Top 16 Music Albums of 1974
by Junomoogmello

This chart is under construction. Only albums which I own on vinyl, CD, tape, are added as re-listened to.
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Buy album United States
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I had been searching for a near mint copy on vinyl for over two years and boy was it worth the wait. A truly amazing prog masterpiece! Because of the similarity with the Camel cigarette brand image I guess that this will never be re-issued. [First added to this chart: 02/06/2022]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,529
Rank in 1974:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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I love this album, although Ian Gillan had departed and David Coverdale took over vocal duties it is a different sound but still very Deep Purple. Favourite track is Soldier of Fortune, I saw Richie Blackmore play this live when I saw Blackmores Night a few years ago in Yeovil, superb! [First added to this chart: 02/28/2021]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
316
Rank in 1974:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
3. (=)
United Kingdom Yes
Buy album United States
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I am not going to compare this album to earlier Yes work but take it at face value. A stellar prog classic album, very underrarrated, fantastic musicianship and a great progressive album cover design! Pass it by at your peril! [First added to this chart: 03/28/2021]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,279
Rank in 1974:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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This album must have sounded so ahead of its time when released in 74. Oozing cold Mellotron textures, the music paints a cold desolate soundscape which is a million miles away from earth. I thank Record Store day 2020 for the orange vinyl re-issue which is as good as the worn out copy I'm replacing it with. Fantastic sleeve artwork which marries with the musical soundscapes perfectly. [First added to this chart: 09/24/2020]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,476
Rank in 1974:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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A great progressive mainly instrumental album. Superb musicianship, full of energy.Love the sleeve art too. A band which are often overlooked in the Progressive world, it is rare to see them mentioned in Progressive charts or music articles which are so often dominated by the prog heavyweights like Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Gentle Giant, VDGG. [First added to this chart: 02/11/2021]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
111
Rank in 1974:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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A much heavier affair than previous works. Moments of sheer foreboding are created with lead guitar and violin interplay on 'Providence'. A beautiful Mellotron string provides the foundation for 'Starless', where the lead vocal shares centre stage with meandering saxophone arpeggios. Overall the album has a much darker sinister feel to it and could quite easily have been used as a backing for a 70's horror movie, in particular the track 'Starless' and hell, what a sax solo lies in wait when this track climaxes! [First added to this chart: 03/12/2021]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
10,195
Rank in 1974:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Top rated album (86/100 - 1103 votes)  86 (1,103 votes)
Comments:
Buy album United States
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Solid follow up to their debut. Worth owning for Sweet Home Alabama, there are some other very strong tracks, working for MCA, Swamp Music, Ballad of Curtis Loew, The Needle and the Spoon. If you own the first two albums then you own the best of Skynyrd. [First added to this chart: 11/11/2023]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,010
Rank in 1974:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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The opening track is a huge sound with choir, orchestra, timpani and spiralling synths. The second part of the opening track could be a Classical Christmas Overture, things then calm down for the vocal introduction. The narration fits the music perfectly and as it is introduced each time, the music fades back. For those interested in keyboards (and RW had a few) there is some great Mini Moog noodling on this album. Equally there are some really cheesy keyboard sounds like the harpsichord sound. Great concept album. [First added to this chart: 09/04/2021]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
88
Rank in 1974:
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Overall Rank:
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Comments:
Buy album United States
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A great album by Deep Purple Mark 2. I see that opinions are mixed on who was the better vocalist. Personally I think it comes down to individual preference. I certainly think that this and 'Stormbringer' sound even better now than they did back when they were released, possibly part of that is my musical taste maturing. Without a doubt David Coverdale brought a new lease of life to Purple when Gillan left. Equally Gillan made 'In Rock' and 'Machine Head' albums that will hold legendary status. As far as this album goes, the title track is a personal favourite. [First added to this chart: 03/07/2021]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,241
Rank in 1974:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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Compared to a lot of Bowie output, I think of this as a loud and aggressive album and need to be in the right mood to listen to it. My favourite tracks are Diamond Dogs, Rebel Rebel, Rock and Roll With Me and 1984, however I tend to prefer all of side two. I will now put the cat among the pigeons, this album could sit in a Progressive chart along with Genesis, King Crimson and Yes, there I've said it! It has all the ingredients, it is a concept album, it has bizarre cover art, there is Mellotron and Moog, there are several different musical styles. So when I eventually get to construct my Prog Top 100 don't be surprised to see this album wedged between the Prog heavyweights. [First added to this chart: 12/23/2023]
Year of Release:
1974
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,733
Rank in 1974:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 16. Page 1 of 2
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Top 16 Music Albums of 1974 composition

Artist Albums %


Deep Purple 2 13%
King Crimson 2 13%
Lynyrd Skynyrd 1 6%
Rick Wakeman 1 6%
David Bowie 1 6%
Neil Young 1 6%
Queen 1 6%
Show all
Country Albums %


United Kingdom 10 63%
United States 3 19%
Germany 2 13%
Canada 1 6%
Live? Albums %
No 15 94%
Yes 1 6%

Top 16 Music Albums of 1974 chart changes

Biggest fallers
Faller Down 1 from 13th to 14thMidnight Mushrumps
by Gryphon
Faller Down 1 from 14th to 15thAqua
by Edgar Froese
Faller Down 1 from 15th to 16thApostrophe (')
by Frank Zappa
New entries
New entry Queen II
by Queen

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88/100 (from 2 votes)
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06/19/2024 22:43 mrmcrook   76492/100
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02/12/2021 20:28 DJENNY   4,365100/100
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From 06/19/2024 22:44 | #304016
Love the notes. Gives good insight
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