200 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 with a further plethora of sixties psyched out bliss. 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: 03/02/2025 11:15
• (Created: 01/15/2024 06:54).
• Chart size: 100 albums.

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9. (=)

The Family That Plays Together 

 Spirit

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Many psychedelic charts I have seen don’t include this but always include ‘Twelve Dreams…’. Without question, for me anyway, this is the better work. The production for the year is excellent, with tracks blending seamlessly from one to another. The musicianship is consistently first class with strong vocals throughout the album. Moments of beauty are created with lush string arrangements and flute embellishments which move in and out to create atmosphere at different points in the album. The variety of styles makes this such a listenable experience. [First added to this chart: 02/10/2024]

Year of Release:

1968

Appears in:

87 charts

Rank Score:

281

Rank in 1968:

69

Rank in 1960s:

397

Overall Rank:

4,925

Average Rating:

 77 (86 votes)

Comments:

4

15. (=)

Spirit 

 Spirit

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Although the title of the version of the album which I own is‘The Best Of’’, it is actually the debut album in a different guise. It has a different cover, I’ve tried to add the correct cover but BEA’s keeps changing it. The album was originally released as Spirit in 1968 and was considered one of the finest albums to come out of Los Angeles in the 60’s. Tracks like ‘Fresh Garbage’, ‘Topanga Windows’ and ‘Mr Skin’ make the album a classic. The copy which I have has a stamp on the rear of the sleeve which states ‘Property of CBS. Demonstration Only. Not For Sale’. Does this make it more collectible? Who knows… [First added to this chart: 03/10/2024]

Year of Release:

1968

Appears in:

108 charts

Rank Score:

340

Rank in 1968:

62

Rank in 1960s:

353

Overall Rank:

4,207

Average Rating:

 77 (109 votes)

Comments:

9

21. (=)

Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus 

 Spirit

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A album which was years ahead of its time when released in 1970. The sleeve notes (CD version) refer to the Moog Sythesizer 'unlike today's compact modules, this one looked like an old fashioned telephone operator's station with cables going in and out every direction', this would have been an early Moog modular. A fantastic collection of tracks from the moody quite heavy 'When I Touch You' which builds up to a fantastic acid sounding guitar crescendo. 'Street Worm' showcases some amazing guitar work which is almost metal in its delivery. The upbeat 'Morning Will Come' introduces brass stabs adding to the overall interest of the album. The slower 'Soldier' plays on vocal harmonies which work beautifully. Personal favourites are ‘Natures Way’ and ‘Mr Skin’. Overall a real treat of a listening experience. [First added to this chart: 01/16/2024]

Year of Release:

1970

Appears in:

169 charts

Rank Score:

854

Rank in 1970:

46

Rank in 1970s:

369

Overall Rank:

1,946

Average Rating:

 79 (216 votes)

Comments:

11

Total albums: 3. Page 1 of 1

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200 Mind Expanding Psychedelic Albums Pt1 composition

Decade	Albums	%
1930s	0	0%
1940s	0	0%
1950s	0	0%
1960s	90	90%
1970s	10	10%
1980s	0	0%
1990s	0	0%
2000s	0	0%
2010s	0	0%
2020s	0	0%

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

Country	Albums	%
	57	57%
	38	38%
	4	4%
	1	1%

200 Mind Expanding Psychedelic Albums Pt1 chart changes

Biggest climbers
Up 3 from 59th to 56th It's A Beautiful Day by It's A Beautiful Day

Biggest fallers
Down 1 from 56th to 57th Greatest Hits by Paul Revere And The Raiders
Down 1 from 57th to 58th Psychedelic Lollipop by Blues Magoos
Down 1 from 58th to 59th Psychedelic Shack by The Temptations

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