The 250 Greatest Albums in Rock 'N Roll History

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

A year and a half ago I started a thread about the 100 Greatest Albums. It’s been here for a while and sometimes it’s been bumped for the newbie’s to see. Though it is still a great music guide for beginners and recent Rock lovers, I don’t think it’s the definite list. It lacks some great albums, and obscure masterpieces, partly on purpose, partly not, but this upcoming list will feature 200 of Rock’s greatest albums. It will be a little biased of course since it’s my list and my ranking system, however I will try to be as unbiased as I can.
I just have a few little rules and details about this little list to make it as accurate and as good as I possibly can. I will exclude Jazz because there are hundreds of beautiful Jazz pieces and artists, “A Love Supreme”, “Kind of Blue”, “Point of Departure”, “The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady” etc , that I am not really that expert or familiar with, not as much as I am with rock, and including Jazz albums will make up for about 25 to 25% of the list. And I will not include many albums post 1990.. Not because there aren’t any good ones, but because I will be misleading you on albums I don’t really know. I will post of course some exceptions here and there that even I am amused and knowledgeable about. You may have an idea on which ones.

Of course writing a list such as the one I will be writing isn’t anything new, it has been done to death especially most recently with the always improving internet and fast connections, many people try to put their own lists together, and many have great ones. There are plenty of music websites out there giving us great reviews, but it’s not the same thing in my opinion. I will rank them, and post details of the albums all together in one thread so you won’t have to browse hundreds of websites just to get to know a couple of the albums’ stories.
I will also post as many information as I can on the albums, I will try to keep a good format on every post I make. I also have a rare request for moderators; to please ignore double, triple, quadruple or whatever postings I make on the thread, as I will not do it for the increase post count.

I will post the list the way I did the last one, starting from the “worst’’ and going all the way up to the best album.
Note that this is a completely re-done list from scratch, therefore some albums may be placed in the same order as the last list, but I really doubt there will be many similarities. Some reviews will be of course the same ones, though they will be completely revised and improved if need to.
So I thank you for your constant reading and commenting on this thread, you are the reason I keep going, without your support I wouldn’t really post this, it takes a lot of hard work and effort, but the end result is worth it.
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blakeruns · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:48 pm Post subject:

so appreciative and excited i am!
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Chicano · Guest

^^^ i emphatically second that notion! jam2

although i didn't post much in the other one, that doesn't mean i didn't appreciate and look at it/read through it like crazy. i was lurking that epic & legendary thread for ages. great job again mookie! you the man compa. mhihi

keep doin' what you do.

Hammerofthegods32 · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 850 Location: VALHALLA

Look forward to it and this time I get to comment on your picks as they come. jam2

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

250. Pearls Before Swine – Balaklava (1968)

Intended as a defiant condemnation of the Vietnam war, Balaklava doesn’t contain the typical protest and anthem songs that the Vietnam war saw. Instead, Tom Rapp offers songs with a different perspective and takes a different approach on the issue. He gave us his surrealistic poetry, irony, historical and cultural reference and comparisons. It is all perfectly blended in this psychedelic folk album. All very impressive, pretty, and addictive. Not the typical Vietnam record, but perhaps more interesting than most protest records out there.

249. The Sonics – Here Are The Sonics! (1965)

Let’s go back in time for a little, to 1965 to be more exact, and play this Sonics album, with mostly covers, they took rock and roll to a different world, they never were very popular and haven’t ever been a highly acclaimed band, however they deserve some credit with their debut album masterpiece. It is more powerful than any rock and roll band of the day, more energetic than even the Beatles when they were in Hamburg, and it is more obscure and unknown that, well, any record you don’t know.

248. The Flying Burrito Brothers - The Gilded Palace of Sin (1969)

Another debut album, but this is from a very different band, it features Gram parsons, which you may have or have not heard from, but he is a pioneer, revolutionary musician who took his guitar and made all kinds of magic with it.

After defining the genre of Country-Rock along with the likes of Bob Dylan with “John Wesley Harding”, Parsons was notorious for his work in The International Submarine Band, and soon afterwards of course his very distinctive stint with the Byrds, and after releasing “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” he left and went on to form The Flying Burrito Brothers.

Byrd’s bassist Chris Hillman knew the genius surrounding Gram, and immediately left the almighty success of psychedelic and rock band The Byrds to join Parsons.
In this album, Parsons delivered some of his most celebrated compositions and works. Together with Chris Ethridge, “Sneaky” Pete Kleinow and Chris Hillman, Gram Parsons created one of rock’s most obscure and important masterpieces of the time.

247. Chicago – Chicago (1970)

This second album by the Chicago-based rock band was released only months after they changed their name from “The Chicago Transit Authority” to simply “Chicago.” And even though it doesn’t reach the energy and genius of its predecessor, it doesn’t disappoint at all.

With hits like “Colour My World”, “Make Me Smile” and of course “25 or 6 to 4” which is their ultimate rock tune, with a superior guitar riff holding all of the incredible sound together, it is hard to argue against Chicago fans that this is a masterpiece.
Contains a great deal of Jazz, Soul and Blues elements of course, dominated by metal works, incredible percussions and their trademark vocals. Chicago is simply their definite work, recorded between 1969 and 1970, it is exciting very well appreciated and most importantly it is fresh, meaning the sound is not dated and will last for a lifetime!

246. Eagles – Eagles (1972)

The diversity shown by The Eagles on this debut album of 1972, remains they key element and signature sound of the band throughout their years of “The Long Run” in ’79, and of course their latest 2007 release “Long Road Out Of Eden”.
The fact that they could flat out rock and jam at the heights of stadium rock greats, and then they could make all that disappear in the blink of an eye, and take out the acoustic guitars and move a crowd with their harmonies, vocals, chords and lyrics is just amazing!

“Eagles” is no different than that, an incredible debut album from a 100% American band, it contains one of the Eagles’ most important and famous compositions, and of course the rock element is there throughout the album. “Take it Easy” arguably one of the best debut tracks by any band and any album, written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey, this performance is the best interpretation of the road so far. And “Witchy Woman” contains a great riff, a solid chorus and of course debuts one of rock’s most underrated voices; Don Henley.
Overall, this is an album that is a must for music lovers, not just rock fans.
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blakeruns · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:04 pm Post subject:

Weezy · Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Posts: 21602 Location: Anaheim, CA

I don't even HAVE 250 CD's, props man, looking forward to all of these. jam2

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Satan · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 12:40 am Post subject:

I probably added a dozen albums to my collection after the top 100 thread, can't wait to see what new musical journeys await us here!
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Mookie · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Posts: 6284 Location: The Alamo

lakerzkb8 · Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 10887 Location: Canadaland

Wow mookie talk about knowing your stuff. Once again thanks for doing this, a lot of us aren't familiar with a lot of these albums or how great some of these bands actually were. I'm more of a hip hop fan and 90's/modern alternative rock, so this is a good chance to catch up on a lot of music i've missed out on. Thanks man
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Heavier Than Heaven · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:57 pm Post subject:

Wow, absolutely can't wait 'till this is all posted.

This will be one of the best threads ever.
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Hammerofthegods32 · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 850 Location: VALHALLA

"The Gilded Palace of Sin" is an amazing album. I recently got a 2-disc Gram Parsons GH called "Sacred Hearts & Fallen Angels: The Gram Parsons Anthology." Awesome, awesome stuff. It's got some early, somewhat twangier stuff he did that I had never heard. It also has 8 of the 11 tracks from "Gilded" on it plus an early version of "Do You Know How it Feels" that he did with the International Submarine Band.

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

245. The Byrds – Sweetheart of the Rodeo (1968)

Despite being the worst-selling album of The Byrds, this record would serve as one of the most important records that defined the new Country Rock genre, it was a standard back in ’68 to any artist wanting to flirt with this delicate but important genre.

After the departure of David Crosby and Michael Clarke, Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman were left to the task of finding replacements and also searching for a new sound. McGuinn wanted to touch various genres and incorporate them into one, bluegrass, jazz, rock, country and experiment with the new “Moog” modular synthesizer that The Byrds acquired in the “Notorious Byrd Brothers” sessions, therefore the plan was to find someone with experience with the keyboards and also musically diverse; Gram Parsons joined the Byrds, along with Chris Hillman’s cousin Kevin Kelley to play drums.

The end result; a landmark album. Serving as a blue print for the new country rock movement that developed in the 1970’s in Los Angeles. It is widely considered to be The Byrds last truly influential album.

244. Bert Jansch – Bert Jansch (1965)

Recorded with a borrowed guitar on a tape recorder in his kitchen; this landmark influential folk album is one of the most important steps in British-folk music. With advanced guitar picking throughout the album, original compositions by Bert who proved to be a great songwriter and lyrics that came from his heart, this album is not forgotten, and in the ears of many, should be vastly considered a top album for its very different positives.

Sold for just 100 pounds to Transatlantic Records, it went on to sell 150,000 copies on its original release. Not bad for a Scottish man who was often told not to become a musician.

243. Meat Loaf – Bat Out Of Hell (1977)

There is really till 1977 not another album like this one, this is gothic, thematic, theatrical, operatic, and of course silly. Jim Steinman composed this without any help, just him and his pen. And there couldn’t have been a better performer for this than meat Loaf himself.

Though some of the songs were strange enough and diverse enough, Meat Loaf still found a way to give the performance of a life-time. Even Jim Steinman said during a very famous interview that Meat Loaf was the biggest rock and roll genius he has ever worked with.

Todd Rundgren produced this incredible best-selling success, it has sold over 37 million copies to this date, and sales aren’t dropping either, but not only did Todd Rundgren found this album hilarious, he also had a vision of the potential it had if he produced it, a move that he would never regret. For “Bat Out Of Hell” has been one of rock’s greatest success’ stories of all-time.

242. Deep Purple – In Rock (1970)

The maturation process of Deep Purple to find their definite-signature hard rock sound was not a very short journey, in their past they were performing covers of various different artists of the era, including Neil Diamond, The Beatles, etc.

But finally in 1970 it was all going to become part of their short-history, this was the first time Deep Purple featured their Mark II line-up which consisted of former “Jesus Christ Superstar” front-man Ian Gillan to be their lead singer, who arguably has one of the best vocal performances till this date with this album, just listen closely to “Child in Time” you will know what I mean. It also had Ritchie Blackmore’s incredible sound that of course lead the band with his blistering solos, Roger Glover’s bass, Jon Lord’s keyboards and constant use of the Hammond organ, and of course Ian Pace’s fast paced drumming. A line-up this good will most likely create good music, and that was the case for this 1970 album. They immediately appeared in the rock and roll world, and they weren’t here to be messing around either. They were here to stay!

241. John Cale – Paris 1919 (1973)

John Cale is better known for his role as the violinist of The Velvet Underground, and always overshadowed by the likes of Lou Reed and Nico. Though that didn’t mean John Cale wasn’t an incredible musician himself, but overshadowed remained the word to describe Cale’s talent.

Paris 1919 is by far Cale’s finest work, it has great depth, and it is very accessible to the ear of an average listener. A consciously literate work, with songs like “Macbeth”, “Graham Green” and “Child’s Christmas in Wales”, it is very poetically rich, with a collection of short stories. Production is incredible; the arrangements of the orchestral accompaniment are very superior, and it even makes me wonder if this is the same John Cale who once was notorious for his noisy, abrasive, chaotic yet divine sound, maybe he finally achieved beauty again.
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240. James Taylor – Sweet Baby James (1970)

James Taylor is one of those artists that can be heard from two different sides; One is of course his gentle soothing music which can please even the ear of those who aren’t accustomed to this mix of country, gospel, blues and folk carefully arranged and mixed together to end up with this amazing musical result.

The other side of James Taylor is of course his world view, especially on songs such as “Fire and Rain” that speak of desperation, pessimism and anguish of the 1960’s aftermath still around in the very early 1970’s. And that may have not been intentional of course, “Fire and Rain” a song about the suicide of a fellow inmate of Taylor’s at a mental institution. But Taylor’s sensitive but wounded-hearted words struck all musical fans, and remain of course the key centerpiece of this incredible sad masterpiece.

Artists everywhere and anywhere have cited “Sweet Baby James” as a major influence to their works, so it also stands the test of time.

239. Jackson Browne – Running On Empty (1977)

The fact that this album was recorded live in concert, backstage, in hotel rooms, and in buses during a road trip of a rock and roll star tour is what remain to this day the reasons why “Running on Empty” is such a strong and original attempt to conquer the rock and roll world. Unlike other live albums, this was truly a concept album because all of the tracks were originals.

His previous work “The Pretender” has been highly acclaimed, and Jackson Browne had already reached stardom from his very early recording, therefore this album is even more significant, the fact that he still had the ambition and hunger to create something different. For many, the only album of Jackson you will ever need in your collection, but to me, the main album you will need.

238. Metallica – Metallica (1991)

While not my strong, it is hard to deny the greatness of “Metallica”. Though they had taken the progressive elements out of their music, getting the new sound was the difficult part, but a move that in the end will benefit the band and their whole music. Some of the songs here like “Enter Sandman”, “Sad but True” and “Wherever I may Roam”, stick to their traditional roots, using James Hetfield’s signature hard riffs. However “The Unforgiving” and “Nothing Else Matters” avoid the main slashing riff and sound, and instead acquire a more “mellow” sound that balances the record in a way Metallica had never done before.

In retrospect, Metallica is a good but not quiet great album that was a standard and a blue chip for all metal bands, leaving their past catalog as something different yet exciting that allowed Metallica to get to this point.

237. Family – Music In A Doll’s House (1968)

Psychedelic rock was the most powerful and direct tool musicians used to reach to their fans. In the 1960’s there wasn’t much interest for other genres or movements, “psycheledia” ruled the musical world, however, the psychedelic movement was started in San Francisco U.S.A. so many viewed British bands as obsolete or as a different type of expressionism, this of course applied for some, but not all bands. “Family” is a great example of a band who understood the meaning and hard work behind a great psychedelic album. Though Family evolved to become a Progressive band in the 70’s their debut album “Music in a Doll’s House” was an incredible British work, heard and loved by all who was touched by it.

Their sound was highly compared to Traffic’s music, though the band could more accurately be compared to the likes of “Soft Machine”, “Caravan”, The Strawbs” and of course “Pink Floyd”, not quiet as ingenious and absurd as Syd’s Floyd, but very comparable.

236. The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground (1969)

Upon its release, the way “The Velvet Underground” shocked his fans was comparable to the way their previous two albums “The Velvet Underground & Nico” and “White Light/White Heat” shocked the musical world. Where after testing the limits of how musically and thematically challenging rock music could be, they released “The Velvet Underground”, a more traditional and sensitive album for a band of this stature. The difference of the music of this album is often accredited to the departure of John Cale; the band’s most committed avant-gradist of the bunch.

However, band’s leader and main compositor throughout the band’s history; Lou Reed featured a different kind of lyrical exploration; it is clear however that The Velvet still loved to rock. But Reed was in a phase of his career where he wanted to explore and experiment with his songs, characters and of course his music.
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Hammerofthegods32 · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 850 Location: VALHALLA

Yeah man. Another Gram Parsons album. "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" is the best thing the Byrds ever put out. "The Christian Life" and "You're Still On My Mind" are among my favorites.

"The Velvet Underground". That's a damn good one, despite the lack of attention for it. It's my second favorite VU album after Loaded.

Good to see "Metallica" on there, though Master of Puppets is generally considered their best album.

Gotta admit. I'm not very familiar with Bert Jansch. Gotta check that one out.

Jackson Browne getting some love. Nice. Running On Empty is one of my Mom's favorite albums. Can't tell you how many times I heard "The Load-Out / Stay" combo as a kid. "You Love the Thunder" is a good one.

Curious as ever to see your list develop Mookie! jam2

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

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

235. King Crimson – Red (1974)

This is one of those albums that will not make any experts 100 list, it just seems to be a fan favorite, but with time it has gotten the recognition it deserves. The secret is that Robert Fripp is playing more, incorporating Jazz and Soul into this progressive hard rock gem. Recorded only officially as a trio, Bill Bruford is arguably at his very best on this album, matching the energy and power of his albums while is Yes. His percussions are Buddy Miles-esque, with a lot more energy thought.

And as for Robert Fripp his compositions and contributions are very amusing, “Red” the self titled track, is an instrumental exciting opening progressive track which incorporates of course all of the elements previously named, with a catchy riff, effective and dominating drum fills, heavy bass and an amusing organ.

“Red” shows elements of Crimson’s masterpiece “In the Court of the Crimson King”, making it easy to like, and a potential addictive prog-masterpiece.

234. Judas Priest – British Steel (1980)

When people think of Heavy Metal, it is hard to overlook this album, so it is debatable, but “British Steel” defines Heavy Metal. It features some of the band’s most accessible set of tunes yet, while not losing the sound, precision and speed of their riffs. The entire album is original material, with only 1 or two sub-par songs, this album is now the standard for Heavy Metal and Hard Rock albums.

233. Aerosmith – Toys In the Attic (1975)

This Aerosmith’s album is widely considered to be their perfect and ultimate stand. Features some of their best recorded material yet. Perry and Tyler are great! Perry’s hard and exaggerated riffs are not found on any other band of the day, mostly influenced by old hard blues bands like The Stones, and Zeppelin, it also shows elements of the New York Dolls, Cream and pioneer bands like Blue Cheer, only with more attitude, mystique and a greater approach.

Steven Tyler proves to be at the very top of his game, both artistically and vocally. The hard work by both of Tyler and Perry proved to be well worth it, and don’t forget about Tom Hamilton’s bass, Joey Kramer’s drumming and Brad Whitford’s second guitar. Though it is hard to ignore with powerful tracks like “Walk This Way”, “Sweet Emotion” and of course “Toys In The Attic”. It is sometimes overlooked because of Perry’s and Tyler’s greatness as a duo.

232. Cat Stevens – Tea For The Tillerman (1970)

Maybe Cat Stevens isn’t remembered for his great albums; maybe he is just remembered for his religious and political scandals which in the end is just a shame. This was the 2nd album he released in 1970, and it was mostly inspired by his break-up with Patti D’Arbanville, starting with what I think gives the album the whole tone and pace “Where Do the Children Play?” in which Stevens questions the value of technology and progress. Also one of his epic masterpieces, “Father and Son”.

This album is a complete gem, his songwriting skills are at his best, his guitar chords and piano notes are smooth, soothing and sometimes touching. His vocals are incredibly powerful and angry, the whole album is rebellious and filled with questions to the modern world, despite all of that it is very easy to enjoy and to sing along with. The end result, a great success, and Cat Stevens was a pop-star once again.

231. Stephen Stills – Manassas (1972)

A sprawling masterpiece, akin to “The Beatles a.k.a. The White album”, “Exile on Main Street” “Being There” in its make-up. Rock, Folk, Blues, Country, had all been involved with Stephen Still throughout his career, and the Manassas band touched them all on this double record. The tracks are thematic, arranged and performed into perfection.

The album consists of 4 parts; “The Raven”, “The Wilderness”,” Consider” and “Move Around.” Each of the sides, or parts containing unique sounds, thematic tracks and distinctive sounds. It even has a synthesizer in a time when rock was just experimenting with it.

Unfortunately Manassas has been overlooked and sometimes even forgotten over the years, most consider it to be the best work Stills has done. He considers this to be his best album, even Bill Wyman who worked on this album had said he would quit the Rolling Stones to join Manassas and yet, few people know about this incredible one hour, twelve minute masterpiece.
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230. The Allman Brothers Band – The Allman Brothers Band (1969)

Arguably the best debut album delivered by an American blues band. From the opening guitar riff, you can sense the amazing magic Duane Allman and Dickey Betts were about to create for the next 3 years. Greg Allman’s keyboard playing is the best a keyboard has sounded in America. His vocals, well, those are a whole different story, but we’ll get to that.

Did I say arguably the best debut album? Change that, definitely the best album, by arguably the best American band to have ever recorded an album. Greg Allman took care of most of the compositions, while the opening track is a Spencer Davis song, and of course the very famous Muddy Waters cover; “Trouble No More”. But that’s not the best part of the album, “Dreams” could take that title home, a waltz timed tune, with a great organ line, and beautiful lyrics and vocals, it absolutely defines what The Allmans would do in the early 70’s with their incredible live performances. They would jam to this song for over 15 minutes in some performances.

The closing track; “Whipping Post” features a bass-line that every man who has ever played bass, has at least tried it once, the two guitars are stunning, one slide, one lead, what else could you ask for? The organ is magnificent, but the vocals are insane, I have no other word to use, and sorry if it doesn’t sound right, but Gregg Allman delivers a closing track performance of a lifetime.
And the scary part; this wasn’t even one of their 3 best albums. Go figure.

229. Etta James – At Last! (1961)

After hanging around in the music world and recording a couple of hit-singles like “Dance With Me, Henry” and “Good Rocking Daddy”, Etta James finally recorded her first album, “At Last!”
James was the ultimate performer by her debut album she was already a proven singer, with a superior presence and great musicians working around her, so by the time the recording sessions for “At Last!” began, she wasn’t a rookie. And in tracks like “I Just Want To Make Love To You” and “At Last” you will notice how well she performs professional compositions.

But apart from the blues she could also handle the Jazz standards like on “Stormy Weather” and “A Sunday Kind of Love”. James would go on to achieve greater success as far as singles are concerned, but this is the ultimate James LP, great for listeners of the old blues.

228. Rush – 2112 (1976)

People rarely credit Rush as one of rock’s greatest trios, but the fact that Lee, Lifeson and Peart have been together for over 30 years and a top of the music world is incredible, and they should be mentioned a top of the great trios.

“2112” the opening side of the LP comprised of 7 sections, tells a story that happened in the year 2112.
About how the future will be dominated by technology, Neil Peart handled the lyrics.
People often believe it to be a concept album for the same reason, but the Side-B is unrelated to the first side, therefore it isn’t a concept album, the same approach was taken when Emerson, Lake and Palmer recorded “Tarkus” and Rush would later use the same idea for their 1979 album, “Hemispheres”.

People often consider it to be Rush’s first absolute classic and the first of many great albums Rush would release in the upcoming years, overall, it showcases their incredible musical ability, Neil Peart’s drumming is one of the best album performances since Keith Moon’s “Quadrophenia” and more progressive focused “Brain Salad Surgery” by Carl Palmer.

227. Blue Cheer – Vincebus Eruptum (1968)

The fact that this album is listed here would be a reach by many, by many people who don’t know what Blue Cheer were all about. A trio with a punk attitude exploring blues rock through Heavy metal. This album is truly an underappreciated classic.

Heavily influenced by drugs and experimentation, it is clear by listening to the album, the heavy occasional guitar screeching noises, the desperation on the Dickie Peterson’s vocals. Leigh Stephens isn’t Hendrix, he isn’t Clapton, Page or Beck either, but he delivered incredible harmonies and complex sounds that were reminiscent of Hendrix on “Are You Experienced”. The drumming is in perfect disorder and in perfect order throughout, and the bass is very hard and heavy.

They would later influence bands like Grand Funk, and who knows how many others, with their innovative sounds and never before heard albums. Blue Cheer is one band you have to truly understand in order to appreciate.

226. Jefferson Airplane - After Bathing at Baxter's (1967)

1967 was the ultimate psychedelic year, it defined and changed the musical world in such way that bands were shooting for the perfect psychedelic sound, and this album is no different than that. Earlier this year, Jefferson Airplane released “Surrealistic Pillow” an album that the band thought was maybe a little too perfect, so they came up with “After Bathing at Baxter's” an album that took them into a greater musical height, an album that had them pushing the limits in order to create a daring and exciting album.

There’s not a song that disappoints, and there’s not a sound that won’t be felt deep down inside. And that is exactly what this album was, it was about the band’s feelings of the whole psychedelic movement; they wanted to express what they felt deep down inside, and every band member contributes with at least one composition. Even Jorma Kaukonen’s only composition; “The Last Wall of the Castle” is a great success, and a track that would later motivate Jorma to go on and form his own band; Hot Tuna.

However this is not the album to go buy if you’re not familiar with the band, though you may love it, it is not their defining moment, instead it defines psycheledia in a way an American band had not done before.
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Heavier Than Heaven · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:13 am Post subject:

Awesome job!
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225. King Crimson - Larks' Tongues in Aspic (1973)

A new line-up yet again, King Crimson keeps resurrecting from the death, this time it’s more diverse than ever. Anchored by Crimson’s long-time leader Robert Fripp. New bassist John Wetton, violinist David Cross, and Jamie Muir and Bill Brufurd taking care of the percussions and drumming.

With this line-up Crimson incorporated a whole new repertoire of percussions and added the violin into the equation, it was the first time a progressive rock band went for the violin as a full-time member, and it proves to be a great addition.

The instrumental parts and tracks of the album feature a very strong Jazz fusion influence, some other portions have a lot of heavy rock, metal and even experimental sounds, however most of the album feature the violin played throughout. Not bad considering the album often lacks the organ or keyboard as the centerpiece of the tracks.

224. The Grateful Dead – Live/Dead (1969)

This double live album was the first live album release by The Grateful Dead, and it is not the typical release either. This album exposed the incredible ability of the Dead to give incredible extended live performances, this is the album that would ultimately put the Grateful Dead atop all the jamming bands, even before the Allman Brother’s band fusion of Blues with folk and rock.

This is also another reason why rock wasn’t one dimensional anymore, though it had been proven since The Beatles’ Revolver in 66 with their increased heavily experimentation, the Dead reached the same level by not limiting themselves just to write and perform a 3 to 4 minute single, rock audiences were no longer into that. Both live and in an album, fans are always seeking for more, and it is the artist job to get where the fan wants to go. Live/Dead is the perfect example of that happy marriage between listeners and performers.

223. Free – Fire and Water (1970)

I mentioned Deep Purple earlier in the list, how talented and brave they were for seeking greater heights. Well, the same could be said about this “Free” band.
Relatively unknown during their first 2 releases, Free finally hit stardom with their massive success of “Fire and Water” in 1970. It finally paid off for the duo of Paul Rodgers (vocals) who delivers one of the cleanest and most powerful vocals of the era, and Andy Fraser (bass) who destroys amps with his loud noise and incredible precision, the main writers of the band. However they weren’t alone, they had help, and good one; Paul Kossoff was a rising star as a guitarist, his signature solos, with the incredible stamina and sound proved why he was mentioned with names like Clapton, Blackmore, Hendrix and Page. And Simon Kirke was the always reliable always accurate drummer that completed this incredible “Free” line-up.

The key moment of truth came when the band was exposed in front of 600,000 people at the Isle of Wight in 1970. Any other small band could have failed and lose all kinds of concentration and confidence, but not Free, they blasted their newest hit single “All Right Now” and the band had now reached and surpassed the levels of bands like Fleetwood Mac, Foghat and Humble Pie.

222. Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures (1979)

Perfectly recorded, perfectly delivered, that is Unknown Pleasures, all four members in perfect sync through this incredible debut performance. Bernard Sumner’s guitar is reminiscent of that in Pete Townshend back in the 60’s with the screeching and the feedback, of course this one isn’t as wild or as loud, but it is for the style of post-punk played here. Stephen Morris doesn’t miss a beat throughout, he is accurate and precise, Ian Curtis’ vocals are legendary, mysterious, daring, explosive and one could connect with him. But of course Peter Hook’s bass is legendary, the line he wrote and played on this record is one compared to other great bass-lines in rock. One could turn off every channel except for his, and it would still sound great.

221. Gentle Giant – Octopus (1972)

A progressive gem is what this is, with sublime performances, Gentle Giant is similar to its closest and most intense rivals, yet parts of the album exceeds the heights of Jethro Tull, Barclay James Harvest and Yes.

All members contribute with at least three different instruments, overdubbed atop of each other to reach a perfect harmony of sound. Most of the instruments aren’t your typical rock instruments either, they went for cellos, mellophones, French horns, xylophones, trumpets, saxophones, the moog synthesizer, plus the 4 traditional rock and roll instruments; guitar, bass, drums and keyboards.

It all seems like too much to follow, but you don’t need to follow and name each instrument precisely, just follow closely the lead instruments, the sizzling bass, the lead guitar and the exciting drumming, you will end up very surprised by the middle of the record. The voices are perfectly recorded, and cautiously arranged to give them the best sound, and the occasional church organ is delightful. A must hear instrumental masterpiece is what this is, and if you enjoy a band with a lot of instruments and sounds, Gentle Giant’s Octopus may be just for you.
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Mookie · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Posts: 6284 Location: The Alamo

220. Kraftwerk – Autobahn (1974)

I’ve wanted to write about this album for a long time. Personally I am not into electronic music, at all, maybe with a few exceptions, I like some Tangerine Dream albums, some of Silver Apple’s late experimentations with the electronic sounds in the late 60’s but overall, “Autobahn” is the album I love.

“Kraftwerk” is a German “Kraut Rock” band, pioneers of the electronic sounds. Though this album isn’t entirely electronic, they did use some violin and flute on the title-track, but the rest is 100% electronic, with electronic percussion, and synthesizers, keyboards and organs that were as expensive as buying a Volkswagen back in the mid 70’s.

The opening title track which is almost 23 minutes in length is the defining track of the album, written as a concept album it is intended to capture the thrills, and feelings of driving on the autobahn, from the concentration and determination of driving on the high speed lane, to the turning of the car radio, the sound of engines, cars passing and passing cars, an