160 Mind Expanding Psychedelic Albums Pt1 by Junomoogmello

This psychedelic chart may surprise some people. It is in two parts, mainly because of the size of it. The first part generally tends to include music from the sixties, the second part includes some more 'up to date' psychedelic offerings. Firstly, I have only included albums which I own on vinyl, part of this decision is that the amazing cover art on many of the albums forms a significant part of the overall experience for me. There is nothing like the tactility of vinyl and truth is, the sound can't be matched! Secondly, it includes some albums by bands which definitely do deliver that 'psychedelic sound', however the albums may not have intentionally been intended to fit within that mould or to hit that market. I include Deep Purple, The Rolling Stones, Yes, David Bowie, Tangerine Dream and the Velvet Underground in this group. Thirdly, there are some compilations included and I think this is ok. A good example being Pink Floyd Relics, where some of their finest psychedelic era tracks can only be found on this album, an album which has never really got the credit it is due. It was not a deliberate decision to mostly include albums which were issued during the Summer of Love or within a few years either side of 1967, it just happens that my favourite psychedelic albums are from this period. Without doubt, many of the bands rose from the Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood and San Francisco Bay region. The UK also played its part with many bands delivering albums which clearly sat within the psychedelic mould. The Beatles, The Moody Blues and The Kinks all delivered a number of albums which sit well within the psychedelic boundary, some may argue they are closer to pop and in the case of The Moody Blues, closer to Prog. So when I refer to the 'psychedelic mould', what exactly is it and where are the boundaries? I can't answer that question without reference to the readily available mind expanding drugs available during the birth of Psychedelia. The psychedelics without doubt influenced the creativity and music scene during the mid to late sixties. It wasn't until October 68 that LSD became an illegal drug in the USA. Sadly, a large number of amazing musicians in the sixties and early seventies lost their lives to harder drugs, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Tim Buckley, to name but a few. Many may argue that Syd Barrett died the day he laid down his guitar for the last time...The psychedelic sound was built around diverse rhythms constructed with loose hi-hat and tight snare and bass drum patterns, often coloured with tambourine, congas, bongos. Kettle drums could be used to add effect and drama. Lead guitar was overdriven creating that typical fuzz guitar sound, Hendrix was a master, in fact Tangerine Dream's debut was a nod to Hendrix. Many bands opted to introduce eastern instruments like the Sitar and Tabla, the Beatles were early pioneers, introducing Sitar on a number of tracks. Textures created on organ, most notably Farfisa and Hammond were often provided by bands to add to the psychedelic sound. Pink Floyd and the Grateful Dead used the Organ to great effect on many tracks. Very early sound sampling found its way onto numerous albums, this may have been achieved by reversing or slowing down tapes (Beatles, Sgt Pepper and Revolver) and if bands could afford it, adding early Mellotron textures which the Moody Blues pioneered. Vocals were put through basic effects processors to add mystique and volume! Other conventional instruments like flute, oboe, French Horn, harpsichord, harmonium, piano and wind chimes all found their way onto a number of psychedelic tracks. Some more unusual instruments like the Vox Continental keyboard and Theremin were used by a few bands, the Doors most famously used the Vox on all their albums, it carved out that very typical Doors sound. Iron Butterfly, The Beatles and The Animals also used the Vox on many tracks. The Beach Boys used the Theremin which provided a very unique sound at the time. Many bands included early basic electric piano, sometimes just to provide unusual effects, not necessarily to bash out a tune. In summary, Psychedelic music is quite rich and diverse offering the listener an escape from reality into another realm, without the use of mind altering drugs. It includes jazz, garage, pop and rock genres and in the case of Blue Cheer (named after a variety of LSD), early metal. I hope this chart may help introduce fellow music lovers to some classic Psychedelic albums which they may not have listened to before. Enjoy the trip!

• Chart updated: 03/19/2024 19:45
• (Created: 01/15/2024 06:54).
• Chart size: 100 albums.

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21. (=)

Forever Changes 

 Love

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[First added to this chart: 02/10/2024]

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

1,444 charts

Rank Score:

17,169

Rank in 1967:

5

Rank in 1960s:

18

Overall Rank:

72

Average Rating:

 85 (1,589 votes)

Comments:

150

22. (=)

The Doors 

 The Doors

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Coalescing in Los Angeles, this quartet honed their unique sound in seedy ill- attended Sunset Strip clubs. They graduated to the whisky a Go Go Club on the recommendation of Love’s Arthur Lee. Their sound was founded on the keyboard skills of Ray Manzarek, who played bass lines on one keyboard and chords or lead lines on the other. The Vox Continental was a very clear part of their unique sound. Some of their best work can be found on this album; ‘Light My Fire’, ‘The Crystal Ship’, ‘Soul Kitchen’ to name but three. The albums centrepiece has to be the sinister and compelling epic that concludes proceedings. Apparently Morrison was tripping on LSD when he wrote ‘The End’, the first attempt being to record it in a darkened studio. When producer Paul Rothchild eventually committed the track to tape, he noted it to be the most awe-inspiring thing he’d ever witnessed in the studio! [First added to this chart: 02/04/2024]

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

2,342 charts

Rank Score:

29,243

Rank in 1967:

3

Rank in 1960s:

10

Overall Rank:

30

Average Rating:

 87 (2,765 votes)

Comments:

207

23. (=)

After Bathing At Baxter's 

 Jefferson Airplane

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With an album title which was band slang for dropping acid, you get a sense of what is in store within the cover. Flute and clarinet compliment Grace Slick’s beautiful vocal against a piano backdrop on two of the tracks. Fuzz guitar, strange effects and bizarre vocal explosions all add to the psychedelic experience. The opener is a personal favourite. [First added to this chart: 01/16/2024]

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

186 charts

Rank Score:

980

Rank in 1967:

29

Rank in 1960s:

171

Overall Rank:

1,735

Average Rating:

 77 (225 votes)

Comments:

17

24. (=)

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Love And Poetry 

 Andwella's Dream

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This album was recorded in three different studios and that adds to the diversity of the sound. The second track with its opening chimes, Tibetan Bell and flute conjours up images of a far distant land. It sounds very much like the opening of the seventies TV series, Kung Foo! 'Cocaine' is an album highlight. A compelling listen and quite bizarre sleeve make this a rather collectible album in psychedelic circles. [First added to this chart: 01/28/2024]

Year of Release:

1969

Appears in:

13 charts

Rank Score:

25

Rank in 1969:

357

Rank in 1960s:

1,910

Overall Rank:

31,157

Average Rating:

 77 (10 votes)

Comments:

1

25. (=)

Sunshine Superman 

 Donovan

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[First added to this chart: 01/30/2024]

Year of Release:

1966

Appears in:

259 charts

Rank Score:

1,181

Rank in 1966:

16

Rank in 1960s:

152

Overall Rank:

1,464

Average Rating:

 77 (264 votes)

Comments:

18

26. (=)

Axis: Bold As Love 

 The Jimi Hendrix Experience

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One of Hendrix top three albums, all are slightly different and sit firmly in the psychedelic camp. This album has a ‘jazzier, funkier’ feel to it. Great sleeve art, giving a hint to the psychedelic treasure within. [First added to this chart: 02/03/2024]

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

979 charts

Rank Score:

8,112

Rank in 1967:

9

Rank in 1960s:

33

Overall Rank:

206

Average Rating:

 83 (1,339 votes)

Comments:

61

27. (=)

Magical Mystery Tour 
Soundtrack

 The Beatles

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Many may have put this album in front of Sgt Pepper and Revolver and I fully respect that opinion. There are some excellent tracks on this album, however it is less consistent and doesn’t flow quite like Revolver or Sgt Pepper. This was the first album release after the death of Brian Epstein and Paul took the lead in steering the direction towards a movie, which wasn’t the best decision, however the album as a stand alone was a much superior delivery. At this time George had pretty much stopped playing guitar in favour of sitar or keyboard, this certainly aided the psychedelic sound. The closing track has been covered by many artists and has become a classic in its own right over time, most notably (with different words) opening the film ‘Love Actually’. [First added to this chart: 01/16/2024]

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

1,444 charts

Rank Score:

16,127

Rank in 1967:

6

Rank in 1960s:

20

Overall Rank:

84

Average Rating:

 86 (2,482 votes)

Comments:

177

28. (=)

Fifth Dimension 

 The Byrds

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Worth owning for ‘Eight Miles High’ and the title track. ‘Hey Joe’ is a very different affair to the version Hendrix would release as an early single, he slowed it right down. The instrumental ‘John Riley’ is a personal favourite, the lead guitar and harmonica duelling for position over a great psychedelic rhythm. Great, simple yet effective psychedelic sleeve art. [First added to this chart: 01/16/2024]

Year of Release:

1966

Appears in:

312 charts

Rank Score:

1,463

Rank in 1966:

15

Rank in 1960s:

127

Overall Rank:

1,213

Average Rating:

 78 (315 votes)

Comments:

14

29. (=)

Bitches Brew 

 Miles Davis

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Who would know that a trumpet could create such atmosphere? It can when played by Miles Davis and when fed through delays, echos and reverb. This avant garde jazz workout is a true psychedelic masterpiece, even if that was not the original intention of this double album housed within a truly psychedelic cover. This is Miles Davis Electric Ladyland. [First added to this chart: 01/30/2024]

Year of Release:

1970

Appears in:

927 charts

Rank Score:

10,134

Rank in 1970:

6

Rank in 1970s:

40

Overall Rank:

153

Average Rating:

 84 (1,154 votes)

Comments:

72

30. (=)

Santana 

 Santana

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Formed in San Fransisco and led by by Mexican guitar wizard Carlos Santana. With a heavy emphasis in the percussion department, rhythms often founded in South American Latin culture and blistering lead guitar work, Santana’s debut ticks most of the psychedelic boxes. The instrumental work on this album is truly staggering, so full of energy and complexity. If any album showcases how an organ can take lead parts, this one certainly does! [First added to this chart: 01/30/2024]

Year of Release:

1969

Appears in:

394 charts

Rank Score:

2,449

Rank in 1969:

22

Rank in 1960s:

79

Overall Rank:

731

Average Rating:

 80 (411 votes)

Comments:

19

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160 Mind Expanding Psychedelic Albums Pt1 composition

Decade	Albums	%
1930s	0	0%
1940s	0	0%
1950s	0	0%
1960s	90	90%
1970s	9	9%
1980s	0	0%
1990s	1	1%
2000s	0	0%
2010s	0	0%
2020s	0	0%

Artist	Albums	%
Jefferson Airplane	4	4%
Spirit	3	3%
The Kinks	3	3%
The Beatles	3	3%
Pink Floyd	3	3%
The Byrds	3	3%
The Jimi Hendrix Experience	3	3%
Show all

Country	Albums	%
	58	58%
	38	38%
	4	4%

160 Mind Expanding Psychedelic Albums Pt1 chart changes

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