Somehow, I managed to compile a decent Top 25 album list for 1975. It was one of those years that had a wealth of great songs and a treasure trove of weird, unlistenable records. I'm looking at you Sparks, 10CC, and Split Enz. It was a mixed bag from artists I usually like. Some of the disappointments were The Kinks, Black Sabbath, and Bowie. On the bright side, I had some 4 Star albums that missed the cut; Jefferson Starship's Red Octopus, Styx Equinox, Foghat's Fool For the City, Doobie Brothers' Stampede, Miles Davis' Agharta, Keith Jarrett's Koln Concert, Stan Getz, McCoy Tyner, and Steve Hillage. I even have an interesting bookend situation at #1 and #25. There are also 11 first time listens in my Top 25. And half of my Mt. Rushmore changed. My 21-25 is an interesting mix of artists. Here we go.
25. MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND- Nightingales and Bombers ( 4.0 Stars )
I know very little about this band besides they recorded an exceptional cover of Springsteen's "Blinded by the Light". Turns out, they previously covered Springsteen on this album. Turns out, "Spirits in the Night" is also the best song on this album. I had assumed that Manfred Mann was the singer, but it turns out Mick Rogers handles the vocals and plays one mean guitar. He is the most surprising discovery of this dive. Mann's organ and synth playing aren't bad either. I should probably listen to their 1976 release, The Roaring Silence, since I actually own it. It's weird that Mick Rogers was replaced by two guys on that album. He did rejoin in 1983, however.
24. THE NEW TONY WILLIAMS LIFETIME - Believe It ( 4.0 Stars )
While this album is probably classified as jazz, it's more of a jazz-rock record. For one, Tony Williams' drumming style here is even more dynamic, and rock influenced. Secondly, Believe It features Allan Holdsworth on guitar. And it's produced by Bruce Botnick. The opening track, "Snake Oil", is quite King Crimson adjacent. These are two musicians playing at the top of their game. Do yourself a favor.
23. BOB SEGER - Beautiful Loser ( 4.0 Stars )
This is the album Seger was touring when he recorded Live Bullet, and there's no arguing that songs like the title track, "Katmandu", "Travelin' Man", and "Nutbush City Limits" sound much better live. Nonetheless, this is a fantastic album. I might be biased as a native Michigander, but I like it. Beautiful Loser and Live Bullet are all the Bob Seger anyone needs, though.
22. NEIL YOUNG - Tonight's the Night ( 4.0 Stars )
If you want to understand me, there are two Neil Young albums in this Top 25 and this is the lowest ranked, and there are no records by Stephen Stills, Crosby and Nash, The Eagles, or Dylan. That about sums up my taste in music. Technically this was recorded before 1975, but it was released that year. There's just enough random Crazy Horse contribution here to make this album better than most crap in 1975, but not enough to be better than Zuma. The track, "Albuquerque" comes pretty close.
21. RUSH - Fly By Night ( 4.0 Stars )
What would a Sound Mind Deep Dive be without a RUSH album. There were two in 1975, but one of them was Caress of Steel. Fly By Night marks the recording debut of Neil Peart as the drummer, and equally important, the lyricist. He comes right out of the gate with "Anthem"; a straight up rocker with literate lyrics. The title track is an autobiographical song about his move to the UK to make it in music, only to end up back in Canada. Lucky for all of us that he did and auditioned for RUSH. Fly By Night also features the fan favorite, and live staple, "By-Tor and the Snow Dog"; a prog epic inspired by two actual dogs. Of course, there has to be a Lord of the Rings song (Rivendell). The album closes out with "In the End", which starts out as a beautiful, acoustic number, then Alex kicks in with the power chords. This was the beginning of a 40 year musical journey that touched a lot of people's lives. Thanks Geddy and Alex. Rest in Peace Neil. You guys were the best. Peace.
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