What makes a great album? Here we examine some of the most critically acclaimed and beloved albums of all time. Certain albums have left an untenable mark on music history, from groundbreaking debuts to genre-defying masterpieces. We’ll look at how they shaped rock, and how they continue to inspire generations of musicians and fans alike. This is our list of the best rock albums of all time.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles
The Beatle’s eighth studio release came out in 1967 as a concept album and has since gone on to be one of the best classic rock albums ever. The group showcased their expanded creative experimentation by blending stylistic influences including vaudeville, classical, and avante-garde music. And for that, it’s often considered one of the first mainstream progressive rock or art rock albums. With the help of longtime producer George Martin, the album also included unique sound effects and tape manipulation. This can be heard on such tracks as “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” or “A Day in the Life”.
It has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and has even been added to the National Recording Registry as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” art. Even the album’s artwork is iconic. It features a collage of 57 photograhics and nine wax works, acting as a cultural journey of the decade that helped shape the album. It is without a doubt one of the best rock albums ever created.
Led Zeppelin IV – Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin IV, often called the Zoso album due to the cover’s symbols, is one of the band’s most popular albums. Unlike the two previous albums, this one featured several guest musicians. You can hear vocalist Sandy Denny on “The Battle of Evermore”, and pianist Ian Stewart on “Rock and Roll”. The former song was written by Jimmy Paige on a mandolin and the lyrics are inspired by the Scottish Independence Wars. The latter became a concert favorite, regularly played during show encores.
This album also features the iconic and often-covered song “Stairway to Heaven.” Led Zeppelin IV received universal critical acclaim when it first came out, and it continues to today. A retrospective review by AllMusic praised the album for “defining not only Led Zeppelin but the sound and style of ’70s hard rock”. It is definitely one of the best classic rock albums out. Check out the band’s top songs here.
The Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd
As the eighth studio release by Pink Floyd, The Dark Side of the Moon transformed the concept album into a truly immersive experience. The progressive rock album focuses on the main themes of depression and greed. It also highlights the mental health issues of former member, Syd Barrett.
Its sound experimentation was unmatched at the time. The opening track “Speak to Me” contains cross-fades of elements from many other songs on the album. The sound of a bass drum can be heard across several tracks mimicking a heartbeat. And of course, songs like “Money” and “Time” contain several sound effects. A lot of tricks were also down with vocals. Alan Parsons, head engineer, used techniques such as double tracking vocals and guitars for harmonization. In fact, he was even nominated for a Grammy for his work on the album. The Dark Side of the Moon is easily one of the most critically acclaimed records of all time, and thus an easy addition to our list of the best rock albums.
Nevermind – Nirvana
Often credited as the album that catapulted alternative rock into the mainstream, Nevermind has left an impression on rock. From the grunge-era anthem “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” to the acoustic ballad “Something in the Way”, the album spoke to an entire generation. Nirvana brought the Seattle grunge movement into living rooms across America. The album’s producer, Butch Vig, used tricks like double-tracking to help give the band a more radio-friendly sound. Nevermind garnered the group three Grammy nominations as well. It has gone on to influence legions of today’s rock artists, and even artists outside the genre like Kid Cudi and Post Malone.
The Joshua Tree – U2
Released in 1987, The Joshua Tree received instant critical acclaim and became the fastest-selling album in British history. Steven Pond of Rolling Stone reviewed the album saying “More than any other U2 album, The Joshua Tree has the power and allure to seduce and capture a mass audience on its own terms.” Inspired by experiences traveling across America, the band chose the country as its central theme for the album. The lyrics for each song are very much rooted in Bono’s personal experiences and observations while in America. Songs like “With or Without You” and “Where the Streets Have No Name” propelled U2 to new heights of stardom, solidifying their status as rock icons.
Rumours – Fleetwood Mac
Rumours is a testament to the power of artistic collaboration even during personal hardship. The album’s recording took place after breakups among the members, shaping its artistic direction and lyrics. In terms of the sound, the album seamlessly blends rock with pop and folk influences. There are several chart toppers on the album including “Go Your Own Way”, “Don’t Stop”, “Dreams”, and “You Make Loving Fun.” All of which reached the US Top 10, with “Dreams” reaching the number one slot. Rumours was praised for its production quality and vocal harmonies, which frequently relied on the interplay among Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, and Christine McVie. Many artists have seen the album as a critical artistical influence. Some of those artists include Elton John, Death Cab for Cutie, Lorde, and The Cranberries. It is included on many best rock album lists and is easily included on ours.
Ok, Computer – Radiohead
As the third album by Radiohead, Ok, Computer signaled a shift in the band’s style, favoring a more experimental sound. It’s often credited as beginning a stylistic change in British rock away from Britpop. It signaled the commercial falter or breakup of bands like Oasis or Blur, towards melancholic, atmospheric alternative rock that became more prevalent in the next decade. Ok, Computer became Radiohead’s highest album entry on the US charts at the time. It also became certified five times platinum with the help of songs like “Karma Police” and “No Surprises”. The album is often perceived to be an expression of distaste and skepticism towards Britain’s new government at the time. Ok, Computer has influenced many bands that came afterward including Bloc Party and TV on the Radio.
The Velvet Underground & Nico – The Velvet Underground
This is another album that pushed the boundaries of rock music with its experimental sound and lyrical content. Released in 1967, the album sold very poorly. However, over the years, it’s been praised as the original art-rock album. Beloved musician and producer Brian Eno famously said that while the album only sold approximately 30,000 copies in its first five years, “everyone who bought one of those 30,000 copies started a band”. Some of these famous bands include Radiohead, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, and The Killers, to name a few.
The album’s experimental sound was driven by the band’s founder, John Cale. His techniques often included detuning and distortion. He also used his viola on many of the album’s songs restrung with guitar strings to provide a unique sound. This can be heard on “Venus in Furs”. As a true experimental album, The Velvet Underground & Nico stands out as one of the best rock albums of all time. This album is also one of the top debut albums ever.
Highway 61 Revisited – Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited is an excellent example of the power of lyrical storytelling. Every song on his album tells an amazingly detailed and relatable story. Released in 1965, the album opens with the hit “Like a Rolling Stone”. It went on to peak at No. 3 on the US Billboard 200 and No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart. It has remained one of Dylan’s most successful albums throughout his entire career and one of the best rock albums of all time. In 2003, Rolling Stone named it “one of those albums that changed everything” while placing it at No. 4 in its list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.” Countless artists have gone on to cover songs from this album including David Bowie, Billy Joel, and My Chemical Romance.
Back in Black – AC/DC
Released in 1980, Back in Black was a tribute album to their late lead singer, Bon Scott. It also was the first album to feature new singer, Brian Johnson. It contains legendary hits like “Hells Bells” and “You Shock Me All Night Long”. When released Rolling Stone critic David Fricke said that it was “the apex of heavy-metal art: the first LP since Led Zeppelin II that captures all the blood, sweat, and arrogance of the genre.” In fact, it’s been credited with changing the direction of heavy metal. It was released at a time when most bands in the genre were playing slower-tempo songs and long guitar solos. The album brought heavy, punk rock energy to heavy metal, and that infectious energy spread across the genre. Many mainstream bands were inspired by this album including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Def Leppard.
Conclusion
These 10 albums pushed the boundaries of rock, challenged norms, and inspired countless musicians. Much of the bands (and music) we have today might not have existed without these records. From The Beatles’ groundbreaking experimentation to the raw energy of Nirvana, these albums have left a permanent mark on rock music. I recommend anyone reading this post give each of these albums a solid listening. You will understand why they are some of the best rock albums of all time.
