Red - King Crimson
Number 1 for 1974. Number 37 overall.
Another amazing album from King Crimson, which includes the stunning masterpieces 'Fallen Angel' and 'Starless'. 'Starless' is so amazing, such a beautiful atmosphere and amazing instrumentation. And much like the similarly maligned 'Moonchild', off King Crimson's debut, I also love 'Providence'.
My Rating: 10/10
RYM Rating: 4.22 from 20,021 ratings.
Genre: Progressive Rock, Art Rock, (Jazz Rock, Hard Rock, Free Improvisation)
On the Beach - Neil Young
Number 2 for 1974. Number 134 overall.
Yeah, again, I just don't find Neil Young that interesting or enjoyable. I love the first song and 'Ambulance Blues' is pretty great, very nice violins, but the rest is just decent.
My Rating: 7/10
RYM Rating: 4.11 from 11,734 ratings.
Genre: Singer/Songwriter, Folk Rock, Country Rock, (Blues Rock)
Here Come the Warm Jets - Eno
Number 3 for 1974. Number 230 overall.
The first album on this series from future ambient music legend Brian Eno. This album is absurdly surreal and fun experimental art rock. Some of it is slightly Frank Zappa-esque, but it is definitely its own thing. The title track is probably my favourite song here, with that wonderfully fuzzy guitar tone and beautiful build up.
My Rating: 9/10
RYM Rating: 3.95 from 11,174 ratings.
Genre: Art Rock, Experimental Rock, (Glam Rock)
Rock Bottom - Robert Wyatt
Number 4 for 1974. Number 274 overall.
An off-beat and sombre arty rock album. It's very odd and really great.
My Rating: 8/10
RYM Rating: 3.93 from 8,762 ratings.
Genre: Canterbury Scene, Art Rock, (Jazz Rock, Avant Prog, Singer/Songwriter)
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway - Genesis
Number 5 for 1974. Number 318 overall.
I was a bit wary at the start because of the 90 minute length, but as this album progressed I fell in love with its fantastic holistic sound. Amazing synths and passionate vocals. Really great listen.
My Rating: 9/10
RYM Rating: 3.97 from 8,298 ratings.
Genre: Progressive Rock, Rock Opera, (Symphonic Prog, Art Rock)
Mirage - Camel
Number 6 for 1974. Number 322 overall.
This really is the year of the prog/art rock album. There's so many of them in the top 10. This is yet another amazing one, it has everything you could want in this style of prog. Excellent and varied guitar-playing and tone, awesome synths and great drumming. The closer 'Lady Fantasy' is the clear highlight. It's a truly amazing 13 minute epic.
My Rating: 9/10
RYM Rating: 3.96 from 7,928 ratings.
Genre: Symphonic Prog, Progressive Rock, (Canterbury Scene)
A Tábua de Esmeralda - Jorge Ben
Number 7 for 1974. Number 351 overall.
Started off pretty nice, but got quite repetitive in the end. Like 'Clube da Esquina', this sort of music doesn't really do it for me.
My Rating: 6/10
RYM Rating: 4.03 from 3,768 ratings.
Genre: MPB, Samba-Rock, (Samba Soul, Psychedelic Rock)
Get Up With It - Miles Davis
Number 8 for 1974. Number 376 overall.
Oh yay another Miles Davis album, oh god it's 2 hours long. 2/8 songs make up half of the two hour run time! The first one, 'He Loved Him Madly' is really good and very chill but definitely a bit too long, it can get a bit dull. The other super long song, 'Calypso Frelimo' does not have this problem though. It keeps your attention throughout and is absolutely incredible. 'Maisha', 'Rated X' and 'Mtume' are also fantastic. Now yes, I didn't listen to it all in one sitting, and I imagine it would have been a bit tiring, but this is frankly still an amazing album.
My Rating: 9/10
RYM Rating: 4.02 from 4,069 ratings.
Genre: Jazz Fusion, Jazz Funk, (Avant-Garde Jazz, Ambient, Jazz-Rock)
Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) - Eno
Number 9 for 1974. Number 487 overall.
Another great experimental, art-y Eno album, with some weird effects which are usually great but sometimes annoying (end of 'The Great Pretender').
My Rating: 8/10
RYM Rating: 3.88 from 7,959 ratings.
Genre: Art Rock, Art Pop, Glam Rock, Experimental Rock
Apostrophe (') - Frank Zappa
Number 10 for 1974. Number 566 overall.
Funny album. "Who you jiving with that cosmik debris?" "Us regular folks ... know this ... as----STINK FOOT (echoes: stink foot, stink foot, stink foot)". The near 6 minute title track jam is my favourite song here.
My Rating: 8/10
RYM Rating: 3.85 from 7,459 ratings.
Genre: Jazz Rock, Art Rock, Experimental Rock, (Comedy Rock, Progressive Rock)
Thanks for reading! What do you think of these albums?