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. Breakfast In America by Supertramp
Goodbye 1979, Hello 1980. Why can't you be more like your older brother?
9. Fragile by Yes
Crisp. Recorded and played with such precision it will send shivers up your back.
8. Goodbye To Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
Long. I wish it were longer.
7. Rumors by Fleetwood Mac
Could anything possibly be nicer to hear someone say to you than "You Make Loving Fun"?
6. Off The Wall by Michael Jackson
Your mission: Side One- Win girl over with your awesome dance moves. Side Two- Makes sweet love to her.
5. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
Outerspace, heartbeats, doormen, roadies, guitar solos, and Roger as pessemistic as ever. Classic Floyd.
4. Nilson Schmilsson by Harry Nilsson
As eclectic and beautiful as the man himself.
3. Who's Next by The Who
None rocked harder. Ever.
2. Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones
Sticky Fingers = Sex. From tales of slave owning rapists "Brown Sugar" to coked out desparation "Moonlight Mile" this is the Stones best album.
1. Aja by Steely Dan
Looking for love (or maybe just casual sex) during happy hour in a San Fernando Valley fern bar Christmas, 1977 style.

10. Glass Houses by Billy Joel
9. Second Helping by Lynyrd Skynyrd
8. Piano Man by Billy Joel
7. Greatest Hits Volume 1 by Eagles
6. Van Halen II by Van Halen
5. Fire On The Mountain by Charlie Daniels Band
4. Pronounced Lynyrd Skynyrd by Lynyrd Skynyrd
3. One More From The Road by Lynyrd Skynyrd
2. Van Halen by Van Halen
1. Hotel California by Eagles

10. Starsailor by Tim Buckley
JUST A FEW WORDS: WHAT'S THE REASON WHY THIS ALBUM HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED ON CD YET?
9. All Things Must Pass by George Harrison
YEAH, I KNOW THE THIRD LP (ON THE VINYL VERSION) -THE JAM SESSION- IS BORING AND UNNECESSARY BUT WHAT ABOUT THE INCREDIBEL 18 SEONGS ON THE OTHER TWO RECORDS. I DON'T BELIEVE HARRISON WAS AS GREAT AS LENNON AND MACCARTNET BUT HE WAS REALLY GOD-INSPIRED DURING A COUPLE OF YEARS
8. Innervisions by Stevie Wonder
THERE ARE SO MANY WONDERFUL ALBUMS BY STEVIE THAT I DON'T REALLY KNOW IF I'VE CHOSEN THE BEST ONE: WHO COULD KNOW WITH A BUNCH OF ALBUMS LIKE MUSIC OF THE MIND, TALKING BOOK, SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE, WHOOO! ISN'T IT A PITY THAT THIS GUY ENDED WRITING SHIT LIKE ANY OF HIS 80'S OR 90'S ALBUM?
7. The Man Machine by Kraftwerk
MY ORIGINS AS A MUSICAL FANATIC ARE BASED ON 60'S ROCK AND POP BRITISH BANDS; BEATLES, STONES, WHO, KINKS,... AND KRAFTWERK IS THE BAND THAT OPENED MY EYES ABOUT ELECTRONICAL MUSIC.
6. Never Mind The Bollocks by The Sex Pistols
WHAT CAN I TELL YOU ABOUT THIS ONE? BEST PUNK ALBUM EVER! I'M NOT SURE IF THE SEX PISTOLS WERE REALLY A GREAT BAND: THEY JUST RELEASED THIS ALBUM WHILE THEY WERE GOING ON AND I TEND TO SUPPOSE THEY COULDN'T HAVE SURPASSED IT EVER; AND, HEY, IT'S TRUE THEY DIDN'T PLAY THEIR INSTRUMENTS ON THE RECORD BUT, ANYWAY, THE ALBUM IS MAGNIFICENT
5. Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young
I'VE CHOSEN RUST NEVER SLEEPS BUT I LOVE SO MANY NEIL YOUNG'S ALBUMS THAT I'M NOT REALLY SURE: EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS IS KNOWHERE, AFTER THE GOLD RUSH, HARVEST, TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT, ...). I THINK THIS IS THE BEST ONE BECAUSE IT SHOWS BOTH PARTS OF YOUNG'S REPERTOIRE: THE ACOUSTIC ONE AND THE ALMOST PRE-GRUNGE ONE.
4. Who's Next by The Who
THE WHO GO THIRD ON MY PERSONAL LIST OF FAVOURITE BANDS; I KNOW WHO'S NEXT EXISTS BECAUSE OF A FAILURE: LIFEHOUSE BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER: THEY NEVER SOUNDED SO INCREDIBLY RAW AND URGENT (ALTOUGH THE WHO SELL OUT, TOMMY AND SPECIALLY LIVE AT LEEDS AND QUADROPHENIA ARE MASTERWORKS TOO).
3. Exile On Main Street by The Rolling Stones
I'VE JUST SAID TAHT THE BEATLES ARE THE GREATEST BUT I MUST RECOGNIZE THE STONES GET VERY CLOSE. EXILE IS THEIR LAST PIECE OF SAVAGE AND GREAT ROCK; LET'S FACE IT: NOT EVEN SOME GIRLS IS BETTER THAN EXILE: JUST EARLIER ALBUMS COULD BE CONSIDERED BE BETTER THAN THE ONE HERE (AND THEN AGAIN, UP TO 72 THE STONES HAVE RECORDED A LOT OF ETERNAL ALBUMS: AFTERMATH, BEGGAR'S BANQUET, LET IT BLEED, STICKY FINGERS,...)
2. Plastic Ono Band by John Lennon
THE BEATLES WERE THE GREATEST AND IT'S A SHAME THEY BROKE UP SO SOON: LISTENING TO INDIVIDUAL FIRST ALBUMS BY JOHN, PAUL AND GEORGE, I BELIEVE THEY COULD'VE MADE GREAT RECORDS UNTIL MID-70'S. PLASTIC ONO BAND, THE VERY REAL FIRST EFFORT BY LENNON, IS ONE OF THE MOST HARDS ALBUM EVER 'CAUSE IT'S SO NUDE, PAINFUL, SINCERE AND RAW. IMAGINE IS ALSO A FANTASTIC ALBUM BUT I PREFER THIS ONE
1. What's Going On by Marvin Gaye
AFTER SO MANY HIT SINGLES IN THE SIXTIES, MARVIN GAYE FINALLY RECORDED AN ENTIRE ALBUM FULL OF MEMORABLE SONGS AND ARRANGEMENTS: THE BEST "SOUL-SIMPHONY EVER!

10. Stand by Sly & The Family Stone
A positive & uplifting musical statement, the brightside to the group's darker side heard on the follow-up "There's A Riot Going On." Everything about this album works and there is alot here: Astounding funk, irresistible melodies, psychedelicized guitars, deep rythyms, great song craft and the flowering of Sly's social conscious. The result is a stunning record that can easily pass for a greatest hits collection for people who've never listened to the group.
9. Madman Across The Water by Elton John
Since they are similar in sound & scope, it's hard to choose one Elton John album from the early 70s. Like most of his early work, this album is driven by sweeping string arrangements, which give the crafty lyrics a richly dark and haunting edge. The album's merit is founded upon character sketches "Levon" and "Razor Face," or the melodramatic "Tiny Dancer" and the title track.
8. Moondance by Van Morrison
Although people site "Astral Weeks" as Morrison's greatest album, this brilliant album is every much a classic and perhaps even more. The album retains Astral's deeply spiritual thrust, but it transcends the bleak, cathartic images and instead explores themes of renewal and redemption. This is apparent during songs like "A Brand New Day," and "Into the Mystic," a song of such elemental beauty and grace as to stand as arguably the quintessential Morrison moment.
7. Talking Book by Stevie Wonder
The flowering of Stevie Wonder in the 70s arose from the artistic freedom granted the 21-year-old by a new contract which liberated him from the confinement of Motown (the same guys who didn't think Gaye's "What's Going On" was worthy of public consumption). The album boasts an innovative, instantly distinctive sound, heavy on the clavinet (an electric piano) and ARP and Moog synthesizers. Although most of the songs address relationships, is also a political edge, heard on the bitter "Big Brother," which went beyond the more optimistic statements of Marvin Gaye. Overall, "Talking Book" operates at a level most artists never come near.
6. Deja Vu by Crosby Stills Nash & Young
Great song writing & consistency make this a timeless effort from an American Band that stands alone when it comes to capturing the social, political, & cultural fabric of the times.
5. What's Going On by Marvin Gaye
The greatest soul album ever recorded. The album exploded the parameters of "soul" music, featuring some of the earliest excursions into vocal multi-tracking, which produced a mature and refined groove that can still be heard with modern R&B.
4. Who's Next by The Who
Brilliant! Besides being the Who's finest hour, this album represents monumental step for rock music as a whole. Resonating with rage, cynicism, and alienation this is an album that everyone can relate to.
3. American Beauty by The Grateful Dead
Although they are known for their live performances, this album put the listener in direct contact with the group's musical roots. The album is a studio masterpiece which contains not a single discernable flaw, the group was rarely so emotionally and musically direct.
2. Exhile On Mainstreet by The Rolling Stones
The album has a shambling, expansive feel on the surface, but is underpinned by a brooding barbarous quality which reflects the trying conditions in which it was recorded. Recorded in the summer of 1971, amdist an all-out bordello of sex, woman, & booze, in the basement of Keith Richard's villa in the south of France, the group's chemistry was never again so intact.
1. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Perhap's the finest album ever recorded. A farewell to a romanticized teenage life and the beginning of the realisim that was to dominate Springsteen's work up to The River. Springsteen admitted years later: "I asked all the questions on that album that I'm still asking today."

10. Stand by Sly & The Family Stone
A positive & uplifting musical statement, the brightside to the group's darker side heard on the follow-up "There's A Riot Going On." Everything about this album works and there is alot here: Astounding funk, irresistible melodies, psychedelicized guitars, deep rythyms, great song craft and the flowering of Sly's social conscious. The result is a stunning record that can easily pass for a greatest hits collection for people who've never listened to the group.
9. Madman Across The Water by Elton John
Since they are similar in sound & scope, it's hard to choose one Elton John album from the early 70s. Like most of his early work, this album is driven by sweeping string arrangements, which give the crafty lyrics a richly dark and haunting edge. The album's merit is founded upon character sketches "Levon" and "Razor Face," or the melodramatic "Tiny Dancer" and the title track.
8. Moondance by Van Morrison
Although people site "Astral Weeks" as Morrison's greatest album, this brilliant album is every much a classic and perhaps even more. The album retains Astral's deeply spiritual thrust, but it transcends the bleak, cathartic images and instead explores themes of renewal and redemption. This is apparent during songs like "A Brand New Day," and "Into the Mystic," a song of such elemental beauty and grace as to stand as arguably the quintessential Morrison moment.
7. Talking Book by Stevie Wonder
The flowering of Stevie Wonder in the 70s arose from the artistic freedom granted the 21-year-old by a new contract which liberated him from the confinement of Motown (the same guys who didn't think Gaye's "What's Going On" was worthy of public consumption). The album boasts an innovative, instantly distinctive sound, heavy on the clavinet (an electric piano) and ARP and Moog synthesizers. Although most of the songs address relationships, is also a political edge, heard on the bitter "Big Brother," which went beyond the more optimistic statements of Marvin Gaye. Overall, "Talking Book" operates at a level most artists never come near.
6. Deja Vu by Crosby Stills Nash & Young
Great song writing & consistency make this a timeless effort from an American Band that stands alone when it comes to capturing the social, political, & cultural fabric of the times.
5. What's Going On by Marvin Gaye
The greatest soul album ever recorded. The album exploded the parameters of "soul" music, featuring some of the earliest excursions into vocal multi-tracking, which produced a mature and refined groove that can still be heard with modern R&B.
4. Who's Next by The Who
Brilliant! Besides being the Who's finest hour, this album represents monumental step for rock music as a whole. Resonating with rage, cynicism, and alienation this is an album that everyone can relate to.
3. American Beauty by The Grateful Dead
Although they are known for their live performances, this album put the listener in direct contact with the group's musical roots. The album is a studio masterpiece which contains not a single discernable flaw, the group was rarely so emotionally and musically direct.
2. Exhile On Mainstreet by The Rolling Stones
The album has a shambling, expansive feel on the surface, but is underpinned by a brooding barbarous quality which reflects the trying conditions in which it was recorded. Recorded in the summer of 1971, amdist an all-out bordello of sex, woman, & booze, in the basement of Keith Richard's villa in the south of France, the group's chemistry was never again so intact.
1. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Perhap's the finest album ever recorded. A farewell to a romanticized teenage life and the beginning of the realisim that was to dominate Springsteen's work up to The River. Springsteen admitted years later: "I asked all the questions on that album that I'm still asking today."

10. Stand by Sly & The Family Stone
A positive & uplifting musical statement, the brightside to the group's darker side heard on the follow-up "There's A Riot Going On." Everything about this album works and there is alot here: Astounding funk, irresistible melodies, psychedelicized guitars, deep rythyms, great song craft and the flowering of Sly's social conscious. The result is a stunning record that can easily pass for a greatest hits collection for people who've never listened to the group.
9. Madman Across The Water by Elton John
Since they are similar in sound & scope, it's hard to choose one Elton John album from the early 70s. Like most of his early work, this album is driven by sweeping string arrangements, which give the crafty lyrics a richly dark and haunting edge. The album's merit is founded upon character sketches "Levon" and "Razor Face," or the melodramatic "Tiny Dancer" and the title track.
8. Moondance by Van Morrison
Although people site "Astral Weeks" as Morrison's greatest album, this brilliant album is every much a classic and perhaps even more. The album retains Astral's deeply spiritual thrust, but it transcends the bleak, cathartic images and instead explores themes of renewal and redemption. This is apparent during songs like "A Brand New Day," and "Into the Mystic," a song of such elemental beauty and grace as to stand as arguably the quintessential Morrison moment.
7. Talking Book by Stevie Wonder
The flowering of Stevie Wonder in the 70s arose from the artistic freedom granted the 21-year-old by a new contract which liberated him from the confinement of Motown (the same guys who didn't think Gaye's "What's Going On" was worthy of public consumption). The album boasts an innovative, instantly distinctive sound, heavy on the clavinet (an electric piano) and ARP and Moog synthesizers. Although most of the songs address relationships, is also a political edge, heard on the bitter "Big Brother," which went beyond the more optimistic statements of Marvin Gaye. Overall, "Talking Book" operates at a level most artists never come near.
6. Deja Vu by Crosby Stills Nash & Young
Great song writing & consistency make this a timeless effort from an American Band that stands alone when it comes to capturing the social, political, & cultural fabric of the times.
5. What's Going On by Marvin Gaye
The greatest soul album ever recorded. The album exploded the parameters of "soul" music, featuring some of the earliest excursions into vocal multi-tracking, which produced a mature and refined groove that can still be heard with modern R&B.
4. Who's Next by The Who
Brilliant! Besides being the Who's finest hour, this album represents monumental step for rock music as a whole. Resonating with rage, cynicism, and alienation this is an album that everyone can relate to.
3. American Beauty by The Grateful Dead
Although they are known for their live performances, this album put the listener in direct contact with the group's musical roots. The album is a studio masterpiece which contains not a single discernable flaw, the group was rarely so emotionally and musically direct.
2. Exhile On Mainstreet by The Rolling Stones
The album has a shambling, expansive feel on the surface, but is underpinned by a brooding barbarous quality which reflects the trying conditions in which it was recorded. Recorded in the summer of 1971, amdist an all-out bordello of sex, woman, & booze, in the basement of Keith Richard's villa in the south of France, the group's chemistry was never again so intact.
1. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Perhap's the finest album ever recorded. A farewell to a romanticized teenage life and the beginning of the realisim that was to dominate Springsteen's work up to The River. Springsteen admitted years later: "I asked all the questions on that album that I'm still asking today."

10. Dressed To Kill by Kiss
NICE SUITS COOL SONGS
9. Hotter Than Hell by Kiss
WEIRD COVER GREAT SONGS
8. Destroyer by Kiss
BOLD STATEMENT
7. Gene Simmons by Kiss
DEMON BEATLE
6. Rock-n-roll Over by Kiss
great album,great album cover
5. Dynasty by Kiss
BEST ALBUM WORLDWIDE!OUTRAGEOUS COSTUMES!
4. Paul Stanley by Kiss
PERFECT ROCK STAR
3. Kiss by Kiss
INSTANT SHOCK!THE BEGINNING OF KISSTORY!
2. Love Gun by Kiss
BEST STUDIO ALBUM ,SONGS FROM EACH MEMBER.
1. Kiss Alive! by Kiss
BEST LIVE ALBUM EVER!

10. Tommy by The Who
Who? The pinball wizard. See me, feel me-e-hee....... weird but an excellent Who album.
9. Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie
Is this still the 70's? I hope so. Ziggy rules.
8. Harvest by Neil Young
One of Neil Young's definative albums. Bittersweet and folky, with a touch of rock. This should have at least #5.
7. Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
Zep once again. I concur; double album that rocks out straight through. Don't forget Kasmir.... Its a shame what Puffy did, really.
6. The White Album by The Beatles
I've seen this pressed on actual white vinyl. My friend's little brother colored on it with crayons years ago. Luckily, he was punished severely.
5. Sex Machine (double) by James Brown
Da Godfather.
4. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
Synths in the 70s? Wow. This album is momumental, and way ahead of its time.
3. Zoso - IV by Led Zeppelin
Stairway to Heaven, Black Dog. Hey hey Mama said the way you move.......
2. Paranoid by Black Sabbath
Ozzy? This album is Sabbath in there prime.
1. Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin II
First and hardest rock, with Bonzo on drums. A heavy hitter.

10. Led Zepplin IV by Led Zepplin
Stairway to Heaven...in my opinion the Best song EVER recorded.
9. Van Halen II by Van Halen
More great Rock from an awsome band!
8. Van Halen by Van Halen
Great Debut album!
7. Venus And Mars by Wings
Paul McCartney....favorite Beatle. Listen To What The Man Said...great summer song!
6. The Long Run by Eagles
Very tough to rank this behind Hotel but that song and New Kid in Town are just too strong. I really liked I Can't Tell You Why and Sad Cafe.
5. Hotel California by Eagles
The bands best but only by a whisper.
4. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
Remember when this came out?! What great songs. Not anymore I can say.
3. Buckingham-Nicks by Buckingham-Nicks
Bettre than "Rumours" because of it's clean crisp sound. Great buy if you can still find it. I paid $50 for a mint copy 2 years ago to go along with my original.
2. Boston by Boston
Iknow, I know...with my screen name why isn't this lp #1? Well I just liked the Foreigner Lp a little better...almost a tie though.
1. Double Vision by Foreigner
Great LP...loved the song Spellbinder, along with the hits. A "Complete" LP

10. Hotel California by Eagles
Just a great collection of songs, most notably the grandiose title track.
9. Aqualung by Jethro Tull
A fine release from one of classic rock's most underrated bands.
8. Pronounced Linn-erd Skin-nerd by Lynyrd Skynyrd
The debut of southern rock's most beloved rockers.
7. 2112 by Rush
The Canadian trio's best from the 70's. The title track alone is worth it.
6. Exile on Main St. by Rolling Stones
One of the great double albums.
5. Let It Be by The Beatles
The Fab Four's last release, and one of their best.
4. Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd
Moody, creepy, and spaced out. Listen to it with the lights down low and you'll agree. Pink Floyd's greatest effort.
3. ZOSO (Led Zeppelin IV) by Led Zeppelin
This is the album with Stairway to Heaven and Rock and Roll. Enough said.
2. Who's Next by The Who
Their most complete album. Baba O' Riley and Won't Get Fooled Again are all time classics.
1. Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
In my opinion, the greatest album of all time. Of course I'm a little biased since Zeppelin is my all time favorite band. An essential for any fan of hard rock.