Rock N Roll Music Albums You Need in Your Collection
Contents
- Classic rock albums that defined the genre
- Modern rock albums that keep the spirit alive
- Albums that fuse rock with other genres
- Rock albums with iconic album covers
- Rock albums with interesting backstories
- Rock albums that are criminally underrated
- Rock albums that are criminally overrated
- Rock concept albums
- Live rock albums
- Compilation albums of essential rock tracks
We all know that one person in our life who loves to rock out. Get them the perfect gift this holiday season with our list of the must-have rock n roll albums in their collection!
Classic rock albums that defined the genre
Rock music has been around for decades, and there are some classic albums that have defined the genre. If you’re a fan of rock music, then you need to make sure these albums are in your collection.
1. “Led Zeppelin IV” by Led Zeppelin: This album is often considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time. It features classic tracks like “Stairway to Heaven” and “Black Dog.”
2. “Queen II” by Queen: This album is a true classic, with hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Will Rock You.”
3. “The Beatles (The White Album)” by The Beatles: This double album is packed with classics, including “Revolution 9,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” and “Back in the U.S.S.R.”
4. “Exile on Main Street” by The Rolling Stones: This album is a must-have for any fan of the Rolling Stones. It features hits like “Tumbling Dice” and “Happy.”
5. “Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd: This album is a timeless classic, with tracks like “Money,” “Us and Them,” and “Brain Damage.”
Modern rock albums that keep the spirit alive
Rock N Roll is one of the most popular genres of music in the world. It has stood the test of time, and its popularity shows no signs of waning. If you are a fan of rock music, then you need to have these albums in your collection.
1) “Queen” by Queen ( Released in 1973)
One of the most influential rock bands of all time, Queen released their self-titled album in 1973. The album is a masterclass in rock music, and it features some of the band’s most popular songs, such as “We Will Rock You” and “Spread Your Wings”. If you are a fan of rock music, then this is an essential album for your collection.
2) “Led Zeppelin IV” by Led Zeppelin (Released in 1971)
Another one of the most influential rock bands of all time, Led Zeppelin released their fourth album in 1971. The album is packed with classic hits such as “Stairway to Heaven” and “Battle of Evermore”. If you are a fan of hard rock or heavy metal, then this is an essential album for your collection.
3) “Nevermind” by Nirvana (Released in 1991)
Nirvana’s second album changed the course of popular music forever when it was released in 1991. The album features some of Nirvana’s most popular songs, such as “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Come As You Are”. If you are a fan of alternative rock or grunge, then this is an essential album for your collection.
Albums that fuse rock with other genres
Rock music is a broad genre that has been fused with other genres over the years to create new and exciting sounds. Here are some albums that fuse rock with other genres to create a unique and interesting sound.
-U2: Achtung Baby
-The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds
-The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
-David Bowie: Hunky Dory
-Nirvana: Nevermind
-Queen: A Night at the Opera
-Red Hot Chili Peppers: Blood Sugar Sex Magik
-The Rolling Stones: Beggars Banquet
Rock albums with iconic album covers
If you love music, chances are you have a few favorite albums. Maybe they’re by your favorite artist, or maybe they hold a special place in your heart because they were released during a particularly formative time in your life. Whatever the case may be, there are certain albums that just belong in every music fan’s collection – and we’re not just talking about greatest hits compilations. These are the records that defined a genre, or an era, or that are just so damn good they should be required listening for anyone with even a passing interest in rock n’ roll.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of 10 essential rock albums that we think everyone should own. Some of these records have been influencing musicians for decades, while others remain as fresh and relevant today as the day they were first released. There’s something for everyone on this list, so whether you’re just starting to build your music collection or you’re looking to add some new classics to your already impressive stash, these are the albums you need.
1. The Beatles – Abbey Road
2. Led Zeppelin – IV
3. Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon
4. Nirvana – Nevermind
5. The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main St.
6. David Bowie – Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
7. The Velvet Underground & Nico
8. Radiohead – OK Computer
9. Bob Dylan – Highway 61 Revisited
10. The Clash – London Calling
Rock albums with interesting backstories
There are many great rock albums out there, but some have particularly interesting backstories. Here are three rock albums with interesting backstories that you need in your collection.
The first album on our list is Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti. This album was released in 1975 and is a double album, meaning that there are two discs of music. The album was recorded at various studios in London and New York, including the famed Electric Ladyland Studios. The album’s artwork was designed by Hipgnosis, and it features a collage of images, including windows from a New York City tenement building. The album was a commercial and critical success, and it is now considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time.
Next on our list is Pink Floyd’s The Wall. This album was released in 1979 and was inspired by the life of Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters. Waters wrote the majority of the album’s lyrics, which deal with themes of isolation, abandonment, and loss. The album is a concept album, and it tells the story of Pink, an emotionally scarred man who builds a wall around himself to protect himself from the outside world. The Wall is one of Pink Floyd’s most successful albums, both commercially and critically, and it is considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time.
The last album on our list is Nirvana’s Nevermind. This album was released in 1991 and instantly became a commercial success due to the success of its lead single, “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The album was Nirvana’s second studio album, and it marked a change in direction for the band from their debut album Bleach. Nevermind saw Nirvana moving away from their punk roots and towards a more mainstream sound. The album was a critical and commercial success, cementing Nirvana as one of the most important rock bands of the 1990s.
Rock albums that are criminally underrated
The following is a list of rock albums that are criminally underrated. These are albums that deserve more attention and acclaim than they receive.
-The Stooges- “Fun House”
-Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band- “Trout Mask Replica”
-Faust- “The Faust Tapes”
-The Residents- “Meet the Residents”
-Syd Barrett- “The Madcap Laughs”
Rock albums that are criminally overrated
Rock music is one of the most popular genres of music, and there are countless albums that have been released over the years. However, not all of these albums are created equal. In fact, there are quite a few that are criminally overrated. Here are five rock albums that you should think twice before adding to your collection.
1. Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin – This album is often heralded as one of the greatest rock albums of all time, but it simply doesn’t live up to the hype. Yeah, it’s a good album, but it’s not worth waxing poetic about.
2. Highway to Hell by AC/DC – This is another album that is often praised to high heavens, but it doesn’t really deserve all the acclaim. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fun album, but it’s definitely not one of the best rock albums ever made.
3. Appetite for Destruction by Guns N’ Roses – This is an album that is definitely overrated. It’s not a bad album by any means, but it’s nowhere near as good as people make it out to be. There are much better GNR albums out there (use your illusion I and II, for instance).
4. The Wall by Pink Floyd – Yes, this is a classic album, but it is also very overrated. It’s a good album, no doubt about it, but it’s not the be-all and end-all of rock music like some people would have you believe.
5. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles – This is probably the most overrated rock album of all time. It’s a good album, don’t get me wrong, but it hardly deserves all the accolades it gets. There are better Beatles albums out there ( Abbey Road comes to mind).
Rock concept albums
A concept album is an album in which its tracks hold a larger purpose or meaning collectively than they do individually. This is typically achieved through a single central narrative or theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, or lyrical. Sometimes, a concept album is recorded to express the artistic vision of an artist, but more often, it is created as a showcase for a given band’s talent and ambition. There are a number of notable rock concept albums, and below are ten of the best.
The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Pink Floyd – The Wall
The Who – Tommy
Genesis – The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Queen – A Night at the Opera
Jethro Tull – Thick as a Brick
Led Zeppelin – Houses of the Holy
ELO – Out of the Blue
KISS – Alive!
Live rock albums
No true rock fan’s collection is complete without at least one live album. Live albums capture the raw energy and excitement of a band’s live performance, and they’re often regarded as some of the best albums a band can release. Here are five essential live rock albums that every fan needs in their collection.
1. Kiss – Alive! (1975)
2. Cheap Trick – At Budokan (1978)
3. The Who – Live at Leeds (1970)
4. Led Zeppelin – The Song Remains the Same (1976)
5. AC/DC – If You Want Blood You’ve Got It (1978)
Compilation albums of essential rock tracks
Rock music has Roll Hall of Fame, but there are no definitive compilation albums that represent the best of the genre. Sure, there are greatest hits collections from classic rock radio staples like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, but those only scratch the surface. If you’re looking to expand your rock music collection beyond the basics, here are 10 essential compilation albums that should be in your rotation.
1) “Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965-1968” – This four-disc box set chronicles the garage rock movement of the mid-’60s and features tracks from The Kinks, The Grateful Dead, Cream, and The Byrds.
2) “The Best of majesty Music Volume 1” – This double album features 24 tracks of hard rock anthems from Bowie, Queen, AC/DC, and Def Leppard.
3) “The Anthology: 1955-1971” – This massive box set spans 16 discs and includes classic tracks from Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and The Beach Boys.
4) “The Brit Rocks Collection” – This five-disc set collects together essential tracks from British Invasion bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who.
5) “Punk Rock Box Set” – This four-disc collection brings together punk pioneers like The Ramones, Sex Pistols, Patti Smith Group, and Blondie.
6) “Guitar Heroes: A Tribute to Legends of Guitar” – This three-disc set features some of the greatest guitarists of all time paying tribute to their predecessors with renditions of songs by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eddie Van Halen, and more.
7) “Runners Up: A Collection of B-Sides & Rarities” – This two-disc compilation collects together rare tracks and outtakes from some of alternative rock’s biggest names including Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, and Soundgarden.
8) “Reggae Sunsplash Live!” – This double album captures the spirit of live reggae with performances by Bob Marley & The Wailers, Jimmy Cliff, Burning Spear, Peter Tosh & more.
captured at the annual Reggae Sunsplash festival in Jamaica.