Albums of 1974
The records from 1974 that made our lists.
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1AWBAverage White Band
AWB
A tight, Scottish-soul funk peak, home to the instrumental 'Pick Up the Pieces'. Sharp and beloved. A genre classic.
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2Natty DreadBob Marley and the Wailers
Natty Dread
The first record credited to Bob Marley and the Wailers, leaner and more focused, home to 'No Woman, No Cry'. The new line-up and the I Threes harmonies give it real warmth. A roots high point.
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3Here Come the Warm JetsBrian Eno
Here Come the Warm Jets
A playful, glammy art-rock solo debut. Inventive and beloved. A strong start.
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4Machine GunCommodores
Machine Gun
A punchy instrumental-funk debut whose title track became a party staple. Tight and beloved. A strong start.
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5Diamond DogsDavid Bowie
Diamond Dogs
A glammy, apocalyptic concept record drawing on Orwell, all decadence and dread. Theatrical and dark. A cult-loved Bowie chapter.
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6BurnDeep Purple
Burn
A fiery, Coverdale-fronted hard-rock peak. Powerful and beloved. A high point.
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7JoleneDolly Parton
Jolene
Built around one of country's most enduring songs, plus the autobiographical 'I Will Always Love You'. Plain-spoken and beautifully sung. Essential Dolly.
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8Apostrophe (')Frank Zappa
Apostrophe (')
An accessible, funny peak of jazz-rock invention. Inventive and beloved. His best-selling record.
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9No OtherGene Clark
No Other
A lavish, cosmic-Americana cult masterpiece ignored on release. Beautiful and reappraised. A treasure.
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10The Lamb Lies Down on BroadwayGenesis
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
An ambitious, surreal double-album rock opera, Gabriel's last with the band. Bold and acclaimed. A cult landmark.
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11Grievous AngelGram Parsons
Grievous Angel
A tender, definitive country-rock record, his duets with Emmylou Harris luminous throughout. Beautiful and influential. A cosmic-country landmark.
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12ThrustHerbie Hancock
Thrust
A funky, polished jazz-fusion peak. Groovy and beloved. A high point.
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13Late for the SkyJackson Browne
Late for the Sky
A reflective, beautifully written peak of California songcraft. Tender and acclaimed. His finest.
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14Court and SparkJoni Mitchell
Court and Spark
Mitchell's jazziest, most accessible record, pairing sophisticated arrangements with sharp, witty writing. It was her commercial peak and remains deeply rewarding. A perfect bridge between her folk and jazz periods.
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15Pick a DubKeith Hudson
Pick a Dub
A pioneering, cohesive early dub album. Deep and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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16RedKing Crimson
Red
A heavy, angular peak of 70s Crimson, tense and powerful. Influential on metal and prog alike. A genre high point.
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17AutobahnKraftwerk
Autobahn
The breakthrough, its 22-minute title piece evoking a drive down the motorway in pure electronics. Pioneering and hypnotic. Where their legend begins.
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18New Skin for the Old CeremonyLeonard Cohen
New Skin for the Old Ceremony
A literate, intricate peak of dark wit. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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19Second HelpingLynyrd Skynyrd
Second Helping
A peak of Southern rock, home to 'Sweet Home Alabama'. Tough and beloved. A high point.
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20On the BeachNeil Young
On the Beach
A bleak, beautiful record of disillusion and fragile beauty. Raw and beloved. A devotee favourite.
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21FireOhio Players
Fire
A slick, horn-driven funk peak built around its chart-topping title track. Hot and beloved. A genre highlight.
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22Sheer Heart AttackQueen
Sheer Heart Attack
The album where Queen found their range, balancing heavy rock with ornate pop and proving they were more than a hard-rock act. Tight and inventive. An early peak.
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23Queen IIQueen
Queen II
An ambitious, layered early peak of hard-rock drama. Bold and beloved. A cult favourite.
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24I Want to See the Bright Lights TonightRichard & Linda Thompson
I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
A peak of British folk-rock songcraft and harmony. Beautiful and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
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25Pretzel LogicSteely Dan
Pretzel Logic
A tight, jazzy peak, home to 'Rikki Don't Lose That Number'. Sophisticated and beloved. A high point.
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26Fulfillingness' First FinaleStevie Wonder
Fulfillingness' First Finale
A reflective, funky peak of his classic run. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.
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27Crime of the CenturySupertramp
Crime of the Century
A polished, ambitious prog-pop breakthrough. Tuneful and acclaimed. Their finest.
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28PhaedraTangerine Dream
Phaedra
A pioneering sequencer-driven electronic landmark of hypnotic drift. Spacious and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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29RejuvenationThe Meters
Rejuvenation
New Orleans funk at its most elastic and deep-pocketed. Greasy and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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30Back to OaklandTower of Power
Back to Oakland
Muscular horn-funk powered by one of the genre's greatest rhythm sections. Tight and acclaimed. A high point.
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31Veedon FleeceVan Morrison
Veedon Fleece
A mystical, underrated peak of free-flowing Celtic soul. Beautiful and acclaimed. A cult favourite.
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32Phases and StagesWillie Nelson
Phases and Stages
A concept album of divorce told from both sides. Beautiful and acclaimed. A creative high.
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33RelayerYes
Relayer
A complex, jazzy prog peak. Ambitious and acclaimed. A high point.