Top 10 Best Albums of All Time

If you're a music lover, you know that a great album can be more than just a collection of songs. It can be a transformative experience that stays with you long after the final track.

Throughout the history of music, there have been countless albums that have pushed boundaries, broken records, and become cultural touchstones. From classic rock to hip-hop to pop, this list features the greatest albums of all time that have not only stood the test of time but also continue to inspire new generations of music fans.

The Top Ten

Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd

Although I prefer Wish You Were Here, mainly for the beauty of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," The Dark Side of the Moon is definitely the most influential album I've ever heard. The themes it covers (life, death, money, time, war, mental illness, and more) are the soundtrack to people's lives.
I bought the album second-hand on cassette in 1974, took it home, played it, and realized that I had heard most of it before, so widely had it been played. As a 13-year-old boy, I was blown away by the lyrics, which still resonate today. I've tried to always remember the lines: "Then one day you find ten years have gone behind you. No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun." How did Roger Waters have such foresight at his young age?
Strangely, I rarely listen to the whole album anymore, but there are always snippets to be heard on the radio. Maybe I just know it too well.
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles

It is plain to see why this is the most revolutionary album ever. There are sounds and musical structures that had never been heard before. The lyrics were mysterious and at times intricate in their innuendos.
Anyone listening to this album at the time would easily have been blown away by the incredible complexity of emotions and exquisite melodies. It has nostalgic sounds, innovative rock licks, psychedelic revelry, spiritual musings, Indian music, circus dreamy sonority, and so much more.
There's a world within Sgt. Pepper's, and only those who have no notion of musical evolution can think this was just another album. Pet Sounds is great, for sure, but this is the album that defied musical canons forever.
Led Zeppelin IV (aka ZOSO) - Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin IV is, was, and will always be a timeless masterpiece. It set a standard for rock music that has never been equaled or surpassed. The album had a genius marketing campaign: it has no official pronounceable title, and the band or label name was not printed on the cover. Only the song listing, mysterious pictures of an old hermit, and the lyrics for "Stairway to Heaven" were included, signifying that names don't matter - only the music.
The production quality is crystal clear, and even Led Zeppelin themselves couldn't replicate this sound afterward. Every song on the album is a masterpiece, although the second side is often overlooked. It is one of the best-selling albums of all time and ranks as the third best-selling album in the USA.
If this album doesn't rank as the best, or at least one of the top ten, I seriously question the musical taste of the people here.
Abbey Road - The Beatles

I cannot begin to describe how perfect this album is. The second half is one of the most brilliantly conceived pieces of art ever recorded, ending with Harrison's gorgeous Here Comes the Sun and (ignoring Her Majesty), finishing with one of the greatest album closers ever, The End. It manages to feel like an entire live show compressed into two minutes and even features Ringo's only drum solo.
In the first half, other iconic Beatles tunes like Come Together and Something are featured, along with perhaps the first progressive metal song ever, I Want You (She's So Heavy). Oh, and then there's the only Beatles song Ringo ever fully wrote, the delightfully hummable Octopus's Garden. While The Beatles' touring days were long behind them at this point, this album really has a somewhat live album feel in terms of being a musical journey across the types of genres the band was capable of. It has that excitement you get at the start of a live show and that feeling of closure at the end. This album is almost 50 years old (or already 50 years old depending on when you read this), and yet every time I put it on, it feels new and exciting. Sheer perfection.
The Wall - Pink Floyd

Why is this album the best album ever released? As a musician myself, it has taught me that music isn't just lyrics pieced together with a guitar or keyboard. It's something that can be shaped and shifted in so many different ways.
The Wall is not just an album. It's a story, or perhaps an autobiography that was altered to make the plot more desirable. Roger Waters wrote this while he was struggling with his fame, so it was he who built the wall inside his head, not Pink. The only difference is that Roger didn't go insane. It was Syd.
Roger mentioned in an interview that The Wall was 75% him, 15% Syd, and 5% any other artist. The only albums that can be compared to The Wall are The Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here. Enough said.
Nevermind - Nirvana

"In Utero" is way superior, but Jesus, "Nevermind" is generation-defining. It is an album that just echoes, "What? What's up with that baby? What the hell did I just listen to? It was so good."
And personally, that's fine. Here's a number from Nirvana's "Nevermind," by the numbers: 253 - the total number of weeks "Nevermind" spent on the Billboard Top 200. 253 weeks! That is practically 5 years! Even after Kurt Cobain died, it was still on there for 2 years!
"Nevermind" is resounding. "Nevermind" broke all rules. "Nevermind" is legendary.
"In Utero" is my preference, though.

"Nevermind" should be number one. All of "Nevermind's" songs are really good, besides "Endless, Nameless." Nirvana's my second favorite band (Queen's my favorite).
My favorite album by Queen is "A Night at the Opera" - a great album! It's one of my favorite albums, but there are two songs on there that I really love: "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "You're My Best Friend." There are like three other songs that are really good, and the rest of the songs are good. However, most of my favorite songs by Queen are from different albums. And most of my favorite songs by Nirvana are from "Nevermind," so I think it should be number one.
Thriller - Michael Jackson

I've been searching for best songs ever made lately, and I was terribly disappointed to see that on so many lists there is no Michael Jackson! This is outrageous! One of the best pop singers in the world deserves more than that. This is the man that made a dancing and singing revolution, a man who was years ahead of his time, a man who amazed the world with his voice, performance, songs... This man was and always will be a GENIUS! He deserves to be number 1.

This is maybe better than the album Bad. Thriller is unreal, something that no one can reach except Michael Jackson, simply the God of Music. In the top 10 list of the best albums of all time, I honestly put my classification in this way: 1. Bad, 2. Thriller, 3. Dangerous, 4. History, 5. Invincible, 6. Off the Wall, 7. Blood on the Dance Floor, and finally 8. Michael, which is also a great album. Believe me, I didn't include Number Ones, The Essential Michael Jackson, King of Pop, which are also amazing!
Revolver - The Beatles

Definitely better than Sgt. Pepper's, it's three great songs and three good songs against six great songs and eight good songs. Abbey Road, Led Zeppelin IV, and The Dark Side of the Moon are all good, but they are less consistently good. Nevermind and OK Computer are very good, but again, they have some weak songs. Thriller has lots of great pop songs, but it's a bit generic and overrated. Rubber Soul and Rumours should be higher as they are also amazing, just not quite as good. London Calling, Who's Next, Paranoid, The Wall, and Pet Sounds are also very good.
In my opinion, Doolittle, Ziggy Stardust, In Rainbows, Plastic Ono Band, and Bringing It All Back Home should be in the top 20, all far better than Sgt. Pepper's and Thriller. However, Revolver and Rubber Soul should be the top two definitely.
A Night at the Opera - Queen

I have listened to Pink Floyd and Beatles albums many times (of course, they are great). However, A Night at the Opera (ANATO) surpasses them all. This album is so immense that everything else pales in comparison.
Every song is diverse and unique, making the best of Pink Floyd, Beatles, and Led Zeppelin seem like a distant second. I faced great difficulties when listening to ANATO the first two times. It seemed like a chaotic mess of sound. But on the third listen, I discovered so much beauty that it's almost overwhelming.
This album is extraordinary and requires more than just one listen. It's almost extraterrestrial. If we were to encounter aliens, we should share this album with them so they can understand the essence of human pride instead of destroying us.
American Idiot - Green Day

American Idiot came out at a time when people were afraid to speak out due to 9/11. Green Day didn't care about what people were and weren't supposed to say. They released the album filled with rage and disappointment about America and its politics anyway.
The storyline throughout the whole album is appealing to the youth, as everybody can find something to identify with. And with a mix of angry rock songs like "American Idiot" and emotional ballads like "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and "Wake Me Up When September Ends," I don't see how this can't be considered the greatest album of all time.
Even though it's almost six years since it first came out, it is still current with an ongoing Broadway play. That, for me, makes American Idiot the obvious choice on this list.

The Newcomers

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Some Great Reward - Depeche Mode

One of Depeche Mode's many masterpieces.
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Hit Me Hard and Soft - Billie Eilish

This album changed my life theres no song this album thats out of place or doesnt belong my favorite songs on this album are Wildflower Blue Bittersuite but almost every song on this album is a masterpiece. Also there was alot of work put into the album cover billie literally spent hours going underwater to shoot the album cover. This and happier than ever are literal masterpieces of albums

The Contenders

OK Computer - Radiohead

This album literally saved my life. I was in a really dark place a couple of years ago. I had suicidal thoughts frequently, and my parents were going through a divorce.
I was at school during lunch break when my friend asked me if I wanted to listen to this new Radiohead album they had found. I wasn't really a big fan of music at the time, but I decided to give it a go. From the opening track, I was hooked. I downloaded it on my iPod and decided to listen to it fully. I have often heard people describe Radiohead's songs as lullabies for adults - truer words have never been spoken.
Listening to it made me realize that I wasn't alone in this world. By the time I got to No Surprises, I was in tears from the lyrics and the get me out of here in the background. It healed me, and it is still my favorite album to this day because of that.
Thank you, Radiohead, for this masterpiece. Should be #1.
Master of Puppets - Metallica

Battery - Old school thrash at its finest.
Master Of Puppets - Best title track of an album ever.
The Thing That Should Not Be - Well worked.
Welcome Home (Sanitarium) - Sanitarium has become one of my favorite words!
Disposable Heroes - Amazing intro, sticks in your head.
Leper Messiah - Only song I actually haven't listened to off Master.
Orion - Two words: Cliff Burton.
Damage Inc. - Nice closing track.
Overall - Great album. Definitely the best metal album.

Master of Puppets is a masterpiece. All the songs from Master of Puppets combine Metallica's great ideas.
The album features great riffs, solos, and, most importantly, bass riffs and solos by Cliff Burton. In my opinion, the best song from Master of Puppets is Orion. This song is one of the best instrumentals in history.
Ride the Lightning - Metallica

Nirvana has the most inauthentic fans ever. "Nevermind" has one song that most people know, and you're probably already familiar with it: "Smells Like Teen Spirit." However, this album contains numerous classics and excellent music. Many songs from this album are well-known, such as "For Whom The Bell Tolls," "Ride The Lightning," and "Fade To Black" - all of which are masterpieces.
I'm not saying Nirvana and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" are bad. They're simply overrated and primarily recognized for one song. Metallica, on the other hand, is also overrated, I must admit. However, they are renowned for their numerous songs and albums. Just like with Nirvana, there are also fake Metallica fans. But if you're a genuine fan, you'd recognize that Metallica has written an abundance of great pieces.
Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys

This album is timeless. Even while a bunch of music from the era becomes incredibly dated with all the flower power and peace, love, and acid nonsense, this album is so pure, honest, and beautiful. The lyrics are so relatable. You'd have to be a damn robot not to understand where Brian and Tony Asher were coming from. The harmonies are almost too perfect.
I can, and have, listened to this recording acapella so many times because it literally feels as if this was recorded in heaven by angels. Every time I listen to it, it's as if I'm getting a little sneak peek of heaven. Otherworldly. And I haven't even mentioned the brilliant arrangements by Brian and the Wrecking Crew. Honestly, if you can make it past track 2 with your head intact, mouth closed, and eyes dry, then you simply haven't been listening.
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

Wish You Were Here this low? It has Pink Floyd's second-best song in my opinion (Shine On You Crazy Diamond Pts. 1-9).
There are great synthesizers and guitar playing on Shine On You Crazy Diamond. Welcome to the Machine also has amazing synthesizers. Have a Cigar is one of their best songs lyrically, in my opinion, and Wish You Were Here is my third favorite Pink Floyd song. The emotion in Wish You Were Here (the song) and that simple but memorable guitar riff from Gilmour is tear-jerking stuff.

This deserves a place in the top 3, along with Animals and The Dark Side of the Moon. It's so atmospheric, and every song on it is unique and great, even the songs most cite as being their least favorites on the album, like Have a Cigar and Welcome to the Machine. The concept is great and shows how the music industry is a machine and how it defeated former band member Syd Barrett.
Also, Shine On You Crazy Diamond is one of the greatest songs Floyd ever put together, spanning 26 minutes without any weak moments.
Kid A - Radiohead

Nothing compares to the uniqueness, cohesiveness, richness, and darkness, as well as the catchiness, even though it was and still can be seen as highly avant-garde. They really outdid themselves. Like someone once said about it, "The album of the century came early this time."

I hate to be "that guy," but this seriously deserves a higher spot than where it is. I personally believe it deserves a higher spot than OK Computer. This album is both accessible and complex at the same time, which gives it a perfect edge. OK Computer leans a bit too much on the accessible side, which is its only downfall.
On this album, we see Radiohead using electronics to their advantage and somehow creating an abrasive yet polished sound. Yes, it may be quite funny that the opener sounds as if Thom is chanting, "Yesterday I woke up sucking a lemon," but when it comes down to it, this is an iconic album that will be forever remembered.
Appetite for Destruction - Guns N' Roses

Now I am not the most experienced musician. I'm only 13 years old. But one thing I have no doubt about is that this album is the greatest album of all time. In my opinion, the best music is raw and unchained. If you look up 'unchained' in the dictionary, you will be met with Appetite's cover art. Each track makes it clear that Axl shows no restraint in his apathy for society or his sincere love for other topics. And no, Slash is not overrated. He's a guitar god. End of story.

The best album of all time with no bad or even mediocre songs. Brilliant singing and music throughout, the debut album that sold the most copies in history! Had Guns N' Roses stayed together in the original lineup, they would undoubtedly be the greatest band of all time.
Still, they are to me. Nirvana in No. 10? Don't make me laugh!
Paranoid - Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath will always be my number one. From their first album throughout their performances in concerts until their first breakup, their stack of records was always playing on the turntable at home after school. There is no other sound like Tony Iommi's that will ever be reproduced.
I still, from time to time, go back through each song in order on each album. This album was special with the songs Iron Man, Paranoid, and War Pigs. It's funny how certain songs find their way into movies and other soundtracks. Even though they have more or less retired from working or producing, their work will live in infamy forever.
Meteora - Linkin Park

And to think this doesn't even make my top 5 favorite Linkin Park albums anymore, while Hybrid Theory barely does, even though this used to be my favorite one and my second favorite album ever. But that's not to take away from either of these albums, because I still think both are pretty solid for the most part.
I just happen to prefer some of their later albums like Minutes to Midnight, A Thousand Suns, Living Things, and The Hunting Party now.

Meteora is legendary. I'm not a fan of Linkin Park, but some people say old music is better and the classics are the best. They're wrong. In my personal opinion, Meteora is a lot better than a lot of the stuff in front of it.
Linkin Park itself needs as much attention as Nirvana (who were completely garbage). Every song in this album is great, but in Nevermind, the only reason they could sell out of it was Smells Like Teen Spirit.
Back in Black - AC/DC

"Hell's Bells" gets the album off to a flying start with a slow, ominous build-up before descending into a true rock classic. It is followed by the swashbuckling tracks "Shoot to Thrill" and the highly underrated "What Do You Do for Money, Honey?" "Givin' the Dog a Bone" and "Let Me Put My Love Into You" don't stand out as much but are still fun and fast rock songs, while "Back in Black" is rightfully one of AC/DC's most famous songs.
"You Shook Me All Night Long" has become a rock anthem, and the last three songs are all killer, especially "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution" which captures your interest with a great riff and catchy chorus.
Animals - Pink Floyd

As a Pink Floyd fan, I'm happy to see that both The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall are included in the top 10. However, I'm very disappointed to find Animals so far down on the list. I strongly believe that this album is severely underrated. This is personally my favorite Pink Floyd album.
The combination of Roger Waters's straightforward, no-nonsense lyrics about politics, society, and censorship, along with the incredibly creative and progressive music by the rest of the group, makes this a perfect album. There is simply nothing else like it. If you've never listened to it, I strongly recommend that you do.

This really deserves to be in the top 3, along with Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here. I don't understand why this album isn't more popular. Everything about it is perfect, from Gilmour's guitar and fretless bass, and Wright's unmatched synth and keyboard, to Waters' bass and timeless lyrics, and Mason's drumming.
Also, the concept of this album is unique, in that it is based loosely on Animal Farm and divides people into three categories: the pigs, sheep, and dogs. I love that Roger isn't afraid to criticize people.
Hybrid Theory - Linkin Park

I grew up listening to this album. I know Linkin Park gets associated with the angsty teenager phase all the time, but that joke is getting old. Listen to the songs again, and you'll realize almost every song has incredible depth. They play their music with heart and soul.
Hybrid Theory may not be The Dark Side of the Moon, sure. But it is one of the last albums to have had that much soul put into it before this new era of generally terrible music.

20 is a little low for the best album by the most popular band on the planet. It has sold 29 million copies since 2000. Big deal. The songs are awesome. The style is awesome. Mike Shinoda is awesome. Chester Bennington is awesome. And in the end, it doesn't even matter.
Rubber Soul - The Beatles

Honestly, I think Revolver is overrated. This album is more consistent. All the way through, it's brilliant. Drive My Car is a great opening song with a groovy bassline. Norwegian Wood has some great fingerpicking from John Lennon.
Nowhere Man is my favorite song in the whole album. The harmonies are great, and so are the lyrics. In My Life is an absolute classic. It's so beautiful. I particularly love the piano solo in the middle. I'm Looking Through You is another great song. There's even more to this album, but you get the point.

This album is certainly superior to Sgt. Pepper's (which is basically an early Wings album with a couple of Lennon songs thrown in). The album has a very Dylanesque sound when it comes to lyrics, especially with the Lennon compositions, which are leaps and bounds better than McCartney's. This album also features one of my favorite Beatles songs: Nowhere Man, which is lyrically and musically brilliant.
The Marshall Mathers LP - Eminem

Just read this even if you don't want to vote for it.
You may think, "That's rap, I don't like rap." Well, I also don't like rap, but I really like Eminem. His voice, the lyrics, the beat, nothing's perfect, but Eminem is. Rap isn't only, "I'm the best, I'm the coolest." Eminem proves that perfectly.
I've seen people cry because of his songs. To see this only at place 36 makes me want to cry. It's his best album. It's perfect. I don't know if people just didn't find this album because the little picture on this list is the back of the album, or if something's wrong here.
Just listen to it. It may change your life.

The Marshall Mathers LP and its sequel are some of the finest rap albums - and albums in general - of all time. It produced tracks that showcase the dark side of fame and fan obsession, such as Stan and The Way I Am. The album also reflects Eminem's identity and background through songs like The Real Slim Shady and Amityville.
Yes, there are offensive lyrics, and it was criticized, but it is the best-selling rap album of all time, the second fastest-selling album of all time, and it achieved Diamond status. So tell me, how does an album that reveals a darker side we've never seen before in rap NOT make it into the top ten?
The Black Parade - My Chemical Romance

This album brings back such bittersweet memories. While I can't say I'm too proud of some of its fans, My Chemical Romance is my favorite band. I'm typing this in 2015, two years after their breakup.
This album is a masterpiece. The lyrics, the instrumentation, just the feeling you get from listening to it - it's beautiful. There's one song in the whole album that I'm not crazy about (House of Wolves). Pretty much all the songs are packed with raw, real emotion, and that's not something that can be said of the vast majority of albums out there.
I am Yucca Sherbert (sorry if that doesn't make sense), and this is my favorite album of all time.