Our Favorite Albums (51 – 60)
51. The Clash – The Clash [1977]
Nominated by DJ Deni of Lovin’ the 70’s and Sir Jon of Pint O’ Comics.
Sir Jon says: UK release version, of course.
52. The Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour [1967]
Nominated by Leith of The Light Fandango and DJ McKenzie of Splitting Hairs & The Beatles: A Week in the Life.
In their new songs, the Beatles continued the studio experimentation that had typified Sgt. Pepper and the psychedelic sound they had introduced in 1966 with Revolver. Author Mark Hertsgaard highlights “I Am the Walrus” as the fulfilment of the band’s “guiding principle” during the sessions – namely to experiment and be “different”. To satisfy Lennon’s request that his voice should sound like “it came from the moon”, the engineers gave him a low-quality microphone to sing into and saturated the signal from the preamp microphone. (wikipedia.org)
53. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV [1971]
Nominated by DJ Deni of Lovin’ the 70’s and DJ Cheshire Cat of Wonderland.
DJ Cheshire Cat says: It’s easy to get “burned out” on Led Zeppelin IV through constant exposure to the songs; every track has been a mainstay of rock stations. That should speak to the craftmanship of the band – each of the songs, from opener Black Dog to closer When the Levee Breaks, is unique and iconic. You know you can “name that tune” for all these tracks in a few beats. And, shucks, are you really going to turn your nose up on the biggest mainstream callout to J.R.R. Tolkien with guest vocalist Sandy Denny? I thought not!
54. Neil Young – Harvest [1972]
Nominated by Francesco Fiumara of Caffè Italia and DJ MTSPEN of Storytime/Motivation Nation.
Francesco Fiumara says: When you discover something big and you are just 15.
DJ MTSPEN says: Always gotta have some Neil.
55. The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Electric Ladyland [1970]
Nominated by Sir Jon of Pint O’ Comics and Big Bent of Dub Revolution (and many more!).
Sir Jon says: Jimi on the edge of his unbelievable musical ability.
Big Bent says: One of my first CD purchases!
56. Pink Floyd – Animals [1977]
Nominated by Rob of Chocolate Cake and Psychedelic Rick of The Psychedelicatessen.
Rob says: No hit singles here. Three sprawling epic tracks of layered guitars underneath dense Orwellian nightmare lyrics. Good times.
57. A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory [1991]
Nominated by Fluccs Capacitor of Time Moves Slow and DJ Lukey G of The Guest List.
Fluccs Capacitor says: Another front to back killer, this album stands the test of time of your favorite mc’s who also made your favorite beats and they live next store. Perhaps because I was teenager when Tip, Phife and Ali were in their early 20s, I looked up to them and their narratives were highly relatable. Tribe were also proud and conscious without waving flags, it was in everything they did.
58. Daft Punk – Random Access Memories [2013]
Nominated by DJ Lukey G of The Guest List and DJ MTSPEN of Storytime/Motivation Nation.
DJ MTSPEN says: A testament to the duo’s commitment to music that moves you and music that pushes boundaries. Does as a full album what is sometimes lost in earlier releases.
59. Patti Smith – Horses [1975]
Nominated by DJ Deni of Lovin’ the 70’s and Karen Stein of Imagine.
Karen Stein says: Another life-changer. Raw energy, brash production, lyrics potent and poetic. And from a woman! In those days, women weren’t allowed to do what she did. Patti Smith has been my heroine for 4 decades.
60. Fela & Afrika 70 – Zombie [1977]
Nominated by Rick Reaction and Big Bent of Dub Revolution (and many more!)
Big Bent says: “Music is the weapon”
