Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s by ThePoodleBites

The nineteen-sixties ... a comparatively strange era of freedom, love, peace, and music. The idealistic 'hippie' scene gave forth to new opinions, ideas, and musical creations/experimentalism that could be expressed for the first time. Censorship often lowered to a minimum. This chart, considering historical impactful as well as the well-conceptualized listening material, is rated upon the albums which I most enjoy listening to as well as appreciate the cultural impact of from one of the greatest musical generations.

• Chart updated: 05/17/2017 15:45
• (Created: 04/20/2013 21:46).
• Chart size: 100 albums.

There are 3 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s has an average rating of 86 out of 100 (from 5 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.

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1. (=)

The Velvet Underground & Nico 

 The Velvet Underground & Nico

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Oh, Andy, won't you please come home? The VU & Nico has maintained not only a cult status for almost fifty years, but also a place in every music enthusiast's heart for creativity and poignancy. It is often quoted that although VU & Nico only sold around 30,000 copies on its first issue, it was so influential that just about every person who bought it started a band. "Sunday Morning" begins the album with beauty unequaled in 1967, while the song after it describes the purchase of an extremely addictive narcotic. A psychedelic masterpiece, VU & Nico boasts "Heroin," arguably the Velvet's best song, best composition about escapism, and best two-chord song ever composed, "Venus In Furs," an ode to sadomasochism, and many other counterculture topics that established Lou Reed and John Cale in the music scene forever. [First added to this chart: 04/20/2013]

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

2,978 charts

Rank Score:

46,102

Rank in 1967:

2

Rank in 1960s:

4

Overall Rank:

10

Average Rating:

 89 (3,454 votes)

Comments:

350

2. (=)

Freak Out! 

 The Mothers Of Invention

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The Mothers of Invention's (or The Muthers', as they intended to be called) debut was satirical, soulful, and insanely ambitious. Noted as one of the world's first concept albums and the world's first double-album debut, Zappa made his appearance in the underground scene where he stayed for the majority of his career. The musical deviates from psychedelic rock to doo-wop to avant-garde experimentalism back to R&B again. 'Freak Out!' has maintained its status as a complex and beautiful album for decades and still deserves all the praise it receives. [First added to this chart: 04/20/2013]

Year of Release:

1966

Appears in:

557 charts

Rank Score:

3,765

Rank in 1966:

6

Rank in 1960s:

61

Overall Rank:

478

Average Rating:

 80 (716 votes)

Comments:

44

3. (=)

Easter Everywhere 

 13th Floor Elevators

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The 13th Floor Elevators were Texas' true innovators during the 1960's. Their story is tragic but their music is legendary; their second record on the infamous teal-colored International Artists label, 'Easter Everywhere,' is truly an epic masterwork. The existential "Slip Inside This House" which starts the album is simply the band's best track and arguably one of the best of the decade. The raw energy of "Levitation" and Bob Dylan's favorite version of his song "Baby Blue" also highlight the album. "Nobody to Love," guitarist Stacy Sutherland's highlight, is one of the most amazing soundscapes created in rock music; the final two tracks constitute one of the best album endings ever produced. Although every CD of this is garbage (the master tapes have been destroyed), check out an original vinyl rip (there's a great "Audiophile Edition" on YouTube). [First added to this chart: 03/09/2017]

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

154 charts

Rank Score:

810

Rank in 1967:

33

Rank in 1960s:

199

Overall Rank:

2,049

Average Rating:

 78 (162 votes)

Comments:

8

4. (=)

Forever Changes 

 Love

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The Summer of Love, 1967. Sgt. Pepper, the VU & Nico, and countless other classics were debuted that year, yet Forever Changes stands as one of the most genuine, if not the most metaphysical of them all. Psychedelic Rock? Definitely. But the 'garage' side of psychedelia, the '13th Floor Elevators' side if you will, takes a back seat to the raga rock, mind-bending lyrical humor and Arthur Lee's timeless, unique observations. Bryan MacLean's "Alone Again Or" is one of the most mind-numbing, beautiful pieces of music ever recorded. "Old Man," "The Red Telephone," "Bummer In The Summer," "Live And Let Live" (including the infamous snot line), and of course, "You Set The Scene," one of the most perfect album-enders ever cut. Lee, a black musician in the '60s, had every right to be pissed off at the society he lived in. Instead, however, he gave the world one of the most shockingly relevant, revolutionary, and contemplative recordings of all time. 'Forever Changes' is a true psychedelic classic. [First added to this chart: 01/03/2014]

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

1,439 charts

Rank Score:

17,164

Rank in 1967:

5

Rank in 1960s:

18

Overall Rank:

72

Average Rating:

 85 (1,587 votes)

Comments:

150

5. (=)

Trout Mask Replica 

 Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

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What can be said about the good Captain that has not already been said? Wild, loud, complex, and somehow full of soul that no other album has ever been able to equal, Beefheart's masterwork, produced by Frank Zappa, demonstrated what was possible in a rock-context. Through the repetitious themes and inspiring poetry, The Magic Band turned the face of rock inside out and broke any and all standards that had ever or will ever been made. Equally worked on by John French, TMR stands today as a complex picture, almost as Ornette Coleman's "The Shape Of Jazz To Come" was shown in 1959. [First added to this chart: 04/20/2013]

Year of Release:

1969

Appears in:

720 charts

Rank Score:

7,123

Rank in 1969:

12

Rank in 1960s:

40

Overall Rank:

243

Average Rating:

 74 (1,054 votes)

Comments:

170

6. (=)

In The Court Of The Crimson King (An Observation By King Crimson) 

 King Crimson

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The first time I listened to this album, I couldn't hear the introduction. "Is that a ... train?" I turned up the volume a little more, trying to--WHAM! I jumped halfway out of my seat. From there I remained half-stunned and half-amazed for about fourty-four minutes as the album worked its way to climax. Considered as the birthplace of progressive rock, there simply was no other band this tight and together in this era or arguably ever. "21st Century Schizoid Man" is one of the hardest-rocking pieces of gold that human beings have ever been graced with by the holy musical deity. The entire album is incredibly moving as whole or even separated into tracks. The lyrics, as brilliant as the music, seek to convey a poetic mood as well as an interesting perspective into the lives of modern civilization. King Crimson stays constantly real and unavoidably musical. Check this one out. [First added to this chart: 01/03/2014]

Year of Release:

1969

Appears in:

1,985 charts

Rank Score:

31,666

Rank in 1969:

2

Rank in 1960s:

7

Overall Rank:

25

Average Rating:

 89 (2,348 votes)

Comments:

219

7. (=)

The Velvet Underground 

 The Velvet Underground

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The year 1969 was one of the greatest turning points/years in music - it held the infamous Woodstock Festival and numerous albums that would change the face of music forever. The Velvet Underground's self-titled album, an album of mostly ballads, is a precious moment of solace amongst the turbulence of its time. Lou Reed's unique compositional style, simplistic melodies, and estrange vocals ring to the heart of a beginning Velvets fan and to the soul of an archaic worshiper. The album's most avant-garde track, "The Murder Mystery," is an acid trip without illegal activites, and the album concludes on one of the prettiest numbers ever composed - "After Hours." [First added to this chart: 04/20/2013]

Year of Release:

1969

Appears in:

1,192 charts

Rank Score:

13,810

Rank in 1969:

6

Rank in 1960s:

23

Overall Rank:

94

Average Rating:

 86 (1,589 votes)

Comments:

115

8. (=)

Pet Sounds 

 The Beach Boys

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Brain Wilson's work "Pet Sounds" is often rated highly due to its use of strange percussion equipment and, at the time, avant-garde compositions in terms of popular music. It is also referenced as a prime influence of The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper." What most commentators miss, though, is the absolute pureness of emotion and beauty in the music of this album. No other Beach Boys album beforehand had quite as real love stories or such relatable emotions. No album before had the soaring melodies, and no albums had pieces as musically rich as the first tracks on both sides of the album. Above all, The Beach Boys' beautiful harmonies are at their greatest here - perfectly in pitch and together, and without the slightest of our modern day autotune (can you imagine that!?). [First added to this chart: 04/20/2013]

Year of Release:

1966

Appears in:

2,777 charts

Rank Score:

45,110

Rank in 1966:

2

Rank in 1960s:

5

Overall Rank:

11

Average Rating:

 88 (3,192 votes)

Comments:

354

9. (=)

Electric Ladyland 

 The Jimi Hendrix Experience

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While Hendrix's first two albums contain music way beyond that of his era, Electric Ladyland is where the guitarist, composer, musician really made his grandest artistic statement. While it contains the hits "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" and "All Along The Watchtower," the tracks "1983... (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)" and "Burning Of The Midnight Lamp" host some of the most beautiful lyrics Hendrix ever wrote. From beginning to end, the Experience truly made a wonderful album to experience. [First added to this chart: 04/20/2013]

Year of Release:

1968

Appears in:

1,627 charts

Rank Score:

18,702

Rank in 1968:

2

Rank in 1960s:

15

Overall Rank:

63

Average Rating:

 86 (1,919 votes)

Comments:

108

10. (=)

Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake 

 Small Faces

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While "just" a pop-rock album from the late-60s psychedelic era, the Small Faces' final album, on the pink Immediate label, somehow finds its way onto my playlist more often than not. The first side is an incredible mish-mash of psychedelic classics, each song as good as the last. The second side tells a fascinating (and slightly hilarious) story about a boy in search of the moon. Definitely worth a listen or two (... hundred)! [First added to this chart: 01/03/2014]

Year of Release:

1968

Appears in:

314 charts

Rank Score:

1,763

Rank in 1968:

22

Rank in 1960s:

109

Overall Rank:

1,010

Average Rating:

 78 (281 votes)

Comments:

18

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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s composition

Year	Albums	%
1960	1	1%
1961	2	2%
1962	0	0%
1963	1	1%
1964	0	0%
1965	2	2%
1966	8	8%
1967	28	28%
1968	33	33%
1969	25	25%

Artist	Albums	%
The Beatles	6	6%
The Mothers Of Invention	4	4%
The Doors	3	3%
The Rolling Stones	2	2%
13th Floor Elevators	2	2%
John Coltrane	2	2%
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band	2	2%
Show all

Country	Albums	%
	59	59%
	33	33%
	3	3%
	2	2%
	1	1%
	1	1%
	1	1%

Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s chart changes

New entries
Procol Harum by Procol Harum
Synanthesia by Synanthesia

Leavers
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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s similarity to your chart(s)

Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s ratings

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Rating	Date updated	Member	Chart ratings	Avg. chart rating
85/100	08/28/2016 12:38	TheSmiths82-87	1,839	83/100
90/100	09/28/2015 20:04	jdizzle123456	207	89/100
90/100	01/05/2014 15:36	sssvnnn	2,821	83/100
80/100	05/25/2013 08:21	Johnnyo	2,013	80/100
85/100	05/21/2013 00:45	hairymarx1	44	70/100

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Johnnyo

Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s comments

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Rating:  

90/100

From sssvnnn 10/13/2013 22:44

Good Chart - but no 60`s Chart!
It´s basically a Chart of 70`s artists who started their career in the late 60`s.
Anyway, I was not part of the 60`s.
And finally now that I did a 60`s Chart myself....
It looks pretty much like yours with a focus on the years 1967 - 1969...
So I feel I should improve my rating to 90.

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Rating:  

80/100

From Johnnyo 05/25/2013 08:21

Really nice chart

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Rating:  

85/100

From hairymarx1 05/21/2013 00:48

Great chart. I thought I was the only person who loved An Evening With Wilde Man Fischer. I bought it on Vinyl about 20 years ago and it's one of my prized possessions. In a similar vein, I also recommend the work of David Peel, the Godz and the Fugs.

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

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