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. Anything by Anyone
(Insert comment about most snubbed album here)
9. Jaco Pastorius by Jaco Pastorius
So good he drive himself insane. Much like the Charlie Parker of the bass.
8. Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock
Groundbreaking and breathtaking. Controversial in terms of it's merits as real jazz, but nonetheless a magnificent album
7. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
I can't leave it off, it would be a shame to name to do so.
6. Presence by Led Zeppelin
Somewhat forgotten in the Led Zeppelin catalog. Granted, it's not solid form start to finish like usual, but God it was heavy, it was hard, and it was Zeppelin
5. III by Led Zeppelin
The best of 3 albums so far in a young career, the most chided so far as well
4. Who's Next by The Who
Kind of cliche in terms of 70's albums, but there is no other Who album from the 70's that compares. However, had Tommy been released a year later....
3. The Wall by Pink Floyd
I struggled between The Wall and Dark Side of the Moon. But in the end, the whole rock opera aura won out.
2. IV by Led Zeppelin
Notice a pattern? To me, there is no more greater or more influential band from the 70's than Zeppelin, and this is the album where critics finalls started to take notice
1. Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
Without a doubt, Zeppelin's best. Greatest double album ever? I think so. And yes, I realize the White Album was a double....

10. Parallel Lines by Blondie
Just a fun album.
9. Grease by Soundtrack
Fun songs.
8. Sanctuay by The J. Geils Band
First album on EMI and a step in a different diraction.
7. 52nd Street by Billy Joel
Repeated the success, but not the sound of The Stranger. Great misician.
6. Destroyer by Kiss
Combines both hard and soft side of Kiss.
5. Darkness On The Edge Of Town by Bruce Springsteen
Dark album, but still rocks.
4. The Stranger by Billy Joel
Best songwriter I've ever heard.
3. Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf
Outstanding lyrics.
2. Monkey Island by The J. Geils Band
An underrated album by an underrated band.
1. Alive! by Kiss
The best live album by anybody anywhere.

10. Who's Next by The Who
9. Exile On Main Street by Rolling Stones
8. The Wall by Pink Floyd
7. Frampton Comes Alive by Peter Frampton
6. Van Halen 1 by Van Halen
5. Fragile by Yes
4. Farewell To Kings by Rush
3. Hemispheres by Rush
2. 2112 by Rush
1. Dark Side Of The Moon. by Pink Floyd

10. For Your Love by CHILLY
9. Zieh? Mich Aus by GILLA
8. Lionheart by KATE BUSH
7. Lisa Dalbello by LISA DALBELLO
6. Word Salad by FISCHER-Z
5. Miss Broadway by BELLE EPOQUE
4. Love Me Baby by SHEILA B. DEVOTION
3. I Am A Photograph by AMANDA LEAR
2. Sweet Revenge by AMANDA LEAR
1. Never Trust A Pretty Face by AMANDA LEAR

10. Glad All Over by Suzi Quatro
9. Blue Bayou by Paola
8. Middle Of The Road by Middle Of The Road
7. 穘愀 A Heartache by Bonnie Tyler
6. Once Upon A Time by Donna Summer
5. Best Of by Sweet
4. Substitute by Clout
3. Greatest Hits Vol 1 by Smokie
2. Nightflight To Venus by Boney M.
1. Voulez Vous by Abba

10. Pronounced Lehnerd Skinerd by Lynyrd Skynyrd
To much of the world, it was their debut album and probably their best. Each song is great in its own right. Several were good enough to go down in history as rock classics. "Tuesday's Gone" was one of the most eloquent and beautiful ballads that the band ever did. "Gimme Three Steps" has a great riff and amusing lyrics. "Simple Man" is a powerful tune that captures all of the sheer muscle that was conveyed behind Skynyrd's guitarists. Yet they never shine quite like they do on "Free Bird." This song alone makes the album a classic. The absolute peak of their songwriting and the anthem that established them as the guitar driven band that they were. Allen Collins, Ed King and Gary Rossington are effective at what they do.
9. Simon And Garfunkel by Bridge Over Troubled Water
What a way for this duo to close out their partnership together. They simply left us craving more. Paul Simon's poetry was excellent and the music is simple and effective. Set your stereo on karoake and let these two teach you how to harmonize.
8. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
This band deserves to up here twice. Few bands could equal the musical genius that Floyd could display in their albums. Their music was so complex that you could usually find something new every time that you listen to their albums. The power of "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" is hard to match and the title track is beautiful. Roger Waters' lyrics were never quite so effective as when he was lamenting the fall of past Floyd frontman, Syd Barret. Pick this album up.
7. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
Elton John was a brilliant songwriter despite the occasional lapses of taste in personality. He worried a little bit too much about image. But get past that and you'll find that he wrote that some of the best songs of the seventies.
6. Chicago Transit Authority by Chicago Transit Authority
The debut album from of the most productive bands of the seventies. This album proves that the band initially avoided mainstream music like the plaque before they came to embrace it with Peter Cetera. The album absolutely rocks and the horn charts are more charged with emotion and bite than ever before. Terry Kath makes his case as one of the most brilliant guitarists ever. Hendrix himself idolized Kath. Now that's impressive.
5. Tapestry by Carole King
Carole King is a brilliant songwriter. Her lyrics are moving and personal. Her music is simple and yet, oh so effective. Every song on this album is a classic. Listen to "You've Got A Friend," "I Feel The Earth Move" and "It's Too Late."
4. Boston by Boston
Not only one of the greatest debut albums ever, but one of the greatest albums of the seventies. Great vocals and some of the most enticing producing that I have ever heard came from Tom Scholtz, aside from Floyd.
3. Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
This is simply an awesome band. Zeppelin left the building blocks and the formula for heavy metal songs, and no band since has gotten it quite as right as they did. They switched up their style constantly and still came out on top. Oh yeah, and that song "Stairway to Heavan" was pretty good. Heh heh.
2. Hotel California by The Eagles
Geez, every song is a classic. Songs like "The Last Resort," "Life In The Fast Lane" and of course the title track. It just doesn't get any better than this.
1. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
Just about the perfect album. If you can find a weak song on this album, then let me know. Every song seems to mesh perfectly. The music is exquisite and the lyrics are intense.

10. 'The Kick Inside' by Kate Bush
Kate Bush has an excellent voice and offbeat songwriting style, much like Tori Amos' whom I believe was inspired by Kate. "Wuthering Heights" took off like a rocket in the sky and the spare "The Man With The Child In His Eyes" is very haunting.
9. 'Melissa' by Melissa Manchester
Here is a woman who has never got her due for being an amazing songwriter AND singer. "Midnight Blue" is on this one as is "Just Too Many People" and the sad sweet "This Lady's Not Home Today".
8. 'A Song For You' by Carpenters
I think this was their album to have most of their hits on it. "Goodbye To Love", "It's Going To Take Some Time", "Top Of The World". Karen's voice is beyond spectacular.
7. 'Saturday Night Fever' Movie Soundtrack by OMPS
Soundtracks weren't really a big deal until this movie came out. All those great Bee Gees songs plus "If I Can't Have You" (penned by the Brothers Gibb) and the ten minute version of the Trammps "Disco Inferno". There was no you could have gone wrong with this pappy.
6. 'Jennifer Warnes' by Jennifer Warnes
Not many people know who she is until you sing "I've Had The Time Of My Life" or "Up Where We Belong" to them, but she'd been around years before either of those songs. The big hit here was "Right Time Of The Night", but the whole album was full of soft L.A. type music.
5. 'The Partridge Family Sound Magazine' by The Partridge Family
It is my humble opinion that The P. Fam (just David and Shirley on the records, for those not in the know)never made a bad record. But I think this qualifies as my fave because there were SO many different types of songs on here. No one song sounds like any of the others.
4. 'Born Late' by Shaun Cassidy
I know it's corny, but this record just reminds me of being nine years old, laying on my plaid carpeting listening to "Teen Dream" and "Do You Believe In Magic?" A lot of fun.
3. 'Rumours' by Fleetwood Mac
This is probably my favorite album of theirs. Each song has a different style and evokes visuals that are way out.
2. 'Tapestry' by Carole King
She wrote songs for others for years before this record came out, but she wowed everyone with her original style and personal lyrics.
1. 'Grease'-Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by OMPS
This is my absolute favorite movie...ever! I know every eord and sing them at the top of my lungs when given the chance. It just makes you so happy!

10. My Aim Is True by Elvis Costello
9. The Wild, The Innocent, And The E Street Shuffle by Bruce Springsteen
8. Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash, And Young
7. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
6. Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ by Bruce Springsteen
5. Let it Be by The Beatles
4. Houses Of The Holy by Led Zeppelin
3. Physical Grafitti by Led Zeppelin
2. Quadrophenia by The Who
1. The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway by Genesis

10. Bad Company by Bad Company
A really good debut album.
9. Boston by Boston
Good debut album.
8. A Night At The Opera by Queen
I think that it is Queens best record.
7. Van Halen by Van Halen
An awesome debut record, awesome.
6. Framton Comes Alive by Peter Framton
A landmark LP.
5. Paranoid by Black Sabbath
Ozzy, Iommi, Geezer, and Billy.
4. Hotel California by Eagles
Another landmark LP.
3. Alive by Kiss
The best live LP ever.
2. The Wall by Pink Floyd
very cooooollll.
1. 4 by Led Zeppelin
This album changed the way some people lived, the vocals on Stair way to heaven, just says it all.

10. Van Halen I &II by Van Halen
Both albums need be included. Eruption, Beautiful Girls, Spanish Fly, and many amazing songs from Eddie, David, Alex, and Michael.
9. Animals by Pink Floyd
An amazing album, in my opinion I'd rather have it then the wall. Very sonic and killer riffs! Also neat voice into keyboard changes.
8. Rocks by Aerosmith
A highly overlooked album with Last Child, Back In The Saddle, and Get The Lead Out. Aerosmith at their best!
7. Thick As A Brick by Jethro Tull
A one song masterpiece that showcases Tull at their finest. Great music to work to!
6. Who's Next by The Who
Perfect album with all amazing songs, the underrated Love Ain't For Keeping and Getting In Tune. Too good of an album.
5. Houses of the Holy and III by Led Zeppelin
Another Zeppelin classic with The Song Remains The Same, Dancin Days, Rain Song, The Ocean and all other beautiful songs. D'yer Ma'ker(Jamaica) Amazing! Led Zeppelin III is very underrated and I would take both of these albums over IV even after parting with When The Levee Breaks, Misty Mountain Hop, and Four Sticks. Out On The Tiles on Zeppelin III! A lost rocker!
4. Ram by Paul McCartney
Highly overlooked sophmore solo album by Paul. Show cases all of Paul's talents and a great song called Dear Boy and many others. A perfect album!
3. All Things Must Pass by George Harrison
Triple album beyond comprehension. Wah-Wah, I'd Have You Anytime, Awaiting on You All and many amazing tunes on this classic.
2. Let It Be by The Beatles
Amazing final album recorded before Abbey Road. Taken from bad recordings, but souped up by Phil Spector. Still the best there ever will be, but doesn't quite edge out Graffiti.
1. Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
So many riffs on one album it's incomprehensible! The Rover,In The Light, Bron-Yr-Aur, and The Wanton Song all amazing songs with so many riffs it's unbelieveable. The riffs pour through the doors on the front cover.