271. Lynyrd Skynyrd | (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) (1973)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. I Ain't the One
2. Tuesday's Gone
3. Gimme Three Steps
4. Simple Man
5. Things Goin' On
6. Mississippi Kid
7. Poison Whiskey
8. Free Bird

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(Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) is a sincere album. The music is Southern rock; although, I'm not sure what that means. British bands have been defining blues-inspired rock since the late 1960s and that's what everyone who played blues rock tried to emulate. Then in the early 1970s American bands defined their own brand of blues-inspired rock. A defining difference is American blues rock incorporates elements of country music, including lyrical references. I think that's what makes Lynryd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers different from, say, Led Zeppelin or The Rolling Stones.

There's a real down-to-earth feeling I get with this album. The lyrics and song themes seem more personal, immediate and relevant. The music also seem straightforward and uncluttered or unburdened.  I think, most importantly, the music just sounds fresh and the lyrics unpretentious.

This album is pretty darn good. Although, there are quite a few long songs, the album moves quite briskly. The album never becomes tedious. Certainly, it's worth listening to and I would recommend it to anyone looking to build a serious album collection, but I don't think it needs to be on the 1001 Albums list. It isn't stylistically different from what the Allman Brothers have been doing.

All the songs are excellent. The stand-outs are: I Ain't the One, Tuesday's Gone, Gimme Three Steps, Simple Man, Things Goin' On, Mississippi Kid, Poison Whiskey and Free Bird. Yep, once again, that's all of them!

★★★★★★★★★★

260. Eagles | Eagles (1972)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Take It Easy
2. Witchy Woman
3. Chug All Night
4. Most of Us Are Sad
5. Nightingale
6. Train Leaves Here This Morning
7. Take the Devil
8. Earlybird
9. Peaceful Easy Feeling
10. Tryin'

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Eagles is a feel-good album. The music is country rock. The Eagles' kind of country rock is different from Gram Parsons' country rock. Parsons' country rock is rock that wants to be country; with the Eagles, it's the other way round.

Rock music has never claimed any moral high ground, despite at times being a platform for political and social commentary. Most of the time it straddles between nonsense and hedonism. With this album, there's an added element of individualism bordering on narcissism, which is clearly prevalent on Take It Easy and Earlybird.

This album is quite good. Although the music is good, it's a bit generic-sounding. The most adventurous songs are the country ones. I don't think it's a particularly exciting album. It doesn't hurt to listen to it, but nothing is lost if it never gets heard. The only reason I'd think it deserves to be on the 1001 Albums list is because of the deluge of crap AOR that follows in its wake.

All the songs are fine. The stand outs are: Take It Easy, Witchy Woman, Chug All Night, Train Leaves Here This Morning, Earlybird, Peaceful Easy Feeling and Tryin'.

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

257. Manassas | Manassas (1972)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Song of Love
2. Rock & Roll Crazies/Cuban Bluegrass
3. Jet Set (Sigh)
4. Anyway
5. Both of Us (Bound to Lose)
6. Fallen Eagle
7. Jesus Gave Love Away for Free
8. Colorado
9. So Begins the Task
10. Hide It So Deep
11. Don't Look at My Shadow
12. It Doesn't Matter
13. Johnny's Garden
14. Bound to Fall
15. How Far
16. Move Around
17. The Love Gangster
18. What to Do
19. Right Now
20. The Treasure (Take One)
21. Blues Man

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Manassas is a solid album. The music is rock—and country and blues and bluegrass. The band likes to get into a groove and jam, just like the blues. But what's played over the groove is country and bluegrass. It's similar in many ways to Will the Circle Be Unbroken. And it's also what one might expect if the Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash were to merge together.

This album feels like one continuous jam that transitions by throwing in a groove or a melody. Thus, the songs are not always easily distinguishable and sort of become one long drone. However, there are enough exciting grooves, riffs and melodies to make to keep if from being uninteresting.

This album didn't impress me at first, but I've come to like it after listening to it over and over. It starts and ends strong. The middle is good but unremarkable. So, it probably could have been a single album instead of a double.

I think the album worth listening to. Although it's true there have been rock bands that have done country music albums, this one strikes a better balance between rock and country and emphasizes the groove more so than the others and that groove is essential to the country rock bands that follow. So, for that reason, it should be on the 1001 Albums list.

There are some really good songs on this album. The stand outs are: Song of Love, Rock & Roll Crazies/Cuban Bluegrass, Jet Set (Sigh), So Begins the Task, Don't Look at My Shadow, It Doesn't Matter, Johnny's Garden, Bound to Fall, How Far, The Love Gangster, What to Do, Right Now, The Treasure (Take One) and Blues Man.

★★★★★★★★★☆

246. Neil Young | Harvest (1972)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Out on the Weekend
2. Harvest
3. A Man Needs a Maid
4. Heart of Gold
5. Are You Ready for the Country?
6. Old Man
7. There's a World
8. Alabama
9. The Needle and the Damage Done
10. Words (Between the Lines of Age)

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Harvest is an unfocused album. The music is mix of country rock and folk rock. The songs are lean, that is when there isn't an orchestral accompaniment, and mostly acoustic. No matter, there isn't a lack of melodies, riffs or solos. The lyrics are deeply personal and troubling; they're of a man suffering from loneliness and weariness of the world.

Neil Young writes really beautiful songs and he performs them as if he means it. But with this album Neil Young seems confused and doesn't have a real point to make; he seems uninspired.

The album is good, but it's hard to get excited about. Perhaps this album is just meant to be one big downer. I don't think this album is necessary for the 1001 Albums list; other Neil Young albums are similar enough, and they're the only ones that matter since he's the only who gets this style right.

All of the songs are good. The stand outs are Out on the Weekend, Harvest, A Man Needs a Maid, Heart of Gold, Old Man, The Needle and the Damage Done, and Words (Behind the Lines of Age).

★★★★★★★★☆☆

236. Gene Clark | White Light (1971)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. The Virgin
2. With Tomorrow
3. White Light
4. Because of You
5. One in a Hundred
6. For a Spanish Guitar
7. Where My Love Lies Asleep
8. Tears of Rage
9. 1975

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White Light is an exquisite album. The music is country. While it's country music, it doesn't incorporate all the elements of country music. There isn't any twangy guitar sound. Gene Clark doesn't sound at all like a country music singer and the lyrics don't follow the common themes found in country music. So, while this album doesn't resemble country music in any way, it's unmistakably country. I'm guessing it's the slow tempo, the sad and somber tone and the harmonica that makes this a country album.

The main focus is the lyrics. They are central to the songs and Gene Clark delivers them in a deliberate and detached way. He's just a storyteller even if the songs involve him.

The music is notable. The playing is mature and restrained. Only the essential comes through which gives Gene Clark room to sing. And he has a wonderful voice to listen to. It's so cool and calm. There's a timeless quality to the songs.

The album is wonderful. This is one of the best overall albums I've heard so far. It's the kind of album I want to put on again and again. It's surprising for me to feel this way because I think Gene Clark is one of the main reasons I don't really enjoy any pre-Gram Parsons Byrds' albums.

I certainly think this album is worth listening to and it deserves to be in any serious collector's collection. I believe it should be on the 1001 Albums list. Gene Clark takes country music in an interesting direction. I suspect he's the only one who went in this direction, but it would have been worthwhile for other country artists to pursue.

All the songs on this album are outstanding. For a Spanish Guitar is my favorite and With Tomorrow a close second.

★★★★★★★★★★

190. Grateful Dead | American Beauty (1970)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Box of Rain
2. Friend of the Devil
3. Sugar Magnolia
4. Operator
5. Candyman
6. Ripple
7. Brokedown Palace
8. Till the Morning Comes
9. Attics of My Life
10. Truckin'

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American Beauty is a mellow album. The music is folk rock and country rock. It's mainly an acoustic album, but there is a clear presence of electric guitars.

This album got better the more I listened to it. Although Box of Rain sounded better each time, I don't think it or Friend of the Devil should kick off the album. There are stronger songs to start with.

I think it's worth listening to, but I'm not sure why it deserves to be on the 1001 Albums list. Gram Parsons was doing this kind of stuff with the Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers a few years back. So, it's a good album, but nothing that hasn't been heard before.

All of the songs are quite good. The stand outs are: Box of Rain, Sugar Magnolia, Ripple, Brokedown Palace, Till the Morning Comes and Truckin'.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

189. Van Morrison | Moondance (1970)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. And It Stoned Me
2. Moondance
3. Crazy Love
4. Caravan
5. Into the Mystic
6. Come Running
7. These Dreams of You
8. Brand New Day
9. Everyone
10. Glad Tidings

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Moondance is a gentle album. The music varies from R&B to jazz to country to folk. And it works! Van Morrison makes it work. His voice is plastic and fits any style naturally. His backing musicians make it work too. The rhythm section is fluid and lively. The saxes and flute do a good job in support.

I really liked this album. Van Morrison makes interesting music and he tells stories in his lyrics that are enjoyable and sensible—a rare treat. I do think this album is worth listening to, but I don't think it necessarily belongs on the 1001 Albums list. Van Morrison's range is impressive, but there's nothing new on this album, either.

All of the songs are quite good. The stand outs are: And It Stoned Me, Moondance, Caravan, Into the Mystic, These Dreams of You and Glad Tidings.

★★★★★★★★★☆

186. Neil Young | After the Gold Rush (1970)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Tell Me Why
2. After the Gold Rush
3. Only Love Can Break Your Heart
4. Southern Man
5. Till the Morning Comes
6. Oh Lonesome Me
7. Don't Let It Bring You Down
8. Birds
9. When You Dance I Can Really Love
10. I Believe in You
11. Cripple Creek Ferry

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After the Gold Rush is a pleasing album. The music is folkie rock with a twist of country. It's an easy album to listen to. Neil Young makes well-crafted music. There are some relaxed ballads with beautiful melodies and there are some acoustic rockers.

Many of the songs deal with love and, sometimes, loss. After the Gold Rush makes reference to the environment being damaged to the point that humans may have to seek a new home elsewhere. Southern Man is the only difficult piece—it's his in-your-face reminder of the continuing racism in the American South. I'm not exactly sure what Don't Let It Bring You Down and Cripple Creek Ferry are about, though.

This is an excellent album. It's definitely worth listening to. It's easy to listen to this album over and over without getting sick of it. I'm unsure whether it's a must-have album. It has yet to leave a lasting impression on me after it's over, but while listening to it, it's like listening to one of the best albums ever. Of course, it should be on the 1001 Albums list for that reason and because these songs are well-crafted.

Every song on this album is outstanding. The stand out songs for me are Tell Me Why, After the Gold Rush, Only Love Can Break Your Heart, Southern Man, Oh, Lonesome Me, Don't Let It Bring You Down, When You Dance I Can Really Love and Cripple Creek Ferry.

★★★★★★★★★★

175. Creedence Clearwater Revival | Cosmo's Factory (1970)

Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Ramble Tamble
2. Before You Accuse Me
3. Travelin' Band
4. Ooby Dooby
5. Lookin' Out My Back Door
6. Run Through the Jungle
7. Up Around the Bend
8. My Baby Left Me
9. Who'll Stop the Rain
10. I Heard It Through the Grapevine
11. Long as I Can See the Light

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Cosmo's Factory is a solid album. Creedence Clearwater Revival have moved away from their swamp rock to blues/country rock. 

The songs are all outstanding. There are four cover songs and seven originals. Despite the covers being great songs in their own right, the originals are what make this album shine. John Fogerty is a great songwriter. The only problem is that the songs don't congeal into a thematic whole like CCR's previous two albums (on this list) have. 

This album is definitely worth listening to, but I don't think it should be on the 1001 Albums list. This album is neither innovative nor groundbreaking.

The stand out songs are: Ramble Tamble, Travelin' Band, Lookin' Out My Back Door, Run Through the Jungle, Up Around the Bend, Who'll Stop the Rain, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Long as I Can See the Light.

★★★★★★★★★☆

141. The Flying Burrito Brothers | The Gilded Palace of Sin (1969)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Christine's Tune
2. Sin City
3. Do Right Woman
4. Dark End Of The Street
5. My Uncle
6. Wheels
7. Juanita
8. Hot Burrito #1
9. Hot Burrito #2
10. Do You Know How It Feels
11. Hippie Boy

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The Gilded Palace of Sin is a surprising album. If you didn't know Gram Parsons was the driving force behind the Flying Burrito Brothers, it would be pretty hard to figure out from the name of the band that this is a country, albeit a country rock, album. Maybe the album title would give it away, but I doubt it.

This is definitely a country album. It has the right rhythm, the right instruments and the right singing style, but it's not Johnny Cash or Bakersfield country, although their presence is felt. Gram Parsons was certainly forging a new path in the country music world that was dangerously close to rock and roll. He started this path with The Byrds' album Sweetheart of the Rodeo and continued with this album. Of course, Sweetheart was the worst selling album for the Byrds up to that point and Gilded Palace never reached gold. So, it would seem the public wasn't receptive to his new style. However, many country  musicians were according to the Wikipedia entry. Unfortunately, he died four years later to see if his idea would catch on.

I love Gram Parsons singing. It's a crying shame that Roger McGuinn replaced Gram's lead vocals on three Sweetheart of the Rodeo songs. Because of his singing and because of how well the music is played, I think it's a fantastic album. I'm not sure a country purist would agree.

This is definitely an album worth listening to and I'd recommend including it in the record collection. The stand out songs are: Christine's Tune, Sin City, Do Right Woman, Dark End of the Street, My Uncle, Hot Burrito #1 and Hot Burrito #2.

★★★★★★★★★★

136. Neil Young with Crazy Horse | Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (1969)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Cinnamon Girl
2. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
3. Round & Round (It Won't Be Long)
4. Down by the River
5. The Losing End (When You're On)
6. Running Dry (Requiem for the Rockets)
7. Cowgirl in the Sand

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Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere is a somber album. The songs are stripped down rock and roll which feel like country rock. The album actually starts off upbeat, but after Cinnamon Girl it's all gloom.

I like this album a lot.  I don't know if it was intentional, but each song creates a darker mood than the one before it. Neil Young is also good for cutting away nonsense and idealism (of psychedelia) and singing about real people, real feelings in the here-and-now. This is definitely an album worth listening to. It's also definitely a worthy addition to any collection.

The songs are all great. Cinnamon Girl may the most recognizable song on the album, but it's the least solemn. The stand outs are Cinnamon Girl, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, Down By the River, Running Dry (Requiem for the Rockets) and Cowgirl in the Sand.

★★★★★★★★★★

133. The Byrds | Sweetheart of the Rodeo (1968)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
2. I Am a Pilgrim
3. The Christian Life
4. You Don't Miss Your Water
5. You're Still on My Mind
6. Pretty Boy Floyd
7. Hickory Wind
8. One Hundred Years from Now
9. Blue Canadian Rockies
10. Life in Prison
11. Nothing Was Delivered

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Sweetheart of the Rodeo is n superb album. On this album, and with the addition of Gram Parsons who wanted to blend rock and roll and country, the Byrds decided to go country. Most of the songs are written by folk and country musicians like Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, the Louvin Brothers and Merle Haggard. However, Gram Parsons contributed two songs and Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman co-wrote one.

I don't have an ear for country music and I don't have a deep sense of the culture, but to me it's impressive that a folk rock/psychedelic rock band was able to pull this off as well as they did. To me, it's the real deal. In fact, I think of the five albums that the Byrds have on the 1001 Albums list, this is the best one by far. (Roger McGuinn snotty, smarmy singing is at a minimum.)

This album certainly deserves to be on the list and would be a great addition to any collection. The only negative thing I have is that, with this album, the Byrds probably helped usher in the easy-listening country rock music that emerged in the 1970s and continues to plague radio stations to this day.

All of the songs are excellent, but the stand outs are: You Ain't Goin' Nowhere, I Am a Pilgrim, The Christian Life, You Don't Miss Your Water, Pretty Boy Floyd, Hickory Wind, Blue Canadian Rockies and Life in Prison.

★★★★★★★★★★

84. The Beau Brummels | Triangle (1967)

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Wikipedia Entry

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1. Are You Happy?
2. Only Dreaming Now
3. Painter of Women
4. The Keeper of Time
5. It Won't Get Better
6. Nine Pound Hammer
7. Magic Hollow
8. And I've Seen Her
9. Triangle
10. The Wolf of Velvet Fortune
11. Old Kentucky Home

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Triangle is a soothing album. The songs all have a pleasant melody. There are a lot of diverse instruments, making it a very sophisticated folk album. The lyrics of many of the songs tell colorful stories. The vocals sound just like how someone from the 19th Century would sing a rock album.


This album is consistent, big-sounding, adventurous and borders on the fantastical. The music really helps support and extend the imagery conveyed by the lyrics.


I had no expectations for this album, but it's pretty darn good. It is definitely a new favorite of mine. It is certainly worth listening to. There's not a bad song on this album. The stand out songs are Only Dreaming Now, Painter of Women, The Keeper of Time, Nine Pound Hammer, Triangle and The Wolf of Velvet Fortune.

★★★★★★★★★ ☆