Psychedelic Rock Compilations You Need to Hear
Looking for some new music to trip out to? Check out our list of the best psychedelic rock compilations you need to hear. From classic hits to hidden gems, we’ve got you covered.
The Best of the 60s
Psychedelic rock reached its peak in the late 1960s, with bands like The Beatles, The Doors, and Pink Floyd experimenting with mind-altering drugs and expanding the boundaries of what rock music could be. These compilations collect some of the best psychedelic rock of the 60s, including tracks by The Beatles, The Doors, Pink Floyd, and more.
The Beatles – “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”
The Beatles’ 1967 album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” is often cited as the greatest album of all time, and with good reason. The album is a psychedelic masterpiece, with each song exploring different elements of the genre. From the iconic title track to the trippy “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds”, “Sgt. Pepper’s” is an essential listen for any fan of psychedelic rock.
The Beach Boys – “Pet Sounds”
Regarded as one of the most influential records of all time, The Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds” was released in 1966 to both commercial and critical acclaim. The album is often cited as a high point in the band’s creative output, and is considered to be a major forerunner of the psychedelic rock genre. Featuring the now-iconic hits “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “God Only Knows”, “Pet Sounds” is an essential listen for any fan of 60s music.
The Doors – “The Doors”
The debut album from The Doors was released in January of 1967. The album features the hits “Light My Fire”, “Break On Through (To the Other Side)”, and “The End”. The album was a success, reaching #2 on the Billboard 200 charts and has been certified platinum by the RIAA.
The Best of the 70s
The 70s was a decade of change and growth in the music industry. Psychedelic rock compilations can help you relive that feeling of change and nostalgia. These compilations can help you understand the music of the 70s and how it has influenced the music industry today.
Pink Floyd – “Dark Side of the Moon”
“Dark Side of the Moon” is the album that made Pink Floyd a household name. Released in 1973, the album was an instant success, topping the charts in several countries and selling more than 50 million copies worldwide. The album’s iconic cover art, designed by Gerald Scarfe, is one of the most recognizable images in popular music.
The album’s success can be attributed to its innovative and experimental approach to rock music. “Dark Side of the Moon” features extended jams, complex arrangements, and a mix of both psychedelic and progressive rock elements. The album is also notable for its use of looping and sound effects, which were created using a variety of new recording techniques.
In addition to its technical innovations, “Dark Side of the Moon” is also a lyrically deep and thought-provoking album. The lyrics deal with themes of mental illness, greed, aging, and death. The album’s iconic opening track, “Speak to Me/Breathe”, sets the stage for these themes with its references to time passing and mortality.
If you’re looking for an entry point into Pink Floyd’s discography, “Dark Side of the Moon” is the perfect place to start. This groundbreaking album is a must-listen for any fan of rock music.
Led Zeppelin – “Houses of the Holy”
“Houses of the Holy” is the fifth studio album by English rock band Led Zeppelin, released on 28 March 1973 by Atlantic Records. The cover artwork, created by the design group Hipgnosis, depicts the ruins of a giants’ city on the rocky coast of an unidentified island.
In 2012, “Houses of the Holy” was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. Along with Led Zeppelin IV and Physical Graffiti, it is one of Led Zeppelin’s best-selling albums with over 11 million copies sold in the United States and about 32 million copies sold globally.
The Who – “Who’s Next”
The Who’s “Who’s Next” is less a straightforward greatest hits collection than a sprawling, double LP celebration of one of the most inventive and powerful rock bands of the 1970s. The first disc collects the band’s most popular singles from 1971-1974 – “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” “Baba O’Riley,” “Pinball Wizard,” “See Me Feel Me,” etc. – while the second disc is a fascinating survey of album tracks and rarities that gives a fuller picture of The Who at the peak of their powers. If you only know The Who from their hits, “Who’s Next” will open your eyes to just how much more there is to this band.
The Best of the 80s
Psychedelic rock had a major resurgence in the late 70s and early 80s. And while many of the bands that led the way have faded into obscurity, their influence can still be heard in today’s music. Here are some of the best psychedelic rock compilations from that era.
Nirvana – “Nevermind”
Nirvana – “Nevermind”
This is one of the most important albums of the 90s, and one of the most important rock albums ever made. Nirvana completely changed the sound of rock music with their unique blend of punk and metal, and their lyrics were incredibly powerful and poetic. This album is a must-have for any fan of rock music.
The Smiths – “The Queen is Dead”
There are very few bands that can be considered truly iconic and timeless, The Smiths are one of those bands. “The Queen is Dead” is their magnum opus, a perfect album from start to finish. Every song is an instant classic, from the existentialism of “I Know It’s Over” to the jubilant “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out”. If you only listen to one album from the 80s, make it this one.
R.E.M. – “Automatic for the People”
R.E.M.’s eighth studio album, “Automatic for the People” was released in October of 1992 to critical and commercial acclaim. The album featured the hit singles “The One I Love”, “Everybody Hurts”, and “Man on the Moon”, and is considered by many to be one of the best albums of the 1980s.
