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.
- Chart updated: 11/03/2012 08:46
- (Created: 12/15/2011 09:25).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
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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:
59,180
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Comments:
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:
6,203
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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:
4,979
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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:
38,247
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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:
7,813
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Comments:
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]
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:
15,223
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Comments:
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:
24,767
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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:
8,727
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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:
13,762
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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% | |
| Genesis | 3 | 3% | |
| Deep Purple | 3 | 3% | |
| Harmonium | 3 | 3% | |
| Peter Hammill | 3 | 3% | |
| David Bowie | 3 | 3% | |
| Supertramp | 3 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
 |
59 | 59% | |
 |
16 | 16% | |
| |
12 | 12% | |
 |
5 | 5% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s chart changes
| New entries |
|---|
| X-Dreams by Annette Peacock |
| Leavers |
|---|
| Jesus Christ Superstar (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Album) by Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice |
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Other decade charts by Robert Anton Wilson
Robert Anton Wilson has shared 6 more 1970s decade charts with the community. Browse them all here.| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
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| Top 81 Music Albums of the 2020s | Robert Anton Wilson | 2020s decade chart | 2024 | |
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| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
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