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

This deserves to be in the top 3, along with Animals and Wish You Were Here. The concept is so unbelievably simple it's hard to think that something like it hadn't been done before. It focuses on shared difficulties in the lives of humans, such as money, death, time, war, homelessness, racism, and insanity, and does it in a way that feels so fresh and unique. Also, it's one of those albums where each song is better appreciated within the context of the album, instead of as a single.

The instrumental performances are some of the band's best, with each member absolutely killing it. The album is home to some of Gilmour's greatest solos, like the ones on Time and Money.

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles

The Beatles started off making simple, short love songs. They did this for about two years, then started making more diverse songs in albums like "Beatles For Sale", "Help!", and "Rubber Soul". In 1966, they released an album still considered great, almost legendary, called "Revolver". Then, in 1967, they released "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". This was the album that not only defined their work but also the entire hippie culture of the 1960s-70s.

With songs like "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (the title track), "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" (a song about LSD, hence Lucy, Sky, and Diamonds), "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!" (which is honestly one of the greatest circus songs I have heard), "Within You Without You" (a Classical Indian song), one of my favorite songs ever, "When I'm Sixty-Four" (a very nice song), and last but not least, "A Day in the Life" (one of the greatest songs ever made, and certainly the best Beatles song). Even with only 13 songs, there is a song for everyone. Obviously, they released other great albums like The White Album, Abbey Road, and Let It Be, but Sgt. Pepper's is by far the best Beatles album and the best album of all time.

Abbey Road - The Beatles

In my opinion, this is such an amazing album. It is the best thing the Beatles ever made. Like The Dark Side of the Moon, it's one of those albums where each song is better appreciated within the context of the album.

It's inspiring that the Beatles still had so much creative energy at the end of their run. They put it to good use on this album, which only has a couple of weak songs. Even they aren't so bad when surrounded by some of history's greatest songs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A Night at the Opera - Queen

Queen's best album by far, and my favorite album of all time, is Sheer Heart Attack. It's another great album that deserves a spot in the top 15. It marked the beginning of the classic Queen sound. But then came this creatively kick-ass album that blew everything out of the water.

Bohemian Rhapsody, '39, Prophet's Song, I'm in Love With My Car, Death on Two Legs, and who could forget Love of My Life? Another hit, You're My Best Friend, was actually written by John Deacon, the bassist, and in my opinion, it's one of the best love songs ever. This album should be in the top 5.

Nevermind - Nirvana

"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!

The Newcomers

? Supreme Show - Ami Suzuki
? Live Life - Thin Lizzy

Perhaps the most underrated band, despite being well-known and popular. This live performance demonstrates their incredible consistency while continuing to evolve as a band.

RIP Phil Lynott. I appreciate how deeply you could express emotions through lyrics, vocals, and music. Few could achieve this, and even fewer could do it live. Thank you.

The Contenders
Ok Computer - Radiohead

That part in "Let Down" where Thom sings "you know where you are, you know where you are" is something you'll never hear ever again. It's the most aesthetically pleasing piece of music of all time. Combined with some of the most phenomenal tracks ever, like "Paranoid Android" and "Karma Police," this album is orgasmic.

How can something so depressing be so beautiful? It's like the band is planting pretty flowers on the graves of my happiness and idealism, embracing my depression, misery, and mental illnesses. This album is God's gift to us poor souls. It actually helped me through my hardest times and prevented me from ending it all.

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.

Master of Puppets - Metallica

Overall, how can you go wrong with this? It touches on many areas such as speedy thrash on Battery, ballads on Welcome Home (Sanitarium), and technical instrumentals with Orion. It rocks so hard.

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.

Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys

This album shaped most of modern music as we know it today. Sadly, it is kind of overlooked aside from God Only Knows and Wouldn't It Be Nice. Without this album, many subgenres of pop and rock music wouldn't exist.

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.

Kid A - Radiohead

I grew up with the Beatles as a kid, and now I measure every band's work to see if it's up to the standards set by the greatest band ever. This band, Radiohead, has so far come very close to the superior talent level that it takes to be one of the best ever.

It took me some time to truly understand how complex and special "Kid A" is, and now it is one of my favorite albums in my entire music collection. I have all the albums in your top ten, except for "Thriller."

By the way, their new album, "A Moon Shaped Pool," is amazing. This band seems to be getting better as they age.

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!

Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

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.

Meteora - Linkin Park

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.

This album is the best achievement in psychology, in my opinion. It helped me to get rid of depression originating from the very beginning of my life. I also love the set of songs from it that became popular.

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.

Rubber Soul - The Beatles

It contains one of their worst songs, "Run For Your Life," but other than that, it's a good album with some of Lennon's best songwriting to date.

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.

Back in Black - AC/DC

Considering how great Bon Scott was, producing this album so quickly after his death with such high-quality songs is unbelievable.

These songs are still heard today in stadiums and commercials, crossing generations.

"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.

Paranoid - Black Sabbath

The original metal album - more sophisticated and refined than their debut album. Everyone cites their debut as the first metal album, but Paranoid has got to be more influential.

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.

Animals - Pink Floyd

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.

The Marshall Mathers LP - Eminem

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?

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.

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