I’m a bit of a Vinyl snob when it comes to music technology. CDs are okay, and it’s pretty cool how you can carry around your entire music collection on your phone now, but I feel it has made music much less valuable than it was a few decades ago.
Personally, I still don’t think you can beat buying a vinyl disc. You get a much clearer and more visible art work sleeve, sometimes with beautifully insightful lyric booklets, and I still argue that analogue sounds much better compared to the digitally compressed version of an mp3.
This got me thinking about music, and since I’ve not had any contribution for a while I decided it was time to put my thoughts down. Now, I’m quite favorable to rock music, hence the title of this article, and it’s going to become very obvious what era I’ve grown up in.
Anyways, without further ado, here’s 9 rock albums that I feel all vinyl fanatics really should have in their music collection.
The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
Image: The Beatles
One of the first albums I ever heard when I was younger. I wasn’t very musically aware at that point in my life, but this album most definitely stuck out above all for me. I wouldn’t even call myself a massive Beatles fan, it’s just something about this LP that is so beautiful.
If you’re a vinyl lover and still don’t have this iconic record in your collection, you really need to get that sorted. It really lends itself well to the original format for music lovers, and a modern copy isn’t hard to get hold of. If you’re after an original ’67 print though, then you’ll probably need to extend your search.
Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin II (1969)
Image: Led Zeppelin
Out of the first four Zeppelin albums, it was a tough choice to pick the best one. However, I had to pick one of them, so I went with their almighty second record.
Anthems such as Whole Lotta Love and Ramble On sound beautiful through modern record players, and even though this album has seen the modern remaster treatment, it still sounds as clear and raw as it does upon its release almost 50 years ago.
Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath (1970)
Image: Black Sabbath
It was either their self titled, or Paranoid, but I’ve always leaned more towards Black Sabbath’s debut LP more than the latter. The opening track, also named Black Sabbath sounds just as terrifying on my record player and stereo as it did back in 1970 upon its release.
For the heavy metal lovers especially, this is where it all began. There is absolutely no excuse for this iconic LP to not be in your record collection – it’s the only true way you can get the most out of Geezer’s bass solo at the start of N.I.B.
Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
Image: Pink Floyd
Arguably one of the greatest albums ever made, for me at least. If I was ruler of the world, it would be mandatory to have a copy of this album in the home – that’s how important I feel it is!
This is truly some of Pink Floyd’s best work, and any record collection that doesn’t have it present is incomplete.
Rush – Rush (1974)
Image: Rush
While I am a huge fan of progressive rock, it came to quite a surprise to myself that I went for Rush’s self titled debut album. While it’s a fantastic album and a great start for their career, I also feel it’s the least “progressive”.
Of all their albums, I felt this one just hit the spot on the record player personally. It sounds raw, yet clear. Exactly how it should be!
Queen – A Night at the Opera (1975)
Image: Queen
A little different from my usual choice of music, but still a rock album nonetheless. I’d say that this is Queen’s best work and is a must have for all music lovers on any format. Preferably vinyl though, obviously.
Metallica – Ride The Lightning (1984)
Image: Metallica
I’m not a thrash metal head, but Metallica were truly original when they first started and I loved the energy they gave in their music and on the stage. One of my personal favourites has to be their sophomore album Ride The Lightning.
Anthems such as For Whom the Bell Tolls and Fade To Black really come to life even more through vinyl, and recently this album has had a fairly good remaster treatment, making it sound even more huge! Unless you’re a purist, then you’ll probably want to find an older print.
Guns N’ Roses – Appetite for Destruction (1987)
Image: Guns N’ Roses
There aren’t many people that aren’t familiar with at least three songs from this iconic debut album. What better way to hear Sweet Child O’ Mine than the old school analogue way? Beats hearing it on the radio a million times anyway.
Ghost – Opus Eponymous (2010)
Image: Ghost
Now for something a bit more modern, despite how 70’s this record sounds. For those unfamiliar, Ghost are a Swedish band that have their own catholic church inspired gimmick going on. It sounds stupid, but honestly it’s brilliant.
Their debut album hit the shelves in 2010, but it sounds like it’s come straight out of the Black Sabbath era, with an added tinge of Abba. This album was meant for the record player, there’s no better way to experience how raw and catchy it is.
That’s 9 records that I feel all rock fans should have in their vinyl collection. Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments!