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. Physical Graffitti by Led Zeppelin
Masterpiece.
9. Led Zeppelin 3 by Led Zeppelin
Classic Zeppelin.
8. Beggar's Banquet by The Rolling Stones
Sympathy For The Devil
7. Machine Head by Deep Purple
RIFF!
6. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
Great album.
5. Paranoid by Black Sabbath
Birth of Heavy Metal.
4. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink FLoyd
Absolute Classic.
3. Exile On Main Street by The Rolling Stones
MUD!
2. The Wall by Pink Floyd
Masterpiece of Waters.
1. Led Zeppelin 4 (ZOSO) by Led Zeppelin
The Greatest album ever.

10. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac (1977)
9. Chicago VII by Chicago (1974)
8. Aja by Steely Dan (1977)
7. Machine Head by Deep Purple (1972)
6. Band On The Run by Paul McCartney & Wings (1974)
5. Sticky Fingers by Rolling Stones (1971)
4. The Way We Were (studio album) by Barbra Streisand (1974)
3. Teaser and the Firecat by Cat Stevens (1971)
2. Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin (1971)
1. Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin (1975)

10. Bad Company by Straight Shooter
My first album I bought. It definitely is a teenager boy thing. The rockers were hard and the ballads were in my key - bad puberty voice changing range.
9. Blood on the Tracks by Bob Dylan
I think this is Bob's best album in terms of tune, lyrics and certainly one that was most depressing. Again, a perfect combination for a teenager who didn't have a clue about anything.
8. Bachman Turner Overdrive II by BTO
Picture if you will: 14 year old boy, summer time in Missouri with BTO blaring behind me on my Panasonic turntable. Cranked up while learning to play the drums. It doesn't get much better than that!
7. Fly Like An Eagle/book Of Dreams by Steve Miller Band
Again, I've listed two albums, but they were recorded during the same time. Both albums are filled with great rockers! Kudos to Steve during the mid 70's.
6. Madman Across The Water/Tumbleweed Connection by Elton John
I know that I've listed two albums but they far outrank Goodbye Yellow Brick Road for lyrics and overall feel.
5. Tonight's The Night by Neil Young
World on a String! Wow what an album. Dark and very depressing. To be young and full of angst with this on at 2:00 am makes a life impression no less.
4. Zuma by Neil Young
I love this album. It rocked and it had beautiful acoustics songs to boot. The album cover was a constant discussion item too.
3. Best Of James Gang by James Gang
The tunes that these three artists made were impressive. The Bomber, Funk 48 and Funk 49 made me proud that I'm from Ohio.
2. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
When Time and Newsweek called Bruce the next Dylan, like so many other artists they were right for once. How can you not listen to this LP and not get chills from the memories that this album brings.
1. Boston by Boston
This song was the "party album" of the 70's. Every song rocked. Hard to believe that it was produced in Tom Shotz' basement.

10. My Own House by David Bromberg
Granted it wasn't a hit album, but I still have very fond memories from it. Spanish Johnny, Black and Tan and finally Lower Left Hand Corner of the Night are probably three of the darkest songs ever played in a row on an album. How many of us are still alive after listening to these songs is a miracle.
9. Court And Spark by Joni Mitchell
The only complaint is that its only 30+ minutes long. With the advent of CD's we have become spoiled for longer sets from artists. I loved the fact that Cheech and Chong are voices to "Twisted." Great trivia.
8. Manassas by Steven Stills
I loved the concept of four different styles on four sides. Bluegrass, Rock, Blues and Country. Every song is great. Chris Hillman helped to make this a classic album.
7. Dixie Chickens by Little Feat
Fat Man in the Bathtub...Two Trains...On Your Way Down. Little Feat will go down as one of the greatest bands of all time. Lowell George at his peak.
6. Apostrophe by Frank Zappa
It made me laugh a lot!
5. St. Dominic's Preview by Van Morrison
Listen to the Lions with Van growling. They just don't make music like that anymore. Another one of those 10+ minute songs that gets better each time you listen to it. Timeless.
4. Where We All Belong by Marshall Tucker Band
24 Hours at a Time with Charlie Daniels on fiddle. Plus it rocked for over 13 minutes. Great combination of live and studio music. Thanks MTB!
3. Music From Big Pink by The Band
Anytime you hear a B3 organ in the background to a song, it should warrant a top ten list. Thank you Garth!
2. Touloose Street by Doobie Brothers
Great summertime party album.
1. Can't Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan
Picture a group of boys driving at night in the summertime killing time in their little podunk town singing at the top of their lungs "Dirty Work" To this day, I'm still not embarrassed by that.

10. Court & Spark by Joni Mitchell
9. The Harder They Come by Soundtrack - Jimmy Cliff & Others
8. Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek & The Dominoes
7. Moondance by Van Morrision
6. Every Picture Tells A Story by Rod Stewart
5. Blood On The Tracks by Bob Dylan
4. Who's Next by The Who
3. Exile On Main Street by The Rolling Stones
2. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
1. Never Mind The Bullocks, Here Come The Sex Pistols by The Sex Pistols

10. Elvis Costello by My Aim Is True
He hasn't bested it yet. And Elvis continues to do some amazing stuff.
9. Exile On Main Street by Rolling Stones
The Stones' great blues album.
8. Houses Of The Holy by Led Zeppelin
Three remarkable songs; Song Remains the Same, The Ocean and Over the Hills and Far Away.
7. The Cars by The Cars
A fantastic, fresh sound. Candy-O was excellent, too.
6. Station To Station by Bowie
So what does it mean to have the Thin White Duke returning to throw darts in lovers' eyes? A cocaine fantasy, perhaps?
5. Can't Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan
Many toasty moments in college listening to this one. All the Dan albums are great.
4. Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young
Marlon Brando, Pocahontas and me. What else is there?
3. Blood On The Tracks by Bob Dylan
If you were too young to get Dylan in the 60's, he gave you another chance in the 70's.
2. St. Dominics Preview by Van Morrison
From the catchy R-and-B of Jackie Wilson Said and Redwood Tree to the unique experimentation of Listen to the Lion and Almost Independence Day. And a damn good title cut. One of Van's most underrated.
1. Moondance by Van Morrison
Only the title cut stands in the way. Otherwise, this one would be flawless, with Caravan still lifting it into the stratosphere

10. Eagles by Hotel California
Probably should be rated higher here, but what can I say. Certainly a classic record. Henley and the guys recorded and re-recorded the title track over 100 times before they okayed it for the album.
9. Steely Dan by Aja
Difficult to categorize as true rock and roll, but musically Fagan and Becker are tops. Most original.
8. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
This is best when the lights are off, candles lit, and there's enough rum and coke to go around.
7. Bob Seger And The Silver Bullet Band by Night Moves
The title track is magic.
6. Styx by The Grand Illusion
It speaks for itself.
5. Ted Nugent by Cat Scratch Fever
Classic cover of Uncle Ted, who still rocks at 51! Every song on the record is great: loud, brash and full of no-holds-barred rock and roll.
4. Kiss by Alive
One of the highest-selling live albums out there. It's a rush hearing it, even today.
3. Kansas by Leftoverture
Their heyday smash "Carry On Wayward Son" made it on the record by chance. Kerry Livgren just happened to test it for the band just as they were packing up to leave the studio with what they believed was a finished record. Good thing they hung around and gave Kerry their collective listening ear.
2. Aerosmith by Aerosmith
This is actually the very first album I purchased with my own money. I was 13 and played it on my parents' stereo console maybe a thousand times a day for weeks. My father couldn't stand it, but I played it anyway.
1. Boston by Boston
The first time I ever heard "More Than A Feeling" I went out and bought the LP within the hour and still love it to this day. What a classic.

10. Second Album by Roy Buchanan
TALK ABOUT SOME GREAT GUITAR PLAYING
9. Tyranny And Mutation by Blue Oyster Cult
LONG LIVE BUCK DHARMA
8. The Inner Mounting Flame by Mahavishnu Orchestra
7. Getting Ready by Freddie King
MY FAVORITE KING
6. Exitable Boy by Warren Zevon
SEND LAWYERS, GUNS AND MONEY!!!!
5. Welcome To The Dance by Sons Of Champlin
AMERICA'S BEST UNKNOWN BAND
4. Street Survivors by Lynyrd Skynyrd
TRAGEDY AT THE PEAK OF THEIR POWERS
3. Waiting For Columbus by Little Feat
I SURE DO MISS LOWELL GEORGE
2. London Calling by The Clash
ANOTHER MASTERPIECE
1. Natty Dread by Bob Marley And The Wailers
ACTUALLY MAY FAVE ALBUM OF ALL TIME...CAUGHT THEM TWICE LIVE AND THEY WERE TRANSCENDENT SHOWS

10. Gold & Platnium by Lynyrd Skynyrd
This has all the best Skynyrd songs. "Down South Junkie" "Whats Your Name" "Sweet Home Alabama" "Free Bird" "That Smell" "Whiskey Rock A Roller" and "Tuesdays Gone" 1979
9. High Voltage by AC/DC
"Its a long way from the top(If you wanna rock n roll)" "The Jack" and "T.N.T." are killer songs. 1976
8. Toys In The Attic by Aerosmith
Hard to believe Aerosmith has been around nearly 30 years. Their hits from the 70's are better then their hits from the 80's and 90's. Like "Dream On" & "Walkin the Dog" off their debute 1973. And Same old song and Dance off Get Your Wings 1974. And "Walk This Way" and "Sweat Emotion" off this record. 1975
7. Lightning To The Nations by Diamond Head
I got turned on to Diamond Head after hearing Metallica cover "Helpless, Am I Evil, Its Electric, and The Prince" all on this album. "Sucking My Love" "Shoot Out the Lights" and "We Wont Be Back" are also great songs.
6. The Wall by Pink Floyd
I consider Pink Floyd one of the greatest onlong with Black Sabbath, Metallica, The Beatles, Led Zep, Jimi Hendrix, AC/DC and Pantera. Songs like "Another Brick in the Wall 1,2&3" "Goodbye Blue Sky" "Young Lust" and "Goodbye Cruel World" makes this one of the greatest albums ever. I also love "Dark Side of the Moon" and I plan on getting their "Echoes Best of Pink Floyd"
5. Motorhead by Motorhead
Great Fuckin album. 1977
4. Highway To Hell by AC/DC
Classic songs like "Highway to Hell" "If you want blood you got it" "Girls Got Rhythm" "Touch to Much" and Shot Down in Flames. 1979
3. Masters Of Reality by Black Sabbath
Great fuckin album. 1971
2. We've Sold Our Soul For Rock N Roll by Black Sabbath
This is their greatest hits album. It has all the classic songs. "Iron Man" my fav "Sweat Leaf" "War Pigs" "NIB" 1976
1. Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
I like Sabbath better but this Zeppelin album is the shit

10. Mott by Mott The Hoople
THE MOST MOVING CLASSIC ROCK RECORD I'VE EVER LISTENED TO.
9. The Clash (american Release:1979) by The Clash
THE DEFINITIVE PUNK ROCK RECORD.(Avoid original british version released in 1977- It's inferior.)
8. Every Picture Tells A Story by Rod Stewart
IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE OR ADMIT IT BUT AT ONE POINT ROD WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST ROCKERS OUT THERE. SHOWS TREMENDOUS HEART ON THE RECORD.
7. Siren by Roxy Music
THE BEST PROGRESSIVE/ART ROCK ALBUM EVER MADE. WHY? BECAUSE IT ACTUALLY ROCKS!
6. Who's Next by The Who
ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL & EXPANSIVE RECORDS EVER MADE BEFORE IT BECAME A WARHORSE THANKS TO A.O.R. (Get the remastered version w/ bonus tracks for convincing proof)
5. Layla (and Other Assorted Love Songs) by Derek & The Dominoes
THE RECORD ON WHICH ERIC FINALLY REALIZES HIS FULL POTENTIAL AND HEEDS THE CALLING. EVERYTHING HE'S DONE SINCE IS ONE LONG SNOOZE.
4. Moondance by Van Morrison
DON'T LET THE SONGS BREVITY FOOL YOU. THIS IS SOME THE MOST SOUL SEARCHING MUSIC EVER MADE.
3. Innervisions by Stevie Wonder
AN EARLY PEAK FOR THE WONDER BOY. TELLS IT LIKE IT IS.
2. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
THE MOST EXUBERANT CLASSIC ROCK RECORD. GREIL MARCUS DESCRIBED IT AS A "57 CHEVY RUNNING ON MELTED DOWN CRYSTALS RECORDS". NUFF SAID.
1. What's Going On by Marvin Gaye
BOLD,DARING,MOURNFUL,HOPEFUL AND WAY AHEAD OF IT'S TIME.