Best Music of the Decade: 1960s

For anyone out there that has debated what is the top music of the decade, this blog series was created for you. I am going to take a look at each decade from the 60s to the 00s, and pick out the top one (or three) rock albums from each year of that decade. This is obviously only my opinion, and holds no weight in an argument, but I am posting it just the same. All of these albums are 5 star albums that significantly impacted music history in small ways (Sum 41) and massive ways (The Beatles). Feel free to comment, and remind me of someone I left out, or recommend a comment addition and I will do my best to edit the post. Now sit back and enjoy the best albums of the decade, and make sure to click on any album to hear a sample (except the Beatles as they do not allow that...doh):

1960s

1963

Bob Dylan: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (Wow, how do you put an artist above the Beatles? Well typically you do not, and for most rest of the decade, that will be rare, but here is probably necessary. The Beatles would have a huge impact in another year with their invastion of America, but this album is probably the best, by someone almost equal the Beatles in influence on future music. Even the Beatles would alter their music after hearing Dylan, so at the top of our list he remains. Dylan produced much more good music in years to come, but never topped this, his debut)
(click album to listen to clip)

The Beatles: Please Please Me (The album that launched a legend. This album was essentially put together in a single day after one of their singles lept up the charts. It was done so quickly that the last song, Twist and Shout, was recorded on only one take, explaining why Lennon sounds so hoarse and out of breath on it. One of the best songs ever that took under 3 minutes to produce)



The Beatles: With the Beatles (This album shows the complexity of the Beetles for the first time: here you will find rocking songs, soft ballads, twist songs, and slower melodic hits. Excellent album that bettered the first one in every way except that it surprised no one, as the Beetles were on the map)

1964

The Beatles: Hard Day's Night (The album that truly introduced the dynamic duo of Lennon and McCartney, as it is the first one with 100% originals they had written, as well as being the first where you begin to see their differences in writing and singing. Both have equal time on vocals, and both perform magically)



The Beatles: The Beatles for Sale (Maybe it was the short 5 months between this albums release and Hard Days Night, but this is the first time you hear the group sound not just tired, but a bit more dark and morose. While you will still find some happy tunes, but there are a share of dark ones as well such as I'm a Loser, No Reply, and Babys in Black. But this album also marks the first time you here folk type music mixed in, of a Bob Dylan variety. It also contains arguably their worst song of all time, Mr Moonlight. But overall, an important part of their catalogue)

1965

The Beatles: Help (This albums marks, not only more exploration into Bob Dylan type music with songs like Hide Your Love Away, but also more composition such as including string quartets into their songs. This composition would be elaborated on in albums to come, but with songs like Yesterday, it is easy to see that the Beatles had already perfected it)



The Beatles: Rubber Soul (This album marks the onset of maturity in the Beatles history. Their songs are just simply much more thoughtful on this album, something you would continue to see develop over the next half decade. This album could also be called the Beatles Grow Up)



Bob Dylan: Highway 61 Revisited (Bob Dylan was as much a product of his time as any other artist, and here you see that, with the music having much more rock n' roll than simply folk. You also begin to see the subject change to more 60s type themes such as drug use, though it never takes away from the beauty of this album. He was ever so much as talented a song writer and composer as his British counterpart the Beatles)

(click album to hear clip)

The Who: The Who sings My Generation (You mean someone else was recording music in the mid 60s? Yes there is a ton of influential music coming out at that time, it was just that the Beatles seemed to overshadow most. The Who, however, made a name for themselves that year, not by copying the Beatles style, but alterating the rock that was being played. This album is the foundation of harder rock that would come into its own in the 70s and to a greater extent in the 80s. While we don't often put The Who and bands like ACDC and Sabbath in the same breath, those rockers of the 70s had more in common with the Who than with their british beatle brothers. Few songs have ever rocked like My Generation)
(click album to listen to clip)


1966


The Beatles: Revolver (This album marks the Beatles descent into the era that was the Psychadelic late 60s, as the bands get much more trippy on this album. Sometimes it was magical, such as with Yellow Submarine, and sometimes it didn't, such as when Lennon chants the book of the dead in Tomorrow Never Knows. Also included were huge hits such as Eleanor Rigby and Good Day Sunshine. Probably their most adventurous album to date)




The Rolling Stones: Aftermath (The first time the Stones released an album of 100% original material was on this album, which was also the time they were labeled as the bad boys of rock. Songs such as Stupid Girl, Doncha bother me, and Paint it Black, only increased that status, as well as their fanbase)
(click album to listen to clip)

1967


The Doors: The Doors (One of the most controversial bands of all time also produced the single best debut rock album to date. This exceptionally complete album stands so high around the competition that for a moment they eclipsed even the Beatles in their status. This quick rise to fame would be damaged by Jim Morrison's flair for the unacceptable, though in a way that is exactly what made the Doors so memorable. Whether it was the shows cancelled for Jim's verbal abuse of cops, or his exposing his privates on stage in Miami, their legend is as much from these antics as it is their music. But it is still undeniable that the Doors produced legendary music, none of which was to the level seen on this debut album)
(click album to listen to clip)

Jimi Hendrix: Are You Experienced? (The summer of Love introduced us to some of the most legendary musicians of all time, and Jimi Hendrix was among the best to debut that summer. His incredible guitar playing talents were immediately plain to see with his initial album, one of the most stunning debut albums of all time. He introduced a style that was not only rooted in traditional music, but showed glimpses of what the future of all Rock would look like)

(click album to listen to clip)

The Beatles: Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (This album continues the psychadelic trip exploration that started on Revolver, only here they really never miss. All time favorites like Lucy in the sky with Diamonds, A Little Help from my Friends, and A Day in the Life, highlight this phenomenal album. One of their absolute bests, only missing the album of the year, by the emergence of another legend that same year with Jim Morrison at the helm)




The Beatles: Magical Mystery Tour (Things were just clicking this year for the Beatles, as they created enough songs that they simply had to release another album. This one, containing familiar songs like Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, and All You Need is Love, is another solid rock in their impressive growing catalogue)




The Who: The Who Sell Out (While retaining the hard guitar that brought them to fame, the Who were not immune to the psychadelic adventures of the time, and this is them at their trippiest. With songs like I can see for Miles, Relax, and I can't reach You, one can only imagine the trip the group was on while writing and recording this album. Still one of, if not their most monumental album)
(click album to listen to clip)


1968

The Beatles: White Album (Their longest album, the review of which depends upon who you speak to. Some think it an extended mess with no rhyme or reason, while some think it is musical genius expressing their complexity. Whatever the conclusion, there can be no doubting that it contains some must hear songs, such as Ob-La-Di, Dear Prudence, and Mr Mansons inspiration Helter Skelter. Of interest with this last song, is when it was supposedly the inspiration for the Manson family slaughter, all that was said was that the crazy man took the song wrong. A generation later when an ACDC release called Night Stalker was said to be the inspiration for serial killer Ramirez' spree in LA, bans on the group were called by opponents. Ah the innocence of the 60s, when all the critics were too stoned to criticize)




The Band: Music from the Big Pink (Though much less well known, there were moments when The Band was as popular as any group out at the time, and their influence can be seen for generations to come. They were the first to incorporate country influences into rock, which still can be heard from bands today. The one song that could be accredited with starting that movement would have to be The Weight, which also launched them into the mainstream and legendary status)
(click album to listen to clip)


Creedence Clearwater Revival: Creedence Clearwater Revival (Their debut album, and home to one of their most recognizable classics, Suzie Q. This album catapulted them to fame, and yet was just a small glimpse of the talent they really possessed. The stunning songs they would be known for were hinted at on this debut, though few of the hits on this album would eventually measure up. Still, a necessary album for your collection, as it sounds the most like the 60s of any record they produced)

(click album to listen to clip)


Big Brother & the Holding Company: Cheap Thrills (WHO? This band was one of the top of the era and I have never heard of them? Well when you realize this is the band that had Janis Joplin as its lead singer for before she went solo, you may understand their ranking. This album still ranks as one of the most important to the Summer of Love era, especially that surrounding San Francisco in the late 60s. Legendary album containing some of the most legendary hits of those psychedelic times)
(click album to listen to clip)


1969


Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin (With their stunning debut album, not only was a legend born, but the entire genre of metal was born as well. Blending influences such as Jimmy Hendrix and Cream, Zeppelin started the heavy riff laden songs that have been a staple of hard rock and metal ever since. This album is absolutely one of the most important in music history, containing such classics as Dazed and Confused, Communication Breakdown, and Babe I'm Gonna Leave You)

(click album to listen to clip)



Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin II (Yet Zeppelin was not finished with the 60s yet. They were feeling the writing bug, and quickly produced another stunning album that continued their growth with such songs as Ramble On, The Lemon Song, Moby Dick, Whole Lotta Love, etc. In fact I could just name the entire album, as this one plays like a greatest hits album with absolutely no weaknesses)
(click album to listen to clip)



Creedence Clearwater Revival: Green River (While Zeppelin was busy creating the metal genre, CCR was doing their best to create the model for southern rock for the next generation. This, there third album, is where CCR truly perfected their sound. But just don't try to get all their lyrics by listening, as they have a crazy way of saying things that are hard to understand even with the writtin lyrics in front of you...I give you exhibit number 1, Green River. Great song, no idea what he is saying)
(click album to listen to clip)



Creedence Clearwater Revival: Willie and the Poor Boys (Possibly not only their best, but definitely their funnest album, only ranking behind because it was not quite as new with the release of Green River months before. Still with monster hits like Fortunate Son, Down on the Corner, and Midnight Special, there is no doubt that this album rocks)
(click album to listen to clip)



The Beatles: Abbey Road (The Last Beatles album to be recorded, fittingly containing the song Come Together, was a strong swan song for the group before the members decided they would be better off on their own. Still the group left while on top, permanently setting in stone their status as THE band that started it all. Never has, and never again will there be a band like the Beatles)

Best Music of the Decade: 1970s

For anyone out there that has debated what is the top music of the decade, this blog series was created for you. I am going to take a look at each decade from the 60s to the 00s, and pick out the top one (or three) rock albums from each year of that decade. This is obviously only my opinion, and holds no weight in an argument, but I am posting it just the same. All of these albums are 5 star albums that significantly impacted music history in small ways (Sum 41) and massive ways (The Beatles). Feel free to comment, and remind me of someone I left out, or recommend a comment addition and I will do my best to edit the post. Now sit back and enjoy the best albums of the decade, and don't forget to click on any album title to hear a sample:

1970s

1970


Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin III (Led Zeppelin started off the 70s with a bang...and yet it was a continuation of a bang they had started the year before with the stunning release of their first two albums. No III does not let off a bit, introducing legendary songs such as Gallows Pole, the Immigrant Song and Tangerine. This last song sums up what was the greatest of bands in the new decade: they always had a bit hidden under the surface. Squeeze my lemon, Plant moans, in very unsubtle overtones...whatever was perceived, it was obvious that music was changing, not yet to the point that the little Aussie band would take it in 4 years, but changing none-the-less)
(click album to listen to clip)


The Grateful Dead: American Beauty (It is hard to put your finger on one Dead album as the greatest as they simply produced so much music, but if you had to this album would be the unanimous choice. With favorites like Sugar Magnolia, Ripple, Truckin' and Box of Rain, it is easy to see why. And if it wern't for having the Nirvana of the 70s named Zeppelin release an album at the same time, it would be an easy pick for album of the year)
(click on album to listen to clip)


The Grateful Dead: Workingman's Dead (Actually released prior to the above album, it is not on the same level as American Beauty. But don't think it doesn't hold it's own. Still a solid album with classics such as Uncle Johns Band and Casey Jones. To put out two albums like this in a career is amazing, but to do it the same year is legendary)
(click on album to listen to clip)


Creedence Clearwater Revival: Cosmo's Factory (Following up their string of hits, this album holds up fine by introducing Travelin Band, Run through the Jungle, Around the Bend, and Looking out my backdoor. A classic album by one of the more overlooked bands of this generation)
(click on album to listen to clip)


1971


Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin IV (Perhaps the most defining album of the decade. This album mixed folk, blues, and rock, in a way that defined the entire generation. For once it wasn't the white men with rock and the black man with blues, it was a blend of all. As AC/DC would say in a few short years, when these elements are combined...Let there be Rock! And rock #IV did, especially with what many consider the all time favorite song: Stairway to Heaven)
(click on album to listen to clip)



Janis Joplin: Pearl (The second and last classic album by one of the most legendary female song artists in history, deserves a top spot this year, that is if Zeppelin hadn't been around. Still this album contains many of those oh so recognizable favorites from her catalogue such as Cry Baby and Me And Bobby McGee)
(click album to listen to clip)





The Rolling Stones: Sticky Fingers (This album defined the era for one thing: it was obnoxiously reveling in the rampant drug use of the times. Few songs on the album do not mention drugs, and the ones like Brown Sugar that don't, have something similar on their mind. Still a classic album in any self respecting rock fan's collection)
(click on album to listen to clip)


Black Sabbath: Paranoid (While they did have one previous popular album the year before, this was the one that brought them to the forefront, with War Pigs and Iron Man. Black Sabbath was the inspiration for virtually every Heavy Metal and Hard Rock band to come, with its completely new method of using metal chords and muted E strings. A classic album that started an entire genre, whether you like that genre or not)
(click on album to listen to clip)


Black Sabbath: Master of Reality (Black Sabbath had found their rhythm, and kept at it that same year by releasing Master. While not quite as complete an album, it is still very very good, giving us such songs as Sweet Leaf and Children of the Grave)
(click on album to listen to clip)


1972


The Rolling Stones: Exile on Main Street (This double album is considered by many to not only be the Stones greatest, but one of the greatest in the history of rock. And at first take you may not agree, as it sounds very unlike any previous Stones album. You can see the influence that was sweeping the times by its similarity to Zeppelin IV, with its wide range of music influences. But give it a second try, as this one will grow on you)
(click album to listen to clip)


Black Sabbath: Black Sabbath Vol.4 (A decent follow up to the previous years release of two metal classics, you do start to see hints that they were running out of ideas. I mean how complex can you get with some heavy riffs right? Well as we would see, numerous bands would take them a bit further, but it was all due to sabbath clearing a path)
(click on album to listen to clip)


1973


Led Zeppelin: Houses of the Holy (How do you follow up Stairway to Heaven? Seems impossible to us common folk, but Zeppelin in their prime had no problem, releasing another stunning album. The highlight of this one has to be the Rain Song, but start to finish this deserves to be at the top of your Zeppelin wishlist)
(click on album to listen to clip)


Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon (While probably not their best album, Dark Side is the album that most defines who Pink Floyd was. Its not the lyrics or the unbelievable instrument playing that made them so popular, but instead the lay they layer music to create an atmosphere, more like composers than a modern day rock band. And as was so popular with bands like Zeppelin and Aerosmith, they blend genres together to create a unique musical experience, here borrowing from jazz, blues, and psychodelic rock)
(click on album to listen to album)


Black Sabbath: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Just when they seemed to be running dry, Sabbath reappeared for one more classic hit. They began experimenting with their sound, which turned off many die hard fans, but it opened the appeal to more people, so their popularity never wavered...that is until Sabotage, their next album, started a steady decline to eventual break up. Still a classic album in the genre)
(click on album to listen to clip)


1974


Bob Marley & the Wailers: Natty Dread (There could not be a more far off place than the hills of west Jamaica for a Legend of music to come from, but no one ever told that to Bob Marley. When he came onto the scene he single handedly introduced an entire genre to the entire world. Reggae starts and stops with Bob Marley, and at over 25 easily accessible albums at your disposal, you have enough to last you years of enjoyment. Probably one of his absolute classics, and a good place to start if you are interested in more than just what the popular Legend album has)
(click album to listen to clip)


Aerosmith: Get Your Wings (This is not your daughters Aerosmith, that of the amazed or miss a thing. This is classic original rocking aerosmith, and this is the album they became that band. Having just got their new producer that would help create the classics, this album hinted of great things to come by giving us such songs as Same ole Song and Dance, not to mention numerous other little known hits)
(click on album to listen to clip)


1975


AC/DC: High Voltage (Ok ready to be confused? There were two high voltage albums released, one in Australia and one in the US. They also released an album in the states with a different name than the one released in australia, one by the name TNT and one Dirty Deeds, both of which had slightly different songs. But their first one was Jailbreak, which had songs spread out on the above albums. Phew...whatever the confusion and whichever album you get, AC/DC was the defining Hard Rock Band of the 70s. The problem is people think of them as one band from then until today, but that is far from the truth. They should have changed their name when lead singer Bon Scott died in 1980, as they changed drastically. For an intro into the real AC/DC, this is a great place to start with Long way to the Top, TNT, and Rock n Roll Singer)
(click to album listen to clip)

Aerosmith: Toys in the Attic (Along with Rocks, these back to back albums are the dynamic duo of any Aerosmith collection. This first album is where Aerosmith perfected that Stones/Zeppelin combo sound that would produce such great music. Here we get the classics Walk this Way, Sweet Emotion, and that subtley titled classic Big Ten Inch Record)
(click on album to listen to clip)


Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti (2 years has gone by for Zeppelin, but they pick up where they left off, with another 5 star album, their 6th and final in a row. This long double album more than lives up to their growing legend, with the highlight perhaps being Kashmir.)
(click on album to listen to clip)



Pink Floyd: Wish you were Here (Musically, Floyd peaked with this album, especially with the solos by Gilmour, which showed more of a concentration on performing, instead of conducting an album. My only complaint is this album, at 5 songs is very short, although those 5 songs stretch to over 40 minutes)
(click on album to listen to clip)


1976


AC/DC: Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (One song on this album, Big Balls, sums up AC/DC of the 70s. Think of a group of 18 year olds travelling around having as much fun as they could have, and you would get AC/DC. Controversial for playing without their pants or other relatively harmless things, they developed as big a group of protestors as they did fans. But underneath you can't help but see a group of kids having fun, and playing exceptional music all the while. Title song to this album, is one of their absolute best songs)
(click album to listen to clip)


Aerosmith: Rocks (Few albums are so perfectly named as this one. What many fans consider their finest album, it together with Attic, introduce you to the real Aerosmith, before studios tamed them down for airplay. Classic rock album, one that I can't even pick out one song as better than the rest because they all truly do Rock)
(click on album to listen to clip)


Boston: Boston (Often overlooked in an era of so much great music, but rarely underheard. Classic Boston songs such as More than a feeling, Peace of Mind, and Rock and Roll Band still echoes from class rock stations across the country, and never grow old. One of the best of the generation right here)
(click on album to listen to clip)




Rush: 2012 (What many Rush fans consider their first legendary album, you will not find the synthesizer laden rush of the 80s here, but good ole 70s rock. Excellent album, though highly unknown to those who only know the Tom Sawyer band)
(click on album to listen to clip)



1977


AC/DC: Let There be Rock (The title song for this album truly is self defining. Where Black Sabbath set the stage for a genre to come, AC/DC created the exact recipe for all future rock. As the title song says...Let there be sound, Let there be lights, Let there be drums, Let there be guitar...oooohhh Let there be Rock! from which Angus busts out in his classic wail. If the 80s looked to one model for success, let them look no further than the Bon Scott led AC/DC)
(click album to listen to clip)


1978


Steve Miller Band: Best of 1974-1978 (This year is an odd year. There are none of the usual suspects present, and instead we see bands that sounded quite different than almost every other year on this list. That is because disco fever was sweeping the nation and Pop was beginning to emerge. As an answer to the blend between Rock and Pop I give you the next two bands. Steve Miller and the Cars; Typically I havn't listed compilation albums, but there are certain exceptions when you just really don't need the other songs, and just want the hits)
(click on album to listen to clip)




The Cars: The Cars (With hits like Good times roll and Best Friends girl, the Cars gained fame very fast. They were pioneers in their own right, introducing the pop-rock type music that would be seen shortly on stations like MTV and VH1. Very good album to start it off)
(click on album to listen to clip)


Bob Marley & the Wailers: Babylon by Bus (Rarely do live albums carry the weight of their studeo counterparts, but that can not be said about the legendary Babylon by Bus. Marley played the perfect set for this recording, giving us little known classics such as Punky Reggae Party, Concrete Jungle, and Jammin. This is the great complentary album to Legend, as you get a very thorough overview with two simple albums)
(click on album to listen to clip)


1979


AC/DC: Highway to Hell (The swan song for what was the original band AC/DC as lead singer Bon Scott died shortly after this recording of alcohol poisoning. The album title instantly caused controversy, even though it was actually named after Angus Young's description of their road tour through the states. Of course, the band was never afraid of controversy, which Young played off by wearing horns on the cover as a joke. One of their best rocking albums, one can only think what if Scotts friend would not have left him in the car that night...)
(click to album listen to clip)




Pink Floyd: The Wall (Due to the sheer popularity of this album it needed to be included but with certain disclaimers. It is almost entirely supported by such mega-hits as Comfortably Numb and Hey You, and if examined closer truly falls apart as a great album. It seems very over produced, something you did not see earlier in Floyds career, and the lyrics are weak for most of the songs. Still due to popular demand, it needed to be mentioned, though within inches of one of the greatest rock albums of all time from AC/DC, this seems like a crime)
(click on album to listen to clip)