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. Blood On The Tracks by Bob Dylan
Heartbreaking document of Dylan's break up with his wife Sara Lownes, exploring all the interlockings of personal relationships in the deepest, most powerful emotions. A heart-on-sleeve masterwork. Dylan was never this vulnerable.
9. The Modern Dance by Pere Ubu
One of the very greatest debut albums ever and stunningly original. This is the sound of an industrial society on the way out, crowding in the streets, aching for revolution and anarchy. It is the sound of a man falling under the weight of technology and the monotony of life without spiritual mores. Essential and classic.
8. Suicide by Suicide
As bare bones as punk has ever got, Suicide formed a new sound of severe neurosis that lingers in one long after the last track closes. This is seriously disturbing music, but wholly compelling and masterful nonetheless.
7. Third by Soft Machine
Contains what is very possibly the greatest "rock" track ever recorded in "Moon In June" which features Robert Wyatt among others. For the most part, this is an incredibly talented group of musicians using studio effects and the like to create a mesmerizing world of jazz-influenced electric instrumentals (aside from about half of "Moon In June" containing lyrics).
6. Lorca by Tim Buckley
Buckley literally creates the songs (especially the first 2 tracks) with the sheer force of his incredible voice, as opposed to the common momentum built by the structure of a song. Buckley is the music here. Possibly the most technically accomplished voacl performance in "rock" history.
5. Hosianna Mantra by Popol Vuh
Like visiting a Tibetan Monastery and being exteriorized from your body and the vagaries of life, before feeling as one with people, nature, and the inherent simplicities and understandings of all things. Mesmerizing and miraculous. Possibly the greatest of all new age albums.
4. Faust by Faust
Travelling through this album, secluded in a black cloud hovering through vaccuums and seemingly random time warps, is akin to being faced by all one's fears and perhaps even the secrets of the past and this universe, before colliding head on with something key to everything we've ever known, but just missing it. An examination of the maze between what we know and the truth that's out there.
3. Irrlicht by Klaus Schulze
One of the most awe-inspiring albums ever made. Space rock at it's finest.
2. Desertshore by Nico
Gothic chamber music that is unified by Nico's petrified tone piercing the infinite shadows of an apocalyptic aftermath.
1. Rock Bottom by Robert Wyatt
Astoundingly original. A contemplative journey through the themes of love, loss and the cycles of life, both physical and spiritual, conceptually driven by Wyatt reversing time, starting from adulthood through to childhood, and adjudicating the influences and nuances of his partnership with Alfreda Benge in the process. A truly miraculous album that marks an epitome of genius on multiple levels.

10. Secret Treaties by Blue Oyster Cult
Gotta love BOC. Career of Evil, Subhuman, Harvester of Eyes just show that this album deserves to be on this list.
9. A Space In Time by TenYears After
"I'd love to change the world" is by far their best song. If it wasn't for this song, i would never have listened to this album, but now I'm very glad I did.
8. Crime Of The Century by Supertramp
Incredible. This album defines Supertramp's greatness.
7. Tapestry by Carole King
This album really shows how great King's vocals were. It's a shame she never released anything worthy of competing with Tapestry.
6. Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin
I had some trouble choosing just one zeppelin album for this list, eventhough i believe all of them deserve to be on here. Zeppelin's cover of Robert Johnson's "Lemon Song" is very well done. Also, "Whole Lotta Love" and "Thank You" show the band's diversity early in their careers.
5. Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie
Again, HOW COULD NO ONE HAVE INCLUDED THIS!??! you're gonna includ 'some girls' over ziggy stardust? c'mon now, show some respect.
4. 16 Greatest Hits by Steppenwolf
I guess it's not really fair to include a 'best of' album on here but I just couldn't resist. This album is by far better than any other best of album I own.
3. American Beauty by Greatful Dead
As a fellow Deadhead I had to include this. The lyrics on this album are incredible, if you know what they're really talking about. Box of Rain (about the earth) has such a different sound of the Grateful Dead that everyone was used to up until this album.
2. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
The vocals on Great Gig in the Sky are excellent. No list is complete without this album.
1. After The Gold Rush by Neil Young
Every song on this album is amazing and is one of the few albums where Young lives up to his full potential. I cannot believe that no one else included this on their list. From my perspective, this is one of the greatest albums not only in the 70s, but of all times.

10. Who's Next by The Who
Fabulous album, allthough overrated. Still its "The Who" is it capable of being bad!
9. Live At Leeds by The Who
A better live album than live at the isle of wight, but not as good on album terms, still, worth a buy!
8. One Step Beyond by Madness
1979, funny, great and entertaining all in one package!
7. In Rock by Deap Purple
Loud
6. A Night At The Opera by Queen
The voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5. Highway To Hell by AC/DC
ENTERTAINMENT coming from every pore.
4. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
Fabulous! thats all I have to say
3. Led Zeppelin 4 by Led Zeppelin
Very good, could stand a chance of being a position higher if it weren't for that awful "Going to Calafornia" still a solid album by a solid band
2. Live At The Isle Of Wight by The Who
Don't flame me for having two who albums in top 2. This is a great live album, and has more energy than Live at leeds. I beleive they don't stop playing for about 50 minutes during this, a must buy!
1. Quadrophenia by The Who
The most underrated album by the most underated band, There is not one weak track and this is a double album! Also all members of this fantastic band are at their peak, listen to Love Reign O'er me vocals, no-one can sing like that.!!!

10. Faust So Far by Faust
Krautrockers at their (black) peak !
9. Who's Next? by The Who
Old mods in their anthems, from Baba O'Riley to Fooled again !
8. Pink Moon by Nick Drake
Drake, alone with his guitar : for the last time, alas.
7. Ramones by Ramones
Idiots or genius ? First great punk lp !
6. Horses by Patti Smith
New York.1975.Mapplethorpe & Patti, of course : a revolution begins
5. III by Led Zeppelin
Zeppelin were good for (hard) rockin', but they were better for folkin'
4. Rock Bottom by Robert Wyatt
A cult hero, blessed by baeuty
3. There's A Riot Goin' On by Sly & The Family Stone
Psychedelic funk meets politics
2. What's Goin' On by Marvin Gaye
Sensuality & spirituality at their peak
1. Exile On Main Street by Rolling Stones
Recorded in the south of France, the end of an era !

10. Whats Going On by Marvin Gaye
9. London Calling by The Clash
70s Punks best album
8. Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
ROCK
7. LA Woman by The Doors
6. Whos Next by The Who
Hell Yeah!
5. Face The Music by ELO
cool Album
4. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
3. Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie
2. The White Album by The Beatles
A Beatles Album, need i say more
1. Breakfast In America by Supertramp
Amazin, Get This Album

10. Go For What You Know by Pat Travers Band
Another live album. Can't find it on Cd. But I do have both of his Anthology's. Side one is on part one and side two is on part two. Great blues LIVE!!!
9. Sad Wings Of Destiny by Judas Priest
My first Priest album and still my favorite.
8. Live '73 by Uriah Heep
I love 'Live' albums. And this ranks right up there with 'Kiss-Alive'
7. Toys In The Attic by Aerosmith
Aerosmith at their best, which includes their best song 'Sweet Emotion" .
6. Boston by Boston
Great debut!!! 'Don't Look Back' came close, but this is still their best.
5. A Night At The Opera by Queen
A masterpiece, One of the best of all time.
4. Alive by Kiss
Classic Kiss in it's best form....LIVE!!!
3. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
So hard to chosse with so many GREAT Floyd albums. This is the one I listen to the most. A CLASSIC!!
2. Pyramid by The Alan Parsons Project
In my opinion, One of his best efforts.
1. Led Zeppelin III by Led Zeppelin
Never get tired of listening to this one. Thank God for Compact Disc. Since I've worn out many LP's of this over the years

10. Songs In The Key Of Life by Stevie Wonder
never had the album, kept borrowing it and loved it.Must go and get one day.
9. Arrival by ABBA
Had to have an ABBA album. MOR pop at its best, great tunes and I remember thinking the blond was hot.
8. Live And Let Live by 10cc
Compilation of classic tracks and new material recorded live in Manchester (home gig) gives a great atmosphere and allows the new and old members chance to let rip when the track allows it. Still looking for the CD version.
7. Trick Of The Tail by Genesis
Not everybodies favourite, but Ripples and Dance on a Volcano do it for me.
6. 52nd Street by Billy Joel
A hard choice as the Stranger is almost as good, but this cuts it with fantastic horns and sax.
5. Rumours by Fleetward Mac
Still sounds as good today as it did then.
4. Oxygene by Jean Michel Jarre
Techno pop? Still a fantatsic album.
3. Fanx Ta-ra by Sad Cafe
It was either this or Misplaced Ideals at number one. Harder and more edgier this rocks with jazz influences.
2. Out Of The Blue by ELO
Played it to death as a kid. Plenty of hit singles and catchy tunes
1. Misplaced Ideals by Sad Cafe
If only they'd had the attention they deserved they could have been BIG!A blend of rock, jazz, soul, with fantastic beats, guitar riffs, soaring keyboards and soulfull singing from the late great Paul Young.

10. A Night At The Opera (1975) by Queen
Most creative album ever.
9. Houses Of The Holy (1973) by Led Zeppelin
I love it when albums sound like one long song. Houses of the Holy is the perfect example of this.
8. Songs In The Key Of Life (1976) by Stevie Wonder
Hey, Coolio's a fan.
7. Never Mind The Bollocks (1977) by Sex Pistols
Punk. Viscious, Rotten, Steve Jones Punk.
6. Paranoid (1970) by Black Sabbath
Ozzy's awe-inspiring metal-roots masterpiece that was way different from anything else at the time.
5. London Calling (1979) by The Clash
Brilliant combination of punk, politics, and reggae. Best album of the late-70's.
4. Who's Next (1971) by The Who
The ROCK album. Still an influence today.
3. IV (1971) by Led Zeppelin
This album has been a constant playlist for classic rock stations for 25 years. Stairway to Freakin heaven man.
2. The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust... (1972) by David Bowie
Crazy glam concept album. Every song is a hit. Bowie's creativity at its highpoint.
1. Dark Side Of The Moon (1973) by Pink Floyd
Stoner 70's psychedelica never got any better. And neither did any other kind of 70s music. Roger Waters' intense masterpiece is timeless.

10. So What by Joe Walsh
Joe Walsh is everything the 70's represent in America. He's Jackson Brown, The Eagles, etc. He's West Coast stoned and ready to go. County Fair is awesome. One of the best slides around next to Duane
9. The Box Set by Led Lepplin
You Expect me to pick ONE out of all those great 'Zepplin Albums.... I don't think so. Ok IV
8. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
'Dark Side of the Moon'-was a better received album, but for my 'Money' I'd rather 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond'
7. Secret Treaties by Blue Oyster Cult
'Me262', 'Domanace & Submission', and 'Astronomy'. The MOST UNDER RATED GUITAR HERO IN THE WORLD-Bucks Dharma
6. The Rolling Stones by Let It Bleed
Possibly the finest 'Stones' album ever and Keith was Killer on this album. 'Monkey Man' and 'Gimme Shelter' need I say more.
5. Can't Buy A Thrill/or Anyone For That Matter by Steely Dan
You Can't Talk 70's with out them...East Coast smooth jazz before it had a name. Sorry Don and Glenn
4. Loggins & Messina by Loggins & Messina
'Angry Eyes' and 'Golden Ribbons 'are so sweet. Shows you just how great this duo is. They're 2005 concert DVD-the Santa Barbara Bowl is a must see.
3. Remember The Future by Nektar
It's a total Trip. It's flows from light to heavy, slow to fast. The quintessential 'progressive rock' album-start to finish.
2. Quadraphenia by The Who
No comment other than...just LISTEN to it. You'll never want it to end. I love the Who and it was tough not to pick Who's Next
1. A Space In Time by Ten Years After
This album has it ALL. Blues, ballads, psychodelic, pop, rock, jazz. 'One Of These Days', 'Here They Come', 'I'd Love To Save The World','Once There Was A Time', Hard Monkeys' GREAT STUFF

10. London Calling by The Clash
9. The Wall by Pink Floyd
8. All Things Must Pass by George Harrison
Best Solo Beatles Album
7. IV by Led Zeppelin
6. Houses Of The Holy by Led Zeppelin
A very consistent and good overall sounding album, with tracks like Over The Hills And Far Away, Dancing Days, and The Ocean.
5. Layla by Derek And The Dominoes
4. News Of The World by Queen
In my opinion more consistent than A Night At The Opera, with tracks like We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions, Spread Your Wings, and It's Late.
3. A New World Record by ELO
Most of ELO's best work here, with "Tightrope," "So Fine," "Livin' Thing," "Do Ya," and "Telephone Line."
2. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
A very solid album. No weak songs.
1. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd