The Top 10 Psychedelic Rock Albums of All Time

Psychedelic rock is a genre of rock music that emerged in the late 1960s. The style is characterized by its use of psychedelic and mind-altering drugs, such as LSD, marijuana, and psilocybin mushrooms.

In this blog post, we countdown the top 10 psychedelic rock albums of all time.

The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)

The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)

1. The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
2. The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds (1966)
3. The Doors – The Doors (1967)
4. Pink Floyd – The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)
5. Love – Forever Changes (1967)
6. Jefferson Airplane – Surrealistic Pillow (1967)
7. The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Are You Experienced? (1967)
8. Otis Redding – Dictionary of Soul (1966)
9. The Byrds – Younger Than Yesterday (1967)
10. Sly and the Family Stone – There’s a Riot Goin’ On (1971)

The Doors – The Doors (1967)

Jim Morrison and the Doors’ self-titled debut is the embodiment of psychedelic rock. The record is dripping with sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll, with Morrison’s baritone vocals leading the way. Tracks like “Light My Fire” and “Break On Through (To the Other Side)” are some of the most iconic songs of the 60s, and they helped to define the psychedelia movement.

Pink Floyd – The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)

1. Pink Floyd – The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)

2. Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd is often cited as being one of the most influential psychedelic bands of all time, and for good reason. Their debut album is a perfect blend of Barrett’s pop sensibilities and the band’s experimental leanings, with tracks like “Interstellar Overdrive” and “See Emily Play” becoming psychedelic classics.

3. The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Are You Experienced (1967)

4. Another band that needs no introduction, Jimi Hendrix redefined what it meant to be a rock guitarist, and his impact is still felt today. Are You Experienced is widely considered to be one of the greatest debut albums of all time, and tracks like “Purple Haze” and “Fire” are essential listening for anyone interested in psychedelic rock.

5. Cream – Disraeli Gears (1967)

6. One of the first supergroups, Cream was formed by bassist/singer Jack Bruce, drummer Ginger Baker and guitarist Eric Clapton. Disraeli Gears is often cited as being one of the first true Psychedelic Rock albums, and tracks like “Strange Brew” and “Sunshine Of Your Love” are some of the most iconic songs in the genre.

7. The Doors – Strange Days (1967)

8. The Doors were always a more psychedelic band than they were given credit for, but Strange Days was the album where they really embraced their trippy side. From the ethereal opener “Strange Days” to the acid trip nightmare of “When The Music’s Over”, this is an essential album for any fan of Psychedelic Rock.

9. Love – Forever Changes (1967)

10. Love were one of the most underrated bands of their era, and Forever Changes is often cited as being one of the greatest albums of all time,Psychedelic or otherwise. From the gorgeous opener “Alone Again Or” to the haunting closer “The Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This”, this is an album that deserves to be heard by anyone who considers themselves a fan of Psychedelic Rock

The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Are You Experienced (1967)

Jimi Hendrix’s debut album is one of the most explosive and influential debuts in rock history, perfectly capturing the stirrings of a revolutionary musical movement in the making. The album’s fusion of blues, soul, and psychedelia signaled a bold new direction for rock music, and Hendrix’s virtuosic guitar playing and visionary songwriting cemented his reputation as one of the most innovative and exciting musicians of his generation. From the anthemic opener “Purple Haze” to the hard-rocking “Fire” to the tender ballad “The Wind Cries Mary,” Are You Experienced is a timeless classic that remains as fresh and exciting today as it did when it was first released.

Cream – Disraeli Gears (1967)

Coming just months after The Beatles released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Cream’s Disraeli Gears was the first great psychedelic rock album. Though it doesn’t have the same experimental edge as Sgt. Pepper’s, Disraeli Gears is a more straightforward psychedelic rock album, and it’s full of great songs, from the classics “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Strange Brew” to the lesser-known but still excellent “SWLABR.” If you want to hear what the psychedelic rock sound was all about in 1967, Disraeli Gears is the place to start.

The Grateful Dead – Anthem of the Sun (1968)

The Grateful Dead’s second album was the first ever to be released on the band’s own label, and it’s also one of their most experimental, with side-long jams, spliced tapecollages and studio overdubs. The result is a hazy, dreamlike record that’s both timeless and of its time.

The Rolling Stones – Beggars Banquet (1968)

The Stones went back to their roots on Beggars Banquet, ditching the psychedelic experiments of Their Satanic Majesties Request in favor of a more stripped-down sound. The result was one of their best albums, and includes such classic Stones tracks as “Sympathy for the Devil” and “Street Fighting Man.”

Traffic – Traffic (1968)

When it comes to psychedelic rock, there are few albums that can match the sheer diversity and creativity of Traffic’s self-titled 1968 debut. Incorporating elements of jazz, folk, and R&B into their sound, Traffic created a truly unique and timeless album that still sounds fresh today. Featuring classic tracks like “Paper Sun” and “Dear Mr. Fantasy”, Traffic is an essential album for any fan of psychedelic rock.

Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin (1969)

This is the album that cemented Led Zeppelin’s legend, featuring some of their most enduring anthems: “Whole Lotta Love,” “Heartbreaker,” “Ramble On,” and of course the mammoth “Stairway to Heaven.” Jimmy Page’s guitar playing was at its most inventive, and Robert Plant reached new heights as a singer. The band was also at its tightest musically, with John Bonham’s drumming driving the band forward.

King Crimson – In the Court of the Crimson King (1969)

In the Court of the Crimson King is the debut album from English rock band King Crimson, released in October 1969. The album is widely considered to be one of the first and most influential entries in the genre of psychedelic rock, and was voted number 3 in Rolling Stone magazine’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list.

The album features the iconic track “In the Court of the Crimson King”, which is considered by many to be one of the greatest rock songs of all time. The rest of the album is equally as strong, with highlights including “I Talk to the Wind”, “Moonchild”, and “Epitaph”.

If you’re a fan of psychedelic rock, or simply looking for an album that truly embodies the genre, then In the Court of the Crimson King is essential listening.