Best Albums of All Time: Ranked

I collected over 40 lists of the “Best Albums of All Time”, “Greatest Albums…”, “Most Important Albums…” from books, magazines and the Internet and combined them into one meta-list.  Here are the results: every album on three or more of the original source lists, organized by rank (that is, with the albums on the most lists at the top).  Albums on the same number of lists are arranged chronologically.

NOTE 1: These are not my personal opinions.

NOTE 2: The “Best Albums” lists I found focus on pop, r&b, hip hop and the many permutations of rock, with occasional nods to other genres (jazz, folk, country). To make up for the many missing genres, I have created other music meta-lists for classical, jazz, blues, hip hop, country, and world music. If you’re looking for Best Songs meta-lists, I’ve created some of those, too: rock/pop, etc., country, and hip hop.

On 38 Lists

The Beatles  Revolver  (1966)

On 37 Lists

The Beatles  The Beatles [White Album] (1968)

On 36 Lists

The Beach Boys  Pet Sounds (1966)


The Beatles  Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)


David Bowie  The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars (1972)


Nirvana  Nevermind (1991)

On 35 lists

Led Zeppelin  [Led Zeppelin IV] (1971)

On 33 Lists

The Beatles  Rubber Soul (1965)


The Jimi Hendrix Experience  Are You Experienced? (1967)


The Clash  London Calling (1980)

On 32 Lists


The Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)


The Beatles  Abbey Road (1969)

0
Marvin Gaye  What’s Going On (1971)


The Rolling Stones  Exile on Main St. (1972)


Fleetwood Mac  Rumours (1977)

On 31 Lists

Pink Floyd  The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)


Sex Pistols  Never Mind the Bollocks Here’s the Sex Pistols (1977)

On 29 Lists

Michael Jackson  Thriller (1982)

On 28 Lists

Bob Dylan  Highway 61 Revisited (1965)


Bruce Springsteen  Born to Run (1975)

On 27 Lists

Bob Dylan  Blonde on Blonde (1966)


The Doors  The Doors (1967)


The Jimi Hendrix Experience  Electric Ladyland (1968)


The Who  Who’s Next (1971)


Bob Dylan  Blood on the Tracks (1975)


Ramones  Ramones (1976)

On 26 Lists

Van Morrison  Astral Weeks (1968)


The Rolling Stones  Let It Bleed (1969)


The Rolling Stones  Sticky Fingers (1971)


AC/DC  Back in Black (1980)


Prince & the Revolution  Purple Rain (1984)

ok computer
Radiohead  OK Computer (1997)

On 25 Lists

The Smiths  The Queen Is Dead (1986)

On 24 Lists

David Bowie  Hunky Dory (1971)


U2  The Joshua Tree (1987)

On 23 Lists

Neil Young  After the Gold Rush (1970)


Patti Smith  Horses (1975)


Stevie Wonder  Songs in the Key of Life (1976)


U2  Achtung Baby (1991)


R.E.M.  Automatic for the People (1992)

On 22 Lists

Joni Mitchell  Blue (1971)


Led Zeppelin  Physical Graffiti (1975)


Television  Marquee Moon (1977)


Paul Simon  Graceland (1986)


Public Enemy  It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)

On 21 Lists

Miles Davis  Kind of Blue (1959)


Bob Dylan  Bringing It All Back Home (1965)


Love  Forever Changes (1967)


The Band  The Band (1969)


Stevie Wonder  Innervisions (1973)

wish-you-were-album-cover
Pink Floyd  Wish You Were Here (1975)


Guns n’ Roses  Appetite for Destruction (1987)

On 20 Lists
Simon_and_Garfunkel,_Bridge_over_Troubled_Water_(1970)
Simon & Garfunkel  Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)


Prince  Sign o’ the Times (1987)


Pearl Jam  Ten (1991)

On 19 Lists
beggars banquet
The Rolling Stones  Beggars Banquet (1968)

Led_Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin  Led Zeppelin II (1969)

TalkingHeads RemaininLight
Talking Heads  Remain in Light (1980)

Jeff_Buckley_grace
Jeff Buckley  Grace (1994)

On 18 Lists
Led_Zeppelin_-_Led_Zeppelin_(1969)_front_cover
Led Zeppelin  Led Zeppelin (1969)

Carole_King_-_Tapestry
Carole King  Tapestry (1971)

off the wall.jpg
Michael Jackson  Off the Wall (1979)

Pink_Floyd_-_The_Wall
Pink Floyd  The Wall (1979)

Stoneroses
The Stone Roses  The Stone Roses (1989)

Pixies-Doolittle
Pixies  Doolittle (1989)

On 17 Lists
James_Brown-Live_at_the_Apollo_(album_cover)
James Brown  ‘Live’ at The Apollo (1963)

Otisblue
Otis Redding  Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965)

VanMorrison Moondance
Van Morrison  Moondance (1970)

lou reed transformer
Lou Reed  Transformer (1972)

Elton_John_-_Goodbye_Yellow_Brick_Road
Elton John  Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)

The_Clash_UK
The Clash  The Clash (1979)

Oasis_-_(What's_The_Story)_Morning_Glory_album_cover
Oasis  (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)

Radiohead the bends albumart
Radiohead  The Bends (1995)

On 16 Lists
music from big pink
The Band  Music From Big Pink (1968)

Dusty_Springfield,_Dusty_in_Memphis_(1969).png
Dusty Springfield  Dusty in Memphis (1969)

Tommyalbumcover
The Who  Tommy (1969)

Trout_Mask_Replica
Captain Beefheart  Trout Mask Replica (1969)

Velvetundergroundthirdalbum
The Velvet Underground  The Velvet Underground (1969)

plastic ono band
John Lennon  John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)

Bitches_brew
Miles Davis  Bitches Brew (1970)

Joy_Division_Closer
Joy Division  Closer (1981)

Portishead_-_Dummy
Portishead  Dummy (1994)

Odelay
Beck  Odelay (1996)

Radiohead.kida.albumart
Radiohead  Kid A (2000)

On 15 Lists
LaylaCover
Derek and The Dominos  Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970)

StoogesRawPower
Iggy & The Stooges  Raw Power (1973)

Queen_A_Night_At_The_Opera
Queen  A Night at the Opera (1975)

Hotelcalifornia
The Eagles  Hotel California (1976)

unknown pleasures
Joy Division  Unknown Pleasures (1980)

R.E.M._-_Murmur
R.E.M.  Murmur (1983)

Metallica_-_Master_of_Puppets_cover
Metallica  Master of Puppets (1986)

SonicYouthDaydreamNationalbumcover
Sonic Youth  Daydream Nation (1988)

My_Bloody_Valentine_-_Loveless
My Bloody Valentine  Loveless (1991)

OasisDefinitelyMaybealbumcover
Oasis  Definitely Maybe (1994)

On 14 Lists
John_Coltrane_-_A_Love_Supreme
John Coltrane  A Love Supreme (1965)

StoogesFunHouse
The Stooges  Fun House (1970)

paranoid
Black Sabbath  Paranoid (1970)

ImagineCover
John Lennon Imagine (1971)

BruceSpringsteenDarknessontheEdgeofTown
Bruce Springsteen  Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978)

Tom_Waits_-_Rain_Dogs
Tom Waits  Rain Dogs (1985)

N.W.A.StraightOuttaComptonalbumcover
N.W.A.  Straight Outta Compton (1988)

BeastieBoysPaul'sBoutique
Beastie Boys  Paul’s Boutique (1989)

Screamadelica_album_cover
Primal Scream  Screamadelica (1991)

blood sugar sex magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers  Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)

MassiveAttackBlueLines
Massive Attack  Blue Lines (1991)

Metallica_-_Metallica_cover
Metallica  Metallica [Black Album] (1991)

In_Utero_(Nirvana)_album_cover
Nirvana  In Utero (1993)

LaurynHillTheMiseducationofLaurynHillalbumcover
Lauryn Hill  The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)

The_Strokes_-_Is_This_It_US_cover
The Strokes  Is This It (2001)

On 13 Lists
Johnny_Cash_At_Folsom_Prison
Johnny Cash  At Folsom Prison (1968)

TheKinksVillageGreenPreservationSociety
The Kinks  The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (1969)

NeilYoungHarvestalbumcover
Neil Young  Harvest (1972)

court and spark
Joni Mitchell  Court and Spark (1974)

Roxy_Music_-_For_Your_Pleasure
Roxy Music  For Your Pleasure (1976)

MyAim_isTrue
Elvis Costello  My Aim Is True (1977)

Hounds_of_love
Kate Bush  Hounds of Love (1985)

SmashingPumpkins-SiameseDream
The Smashing Pumpkins  Siamese Dream (1993)

Wu-TangClanEntertheWu-Tangalbumcover
Wu-Tang Clan  Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)

The_Downward_Spiral
Nine Inch Nails  The Downward Spiral (1994)

On 11 Lists
Aretha_Franklin_–_I_Never_Loved_a_Man_the_Way_I_Love_You
Aretha Franklin  I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967)

DisraeliGears
Cream  Disraeli Gears (1967)

there's a riot goin on
Sly & the Family Stone  There’s a Riot Goin’ On (1971)

Led_Zeppelin_-_Houses_of_the_Holy
Led Zeppelin  Houses of the Holy (1973)

Neil_Young_tonight's the night
Neil Young  Tonight’s the Night (1975)

SaturdayNightFeveralbumcover
Various Artists (incl. Bee Gees) Saturday Night Fever (1977)

Pretenders_album
The Pretenders  Pretenders (1980)

The_Replacements_-_Let_It_Be_cover
The Replacements  Let It Be (1984)

born in the usa
Bruce Springsteen  Born in the U.S.A. (1984)

Brothers_in_Arms
Dire Straits  Brothers in Arms (1985)

ATribeCalledQuestTheLowEndtheory
A Tribe Called Quest  The Low End Theory (1991)

Endtroducingcover
DJ Shadow  Endtroducing….. (1996)

On 11 Lists
a hard day's night
The Beatles  A Hard Day’s Night (1964)

ArethaFranklinLadySoul
Aretha Franklin  Lady Soul (1968)

Stand-slyfam
Sly & the Family Stone  Stand! (1969)

SantanaAbraxas
Santana  Abraxas (1970)

All_Things_Must_Pass_1970_cover
George Harrison  All Things Must Pass (1970)

Talking_Book
Stevie Wonder  Talking Book (1972)

Bob_Marley_and_the_Wailers_-_Exodus
Bob Marley & the Wailers  Exodus (1977)

this years model
Elvis Costello  This Year’s Model (1978)

Blondie_-_Parallel_Lines
Blondie  Parallel Lines (1978)

Neil_Young_Rust_Never_Sleeps
Neil Young  Rust Never Sleeps (1979)

PIL Metalbox HIGH RESOLUTION COVER ART  public image limited second edition
Public Image Ltd.  Metal Box (re-released in 1980 as Second Edition) (1979)

Police-synchronicity
The Police  Synchronicity (1983)

BobMarley-Legend
Bob Marley & the Wailers  Legend (rec. 1972-1983, rel. 1984)

Licensed_to_ill
Beastie Boys  Licensed to Ill (1986)

So_(album)
Peter Gabriel  So (1986)

Fear_of_a_Black_Planet
Public Enemy  Fear of a Black Planet (1990)

RageAgainsttheMachineRageAgainsttheMachine
Rage Against the Machine  Rage Against the Machine (1992)

NasIllmatic
Nas  Illmatic (1994)

BlurParklife
Blur  Parklife (1994)

On 9 Lists
sun_sessions_9902  sun sessions cd
Elvis Presley  The Sun Sessions (several versions) (1954-1955)

Grateful_Dead_-_American_Beauty
Grateful Dead  American Beauty (1970)

AllmanBrothersBandAtFillmoreEast
The Allman Brothers Band  At Fillmore East (1971)

Janis_Joplin-Pearl_(album_cover)
Janis Joplin  Pearl (1971)

Another_Green_World
Brian Eno  Another Green World (1975)

Trans-Europe_Express Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk  Trans-Europe Express (1977)

Low_(album)
David Bowie  Low (1977)

Doublenickels
Minutemen  Double Nickels on the Dime (1984)

Raising_Hell_(Run_DMC_album_-_cover_art)
Run-D.M.C.  Raising Hell (1986)

The Cure Disintegration
The Cure  Disintegration (1989)

Slanted_and_Enchanted_album_cover
Pavement  Slanted and Enchanted (1992)

Superunknown
Soundgarden  Superunknown (1994)

Alanis_Morissette_-_Jagged_Little_Pill
Alanis Morissette  Jagged Little Pill (1995)

Elliottsmitheitheror55
Elliott Smith  Either/Or (1997)

ArcadeFireFuneralCover
Arcade Fire  Funeral (2004)

On 9 Lists
PinkFloyd-album-piperatthegatesofdawn_300
Pink Floyd  The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)

SongsOfLeonardCohen
Leonard Cohen  Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967)

axis bold as love
The Jimi Hendrix Experience  Axis: Bold as Love (1968)

NotoriousByrdBrothers
The Byrds  The Notorious Byrd Brothers (1968)

Odessey_and_Oracle
The Zombies  Odessey & Oracle (1968)

Five_Leaves_Left
Nick Drake  Five Leaves Left (1969)

every picture tells a story
Rod Stewart  Every Picture Tells a Story (1971)

T_Rex_Electric_Warrior
T. Rex  Electric Warrior (1971)

NickDrakePinkMoon
Nick Drake  Pink Moon (1972)

NewYorkDollsNewYorkDolls
New York Dolls  New York Dolls (1973)

gram parsons grievous angel
Gram Parsons  Grievous Angel (1974)

i want to see the bright lights
Richard & Linda Thompson  I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight (1974)

Aerosmith_-_Toys_in_the_Attic
Aerosmith  Toys in the Attic (1975)

station to station
David Bowie  Station to Station (1976)

Van_Halen_album
Van Halen  Van Halen (1978)

some girls
The Rolling Stones  Some Girls (1978)

Entertainment!
Gang of Four  Entertainment! (1979)

1999 prince
Prince  1999 (1982)

The_Smiths_The_Smiths
The Smiths  The Smiths (1984)

Psychocandy
The Jesus and Mary Chain  Psychocandy (1986)

DeLaSoul3FeetHighandRisingalbumcover
De La Soul  3 Feet High and Rising (1989)

Dr.DreTheChronic
Dr. Dre  The Chronic (1992)

Hole-livethroughthis
Hole  Live Through This (1994)

Nirvana_mtv_unplugged_in_new_york
Nirvana  MTV Unplugged in New York (1994)

stankonia
OutKast  Stankonia (2000)

The_Marshall_Mathers_LP
Eminem  The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)

Stories_From_The_City,_Stories_From_The_Sea
PJ Harvey  Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea (2000)

kanye-west-college-dropout-650-430
Kanye West  The College Dropout (2004)

My_Beautiful_Dark_Twisted_Fantasy  my beautiful dark twisted fantasy
Kanye West  My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)

On 8 Lists
Elvis_Presley_Album_Cover
Elvis Presley  Elvis Presley (1956)

Whitelightwhiteheat
The Velvet Underground  White Light/White Heat (1968)

the gilded palace of sin
The Flying Burrito Brothers  The Gilded Palace of Sin (1969)

In_the_Court_of_the_Crimson_King
King Crimson  In the Court of the Crimson King (1969)

Crosby,_Stills,_Nash_&_Young_-_Deja_Vu
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young  Déjà vu (1970)

sweet baby james
James Taylor  Sweet Baby James (1970)

Led_Zeppelin_-_Led_Zeppelin_III
Led Zeppelin  Led Zeppelin III (1970)

call me
Al Green  Call Me (1973)

gram parsons gp
Gram Parsons  GP (1973)

The_Modern_Lovers_(album)
The Modern Lovers  The Modern Lovers (rec. 1971-1973, rel. 1976)

Aja_album_cover
Steely Dan  Aja (1977)

Big_Star-3rd  BigStarThird
Big Star  Third/Sister Lovers (1978)

Bruce_Springsteen_-_Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen  Nebraska (1982)

TomWaitsSwordfishtrombones
Tom Waits  Swordfishtrombones (1983)

Surfer Rosa
Pixies  Surfer Rosa (1988)

Liz_Phair_-_Exile_in_Guyville
Liz Phair  Exile in Guyville (1993)

Ready_To_Die
The Notorious B.I.G.  Ready to Die (1994)

Green_Day_-_Dookie_cover
Green Day  Dookie (1994)

Smashing_Pumpkins_-_Mellon_Collie_And_The_Infinite_Sadness
The Smashing Pumpkins  Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995)

Pulp_-_Different_Class
Pulp  Different Class (1996)

The_Verve,_Urban_Hymns
The Verve  Urban Hymns (1997)

Elephant,_The_White_Stripes
The White Stripes  Elephant (2003)

On 7 Lists
Hereslittlerichard
Little Richard  Here’s Little Richard (1957)

Coltrane_Giant_Steps
John Coltrane  Giant Steps (1960)

ModernSoundsInC&WMusic
Ray Charles  Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (1962)

aftermath album cover
The Rolling Stones  Aftermath (1966)

surrealistic pillow
Jefferson Airplane  Surrealistic Pillow (1967)

StoogesStooges
The Stooges  The Stooges (1969)

Creedence_Clearwater_Revival_-_Green_River
Creedence Clearwater Revival  Green River (1969)

in a silent way
Miles Davis  In a Silent Way (1969)

EverybodyKnowsThisIsNowhere
Neil Young  Everybody Knows this is Nowhere (1969)

Songs_of_love_and_hate
Leonard Cohen  Songs of Love and Hate (1971)

maggot brain
Funkadelic  Maggot Brain (1971)

CurtisMayfield Superfly
Curtis Mayfield  Super Fly (1972)

Somethinganythingcover
Todd Rundgren  Something/Anything? (1972)

Quadrophenia_(album)
The Who  Quadrophenia (1973)

Let's_Get_It_On
Marvin Gaye  Let’s Get It On (1973)

Radio_city_cover
Big Star  Radio City (1974)

On_the_Beach_-_Neil_Young
Neil Young  On the Beach (1974)

mothership connection
Parliament  Mothership Connection (1975)

Suicide album cover
Suicide  Suicide (1977)

Wirepinkflagcover
Wire  Pink Flag (1977)

Bat_out_of_Hell
Meat Loaf  Bat Out of Hell (1977)

HatfulofHollow84
The Smiths  Hatful of Hollow (1984)

Bon_jovi_slippery_when_wet
Bon Jovi  Slippery When Wet (1986)

Madonna_-_Like_a_Prayer_album
Madonna  Like a Prayer (1989)

R.E.M._-_Out_of_Time
R.E.M.  Out of Time (1991)

The_Blueprint
Jay-Z  The Blueprint (1991)

Weezer_-_Blue_Album
Weezer  Weezer [Blue Album] (1994)

TheProdigy-TheFatOfTheLand
The Prodigy  The Fat of the Land (1997)


Björk  Homogenic (1997)

car wheels on a gravel road
Lucinda Williams  Car Wheels on a Gravel Road (1998)

The_Magnetic_Fields_-_69_Love_Songs
The Magnetic Fields  69 Love Songs (1999)

the soft bulletin
The Flaming Lips  The Soft Bulletin (1999)

Yankee_Hotel_Foxtrot_(Front_Cover)
Wilco  Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2001)

a rush of blood to the head
Coldplay  A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002)

Amy_Winehouse_-_Back_to_Black_(album)
Amy Winehouse  Back to Black (2006)

In_Rainbows_Official_Cover
Radiohead  In Rainbows (2007)

On 6 Lists
ChuckBerry_TheGreatTwentyEight
Chuck Berry  The Great Twenty-Eight (rec. 1955-1965)

songs for swingin lovers
Frank Sinatra  Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! (1956)

James_Brown_Star_Time
James Brown  Star Time (rec. 1956-1984)

Live_at_the_Harlem_Square_Club
Sam Cooke  Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963 (rec. 1963, rel. 1985)

mr tambourine man.jpg
The Byrds  Mr. Tambourine Man (1965)

younger than yesterday
The Byrds  Younger Than Yesterday (1967)

The_who_sell_out
The Who  The Who Sell Out (1967)

sweetheart of the rodeo
The Byrds  Sweetheart of the Rodeo (1968)

chicago transit authority
Chicago Transit Authority (later known as Chicago)  Chicago Transit Authority (1969)

BlindFaithBlindFaith
Blind Faith  Blind Faith (1969)

Black_Sabbath_debut_album
Black Sabbath  Black Sabbath (1970)

Grateful_Dead_-_Workingman's_Dead
Grateful Dead  Workingman’s Dead (1970)

Tea_for_the_Tillerman
Cat Stevens  Tea for the Tillerman (1970)

coat of many colors
Dolly Parton  Coat of Many Colors (1971)

The_Doors_-_L.A._Woman
The Doors  L.A. Woman (1971)

aqualung
Jethro Tull  Aqualung (1971)

Can_-_Tago_Mago
Can  Tago Mago (1971)

the harder they come
Various Artists (incl. Jimmy Cliff)  The Harder They Come Soundtrack (1972)

here come the warm jets
Brian Eno  Here Come the Warm Jets (1973)

Paul_McCartney_&_Wings-Band_on_the_Run
Paul McCartney & Wings  Band on the Run (1973)

The_B-52's_cover
The B-52s  The B-52s (1979)

Black_Flag_-_Damaged_cover
Black Flag  Damaged (1981)

HuskerDuZenArcade
Hüsker Dü  Zen Arcade (1984)

The_Unforgettable_Fire
U2  The Unforgettable Fire (1984)

Stevemcqueen
Prefab Sprout  Steve McQueen (1985)

HuskerDuNewDayRising
Hüsker Dü  New Day Rising (1985)

Depeche_Mode_-_Violator
Depeche Mode  Violator (1990)

Selected_Ambient_Works_85-92
Aphex Twin  Selected Ambient Works 85-92 (1992)

Dirt_(Alice_in_Chains_album_-_cover_art)
Alice in Chains  Dirt (1992)

Pavement_Crooked_Rain
Pavement  Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (1994)

Bjork_Post
Björk  Post (1995)

Tricky_-_Maxinquaye
Tricky  Maxinquaye (1995)

Fugees_-_The_Score
Fugees  The Score (1996)

EverythingMustGo
Manic Street Preachers  Everything Must Go (1996)

Belle_And_Sebastian_-_If_You're_Feeling_Sinister
Belle & Sebastian  If You’re Feeling Sinister (1996)

Bob_Dylan_-_Time_Out_of_Mind
Bob Dylan  Time Out of Mind (1997)

air moon safari
Air  Moon Safari (1998)


Neutral Milk Hotel  In the Aeroplane over the Sea (1998)

sigur ros
Sigur Ros  Ágætis byrjun (1999)

RedHotChiliPeppersCalifornication
Red Hot Chili Peppers  Californication (1999)

Green_Day_-_American_Idiot_cover
Green Day  American Idiot (2004)

Sufjan_Stevens_-_Illinois
Sufjan Stevens  Illinois (2005)

LCD_Soundsystem_-_Sound_of_Silver
LCD Soundsystem  Sound of Silver (2007)


Kendrick Lamar  To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)

On 5 Lists
phil spector back to mono
Various Artists  Phil Spector: Back to Mono (rec. 1958-1969, rel. 1991)


Charles Mingus  Mingus Ah Um (1959)

Miles_Davis_-_Sketches_of_Spain
Miles Davis  Sketches of Spain (1960)

Bob_Dylan_-_The_Freewheelin'_Bob_Dylan
Bob Dylan  The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan (1963)


Charles Mingus  The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (1963)

Moby_Grape_-_Moby_Grape
Moby Grape  Moby Grape (1967)

Cheapthrills
Big Brother & the Holding Company (with Janis Joplin)  Cheap Thrills (1968)

grisgris
Dr. John  Gris-Gris (1968)

Simon_and_Garfunkel,_Bookends_(1968)
Simon & Garfunkel  Bookends (1968)

Scott_4
Scott Walker  Scott 4 (1969)

crosby stills and nash
Crosby, Stills & Nash  Crosby, Stills & Nash (1969)

Fairport_Convention-Liege_&_Lief_(album_cover)
Fairport Convention  Liege & Lief (1969)

MC5_-_Kick_Out_the_Jams
MC5  Kick out the Jams (1969)

The_who_live_at_leeds
The Who  Live at Leeds (1970)

Fragile
Yes  Fragile (1971)

serge gainsbourg
Serge Gainsbourg  Histoire de Melody Nelson (1971)

John_Prine_self-titled
John Prine   John Prine (1971)


Yes  Close to the Edge (1972)

BobMarleyCatchAFire  Thewailerscatchafire
The Wailers (later Bob Marley & the Wailers)  Catch a Fire (1973)

Steely_Dan-Countdown_to_Ecstacy
Steely Dan  Countdown to Ecstasy (1973)

BobMarley&theWailersNattyDread
Bob Marley & the Wailers  Natty Dread (1974)

Rockbottom
Robert Wyatt  Rock Bottom (1974)

the hissing of summer lawns
Joni Mitchell  The Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975)

WillieNelsonRedHeadedStrangeralbumcover
Willie Nelson  Red Headed Stranger (1975)

Ramones_-_Rocket_to_Russia_cover
Ramones  Rocket to Russia (1977)

David_Bowie_-_Heroes
David Bowie  Heroes (1977)

Thestranger1977
Billy Joel  The Stranger (1977)

PereUbuTheModernDance250px
Pere Ubu  The Modern Dance (1978)

more songs about
Talking Heads  More Songs about Buildings and Food (1978)

one nation under a groove
Funkadelic  One Nation Under a Groove (1978)

Are_We_Not_Men_We_Are_Devo!
Devo  Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (1978)

Talking_Heads-Fear_of_Music
Talking Heads  Fear of Music (1979)

Elvis_costello_armed_forces_1
Elvis Costello & the Attractions  Armed Forces (1979)

Prince DirtyMind
Prince  Dirty Mind (1980)

The_Clash_-_Sandinista!
The Clash  Sandanista! (1980)

XWildGift
Wild Gift (1981)

U2_War_album_cover
U2  War (1983)

paid in full
Eric B. & Rakim  Paid in Full (1987)

Def_Leppard_-_Hysteria_(vinyl_version)
Def Leppard  Hysteria (1987)

Tracy_Chapman_-_Tracy_Chapman
Tracy Chapman  Tracy Chapman (1988)

Jane's_Addiction-Ritual_de_lo_Habitual
Jane’s Addiction  Ritual de lo Habitual (1990)

little earthquakes.jpg
Tori Amos  Little Earthquakes (1992)

Björk-Debut-1993
Björk  Debut (1993)

Rid_of_Me
PJ Harvey  Rid of Me (1993)


A Tribe Called Quest  Midnight Marauders (1993)

Spiritualized_-_Ladies_and_Gentlemen_We_Are_Floating_in_Space
Spiritualized  Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space (1997)

Ray_of_Light_Madonna
Madonna  Ray of Light (1998)


Massive Attack  Mezzanine (1998)

AqueminiOutKast
OutKast  Aquemini (1998)

Moby_play
Moby  Play (1999)

Coldplayparachutesalbumcover
Coldplay  Parachutes (2000)

The_White_Stripes_-_White_Blood_Cells
The White Stripes  White Blood Cells (2001)

SystemofaDownToxicityalbumcover
System of a Down  Toxicity (2001)


Daft Punk  Discovery (2001)


Animal Collective  Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009)


David Bowie  Blackstar (2016)


Frank Ocean  Blond (2016)

On 4 lists
Robert_Johnson_-_The_Complete_Recordings
Robert Johnson  The Complete Recordings (rec. 1936-1937)

Wee_small_hours_album_cover_high_definition
Frank Sinatra  In the Wee Small Hours (1955)

Chirping_Crickets
The Crickets (feat. Buddy Holly)  The ‘Chirping’ Crickets (1957)


Various Artists  Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era (rec. 1963-1968, rel. 1972)

Withthebeatlescover
The Beatles  With The Beatles (1963)

Meet_the_Beatles
The Beatles  Meet the Beatles (1964)

B.B-King-Live-At-The-Regal
B.B. King  Live at the Regal (1965)

today
The Beach Boys  Today (1965)


The Beach Boys  The Smile Sessions (rec. 1965-1971, rel. 2011)

Bob_Dylan_-_The_Bootleg_Series,_Volume_4
Bob Dylan  The Bootleg Series, Vol. 4: Bob Dylan Live 1966: The “Royal Albert Hall” Concert (rec. 1966, rel. 1998)

Blackmonktime
The Monks  Black Monk Time (1966)

Bob_Dylan_-_John_Wesley_Harding
Bob Dylan  John Wesley Harding (1967)

strange days
The Doors  Strange Days (1967)

BuffaloSpringfieldAgain
Buffalo Springfield  Buffalo Springfield Again (1967)


The Beatles  Magical Mystery Tour (1967)

monterey pop
Otis Redding/Jimi Hendrix  Historic Performances Recorded at the Monterey International Pop Festival (rec. 1967, rel. 1970)

Laura_nyro_eli
Laura Nyro  Eli and the Thirteenth Confession (1968)

we're only in it for the money  we're only in it for the money back
The Mothers of Invention  We’re Only in It for the Money (1968)

hangmans beautiful daughter  HangmansBeautifulDaughter
The Incredible String Band  The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter (1968)

hot rats
Frank Zappa  Hot Rats (1969)

Isaac_Hayes,_Hot_Buttered_Soul_Album_Cover
Isaac Hayes  Hot Buttered Soul (1969)

the meters
The Meters  Look-Ka Py Py (1969)

Willy_and_the_poor_boys
Creedence Clearwater Revival  Willy and the Poor Boys (1969)

Grateful_Dead_-_Live-Dead
Grateful Dead  Live/Dead (1969)

Skip_Spence_-_Oar
Skip Spence  Oar (1969)

let it be
The Beatles  Let It Be (rec. 1968-1970, rel. 1970)

Loadedalbum
The Velvet Underground  Loaded (1970)

Bryter_Layter
Nick Drake  Bryter Layter (1970)

Harry_Nilsson_-_Nilsson_Schmilsson
Harry Nilsson  Nilsson Schmilsson (1971)

SurfsUpCover
The Beach Boys  Surf’s Up (1971)

randy newman sail away
Randy Newman  Sail Away (1972)

Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill
Steely Dan  Can’t Buy A Thrill (1972)

Big_Star_-1_Record
Big Star  #1 Record (1972)

Roxy_Music-Roxy_Music
Roxy Music  Roxy Music (1972)

solid air
John Martyn  Solid Air (1973)

Isley_brothers_3_+_3_album
The Isley Brothers  3 + 3 (1973)

good old boys
Randy Newman  Good Old Boys (1974)

ItsTooLateToStopNow
Van Morrison  It’s Too Late to Stop Now (1974)

BadCompanyBadCompany
Bad Company  Bad Company (1974)

the basement tapes
Bob Dylan and The Band  The Basement Tapes (rec. 1967-1975, rel. 1975)

Aerosmith_-_Rocks
Aerosmith  Rocks (1976)

Joni Mitchell Hejira_cover
Joni Mitchell  Hejira (1976)

kate & anna mcgarrigle
Kate & Anna McGarrigle  Kate & Anna McGarrigle (1976)

Bob_Dylan_-_Desire
Bob Dylan  Desire (1976)

iggy pop lust for life
Iggy Pop  Lust for Life (1977)

Marvin Gaye here-my-dear
Marvin Gaye  Here, My Dear (1978)

The_Cars_-_The_Cars
The Cars  The Cars (1978)

The-Jam-All-Mod-Cons
The Jam  All the Mod Cons (1978)

CheapTrick_Live_atBudokan
Cheap Trick  Cheap Trick at Budokan (1978)

singles going steady
Buzzcocks  Singles Going Steady (rec. 1977-1979, rel. 1979)

TomPetty&theHeartbreakersDamntheTorpedoes
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers  Damn the Torpedoes (1979)

the Specials the specials
The Specials  The Specials (1979)

Cut_(The_Slits)
The Slits  Cut (1979)

Dexys_Midnight_Runners_Searching_for_the_Young_Soul_Rebels
Dexy’s Midnight Runners  Searching for the Young Soul Rebels (1980)

TattooYou
The Rolling Stones  Tattoo You (1981)

The_Go-Go's BeautyandtheBeat
The Go-Gos  Beauty and the Beat (1981)

Rush Moving_Pictures
Rush  Moving Pictures (1981)

DuranRio
Duran Duran  Rio (1982)

Donald_Fagen_-_The_Nightfly
Donald Fagen  The Nightfly (1982)

Madonna_-_The_Immaculate_Collection
Madonna  The Immaculate Collection (rec. 1983-1990, rel. 1990)

Stop_Making_Sense_-_Talking_Heads
Talking Heads  Stop Making Sense (1984)

Tina_Turner_Private_Dancer_US_CD_cover_art_1984_original
Tina Turner  Private Dancer (1984)

Indestructiblebeat of soweto
Various Artists  The Indestructible Beat of Soweto (rec. 1981-1984, rel. 1985)

Whitney_Houston_-_Whitney_Houston_(album)
Whitney Houston  Whitney Houston (1985)


The Pogues  Rum Sodomy & the Lash (1985)

Reign_in_blood
Slayer  Reign in Blood (1986)

Michael_Jackson_-_Bad
Michael Jackson  Bad (1987)

R.E.M._-_Document
R.E.M.  Document (1987)

NothingsShocking
Jane’s Addiction  Nothing’s Shocking (1988)

bonnie raitt nick of time
Bonnie Raitt  Nick of Time (1989)


Cocteau Twins  Heaven or Las Vegas (1990)

sinead o'connor Idonotwantwhatihaventgot
Sinead O’Connor  I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got (1990)

TLC_-_CrazySexyCool_album_cover
TLC  CrazySexyCool (1994)

D'Angelo_-_Brown_Sugar
D’Angelo  Brown Sugar (1995)

chemical brothers - dig your own hole
Chemical Brothers  Dig Your Own Hole (1997)

SleaterKinney DigMeOut
Sleater-Kinney  Dig Me Out (1997)

Nick_cave_and_the_bad_seeds-the_boatman's_call
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds  The Boatman’s Call (1997)

Eminem_-_The_Slim_Shady_LP_CD_cover
Eminem  The Slim Shady LP (1999)

Voodoo_UK
D’Angelo  Voodoo (2000)

Erykah_Badu_-_Mama's_Gun
Erykah Badu  Mama’s Gun (2000)


Madvillain  Madvillainy (2004)

Whatever_People_Say_I_Am,_That's_What_I'm_Not
Arctic Monkeys  Whatever People Say I Am That’s What I’m Not (2006)


Portishead  Third (2008)


Arcade Fire  The Suburbs (2010) 


Frank Ocean  Channel Orange (2012)


Sufjan Stevens  Carrie & Lowell (2015)

On 3 lists
anthology of american folk music
Various Artists   Anthology of American Folk Music (Harry Smith, ed.) (rec. 1926-1933, rel. 1952)


Hank Williams  40 Greatest Hits (rec. 1947-1952, rel. 1978)


Muddy Waters  The Anthology: 1947-1972 (rec. 1947-1972, rel. 2001)


Howlin’ Wolf  Moanin’ in the Moonlight (rec. 1951-1959, rel. 1959)


Sam Cooke  Portrait of a Legend (rec. 1951-1964, rel. 2003)

elvis-presley-sunrise
Elvis Presley  Sunrise (rec. 1953-1955)


Ornette Coleman  The Shape of Jazz to Come (1959)


The Dave Brubeck Quartet  Time Out (1959)

at newport 1960
Muddy Waters  At Newport 1960 (1960)


Ike & Tina Turner  Proud Mary: The Best of Ike & Tina Turner (rec. 1960-1976, rel. 1991)

Getz-gilberto
Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto – Getz/Gilberto (1964)


The Beatles  Help! (1965)

freak out
The Mothers of Invention (with Frank Zappa)  Freak Out! (1966)

Bluesbreakers_John_Mayall_with_Eric_Clapton
John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers   Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton (1966)

TheMoodyBlues-album-daysoffuturepassed
The Moody Blues  Days of Future Passed (1967)


The Kinks  Something Else by The Kinks (1967)


Elvis Presley  From Elvis in Memphis (1969)

TimBuckley_Starsailor
Tim Buckley  Starsailor (1970)

SunflowerCover
The Beach Boys  Sunflower (1970)

get yer ya-ya's out
The Rolling Stones  ‘Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out!’: The Rolling Stones in Concert (1970)

12 songs
Randy Newman  12 Songs (1970)

morrison hotel
The Doors  Morrison Hotel (1970)

Band_of_Gypsys_album
Jimi Hendrix  Band of Gypsys (1970)


James Brown  Sex Machine (1970)

Shaft_cover
Isaac Hayes  Shaft (1971)


Black Sabbath  Master of Reality (1971)


Pink Floyd  Meddle (1971)


Creedence Clearwater Revival  Chronicle (rec. 1968-1972, rel. 1976)

Clear_Spot
Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band  Clear Spot (1972)

Black_Sabbath_Vol._4
Black Sabbath  Volume 4 (1972)

The_Nitty_Gritty_Dirt_Band-Will_the_Circle_Be_Unbroken
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band  Will The Circle Be Unbroken (1972)

Machine_Head_album_cover
Deep Purple  Machine Head (1972)


Eagles  Eagles (1972)


Aretha Franklin  Young, Gifted & Black (1972)


Aretha Franklin  Amazing Grace (1972)


Paul Simon  Paul Simon (1972)


Stevie Wonder  Music of My Mind (1972)


Can  Ege Bamyasi (1972)

Lou Reed Berlin
Lou Reed  Berlin (1973)

Todd Rundgren A wizard
Todd Rundgren  A Wizard, A True Star (1973)

Mike_oldfield_tubular_bells_album_cover
Mike Oldfield  Tubular Bells (1973)


Herbie Hancock  Head Hunters (1973)


Lynryd Skynyrd   (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd) (1973)


Bruce Springsteen  The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle (1973)


Can   Future Days (1973)

Pretzel_Logic_album
Steely Dan  Pretzel Logic (1974)

gene clark no other
Gene Clarke  No Other (1974)

Young_americans
David Bowie  Young Americans (1975)

Neu75_albumcover
Neu!  Neu ’75 (1975)


Earth, Wind & Fire  That’s the Way of the World (1975)


Kiss  Alive! (1975)


Toots and the Maytals  Funky Kingston (1975)

Kiss_destroyer_album_cover
Kiss  Destroyer (1976)


Boston  Boston (1976)

EricClapton-Slowhand
Eric Clapton  Slowhand (1977)


Pink Floyd  Animals (1977)

C'est_Chic_cover
Chic  C’est Chic (1978)

Thin_Lizzy_-_Live_and_Dangerous
Thin Lizzy  Live and Dangerous (1978)

Willie_Nelson_Stardust
Willie Nelson  Stardust (1978)


X-Ray Spex  Germfree Adolescents (1978)

Led_Zeppelin_-_In_Through_the_Out_Door
Led Zeppelin  In Through the Out Door (1979)

graham parker squeezing out sparks
Graham Parker  Squeezing Out Sparks (1979)

the Police reggattadeblanc
The Police  Regatta de Blanc (1979)

Acdc_Highway_to_Hell
AC/DC  Highway to Hell (1979)


Chic  Risqué (1979)

The_River_(Bruce_Springsteen)_(Front_Cover)
Bruce Springsteen  The River (1980)

Dead_Kennedys_-_Fresh_Fruit_for_Rotting_Vegetables_cover
Dead Kennedys  Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables (1980)


Motörhead  Ace of Spades (1980)


Los Angeles (1980)

Elvis Costello Imperial Bedroom
Elvis Costello  Imperial Bedroom (1982)

Richard and Linda Thompson Shoot out the lights
Richard & Linda Thompson  Shoot Out the Lights (1982)


Roxy Music  Avalon (1982)


The Cure   Pornography (1982)

Metallica_-_Kill_'Em_All_cover
Metallica  Kill ‘Em All (1983)

ZZ_Top_-_Eliminator
ZZ Top  Eliminator (1983)

Def_Leppard_-_Pyromania
Def Leppard  Pyromania (1983)

Violent_Femmes
Violent Femmes  Violent Femmes (1983)


Cyndi Lauper  She’s So Unusual (1983)


Run-D.M.C.  Run-D.M.C. (1984)


Metallica  Ride the Lightning (1984)

the smiths MeatisMurder
The Smiths  Meat is Murder (1985)

R.E.M._-_Lifes_Rich_Pageant
R.E.M.  Life’s Rich Pageant (1986)

XTC skylarking
XTC  Skylarking (1986)

Sonic_youth_sister
Sonic Youth  Sister (1987)


Anita Baker  Rapture (1987)


Boogie Down Productions   Criminal Minded (1987)


George Michael  Faith (1987)

I'm_Your_Man_-_Leonard_Cohen
Leonard Cohen  I’m Your Man (1988)

Metallica_-_...And_Justice_for_All_cover
Metallica  …And Justice for All (1988)


Talk Talk  Spirit of Eden (1988)

Aerosmith_Pump
Aerosmith  Pump (1989)

New_Order_Technique
New Order  Technique (1989)


Janet Jackson  Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989)


Ice Cube  AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted (1990)


LL Cool J  Mama Said Knock You Out (1990)

Crowded_House-Woodface_(album_cover)
Crowded House  Woodface (1991)

Pantera VulgarDisplayofPower
Pantera  Vulgar Display of Power (1992)

august and everything
Counting Crows  August and Everything After (1993)


Slowdive  Souvlaki (1993)

Manic_Street_Preachers-The_Holy_Bible_album_cover
Manic Street Preachers  The Holy Bible (1994)

Beastie_Boys_Ill_Communication
Beastie Boys  Ill Communication (1994)

Suede Dog_man_star
Suede  Dog Man Star (1994)


Mary J. Blige  My Life (1994)

the verve a northern soul
The Verve  A Northern Soul (1995)

Leftfield-Leftism_(album_cover)
Leftfield  Leftism (1995)


Raekwon  Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… (1995)


Mobb Depp  The Infamous… (1995)


PJ Harvey   To Bring You My Love (1995) 


GZA  Liquid Swords (1995) 

Sepultura_-_Roots
Sepultura  Roots (1996)

stereolab - emperor tomato ketchup
Stereolab  Emperor Tomato Ketchup (1996)


Jay-Z  Reasonable Doubt (1996)


Weezer  Pinkerton (1996)

MercuryRev-DesertersSongs
Mercury Rev  Deserter’s Songs (1998)

all that you can't leave behind
U2  All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000)


The Avalanches  Since I Left You (2000)


Bob Dylan  Love and Theft (2001)


Gillian Welch  Time (The Revelator) (2001)

OriginalPirateMaterial
The Streets  Original Pirate Material (2002)

Dizee_Rascal_Album_Boy_in_da_Corner
Dizzee Rascal  Boy in Da Corner (2003)


Kanye West   Late Registration (2005)

Oracular_Spectacular_2008
MGMT  Oracular Spectacular (2007)


M.I.A  Kala (2007)


Elbow  The Seldom Seen Kid (2008)


Fleet Foxes   Fleet Foxes (2008)


Adele  21 (2011)


PJ Harvey  Let England Shake (2011)

Kendrick Lamar  good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012)


Kanye West  Yeezus (2013)


Vampire Weekend  Modern Vampires of the City (2013)


Beyoncé  Lemonade (2016)


Solange  A Seat at the Table (2016)


Lorde  Melodrama (2017)

23 thoughts on “Best Albums of All Time: Ranked

  1. ericgoestoholland

    Well done. This was a fun and easy way to navigate the best of lists out there.

    Reply
  2. aforhapsody

    I’ve made some list:

    Best Electronic Albums Of All Time – 14 Lists Combined
    http://ttvnol.com/threads/best-electronic-albums-of-all-time-14-lists-combined.1779958/

    Best R&B albums of All Time – 7 lists combined

    http://ttvnol.com/threads/best-r-b-albums-of-all-time-7-lists-combined.1766389/

    Best Krautrock Albums Of All Time – 15 Lists Combined
    http://ttvnol.com/threads/best-krautrock-albums-of-all-time-14-lists-combined.1777249/

    Best Metal Albums Of All Time – 23 Lists Combined
    http://ttvnol.com/threads/best-metal-albums-of-all-time-23-lists-combined.1756000/

    Reply
  3. Gwen

    I’m so happy to see “Prince’s” album “1999” on your list! It often gets over look for “Purple Rain” and “Sign O’ The Time”. All three are great albums of his. I also love “Dirty Mind”,” Controvery” and the wonderful “The Gold Experience”! Thank you 🙂

    Reply
    1. beckchris

      I’m not sure what you mean. The Beatles’ Revolver was the album on the most lists (28 out of 30), while The Beach Boys Pet Sounds was on the second most number of lists (26 out of 30). No albums were on all 30 lists – no albums were on 29 lists. Remember these are not my personal opinions – all I do is collect Top Albums and Best Albums lists from all over the place (books, magazines, newspapers, the Internet) and combine them into a single meta-list. The “number one” album is the album that is on the most lists. The “number two” album is the album on the second most number of lists, etc. Does that make sense?

      Reply
  4. Julien Peter

    Another list that has affected my listening habits – if not directly – is Joe S. Harrington’s Top 100 Albums, originally published on the webzine ‘Blastitude’ in four instalments between late 2001 and early 2003. The list was yesterday still online at ‘http://www.blastitude.com/14/pg4.htm’.

    The language in Harrington’s list is full of slang and vulgarities, but when I read the list as a child of Melbourne’s cloistered outer suburbs, I was startled by what Harrington knew enough to remake my music collection – even if not with the albums he recommended. Today the list is dated by the fact that Harrington imposed a “ten-year rule” so that none of the albums he listed were released after 1992 – and only eight after 1982. As Harrington himself admitted in the text, the list is also highly personal rather than definitive, although a remarkable feature is that Harrington does strive for objectivity.

    Reply
    1. beckchris

      Sounds like Harringon’s list may be too outdated for this collection, but I will check it out. As it is, I’ve been disappointed that the lists seems to so heavily emphasize the 1960s and 1970s. I hope as more lists get created out there (by reputable sources), that we’ll have a better representation for the last 20 years or so. Lots of amazing music has been made since the 1990s!

      Reply
  5. ryanms92

    This whole site is such a fantastic resource. It really gives you a sense beyond one subjective opinion what people consider to be seminal works. What do you use for your sources?

    Reply
    1. beckchris

      So glad you like it – I really appreciate the feedback. I found almost all the source lists on the Internet, although some of the lists are published in books. Many music publications and radio stations have done lists over the years, too, and I have collected every one I can find. I try to focus on reputable sources – critics, editors, published authors – and I try to avoid crowd-sourced lists or lists by some random person with no credentials (although if a “non-expert” puts up a really well-researched website and seems to have a pretty comprehensive knowledge of music, I will make an exception).

      Reply
  6. Keith

    Chris, I appreciate the heaps of time you’ve spent gathering the data. FYI I’ve every CD on your list except the Redding/Hendrix album (which I believe is only on vinyl).. It looks like the base for your list is the Rolling Stone 500 but could you let me know your other sources. Maybe you might be due an update to take consideration the recent lists made in last 5 years?

    Reply
    1. beckchris Post author

      Keith: I forgot to respond to your other request. Although I have been spotty at keeping track of most of the original source lists for my meta-lists, I did manage to make a list of most of the sources for the best albums meta-list. Here they are:
      World Critics List (1987)
      MOJO (1995)
      Spin Alternative Music (1995)
      Rolling Stone (1997), (2002), (2003), (2012), (2020)
      Berlin Media (1998)
      The Kerrang (1998)
      Virgin (1999)
      Guardian Critics Alternative List (1999)
      Al Kooper (1999-2000?)
      The Pittsburgh Channel (2000)
      Blastitude (2001)
      Acclaimed Music Combined Lists (2002)
      Martin Boeren Combined Lists (2002)
      NME (2003)
      1Sound Internet Radio (2003)
      Peter Scholtes Complicated Fun (2003)
      Time (2006)
      Hot Press (2006)
      WTMD 89.7 Radio (2008)
      AVRev.com (2008)
      1001 Recordings You Must Hear Before You Die (2008), (2010)
      Consequence of Sound (2010)
      100.3 The Sound (2011)
      Antimusic.com (2011)
      Vinyl Surrender (2011)
      Absolute Radio (2012)
      Entertainment Weekly (2013)
      150 Influential Albums (2016)
      Pop Vortex (2016)
      PrettyFamous (4/14/17)
      Album of the Year (4/17)
      Best Products.com (5/17)
      24/7 WallSt. (4/18)
      Sunday Herald
      Q
      VH1
      Rough Guide

      Reply
  7. Keith Nutter

    THANKS ALOT; I’m a ‘list’ person myself and there are a few their I’ve never heard of, I must admit. I’ll check them out.

    Reply
  8. Keith Nutter

    A few sources that I didn’t notice in your list were Rate Your Music, Acclaimed Music, Digital Dream Door & Best Ever Albums among others. I guess they are mentioned combined with other lists?

    Reply
  9. keith nutter

    i hope you’ve now checked them out because they’re quite important when compiling greatest ever lists. They are quite comprehensive and will keep you busy for quite a while. Good luck

    Reply
  10. Pingback: Permanent Records: The Updated Albums List | Make Lists, Not War

  11. manteau

    Interesting list, not surprising at all, I can find 120 albums that feature on my own best 200 albums list, if I were you, I would try and avoid the greatest hits and best of compilations as they are not bona fide albums, but it’s sometimes impossible, like for The sun sessions ( Elvis ) or Legend (Marley )

    Reply
    1. beckchris Post author

      Mr. Manteau: Thanks so much for the feedback. Your comment about compilations is interesting. I’m not picking the albums that go on the meta-list, so I can’t really discriminate. If someone puts a compilation on a best albums list and I use that as one of my original source lists, then it gets a point for the ultimate meta-list that you see on the website.

      Another point: The long-playing 33 1/3 album wasn’t invented until 1948 and didn’t become a popular format until the mid-50s. So most artists of the 1950s and earlier are best (or only) represented by compilations. There is so much amazing music from the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s – it would be a shame to leave those artists off the list because they never made a “bona fide” LP.

      Take care, John B

      Reply

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