A timeless and transportive cult classic that passed under the radar in 1969, Nick Drake’s debut album ‘Five Leaves Left’ is still incredibly powerful.
It’s far from perfect, but The Who’s fourth album ‘Tommy’ helped restore their reputation and established the archetype of the rock opera.
Released in March 1969 with Doug Yule in for John Cale, ‘The Velvet Underground’ proved that the band could turn their hands to anything and still sound cutting-edge.
MC5’s career was ill-fated, but the white-hot fury and sprawling chaos of their 1969 live album ‘Kick Out The Jams’ was their apotheosis.
One of the most enigmatic and unknowable albums in the pantheon of rock and pop, Van Morrison’s incredible ‘Astral Weeks’ turns 50 years old.
Although forged during a period of professional turmoil, ‘The White Album’ feels like the most relevant and urgent Beatles album 50 years on.
Although his influence is often taken for granted, it is important on the 50th anniversary of ‘Electric Ladyland’ to remember what Jimi Hendrix could do with a guitar.
One of the most sublime works of English psychedelia, The Zombies’ ‘Odessey And Oracle’ has deservedly become a cult masterpiece in the 50 years since its release.
‘White Light/White Heat’ may have been made without Andy Warhol and Nico, but contains six tracks of raw, ugly but compelling garage-rock. Sadly, it would be the last album by the classic Velvet Underground line-up.
A double EP in Britain and a full album in the States, ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ is an interesting curio in The Beatles’ catalogue, and a full-stop to a brilliant 1967.
