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. Benefit by Jethro Tull
Making the transition from blues to folky stuff, but not quite as "grand" as their later stuff. Just really good songs.
9. John Barleycorn Must Die by Traffic
My favorite band. Jazz, folk, rock, free jazz, and a great instrumental song, Glad.
8. Pink Flag by Wire
Along with Marquee Moon one of the most original punk albums. Short, fractured, powerful songs.
7. Live Dead by Grateful Dead
Not nearly as disciplined as the Allmans, but still a damn good live band in a totally different way.
6. Third/Sister Lovers by Big Star
An emotional, defeated, fascinating mess.
5. After The Gold Rush by Neil Young
A whole mess of great songs by a great songwriter.
4. At Fillmore East by Allman Brothers Band
Great live band, one of the best live albums. Bluesy and soulful with great interplay between Duane Allman and Dickie Betts.
3. Fun House by Stooges
Loud, mean, grimy, sleazy, and at times painful to listen too. Aaaaaah.
2. Who's Next by Who
Won't Get Fooled Again, Baba O'Riley, Bargain, Behind Blue Eyes, etc. A lot of their best songs are on this one.
1. Marquee Moon by Television
Eight great guitar-oriented songs. The title track is one of rock's greatest moments. Really.

10. Van Halen II by Van Halen
So many good songs!!
9. Highway To Hell by AC/DC
good songs.
8. Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith
Good album.
7. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
All around great album
6. Houses Of The Holy by Led Zeppelin
Great songs!!
5. Physical Graphitti by Led Zeppelin
Has the greatest song ever Kashmir!!
4. Distroyer by Kiss
Sweet album!
3. Van Halen by Van Halen
So many good songs!!
2. High Voltage by AC/DC
Another Great album!
1. Led Zeppelin 4 (Untitled) by Led Zeppelin
The greatest album of all time!!!

10. Led Zeppelin by Houses Of The Holy
9. They Only Come Out At Night by The Edgar Winter Group
8. Darkside Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
7. A Farwell To Kings by Rush
6. Relayer by Yes
5. Bob Marley by Rastaman Vibration
4. Herbie Hacock by Headhunters
3. Pink Floyd by Animals
2. London Calling by The Clash
1. Thrust by Herbie Hancock

10. Syd Barrett by The Madcap Laughs
A true genius in his own slightly(!) unique way. Plus I bet no one else has this one down!
9. Desire by Bob Dylan
Very emotional and superb songwriting once again. Joey is unbelievably good.
8. Highway To Hell by AC/DC
No one will ever come close in terms of heavy rock of the highest order.
7. Animals by Pink Floyd
The best combination between Gilmour's guitar and Waters' songwriting there has been. Dark, not an easy one unless you're a pink floyd fan.
6. Hotel California by The Eagles
Smooth. Excellent songs from start to finish, there is no better album to take on holiday!
5. After The Gold Rush by Neil Young
The title track is brilliant, as are the other ballads, Neil Young's best ballad writing. Without question one of the greatest and most important rock geniuses of the past few decades. This album is quite slow, tuned down from previous records, but the songs are simply fantastic.
4. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
Well it had to be here. This is not the best Pink Floyd album but its bluesy flowing rock and supreme songwriting is just stunning. I have barely gone a couple of weeks in the past decade without listening to this and somehow it seems to put everything else into perspective.
3. Blood On The Tracks by Bob Dylan
The 2nd best Bob Dylan album in my opinion, after Highway 61 Revisited. This is a wonderously sad and emotional album. If you listen to this at a strained period in your life, tears will be uncontrollable, the songwriting has never been matched by anyone. Genius.
2. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Another fantastic album following from Dark Side of The Moon, this album has great individual songs rather than the rolling music of its predecessor. Shine on You Crazy Diamond and Wish You Were Here are 2 of the greatest songs ever.
1. The Wall by Pink Floyd
My favourite album of all time. So dark, such great music and stupendous songwriting. This is the only album I own which holds me from start to finish, which is no mean feat for 80 minutes. Truly an exceptional piece of art.

10. Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin
9. 2112 by Rush
8. Alive II by Kiss
7. Fragile by Yes
6. Who's Next by The Who
5. Dire Straits by Dire Straits
4. In Through The Out Door by Led Zeppelin
3. Some Girls by Rolling Stones
2. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
1. The Wall by Pink Floyd

10. Nevermind The Bollocks by The Sex Pistols
The band that brought misfit teens and angry kids out of their closets is well deseving of a top 10 for their immoral f the world attitude
9. The Ramones by The Ramones
Im not sure this is a real album but the ramones surely deserve some well-deserved credit for being the band that said To hell with the mainstream I love that
8. Paranoid by Black Sabbath
The prince of darkness rules in this album All hail Ozzy!!!
7. A Night At The Opera by Queen
The greatest voice rock has ever known alluminates the world of music with one of the moset beautifully sounding albums ever spawned with one of or maybe the greatest rock song of all time Bohemian Rhapsody
6. Van Halen by Van Halen
Eddy, David Lee and the gang rock out like no other band in this album
5. The Wall by Pink Floyd
What more can I say about an album that's about a man's road to insanity and more, it's brilliant you gotta love this one
4. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
Oh my God this album is amazing DSOTM is a hell of a concept album.
3. Blood On The Tracks by Bob Dylan
The marital expert is at his best, a man even John Lennon is influenced by.
2. Imagine And Double Fantasy by John Lennon
What else can I say... he does it again, power to the people.
1. Plastic Ono Band by John Lennon
The man true fans coin as Jesus Christ Part 2 puts his brilliance to work in this one. No other 70's album compares with this one or the greatest song ever written or performed which is also from the great John Lennon "Imagine".

10. The Song Remains The Same by Led Zeppelin
Some people say this is weak, but the live version of Stairway To Heaven gets me every time.
9. Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Free Bird end the album. BEST FINALE EVER.
8. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
A masterly analysis of the human psyche.
7. The Blue Album by The Beatles
Any package containing Sgt Pepper, Day In The Life, Hey Jude, I Am The Walrus and Let It Be has to be good.
6. Machine Head by Deep Purple
Highway Star. Pictures Of Home. Smoke On The Water. Space Truckin'. 'Nuff said.
5. Bad Company by Bad Company
Paul Rodgers makes other singers break down and cry with jealousy.
4. Queen II by Queen
Forty five minutes of magic and mayhem.
3. Blueprint by Rory Gallagher
The best unknown guitarist ever.
2. Fire And Water by Free
Only one of the best bass solos ever (Mr. Big).
1. Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
What is there to say that hasn't been said before? A masterpiece.

10. Tapestry by Carole King
Great songwriter. Simple and elegant album.
9. Saturday Night Fever by Bee Gees et al
More fun at parties and weddings, but I still listen to it from time to time.
8. Group Portrait by Chicago
Best compilation of the prolific 70s band. Cover photo is ghastly, but every good song they've done is on it. Later compilations are nothing compared to this.
7. Songs In The Key Of Life by Stevie Wonder
Stevie won so many honors and had so many hits in the 70s it seems a shame to leave him off.
6. Boston by Boston
I think I played this more than any other album in college.
5. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
Few have had as many hits and the longevity of Mr. John. This is his best album.
4. IV by Led Zeppelin
Had this on 8-track and wore it out. Zep at their best.
3. Greatest Hits (vol. 1) by Eagles
I'm wary to put greatest hits on such a list, but htis one stands on its own. Biggest seller of all-time.
2. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
I like every track. Amazing for a band that couldn't get along while making it.
1. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
Staying power! Long-running best seller still gets plenty of radio time.

10. Ringo by Ringo Starr
9. Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel
8. Tea For The Tillerman by Cat Stevens
7. Madman Across The Water by Elton John
6. Deju Vu by Crosby Stills Nash & Young
5. Paul Simon by Paul Simon
4. In The Pocket by James Taylor
3. Harvest by Neil Young
2. Tapestry by Carole King
1. Ladies Of The Canyon by Joni Mitchell
This album is SO '60s that it's almost a shame to list it as a '70s album.