Best Albums of the 1960s

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Listed below are the best albums of the 1960s as calculated from their overall rankings in over 58,000 greatest album charts. (Chart last updated: 6 hours ago).

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1960s decade summaryThe best artists of the 1960s were The Beatles, The Velvet Underground, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Beach Boys, The Velvet Underground & Nico, The Doors, Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones.

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501.

Good Friday

The Easybeats

"I meant they were like the equivalent of The Beatles in Australia for a short time, which is a compliment. They were obviously influenced by them (just look at how they dressed), but of course they did their own thing." Reply

- Xavygravy | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

59 charts

Rank Score:

199

Rank in 1967:

Rank in 1960s:

501

Overall Rank:

6,519

Average Rating:

73 (53 votes)

Comments:

502.

Incense And Peppermints

The Strawberry Alarm Clock

"Wow! As soon as the needle drops into the groove, psychedelia fills the room. Harpsichord, organ, vibes, Mellotronesque flute drenched in reverb, psychedelic guitar, it's all here. And this is just the first track! Production is excellent on the vinyl re-issue. Recommended for lovers of psychedelia." Reply

- Junomoogmello | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

81 charts

Rank Score:

198

Rank in 1967:

Rank in 1960s:

502

Overall Rank:

6,546

Average Rating:

74 (66 votes)

Comments:

503.

Crimson & Clover

Tommy James & The Shondells

Share your opinion and help others discover this album. The top-voted comments are showcased in our aggregate charts!

Year of Release:

1969

Appears in:

56 charts

Rank Score:

196

Rank in 1969:

Rank in 1960s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

504.

Boogie With Canned Heat

Canned Heat

"Canned Heat in that time was invited to Monterey, Woodstock, Stamping Ground and many others festivals cause their unique psychedelic blues rock style made an impact in his generation and boogie was the best example of his music." Reply

- Sentido | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1968

Appears in:

59 charts

Rank Score:

196

Rank in 1968:

Rank in 1960s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

505.

The Original Telstar: The Sounds Of The Tornadoes

The Tornados

Share your opinion and help others discover this album. The top-voted comments are showcased in our aggregate charts!

Year of Release:

1962

Appears in:

32 charts

Rank Score:

196

Rank in 1962:

Rank in 1960s:

505

Overall Rank:

6,610

Average Rating:

71 (31 votes)

Comments:

506.

Open Sesame

Freddie Hubbard

"Hubbard's first album as leader is a real gem. The compositions are excellent as are the solos, and Hubbard is very ably supported by a young but tasteful and empathetic McCoy Tyner on piano." Reply

Fischman | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1960

Appears in:

50 charts

Rank Score:

195

Rank in 1960:

Rank in 1960s:

506

Overall Rank:

6,613

Average Rating:

78 (44 votes)

Comments:

507.

Pleasures Of The Harbor

Phil Ochs

"Listening to this was one of the most eye-popping moments in recent memory. For me I mean. I always had a very specific idea of Ochs. I thought of him as the poor man's Dylan - protest songs, some sweet melodies and sad ones too, and some nice acoustic guitar. As a matter of fact it got to the po...""Listening to this was one of the most eye-popping moments in recent memory. For me I mean. I always had a very specific idea of Ochs. I thought of him as the poor man's Dylan - protest songs, some sweet melodies and sad ones too, and some nice acoustic guitar. As a matter of fact it got to the point where I just mentally glossed over his work when anyone would mention it or when it would come up on lists. That must be true, cuz looking at the RYM lists of 1960s singer/songwriter albums would feature Ochs albums, foremost this one here and I never noticed. I remained ignorant. Then I saw this album as a big album released in '67. I heard it was "really different" and "totally essential" and I said "alright alright! I'll give it a listen." Well, I finished listening to it and I was slack-jawed. I couldn't believe what I had just heard ona PHIL OCHS RECORD! My only previous experience with him was his first 2 albums, and I liked them well enough. Oh and I had listened to "Rehearsals For Retirement" which I recall really liking. So there. That is it. So, in brief, what was this album to me? Like Long Form-"Odessey & Oracle", with the occluded social commentary of "Another Side of Bob Dylan" with a healthy dose of "Imperial Bedroom"-era Elvis Costello in its biting wit and observations of the sad and asinine aspects of the world around the narrator. I mean the songs here are GORGEOUS. They are lush, intensely complex arrangements. There are full classical/symphonic parts, and the musicians here are all so damn top notch. And in the middle of this maelstrom of overwhelming beauty and creatively, is the plain yet endearing vocals of Phil Ochs. His lyrics here are layered and meticulous, they are incredibly observant, and engrossing throughout. Picking the most intensely triumphant song here is near impossible. No song sticks out as being out of place. At the same time there is no doubt this thing is dense and scattered all at once. There is such a massive amount of musical ideas here. The opener "Cross My Heart" is very nice, intensely beautiful and touching and gives one a good idea of the space of this album. But Then the next 2 songs build on that high mark. Each song is a "WTF" moment for me, where I am not sure I am, again, listening to a Phil Ochs album. Then the last song "The Crucifixion" manages to peak the whole album in terms of innovation, with its incredibly disconcerting and somewhat discordant strings laying the groundwork for Phil to come in with an epic 8 minute poem which takes us through the whole history of man, with all its attendant betrayals of Nature and God. I am not sure there is a better way to put a cherry on top of one of the most mind boggling listens I've had in quite awhile. This is just a truly awe-inspiring achievement of an album. "The Spanish bulls are beaten; the crowd is soon beguiled, The matador is beautiful, a symphony of style Excitement is ecstatic, passion places bets Gracefully he bows to ovations that he gets But the hands that are applauding are slippery with sweat And saliva is falling from their smiles" - "Crucifixion" Grade: 9.7/10 " [+] Reply

Mercury | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +3 votes (3 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

55 charts

Rank Score:

193

Rank in 1967:

Rank in 1960s:

507

Overall Rank:

6,666

Average Rating:

77 (55 votes)

Comments:

508.

Ballad Of Easy Rider

The Byrds

"Along with “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” this album is the most country-influeced album in the Byrds catalogue. But whereas “Sweetheart” tends to lean on classical country, “Ballad of Easy Rider” shows a much broader approach. This greater variety in styles, plus overall stronger material, makes this...""Along with “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” this album is the most country-influeced album in the Byrds catalogue. But whereas “Sweetheart” tends to lean on classical country, “Ballad of Easy Rider” shows a much broader approach. This greater variety in styles, plus overall stronger material, makes this much more satisfying album than it´s much-acclaimed predecessor, which I honestly speaking find somewhat over-rated. There is a mature and releaxed feeling in these recordings, and though there is a mellow mood in many of the lyrics, it is somehow quite an uplifting experience to listen to the album. The playing is great, with brilliant guitar work from McGuinn and in particular Clarence White. The vocals and especially the harmonies are of the same high standards that characterize all Byrds albums; great that Clarence White was finally given a lead vocal. His gritty nasal vocals on “Oil in My Lamp” help making the track one of many highlights on the album. In fact, this may be the first album where White really shines as an equal partner to McGuinn, who was now the only original member of the band. McGuinn was never a very productive songwriter for the Byrds, and here he only contributes one new song, but on the other hand an outstanding one, “Ballad of Easy Rider”. All member have lead vocals, and though neither John York not Gene Parsons are great lead-singers, their contributions come out quite convincingly. Highlights, though, are songs songs with McGuinn in front. “Tulsa County” is a fine song with great vocals and fine harmonies. Even more breath-taking is their new version slower version of Dylan´s “It´s All Over Now, Baby Blue”, and McGuinn´s treatment of Woody Guthrie´s “Deportee” is just beautiful. Among the seven bonus-tracks you´ll find some real gems. Especially Jackson Browne´s “Mae Jean Goes to Hollywood” and considering the short playing-time of the original album, it´s a big mystery why this fine recording was left out. Along with the title track song is probably the closest they come to early Byrds-sound ( Younger than Yesterday ). “Way Beyond the Sun” is a nice country-blues song, which may not be among the most memorable Byrds-recordings, but still as good as couple of the weaker original-tracks. The alternate versions are all fine; especially the longer version of “Ballad of Easy Rider”. https://www.angelfire.com/nv/Badfinger/BANDbyrds.html" [+] Reply

- Rovers | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1969

Appears in:

45 charts

Rank Score:

192

Rank in 1969:

Rank in 1960s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

509.

Evolution

The Hollies

""Evolution" was the first of two Hollies albums released in 1967. The band did a lot of experimenting in those years, both in songwriting and arrangements. Some of it worked, some of it didn't. "Butterfly" is often hailed as their finest and most consistent, whereas "Evolution" suffers from being..."""Evolution" was the first of two Hollies albums released in 1967. The band did a lot of experimenting in those years, both in songwriting and arrangements. Some of it worked, some of it didn't. "Butterfly" is often hailed as their finest and most consistent, whereas "Evolution" suffers from being anything but consistent. The songwriting is more or less on par with "Butterfly", but some arrangements in various degrees ruin the songs. Worst is the "underwater" effect put on Graham Nash's voice on "Lullaby to Tim". It could have been a great track, but as it is, it's almost unlistenable. I have often wondered if a version with unruined vocals exists. The distorted guitars put on the opening track "The the Heartaches Begin" and "Have You Ever Loved Somebody", give a forced feeling that does not help the songs, which are really good Hollies songs. The Searchers proved that "Have You Ever Loved Somebody" even had hit-potentials. Enough negative words said, because there are plenty of succesful tracks that make the album quite enjoyable after all. Like on the previous album all songs were written by Clarke, Hicks and Nash and Allan Clarke and Graham Nash more or less share the lead vocals with Tony Hicks joining in on choruses etc. "Stop Right There" is a nice quiet Graham Nash ballad; fine violin solo. Nash also takes the lead vocals on one of the big highlights on the album "When Your Lights Turned On"; classic up-beat Hollies with great guitars and harmonies. The nostalgic "Ye Olde Toffee Shop" featuring harpsichord is quite charming, but no more. On "Games We Play" Clarke and Nash share the lead vocals. Incredible that this song was not released as a single. Extremely catchy with funny ( naive ) teenage lyrics. Allan Clarke demonstrates his powerful vocals on several tracks such as "You Need Love" and "Leave Me". "Water on the Brain" is another example; a song which also features a charming trombone solo. So all in all you could call it a hit and miss album, mostly hits! By the way, this review refers to the British version of the album. " [+] Reply

- Rovers | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1967

Appears in:

59 charts

Rank Score:

191

Rank in 1967:

Rank in 1960s:

509

Overall Rank:

6,715

Average Rating:

75 (66 votes)

Comments:

510.

Today!

Mississippi John Hurt

"Laid-back folk/blues album by the in the sixties rediscovered Mississippi John Hurt." Reply

- spinout | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1966

Appears in:

34 charts

Rank Score:

191

Rank in 1966:

Rank in 1960s:

510

Overall Rank:

6,740

Average Rating:

75 (24 votes)

Comments:

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Total albums: 1,000. Page 51 of 100

Best Albums of the 1960s composition

Year	Albums	%

1960	57	6%
1961	65	7%
1962	50	5%
1963	52	5%
1964	70	7%
1965	89	9%
1966	98	10%
1967	139	14%
1968	188	19%
1969	192	19%

Artist	Albums	%

The Beatles	17	2%
The Beach Boys	15	2%
The Rolling Stones	14	1%
John Coltrane	13	1%
Miles Davis	12	1%
Nina Simone	10	1%
Bob Dylan	10	1%
Show all

Country	Albums	%

	634	63%
	201	20%
	38	4%
	24	2%
	23	2%
	17	2%
	11	1%
Show all

Compilation?	Albums	%
No	971	97%
Yes	29	3%

Live?	Albums	%
No	961	96%
Yes	39	4%

Soundtrack?	Albums	%
No	979	98%
Yes	21	2%

« View best albums of the 1950sView best albums of the 1970s »

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