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Southern Hip Hop
8.2/10
Track selection: ATLiens
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. You May Die (Intro) 8
2. Two Dope Boyz (In a Cadillac) 8.5
3. ATLiens 9
4. Wheelz of Steel 8.5
5. Jazzy Belle 8.5
6. Elevators (Me & You) 8
7. Ova da Wudz 8
8. Babylon 8.5
9. Wailin' 8
10. Mainstream 8
11. Decatur Psalm 8.5
12. Millennium 8
13. E.T. (Extraterrestrial) 8
14. 13th Floor / Growing Old 8.5
15. Elevators (ONP 86 Mix) 7.5 [First added to this chart: 12/01/2024]
8.2/10
Track selection: ATLiens
‐----------‐----------------------------------------------------------
1. You May Die (Intro) 8
2. Two Dope Boyz (In a Cadillac) 8.5
3. ATLiens 9
4. Wheelz of Steel 8.5
5. Jazzy Belle 8.5
6. Elevators (Me & You) 8
7. Ova da Wudz 8
8. Babylon 8.5
9. Wailin' 8
10. Mainstream 8
11. Decatur Psalm 8.5
12. Millennium 8
13. E.T. (Extraterrestrial) 8
14. 13th Floor / Growing Old 8.5
15. Elevators (ONP 86 Mix) 7.5 [First added to this chart: 12/01/2024]
Year of Release:
1996
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,899
Rank in 1996:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 14. Page 1 of 2
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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
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| 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 | |
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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).
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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  | 01/26/2025 12:16 | SomethingSpecial | | 85/100 |
| 95/100 | 01/16/2025 13:51 |  DommeDamian | | 89/100 |
| 95/100 | 01/15/2025 17:13 |  Joeingram | | 93/100 |
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We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.