The Best Obscure Psychedelic Rock Albums
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Looking for something different in your music collection? Check out our list of the best obscure psychedelic rock albums that you’ve probably never heard of!
The Best Obscure Psychedelic Rock Albums
If you’re looking for some of the best obscure psychedelic rock albums, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best hidden gems in the genre. Psychedelic rock is a genre that is often overlooked, but it can be some of the most interesting and innovative music out there.
The Psychedelic Furs- “Love My Way”
The Psychedelic Furs’ “Love My Way” is an excellent example of an obscure psychedelic rock album. Released in 1982, the album didn’t make much of a splash commercially, but it’s since become a cult classic among fans of the genre. “Love My Way” is a perfect example of the band’s unique brand of dark, atmospheric rock, and it’s an essential listen for anyone interested in the genre.
The Doors- “The End”
The Doors were one of the most popular and influential rock bands of the 1960s. They were known for their psychedelic and experimental music, as well as their wild onstage antics. “The End” is one of their most well-known songs, and it is considered to be one of the best examples of psychedelic rock.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience- “Are You Experienced?”
“Are You Experienced?” is the debut studio album by English-American rock band the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Released in May 1967, it was the first LP for Track Records, and was a commercial and critical success. It peaked at number two in the UK and number five in the US. The album features Jimi Hendrix’s innovative approach to songwriting and electric guitar playing which soon established a new direction in psychedelic and hard rock music.
The Velvet Underground- “The Velvet Underground & Nico”
The Velvet Underground’s debut album is one of the most influential and important records of all time. Although it was not a commercial success when it was first released, it has since been recognized as one of the greatest albums of all time, and has had a major impact on subsequent generations of musicians. The Velvet Underground & Nico is an essential album for any fan of psychedelic rock.
Pink Floyd- “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn”
One of the first and most important psychedelic rock albums, Pink Floyd’s debut is a mix of Syd Barrett’s original compositions, including the classics “Lucifer Sam” and “Interstellar Overdrive,” and covers like “Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk” (originally by The Move) and “The Gnome” (originally by Simon Dupree & the Big Sound). Although Barrett’s contributions would be gradually phased out in favor of those of Roger Waters and David Gilmour in subsequent years, his legacy—and the album’s—would live on.
Why These Albums Are the Best
Psychedelic rock is a genre that’s often overlooked. It’s not as mainstream as other genres, but that doesn’t mean it’s not good. In fact, there are some great psychedelic rock albums that are worth checking out. Here are some of the best ones.
The Psychedelic Furs- “Love My Way”
The Psychedelic Furs’ “Love My Way” is the best obscure psychedelic rock album. The album was released in 1982 and was produced by Steve Lillywhite. The album peaked at number 52 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was released on CD in 1991 by Columbia Records. “Love My Way” is a song by the Psychedelic Furs, which was released as a single in 1982 and peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart.
The Doors- “The End”
The End is the eleventh and final studio album by American rock band the Doors, released on September 20, 1971 by Elektra Records. It is a double album and was recorded from March to May 1971 at Ed Sullivan Theater, New York and The Hit Factory, New York. It was their second album with ex-Doors bassist Harvey Brooks, who had replaced original Doors bassist Doug Aldrich in 1970.
The end of The Doors came about due to a variety of reasons. Jim Morrison’s alcoholism and drug abuse had gotten out of control and he was frequently late or absent for recording sessions. He also started causing problems during live performances; at one show in Miami he caused a riot when he exposed himself onstage, which resulted in the band being banned from performing there again. Morrison’s girlfriend, Pamela Courson, also died of a heroin overdose in 1971. These personal problems, combined with the lack of commercial success for their previous two albums (Full Circle and Other Voices), led to tensions within the band. Keyboardist Ray Manzarek later said that Morrison “wasn’t really interested in being in The Doors anymore”.
TheEnd was originally going to be titled An American Prayer but Elektra Records objected because of the negative connotations associated with the Vietnam War. The name was then changed to The End but it was later changed back to An American Prayer after Elektra relented. Morrison recorded his vocals for the album in May 1971, just days before his death on July 3
The Jimi Hendrix Experience- “Are You Experienced?”
The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s debut album, Are You Experienced?, is one of the best psychedelic rock albums ever made. Released in 1967, the album features some of Hendrix’s most iconic songs, such as “Purple Haze,” “Fire,” and “Hey Joe.” The album’s production is top-notch, and the playing by Hendrix and his bandmates, bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, is simply astonishing. If you’re looking for a mind-bending psychedelic rock album, you can’t go wrong with Are You Experienced?
The Velvet Underground- “The Velvet Underground & Nico”
The Velvet Underground’s self-titled album, also known as The Banana Album because of Andy Warhol’s iconic yellow design, is often cited as one of the most influential albums in music history. Released in 1967, it was far ahead of its time, melding together elements of garage rock, proto-punk, and avant-garde experimentalism. Though the album was not a commercial success at the time of its release, its reputation has grown exponentially in the years since, and it is now widely considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time.
Pink Floyd- “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn”
Released in 1967, Pink Floyd’s debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn is an undisputed classic of the psychedelic era. While the group would go on to greater commercial and critical success with subsequent releases, this record is a timeless document of their early psychedelia. Featuring Syd Barrett’s unique songwriting and the band’s innovative use of sound, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn is a must-have for any fan of psychedelic rock.
