in the 70s - Top Ten Albums of the Seventies

Top Ten Albums of the Seventies

What are your top ten favorite albums from the 70s?

We also have pages on this topic devoted to the 80s and 90s

10. The War Of The Worlds by Jeff Wayne
Perfect music for the perfect story.
9. Harvest by Neil Young
Its got a great character. A lovely album.
8. Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
Brilliant. They were in a world of their own, werent they?
7. Ommadawn by Mike Oldfield
Mike Oldfield proved hes so far from a one hot wonder with this peice of magic music.
6. Meddle by Pink Floyd
Just one word; "echoes." Its a journey through the desert to the sea.
5. Solid Air by John Martyn
This album is one of the best albums ever, and yet it remains almost unheard of! Acustic Jazz mixed with folk and prog something! Its amazing.
4. Led Zeppelin 2 by Led Zeppelin
I dont mean to ramble on but I do like a bit of lemon in my song!
3. Wish You Were Here. by Pink Floyd
Just sit back, grab a cold beer and fly away.
2. Aja by Steely Dan
With some of the worlds best session players its easy to say that musicaly Steely Dan are one of the worlds greatest bands. And indeed AJA is one of the greatest albums.
1. Tubular Bells. by Mike Oldfield
Lets just say in 1973 Mike Oldfield deserved to own the world, and he did!

10. Selling England By The Pound by Genesis
As you've probably determined by now, I quite like Genesis (Gabriel era, I hasten too add). Musically, an absolute masterpiece. I stil get tearful listening to the keyboard part of 'Cinema Show'
9. This Is Northern Soul by Various Artists
That's thrown you hasn't it!! Yes, I was smitten with the Northern Soul bug also. Brilliant tunes.
8. Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield
The album I spent most time listening too in the 70's, during my introduction to soft drugs!! Check it out and you'll see what I mean
7. Tommy by The Who
Another Holy experience (purposely meant by Mr Townshend of course). 'The Amazing Journey'. Say no more
6. 4 Symbols by Led Zeppelin
Their best,in my opinion. Even my Grandmother used to ask me to turn it up when 'Stairway to Heaven' was playing.
5. The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway by Genesis
Yes, another Genesis album! This album defined progressive rock, both musically and conceptually. God bless you Mr Gabriel.
4. Autobahn by Kraftwerk
Precursor to all in that genre. Beautiful!!
3. Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath
Pure Heavy Metal. The original & best. Even in my fading youth, I still gfeel it necessary to 'shake my head' when I play this
2. Foxtrot by Genesis
Almost a religious experience. Listen to the last few minutes of 'Suppers Ready' and you'll see what I mean.
1. Trilogy by Emerson Lake & Palmer
All that's good about prog rock is encapsulated here, especially the last track 'Abandons Bolero' Turn up full volume & skin up!

10. Framton Comes Alive by Peter Framton
The best live album ever in my opinion, Honorable mention to the Allman Brothers Live at the Filmore East.
9. Abraxas by Santana
Black Magic Woman, Se Cabo, Incident....etc. Carlos was and is a great guitarist.
8. Every Picture Tells A Story by Rod Stewart
Wake up Maggie...great album so was Gasoline Alley.
7. Songs In The Key Of Life by Stevie Wonder
This double album is his best.
6. Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones
Can't you hear me knockin ?
5. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
Elton's finest work was in the 70's. Madman across the water is another.
4. Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen
The Boss
3. The Yes Album by Yes
Starship Trooper, Yours is no Disgrace, I still remember the first time I heard Yes On WABX in Detroit.
2. 4 by Led Zeppelin
Stairway to Heaven, When the Levee breaks, awesome.
1. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
One of the best albums ever.

10. Roaring Silence by Manfred mann
Bruce Springsteen songs in a completely different light.
9. Can't Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan
I get weak in the knees listening to the guitar work on this album.
8. Rush by Rush
Comes with the instructions "To be played at maximum volume"
7. On The Radio by Donna Summer
I can't sing and I can't dance but this greatest hits album inspires me to do both. Please don't laugh if you pull up next to me at a traffic light.
6. Sheik Yerbouti by Frank Zappa
Very dirty and very funny.Spectacular instrumentals and juvenile lyrics, sit back and stop taking yourself so seriously.
5. The Cars by The Cars
Elliot Eastons left handed guitar riffs were imbedded in my mind summer of 78 (?) The Boston area rock stations played this album 24/7.
4. Pronounced by Lynyrd Skynyrd
This would be a classic even without "Freebird."
3. Aqualung by Jethro Tull
Ian Anderson + Flute + Locomotive breath. Why didn't our church choir ever sing Hymn #43?
2. Quadrophenia by The Who
I discovered this album in my Jr. High Library (who was responsible for that?)Twenty years later the story finally makes sense.
1. Low Budget by The Kinks
Motivational speeches, political statements and fun wrapped in one of the sexiest album covers ever.

10. Heart by Dreamboat Annie
9. The Buzzcocks by Singles Going Steady
8. Phaedra by Tangerine Dream
7. Brian Eno by Here Come The Warm Jets
6. Low by David Bowie
5. Country Life by Roxy Music
4. Broken English by Marianne Faithfull
3. Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division
2. Another Green World by Brian Eno
1. Autobahn by Kraftwerk

10. Aja by Steeley Dan
Seems unfair to put this masterpiece at ten. Hell, it could be #1 and I would not complain.
9. Bayou Country by Creedence Clearwater Revival
This is the finest rendering of a band that has very few clunkers in their catalog.
8. Chicago Transit Authority by Chicago
Maybe the finest debut ever.
7. High Tide And Green Grass by The Rolling Stones
Finest compilation anywhere. Reminds me of why these guys are held in such reverence. reverence.
6. Aqualung by Jethro Tull
Ground breaking album, contrasting soft and harsh sounds wonderfully.
5. Axis Bold As Love by Jimi Hendrix
Jimi's second album and a masterpiece it was too.
4. Wheels Of Fire by Cream
This album sparked a whole host of future guitar shredders.
3. Abbey Road by The Beatles
This proves that the Beatles were great musicians as well as composers.
2. Tea For The Tillerman by Cat Stevens
Talk about inspiration! No commercial product here.
1. Songs From The Wood by Jethro Tull
The most ambitious album ever attempted...and it worked!

10. Hotel California by The Eagles
A big change ...Joe Walsh good here..
9. Let It Be by The Beatles
Who didn't get the box set?...hehe
8. American Pie by Don Mclean
This was a great album to all those that grew in the sixties...tres bien Don
7. Teaser And The Firecat by Cat Stevens
So many songs here,*Morning has broken*,*Moon Shadow*....a good one
6. After The Goldrush by Neil Young
maybe some of my heartfelt time memories here...but it was good!
5. Ma by Rare Earth
Good beat through the whole album....a must in your collection..and a motown band...
4. Exile On Main Street by The Rolling Stones
Mick,Keith put together a major set of good tunes here...deserving of some cudos...Good record set...better on c.d.
3. The Wall by Pink Floyd
What can i say?....Pink Floyd will always amaze us!
2. Desperado by The Eagles
The compilation of songs on this second album by the Eagles will satisfy anyone that had a little cowboy in us all...
1. Abbey Road by The Beatles
All the members,John,Paul,George and even Ringo showcase their talents in this album.An album for all time!

10. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
9. Boston by Boston
8. Led Zeppelin 2 by Led Zeppelin
7. Hotel California by The Eagles
6. Abbey Road by Beatles
5. Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin
4. Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath
3. Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
2. Exile On Main Street by Rolling Stones
1. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd

10. American Beauty by The Grateful Dead
Country-rock was big in the early part of the 1970's. This is the best country-rock record.
9. Hotel California by The Eagles
A classic record
8. Sex Pistols by Nevermind the Bollocks, here's the Sex Pistals
The classic british punk record
7. Innervisions by Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder's best album and the best soul/funk album of the 70's
6. Billion Dollar Babies by Alice Cooper
One of the most well-crafted records of the time
5. Exodus by Bob Marley
A legend's best album
4. Pronounced 'leh-nerd' skin'-nerd by Lynyrd Skynyrd
A classic album that defines this part of the 1970's
3. L.A. Woman by The Doors
The best and most mature Doors album. Again, their sound is more mature, like Zeppelin's III
2. III by Led Zeppelin
Zeppelin changes their sound as they go into the 70's
1. The Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
Certainly one of the most, if not *the* most, influential rock records of all time

10. Destroyer by Kiss
The thunder,the sweetness,the fun.
9. Sabotage by Black Sabbath
Very heavy,very fearsome,very artistic.
8. A Trick Of The Tail by Genesis
Oh how great this life is.
7. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
I feel like flying,endlessly,please take me to nowhere.
6. Black Widow by Lalo Schifrin
A beauty masterpiece.
5. White Gold by Love Unlimited Orchestra
A beauty masterpiece.
4. Sounds...and Stuff Like That by Quincy Jones
A beauty masterpiece.
3. Ufo by Obsession
Feels like a man,no turning back.
2. Space Shanty by Khan
Such deep underground improvisation, I love it.
1. A Pauper In Paradise by Gino Vanelli
Hear the great atmospheric vocal & orchestral sound.