This is a project of mine I've been working on for quite a while. Every serious classic rock fan at one time or another tries to compile a list of their 100 or so all-time favorite albums. But of course they usually get bogged down by the sheer volume of the project. I've decided to approach the problem in this way. I have selected the years 1967 through 1979 inclusive as the Golden Age of Classic Rock, 1967 being the year when rock began to seriousy manifest itself as a serious art form, and the onset of the eighties being when various movements and commercialism signaled the end of that grand age. Now for each of those thirteen years, I've hand-picked my own personal 15 choices as the best of that year which I will post one year at a time. I will of course focus exclusively on studio albums and eliminate live albums and best-of collections. If I see this project all the way to the end of the era I've defined, that will eventually be a total of almost two hundred albums.
I welcome your comments. Feel free to mercilessly flame me if I've left a favorite album of yours off my list for a particular year, or if you seriously question one of my choices. Remember that this is a personal "best of". (What's the point in parroting a list that someone else has done?)
With that said, here are my top 15 choices that I've come up with for the year 1967.

1. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", THE BEATLES (Overrated? Of course. But still probably the best record of the year, and the safe choice.)
2. "The Doors", THE DOORS
3. "Are You Experienced?", JIMI HENDRIX
4. "Days of Future Passed", THE MOODY BLUES
5. "Surrealistic Pillow", THE JEFFERSON AIRPLANE
6. "The Who Sell Out", THE WHO
7. "Headquarters", THE MONKEES
8. "Their Satanic Majesties Request", THE ROLLING STONES
9. "Magical Mystery Tour", THE BEATLES
10. "Moby Grape", MOBY GRAPE
11. "Buffalo Springfield Again", BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD
12. "Disraeli Gears", CREAM
13. "Between the Buttons", THE ROLLING STONES
14. "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn", PINK FLOYD
15. "Procul Harum", PROCUL HARUM

Just missed the cut: "Forever Changes", LOVE

Quick revision - When I chose the Procol Harum debut for the number 15 slot, I forgot that the original UK release of the album did not include "A Whiter Shade of Pale". Since this song is so instrumental to the ranking of the album (although I would never place an album on one of these lists on the strength of just one song), I'm considering substituting the Doors' "Strange Days". "Pale" did appear on the US version of the debut, but that didn't come out until '68, and anyway I'm only going to consider the definitve original release of any given album for inclusion.

As always Todd, some interesting choices. Some obvious ones, too. I was surprised to see The Monkees' Headquarters on your list. Especially as high up as you rated it. It's probably my favorite of the original Pre Fab Four's albums.

I'm not sure how much or how little I agree with the years you chosen to confine yourself to. I guess I can't really fault your choice of 1967 as your starting point. I might have gone one year earlier, but I really can't give any justifications for doing so.

But the 1979, I'm kinda iffy on. I might have gone up to 1980. To me, when the calendar changed from the seventh decade of the 20th century to the eighth one, well, that's when music really began to fragment. Disco was in the process of dying. Punk had just about passed away and had given away to its commercialized sibling, New Wave. R&B was feeling the first beats of hip-hop ("Rapper's Delight"). To me, there was/is a difference beween a song from 1980 and one from 1979. Yet, they still have a kinship that you would see vanish the older the '80s got. There is a difference, but I don't think the break was quite complete then. Music still hadn't quite begun to become as fragmented as it is now.

Thinking this over, I may have just argued your point, Todd. Still, it is your call. I'm looking forward to seeing your other choices, sir.

np - Outside Looking In - BoDeans

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

No, you haven't argued my point, Benn. It seems like you and I agree on the period proposed, you just expanded it by those two years. Hmmm . . . 1966 to 1980 would give us a nice neat deca-numeral-based period of 15 years, instead of the unlucky 13, plus allow the inclusion of such classics as "Pet Sounds" and "Revolver".

>I was surprised to see The Monkee's Headquarters on your list.

Just goes to show you the effect of the conditioning that "the Monkees were just a boy band" critical stance can have, as even a devout Monkees fan like you can be shocked at its inclusion. Fortuntely, I'm pretty much immune to such conditioning. I think Headquarters holds its own pretty well with the other discs listed here. Remember, on this album with "Zilch" the Monkees actually beat the Beatles' "Revolution Number 9" to the punch by a year, plus they had the taste to make their point in just a minute as opposed to "Number Nine"'s interminable eight and a half.

Actually, apart from the Monkees selection, I think my 1967 list comes off pretty conservative as it tallies pretty well with the standard choices for that year.

I'll post my selections for 1968 soon. Prepare yourself for another shock, Benn, as "The Birds, The Bees and The Monkees" is on the short list for that year (although I haven't done the final paring down yet!)

Okay, here's my selections from 1968 (the year I was born! whoo-hoo!)

1. "The Beatles", THE BEATLES
2. "Axis: Bold as Love", JIMI HENDRIX
3. "Wow", MOBY GRAPE
4. "Odgen's Nut Gone Flake", THE SMALL FACES
5. "Beggar's Banquet", THE ROLLING STONES
6. "Music From Big Pink", THE BAND
7. "S.F. Sorrow", THE PRETTY THINGS
8. "Bookends", SIMON AND GARFUNKEL
9. "Astral Weeks", VAN MORRISON
10. "Waiting for the Sun", THE DOORS
11. "The Birds, the Bees and the Monkees", THE MONKEES
12. "Steppenwolf", STEPPENWOLF
13. "The Notorious Byrd Brothers", THE BYRDS
14. "Quicksilver Messenger Service", QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE
15. "A Saucerful of Secrets", PINK FLOYD

Just missed the cut: "Innna Gada Da Vida", IRON BUTTERFLY; "The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack", THE NICE

Some comments on the albums I personally own and/or have heard:

1. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club - the Beatles

It's definitely one of the most influential rock albums of all. It's hard to think of a more influential one. But these days, McCartney's songs are too poppish for my taste. This marks the beginning of the end, for me. It is definitely the point where Macca's penchant for songs from "dittyland" first showed up. A good choice, though.

3. Are You Experienced? - the Jimi Hendrix Exeperience

Yeah, this is a classic. It's one of the albums that taught me a new way of listening to music. A real eye-opener. Another good choice.

4. Days of Future Passed - the Moody Blues

I dunno. This album seems a bit too pretentious to me nowadays. But in context of the time it was released... well, yeah, it belongs. These days, though I prefer the track "The Afternoon: Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)", or as everyone else knows it, "Tuesday Afternoon" to the more popular "Nights In White Satin". Of course, it's possible that in a day or two, I might change my mind.

5. Surrealistic Pillow - Jefferson Airplane

I never really warmed up to this album too much. I love "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love" is still a great tune, but the rest of the album has long left me cold. Of course, I don't currently own a copy. I'd like to, though. Maybe if I do get it again, I might change my mind. In the meantime...

6. The Who Sell Out - the Who

I once debated the merits of this album with Blitz, a year or two ago. I like it, don't get me wrong. It's not my favorite Who album, though. Still, it did point the way to the album, Tommy. Then again, that may not necessarily be a good thing. Towser is still trying to live up to that album, even after all these years.

7. Headquarters - the Monkees

My favorite of the Pre-Fab Four's albums, as I've already noted. This album is not only the only one on which the Monkees themselves played as a band (all other l.p.s used, to one extent or another, studio musicians), it was one of the forerunners to the Country-Rock movement of the '70s. Frankly, I don't think the Monkees (a rather Mike Nesmith) have ever gotten the proper credit for that.

9. Magical Mystery Tour - the Beatles

IIRC, this one's really an e.p. Everything after "I Am the Walrus" was added to the American release of the title. Not a bad "album". It is, IMO, a better one than Sgt. Pepper's is. But that's only in hindsight.

14. The Piper At the Gates of Dawn - Pink Floyd

This was Syd Barrett's only Floyd album, wasn't it? A very strange one. It does contain some hints of what was to come from the Floyd. Mostly it stands as a relic of the Psychedelic Era of Rock. An acid rock classic.


np - Missing Links 2 - the Monkees

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

"Remember, on this album with 'Zilch' the Monkees actually beat the Beatles' 'Revolution Number 9' to the punch by a year, plus they had the taste to make their point in just a minute as opposed to 'Number Nine' 's interminable eight and a half." - Todd Pence

Um, I'm not sure what you mean by that. To me, the two tracks are completely different things with different objectives. "Revolution 9" was Lennon's attempt at creating an avant garde sound collage. John, because of the influence of Yoko, I presume, was simply experimenting with sound and tape.

"Zilch" on the other hand was a round-robin joke as the Pre-Fab Four each repeat a different phrase over and over. I don't think they were looking to do much of anything with "Zilch". I could be wrong, though.

np - Starfish - the Church

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

On to 1968:

1. The Beatles, aka "The White Album" - the Beatles

My favorite of the Beatles' output. I think this is the album they should have stopped with, quite honestly. Much of the double l.p. seemed to harken back to their various influences. It really sounds to me like a summation of the Fab Four's oeuvre. A great one indeed.

2. Axis: Bold As Love - the Jimi Hendrix Exeperience

Kind of a red-headed stepchild of Jimi's albums. To me, anyway. It's not as much a startling revelation as Are You Experienced? or Electric Ladyland (or for that matter, Band of Gypsys). Don't get me wrong. There are great songs on it, but it just doesn't measure up to Hendrix's other three studio l.p.s.

11. The Birds, the Bees and the Monkees - the Monkees

Nope. I disagree with this one. It's too spotty for me. When it's bad (and boy does it get bad: "Hard to Believe", "The Poster", "Dream World" [do I detect a pattern here?]) it's downright annoying and almost unlistenable. To me, The Birds,... is a kindred spirit of More of the Monkees. Not that it's the worst album the Monkees released (that would be Changes), but it's not nearly the best. I prefer Pisces, Aquairius, Capricorn and Jones, Ltd. to this one.

15. A Saucerful of Secrets - Pink Floyd

David Gilmour joined the group with this album, didn't he? It gets credit for that. But really, this seems more like Piper At Gates of Dawn II than anything else.

np - Starfish - the Church

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

Yeah, you're right about the aims being different, in any case "Zilch" certainly comes across as less pretentious than "Number 9". If "Zilch" hadn't happened to come out before "Number 9", I might have considered the former a send-up of the latter.

"Yeah, you're right about the aims being different, in any case 'Zilch' certainly comes across as less pretentious than 'Number 9'." - Todd Pence

Easily. I almost suspect that the Monkees were stoned when recording "Zilch". Incidentally, the line Micky recites, "Never mind, further more the plea is self-defense"? That's a line from the song, "No Time".

still playing - Starfish - the Church

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

My favorite of the Beatles' output. I think this is the album they should have stopped with, quite honestly.Benn

'Course, if they had, then we wouldn't have Abbey Road, which is the best example of what the post-Pepper Beatles could do when they focused. The Beatles has a lot of good stuff on it, but it's unfocused; if you cut the dead weight off (ie anything with the words "Honey Pie" in the title, for starters) then The Beatles would reign supreme. But it doesn't, the crown goes to Abbey Road. IMHO, of course.

Well, I should probably start giving my own notes on these to help explain and justify my own choices, as well as to perhaps give a description of some of my perhaps more obscure choices. Starting with '67

1. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", THE BEATLES
Not too much to explicate or justify, is there? Even if you feel this album gets too much credit and is therefore overrated (as I do), if you compile a list of best albums of 1967 and leave this one off, you're just being a contrary little prig.
The album owes a bit of a debt to the previous years "Pet Sounds" by the Beach Boys, which is not always acknowledged.
Best songs: "With a Little Help From My Friends", "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", "She's Leaving Home" and the magnificent closer "A Day in the Life". The lone comedown is the Harrison song "Within You Without You". As famous of course for its lavish packaging and sleeve design as anything on the record.

2. "The Doors", THE DOORS
Of course one of the most impactful debut albums ever by anyone as well as far and away The Doors' best album. "Break on Through", "Soul Kitchen", "Light My Fire", and "The Crystal Ship" are all Doors classics, as are the two excellent covers of "Alabama Whisky Song" and "Back Door Man". However, I always thought that "The End" would have been much better as a four or five minute song without all that free verse ••••, which seems to get sillier on repeated listenings. As it is, the song wears out its welcome long before it ends.

3. "Are You Experienced", THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
Considering the enormous influence Hendrix had on rock music, one can't compile a list like this wihthout putting a Hendrix record or two on it and ranking them highly. Like "The Doors", this one just blindsided the listening world. "Purple Haze", "Fire", "Foxy Lady" and "Hey Joe" are all hard rock classics.

4. "Days of Future Passed", THE MOODY BLUES
The Moodies just don't get the same kind of credit as being a progressive pioneers, despite the fact that this record predates the Nice's "Emerlist Davjack" by a year and King Crimson's "Court" by a full two. Although bands had recorded with orchestras before, the Moodies were one of the first to make the orchestra dominate the record. The two centerpieces of course are the chillingly beautiful "Tuesday Afternoon" and "Nights and White Satin". While the other material is decent, the album really is dominated by those two songs.

5. "Surrealistic Pillow" - JEFFERSON AIRPLANE
This album perhaps the defining cornerstone record of the San Francisco sound of the late sixties. Again, this one is dominated by two outstanding songs "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love". There's some filler on what's left over, but there's enough good stuff to ensure it's standing. Actually this is one I need to get on CD, I just have a vinyl copy.

More notes to come . . .

"'Course, if they had, then we wouldn't have Abbey Road, which is the best example of what the post-Pepper Beatles could do when they focused. The Beatles has a lot of good stuff on it, but it's unfocused; if you cut the dead weight off (ie anything with the words "Honey Pie" in the title, for starters) then The Beatles would reign supreme. But it doesn't, the crown goes to Abbey Road. IMHO, of course." - Sparrow47

I dunno about the Beatles being more focused on Abbey Road. More and more, it strikes me as being more of a Paul McCartney effort than a Beatles one. Technically, it is also the last Beatles album - at least it is when you consider that Let It Be had already been recorded. Abbey Road was the last album the Fab Four actually recorded. (Let It Be was issued after Abbey, true. But that's because the boys had lost interest in Let It Be, both as a movie and album. It was Phil Spector who finished the l.p. up.)

Moreover, Abbey Road now sounds a bit bland to me. As interesting as the famous Abbey Road side two medley is, it still doesn't disguise the fact that the medley is comprised of song fragments that were strung together to try to create a "song". Macca would return to that idea a couple during his solo and Wings years. (Both Red Rose Speedway and Londontown have examples of that.)

As "unfocused" as you find "The White Album", I find that to be part of the charm of the album. It doesn't hide the fact that the Beatles was in process of disintegrating. It uses that disunity as a strength, IMHO. Sure it has some missteps. ("Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da", anyone?) But then all Beatles albums after Revolver do. Revolver may be the last truly flawless album the Beatles produced.

np - The Best of Earth, Wind and Fire - Earth, Wind and Fire

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

I was going to continue to make comments on the albums I chose earlier, but my brain is fried from spending all day researching and preparing a presentation for this summer course I am taking, so I really don't feel like thinking much right now.
Okay, maybe I won't type up notes on each individual album, that would end up being a waste of time and board space, plus I'd soon get tired of thinking of different ways to say "This is a great album, blah, blah, blah . . ." Although I will go back to make secelected comments on some. What I'll do is go ahead and post the yearly lists as I have been doing. Then if you want me to explicate on these choices with questions like "I've never heard of that record before! What's it like?", "How come you left this album off your list for this year?" or "Why did you rank this album so high (or so low)?" then I'll gladly respond to them. Of course you can also find info on albums you've never heard of at allmusic.com And if I have any explicatory comments to make, I'll make them by footnote.

So on we go with 1969:

1. "Let it Bleed", THE ROLLING STONES
2. "Tommy", THE WHO
3. "Abbey Road", THE BEATLES
4. "To Our Children's Children's Children", THE MOODY BLUES
5. "Led Zeppelin II", LED ZEPPELIN
6. "In the Court of the Crimson King", KING CRIMSON
7. "On Time", GRAND FUNK RAILROAD
8. "Town and Country", HUMBLE PIE
9. "As Safe as Yesterday Is", HUMBLE PIE*
10. "Neil Young", NEIL YOUNG (Yes, I do prefer the debut to i{Everybody Knows This is Nowhere})
11. "Crosby Stills and Nash", CROSBY STILLS AND NASH
12. "Oar", Alexander "Skip" Spence
13. "A Salty Dog", PROCOL HARUM
14. "Led Zeppelin", LED ZEPPELIN
15. "Moby Grape '69", MOBY GRAPE

* When I started this thing, I hardly expected to select two Humble Pie albums for the same year. But the other day I pulled out both these albums, which I haven't listened to in years, to see if either one deserved consideration for inclusion here. I was so blown away by both of them that I decided that both belonged on a list of the best albums of '69. So here they are.

MISSING THE CUT: "Blind Faith", Quicksilver Messenger Service "Happy Trails", "The Band", Grateful Dead "Aoxomoxoa"

For 1969.

"Chicago Transit Authority" CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY (later known as Chicago).

Well, Todd, if y'all don't mind, I'll continue to offer my comments on the albums listed. And now to comment on your (and Scott's) 1969 albums:

2. Tommy - the Who

Sigh. I give this album credit for being one of those records that helped teach me a new way of listening to music. But let's be serious, the "plot" to this album is silly/convoluted/contrived/half-baked and filled with numerous holes. That it has some truly great music cannot be denied. But it's not an album that has survived the years too well, IMHO. It's not my least favorite Who, by any means. I just think it's become overrated.

3. Abbey Road - the Beatles

I've already commented on this l.p. yesterday in a response to Sparrow. One thing I'll add is that it's not that it's a horrible album. Not by any stretch of the imagination. But it's not one I would necessarily turn to anymore.

5. Led Zeppelin II, aka "The Brown Bomber" - Led Zeppelin

Not my favorite Zeppelin album, but it doesn't contain any fatal flaws that would make me question its inclusion. It's probably one of the better ones that you've listed, Todd.

14. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin


Again, this isn't my favorite Zep album. But I like it better than "The Brown Bomber", so I personally, would rate it higher than you did. But that's just me.

"Chicago Transit Authority - Chicago Transit Authority" - ScottN

I once owned a couple of this record. (And I do mean record!) I was bored by it, quite frankly. But at the time I owned it, my tastes in music were still fairly primitive. I suppose hearing it again today, I might have a different opinion. As it stands, just owning a copy of Chicago IX (Greatest Hits} will suit me fine. Even if there will still be some songs missing from my collection.

np - Psalm 69 - The Way to Succeed and the Way to Su(k Eggs - Ministry (I need some really hard rocking music to relieve the tensions of 12 hours of work today.)

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

Todd, this is a fabulous expedition of yours. You and Benn should write a book together!!! Actually, I found an old book I have called "Slipped Disc- The Worst Rock"n"Roll Records Of All TIme". It goes through the 50 worst singles and 50 worst albums.

For the record here are the top 10 of those ( or is it bottom 10??)

Worst Singles
=============
10) "Macarthur Park" Richard "Dumbledore" Harris
9) "American Pie-Parts 1 and 2" Don McLean
8) "You Better Sit Down Kids" Cher
7) "Back In The USA" Linda Ronstadt
6) "In The Year 2525 (Exordium and Terminus)" Zager & Evans
5) "I Dig Rock And Roll Music" Peter, Paul and Mary
4) "Used To Be" Charlene and Stevie Wonder
3) "I've Never Been To Me" Charlene
2) "Once You Understand" Think
1) "My Ding-A-Ling" Chuck Berry

Worst Albums
============
10) "Tales From Topographic Oceans" Yes
9) "Europe '72" The Grateful Dead
8) "Alive, She Cried" The Doors
7) "Chicago at Carnegie Hall" Chicago
6) "The Remix Album" Milli Vanilli
5) "Pat Boone" Pat Boone
4) "American Dream" Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
3) "Self-Portrait" Bob Dylan
2) "Metal Machine Music" Lou Reed
1) "Having Fun With Elvis On Stage" Elvis Presley

Those last two albums sound hilarious, it would interesting to hear them! I only post this here because most of those albums fall into that golden period you talk about. I would love to know what you and Benn think of the above list and how accurate you think it is.

To be honest, I'll concede. CTA is not really that great an album. But when you get to 1971, Chicago III is a brilliant piece of work.

>10) "Tales From Topographic Oceans" Yes
Come on. I realize the album is an acquired taste, but to put it on a 10 worst list is insulting and says a lot more about the writer's lack of musical appreciation than it does about the record. Tales rewards the patient listener and makes for good relaxing background music. It's a longshot to make my top 15 for '73.

>9) "Europe '72" The Grateful Dead
I like this one better than any other Dead live album I've heard from the period. It's a lot less boring than the 1970 live album.

>8) "Alive, She Cried" The Doors
Yeah, this is a pretty bad live record. Morrison was well deep into his cups on this one.

>4) "American Dream" Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
"Live It Up" was much worse than "American Dream".

>2) "Metal Machine Music" Lou Reed
I only know this one by its (infamous) reputation. Supposedly Reed did the album as a joke.

I actually have that book, Rodney. I bought back in '95, I believe (if the Half-Price Books price sticker is any indication). I love it. But then, I'm a compulsive list maker and love reading lists, too. So, a book combining something I like (music) and lists, hey! It'd have to be pretty bad for me to not like it.

As for what the authors, Jimmey Guterman and Owen O'Donnell have determined to be "The Worst Records of All Time"... well, apparently they need to update that list, 'cos they haven't heard such [rap as "Picture" by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow (I know exactly where they can "put that picture away"...) and the Backstreet Boys' uh, "contribution" to music. Heck, even the Monkees' "The Day We Fall In Love" is worse than everything on that list. And I'm a die-hard Monkees fan!

And that's the problem with such lists. They can become quickly and hopelessly outdated within a year, really. And more importantly, such lists are highly subjective. They are opinions and nothing more. That doesn't mean they should be discarded out of hand. They do help one form their critical faculties by giving one something to compare them to. That is, something to measure one's own opinions by. You may find yourself forced to defend (to yourself, anyway) the hows, whens and whys you like something after reading a negative review. It's happened to me. That's why I read reviews. I don't take them seriously and get upset if and when a favorite movie/book/comic book/album gets slammed. I look to see why the reviewer held that negative view of the work in question. Then I think about whether they have a point or not. Then, if I decide the critic has a valid opinion, I determine whether it affects how much (or how little) I like a book/comic book/movie/album. Usually, it has no effect. But sometimes I am swayed by the opposing view and do change my mind. And not just to dislike something I used to love, but to come to like something I previously hated, too.

Now, as for my opinion of the list...

I like "American Pie Pts. 1 and 2" and "In the Year 2525". The rest of the singles list is either [rap, or I'm just indifferent to. I think you'll find that most people here at Nitcentral who post on the Music boards are also fans of "American Pie". It is, despite Guterman and O'Donnell's opinions, a great song. I also suspect that a lot of us like "In the Year 2525".

As for the albums....

I have American Dream and I like alright. "Got It Made" and the title cut are pretty good. Beyond that, I haven't heard the other records.

">2) Metal Machine Music - Lou Reed
I only know this one by its (infamous) reputation. Supposedly Reed did the album as a joke." - Todd Pence

Actually, that's not quite right. Lou Reed released Metal Machine Music more a "F... You!" to RCA, his record company at the time. IIRC, he owed the company an album, but wanted out of his contract to them. So, Lou gave RCA Metal Machine Music to fulfill his contractual obligations to the company. By all accounts, it's very unlistenable.

It was officially released a couple of years ago on disc. I haven't gotten it -yet. (Hey! I am a Lou Reed fan!) But I have heard about a minute and a half of it. Lou's boxset, Between Thought and Expression does contain a snippet of the album that is 1:32 in length. Just a small taste of MMM.

But because Lou meant it to be bad, I don't really think it belongs on the list. The other albums are unintentionally bad.

np - Mars Needs Guitars! - the Hoodoo Gurus

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

>2. Tommy - the Who

>Sigh. I give this album credit for being one of >those records that helped teach me a new way of >listening to music. But let's be serious, >the "plot" to this album is >silly/convoluted/contrived/half-baked and filled >with numerous holes. That it has some truly >great music cannot be denied. But it's not an >album that has survived the years too well, >IMHO. It's not my least favorite Who, by any >means. I just think it's become overrated.

Well, I didn't really consider the coherence (or lack of) in the storyline as a factor. All I base these ratings on is the music. Actually, rock opera albums are faring well on these lists I'm doing. "S.F. Sorrow" (which inspired "Tommy") and "Odgen's Nut" both made my list for '68, "Quadrophenia" I will surely rank high for '73, "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" will definitely be one of the tops for '74, and "The Wall" is a lock for number 1 of '79. And in all of those cases I'm basing the ratings solely on the music and not deducting points for incoherent storylines (in which case ALL would suffer!)

That said, the studio version of "Tommy" pales in comparison musically with the Who's live performances of it, as well as with the film and Broadway versions.

Well, I made a small mistake which is going to necessitate a revision of both the '67 and '68 lists. Due to an erroneous source, I considered Jimi Hendrix's "Axis" to be a 1968 album when it is actually a 1967 one. Pardon me while I smack myself in the head and say "doh!"

I also meant to put Credence Clearwater Revival's "Green River" on the list for '69, somehow I forgot and left it off. Looking back at the '69 list, though, I don't know which album's place it would take.

While I revise my earlier lists, let me go ahead and post for 1970:

1. "After the Gold Rush", Neil Young
2. "Let it Be", THE BEATLES
3. "The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus", SPIRIT
4. "Led Zeppelin III", LED ZEPPELIN
5. "Sweet Baby James", JAMES TAYLOR
6. "Highway", FREE
7. "Bridge Over Troubled Water", SIMON AND GARFUNKEL
8. "In Rock", DEEP PURPLE
9. "Deja Vu", CROSBY STILLS NASH AND YOUNG
10. "Stray", STRAY
11. "Layla", DEREK AND THE DOMINOS
12. "Climbing", MOUNTAIN
13. "American Beauty", THE GRATEFUL DEAD
14. "Morrison Hotel", THE DOORS
15. "Metamorphosis", IRON BUTTERFLY

One that just missed the cut for 1970: Floyd's "Atom Heart Mother". I just don't care much overall for the side one suite, although it does have its moments. Side two, however, is all classic Floyd. And how cool is the cover?

1. After the Gold Rush - Neil Young

One of my favorite Neil Young albums. Definitely a classic. I'm not sure it's the best l.p. of 1970.

2. Let It Be - the Beatles

Even more than "The White Album" before it, this album is a summation of the Beatles' career. But in some ways the Beatles' hearts don't really seem to be into this record. ("I'll play if you want me to, or I won't if you don't. Just tell me what you want me to do," George Harrison). The real problem I have with the record is Phil Spector's tampering with it. Of course, I have heard the album in its original form. (I have a bootleg copy of it, called Get Back.)

4. Led Zeppelin III - Led Zeppelin

I haven't heard this album in years. It does have the classic track, "The Immigrant Song", so I'll go along with it.

11. Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs - Derek and the Dominos

I used to own this one. But the copy I had was a used defective copy. I have yet to replace it. But I want to. It is an excellent l.p.

np - Life Is Killing Me - Type O Negative

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

>1. After the Gold Rush - Neil Young

>One of my favorite Neil Young albums. Definitely >a classic. I'm not sure it's the best l.p. of >1970.

So, which one would you pick, Benn? Any of my 15, or another one?

That I would really have to think about. I'll have to get back to you on that one, Todd. One caveat, though. I've only heard the albums I've commented on. So, if I wouldn't choose "One of the Above", it'd have to be something you failed to mention.

np - Out of the Blue - Electric Light Orchestra

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

Okay, if I had to pick, it'd be....


Bitches Brew by Miles Dewey Davis

It was a stunningly brilliant and gorgeous double album. It helped pave to the way for the jazz fusion scene of the 1970s. A classic in every sense of the word.

np - Out of the Blue - ELO

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

If I was more into jazz fusion, I might also have chosen this album highly.

>np - Out of the Blue - ELO

Coincidentally, I also listened to this one the other night. It will defintely be on the '77 top 15 list.

I'll post my list for 1971 later this evening. First let me say that of all the years I'm working with here, '71 had the most contestants and the competition for the slots was the most fierce. Worthy albums like Jethro Tull's "Aqualung", Janis Joplin's "Pearl", Carol King's "Tapestry", John Lennon's "Imagine", Ten Years After's "A Space in Time", David Bowie's "Hunky Dory" and several others all had to be left out in the cold because there was simply not room for them. This leads me to muse the proposal that maybe 1971 was the greatest year in rock history . . .

Okay, sorry it's taken me so long to respond. The lesson, as always, never try to argue with someone who actually knows about music. At least about music, anyways.

I dunno about the Beatles being more focused on Abbey Road. More and more, it strikes me as being more of a Paul McCartney effort than a Beatles one.Benn

I'd agree with you as far as songwriting is concerned. John has "Come Together," "I Want You (She's So Heavy," and some of the song snippets for the montage, but most of the album is Paul's (unless I forgot something... who wrote "Because"?) But from a musical standpoint, I think the group was far and away more cohesive than anything out of their post-Magical Mystery Tour days. The montage itself is really demonstrative of this, as I feel that the group really had to be all on the same page to get it to work out. And I think it worked like gangbusters, but more on that later.

Technically, it is also the last Beatles album - at least it is when you consider that Let It Be had already been recorded.Benn

I feel compelled to ask if this was part of your argument. Kind of non-sequiter-ish...

Moreover, Abbey Road now sounds a bit bland to me.Benn

My argument here is that I think the shades of Abbey Road are a bit subtler than the previous Beatles albums, especially The Beatles, and because the band itself is more united, it makes these distinctions far more interesting than the everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach.

As interesting as the famous Abbey Road side two medley is, it still doesn't disguise the fact that the medley is comprised of song fragments that were strung together to try to create a "song".Benn

I don't think it really wants to hide that fact. Having listened to Anthology 3, it's rather obvious that those song clips weren't going anywhere. Plugged together, though, they work great, and it's clear that much of the effect comes from the rapid transitions. But hey, that's just me.

As "unfocused" as you find "The White Album", I find that to be part of the charm of the album. It doesn't hide the fact that the Beatles was in process of disintegrating. It uses that disunity as a strength, IMHO.Benn

Sure, the disunity of the album is a strength. It can also be a terrible weakness. Consider the second disc. "Birthday," "Yer Blues," "Honey Pie," "Revolution 9," and "Goodnight" are all songs that, really, I could do without. I'm not saying they're nessecarily bad, but many times when listening to the album I've skipped them because they didn't fit in with the mood that I had when I chose to listen to that CD. Trim the fat off, and The Beatles blows the rest of the group's catalog out of the water.

Oh, and some notes on those "Worst Records of All Time"..

9) "American Pie-Parts 1 and 2" Don McLean

Um? Is he ragging on "American Pie," or is something else screwy that I don't know about. 'Cause that's a great song.

5) "I Dig Rock And Roll Music" Peter, Paul and Mary.

Heh. As it so happens, I just sent this song (or it might be someone else covering this song... there's some confusion) to my girlfriend on my latest compilation CD. I happen to like it... to each their own, I guess.

On we go with '71.

1. Untitled, Led Zeppelin IV, the runes album, ZOSO, the one with the picture of the man carrying a bundle of sticks, or whatever one chooses to call the album, LED ZEPPELIN
2. "Who's Next", THE WHO
3. "The Yes Album", YES
4. "Love it to Death", Alice Cooper
5. "Look at Yourself", URIAH HEEP
6. "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour", THE MOODY BLUES
7. "High Time", THE MC5
8. "Meddle", PINK FLOYD
9. "Sticky Fingers", THE ROLLING STONES
10. "Nursery Cryme", GENESIS
11. "Manna", BREAD
12. "Paranoid", BLACK SABBATH
13. "Rock On", HUMBLE PIE
14. "Fireball", DEEP PURPLE
15. "Electric Warrior", T. REX

Another that just missed the cut "Fragile" by YES

"I'd agree with you as far as songwriting is concerned. John has 'Come Together,' 'I Want You (She's So Heavy,' and some of the song snippets for the montage, but most of the album is Paul's (unless I forgot something... who wrote 'Because'?)" - Sparrow47

That was Paulie's too. However, to the album's credit, it does have George Harrison's "Something" and "Here Comes the Sun". It was a rarity that Lonesome George would get so many songs on a Beatles' l.p. As a matter of fact, they are close to being the best tracks on Abbey Road.

"Technically, it is also the last Beatles album - at least it is when you consider that Let It Be had already been recorded." - me

"I feel compelled to ask if this was part of your argument. Kind of non-sequiter-ish..." - Sparrow

Yeah, it is. But that's because I didn't finish my thought on the matter. Why I didn't finish it, I dunno. Anyway, what I was getting at, is that it was the last Beatles l.p. recorded and really seems to be more of a Paul McCartney solo album with the Fab Four as his side musicians. Sorry, I didn't make that clear.

"My argument here is that I think the shades of Abbey Road are a bit subtler than the previous Beatles albums, especially The Beatles, and because the band itself is more united, it makes these distinctions far more interesting than the everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach." - Sparrow

I just don't see the unity in this album you do. I dunno. Maybe it's because I know what's going with the Beatles at this stage of their career. As the final album they recorded, everyone, except Paul, was losing interest in the Beatles. This is especially true of John Lennon. At this point he was ready to go. I think the lawsuits the boys got themselves in were in the early stages. And I think that helped to sour the Fab Four's attitude to all things Beatles. I really think Paul was dragging them into the studio to put this one together.

"I don't think it really wants to hide that fact. Having listened to Anthology 3, it's rather obvious that those song clips weren't going anywhere. Plugged together, though, they work great, and it's clear that much of the effect comes from the rapid transitions. But hey, that's just me." - Sparrow

First of all, I don't really deny any of that, Sparrow. But, the question is, if the snippets aren't going anywhere, why bother with them? Why not, instead, work on some complete tunes? From the Let It Be sessions, there were still songs like "Not Guilty" and "Teddy Boy" that had been worked on. Both of those songs would eventually be used on a Beatles solo album. ("Not Guilty" appeared on '78's George Harrison. And "Teddy Boy" was on McCartney.) So it's not like the guys didn't have other songs available. (Again, the initial work for Let It Be was done before Abbey Road.)

"Sure, the disunity of the album is a strength. It can also be a terrible weakness. Consider the second disc. "Birthday," "Yer Blues," "Honey Pie," "Revolution 9," and "Goodnight" are all songs that, really, I could do without." - Sparrow

Heh. Unlike you, I actually like those songs. "Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da" is the worst thing on "The White Album".

"I'm not saying they're nessecarily bad, but many times when listening to the album I've skipped them because they didn't fit in with the mood that I had when I chose to listen to that CD. Trim the fat off, and The Beatles blows the rest of the group's catalog out of the water." - Sparrow

I can understand that argument, as well as that position. I just don't share it. I think The Beatles as it is is just fine. As I've said, it's my favorite Beatles album.

np - Bloody Kisses (digi-pak version) - Type O Negative

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

1. Led Zeppelin IV/Zoso - Led Zeppelin

Oh yeah. A great album. There are times, though, when I find myself thinking that "Stairway to Heaven" is a very over-rated song, but I still really like this album.

2. Who's Next - the Who

The best Who album, period. I'd've rated this one as 1971's best l.p. Hell, I'd stack "Won't Get Fooled Again" against "Stairway to Heaven" any day.

8. Meddle - Pink Floyd

Heh. You played ELO's Out of the Blue the other day, I played this one a couple of days ago. My favorite Pink Floyd, believe it or not.

9. Sticky Fingers - the Rolling Stones

"Wild Horses", "Sister Morphine" and "Dead Flowers". Oh yeah! A-clas-sic. My copy of the disc is made to duplicate the original vinyl l.p. Right down to the zipper. One of my favorite Stones album.

12. Paranoid - Black Sabbath

I used to own this one. Need to get it again. Not a bad record, IIRC.

Some albums you've forgotten, or rather, some I'd list:

1970 - All Things Must Pass - George Harrison
Elton John - Elton John
Exile On Main Street - the Rolling Stones

1971 - Tumbleweed Connection - Elton John (Elton might not have completely matured as a an artist, but both these albums have some truly great songs on them - "Sixty Years On", "Take Me to the Pilot", "Come Down in Time", "Where to Now, St. Peter?" and, of course, "Burn Down the Mission".)

np - Boogaloo - Nazareth

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

Oops! Am I embarrassed! Exile On Main Street was a 1972 release. We regret the error.

Oh well, to my 1970 list, add Randy Newman's 12 Song album.

np - Boogaloo - Nazareth

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

Both the Harrison and the Elton John album were ones that just missed the cut for 1970 along with "Atom Heart Mother". In fact, one of the drafts of the list has the Harrison album listed.
Don't be embarrassed about getting Exile wrong, I've already made that mistake with Hendrix's Axis here. "Exile" is going to be number 2 on my 1972 list.

Note to Benn: "Because" was written by John.

I know Chicago isn't everyone's cup of tea, but as I said before, IMHO, "Chicago III" belongs on the list for 1971.

I do like Chicago, Scott. I just haven't found room for them on any of the lists yet.

>"Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da" is the worst thing on "The White Album".

Worse than "Revolution Number 9"??

As for me here are the songs I could do without on "The White Album":

Wild Honey Pie
The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill
Martha My Dear
Sexy Sadie
Long, Long, Long
Revolution 1 (blown away by single version)
Honey Pie
Savoy Truffle

Not to say that these are all poor songs, but they're the lesser songs on the album.

"Note to Benn: "Because" was written by John." - Blitz, Digimon Moderator

Duly noted and thanks!

">'Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da' is the worst thing on 'The White Album'." - me

"Worse than 'Revolution Number 9'??" - Todd Pence

Uh, believe it or not, yes.


np - Loverboy - Loverboy

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

It was a rarity that Lonesome George would get so many songs on a Beatles' l.p.Benn

Um? George had been getting 2 songs per LP as far back as Rubber Soul. There were exceptions to this (Sgt. Pepper, for example), but I don't think Abbey Road really counts as him having more songs all of a sudden.

Anyway, what I was getting at, is that it was the last Beatles l.p. recorded and really seems to be more of a Paul McCartney solo album with the Fab Four as his side musicians...I really think Paul was dragging them into the studio to put this one together.Benn

That's not really the sense that I have of the matter. My understanding is that they were all a little embarrased at the debacle that was Let it Be and decided to get back together one last time to produce a "proper" finale.

First of all, I don't really deny any of that, Sparrow. But, the question is, if the snippets aren't going anywhere, why bother with them? Why not, instead, work on some complete tunes? From the Let It Be sessions, there were still songs like "Not Guilty" and "Teddy Boy" that had been worked on. Both of those songs would eventually be used on a Beatles solo album.Benn

That's certainly an important point. I have a few possible answers: 1) Since the songs hadn't been taken up in the first go-around, their authors decided to hold them back for their later solo effors, or 2) they decided that the montage would be stronger than those complete songs. I think it might be a combination of the two; with the montage they could clear out old material they might never be able to do anything with, and create something that's stronger than the individual song approach.

Unlike you, I actually like those songs. "Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da" is the worst thing on "The White Album".Benn
As for me here are the songs I could do without on "The White Album":

Wild Honey Pie
The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill
Martha My Dear
Sexy Sadie
Long, Long, Long
Revolution 1 (blown away by single version)
Honey Pie
Savoy Truffle Todd Pence

Well, I think that while "Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da" is chronically overrated, I don't really hate it. I think the songs I mentioned before would do well out, but I'll have to disagree with some of Todd's picks: "Long Long Long" is almost as underrated as "Ob-La-Di, etc." is overrated. I also appreciate "Sexy Sadie" as an integral part of the second disc; it fits in well, given the overall nuttiness of the material. As for "Revolution 1," well, I'll probably always hold it in higher esteem than the single, if only for the reason that I had been hearing the album version for years before I heard the single version on the radio one day. And man was I surprised! To this day I'm still a little more sympathetic to "Rev. 1," though I think they're both pretty good. I dunno. To each their own.

Oh, and Benn, I saw you talking about your bootlegged Get Back earlier. I think I heard that they were going to be releasing a non-Spectorized version of the album later this year. Justice will finally be done! Now, if someone (*cough* *cough* Sir George Martin) would get around to remastering the collection like other artists' work has been...

Tell ya what, Sparrow, I'm really waaay too tired to jump back into this debate. It's not a matter of wanting to abandon it. I'm just effing exhausted. I'm getting up at 7 to go to school at 9. After class (around 3:30), I'm spending 20-30 minutes here at home, then it's off to work I go. (I owe, I owe/It's off to work I go.) I get home from work around ten-thirty at night. Then spend an hour or two watching TV or cruising the Net before going back to sleep. I'm off this weekend (thank whatever diety there is!). I'll get back to you then.

And now, it's time to log off and finish getting ready for work. oh boy.

np - Feats Don't Fail Me Now - Little Feat

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

Fair enough! Get thy rest!

I've just got done IMing with a buddy of mine who's a Beatles fan and whom I consider my Beatles expert. He essentially sides with you on the matter of Abbey Road, Sparrow. He pretty well backs up each and every one of your facts and assessments. Given that, I'll concede. The only real reason I would then have for not liking it too much these days is that I'm burned out on the album. A bit anti-climatic, ain't it?

Now to get tomorrow night over. God, I'm starting to really hate some of the people I work with. I really am. But that's another matter.

np - Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road - Elton John

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

Here's the list for '72:

1. "Demons and Wizards", URIAH HEEP (my all-time favorite album)
2. "Exile on Main Street", THE ROLLING STONES
3. "Machine Head", DEEP PURPLE
4. "Free at Last", FREE
5. "Foxtrot", GENESIS
6. "Seventh Sohurn", THE MOODY BLUES
7. "The Magician's Birthday", URIAH HEEP
8. "Fragile", YES
9. "Close to the Edge", YES
10. "Harvest", NEIL YOUNG
11. "Toulouse Street", THE DOOBIE BROTHERS
12. "Saturday Morning Pictures", STRAY
13. "You Don't Mess Around With Jim", JIM CROCE
14. "Trilogy", EMERSON LAKE AND PALMER
15. "Thick as a Brick", JETHRO TULL

"On we go with '71."

"Another that just missed the cut 'Fragile' by YES."

"Here's the list for '72:"

"8. 'Fragile', YES" - Todd Pence

Huh?

2. Exile On Main Street - the Rolling Stones

Supposedly Liz Phair's debut album, Exile in Guyville is a song by song response to this Stones classic. Could be. I'm not familiar enough with the lyrics to either album to say. Still, Main Street is a damned good album. (So is Guyville. "Joe Bob says, 'Check it out.'")

3. Machine Head - Deep Purple

I used to have this on tape. Not a bad album, IIRC. It's the one with "Smoke On the Water".

8. Fragile - Yes

One of the two Yes discs I have. It's not bad as far as art-rock goes. But unlike you Todd, I'm not much of an art-rock fan. I tend to frown on it, quite frankly. Still, for an art-rock l.p. this one's pretty tolerable.

10. Harvest - Neil Young

Not a bad album. Neil was supposed to at some point release an album called, Homegrown. This album (originally slated for a 1974 release) was supposed to be "the other side of Harvest". Exactly what Neil meant by that, the world may never know. Harvest, while not my favorite Neil Young album, is definitely one of his best.

Another 1971 record that would make my own personal list is
Ram by Paul and Linda McCartney.

For 1972, I'd pick

Blue Öyster Cult - Blue Öyster Cult (no surprise there, I suppose)

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spider From Mars - David Bowie

I should point out that I didn't really start to seriously listen to (rock) music until about 1975. So it probably won't be until that year that I start to really list a lot more albums.

np - The Last In Line - Dio

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

One more for 1972:

Transformer - Lou Reed ("Take a walk on the wild side, baby.")

np - Monster - R.E.M.

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

>"On we go with '71."

>"Another that just missed the cut 'Fragile' by YES."

>"Here's the list for '72:"

>"8. 'Fragile', YES" - Todd Pence

>Huh?

Chalk that up to another error by me (based on faulty information). "Fragile" is actually a January '72 album and not a '71 one.

The one thing that brings "Fragile" down for me is those little short solo pieces in between the long songs. That "Moon-Dog March Hare" thing by Jon Anderson is particularly intolerable. But "South Side of the Sky" and "Heart of the Sunrise" are awesome.

BTW, sorry I didn't choose BOC's debut for the '72 list. I knew I would hear from you about that. As I mentioned before, it's just not one of my favorite BOC albums. Tyranny and Mutation will be on the '73 list, I promise.

I'm now preparing the list for 1973 . . . this is also turning out to be a hotly contested year.
Anyway, as we're now at the halfway mark, I'd like to extend my thanks to everyone who's posted to this board and I hope it has been enjoyable and enlightening for you all, even if you disagree with my choices. I should also offer a kind of disclaimer: these choices represent only those albums for a given year that I personally have heard or have some experience with. All of the albums in my music collection are vinyl, cassettes or CDs that I have paid for (I don't download music) and since I'm not wealthy, my listening experience is going to be realitively limited. So even though I think I've done a pretty decent job of building up an amateur classic rock album collection, I certainly haven't heard everything from any year! Also, I hope I may have encouraged you all to check out the work of a band or artist you may not be familiar with, as I really enjoy mining "diamonds in the rough" in the classic rock legacy and sharing them with others.

And now the list for 1973 (a Merman I should turn to be . . .)

1. "Dark Side of the Moon", PINK FLOYD (anyone surprised?)
2. "Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf", KEN HENSLEY
3. "Houses of the Holy", LED ZEPPELIN
4. "Goat's Head Soup", THE ROLLING STONES
5. "Remember the Future", NEKTAR
6. "Quadrophenia", THE WHO
7. "Desperado", THE EAGLES
8. "We're an American Band", GRAND FUNK RAILROAD
9. "Band on the Run", PAUL MCCARTNEY AND WINGS
10. "Sweet Freedom", URIAH HEEP
11. "Pronounced Ly-nyrd Sky-nyrd", LYNYRD SKYNYRD
12. "Tyranny and Mutation", BLUE OYSTER CULT
13. "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath", BLACK SABBATH
14. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", ELTON JOHN
15. "They Only Come Out at Night", EDGAR WINTER

And a bunch that missed the cut of 15:
"Tales From Topographic Oceans", YES (screw the critical opinion, this is an astounding album musically)
"Piano Man", BILLY JOEL
"Who Do We Think We Are?", DEEP PURPLE
"Sounds Like This", NEKTAR
"Selling England by the Pound", GENESIS
"Billion Dollar Babies", ALICE COOPER
"Aerosmith", AEROSMITH
"Brain Salad Surgery", EMERSON LAKE AND PALMER

What about "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.", BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREE BAND?

Yes, I know it's a typo. "STREET".

>What about "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.", >BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREE BAND?

A good, not a great album. Stuff like "Born to Run" and "Darkness on the Edge" will make these lists. But you're right, I should have included "Asbury" with the runners-up.

NP - "Sticky Fingers" The Rolling Stones

"Born to Run" definitely belongs on the '75 list. Not a single bad track on that album.

You just inspired me to throw on "Asbury" for the first time in a long while, and I must say it's slightly better than I remember. The music is quite excellent, but the beingdown is that Springsteen is trying too hard on his lyrics to be Dylan and doesn't sing with the passion he would on later albums.

"1. 'Dark Side of the Moon', PINK FLOYD (anyone surprised?)" - Todd Pence

No.

A good choice all around, I'd say. Not my favorite Floyd album, but a good, solid album, nonetheless.

"2. 'Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf', KEN HENSLEY"

Who?

3. Houses of the Holy - Led Zeppelin

I've haven't heard this one in a looong time. I need to get a new copy.

4. Goat's Head Soup - the Rolling Stones

Another good choice.

6. Quadrophenia - the Who

Between this and Tommy, this is the better album, IMNSHO. I think it's more fully realized than Tommy is. The problem is that it's not as meaningful, I suspect, to us Americans as it might be to someone from Britain.

8. We're An American Band - Grand Funk Railroad

A decent album, but I personally wouldn't call it a great record. But that's just my opinion.

9. Band On the Run - Paul McCartney and Wings

Oh yeah. Definitely. A very, very good album.

"11. 'Pronounced Ly-nyrd Sky-nyrd', LYNYRD SKYNYRD" - Todd Pence

The title is Pronounced leh-nerd skin-nerd. (Sorry, I don't know how to format for the accent marks and pronunciation marks.)

Still, this is definitely a classic album. "Free Bird" is not only one of my all-time favorite songs, it's practically a theme song for me. Of course, being a Southerner, I'm a sucker for just about all Southern Rock. And Skynyrd tops the list.

12. Tyranny and Mutations - Blue Öyster Cult

Not my favorite B.Ö.C. album, but it's definitely a damned good one. Lots of great songs on it, I admit.

14. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John

My favorite Elton John album. I just played it the other day. Elton at his best.

15. They Only Come Out At Night - the Edgar Winter Group

Whoa. I forgot this one came out in '73. Definitely one of my favorite albums.

Of your runners-up choices I would have listed Billion Dollar Babies and Aerosmith. But that's just me.

Other albums I might have listed include

On the Third Day - Electric Light Orchestra

Mind Games - John Lennon

BTW, my 1970 list would also include A Tribute to Jack Johnson by Miles Davis and 1972 would have Miles' On the Corner.

np - "Stone Crazy" - Buddy Guy

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

i am impressed that all 4 Deep Purple albums from the mark 2 lineup have been mentioned (even "Fireball"!). But I think "Who Do We Think We Are" is a much better album than a lot of people remember. "Woman From Tokyo" is, of course, brilliant. "Mary Long" has got some great lyrics. "Super Trouper" is great, as is "Smooth dancer". "Rat Bat Blue" has got a very infectious groove (VERY reminiscent of "Moby Dick" by Zep). "Place In Line" is a bit of a dud but then comes the brilliant "Our Lady". Might be worth another listen Todd. I have the remastered edition which includes remixes of several tracks as well as the long forgotten "Painted Horse" (with a very memorable last few seconds).
Be interested to see if the other three albums they did feature (Doubt "Stormbringer" will, but the other two maybe)

Well, I feel that just about every Purple album from the seventies is a hard rock classic and belongs on any list for any given year. As you may have noticed, although I try to represent a fairly diverse style of music, I tend to favor hard rock albums on these lists. WDWTWA is of course a fine album, although probably the weakest of the four mark 2 studios (read my review on amazon.com). "Woman From Tokyo" is magnificent, one of the top five Purple songs ever, it kicks "Smoke on the Water"'s butt.
I plan for both "Burn" and "Stormbringer" to be represented on the '74 lists, although I don't know if "Come Taste the Band" will be represented for '75.

"As you may have noticed, although I try to represent a fairly diverse style of music, I tend to favor hard rock albums on these lists." - Todd Pence

Funny, I had you pegged as an art-rocker. But that's because of how often such art-rock acts as Yes, the Moody Blues, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Procol Harum, Emerson, Lake and Palmer and Genesis appear on your lists. (And yes, I'm aware that some of those acts have appeared only once, but I'm looking at the overall picture.)

np - Lovegod - the Soup Dragons

"It's all one song." - Neil Young

Regarding the original Let it be sessions has anyone heard the original Get back lyrics? A bootleg version a buddy presented to me had Paul Mc C singing about Pakistanis getting back to where they once belonged, kind of a rascist song. Any confirmations?

The "No Pakistanis" lyrics are very infamous amongst Beatles fans. Unfortunately, my bootleg of Get Back does not include that version of the song. However, I'm trying to d/l an mp3 of it.

np - "Here Comes the Night" - Nick Gilder

"Music is forever." - Paul Simon

Gee what a surprise even here Chicago gets dissed.

CTA, II, III Live at CH & V are all landmark albums.

Rhino has remastered all of them. (all of the Columbia albums to 14)

CH has a fourth disc which features a lot of Terry Kath jamming.

By the way Chicago just released Chicago XXX on 3/21/06.

They had a blockbuster tour with Earth, Wind & Fire in 2004 & 2005. (DVD available "Live at the Greek Theatre")

122 million units in sales and 39 years and still going strong.