Historic Rock 'n Roll Albums

[PointSource]

Another vote for "The Dark Side of the Moon"

[chrisguinther]

AC/DC - Back in Black

Beatles - Revolver

Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited

Bruce Springsteen - Nebraska

Doors - Morrison Hotel

Nirvana - Nevermind

Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon

Radiohead - OK Computer

Rolling Stones - Exile on Main Street

[typeapositive]

...... I think my top pick would be the first Van Halen album.

To me it was a watershed moment and completely changed the game - the face of Rock 'n Roll.

I totally agree.

[JasonInChiTown]

I'm not typically big on these type of threads, and I realize there are any number of monumental R 'n R albums, but to make a not too long

story short, I think my top pick would be the first Van Halen album.

To me it was a watershed moment and completely changed the game - the face of Rock 'n Roll.

Colt, I completely agree. I can't tell you how many records/cassettes/CD's that I have literally burned through for Van Halen I [second would be 1984]

[Puros Y Vino]

Most "rock" music today isn't what I'd even consider "Rock Music". IMO, just mainstream blase crap. Radio is unlistenable today. Any good rock music today is due to the fact that bands from yesteryear are still around. With my rant over..I now will add my faves to the list and why I think they belong there.

The Doors - The Doors. Brilliant, entertaining and timeless. When I was younger I didn't appreciate this album as much as I do now. Not a bad song on the album.

Jimi Hendrix - ANYTHING HE DID!! Besides being lauded as the master of rock guitar to this day, he is a master composer and songwriter and should be regarded as much as Lennon/McCartney IMO.

Led Zeppelin I & II. What's to say? All great "rock" originates from here. No disrespect to the Beatles or Stones, but LZ shaped hard rock for decades and continue to influence to this day.

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath & Paranoid This started a whole subgenre: Heavy Metal. Classic in so many ways and filled with songs even most non rock fans recognize.

UFO - Strangers In The Night . Perhaps one of the best live hard rock albums ever. Guitar god Michael Schenker at his best. I'd have picked a couple of their studio albums, but honestly this is the place to start if you've never heard of these guys.

Judas Priest - British Steel. A great album by an already great band by this time. This one puts them on the map and makes them stars. They're still kicking ass and touring.

Ozzy - Blizzard of Oz. Just what the doctor ordered once Ozzy left Sabbath. Ozzy is now a household word.

AC/DC - Back in Black. Perhaps the most mainstream yet true rock album around. A great album that followed a sad event. (Bon Scott's death). There are so many great albums with Bon, but this one is what made AC/DC internationally famous.

Metallica - Kill Em All. Trailblazing thrash/speed metal. As important to the metal genre as Dylan was to his.

Metallica - Master Of Puppets. A great third album that defined an already talented band. This album helps me get through their Load/ReLoad days and especially St Anger which I turfed after listening to the first four songs and have never played it again since.

Slayer - Reign in Blood. By now its' obvious what my favourite genre is. But this album at only a 1/2 hour long is the most satisfying album despite its' brevity. Crystal clear production, catchy riffs and non stop headbanging make this one as important as Metallica's Kill Em All even though there's a few years that separates their release dates.

Guns N Roses - Appetite for Destruction. One of the best debuts ever. Its too bad they're a bunch of headcases, especially Axl.

Scorpions - Lovedrive. This one's for me. The Scorpions have got to be one of the most resilient rock bands around. They don't get the respect they deserve. This album in particular kicked off their modern era and shaped their sound to this day. Add to the mix that original lead guitarist, Micheal Schenker (see UFO above), records some brilliant lead guitar bits on several track makes this one of their best.

Velvet Revolver - Velvet Revolver. OK hear me out. While not as great as any on the list above it is "historic" in the sense that it gave "hard rock" some much needed exposure in a music industry rife with lip synching blonde bombshells, wanna be gangster rappers and wimpy boy bands. This album broke through the crap and demanded to be heard.

[jdeese88]

Most of the greats have already been mentioned, especially from the older days. Since no one had mentioned Tool's "Undertow" album I had to add this band and album on this already great list of albums ya'll have mentioned. Some consider Tool more of an alternative rock, but there is no denying that there wasn't a band like them before their time. This album is truly timeless. Maynard Keenan is a genius.

[Guest rob]

I agree entirely with Khomienist's list - except I would swap Judas Priest with Metallica's "Kill em all".

[tdlfoto]

Slayer - Reign in Blood. By now its' obvious what my favourite genre is. But this album at only a 1/2 hour long is the most satisfying album despite its' brevity. Crystal clear production, catchy riffs and non stop headbanging make this one as important as Metallica's Kill Em All even though there's a few years that separates their release dates.

great to see another metalhead on here! Seasons in the Abyss is one of my all-time fav albums

[asmith]

Smithy - Mezzanine is a great album, but I'd call it trip hop rather than rock.

Splitting hairs, but if we want to go down that path of Rock you can get rid of any Dylan album

[Ken Gargett]

Splitting hairs, but if we want to go down that path of Rock you can get rid of any Dylan album

have you seen him in concert?

you might need to define rock. the bloke picking up the electric guitar for maggie's farm all those years ago blows 99.9% of the rest of the nominations out the door.

[laficion]

I love Van Halen Ross, but Pink Floyd's Dark side of the moon was simply fantastic.

[Mr Peales]

Some really great selections above. I'm not really interested in a lot of the hand-me-down classics. You shouldn't really give a **** about an opinion as to what should and shouldn't be on your list. It's rock and roll for god's sake. These are some that I would consider historic, as they have that certain rock-thang that will stand my test of time. They've got legs!

Radiohead: OK Computer, Kid A, Amnesiac

Beatles: Revolver, Rubber Soul, MMT, White Album, Abby Road

Joy Division: Closer

Bruce Springsteen: Nebraska

Neil Young: Everyone Knows This is Nowhere, Harvest

Iggy Pop: The Idiot

Built to Spill: Keep It Like a Secret

Arcade Fire: Funeral

Mercury Rev: Deserter Songs

Big Star: Third/Sister Lovers

Bowie: Diamond Dogs.

Mazzy Star: Among My Swan

Flaming Lips: Soft Bulletin

Nick Cave: From Her to Eternity

Roxy Music: Country Life

The Walkman: You and Me

Animal Collective: Feels

-P

[SmokinLightning]

Slayer - Reign in Blood

Perfect blend of hardcore punk, speed and death metal. Groundbreaking production work in this genre. Still as relevent with metal heads today as it was 25 years ago. Plus, includes Angel of Death, the all-time greatest metal song of all time.

\m/

[dcse]

Pink Floyd - Wish you were here

Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks

Iggy Pop - Avenue B

"No ****"

It was in the winter of my fiftieth year

When it hit me

I was really alone

And there wasn't a hell a lot of time left

Every laugh and touch that I could get

Became more important

Strangely, I became more bookish

And my home and study meant more to me

As I considered the circumstances of my death

I wanted to find a balance between joy and dignity

On my way out

Above all, I didn't want to take any more ****

Not from anybody

[joeypots]

have you seen him in concert?

you might need to define rock. the bloke picking up the electric guitar for maggie's farm all those years ago blows 99.9% of the rest of the nominations out the door.

I saw him in '73 or 4 when he was doing his last tour with The Band. My old man came home from work and said, "I have tickets to see some guy named Bob."

He did acoustic and electric sets.

The last song, Like a rolling stone was as good as rock and roll gets.

He also did a solo version of "Blowing in the Wind", I don't think I'll ever forget that even if it is a folk song.

[TMS36]

Here are a few I think cannot go without mention:

Ramones - Ramones

The Clash - Self Titled & London Calling

Cream - Wheels of Fire

Black Sabbath - Self Titled and Paranoid

[Roy R. Frush]

Slayer - Reign in Blood

Perfect blend of hardcore punk, speed and death metal. Groundbreaking production work in this genre. Still as relevent with metal heads today as it was 25 years ago. Plus, includes Angel of Death, the all-time greatest metal song of all time.

\m/

I'm embarrassed to admit I once owned this album! I find the whole Satanic metal thing so corny.

My favorite metal album is Metallica's "Ride the Lightning" which I consider "perfect." Another perfect album to me is Racer X's "Second Heat." Totally different genres from Slayer and, personally, much more sonically interesting. The two albums above are just as huge to me as Van Halen's first album. Boston's debut is also a perfect album in my book if we're talking rock.

[Mr Peales]

Wait just a minute here... Those are bands not albums. Commit! Commit!

[Lotus400]

From the esoteric side of things - how about Genesis Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Full Moon Fever and Damn the Torpedoes

If you can make the stretch that Joni Mitchell is considered rock and roll - Court and Spark

[bassman]

From the esoteric side of things - how about Genesis Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Full Moon Fever and Damn the Torpedoes

If you can make the stretch that Joni Mitchell is considered rock and roll - Court and Spark

If Joni Mitchell is R&R, I'm going to have to start listing albums by the Incredible String Band!

[khomeinist]

Embarrassed by Slayer? That is a first. The 'satanism' was a marketing ploy for many bands. They laugh. Moms cry. Kids buy.

A few (somewhat) esoteric jams for the youth...

....And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead: 'Source Tags and Codes'

My Bloody Valentine: 'Loveless'

Drive Like Jehu: 'S/T'

Jawbreaker: 'Dear You'

Rein Sanction: 'Broc's Cabin'

Swervedriver: 'Raise'

The Mob: 'Let the Tribe Increase'

Modest Mouse: 'Lonesome Crowded West'

Pulp: 'Different Class'

Social Distortion: 'Mommy's Little Monster'

Sunny Day Real Estate: 'Diary'

Texas is the Reason: 'Do You Know Who You Are?'

Interpol: 'Turn on the Bright Lights'

Destroyer 666: 'Phoenix Rising'

I like the switch of focus away from historical impact. We are not responsible for what gets marketed and diffused.

Van Halen 1 is a fun listen (and certainly a rock classic)...but the L.A. glam it inspired? Not a big fan of the tranny scene. No offense to those challenged by gender!

[Puros Y Vino]

Embarrassed by Slayer? That is a first. The 'satanism' was a marketing ploy for many bands. They laugh. Moms cry. Kids buy.

LOL. Well put. Another form of packaged rebellion.

[Lotus400]

If Joni Mitchell is R&R, I'm going to have to start listing albums by the Incredible String Band!

It seems some people consider Joni Mitchell R&R. Inducted in 1997 to the R&R Hall of Fame. Certainly not Heavy Metal or maybe your definition of Rock & Roll, but no where near the Incredible String Band. Court and Spark is a Historic Rock and Roll Album as viewed by most music critics.

All Inductees: M

* Madonna

Madonna

Induction category: Performer | Presented by: Justin Timberlake

* The Mamas and the Papas

The Mamas and the Papas

Induction category: Performer

* Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil

Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil

Induction category: Non-Performer | Presented by: Carole King

* Bob Marley

Bob Marley

Induction category: Performer | Presented by: Bono

* Martha and the Vandellas

Martha and the Vandellas

Induction category: Performer

* George Martin

George Martin

Induction category: Non-Performer

* Curtis Mayfield

Curtis Mayfield

Induction category: Performer | Presented by: Sean John Combs

* Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney

Induction category: Performer

* Clyde McPhatter

Clyde McPhatter

Induction category: Performer

* John Mellencamp

John Mellencamp

Induction category: Performer

* Metallica

Metallica

Induction category: Performer | Presented by: Flea

* Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell

Induction category: Performer

* Bill Monroe

Bill Monroe

Induction category: Early Influence

* The Moonglows

The Moonglows

Induction category: Performer

* Scotty Moore

Scotty Moore

Induction category: Sideman

* Van Morrison

Van Morrison

Induction category: Performer | Presented by: Robbie Robertson

* Jelly Roll Morton

Jelly Roll Morton

Induction category: E

[Roy R. Frush]

Embarrassed by Slayer? That is a first. The 'satanism' was a marketing ploy for many bands. They laugh. Moms cry. Kids buy.

Oh, so they weren't really serious?

Fake devil worship = corny

Sincere devil worship = sad

Van Halen 1 is a fun listen (and certainly a rock classic)...but the L.A. glam it inspired? Not a big fan of the tranny scene. No offense to those challenged by gender!

The glam look was certainly pretty cheesy, but those dudes weren't pretending to be trannies! The girls definitely knew what to expect when they got backstage...