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
Musician's musicians - writing very complex music, yet managing to stay on the radio waves for all of the 70's and then some. All their albums from this time period are great.
9. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
Elton was all over the radio, and album put him over the top.
8. Rumors by Fleetwood Mac
Just can't leave this album out. They just about owned the later 70's. Great album, easy listening.
7. Fulfillingnesses First Finale by Stevie Wonder
This is my favorite Stevie Wonder album, though I enjoy his old and new work. At the very least, add Talking Book, Innervision, Songs in the Key of Life and Hotter Than July.
6. Boston by Boston
Great songwritiing and performance, but the real standout here is the care taken in the studio. This is way over the top production and - it doesn't get much better, but it is what much of the 70's strived for.
5. One Of A Kind by Bill Bruford
Ok... can we get away from all the pop for a minute? Bill Bruford was the drummer for Yes, and on this solo outing he teams up with Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Berlin and Dave Stewart... incredible.
4. Breakfast In America by Supertramp
Four number one hits, but if you bought this album you know that every song is top notch. This is studio perfection, and great musicianship.
3. Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
I said I could list all their albums, so got to include this one. That's it... just assume the rest are in here. Pick your favorite.
2. Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin
The greatest band ever. I could list all their albums, but I'll be nice.
1. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
Everybody loves this album. Well conceived.

10. Run To The Hills by Iron Madien
you better run
9. Parinoid by Black Sabbeth
to the darkness we go
8. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Chep by AC/DC
be dirty i wont tell
7. Swamp Music by Lynard Skynard
to the south
6. Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple
set a fire
5. Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix
find your inner hippie man
4. My Generation by The Who
make peace and party
3. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zepplin
best zepplin song ever !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. Hair Of The Dog by Nazareth
start headbanging
1. Schools Out by Alice Copper
feels like the last day of school

10. Journey by In The Beginning
This compilation album has the Journey's first three albums, when Greg Rolie was the lead singer.
9. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
This album is way better and less appreciated than the overplayed Dark Side and The Wall.
8. Second's Out by Genesis
This live album is Genesis at it's finest, with great drumming by Phil Collins.
7. ELP by Emerson Lake And Palmer
I love their first album
6. Close To The Edge by Yes
This live double-album contains all their great early music.
5. Live In Tokyo by Deep Purple
This live album rocks.
4. The Allman Brothers - Live At The Fillmore by The Allman Brothers
Shining guitar work and drumming.
3. Led Zeppelin III by Led Zeppelin
Made while in holiday in Snowdonia, this is the purest blues album by Led Zeppelin. Great songs include Gallow Poles, Since I've Been Loving You, Friends, and Tangerine. Much better than IV.
2. Tommy by The Who
Released in 1969 or 1970, this album is just plain fun.
1. Who's Next by The Who
Songs like Bargain, Won't Get Fooled Again, and The Song Is Over make this a great album - one of the best.

10. Soundtrack 'FM' by Various Artists
Lots of good stuff.
9. Don't Shoot Me I'm The Only Piano Player by Elton John
This album got me through high school.
8. Rumours / Fleetwood Mac by Fleetwood Mac
They tied. I couldn't list one ahead of the other one.
7. Against The Wind by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
Bob Seger never had a bad song.
6. Chronicle by Credense Clearwater Revival
Most of the great CCR songs are here.
5. No Secrets by Carly Simon
Side one is fantastic, even though it's a "girl" album.
4. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Is Pink Floyd an album band or what?
3. Gold And Platinum by Lynyrd Skynyrd
A good tribute to them after the plane crash.
2. Tres Hombres by ZZ Top
Great album.
1. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
WOW! And have you ever listened to it and watched The Wizard of Oz at the same time?

10. Reo Speedwagon by You Get What You Play For
9. Genesis by Foxtrot
8. Kiss by Alive
7. Kansas by Leftoverture
6. Angel by Angel
JUST AWESOME
5. Deep Purple by In Rock
4. Captain Beyond by Sufficiently Breathless
MUST HAVE
3. Be Bop Deluxe by Live In The Air Age
GREAT LIVE ALBUM
2. Jeff Beck by Blow By Blow
KICKS
1. Captain Beyond by Captain Beyond
EVERY ROCK FAN SHOULD HUNT THIS DOWN

10. 2112 by Rush
1976: Mercury Records Simply awesome. Neal Peart's lyrics layered on top of Lifeson's and Lee's music reached their zenith with this album. Yes, they had better selling albums in the early 80s, but the creativity displayed in the title track marks Rush at their finest.
9. In The City by The Jam
1977: Polygram/Mercury Mod became fashionable again. Short catchy sings defined the all too short career of this band
8. The Clash by The Clash
1977: Columbia Records (UK), 1979: Columbia Records (US) The Clash City Rockers took being a garageband to new heights with this recording. Edgier than London Calling, and far more palateable than the Sex Pistols.
7. Summertime Dream by Gordon Lightfoot
1976: Warner Brothers/Reprise Get past 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald' and you realize that this is an awesome album
6. Boston by Boston
1976: Columbia/Epic records One listen to this album and you know why it is the biggest selling debut album of all time (although one has to wonder how Whitney Houston held that title for a few years in the late 80s and 90s - Thank You Boston fans for replacing your vinyl copies with CDs to reclaim the title!)
5. Chicago III by Chicago
1970: Columbia records The group released 3 double albums in less than two years, all certified platinum.
4. Chicago (aka Chicago II) by Chicago
1970: Columbia Records A great album. It was a toss-up as to whether Chicago III would be here or Chicago II....Chicago II won the coin toss
3. Bare Trees by Fleetwood Mac
1972: Warner Brothers/Reprise An excellent album. Not the Blues line-up the band started out with, nor the Rumours line-up, but this Bob Welch line-up created a very good album. Sadly the last Fleetwood Mac album to feature Danny Kirwan
2. Electric Warrior by T. Rex
1971: Warner Brothers The album that made him big in the UK. I prefer his folky Tyrannosaurus Rex from the late 60s, but the simplicity of the songs just makes this album irresistable.
1. Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division
1979: Factory Records (outside of USA), Qwest Records (USA) Official debut of one of Britain's most influential bands

10. Who Are You by The Who
If I had my way, all of the Who's albums would be tied at number one.
9. Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones
8. Houses Of The Holy by Led Zeppelin
Can you see what my favorite band are?
7. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
6. Quadrophenia by The Who
The Who is my favorite band.
5. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
4. Led Zeppelin IV (ZOSO) by Led Zeppelin
3. Exile On Main Street by The Rolling Stones
Yes
2. Live At Leeds by The Who
Best live concert by one of the greatest bands.
1. Who's Next by The Who
Love it, simply put.

10. Still Alive And Well by Johnny Winter
His best album.
9. First Rays Of A New Rising Sun by Jimi Hendrix
Makes you wonder where he could have gone.
8. Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek And The Dominoes
A classic.
7. I've Got My Own Album to Do by Ron Wood
A great, and very overlooked album.
6. A Nod Is As Good As A Wink... To A Horse by The Faces
Another classic, their only album to get decently popular in America.
5. Burn by Deep Purple
Great Album, shows how diverse the voices of David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes were, and gave Richie Blackmoore a better chance to show off.
4. Long Player by The Faces
One of the most overlooked albums by one of the most overlooked bands of all time. They're a personal favorite.
3. Houses Of The Holy by Led Zeppelin
Very diverse and creative.
2. Exile On Mainstreet by The Rolling Stones
Their best album, had an overall feel that nothing can match.
1. Live At Fillmore East by The Allman Brothers Band
The best live album of all time, with the possible competition of how the west was won by Led Zeppelin

10. Fleetwood Mac by Rumors
Favorite is "Don't Stop".
9. Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
Great memories of my high school class trip to University of Notre Dame.
8. Close To You by The Carpenters
All the best songs, "Close to You", "We've Only Just Begun"...
7. Tapestry by Carole King
All my favorite tunes including "You've Got a Friend".
6. Tommy by The Who
Best song: "I'm FREE".
5. Fragile by Yes
I just LOVE Roundabout and always will.
4. If You Love Me Let Me Know by Olivia Newton John
I love the title song and "I Honestly Love You".
3. Madman Across The Water by Elton John
Who can forget "Tiny Dancer"?
2. America by America
Cool, thoughtful tunes, including "Horse with no name".
1. Chicago At Carnegie Hall by Chicago
Has all the sock hop hits: "Beginnings", "Colour My World", "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?", "25 or 6 to 4".

10. Boston by Boston
Ok, I admit it....it's pretty damn good.. Admit it!!
9. Greatest Hits by Carole King
Only love is real - everything else illusion. So true on every level..
8. Permanent Waves by Rush
Still curling my progressive music toes..
7. Greatest Hits by Elton John
The only regret - no Someone Saved my life tonight.
6. Hemispheres by Rush
So good the words just can't come out!
5. Leftoverture by Kansas
Pure musical perfection on every level...
4. Grand Illusion by Styx
Guilty pleasure - I admit it! Now stop laughing!
3. Rumors by Fleetwood Mac
Made me want to shag Steevie Nicks rotten baby!
2. The Wall by Pink Floyd
Two albums of masterful arrangements, music, and effects.
1. Hotel California by Eagles
Simply perfect.