The Rise of Progressive Rock (1973)

The late-1960s through early-1970s marked the emergence of numerous British progressive rock bands consisting of Yes, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and Pink Floyd. This experimental style of music characterized by lengthy-compositions, the use of keyboards, and various themes interested people throughout the world. In the top five of best-selling albums ever, and if not one of the best rock 'n' roll albums in the world, The Dark Side of the Moon was released on March 1, 1973. Widely recognized tracks on the album include "Time," "Money," and "Us and Them."

The Dark Side of the Moon is a significant album because it highlights numerous themes throughout its different tracks. Each song is something different. Themes include sense of time, conflict and anger, money and greed, and mental illness. Syd Barrett, the former lead vocalist and guitarist of Pink Floyd, inspired songs on the album due to his suffering from mental illness. That feeling of mental illness can be heard by the mysterious laugh heard in "Speak to Me" and "Brain Damage."

The album right away opens up with Pink Floyd's signature progressive rock sound on"Breathe (In the Air)." This track also features David Gilmour playing a lap-steel guitar which provides those various "airy" pitch changes throughout. The important theme of time is introduced on "Time" and informs listeners the importance of time and how it is often wasted. A stunning guitar solo lasting for a minute-and-a-half is played by Gilmour in the second half of the song. I have always enjoyed Gilmour's playing, especially on this album and during the 1980s.

The most prominent and popular track on the album has to be "Money." The guitar/bass work, the saxophone, the lyrics, and the overall composition are just astounding. The song opens with one of rock 'n' roll's most iconic guitar and bass riff. The introduction of this song is one of the first riffs I learned how to play on guitar. Occurring midway thorough the song and lasting till the end, a distinctive saxophone solo accompanied by David's marvelous playing is demonstrated. We cannot forget about the essential lyrics as well. The theme of greed is presented as heard by these lyrics: "Don't give me that do goody good bullshit--I'm in the high-fidelity first class traveling set--And I think I need a Lear jet." The band does a wonderful job at depicting various themes that ail people in society.

The album is concluded by two tracks titled "Brain Damage" and "Eclipse." I believe that these two were appropriate to end the album with. Yet again, the theme of mental illness is illustrated in these tracks. In an interview, Roger Waters himself stated that the "insanity-themed" lyrics are in reference towards Syd Barrett. Building up towards a powerful choir-like chorus, "Eclipse" rises and slowly descends towards a quiet outro that eventually fades.

Following its release in early-1973, the album would top the number one spot and remain on the chart for over nine-hundred weeks. The album has also sold between forty and forty-five million records over the past four decades. Overall, for anyone interested in listening to one of the best progressive rock masterpieces that portrays important themes that can be harmful to society, The Dark Side of the Moon is highly recommended.

Pink Floyd in the studio with Alan Parsons—1973

Do You Hear Knocking? (1971)

Still recovering from the turbulent events at the Altamont Speedway in late-1969, The Rolling Stones would shortly after release their next album. Said by many to be the Stones' best album, Sticky Fingers was released in April 1971. While I do enjoy the album greatly, I do not believe that it was their best one. The album also features a new guitarist in the line-up, Mick Taylor, following the death of Brian Jones. The LP features a handful of well-written and interesting songs that I'm sure every rock 'n' roll fan has heard. Included on the album is "Brown Sugar," "Wild Horses," and "Can't You Hear Me Knocking."

Defined by a twangy-style with an iconic guitar strumming pattern and various horn instruments interlaced throughout, "Brown Sugar" would become one of the band's most popular songs. Despite the rising popularity following its release, the track's lyrics are heavily associated with controversy. A variety of taboo topics can be heard including rape, slavery, and interracial sex; hence the lyrics "Gold Coast slave ship bound for cotton fields—sold in the market down in New Orleans."

Similar to other bands during the 1960s-70s, The Rolling Stones were heavily influenced by blues artists in America—especially Muddy Waters. "Sway," the second track on the album, is the first bluesy song featured throughout. As I previously mentioned how I am not a fan of the blues, I enjoy this song specifically due to Mick Taylor's unique bottleneck slide guitar solo. If only I knew how to properly use a slide while playing guitar myself!

The popular ballad, and probably my favorite slow-song written by the Stones, "Wild Horses," features a beautiful acoustic track accompanied by appropriate harmonics. As Mick Taylor had a unique perspective on how he viewed guitar playing, the top four strings of his guitar are tuned an octave higher. I always wondered what tuning his guitar was in because I could never replicate it.

Transitioning from slow to upbeat, the Stones feature another twangy song titled "Can't You Hear Me Knocking." Every part of this seven minute long masterpiece is perfect. Keith Richards' signature tuning, open-G, is featured in the intro of the song. A quarter of the way in, the song changes to an exciting instrumental featuring congas, and the well-known saxophonist Bobby Keys soloing over Richards' and Taylor's guitar work. Roughly two minutes after the start of the instrumental, Taylor yet again shines by picking up a solo that takes place till the end of the song.

I mainly enjoy listening to this album because of Keith Richards' and Mick Taylor's combined guitar-work. The duo's playing intertwines perfectly on almost every song, and was a significant piece to the production of Sticky Fingers. I find it very unfortunate that Taylor left the band a few years after the album was released. However, Keith would yet again find a compatible guitar partner in 1975.

Sticky Fingers is concluded by "Dead Flowers and "Moonlight Mile." While "Dead Flowers" references dark lyrics similar to "Brown Sugar," I believe the song was the right choice to include at the end of the album. I love the "honky-tonk" guitar work played by both Richards and Taylor. However, I do think "Dead Flowers" and "Moonlight Mile" could have switched spots to make the end of the album a better listening experience.

While I can see how music fans may classify Sticky Fingers as one of the Stones' best records, I think there are better. I do very much enjoy the twangy-style songs and the excellent guitar work by the Richards-Taylor duo, however, I do feel there could have been a better variety of songs. Including more knitty-gritty rock that the Stones were associated with in the past could have been an option. Overall, for anyone interested in listening to a great rock 'n' roll album with a unique style of songs, along with ear-catching guitar work, Sticky Fingers is a good one.

The Stones' in an advertisement for Sticky Fingers

Predecessor of Heavy Metal? (1969)

A major influence to future heavy metal bands of the 1980s, 1990s, and present, Led Zeppelin reshaped the world of rock 'n' roll. Quickly gaining popularity for their release of Led Zeppelin in early-1969, the band continued to record and push out a second album nine months later—Led Zeppelin II. Out of all the Zeppelin albums released throughout a span of ten years, this album is definitely my favorite. Despite Led Zeppelin II only being forty-one minutes and consisting of nine songs, every song is crucial to the composition of the album and each provides that hard rock-feeling we all love.

Similar to Jimi Hendrix and other bands inspired by the blues, Led Zeppelin combines a plentiful amount of blues into their "new" style of rock 'n' roll. Described as the band's "heaviest album," it features prominent songs known by almost every rock 'n' roll fan such as "Whole Lotta Love," "Heartbreaker," and "Ramble On." Opening up with one of the most iconic guitar riffs in history, "Whole Lotta Love," the album's only single, demonstrates each band members' musical talent. Page's distorted riffs accompanied by an iconic solo, Paul's thumping bass, Bonzo's pounding drums, and we can't forget Robert Plant's piping vocals. The entire song is a hard rock masterpiece that will go on to inspire many future bands.

Moving through the album; "What Is And What Should Never Be," is a track that contains both slow and upbeat sections. The song also features an excellent arrangement of guitars that pan back and forth between channels―offering listeners a unique experience. "Thank You" opens with beautiful ascending acoustic guitar chords that can be heard periodically throughout the song. Another wonderful solo can be heard on this song, played by Page with a 12-string guitar. Sources also state that because of this song, Page could trust Plant with writing majority of the lyrics in a song.

Similar to the first song on the LP, "Heartbreaker" yet again displays the band's hard-rock talent. Page's main riff in the song is crunchy like the riff on "Whole Lotta Love" and is yet again accompanied by a thumping bass line. Besides both songs being heavy, they each were derived from the band's blues-influence.

My favorite song off the album and the one that introduced me to the band is titled "Ramble On." The strum of chords in the beginning, the arpeggiated notes during the pre-chorus, the walking―very prominent baseline, and we can't forget the echoed guitar solo; the song is one that I will forever blast at home and in the car.

To close an iconic hard-rock album, the band includes a cover by Sonny Williams II titled "Bring It On Home." While I am not a fan of the blues, I really enjoy the bluesy-sound the song offers during the introduction and ending. The song pays tribute to the original blues songwriter while demonstrating the band's own hard-rock touch. Even though I enjoy every track on the record, I do believe the band could have ended the album with a more upbeat song such as "Moby Dick" or even "Heartbreaker."

Led Zeppelin II would rise to the number one spot shortly after its release. According to Dave Lewis in his book titled Led Zeppelin: A Celebration, the album would "knock" the Beatles Abbey Road from the number one spot twice and remain there for seven weeks. For those looking to listen to a hard-rock album heavily influenced by the blues, Led Zeppelin II is definitely the one to spend some time with.

Zeppelin live at the Bath Festival―June 1970

A Psychedelic Masterpiece (1968)

As psychedelic drugs were rampant throughout the mid-to-late-1960s, albums influenced by the  hallucinogenic feeling were consistently released. Jimi Hendrix, considered to be one of the best guitarists of the century, released his final studio album in 1968 with the Jimi Hendrix Experience titled Electric Ladyland. Hendrix, being one of my favorite guitarists, provided the world with a masterpiece that will forever be remembered. Prominent songs on this classic album include "Crosstown Traffic," "Voodoo Chile," and one my all-time favorites, "All Along the Watchtower."

Inspired deeply by the blues, and like on his previous albums, Hendrix incorporates a bluesy-guitar on majority of the LP's songs; especially on the lengthy, slow jam of "Voodoo Chile." The mix of both blues and hard rock 'n' roll creates and interesting blend that make listeners want more. When I first listened to the album, I noticed the frequent use of the wah pedal. The effect pedal adds a nice touch onto that psychedelic feeling. 

To introduce listeners, the album opens up with a two-and-a-half minute soundtrack titled "...And the Gods Made Love." Yes, when the Gods did make love, the offspring was the guitar legend Jimi Hendrix. Bouncing back and forth between slow and upbeat songs, the album will put listeners at the edge of their seats in anticipation. A fast song, "Crosstown Traffic," embraces one of Jimi's best hard-rock riffs. Hendrix also used a makeshift kazoo on the track. The song transitions into the slower "Voodoo Chile" and then back to an upbeat song titled "Little Miss Strange." 

Besides "All Along the Watchtower" being one of my favorites, "1983...(A Merman I Should Turn to Be)," a thirteen-and-a-half-minute track, is just dripping with that psychedelic feeling. Yet again, listeners are offered both the experience of slow and upbeat tempos in one song! R&B is also given some of the spotlight through the song "Come On (Let the Good Times Roll)," originally written by Earl King.

To end a mind-bending masterpiece, Hendrix includes a fiery-rendition of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower." The song is loaded with a variety of hard-rock riffs and solos, pounding drums, and bass. No matter how many times I listen to this single, it never gets old. Hearing this song the first time I was younger actually inspired me to start learning how to play the guitar. To this day, I cannot imitate the riffs of the rock-icon. All of this work would not be possible without the rest of the Experience―Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding. 

Electric Ladyland would soar to the top of the charts in the U.S. and sit there for roughly two weeks. Because of this album and his others, Hendrix quickly gained popularity throughout the music world. Hendrix would proceed to depart the band and work on material himself. The live album, Band of Gypsys, would be the last album released before his death later on in 1970. Despite Jimi's young passing at the age of 27, various posthumous albums would be released the next four decades following his death. I have always wondered what kind of music Hendrix would have released if he did not pass away.

Overall, for anyone looking to experience the trippy-psychedlic feeling of the 1960s without actually using drugs, Electric Ladyland is one to listen to. All of the songs serve a purpose and offer the listener a bluesy-rock 'n' roll mix that never gets old to listen to. For those who are interested in learning the guitar, it will take lots of time and practice to master the rock-'n'-roll legend's riffs and licks!

Hendrix producing the masterpiece―Electric Ladyland

A New Direction (1965)

As upcoming bands during the mid-1960s such as the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds, and the Zombies were swiftly releasing new music, the Beatles continued to top charts with their new releases. In 1965, the Beatles released their fifth studio album titled Help! While I am personally not a fan of the Beatles, I do not mind this album. Help! features two singles ("Help!" and "Ticket to Ride") along with the most covered song ever written, "Yesterday", written by Paul McCartney. The album features fourteen different songs; most of them with a folk-rock sound. Along with twelve songs being original material, the two remaining songs are covers.

While listening to the album, I immediately noticed the increased use of keyboards and acoustic guitar throughout various songs such as "You Like Me Too Much" and "Another Girl." Personally, I enjoy the transition towards a more folk-rock kind of sound rather than the typical upbeat Beatle pop song. Despite the direction forward with a new sound, two or three of the songs on the album reflect the Beatles past, including "Help!" and to conclude the album with a bang, "Dizzy Miss Lizzy." One of my favorite songs off the album with the folk-rock sound has to be "I've Just Seen A Face." The song begins with a ominous finger-picked lick on an acoustic guitar, and then transitions into a faster, western-style song with an upbeat tempo. Accompanying the song is a constant acoustic strum by Lennon and later on a solo.

The album begins with the song classic single "Help!"and transitions into the newer style of songs the band wrote. According to John Lennon years later, he apparently altered the song from a "piano-driven ballad" to an upbeat kind of song due to "commercial pressures." I wonder if the song would have still received its popular attention if it were a ballad.

In addition to "Help!", two songs on the album "I Need You" and "You Like Me Too Much" feature the quiet Beatle on lead vocals—George Harrison. Usually just strumming the guitar and occasionally providing background vocals, I think that Harrison did very well on those two songs! Until I researched the album online, I never realized that George was lead vocals on those songs.

Overall, like their previous and future albums, the LP would skyrocket to the number one spot on various charts in multiple countries—including the United States. I do believe that the album deserved the spot as it was a new transition for the Beatles in their music. While most of the songs were written in a folk-rock style, select few had the "old-Beatle sound." All of the songs on the album serve a purpose in the composition of the album, and I do not think any were included as fillers. As for one who does not usually listen to the Beatles, I would recommend this album to anyone who enjoys the folk-rock style of music, or anyone who wants to appreciate classic hits!

Fun Fact: The original title of the film and song "Help!" was intended to be called "Eight Arms to Hold You."

The Beatles in Obertauern, Austria filming scenes for "Help!"