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. Dreamboat Annie by Heart
The Wilson sisters are brilliant
9. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
8. A Night At The Opera by Queen
7. Hotel California by The Eagles
6. Led Zepplin IV by Led Zepplin
5. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
4. Paradise Theatre by Styx
Loved the laser etched vinyl, brilliant concepty album
3. Bat Out Of Hell by Meatloaf
Jim Stienman is a genius
2. Chicago X by Chicago
1. Boston by Boston
Tom Scholz is Boston

10. Rocks by Aerosmith
Perfect sleazy American rock. This is their best effort, no two ways about it. Just a great record by a great band of dirty wastoids.
9. IV by Led Zeppelin
The first five Zep albums are all very similarly rated to me - simply awesome! Houses of the Holy quite unique, so too III, but the best, by whisker, is IV, for the unrivalled supernatural power it harnesses. Mesmerisingly good.
8. Never Mind The Bollocks by The Sex Pistols
Totally mindblowing. Faultless. The ultimate statement of rock fury from the disaffected.
7. Desire by Bob Dylan
mid-70s masterpiece by the maestro - I prefer this to Blood on the Tracks because that one is just too painful, this one also cuts deep but joyful and ecstatic like the poetry of Ginsberg in the original sleeve. American rambling beauty
6. Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones
Sticky Fingers is flawless, unlike the also superb Goat's Head Soup - no one has done opiate rock like the stones in the 70s. I should add that Some Girls (1978) is excellent too, but of the Stones considerable and unrivalled output in this decade, sticky is up there just behind exile, see above.
5. AC/DC by Powerage
Bon Scott is the greatest Australian that ever lived - him and Angus Young, that is. It's never more evident than here. Rock never sounded so good.
4. Low by David Bowie
one side ambient, the other art punk rock songs withe hilarious lyrics. Such a dark dark gem, limitless possibilities in this Brian-Eno produced opus.
3. On The Beach by Neil Young
I can never believe how this album is so obscure. A dark LA folk rock masterpiece, excellent poetry, the natsiest Young you ever heard. Better than Harvest and Goldrush in my estimations
2. Who's Next by The Who
Their best album. A good thing Townsend's 'Lifehouse' project never found life as another slightly silly Rock Opera, and they churned out this awesome work instead; brutal, bruised, elegant, freewheeling. Great synth work too.
1. Exile On Main Street by The Rolling Stones
sprawling masterpiece of vintage stones, top execution, great song writing, brave and obscure production. Peerless, good on the road.

10. Some Girls by Rolling Stones
Contains 3 of the greatest Stones tunes..."Miss You", "Beast of Burden" and "Shattered"
9. Regatta De Blanc by Police
This album got me hooked on the Police and the whole rock/Ska revival
8. The Stranger by Billy Joel
Masterpiece. I love "Vienna" and "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant"
7. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
Also track for track a fantastic album
6. Boston by Boston
Rock at its best, every track is great
5. I Want You by Marvin Gaye
Also, unlike many, to me this is his best album. Bonus - the cover used to appear on the "Good Times" show
4. In Through The Out Door by Led Zeppelin
Often I'm challenged by Zep fans, but to me this is their best (of many great) album. "Fool In The Rain" is outstanding
3. Minute By Minute by Doobie Brothers
Contains 2 of the greatest songs of all time - title track and "What A Fool Believes" - LOVE Michael's vocals
2. Fulfillingness First Finale by Stevie Wonder
This dude was unbelieveable in the 70's, I just wish he would try to put stuff like this out today
1. The Royal Scam by Steely Dan
Although I love all of their albums, this one captures it all for me. The guitar playing is some of the finest ever, and the sound is incredible for 1976.

10. Imagine by John Lennon
Its an awesome album Lennons lyrics are great and his voice is perfect for the music.
9. Van Halen by Van Halen
Guitar Work
8. Paranoid by Black Sabbath
I don;rt like the band or the music but Metal realy got going here
7. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
A masterpiece
6. Houses Of The Holy by Led Zeppelin
Incredible effort by Zep- Dyer Maker is a great reggae beat- all songs different
5. Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin
This Album has so much- I think its Jonesy;s best album- his bass work on The Lemon song is incredible and Pages solos kick ass
4. Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones
solid rock n roll here- Dead Floweres is fantastic
3. Darkside Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
Floyd showed its genius here and Waters is one of the best ive ever heard.
2. Led Zeppelin 4 by Led Zeppelin
Its Led Zeppelin- In my eyes the most talented band ever- Bonham is huge on the drums in when the levee breaks- Stairway might just be the best rock n roll song ever.
1. Whos Next by The Who
Simply an amazing collection of essentialy all hits, Townshend is great on the synthesizers and Moon rocks the drums.

10. The Wall by Pink Floyd
because it's beautiful...
9. Trilogy by ELP
another ELP album on my list. listen to the Endless Enigma and leave the world behind
8. Stromwatch by Jethro Tull
Jethro ruled in 70's. this is another proof
7. A Farewell To Kings by Rush
this is my favorite band, their greatest albums come from 80's but this is the one I think it's the best from their 70's albums
6. Animals by Pink Floyd
it was beginning of their most incredible albums...
5. Heavy Horses by Jethro Tull
Well, another Jethro on my list...it's probably their most ripe album, and it has great mood...
4. Brain Salad Surgery by ELP
Jerusalem for the beginning makes a solemn mood, but most important part is of course Karn Evil 9 which is still one of the greatest pieces in rock history
3. Aqualung by Jethro Tull
this was the beginning of new era for the band. for me it's classic Jethro Tull and I think it stood the test of time
2. Thick As A Brick by Jethro Tull
it's dynamic and great, this album and next (A Passion Play) are one of a king in Jethro's discography
1. A Passion Play by Jethro Tull
It's my favorite Jethro Tull's album; it's has great lyrical content, and dynamic music making it still my favorite album in rock history

10. The Wall by Pink Floyd
because it's beautiful...
9. Trilogy by ELP
another ELP album on my list. listen to the Endless Enigma and leave the world behind
8. Stromwatch by Jethro Tull
Jethro ruled in 70's. this is another proof
7. A Farewell To Kings by Rush
this is my favorite band, their greatest albums come from 80's but this is the one I think it's the best from their 70's albums
6. Animals by Pink Floyd
it was beginning of their most incredible albums...
5. Heavy Horses by Jethro Tull
Well, another Jethro on my list...it's probably their most ripe album, and it has great mood...
4. Brain Salad Surgery by ELP
Jerusalem for the beginning makes a solemn mood, but most important part is of course Karn Evil 9 which is still one of the greatest pieces in rock history
3. Aqualung by Jethro Tull
this was the beginning of new era for the band. for me it's classic Jethro Tull and I think it stood the test of time
2. Thick As A Brick by Jethro Tull
it's dynamic and great, this album and next (A Passion Play) are one of a king in Jethro's discography
1. A Passion Play by Jethro Tull
It's my favorite Jethro Tull's album; it's has great lyrical content, and dynamic music making it still my favorite album in rock history

10. The Wall by Pink Floyd
9. Trilogy by ELP
8. Stormwatch (1979) by Jethro Tull
7. A Farewell To Kings (1977) by Rush
my favorite band, their best albums are from 80's but this one's from 70 really good
6. Heavy Horses (1978) by Jethro Tull
it's probably their most ripe album
5. Animals (1977) by Pink Floyd
it's the beginning of their greatest albums
4. Brain Salad Surgery (1973) by ELP
of course because Karn Evil 9
3. Aqualung (1971) by Jethro Tull
the beginning of big Jethro albums
2. Thick As A Brick (1972) by Jethro Tull
like A Passion Play it's one of a kind...
1. A Passion Play (1973) by Jethro Tull
best album in rock history (in my opinion)

10. Right-On by K-Tel Records- Various
9. The Hot Ones by K-Tel Records- Various
8. Every Which Way But Loose by Soundtrack- various
7. Meet The Brady Bunch by The Brady Six (A.K.A The Silver Platters)
6. Sincerly by Jim Nabors
5. After The Lovin' by Engelbert Humperdink
4. 22 Explosive Hits, Vol. 2 by K-Tel Records- Various
3. Southern Fried Rock by K-Tel Records- Various
2. Wake-Up America by Abbie Hoffman
1. Hello Darlin' by Conway Twitty

10. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
Time and Newsweek covers in the same week, a reputation for concerts that didn't end until he dropped, a songwriter in the Hank Williams-Bob Dylan sense, who couldn't do a better job of creating living characters out of this super collection of tunes. Not just a monster album for the seventies, but an artist who'd speak to the consciousness of his listeners in the seventies (Born To Run, Darkness On the Edge), the eighties (The River, Born in the USA), and beyond
9. Billion Dollar Babies by Alice Cooper
One of the definite Us Vs. Them CDs. Generation Landslide, the title track, No More Mr. Nice Guy, Hello Hooray, Elected, and of course I Love the Dead (performed by Alice on that unforgettable mystery series The Snoop Sisters, not Snoop Dog's grandmothers, either). Who knows how far Coop could have gone if he hadn't traded in his fantastic band to return on his next album with the Vegas-styled Welcome to My Nightmare show?
8. Comes Alive by Peter Frampton
Everybody, but everybody had this. have you noticed that three of these top eight albums have songs done by artists who appeared in the bomb, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
7. Toys In the Attic by Aerosmith
Take away the horrid tune Big ten inch (yeah, sure, almost believable) and what kinda punch do you get with tunes like Toys, Uncle Salty, No More No More, Walk This Way and Sweet Emotion. Sweet!
6. The Cars by The Cars
As the decade was coming to a close, and disco was the dominant form of music, along came this band out of Boston with this strong debut. Strong selection including Bye Bye Love, My Best Friend's Girl, Moving In Stereo. The cool part was they came out of nowhere.
5. Saturday Night Fever by Various Artists
Ask any metal head what went wrong in the seventies and you'll find it right here. Still scary how many radio stations play something off this thing. The cool thing is there's still a lot of defiant rockers who have never seen the movie. It looked like the end of civilization as we knew it until...
4. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
The singles compilation that they's looked for. Like most groups, their previous album, Fleetwood Mac, gave you a hint that their next album was going to be big. But who knew they'd be this big.
3. (no title-not zoso, not IV, no title necessary) by Led Zeppelin
Rock & Roll, Black Dog, Misty Mountain Hop, When the Levee Breaks, Going To California, Battle of Evermore, Four Sticks, Stairway To Heaven,. Put this CD on today and try to think of any other CD in existence that has a stronger collection of classics on one CD. Go ahead and try.
2. A Night At the Opera by Queen
There wasn't anything like it at the time and if youu think about it, there hasn't been anything like it since. This definitely was Freddie and the band's zenith, and who wouldn't add this to their seventies collection?
1. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
If you got 'em, spark 'em. Who in the seventies didn't smoke a couple to this masterpiece, sit back and just go "Wow!"