The 250 Greatest Albums in Rock 'N Roll History

Mookie · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Posts: 6284 Location: The Alamo

215. Joni Mitchell – Court and Spark (1974)

To many; the best album Joni Mitchell ever did, leaving behind her folk songwriting about feelings and observations, Mitchell incorporated a fusion of jazz, pop and folk ultimately creating this outstanding work.

Lyrically she went for more simple and understandable lovely songs, though there is still some sadness in some of the songs; “Court and Spark”, “People’s Parties” and “Same Situation”. The sounds is so different from her past albums, it’s refreshing to hear the elements she incorporates in her music, sometimes we even forget this is Joni Mitchell.

Overall it’s a tough choice to decide what her best album is, but if we don’t even think about her albums “Blue” and of course “Hejira” we could end up loving this album to the point where we might even play it till it scratches.

214. Aretha Franklin – Lady Soul (1968)

Released one year after her epic and very important debut “I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You”; Aretha’s third album proves that the pop artist was no fluke. She takes the vocals and lyrics in every song to a whole new level, surrounded and accompanied by Atlantic Records best personnel, they delivered an outstanding and very successful recording.

Among her best performances and singles of the album we can relive Don Covay’s cover “Chain of Fools”, Mayfield’s “People Get Ready”, The Rascals “Groovin” and of course her interpretation of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” written by Goffin and King.

213. MC5 – Kick Out The Jams (1969)

Besides what this album can bring musically and lyrically, this album was a rare album not only because of the heavy and powerful basically unknown sound, that when created well it could always be very exciting, but because of the unnecessary violence and anger this band from Detroit had in them.

Sure we had heard about anger and rebellion with The Doors before. But this was different, the set recorded live in 1968, starts out with an introduction by John Sinclair, Minister of Information for the White Panthers go figure.

For years Detroit was considered the high energy rock and roll capital of the world, and this album not only reached those levels it surpassed them. Great guitar album with high energy and never before heard proto-punk sounds.

212. Eric Clapton – 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974)

Clapton’s second studio album as a solo artist, after his Derek and The Dominos project and his heroin problems, although it has some reggae elements it doesn’t lose his blues, country and R&B influences.
This album basically is a free style for Clapton to stretch out instrumentally.
Something he had perfected as a member of Blind Faith and Derek and The Dominos, so imagine the end results.

Overall it isn’t entirely reminiscent of Clapton’s previous works, it does have in fact more a of a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, that say “Layla”. But it did open the door for his very successful and remarkable 70’s career.

211. The Allman Brothers Band – Idlewild South (1970)

The best studio album in the band’s history, “Idlewild South” contained everything that made the Allman Brothers the definite American rock band: Compositions from the main members, long jamming tracks, highly energetic and great sounding guitars, and of course great vocals throughout the album.
It’s hard to argue against this sophomore album, though the debut album may have been more important and revolutionary, this was the perfected version of The Allmans.

“Revival” is one of rock’s great opening tracks, with great spirits, this song leads off a great collection of anthems and songs. Gregg’s “Midnight Rider” was also one of the Allman Brothers signature songs, “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed” was Dickey Betts contribution, and what a rock song, this would become one of the Allman’s most famed live songs the next couple of years. Also a great cover of Willie Dixon in “Hoochie Coochie Man” a song that starts with a great bass-line by Berry Oakley. Overall it is a perfect single disc album. With good length and great quality, it would be their first masterpiece of a few other albums recorded by the Allmans.
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Mookie · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Posts: 6284 Location: The Alamo

210. Emitt Rhodes – Emitt Rhodes (1970)

The one-man Beatle, Emitt Rhodes built a small studio in his home and he recorded every instrument, every beat, every vocal and he produced every single second of it. In a time when professional studios were required to produce a formal album, Rhodes fter disbanding “The Merry Go Round” focused on his solo debut album and the results were staggering. His voice is sweet, his lyrics are charming and lovely and his music is incredibly surprising.

All of the sudden this So Cal boy was labeled as a one-man Beatle, and his debut album is very similar to that debut album of McCartney himself, only this is better, probably what Beatle fans expected out of Paul.

Emitt Rhodes - Lullabye

209. The Doors – L.A. Woman (1970)

By far The Doors most blues-oriented album of them all, Jim Morrison’s last album was an incredible success of evolving with the genres of the era. His voice isn’t as fresh and as tuned as it was back in the 60’s but the power and the energy is still there to produce some of his finest works as a poetic lead singer. On the other hand, some of the most disturbing results can also be heard on the very same album.

The album is of course driven by the musical talent and skills of Ray Manzarek, he basically sets the tone and tempo for every song, playing the bass, the piano, the keyboards and the organ. Robby Krieger’s guitar work is amongst his best, and Densmore’s drumming is at another powerful level, one that he had yet to show in the Doors, and it is all evident in the title track, one of the best written songs of the era.

208. The Who – A Quick One (1966)

The Who’s sophomore album proved that the band was not a fluke. Driven by the power, intensity and madness of all members, The Who takes Rock and Roll to a whole new level with this 1966 release. Most compositions are credited to Pete Townshend, though there are some important contributions by the remaining three members. John Entwistle’s bass lines are as impressive as they were with their debut “My Generation” he still is and was the greatest more innovative and most important bassist in rock and roll history, Keith Moon establishes himself as the greatest drummer in the world, a title that in his mind and in my mind he will hold until the day he died. Roger Daltrey is the prototypical rock front man, lead singing most of the tracks and backing up in the rest of them, and of course Pete Townshend’s legacy is born with this LP.

Not only is “A Quick One” a great album and should be considered among the best, but it also features the first mini-opera rock had seen, and with that “A Quick One” should remain one of rock and roll biggest revelations, Townshend is a genius.

For the last song of the album he omitted the 3 minute single and he took a radical new approach, he wrote the first opera. “A Quick One While He’s Away” tells a story about a girl and her sexual urges about other men, and so consult the title for the explanation on the rest of the song, or buy the album, this song alone paved way for “Tommy”, “Quadrophenia” and other important rock opera releases like “Ziggu Stardust”, “The Wall”, “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake”. The way we listen to albums from 1966 should be credited largely to Townshend’s simple formula of having a concept behind every album.

207. The Cure – Disintegration (1989)

Reading a list about Rock’s greatest albums without this gem on it wouldn’t be a good read. In fact it would be a sin to omit this 1989 release from any list. It is perfectly recorded, and perfectly written, what else do you need on an album? Robert Smith growing fan base grew even larger in the 1990’s mainly because of this album. Many fans around the world felt the pain Robert Smith shed with his pen and cried with his chords, and that is exactly what makes this album so powerful.

72 minutes of constant sadness and melodies reflect the feelings of another human being suffering for love, and the way the band put together this incredible songs is just great stuff. But what amazes me the most about this album; it was released almost 20 years ago, that alone is something to think about.

206. Donovan - A Gift From a Flower to a Garden (1967)

One of the first double albums in rock if not the first double box-set offered to fans in rock. Donovan had been very well known to this point. He had recorded great number one ballads, he had been called “A British Bob Dylan” and he had also been compared to even The Beatles, however. “A Gift From a Flower to a Garden” is his greatest work, not only for the great melodies and psychedelic sounds, but also because it’s diverse, deep, and very likeable for first time listeners.

At the time of its release, it was very well received by both fans and critics, and to this day it is still one of Britain’s biggest releases, and I mentioned the diversity this album had, once you played the album for the very first time, it was as if you were listening to 2 separate releases. It tells two stories, one of course an electric pop psychedelic experience, and the other a deeper, darker story about his experiences with drugs where Donovan also showcased his ability as a guitar player, this one reminisced his folk days, and introduced a new sound to future bands like “Pentangle” and “Fairport Convention”.
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Hammerofthegods32 · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 847 Location: VALHALLA

Interesting choices. A Quick One isn't one you usually see on lists like this. Gotta love "Boris the Spider". jam2

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ViXsTeR · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:32 pm Post subject:

Mookie,

What happened to your blog?

Mookie · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Posts: 6284 Location: The Alamo

Hammerofthegods32 · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 847 Location: VALHALLA

Mookie · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Posts: 6284 Location: The Alamo

Satan · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:12 am Post subject:

Yet another example of the music industry shooting itself in the foot.

Here is a person devoting so much time and energy to introduce people to the record companies music and they shut them down.
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Following the rights movements you clamped on with your iron fists, drugs became conveniently available for all the kids, Following the rights movements you clamped on with your iron fists, drugs became conveniently available for all the kids - System of a Down, Prison Song

Mookie · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Posts: 6284 Location: The Alamo

Satan · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:32 am Post subject:

That's awesome Mookie! Hopefully the MPAA and their affiliates can't touch you where you're going to. Can I ask what nation you're moving to and why? Sorry to get off topic.
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Following the rights movements you clamped on with your iron fists, drugs became conveniently available for all the kids, Following the rights movements you clamped on with your iron fists, drugs became conveniently available for all the kids - System of a Down, Prison Song

Mookie · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Posts: 6284 Location: The Alamo

Satan · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:52 am Post subject:

Good luck in your new home! OK, Back on topic now. mhihi

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Following the rights movements you clamped on with your iron fists, drugs became conveniently available for all the kids, Following the rights movements you clamped on with your iron fists, drugs became conveniently available for all the kids - System of a Down, Prison Song

mrand · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 7:02 am Post subject:

wow, great stuff, mookie. really man4

i wonder if someone knows the band bunalim or a guy called bert sommer. bunalim is a turkish psychadelic rock band from the early seventies... i only got one LP, but what a record...

bert sommer, i only got "the road to travel" from the late sixties... great stuff either....

i just wonder because i came in contact with both very accidental and nobody except me knows them.

ahh, and eddie vedders ost for the "into the wild" is pretty amazing too. i know it probably doesn't belong into a all time 250 list, but no record touched me that much in the last months....
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John3:16 · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 7:10 am Post subject:

Hammerofthegods32 · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 847 Location: VALHALLA

Provide a link to your blog when you do get it going again, please. jam2

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Mookie · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Posts: 6284 Location: The Alamo

205. Tim Buckley – Tim Buckley (1966)

Tim Buckley’s debut album is quite unlike anything he ever recorded in his career, it is arguably his finest work and it should be considered one of the greatest efforts of the singer-songwriter genre, and to think he recorded this masterpiece as his first album and at only 19 years of age, it really is something.

The sound of his voice really is really the voice of a magician; he has the deepest, strongest yet most beautiful voice I can think of, the way he experiments and utilizes his tones at such an early age is what made Tim Buckley an instant legend, from now on he is a name to keep a close watch on.

This album was recorded at Elektra Studios, the same label that signed the likes of Joni Mitchell, Love, Crosby, Stills and Nash and of course The Doors. And it was produced by Paul Rothchild, also The Doors’ and Love’s producer, it was arranged and engineered by Jack Nitzsche and Bruce Botnick respectively.

The album features many highlights, and most of the album is a joy, however as experimental as Tim Buckley was, this debut also contains some songs that aren’t prototypical folk or rock songs, and that is exactly what makes this such a strong album, every successful experiment should be recognized as a masterpiece.

204. The Strawbs – Grave New World (1972)

The Strawbs remain as one of the better progressive rock bands that came from Britain. But there’s something that makes them unique. Apart from bands like Pink Floyd, King Crimson, and Caravan, all bands that derived from rock, The Strawbs derived from folk, that’s the secret of their sound, and “Grave New World” is the album that finally featured every member at their highest level, producing undoubtedly an incredible masterful record.

The guitar by Dave Cousins and Tony Hooper throughout most of the album is focused more on the acoustic sound rather than going electric, this proved to be a smart move because it easily allowed them to write and arrange strings that wouldn’t sound too messy and overdubbed, therefore the end result is a more soothing, but very powerful progressive sound.

The vocals remain one of the highest notes of this album; very often the whole band sang creating a powerful and extraordinary harmonic choir-like sound. They very rarely had to rely on the a-cappella vocals, but when they did, it resulted in a very fresh sound. The organ played by Blue Weaver is heard almost throughout the album almost as if it was Jon Lord of Deep Purple playing and also backing and complementing the very intense and strong bass by John Ford. The drumming of Richard Hudson is comparable to the drumming of Bruford in Crimson,

Overall this is one of the finest musical recordings of the golden progressive era, written mostly by Dave Cousins, it is an album that should be on every collection on every part of the world. A universal extraordinary experience and a “Great New World” is what this album is.

Oh and by the way, if it wasn't enough already, this album shows the great influence on "Revolver" it has, with sitar, overdubbed backwards guitar sounds, and pyschedelic string arrangements.

Tomorrow

203. Todd Rundgren – Something/Anything? (1972)

Often regarded as the singer-songwriter’s magnum opus, Rundgren played every instrument and sang every song of the first 3 sides of this double LP. He had band accompany him on the 4th and final side of the album.

I have already listed 2 albums that were entirely performed by one artist; “McCartney” and “Emitt Rhodes”, both released on 1970, but it is debatable as of which of the 2 is better, however there is no debate on which is the best of the 3, “Something/Anything?” easily steals that title. Why? I’ll tell you why.

Rundgren touches every possible genre that was meaningful back in ’72, making this one of the greatest musical experiences of all-time. And every side of the album is a concept unto itself, Side-One is a collection of tracks that catch your attention, a great approach taken by Todd, that way the listener will be interested in what’s next. Side-Two is “The Cerebral Side”. On Side number three “The kid gets heavy” and of course the Fourth-side is a mock pop-operetta, recorded with a full band of musicians and backing singers.

Now let’s explore the genre- journey taken with every song; A Carole King tribute with “I Saw the Light”, prototypical ballads in “Hello, It’s Me” and “It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference”, Motown with “Wolfman Jack”, power pop “Couldn’t I Just Tell You”, psychedelic hard rock in “Black Maria”, pure weirdness “I Went To The Mirror”, blue-eyed soul “Dust in the Wind”, and he also delivers pure brilliants songs that don’t fit into any particular style: (“Cold Morning Light”, “It Takes Two To Tango” and “[Swearing is not permitted at Clublakers. You must edit this post prior to submitting.]”).

It is journey that’s unremarkably unpretentious, with Rundgren’s bizarre sense of humor, but undeniable genius behind and despite all of it.

202. Talking Heads – Talking Heads: 77 (1977)

This 1977 debut by the Talking Heads was one of the many albums released with the boom of the New York new-wave movement. The opening track “Uh-Oh, Love Comes To Town” was a pop song that obviously means something, and it is that David Byrne’s influences came from the 1960’s bubblegum, Motown, and of course Caribbean music, however the rest of the album slowly shapes into the perfect structure that the Talking Heads were in the late 70’s, and ultimately it fits their profile.

What’s also famous and notorious about the band is the odd guitar tunings and rhythmic, single-note patterns, non-rhyming, non-linear lyrics, somewhat to those words you would overhear outside a psychiatrist’s couch, and of course the voice singing above its normal range, its falsetto leaps, and strangled cries, resembling a madman trying desperately to sound normal. You mix all of that and instead of coming up with a horrible worthless record, you get a very surprising result; a sound that undeniably grabs your attention. Especially with “Psycho Killer”, a song that in no other era it would be heard, however surprisingly it made it to the charts and remained there for a few weeks.

The album wouldn’t replicate “Psycho Killer’s” success, and it was forgotten for the remaining years of the 70’s, however, the band has reached great success as they had progressed, in part because of their odd genius, and in part because people really relate to their roots and their sounds, and that is exactly why today “Talking Heads: 77” is a landmark album.

201. Fairport Convention – Liege & Lief (1969)

The “Most Important Folk Album of All-Time” and “The Most Influential Album of All-Time” as it has been labeled, “Liege and Lief” is an album that wasn’t even supposed to be made. An absolute triumph and an improbable success, it was recorded right after the band’s van crashed and claimed the lives of drummer Martin Lamble who was just 19 years old, and Richard Thompson’s girlfriend Jeannie Franklyn. The rest of the band also suffered injuries of varying severity.

The very young musicians were ready to call it a career and nearly did, but in the end, once recovered they returned into the studio only missing male vocalist Iain Matthews who had quit the band and of course drummer Martin Lamble who was replaced by Dave Mattacks. The resulting LP was launched with a sell-out concert in London’s Royal Festival Hall late in 1969.

Musically this is the most folk-oriented album Fairport Convention had ever done, however there are some flashes and parts of it where they go electric and they score incredible performances along the way. Thompson and Swarbick’s soloing is dazzling throughout the album, it also showcases the diversity the band possessed, and it of course helped introduce a large music audience to the beauty and sensitivity of British Folk.

Afterwards, Ashley Hutchings and Sandy Denny left the band to pursue different projects, and the classic years of the Fairport Convention were now over even before the calendar had shown a new decade. However what we have left is a beautiful interpretation of music that will forever remain timeless and legendary.
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Mookie · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Posts: 6284 Location: The Alamo

OK, from now on I will add a song for each album I review for reviewing and educational purposes only, I added the first one from the 210th album on the list "Emitt Rhodes" the song is a beauty, it's called "Lullabye", I will do the same for every album, if I can, so please enjoy! And tell me whether it is a good idea or not.
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Mookie · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Posts: 6284 Location: The Alamo

Also added is "Tomorrow" by The Strawbs, highly recommended track, at least listen once.

And look for different previews and samples scattered throughout with no particular order with no previous notice.

I'll upload some of the new reviews tomorrow, I'm going to bed in a bit.
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hype · Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 9201 Location: Costa Mesa, CA

Props on including Grave New World, I love that album. There was a point last year where I would put it on every night just to listen to it in the dark, it's a fascinating record jam2

also, have you listened to Ian Matthews's album "If you saw thro' my eyes"? He sang for Fairport convention at one point. I just recently rediscovered it, it's pretty nice folk!
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Hammerofthegods32 · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 847 Location: VALHALLA

Mookie · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Posts: 6284 Location: The Alamo