The Best Psychedelic Rock Albums of the 70’s

A look at the best psychedelic rock albums of the 1970’s. These albums defined the genre and continue to influence music today.

Introduction

Psychedelic rock, also referred to as garage rock, is a style of music that deals with soaring guitars, mind-bending lyrics, and long improvised jams. The genre became popular in the mid-1960s and reached its peak in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Psychedelic rock is often characterized by a heavy use of feedback, extended guitar solos, and funky rhythms.

What is Psychedelic Rock?

Psychedelic rock is a wide-ranging style of rock music that is inspired, or influenced by, psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It often uses new recording techniques and effects and draws on non-Western sources such as the ragas and drones of Indian music. Psychedelic rock reached its apotheosis with theconceptual and sonically adventurous work of the Beatles in the late 1960s.

The Best Psychedelic Rock Albums of the 70’s

Psychedelic rock music first became popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This type of rock music often contains elements of electronic and experimental music, and is usually intended to replicate the experience of psychedelic drugs. If you’re a fan of psychedelic rock, check out these 10 classic albums from the genre.

The Doors – L.A. Woman

L.A. Woman is the sixth and final studio album by the American rock band the Doors, released on April 19, 1971, on Elektra Records. It was the last to feature the band’s lead singer, Jim Morrison, who died three months after its release. It peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The album’s music reflects Morrison’s growing interest in R&B and funk and marks a further departure from the group’s earlier work. Two singles were released ahead of time: “Love Her Madly” reached No. 11 on Billboard magazine’s Hot 100 chart while “Riders on the Storm” peaked at No. 14 in Cash Box magazine and No. 41 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Critical reception was strong as reviewers found it to be one of most focused efforts from the band and complimented Morrison’s vocal performances as well as Krieger and Manzarek’s songwriting abilities; however, several writers noted a decline in Densmore’s drumming compared to past albums.

L.A Woman received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics upon its release although it has since been reappraised as one of The Doors’ strongest efforts with many regarding it as their best album since 1967’s Strange Days

Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon

Released in 1973, Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” was one of the most influential albums of the 1970s. A concept album about mental illness, greed, and the dark side of human nature, the album was a major commercial success, spending 741 weeks on the UK Albums Chart (the longest run of any album in chart history) and selling over 50 million copies worldwide. It is regularly ranked as one of the greatest albums of all time.

Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti

Led Zeppelin’s double album Physical Graffiti was released on February 24, 1975. It was their sixth album, and the first one to be released on their own Swan Song label. The album was a commercial success, reaching number one in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

The album features some of Led Zeppelin’s most well-known songs, including “Kashmir” and “Trampled Underfoot”. It is often considered to be one of the best rock albums of all time.

The Rolling Stones – Some Girls

Some Girls is the 14th British and 16th American studio album by The Rolling Stones, released on 9 June 1978 on Virgin Records. It was the first album of new material the band had released since 1975’s Black and Blue, and its first studio album in more than four years.

David Bowie – Low

David Bowie’s Low is widely considered one of the best psychedelic rock albums of the 1970s. The album is notable for its use of electronic music, minimalist arrangements, and avant-garde sound. Bowie himself has said that the album was influenced by Possessed, a an early psychedelic rock band.

Conclusion

The end of the 60s was a turbulent time full of political and social upheaval. Psychedelic rock emerged as a way for artists to express their feelings about the world around them. This list contains the best psychedelic rock albums of the 1970s.

1) Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
2) Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti (1975)
3) David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)
4) The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main St. (1972)
5) Neil Young – Rust Never Sleeps (1979)
6) Bob Dylan – Blood on the Tracks (1975)
7) Bruce Springsteen – Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978)
8 ) Fleetwood Mac – Rumours (1977)
9 ) Queen – A Night at the Opera (1975