Albums of 1974

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1. 1
   AWBAverage White Band

   AWB

   Average White Band · 1974 · Funk & Disco

   A tight, Scottish-soul funk peak, home to the instrumental 'Pick Up the Pieces'. Sharp and beloved. A genre classic.

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2. 2
   Natty DreadBob Marley and the Wailers

   Natty Dread

   Bob Marley and the Wailers · 1974 · Reggae & Dub

   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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3. 3
   Here Come the Warm JetsBrian Eno

   Here Come the Warm Jets

   Brian Eno · 1974 · Electronic

   A playful, glammy art-rock solo debut. Inventive and beloved. A strong start.

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4. 4
   HotcakesCarly Simon

   Hotcakes

   Carly Simon · 1974 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   A warmer, more collaborative record with James Taylor throughout, and songwriting that had grown more assured with each release.

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5. 5
   Machine GunCommodores

   Machine Gun

   Commodores · 1974 · Funk & Disco

   A punchy instrumental-funk debut whose title track became a party staple. Tight and beloved. A strong start.

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6. 6
   Diamond DogsDavid Bowie

   Diamond Dogs

   David Bowie · 1974 · Rock

   A glammy, apocalyptic concept record drawing on Orwell, all decadence and dread. Theatrical and dark. A cult-loved Bowie chapter.

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7. 7
   BurnDeep Purple

   Burn

   Deep Purple · 1974 · Rock

   A fiery, Coverdale-fronted hard-rock peak. Powerful and beloved. A high point.

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8. 8
   JoleneDolly Parton

   Jolene

   Dolly Parton · 1974 · Country & Americana

   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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9. 9
   Apostrophe (')Frank Zappa

   Apostrophe (')

   Frank Zappa · 1974 · Rock

   An accessible, funny peak of jazz-rock invention. Inventive and beloved. His best-selling record.

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10. 10
    No OtherGene Clark

    No Other

    Gene Clark · 1974 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A lavish, cosmic-Americana cult masterpiece ignored on release. Beautiful and reappraised. A treasure.

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11. 11
    The Lamb Lies Down on BroadwayGenesis

    The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

    Genesis · 1974 · Rock

    An ambitious, surreal double-album rock opera, Gabriel's last with the band. Bold and acclaimed. A cult landmark.

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12. 12
    SundownGordon Lightfoot

    Sundown

    Gordon Lightfoot · 1974 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    The title track became his biggest hit, but the album around it shows his storytelling craft at its most consistent.

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13. 13
    Grievous AngelGram Parsons

    Grievous Angel

    Gram Parsons · 1974 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A tender, definitive country-rock record, his duets with Emmylou Harris luminous throughout. Beautiful and influential. A cosmic-country landmark.

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14. 14
    ThrustHerbie Hancock

    Thrust

    Herbie Hancock · 1974 · Jazz

    A funky, polished jazz-fusion peak. Groovy and beloved. A high point.

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15. 15
    Late for the SkyJackson Browne

    Late for the Sky

    Jackson Browne · 1974 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A reflective, beautifully written peak of California songcraft. Tender and acclaimed. His finest.

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16. 16
    Court and SparkJoni Mitchell

    Court and Spark

    Joni Mitchell · 1974 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    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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17. 17
    Pick a DubKeith Hudson

    Pick a Dub

    Keith Hudson · 1974 · Reggae & Dub

    A pioneering, cohesive early dub album. Deep and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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18. 18
    RedKing Crimson

    Red

    King Crimson · 1974 · Rock

    A heavy, angular peak of 70s Crimson, tense and powerful. Influential on metal and prog alike. A genre high point.

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19. 19
    AutobahnKraftwerk

    Autobahn

    Kraftwerk · 1974 · Electronic

    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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20. 20
    New Skin for the Old CeremonyLeonard Cohen

    New Skin for the Old Ceremony

    Leonard Cohen · 1974 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A literate, intricate peak of dark wit. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.

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21. 21
    Second HelpingLynyrd Skynyrd

    Second Helping

    Lynyrd Skynyrd · 1974 · Rock

    A peak of Southern rock, home to 'Sweet Home Alabama'. Tough and beloved. A high point.

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22. 22
    On the BeachNeil Young

    On the Beach

    Neil Young · 1974 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A bleak, beautiful record of disillusion and fragile beauty. Raw and beloved. A devotee favourite.

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23. 23
    FireOhio Players

    Fire

    Ohio Players · 1974 · Funk & Disco

    A slick, horn-driven funk peak built around its chart-topping title track. Hot and beloved. A genre highlight.

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24. 24
    Sheer Heart AttackQueen

    Sheer Heart Attack

    Queen · 1974 · Rock

    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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25. 25
    Queen IIQueen

    Queen II

    Queen · 1974 · Rock

    An ambitious, layered early peak of hard-rock drama. Bold and beloved. A cult favourite.

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26. 26
    I Want to See the Bright Lights TonightRichard & Linda Thompson

    I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight

    Richard & Linda Thompson · 1974 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A peak of British folk-rock songcraft and harmony. Beautiful and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.

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27. 27
    Like an Old Fashioned WaltzSandy Denny

    Like an Old Fashioned Waltz

    Sandy Denny · 1974 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    Her most intimate solo record, built around piano ballads and a voice that could convey more in a held note than most singers manage in a verse.

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28. 28
    Pretzel LogicSteely Dan

    Pretzel Logic

    Steely Dan · 1974 · Rock

    A tight, jazzy peak, home to 'Rikki Don't Lose That Number'. Sophisticated and beloved. A high point.

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29. 29
    Fulfillingness' First FinaleStevie Wonder

    Fulfillingness' First Finale

    Stevie Wonder · 1974 · Soul & R&B

    A reflective, funky peak of his classic run. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.

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30. 30
    Crime of the CenturySupertramp

    Crime of the Century

    Supertramp · 1974 · Rock

    A polished, ambitious prog-pop breakthrough. Tuneful and acclaimed. Their finest.

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31. 31
    PhaedraTangerine Dream

    Phaedra

    Tangerine Dream · 1974 · Electronic

    A pioneering sequencer-driven electronic landmark of hypnotic drift. Spacious and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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32. 32
    RejuvenationThe Meters

    Rejuvenation

    The Meters · 1974 · Funk & Disco

    New Orleans funk at its most elastic and deep-pocketed. Greasy and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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33. 33
    Back to OaklandTower of Power

    Back to Oakland

    Tower of Power · 1974 · Funk & Disco

    Muscular horn-funk powered by one of the genre's greatest rhythm sections. Tight and acclaimed. A high point.

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34. 34
    Veedon FleeceVan Morrison

    Veedon Fleece

    Van Morrison · 1974 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A mystical, underrated peak of free-flowing Celtic soul. Beautiful and acclaimed. A cult favourite.

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35. 35
    Phases and StagesWillie Nelson

    Phases and Stages

    Willie Nelson · 1974 · Country & Americana

    A concept album of divorce told from both sides. Beautiful and acclaimed. A creative high.

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36. 36
    RelayerYes

    Relayer

    Yes · 1974 · Rock

    A complex, jazzy prog peak. Ambitious and acclaimed. A high point.

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