What is the BEST album from the 1970's and Why??

Question

Tell me why, album artwork? Lyrics? Originality?

Answer 1

Tough question, but I'll try and narrow it down.
I'd have to go with Zeppelin IV or the "four symbols" lp

The cover is strange, ethereal and illusive yet doesn't give a hint to the eclectic, yet very inspired work inside.
The LP cover opens up to reveal a wizard standing with a lantern overlooking a a slightly spooky little town.
Their are also clues about devil worship within the cover and album sleeve.
This album contains the arguably satanic song
"Stairway to heaven"
as well as great rock classics as "black dog",
"misty mountain hop", the acoustic masterpiece
"goin' to califorina" and the masterful jam "four sticks".
No doubt a piece of work that has endured the test of time.
A true 70's masterpiece, and I say that even though
Zeppelin isn't even my favorite band!

Answer 2

VERY hard question! Some choices:

Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon
Led Zeppelin IV (overplayed because it's good)
Doors L.A. Woman
Who Who's Next
David Bowie Ziggy Stardust
Queen A Night At the Opera
Elvis Costello My Aim Is True
Sex Pistols Never Mind the Bollocks

here's a list I found on the internets:

# London Calling - The Clash (1979)
# What's Going On - Marvin Gaye (1971)
# Desire - Bob Dylan (1976)
# Songs In The Key Of Life - Stevie Wonder (1976)
# Who's Next - The Who (1971)
# Led Zeppelin IV - Led Zeppelin (1971)
# Talking Book - Stevie Wonder (1972)
# The Clash - The Clash (1977)
# Blood On The Tracks - Bob Dylan (1975)
# Harvest - Neil Young (1972)
# Marquee Moon - Television (1977)
# Pretzel Logic - Steely Dan (1974)
# Physical Graffiti - Led Zeppelin (1975)
# Natty Dread - Bob Marley & The Wailers (1974)
# Dark Side Of The Moon - Pink Floyd (1973)
# Pink Moon - Nick Drake (1972)
# Electric Warrior - T. Rex (1971)
# Moondance - Van Morrison (1970)
# Tapestry - Carole King (1971)
# Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs - Derek & The Dominos (1970)

then there's like 280 more!

Answer 3

Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

Contained their best song: Wish You Were Here,
Last album where the whole band put in their in-put
AND
It was going to be just an all-black plastic cover, not even saying their names.. Now THAT'S style.. Too bad the music company's refused, asking the question: How will it sell if people can't see it's from Pink Floyd?

Good point.. but bad idea. What's also funny is that this album's lyrics pretty much all pay out the record business and this would have just been further proof to our Floyd that these guys are money-making tossers.

Pink Floyd pwn.

Answer 4

There's no way to pick just one. I must admit that, when I read your question, I thought of Carole King's Tapestry. However, it's not the only remarkable album released during that decade though that's true of any period of time, isn't it?

Among the best albums were:
You Don't Mess Around With Jim by Jim Croce
If it was only for "Time in a Bottle", this would be the best album for me. He was a wonderful songwriter with a warm, distinctive voice.
I also have to mention Photographs & Memories (greatest hits).
I was running an errand, listening to the radio, and feeling content with the world. Then, as I sat at a stop sign, I heard Croce's death reported. I felt as if I had been struck by lightning, and I broke down and cried, unable to go farther. I put the car in Park and sat there griefstricken over the death of yet another artist. This wasn't very many years after Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison.

Carole King's Tapestry~Everyone I knew at college had this album, including me~on eight-track and on vinyl! It's impossible to convey what this album meant to me and most of the people I knew. This was THE album for some time, just as Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band had been in the Sixties. Everywhere I went, I heard music from this album. Also, all the girls wanted that CK look, with the mane of hair and Natural Woman way about her.

Cosmo's Factory by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Their sound was all their own. Take a look at these songs:
Lookin' Out My Back Door
Run Through the Jungle
Up Around the Bend
Who'll Stop the Rain
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Long As I Can See the Light
If titles aren't enough, listen to these powerhouse songs. The majority hit the charts.

Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Simon & Garfunkle~This is another one that so many college kids seemed to have in their collections. It's so difficult to put into words how these songs made me feel~these and the music on other albums. But, the person I was in the Sixties-Seventies is still in there somewhere.
Bridge over Troubled Water
El Condor Pasa (If I Could)
Cecilia (This song still makes me laugh every time I hear it!)
Keep the Customer Satisfied
The Boxer
The Only Living Boy in New York
Bye Bye Love

I vividly remember the cover art on all of these, not because they were especially striking but because the vinyl inside that jacket had become comforting and sometimes necessary on a daily basis. Music wasn't all that portable then unless you were listening to a transistor radio.

It came out in 1969, but I have to mention Crosby, Stills & Nash~Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, Marrakesh Express, Guinnevere, Wooden Ships and Long Time Gone are among the amazing tracks that felt like a sort of a journey.

I know there will be a wide variety of albums mentioned.

Answer 5

Okay, I'm gonna pick an off the wall one: Rock n Roll Music To the World by Ten Years After--by far their best album. And a great concept LP. The two cuts "Standing At the Station" and "Religion" alone are worth the price of admission.

Answer 6

Grand Funk Railroad-"Live Album"

Answer 7

This Years Model - Elvis Costello
The songs on it are fantastic, I think the album cover is pretty cool. The album also has a punk edge but isn't compleatly punk.

Answer 8

Fleetwood Mac "Rumours". Every song on the album was a single, and it's just a staple album of any 70's music collection.

Answer 9

Pearl by Janis Joplin
because of Janis's voice.

I would have picked I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama! but I think it came out late '69.

Answer 10

The Eagles Hotel California
"On Christmas Day 1976 the Eagles 5th album “Hotel California” peaked at #1 and was certified a platinum selling record within only one week of release and stays at #1 for 8 weeks. This album eventually sold over 9 million copies in the US and 10 million copies total worldwide."
I dont believe there is a person out there who doesnt know at least one Eagles song, while this wasnt their first platinum album, it was their second, I think it is probably one of their most famous.