Favorite Rock Albums

FAVORITE ROCK ALBUMS

I have always loved rock music since seeing The Beatles performing on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Music has always been my drug of choice in life. I have listened to thousands of albums and CD's and below are some of my all time favorites, in no particular order (except for the first one or two.) Included are some artists you may have not heard from, including Sparks, Klaatu, Wire, Deaf School, Sensational Alex Harvey Band, and The Shaggs. Plus bands you most likely have heard of such as U2, Talking Heads, The Arcade Fire, The Guess Who and The Kinks.

You will notice I mainly stay with albums from the 60's, 70's and 80's as that is the era I grew up in... I don't go into much detail about the albums (I will leave that to the experts...) and if an album perks your interest, you can easily find out more information on the artist online.

THE BEATLES WHITE ALBUM 1968

A tough decision between this and their final studio album "Abbey Road" as my favorite Beatles album. In fact it is my favorite rock album of all time. It is the greatest and most diverse rock album of all time. From heavy metal (Helter Skelter), to wonderful acoustic numbers (Blackbird), to blues rock ('Yer Blues) to psychedelic freak outs (Revolution #9) to country (Don't Pass Me By) and to everything else, this is one hell of an entertaining 30 song collection. Plus it has the best album cover of all time.

*Special Note: I got to meet Paul McCartney's band backstage in Toronto. Photos are here.

SPARKS INDISCREET 1975

A pretty popular "cult" band who have been around since the very early 70's, Sparks (mainly brothers Ron and Russell Mael) have released many excellent and diverse albums but this has always been my favorite. Just like the White Album it is filled to the brim with variety (and not to mention wit galore...) Sparks were doing "new wave" music long before it arrived. They are true innovatores. They were also one of the first rock bands to do a electronic ("disco") album, "Number One Song In Heaven". Along with The Beatles, Sparks are my favorite band of all time. Do a search for "Dick Around" and "This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us" on YouTube for starters...

U2 ACHTUNG BABY 1993

I have loved U2's music since 1984 and Achtung Baby I consider U2's best work. The amazing thing is, as good as this record is, U2 are even better live. They lost me for a bit around the time of "Pop" but I became a fan again with the release of "All That You Can't Leave Behind".

THE SHAGGS PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD 1969

Considered by many to be the worst rock album ever recorded. The songs are so bad that they actually somehow turn into something quite listenable and heartwarming, as there is such innocence in the playing and singing. The Shaggs Philosophy of the World is a really fun and funny listen, but only perhaps once a year...

LED ZEPPELIN PHYSICAL GRAFFITI 1975

I could have picked any of Zeppelin's first few albums but once again, variety wins (plus it's a double album...) It also contains "Kashmir". Enough said...

FLAMING YOUTH ARK 2 1969

In the early 70's I was so music obsessed that I would buy "cut out bin" records, as they were sometimes all I could afford. Occasionally I would actually buy a very good unknown album, and this is one of them. Years later I found out that the drummer in Flaming Youth was none other than Phil Collins. The album was a "space opera" and although some of the songs are cheesy, overall I just love the album and it is great fun. You can actually hear the whole album for free online here.

KLAATU HOPE 1977

Along with thousands of others, when Klaatu released their first album "Klaatu 3:47 EST I rushed out to buy it, as there were rumors that this might actually be The Beatles in disguise. As soon as I was a minute or so into the album I knew for sure this was NOT but The Beatles. However, I was mighty impressed with the quality of the songs and musicianship. I was also proud to find out that Klaatu were three musicians
from Toronto.

When Klaatu released their second album "Hope" I bought it right away. I was pretty disappointed and felt it was way too poppy, overblown and almost cringe worthy. After a handful of plays I let it gather dust and finally sold it.

For some unknown reason I started listening to this album again, along with their debut album. In the past month I have played "Hope" at least thirty times and I think it is actually better than their first album. It is also highly rated at progarchives.com which is the ultimate review site on the Internet for progressive rock bands and albums. If you love progressive rock music with a mixture of pop rock, this album is highly recommended. Check out the reviews there (in the link above) and see for yourself...

BLIND FAITH BLIND FAITH 1969

Banned album cover (in the U.S.)

U.S. album cover

Being a huge fan of rock music I would listen to anything and this included musicians that weren't that familiar to me, such as the members of Blind Faith. I just never got into Eric Clapton or Cream, not because I didn't like the music, the albums just never got into my house. So my first album featuring Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood was this one off "super group". I liked it but didn't love it. However I have since grown much more fond of the album and play it quite a bit. I love every song and even Ginger Baker's "Do What You Like" is great, especially the freaky ending. That is one thing I loved about albums at that time was the weird endings some records would have. I would actually be disappointed if an album ended by just fading out.
I guess the Sgt. Pepper album can be blamed for that...

TALKING HEADS FEAR OF MUSIC 1980

This has always been one of my all time fave albums and recently I have started to enjoy their other (earlier) records again also. I can't really say WHY I love this album. Is it Eno's production? The sometimes bizarre lyrics or just the overall vibe. Whatever the reason, this album is amazing from start to finish.

FRANK ZAPPA AND THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION
WE'RE ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY 1967

I've been a fan of Frank Zappa since 1975 and once again there are many great albums to choose from but I had to pick this one. Frank was one brave fellow to pick on The Beatles and the whole hippy generation way back in 1967. Plus this is another album cover classic.

LOU REED BERLIN 1973

I love humor in music but I also like to listen to more dark, depressing albums also, and this is the most dark, depressing album of them all. I love all of Lou Reed's music and this is his best album in my humble opinion.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN TUNNEL OF LOVE 1987

I like Bruce but this is the only album of his that I truly love and it contains some of my all time favorite songs, such as "Brilliant Disguise".

NEIL YOUNG LANDING ON WATER 1986

This is probably Neil Young's least loved album of all, and I guess that is why I love it even more. Yes, the production is very 80's, but what do you expect with an album made in the mid-80's? I love almost all of the songs and the video for "Touch The Night" is brilliant, as are a lot of Neil's videos. I know this is not the "best" Neil Young album, but I play it as much if not more than his most popular albums. Neil Young rocks!

THE ARCADE FIRE FUNERAL 2004

I love this album but I don't own it yet...although I have heard all of the songs. They are a powerful band live and the songs can really make the hairs stand up on your arms.

YOKO ONO SEASON OF GLASS 1981

Yes, believe it or not their are many fans of Yoko Ono's music and I am one of them. I don't like EVERYTHING she has done (not a fan of her screaming, except for her song "Why") but I really like some of her albums, especially this one. Very emotional songs here and I think her singing is superb throughout.

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART DOC AT THE RADAR STATION 1980

Like Yoko Ono, another aquired taste is the music of Captain Beefheart (at one time a friend of Frank Zappa's, who produced one of his other amazing albums, "Trout Mask Replica". It's funny but at the time this record was released I was not really into it as much as I am now. I guess I figured he was just being weird for the sake of being weird and it was forced. But listening to it today with fresh ears, I think I
was wrong...

BLACK SABBATH SABOTAGE 1975

All Sabbath albums with Ozzy are great (well, at least up to this one...)
I could have picked any of the early albums but I think this is their best because it rocks harder than any of the others. I even love the instrumental track that most people hate...

THE GUESS WHO SO LONG BANNATYNE 1971

Finally a Canadian band! Burton Cummings is one of the greatest rock singers of them all and this album (along with "Rockin') is my fave album of theirs. Lots of crazy rockin' tunes.

THE WHO WHO'S NEXT 1971

Love The Who (up until Keith Moon died...) and it was between this and "Live At Leeds" as my favorite of theirs. Contains the best scream ever in a rock song ("Won't Get Fooled Again")

STEPPENWOLF FOR LADIES ONLY 1971

I think a lot of my favorite rock albums throughout the years might not be "the best" but they just bring back good memories, which music should do anyway. What I especially love about this album is the band starts the record with a seven minute track that includes a rather long piano solo in the middle. Very brave for a supposed "middle-of-the-road" rock band to do. I also love their earlier album "Steppenwolf At Your Birthday Party", so it was a toss up between that album and this one.

GENESIS LIVE 1973

BIG fan of Genesis (when Phil Collins stayed behind the drum kit) and this has
always been the one I play the most. It includes possibly my all time favorite live
number, "The Knife". Below is a live performance of another brilliant song of theirs, "The Musical Box".

BLUE OYSTER CULT BLUE OYSTER CULT 1972

Once again, I could have picked any one of BOC's albums from this one to
Spectres, but this is where it all started and I especially love how it just does
not sound like any other band. Contains possibly the strangest lyrics of all time too...and don't forget that Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser is one of the finest guitarists of all time.

SMALL FACES OGDENS' NUT GONE FLAKE 1968

Side One is great but it is Side Two where the fun really begins, and ends with one of the best feel good tunes of all time, "Happy Days Toy Town". ("Life is just a bowl of All Bran"...) Steve Marriot went on to another band who I also loved
(Humble Pie).

THE KINKS
LOLA VS POWERMAN AND THE MONEYGOROUND PART 1

When I bought this record in the early 70's I was not that familiar with The Kinks, except for the occasional tune on the radio, such as "Lola" and "You Really Got Me". I have heard other Kinks albums since this one, but this is the only one I need and really love. Great lyrics, very funny take on the music business and the songs are all great. I have never tired of listening to it.

THE BUCKINGHAMS IN ONE EAR AND GONE TOMORROW 1968

Another "cut out bin" special, although this time the band in question actually did sell some records (at least earlier in their career). Along with their previous album "Portraits" I love this album, especially the splendid guitar work by Carl Giamarese. Great vocals too!

BOB DYLAN SLOW TRAIN COMING 1979

This is when Bob got religion, and I'm glad he found it because it's a great album. Guitar work by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits.

PAUL MCCARTNEY MEMORY ALMOST FULL 2007

I lost interest in Paul's work in the early 90's but his last few solo albums have been some of his best work yet. Plus, he shows he can still rock with the best (Only Mama Knows). I had the honor of meeting Paul's band backstage in Toronto.Photos are here.

WIRE PINK FLAG 1977

This is beyond punk, with some songs clocking in at less than a minute. Also contains one of the best punk rock songs ever, "12XU".

YES TORMATO 1978

Yes is an amazing band loved by many but this is not one of their best liked albums. In fact, some Yes fans hate it. I don't know why but it has always been one of my favorite Yes albums, along with their debut album.

THE NORTHERN PIKES SNOW IN JUNE 1990

A popular Canadian band in the 90's and I actually got to know the members later on. I consider them the Canadian Beatles, with three fine singers and songwriters.

ROD STEWART NEVER A DULL MOMENT 1972

Not a big fan of Rod, but for some reason I have always loved this one particular album.

GRAND FUNK RAILROAD LIVE ALBUM 1970

After The Beatles, this was probably the second group that I fell in love with (and then Humble Pie and Black Oak Arkansas) Listening now the recording quality is pretty lousy (some bootlegs sound better than this...) but the energy is amazing, especially on "Into The Sun". I also got to meet Mark Farner, their guitarist and have a CD signed by him after a concert in 2008.

DEAF SCHOOL ENGLISH BOYS WORKING GIRLS 1978

Another cult band, but unlike Sparks, not very well known. A fan of all three of
their albums and this final album of theirs I consider their finest.

JANE SIBERRY THE WALKING 1988

Canadian Jane Siberry makes some strange yet wonderful albums and this is my favorite of hers.

SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY BAND
TOMORROW BELONGS TO ME 1975

I loved this band in the 70's (and still do...) and this is my favorite of their albums.

RANDY NEWMAN LITTLE CRIMINALS 1977

Not known as much of a singer, but who cares when he can put out such wonderful
tracks such as "Short People"...

DEVO Q: ARE WE NOT MEN? A: WE ARE DEVO! 1978

Although they likely won't admit it, this band was most likely influenced by a mixture of Sparks and Kraftwerk. Contains one of my all time fave songs,
"Jocko Homo"...

10CC HOW DARE YOU 1975

The last album by the original band (two of the four members left, but they continued on with hits such as "The Things We Do For Love". This is a great art rock album.

CANNED HEAT HALLELUJAH 1969

Thanks to hearing this album in 1970, I became a fan of the blues and Canned Heat is one of my favorite blues rock bands.