# Greatest Classic Rock Albums of All Time??? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 28, 2011, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106 "2011-06-28T05:12:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/61 "2011-06-28T18:47:53Z")
> [@K1LL\_4\_FUN](#): > > Not really faint praise, I love Pet Sounds, #2 on my list, and The Beatles are my all time favorite band. I think the faint praise was “the greatest from Zep.” **Silenus** does not seem to think much of Zeppelin. He’s right about so many things, just not that one. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![K1LL\_4\_FUN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e68b1a/32.png) [@K1LL\_4\_FUN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K1LL_4_FUN)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/62 "2011-06-28T18:51:16Z")
Rumours deserves to be top 25 without a doubt. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/63 "2011-06-28T19:00:14Z")
Hey, I **love** the Zep. I just don’t think they were original, all that great, or worthy of the gushing praise they get from everybody. ---
**Author:** ![K1LL\_4\_FUN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e68b1a/32.png) [@K1LL\_4\_FUN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K1LL_4_FUN)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/64 "2011-06-28T19:10:54Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Hey, I **love** the Zep. I just don’t think they were original, all that great, or worthy of the gushing praise they get from everybody. Zep 3,4,Houses of the Holy, Presence are all pretty damn original, innovative. And Jimmy is an all time great, Plant is an all time great, and Bonham is the all time greatest, JPJ’s isn’t too shabby himself either, I am admittedly bias toward Zeppelin but I just don’t see a smudge on there greatness. Even there late half-coherent stuff still has a few good hits on each album. There first 2 albums were not that original, even though they are very very good; but they are still very very good. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/65 "2011-06-28T19:17:56Z")
A couple contenders that haven’t been mentioned yet: _Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs_ - Derek and the Dominos \*Back in Black \*- AC/DC ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/66 "2011-06-28T19:28:29Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Hey, I **love** the Zep. I just don’t think they were original, all that great, or worthy of the gushing praise they get from everybody. Oh, I got the impression you didn’t like them based on your posts. Other than the Beatles, I can’t think of a single band with as impressive of streak of albums as Led Zep I - Physical Graffiti. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/67 "2011-06-28T19:40:04Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Blondie’s eponymous album from the 70s. An early female rocker that influenced many who followed. Also Janis Joplin’s first album with Big Brother: it literally left people with their jaws on the floor. Nobody had ever heard a self-described “white chick who tries to sing the blues” belt a song like her soul was on fire. Second actually. The first one, which was totally studio and which I used to own, was less than awesome. [The Wiki entry](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Brother_and_the_Holding_Company) give a surprising, to me, history of Cheap Thrills. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/68 "2011-06-28T19:47:34Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > Stones: Definitely not Beggars Banquet. While some great songs, some mediocre ones too. Let it Bleed is a good choice, but so is Sticky Fingers, and, from left field Between the Buttons. I find the production values on Exile on Main Street so muddy as to make it almost unlistenable. > > Beatles: Sergeant Pepper and Revolver - they merit two. A list of ten is _so_ short–even just for Classic Rock, never mind rock generally–that I don’t think any artist can possibly be granted more than one slot. _Beggars Banquet_ and _Let It Bleed_ are stone classic records (_Banquet_ is sometimes my favorite Stones album, based on mood), but I think the Stone classic on this list has to be _Sticky Fingers_ for its perfection of elements and breadth of appeal. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/69 "2011-06-28T20:19:11Z")
> [@ScatteredFrog](#): > > _The Twain Shall Meet_ by Eric Burdon & The Animals – a sorely underappreciated album. While I wouldn’t put this in my top 10, it’s cool to see it mentioned. And that reminds me of another favorite – _Sunshine Superman_ by Donovan. Maybe not “classic rock” in the commonly accepted sense but still an amazing LP. A few other off-the-wall choices for me would be _Sunburst Finish_ by Be-Bop Deluxe, _Projections_ by the Blues Project, and _Bursting at the Seams_ by Strawbs. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/70 "2011-06-28T20:30:04Z")
I’ll just use my own definition of “classic rock” being anything over 25 years old, since I’m not a big fan of most stuff played on “classic rock” radio: 1. Gang of Four - Entertainment! 2. The Clash - The Clash 3. The Beatles - Revolver 4. Husker Du - Zen Arcade 5. The Replacements - Let It Be 6. R.E.M. - Murmur 7. Ramones - Rocket To Russia 8. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds 9. Wire - Pink Flag 10. David Bowie - Low ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/71 "2011-06-28T21:10:42Z")
> [@cjepson](#): > > While I wouldn’t put this in my top 10, it’s cool to see it mentioned. And that reminds me of another favorite – _Sunshine Superman_ by Donovan. Maybe not “classic rock” in the commonly accepted sense but still an amazing LP. The first album that got me into trouble when I brought it home! Summer of '66, I think! > [@cjepson](#): > > A few other off-the-wall choices for me would be _Sunburst Finish_ by Be-Bop Deluxe, _Projections_ by the Blues Project, and _Bursting at the Seams_ by Strawbs. Nice to see the Strawbs mentioned! ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/72 "2011-06-28T21:13:51Z")
I question whether any album made before 1970 can be counted as classic rock. For me, the quintessential classic rock came from bands like Bad Company and Foreigner, as a sort of reaction to the introspective soft rockers and singer-songwriters of the early 70s. In hindsight, their style seemed to be a reaction against not only the soft acoustic arrangements of musicians like James Taylor but also against the “sensitive guy” motifs. Tough-guy lyrics return with songs like “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love” (_Well I take whatever I want, And baby I want you_…), and “The Boys Are Back In Town” (_And if they wanna fight you better let 'em_…). IMO, as all this post is, the instrumental arrangements of these songs were also a reaction against the sonic textures that characterize much 1960s music. Afraid of sounding hackneyed, the bands avoided the type of sound textures heard on the Beatles’ late albums or the Doors’ early ones. But in this process, the music lost a lot of its spark. I agree with a lot of the albums that people have mentioned here, but don’t quite consider them to be classic rock. They’re too good. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/73 "2011-06-28T21:25:32Z")
> [@NineToTheSky](#): > > Then what is your judging criteria? > > ETA: For me rock ‘n’ roll is 50s music. This is how I thought of it during the late 1960s and through the 1970s, and I think that’s how writers and other journalists used the term. Rock ‘n’ roll was hokey greasy kid-stuff played by bands who wore shiny suits[sup]1[/sup], to guys in jeans that were rolled up at the bottom and their dates in starched out crinoline dresses. Some time after that, though, the term rock ‘n’ roll came to include just about all of rock music. Of course we’re in different parts of the world so YMMV. From reading a few memoirs of musicians, I get the feeling that the bands themselves never lost their respect for their forerunners the way the fans did. [sup]1[/sup]Ironically, a lot of this sort of thing is now cool, like those 2-door Chevy Bel-Airs that had that wonderful clean sweep under the roof line, not having the usual post behind the driver and passenger doors. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/74 "2011-06-28T21:32:26Z")
oops ---
**Author:** ![pojimba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@pojimba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pojimba)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/75 "2011-06-28T21:54:48Z")
Has no one mentioned _Aqualung_? ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/76 "2011-06-28T22:01:46Z")
> [@Manduck](#): > > I would kick Floyd off the list and add Revolver. And there has to be a Stones album on there but I’m not sure which one. I don’t think you can really do that. Kick off the best charting album in terms of duration in history? Its sold almost 50 million copies! I do agree that a Stones album belongs on the list…maybe _Hot Rocks_? I’d pick _Exile On Main Street_ myself, but _Hot Rocks_ has a huge list of their earlier hits on it. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/77 "2011-06-28T22:07:21Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > All Zeppelin was derivative to the extreme, so I would toss both choices off the list. Replace Sgt. Pepper’s with Revolver. Add a Stones album. My choice would be Beggar’s Banquet or Exile On Main Street. Toss in Surrealistic Pillow and you have a Top Ten. Not this again. :dubious: Not _ALL_ Zeppelin was “derivative to the extreme”, and in rock and roll, all newer forms steal from the former in one way or another. Zeppelin is really only guilty of not giving album credits to obvious riff rip-offs, and this meme that all of their music was some kind of a rip off from other bands is ludicrous. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/78 "2011-06-28T22:15:29Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > I question whether any album made before 1970 can be counted as classic rock. For me, the quintessential classic rock came from bands like Bad Company and Foreigner… > I agree with a lot of the albums that people have mentioned here, but don’t quite consider them to be classic rock. They’re too good. I think you have a somewhat idiosyncratic understanding, or at least are coming from a very different musical milieu than I. In my circles, something like Foreigner would be referred to as “arena rock,” which would be widely understood as following after, and not attaining the artistic peaks of, the heyday of classic rock. ---
**Author:** ![K1LL\_4\_FUN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e68b1a/32.png) [@K1LL\_4\_FUN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K1LL_4_FUN)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/79 "2011-06-29T13:10:20Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > I think you have a somewhat idiosyncratic understanding, or at least are coming from a very different musical milieu than I. In my circles, something like Foreigner would be referred to as “arena rock,” which would be widely understood as following after, and not attaining the artistic peaks of, the heyday of classic rock. Agreed ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106/80 "2011-06-29T15:13:48Z")
The only significant oversight is the lack of the Rolling Stones. The greatest rock band ever should have spot and their best album - Exile on Main Street - has to be in there. To me, it’s the greatest album ever produced, so it’s number one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-classic-rock-albums-of-all-time/587106.md?page=5)