Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s
by Robert Anton Wilson

"Today's Music Ain't Got the Same Soul. I Like My Old Time Rock'n Roll"
- Bob Seger

The 70s, my favorite decade music-wise. Finally made a selection of 100. Tough choices I had to do there. Ordering is the root of all evil in music. Still can't wait to be allowed to do an all prog list.

Eventually I will put different comments for albums duplicated from overall chart but for now here it is, now open for comments.
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There is no Dark Side to the Dark Side of the Moon really, as a matter of fact, it's all brilliant. [First added to this chart: 12/14/2011]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
60,060
Rank in 1973:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Top rated album (92/100 - 5331 votes)  92 (5,331 votes)
Comments:
2. (=)
United Kingdom Yes
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Close to the Edge is my favourite Yes piece but as an album I find Fragile to be the one better put together. Even people who hate Yes or Prog music usually find something to like on this album. Highlights: Roundabout, Long Distance Runaround, Heart of the Sunrise (but only for prog-heads that song). [First added to this chart: 12/14/2011]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,213
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
3. (=)
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My favorite of them. A niche album. This is Genesis at its most creative before the recipe crystallized. Highlight: Side 2: Supper`s Ready - of course. If you ever get a chance to see the tribute band 'Over the Garden Wall' do the Foxtrot tout on stage do not miss the occasion. Momentus nothing less, even Peter Gabriel himself took his kids see this show. [First added to this chart: 12/14/2011]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,098
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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After all these years and all these repeated plays, I still feel I haven't heard everything that is recorded on that album. I almost never listen to "Stairway" or "Black Dog" anymore and my current obsession is "When the Levee Breaks". There is much more to this album than appears at first. [First added to this chart: 12/14/2011]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
38,597
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Top rated album (90/100 - 3999 votes)  90 (3,999 votes)
Comments:
Buy album United States
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Finally Jim managed to do the album he always wanted. As the personalities and lives grew apart in the band, the musical communion did not falter. To be listened to carefully, this is NOT a "hit" album. This is Jim's testament and his ode of love to the grit and salt of the Earth. This album is the sum of all that came before and is an open door to the future. Then he took a "trip" to Paris. We all knew he never meant to come back. [First added to this chart: 12/14/2011]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,922
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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Compare 'Anarchy in the UK' to 'Birthday Girl' and check the dates, no coincidence there, the relationship between prog and punk is more incestuous than the critics like to play it out. [First added to this chart: 12/14/2011]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
138
Rank in 1975:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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The "Wall of Sound" arrangement can be as much a curse as a blessing for an album. This time around, it worked perfectly and made Bruce the Boss, out of the songwriter niche to the forefront of the scene. And what about that saxophone sound ... RIP CC. To be listened to loud. The ultimate album of songs about girls and cars and getting out of here. [First added to this chart: 12/14/2011]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
15,377
Rank in 1975:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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I hate including this album on a 70s chart, This album was released December 1979. This is truly an 80s album. [First added to this chart: 12/14/2011]
Year of Release:
1979
Appears in:
Rank Score:
25,121
Rank in 1979:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Top rated album (86/100 - 3500 votes)  86 (3,500 votes)
Comments:
Buy album United States
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I am an October child and this is an October album. You listen to it and you can't help but get that Fall feeling, leaves yellowing, crops picked up and lots of thanks to be given to the soil, the land, our home. A masterpiece from a great composer. There are no doubts in my mind that they will still listen to that album 300 years from now. Van the Man!!! [First added to this chart: 12/14/2011]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
8,683
Rank in 1970:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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'Close to the Edge', the song, is my second favorite musical piece of all. Took me a while to fully get it but it was well worth it. 'And You And I' is the ultimate prog test, if you like that song you like prog but if you don't like prog you will hate that song like no other. [First added to this chart: 12/14/2011]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
13,894
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Top rated album (85/100 - 1479 votes)  85 (1,479 votes)
Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s composition

Year Albums %


1970 13 13%
1971 11 11%
1972 11 11%
1973 11 11%
1974 14 14%
1975 13 13%
1976 7 7%
1977 5 5%
1978 9 9%
1979 5 5%
Artist Albums %


Pink Floyd 5 5%
Van Der Graaf Generator 3 3%
Yes 3 3%
The Rolling Stones 3 3%
Genesis 3 3%
Deep Purple 3 3%
Harmonium 3 3%
Show all
Country Albums %


United Kingdom 60 60%
United States 16 16%
Canada 12 12%
Germany 5 5%
Greece 3 3%
Mixed Nationality 3 3%
Italy 1 1%
Compilation? Albums %
No 99 99%
Yes 1 1%
Live? Albums %
No 98 98%
Yes 2 2%
Soundtrack? Albums %
No 99 99%
Yes 1 1%

Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s chart changes

New entries
New entry X-Dreams
by Annette Peacock
TitleSourceTypePublishedCountry
Top 1970s Classic Rock Albumsnas062080Custom chart2013
Top 99 Music Albums of the 1970selton2291970s decade chart2012
Top 100 Greatest Music Albums Robert Anton WilsonOverall chart2024
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s WrathchildIX1970s decade chart2017
Top British Albums of the 1970snas062080Custom chart2013
Decade 1970sfabm0Custom chart2025
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970sManso1970s decade chart2020
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970sSiromynian1970s decade chart2025
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970snas0620801970s decade chart2013
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970sKettwig1970s decade chart2017

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86/100 (from 7 votes)
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