Best psychedelic rock albums of all time
Introduction
From The Beatles’ revolutionary “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” to the genre-defining Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” psychedelic rock albums have molded the sound of modern rock music. Other timeless psychedelic albums include “The Doors’ Strange Days,” The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Are You Experienced?” and Jefferson Airplane’s “Surrealistic Pillow”.
With the advent of LSD, bands started incorporating more experimental sounds into their music.
From the 13th Floor Elevators to Hawkwind, the genre has covered a broad range of sounds, genres, and origins. From the electric beats of Moby Grape to Jug’s funky psych-funk, these records have been timeless and still enthrall audiences today. So, if you’re eager to investigate psychedelic rock, here are some of the greatest psychedelic rock records ever.
The Beatles, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”
The Beatles, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”
Released in 1967, this album is considered one of the greatest and most influential of all time. It was produced by George Martin and features some of The Beatles’ most iconic songs, including “With a Little Help from My Friends,” “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” and “A Day in the Life.” It was a revolutionary concept album that incorporated elements of psychedelia, Eastern music, and classical arrangements to create an unprecedented soundscape.
This groundbreaking work of art revolutionized popular music and left an indelible mark on modern culture.
The album won Best British Album at the 2018 Brit Awards and Best Album at both Grammys (2018) and AMAs (2019).
Jimi Hendrix, “Are You Experienced”
If you’re looking for a psychedelic rock album that will get your mind soaring, look no further than Jimi Hendrix’s Are You Experienced? Released in 1967 and featuring songs like “Foxy Lady” and “Purple Haze,” this album is an excellent place to start if you want to explore the genre.
The genius behind Hendrix’s music was his ability to weave together different styles of music: blues, psychedelic rock, and jazz. It’s an eclectic mix that makes for an enjoyable listen—and one that has stood the test of time as one of the best psychedelic rock albums ever recorded.
The Doors, “The Doors”
The Doors were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965. The group consisted of Jim Morrison (vocals), Robby Krieger (guitar), Ray Manzarek (keyboards), and John Densmore (drums). The band was initially active between 1965-1973, but they reformed in 1991 until the death of Morrison in 1971.
The following is a list of their best albums:
- The Doors – Released January 4th, 1967 on Elektra Records
This album is considered by many critics as one of the greatest records ever made by any band! It has sold over 30 million copies worldwide with singles like “Break On Through To The Other Side” becoming hits for them during their career.
- Strange Days – Released November 9th, 1967 on Elektra Records.
This second album from The Doors was released shortly after their debut album reached number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, which made its way into many record books over time, including being named one best-selling album ever recorded by bands throughout history.
- L.A. Woman (1971)
L.A. Woman is the final studio album by the Doors, released on April 19, 1971, by Elektra Records. It is the last album to feature the band’s lead singer, Jim Morrison, who died three months after the album’s release.
The album was a commercial success, reaching number nine on the Billboard 200 chart, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album’s lead single, “Love Her Madly”, peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
L.A. Woman is generally considered to be one of the Doors’ best albums, and is one of the most popular and influential albums of the 1970s.
Pink Floyd, “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn”
Pink Floyd’s first album, “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn,” is often considered the first psychedelic rock album. It was released in 1967 and produced by Norman Smith (who also worked on the Beatles’ “Rubber Soul”). The title track is named after a chapter of Hesiod’s “Theogony”–a poem about Greek mythology–and features Syd Barrett on lead vocals.
13th Floor Elevators, “The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators”
The 13th Floor Elevators were a psychedelic rock band from Texas. Their debut album, The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators, was released in 1966 and was a huge influence on the burgeoning psychedelic movement. The record was produced by International Artists Records (also known as IA), who also put out albums by bands like Big Brother & the Holding Company, The Electric Prunes, and Love.
The album kicks off with “You’re Gonna Miss Me,” a song about frontman Roky Erickson’s mental illness while he was in high school; it also includes “Splash 1” which became their most famous track thanks to its use in movies like Wayne’s World 2 and South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut as well as TV shows like Stranger Things 2
Love, “Forever Changes”
Forever Changes is a 1967 psychedelic rock album by the American band Love. It was produced by David Angel and released on Elektra Records. The album is considered one of the best albums of the 1960s, and was ranked number ten in Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in 2003.
The album was recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders studios in Los Angeles between March and April 1967. The sessions were troubled due to substance abuse issues within the band as well as personality clashes between members. The recording process took over three months due to these difficulties, which resulted in producer David Angel having to mix some tracks multiple times before they were deemed acceptable.
Donovan, “Sunshine Superman”
Sunshine Superman is the first album by British folk singer Donovan. It was released in 1966, and it includes his first hit single “Sunshine Superman”. The album was a major success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
Donovan’s music has been described as a psychedelic rock because of its use of surrealistic imagery and fantasy sequences in his lyrics. He was influenced by Bob Dylan and the Beatles who were both prolific songwriters during this period in pop music history
Grateful Dead, “Anthem Of The Sun”
The Grateful Dead’s 1968 studio album “Anthem of the Sun” is widely considered to be one of the best psychedelic albums ever recorded and was a major influence on bands like The Moody Blues and other psych-rockers. This album combines elements of hard rock, folk rock, and psychedelia to create an almost dreamlike soundscape that transcends time. It features some of the most unique blending of genres yet heard at the time, making it an important part of the history of rock music.
While many psychedelic albums draw from a variety of influences, “Anthem Of The Sun” uses them more cohesively than many others. Its themes are often dark and moody, but they are paired with lighthearted instrumentation that creates a perfect balance between its heavy subject and its upbeat sound. All these things make it one of the most influential psychedelic albums ever released and an essential part of any rock music collection.
Jefferson Airplane, “Surrealistic Pillow”
Jefferson Airplane’s “Surrealistic Pillow” is a classic of psych-influenced progressive rock. Reaching the top of the charts in 1967, it featured a mix of hard psychedelic rock and soft folk ballads, with jazzy undertones. The album’s signature track “White Rabbit” has become an anthem for the psychedelic movement, with its surreal imagery and dreamy atmosphere. Other standouts include “Somebody to Love”, which contains a memorable jug solo by lead singer Marty Balin, and the epic jam song “Plastic Fantastic Lover”. This album helped to define the sound of psychedelic rock and was hugely influential on later progressive rock bands such as Pink Floyd and Genesis.
Syd Barrett, “The Madcap Laughs”
If you’re a fan of Pink Floyd, you might be familiar with the story of Syd Barrett. He was the band’s original frontman and songwriter, but he left after only two albums due to mental illness. The Madcap Laughs is his only solo album–he went on to make four more with his new group, Stars (who were known as just plain “Syd” at one point). It was released in 1970 after he’d already left Pink Floyd.
The album has been called “a psychedelic classic,” so if you want to get into this kind of music and want something to start with that won’t take too much effort on your part but will still reward your attention span enough for it not to feel like an endless drone looping through an infinite void… then maybe give this one a listen?
Blue Cheer – Outsideinside
Blue Cheer is a psychedelic rock band that released the album Outsideinside in 1968. It was one of their most successful albums, reaching the top 25 psychedelic albums and even making it onto the top 100 classic albums lists. This LP was a mix of garage rock and psych, giving it an hypnotic sound that has become iconic. The tracks were an instant hit with fans looking for something different from the typical rock offerings of the time. Blue Cheer did not disappoint as they created a unique sound that has been remembered for decades. The album has become a staple in the psychedelic music genre and is often cited as one of the top 25 psychedelic albums of all time.
Tame Impala – Innerspeaker
Tame Impala is a modern psych rock band that has taken the world by storm since their debut album Innerspeaker in 2010. Combining elements of classic 70s space rock with the finest psychedelic fuzz, they have crafted a sound that pays homage to the pop songs made in the 60s while also creating something new and fresh. Their blend of psych rock and modern production techniques has made them one of the most popular new artists in recent years and gained them fans from all over the world. They are a testament to how timeless music can be when masterfully combined with contemporary ideas, making them one of the finest psychedelic bands out there today.
Conclusion
The psychedelic rock genre has seen immense growth and popularity over the years, and has produced some truly classic albums. From the groundbreaking sounds of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon to more recent classics such as Tame Impala’s Currents, the psychedelic rock genre has something to offer everyone. With so many great albums to choose from, it can be difficult to pick the best psychedelic rock albums of all time, but these are some of the albums that have stood the test of time and continue to captivate fans of all generations.
