5 Psychedelic Rock Albums from the 1970s You Need to Hear

If you’re a fan of psychedelic rock, then you need to check out these five essential albums from the 1970s. From Pink Floyd to Led Zeppelin, these are the records that defined the genre and continue to influence musicians today.

Introduction

Psychedelic rock, also referred to as psychedelia, is a 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. Psychedelic rock began in the mid-1960s with bands like the Beatles and the Byrds, and reached its peak popularity in the late 1960s with bands such as Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead, and Jefferson Airplane. The genre declined in popularity in the early 1970s, but experienced something of a resurgence in the late 1970s with bands such as Hawkwind, Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd, and Television.

In this article, we will be taking a look at five psychedelic rock albums from the 1970s that you need to hear.

“In the Court of the Crimson King” by King Crimson

If there’s one album on this list that you need to hear, it’s this one. Released in 1969, it’s considered one of the first and finest examples of what would come to be known as progressive rock. King Crimson were a British band formed in 1968 by guitarist Robert Fripp and drummer Michael Giles, along with bassist-singer Greg Lake and keyboardist Ian McDonald. Their debut album is a concept album based on Gustav Meyrink’s 1914 novel The Golem. It’s a dark, dense and complex work that covers a lot of ground, from the gentle acoustic ballad “I Talk to the Wind” to the demonic wail of “21st Century Schizoid Man.” If you want to take a trip back to the beginnings of prog rock, this is the album to start with.

“Ziggy Stardust” by David Bowie

David Bowie’s fifth album, “Ziggy Stardust”, is often cited as one of the most influential and important albums of all time. Released in 1972, the album is a perfect example of Bowie’s talent for combining different genres to create something completely unique. “Ziggy Stardust” is a mix of glam rock, psychedelic rock, and proto-punk that tells the story of an alien rock star who comes to Earth to save humanity from itself. The album was a huge commercial and critical success, and has been ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest albums of all time.

“Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd

“Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd is one of the most iconic and influential psychedelic rock albums of all time. Released in 1973, the album explores themes of mental illness, greed, and the passage of time. Featuring the hits “Money” and “Us and Them”, “Dark Side of the Moon” is a must-listen for any fan of psychedelic rock.

“Exile on Main St.” by The Rolling Stones

“Exile on Main St.” is the classic example of a album that was ahead of its time. Released in 1972, it was critically panned and commercial failure. It wasn’t until years later that it was recognized as one of the greatest albums ever made. It’s a sprawling, double album that features some of the Stones best songs, including “Tumbling Dice,” “Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in the Shadow?,” and “All Down the Line.”