1968 was an easy year, as there were only four albums I seriously considered. I did listen to Big Pink and Sweetheart of the Rodeo, but they didn't crack my original four choices. I love these four records almost equally, but I can rank them for these purposes.
Number one is Odessey and Oracle by The Zombies. Not to get ahead of myself, but this is probably the best album of the Sixties. It's unfortunate that the band had already broken up when this album finally clicked with the stupid public. "Time of the Season" is easily a top three song of the Sixties. "What's your name? Who's your daddy? He rich? Is he rich like me? Has he taken any time to show you what you really need to live?" Rod Argent and Chris White were genius pop songwriters and Colin Blunstone's vocals were smooth and penetrating. Blunstone's high point on Odessey is "This Will Be Our Year". "The warmth of your love's like the warmth of the sun. And this will be our year, took a long time to come". I mentioned "Care of Cell 44" previously when discussing Sloan's One Chord to Another. It's a beautiful pop tune about waiting for your love to come home from prison. For the love of God, go listen to this album right now!
Number two is The Kinks' The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society. I think I've decide that the fourth member of my Mt. Rushmore of singers is Ray Davies. HIs voice is like a warm blanket. Village Green is the beginning of a series of nostalgic albums by the Kinks. It's a concept album celebrating a Britain that Davies fondly recalls. It makes the listener hope that there really was a Britain this idyllic. Probably not though. Standout songs are the title track, "Picture Book" and "Last of the Steam-powered Trains". Dave Davies also contributes the excellent "Wicked Anabella". Great album.
Number three is The Beatles' White Album. What else can I say about this record. Every song on this record launched a new subgenre of pop music. Someday a should write an extended piece on that topic. Anyhow, this is a double album where everyone in the band is at the height of their powers. It makes for a rich and diverse listening experience. If you read my blog, I'm sure you are quite familiar with this record and have your own feelings about it. It's my second favorite behing Abbey Road. I have no problem with it being a double album, even if there are a few turds in the punch bowl.
Number four is Nefertiti by Miles Davis' Second Quintet. Truly the most talented band ever assembled. Everything they recorded was magic. In some ways, this record is peak Miles Davis as a traditional jazz player. After Nefertit he begins his journey to electric jazz-rock fusion; not that there's anything wrong with that. It's sort of a companion piece to 1967's Sorcerer, which is also brilliant but may have a hard time making my Mt. Rushmore in a stacked field. Besides Miles, Herbie Hanccock really stands out on this record. And Tony Williams on "Hand Jive" is quite spectacular on drums. It's a testament to Miles Davis that he always encouraged (pushed) his band members to stretch out and go for it. Even though I ranked this album fourth, it is number one quality.
Looking ahead to 1967, it's going to be a straight up bitch to pick four albums. I may have to leave off Sgt. Pepper, which is crazy. People always talk about Sgt. Pepper being innovative, and it was, but there were many albums out that year just as groundbreaking. Pink Floyd. Mothers of Invention. Jefferson Airplane. Moody Blues. The Doors. It's nuts. I have contended for quite some time that the last half of the Sixties was the most creative period of music in almost every genre. 1967 was the peak year. Peace.
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