Well, we've arrived at the Top 10 and my 6-10 is an odd assortment of bands. For some reason, it struck me as funny to imagine all of these guys together at a party. Picture Iggy Pop and Keith Moon, shirts off and plastered, encouraging Pete Townshend to destroy Robert Fripp and Terry Kath's guitars, as Charlie Watts looks on in bemused silence. Good times.
10. Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority ( 4.5 Stars )
Yes, in 1969 Chicago made their recording debut and were actually an immensely talented band that combined rock, jazz and soul to dominate the charts. My band director, when I was a kid, was a huge Chicago fan. Needless to say, we played copious amounts of Chicago tunes. So I was aware they had once been a great band before sucking in the 80's. This album includes the hits "Beginnings", "Questions 67 and 68" and "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is"? The playing on here is amazing, especially Terry Kath on guitar. Unfortunately, he was indulged by being allowed to include the track "Free Form Guitar" on this release, which isn't representative of his skill. The album is rounded out by a muscular blues number, "South California Purples" and an inspired cover of "I'm a Man". Chicago Transit Authority would probably be 5 Stars if "Free Form Guitar" had been let off.
9. The Rolling Stones - Let it Bleed ( 4.5 Stars )
This is a top 3 Stones album for me, along with Some Girls and Sticky Fingers. It's worth noting, however, that the best performance on Let it Bleed is Mary Clayton's vocals on "Gimme Shelter". That alone puts this at 4 Stars. Throw in "Midnight Rambler", "You Can't Always Get What You Want" and my favorite track "Monkey Man" and we're at 4.5 Stars. I'm still not the biggest Stones fan, but I'm trying.
8. The Stooges - The Stooges ( 4.5 Stars )
Iggy Pop is another artist I'm not that into, but The Stooges debut is a middle finger to 1969 America. In fact, the opening track is titled 1969. "It's another year for me and you. It's another year with nothing to do." Iggy's sneering vocals are accentuated by some infectious hand claps and razor wire guitar. Then he follows that up with the iconic track, "I Wanna Be Your Dog". "No Fun" is kind of a Stones-y rocker with even more hand claps. Have I ever mentioned I love hand claps? Have I also mentioned that I'm fairly certain I saw Iggy Pop at a RUSH concert in Detroit in 2002? While I was in my seat before the show, a shirtless man who looked exactly like Iggy came out from the backstage area and ran up the aisle to the back of the venue. Anyhow, some people are put off by the ten minutes track, "We Will Fall", but I like it. It's hypnotic and drone-y. If I spent more time with this album it might make it to 5 Stars.
7. The Who - Tommy ( 4.5 Stars )
Tommy was in my original Mt. Rushmore for 1969. It partly fell because other albums moved up and partly because the rock opera format is slightly annoying. If this had just been a concept album with the best tracks it's probably 5 Stars. However, the overtures and short pieces and what not take me out of enjoying the album to its fullest. I suppose that's kind of nit-picky, but that's how I feel. It's still #7 and a great album. Stop judging me! Nobody needs Keith Moon's "Tommy's Holiday Camp" leading into the sublime "We're Not Gonna Take It". Also, I never need to hear "Pinball Wizard" again. Seriously though, I love The Who and there are iconic songs all over Tommy. I just never listen to this record, beginning to end, straight through. Oddly, my favorite track is "Christmas".
6. King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King ( 4.5 Stars )
This would have been in the Top 5 had it not been bumped by a stunning, upset pick. Interestingly, this is the 7th debut album in my Top 25. "21st Century Schizoid Man" is arguably one of the greatest musical achievements of the 20th Century. It's technically jaw dropping, yet on the knife's edge of unhinged. In the past, I've offhandedly dismissed Robert Fripp as a guitar great. After doing these last couple dives, I have been completely disabused of that notion. While there are still many guitarists I prefer to Fripp, there's no denying he is a virtuoso player. And Greg Lake would certainly be on my Mt. Rushmore of Prog vocalists.
You are not going to believe what my #3 album is. No, it's not Moondog. Peace.
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