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. Aja by Steely Dan
Deacon Blues, Josie, Aja, Black Cow, what more can you say? Steely Dan in many ways personifies the thoughtful, somewhat sardonic, thinking side of 70's rock and I just plain like their sound.
9. Hotel California by Eagles
Still a classic today, and an enduring commentary on the evils and ills of the entertainment business and it raunchier side.
8. Boston by Boston
This band in many ways is 70's mainstream rock to me. I listen to this album even today and marvel at the simplicity of the arrangements and how they just reach and grab you.
7. Live At The Fillmore East by Allman Brothers Band
The best live album ever recorded by one of the best blues-rock bands ever to play. Truly classic and like nothing before or since. Contains one of the most incredible live songs I have ever heard, a 22 minute version of Whipping Post that is unforgettable.
6. The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys by Traffic
An album than trancends the time period in which it was created and one that still stands the test of time. Truly a departure from earlier efforts by the band such as John BarleyCorn Must Die, this album makes no folk pretensions and unleashes Steve Winwood Jim Capaldi, Ric Grech and the magical flute of Chris Wood upon the world.
5. Moondance by Van Morrison
Maybe not his best album of the 70's but his most commercially palatable. Astral Weeks was for more creative and inspired but Moondance stands as a testament to the versatility, singing and songwriting of this master of blue eyed soul.
4. Born To Rurn by Bruce Springsteen
A journey through the angst, heartache and hope of young lower middle class america. Springsteen defined a decade for me with poetry inspired lyrical allusions and his vision of life is a wild ride down a dark highway.
3. Led Zeppelin (IV) by Led Zeppelin
A crashing melodic triumph that truly helped me understand the fusion between the Mississippi delta blues and British rock.
2. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
Truely hot and steaming with the passion, pain and pathos of the band's romantic turmoil. Fiery guitar licks, willowly vocals, starry allegories and real human heartbreak make this one of the best albums ever made.
1. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
Timeless, mystical and inspired. This album was and is a once in a lifetime creation. Perfect.

10. Equinox by Styx
THE Styx album released in 1975 before they became "Just another band"
9. Knock'em Dead Kid by Trooper
An Album amoung Albums... plays today like yesterday was not so long ago (Like 1977)
8. Destroyer by Kiss
Only one top ten Song but the "Greatest Band in the Land... KISS"
7. Welcome To My Nightmare by Alice Cooper
Theme... what theme. Hail Alice
6. Foot Loose And Fancy Free by Rod Steward
Rod at his best... Gotta love the voice and the melodys
5. High In Fidelity by REO Speedwagon
Just good old fashioned "car drivin' music" at its best
4. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap by AC DC
Classic AC/DC... rest in peace Bon
3. Four Wheel Drive by BTO
Hard and Fast... thats the way I like it
2. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
I know every word to every song... and so does most of the world.
1. Hotel California by The Eagles
Clearly the best album by the best band EVER

10. Led Zeppelin III (1970) by Led Zeppelin
Three Favourite Tracks: #1. Immigrant Song #2. That's The Way #3. Tangerine
9. The Wall (1979) by Pink Floyd
Three Favourite Tracks: #1. Comfortably Numb #2. Young Lust #3. Mother
8. Off The Wall (1979) by Michael Jackson
Three Favourite Tracks: #1. Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough #2. Rock With You #3. Off The Wall
7. Van Halen (1978) by Van Halen
Three Favourite Tracks: #1. Runnin' With The Devil #2. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love #3. Jamie's Cryin'
6. Who's Next? (1971) by The Who
Three Favourite Tracks: #1. Baba O'Riley #2. Won't Get Fooled Again #3. Bargain
5. Nevermind The Bollocks (1977) by The Sex Pistols
Three Favourite Tracks: #1. Anarchy In The UK #2. God Save The Queen #3. Submission
4. What's Going On? (1971) by Marvin Gaye
Three Favourite Tracks: #1. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) #2. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) #3. What's Going On
3. Paranoid (1971) by Black Sabbath
Three Favourite Tracks: #1. Iron Man #2. Hand Of Doom #3. War Pigs
2. Dark Side Of The Moon (1973) by Pink Floyd
Three Favourite Tracks: #1. Time #2. Money #3. Us And Them
1. Led Zeppelin IV (1971) by Led Zeppelin
Three Favourite Tracks: #1. Black Dog #2. Stairway To Heaven #3. When The Levee Breaks

10. Paranoid by Black Sabbath
Ozzy & the boys rocked.
9. Frampton Comes Alive by Peter Frampton
Who didn't love this album?
8. Moontan by Golden Earring
A great bunch of music to listen to after smoking a joint or two.
7. Demons & Wizards by Uriah Heep
Nobody could sing like David Byron. And the music was great too.
6. Bat Out Of Hell by Meatloaf
This album was really hot!
5. III by Led Zepplin III
My favourite Led Zepplin tunes on this album.
4. The Rise & Fall Of Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie
So many great tunes by the Thin White Duke.
3. Crime Of The Century by Supertramp
Each and every song on this album was great.
2. The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway by Genesis
Peter Gabriel's best work with Genesis.
1. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
Best album ever produced. Always has been, always will be.

10. City To City by Gerry Rafferty
9. Out Of The Blue by ELO
8. Get Closer by Seals And Crofts
7. Gord's Gold by Gordon Lightfoot
6. Souvenirs by Dan Fogelberg
5. Leftoverture by Kansas
4. Boston by Boston
3. Captain And Me by Doobie Brothers
2. Eldorado by ELO
1. Ambrosia by Ambrosia

10. Three Dog Night by Golden Bisquits
Every song a classic
9. The Art Of Tea by Michael Franks
Michael is under the radar
8. Silk Degrees by Boz Skaggs
My wife and I still listen to this
7. Toto 1 by Toto
6. A1A by Jimmy Buffett
Played this album 10,000 times
5. Breakfast In America by Supertramp
4. Legend by Poco
3. Brother To Brother by Gino Vannelli
Wheels of life one of the all-time best songs
2. Late For The Sky by Jackson Browne
1. AJA by Steely Dan
Nothing even close-Black Cow and Josie

10. Paranoid-1970 by Black Sabbath
9. Bad Co.-1974 by Bad Company
8. Kiss-1974 by Kiss
7. Who's Next-1971 by The Who
6. Animals-1977 by Pink Floyd
One of their best IMO and very underrated.
5. Led Zeppelin III-1970 by Led Zeppelin
4. Pronounced Leh'-nerd Skin'-nerd-1973 by Lynyrd Skynyrd
3. Powerage-1978 by AC/DC
2. Rock Of Ages-1972 by The Band
1. Fool For The City-1975 by Foghat

10. Atome Heart Mother by Pink Floyd
9. News Of The World by Queen
8. Jazz by Queen
7. Queen I by Queen
6. A Day At The Races by Queen
5. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
4. The Wall by Pink Floyd
3. Sheer Heart Attack by Queen
2. Queen II by Queen
1. A Night At The Opera by Queen

10. In The Court Of The Crimson King by King Crimson
King Crimson created a recording that was unimaginable to people at the time. In 1969, they single-handedly invented the Progressive Rock genre, and there would be other fantastic performers to follow in their footsteps after this album. Yes, Emerson Lake and Palmer, and others defined the virtuosity of rock music in the seventies. In The Court of the Crimson King is one of the first records to contain incredibly long and fused songs, containing inspirational sounds from Jazz, Dirges, Blues, Rock, and Classical. A simply must-hear album that any rock fan must have. This album set the course for experimental rock groups of the seventies and beyond. "On soft gray mornings widows cry The wise men share a joke; I run to grasp divining signs To satisfy the hoax. The yellow jester does not play But gentle pulls the strings And smiles as the puppets dance In the court of the crimson king."
9. After The Gold Rush by Neil Young
A simply beautiful record. From front to back, a timeless listen. The title track, in particular, has got to be one of the best songs ever written. "Well I thought I saw the silver space ships flying in the yellow haze of the sun. There were children singing, and drummers drumming all around the chosen one... all in a dream..."
8. II by Led Zeppelin
This is a front-to-back listen. Led Zeppelin was composed of very respectable musicians, and a singer who really knew how to rock and entice the audience. These guys left the road open for Metal music to invade, and therefore they are highly inspirational. Much of that inspiration comes from their second release, II, which contains songs such as "Whole Lotta Love", "Moby Dick", "What Is and What Should Never Be", and "Heartbreaker". Truly, a beginning-to-end listen with no sore spots anywhere to be found. A sublime album.
7. Between Nothingness And Eternity by The Mahavishnu Orchestra
Jazz-Rock Fusion was one of the most intense subgenres of music to ever exist. One of the originators of this particular genre was The Mahavishnu Orchestra. It was an incredible project, containing some of the greatest musicians of their time. John McLaughlin on guitar, Jan Hammer on keyboard, and Billy Cobham on drums, for example. They and others created this astounding group, and this particular album showcases some of the most virtuous instrumentation to ever be recorded. This album is highly overlooked and underrated. It deserves extreme recognition from all music fans for being one of the most astounding recordings to ever be released.
6. Thick As A Brick by Jethro Tull
This album may very well be one of the most instrumentally-virtuous records ever made. It also is incredibly, poetically deep - just as much as any Dylan record. This was the first concept album that I actually 'understood' the concept of -- so it is held in a very special, reserved place in my heart. "The elastic retreat rings the close of play as the last wave uncovers the newfangled way. But your new shoes are worn at the heels and your suntan does rapidly peel and your wise men don't know how it feels to be thick as a brick."
5. A Love Supreme by John Coltrane
Simply put, this is one of the most inspirational jazz records of all time. Considering that Coltrane's style was screaming with passion already, when he started implementing that amazing free form style, it brought upon a whole other subgenre for Jazz music.
4. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
Even though my favorite Floyd record is Ummagumma, Dark Side of the Moon certainly deserves this position more. The recording and production standards were unheard of at the time, and this, along with Sgt. Pepper, started the concept album revolution. Amazing instrumentation and forming of the melody and lyrics. A timeless album. "But you are young, and life is long. And there is time to kill today. But then one day you find, ten years have got behind you. No one told you when to run... you missed the starting gun"
3. Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan
Truly timeless, poetic music. Bob Dylan became the spokesperson for an entire generation due to this album. "How does it feel? To be on your own, with no direction home? Like a complete unknown? Like a rolling stone?"
2. The Beatles (The White Album) by The Beatles
Just like Kind of Blue, The White Album set a new, very high standard for Rock N' Roll performance and musicianship. It made the Rock genre much more sophisticated than before. "I look at you all, and see all the love that's sleeping. While my guitar gently weeps. I look at the floor, and see it needs sweeping. Still, my guitar gently weeps."
1. Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis
It truly set the standards and the boundaries higher and further for Jazz recording and musicianship. Every song is majestically-crafted and performed.