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.

There are 0 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and this chart has not been rated yet. Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.

• Summary
• Composition
• Ratings
• Favourites
• Comments
• Your feedback

View the complete list of 53,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.

This chart is currently filtered to only show albums from United Kingdom. (Remove this filter)

Sort by

• Overall Rank
• Num. Charts
• Avg. Rating
• Num. Ratings
• Release Date
• Title
• Artist
• Date Added

1. (=)

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 

 The Beatles

Buy album

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• #Sponsored

First class psychedelic album. At a time when The Beatles had in their opinion become stagnant, they produced this masterpiece. Considered by some to be the first concept album, the set list delivers a natural and exciting flow. Paul came up with the idea of a song based around an Edwardian military band which was the creative spark they needed following their decision to put touring on permanent hold, in fact their set in San Francisco was their last live performance. Backward tape loops, audio effects, Sitar, a song about an LSD trip, the album has it all and some! The album production is first class as is the sleeve concept and artwork. Even today, the album sounds fresh. [First added to this chart: 01/15/2024]

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

3,418 charts

Rank Score:

50,711

Rank in 1967:

1

Rank in 1960s:

3

Overall Rank:

7

Average Rating:

 90 (4,487 votes)

Comments:

480

2. (=)

A Saucerful Of Secrets 

 Pink Floyd

Buy album

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• #Sponsored

Worth owning the album for 'Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun' alone, when you then add 'Remember a Day', 'Let There Be More Light' and the title track, you realise what an amazing album this is. Sleeve art to linger over while the music lifts you to another place. [First added to this chart: 01/15/2024]

Year of Release:

1968

Appears in:

543 charts

Rank Score:

2,905

Rank in 1968:

11

Rank in 1960s:

69

Overall Rank:

610

Average Rating:

 77 (1,093 votes)

Comments:

51

5. (=)

The Story Of Simon Simopath 

 Nirvana (UK)

Buy album

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• #Sponsored

Simon Simopath is an incredibly rare album so to have picked this up as a purple vinyl re-issue made me very happy. Nirvana (the original) turned out some beautiful and whimsical psychedelia including this very early science fiction concept album about a boy who wanted to fly. ‘Satellite Jockey’ and ‘Pentecost Hotel’ are particular highlights. The production quality for a 1967 album is superb. The band added strings, harp and woodwind instruments to achieve a truly beautiful sound. [First added to this chart: 02/10/2024]

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

52 charts

Rank Score:

146

Rank in 1967:

94

Rank in 1960s:

622

Overall Rank:

8,396

Average Rating:

 73 (46 votes)

Comments:

3

7. (=)

Relics 
Compilation

 Pink Floyd

Buy album

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• #Sponsored

A compilation so high up in a chart? Yes. And this album never really given the credit it deserved because it was overshadowed by the early and then later studio albums. To me, it is only right that it is here. For a start, Arnold Layne was never included on any studio albums. Secondly, you are provided some classic whimsical psychedelic tracks in 'See Emily Play', 'Paintbox', 'Remember a Day', 'Julia Dream' and 'Cirrus Minor' and thirdly 'Interstellar Overdrive' and 'Careful With That Axe Eugene' are on the same album. Topped off with the interesting Nick Mason penned sleeve art. [First added to this chart: 01/16/2024]

Year of Release:

1971

Appears in:

87 charts

Rank Score:

246

Rank in 1971:

92

Rank in 1970s:

912

Overall Rank:

5,427

Average Rating:

 77 (295 votes)

Comments:

12

8. (=)

Bee Gees' 1st 

 Bee Gees

Buy album

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• #Sponsored

This album sounds so ahead of its time both musically and production-wise. Its ticks all the psychedelic boxes, instrumentally, harpsichord and flute are in place from the beginning of the first track, slowed down vocals, vocal chants and eerie Mellotron all feature on the chilling ‘Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You’. Side 2 opens with the superb’New York Mining Disaster’ which would become a track featured in most of their later concerts through their career. The way the kick drum and snare are captured on this track is superb for a 1967 recording. [First added to this chart: 02/24/2024]

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

104 charts

Rank Score:

301

Rank in 1967:

56

Rank in 1960s:

380

Overall Rank:

4,606

Average Rating:

 75 (124 votes)

Comments:

10

11. (=)

The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn 

 Pink Floyd

Buy album

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• #Sponsored

The album title was taken from a reference in one of Syd Barrett’s favourite books. Chapter seven of Wind in the Willows, notes the God, Pan to be the piper at the gates. The fact that a novel like Wind in the Willows was Barrett’s favourite book, gives a clue as to his childlike, fairytale mind. Listening to the lyrics of tracks like ‘Flaming’ those fairytale lyrics are poured out in bucket loads. The recordings include many unusual instrument and vocal effects. At the time Rick Wright was using a Celesta and Harmonium coupled with his trusty Fartisa organ and a Hohner Pianet. I think the fairly rudimentary instruments forced the creativity and experimentation. Some reading this chart may think it odd that the ‘Relics’ compilation is sitting higher than this album. The reason for this is that I personally find ‘Relics’ a more enjoyable and free flowing listen. [First added to this chart: 02/11/2024]

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

1,184 charts

Rank Score:

9,570

Rank in 1967:

8

Rank in 1960s:

29

Overall Rank:

165

Average Rating:

 82 (1,947 votes)

Comments:

115

12. (=)

Revolver 

 The Beatles

Buy album

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• #Sponsored

It houses the psychedelic classic ‘Tomorrow Never Knows, with its eastern tinged sitar and experimental backwards tape loops. It is also the home of ‘Eleanor Rigby’, ‘Yellow Submarine’, ‘Good Day Sunshine’, ‘Here, There and Everywhere’ and ‘Love to You’ with its sitar tinged eastern feel. A great psychedelic sleeve design, the monochrome adds to the mystique. [First added to this chart: 01/15/2024]

Year of Release:

1966

Appears in:

3,482 charts

Rank Score:

56,722

Rank in 1966:

1

Rank in 1960s:

2

Overall Rank:

4

Average Rating:

 91 (4,475 votes)

Comments:

477

16. (=)

In Search Of The Lost Chord 

 The Moody Blues

Buy album

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• #Sponsored

When you read the instrument list in the album inner sleeve notes, it is a psychedelic musicians dream, acoustic and electric guitar, sitar, tablas, piano, Mellotron’s (yes, plural), harpsichord, flute, cello, autoharp, sax, timpani and let’s not forget the tambourine! Such a versatile band and this, their most psychedelic but not only psychedelic work. The references to Timothy Leary(Harvard University advocate of LSD) on the first track are at first confusing but with further listens become clearer. The final track with its eastern feel brings the psychedelic journey to a suitable close. [First added to this chart: 01/28/2024]

Year of Release:

1968

Appears in:

223 charts

Rank Score:

1,418

Rank in 1968:

24

Rank in 1960s:

129

Overall Rank:

1,246

Average Rating:

 79 (240 votes)

Comments:

14

24. (=)

Safe Mode: On Certain images on this site may contain adult content and are flagged as 'unsafe'. BestEverAlbums.com does not display these images by default, but you may choose to show or hide these images from your profile page. If you choose to hide these images, you'll see an image with a warning message instead of the actual image. If you choose to show them, you'll see these images no differently than regular (safe) images.

Love And Poetry 

 Andwella's Dream

Buy album

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• #Sponsored

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:

31,145

Average Rating:

 77 (10 votes)

Comments:

1

25. (=)

Sunshine Superman 

 Donovan

Buy album

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• #Sponsored

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

Year of Release:

1966

Appears in:

259 charts

Rank Score:

1,181

Rank in 1966:

17

Rank in 1960s:

153

Overall Rank:

1,463

Average Rating:

 77 (264 votes)

Comments:

18

• « prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• next »

Total albums: 38. Page 1 of 4

Don't agree with this chart? Create your own from the My Charts page!

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

160 Mind Expanding Psychedelic Albums Pt1 similar charts

• Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s by Junomoogmello (2024)
• The 100 Best Psychedelic Rock Albums Of The Golden Age by Steppenwolf666 (2023)
• Best Psychedelic Albums by CharlieBarley (2018)
• FAVORITE PSYCHEDELIC ALBUMS by Captain_Dude (2014)
• Greatest Psychedelic Albums by Coconut (2016)
• Early Psychedelic Rock by RockyRaccoon (2024)
• Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s by Igtonumama (2024)
• Best of the Psychedelic 60's by NickVolos (2014)
• Top 100 Music Albums of 1967 by Igtonumama (2023)
• Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s by ThePoodleBites (2017)

160 Mind Expanding Psychedelic Albums Pt1 similarity to your chart(s)

Other custom charts by Junomoogmello

160 Mind Expanding Psychedelic Albums Pt1 ratings

• Related links:
• Top charts

Please log in or register if you want to be able to leave a rating

160 Mind Expanding Psychedelic Albums Pt1 comments

Please log in or register if you want to be able to add a comment

Your feedback for 160 Mind Expanding Psychedelic Albums Pt1

Let us know what you think of this chart by adding a comment or assigning a rating below!