SGR

Alright so I've been looking to pick up some rock albums that will in short, "blow my mind" by how good they are.

I'm missing alot of essentials when it comes to rock still and these are the ones that people have recommended me or told me will blow my mind.

The Who - I don't own any Who cds, although I enjoy what I have heard. I've been told that "The Who Sell Out!" is one of their best and a good place to start, and I also have been told that "Live At Leeds" is great. I have heard though that only the deluxe edition of Live At Leeds has the whole show, so should I go with that one? Or should I get something different by The Who completely?

The Rolling Stones - I own Sticky Fingers and Exile and enjoy them both, but I'm not sure what else by them will "blow my mind." I've been told that "Let It Bleed" and "Beggar's Banquet" are pretty good, but what year (mastering/issue) should I get?

Deep Purple - Don't own anything by them, but have been told that "Machine Head" and "In Rock" are both great.

Stevie Ray Vaughan - I know he's not really rock, but I only on "Texas Flood." Is anything else he's done essential?

Jimi Hendrix - I don't own a single thing by him. Anything a must have?

Prog - I am ignorant on this whole genre. I can't think of a single prog album I own, save for four Pink Floyd ones. Is anything from that essential listening?

Southern Rock -Again, I still haven't decided what to pick up from this genre. If I were to have only one album though, what one by what band should I get?

Out of all this, what should I get first? (i.e. What is the most essential?)

(P.S.- It's a good thing I've got you guys here to help me expand my horizons!)

Do you guys have any other ideas?

Unknown Soldier

There are only 3 Hendrix studio albums and "Are You Experienced?" (the version that includes the UK released singles) and "Electric Ladyland" are F**cking essential. If you like these try Cream and "Disreali Gears"

Prog again huge but the essentials are:
Yes "The Yes Album" and "Close to the Edge"
King Crimson "In the Court of the Crimson King" "Red"
Genesis "Selling England By The Pound"
Jethro Tull "Aqualung"
Rush "2112" "A Farewell to Kings"
Kansas "Leftoverture" "Point of Know Return"

Southern Rock pretty much cornered by the Allman Brothers Band

Other suggestions:
Aerosmith "Toys in the Attic" "Rocks"
Styx " The Grand Illusion" "Pieces of Eight"
Alice Cooper "Love It to Death" "Killer" "Billion Dollar Babies"
and the whole discography of the Doors

....and finally the Cheap Trick debut album, a hard edged mother of an album that sounds like a Beatles or Move record that has gone out of control and still sounds great today.

I`m guessing you know Led Zep pretty well and so I won`t mention them.

I could mention a multitude of commercial and really obscure stuff, but I don`t know your real tastes.

Howard the Duck

The Who - Sell Out is essential of their "mod" sound, try to get the expanded edition as all the outtakes are equally as good as the original album (Pete originally planned a double album). Who's Next is of their quintessential "arena rock" sound. No point getting the double disc of Live at Leeds cos the Tommy portion ain't much good.

The Rolling Stones - "Let It Bleed" and "Beggar's Banquet" ARE pretty good.

Deep Purple - Only have "In Rock", yeah it's great.

Jimi Hendrix - Actually, my fave album is Axis : Bold as Love. It has a lot of experimentation yet still keeps the poppiness of the Chas Chandler production.

Prog - I suggest Gentle Giant's Octopus and Van Der Graaf Generator's H to He who Am the only One

Southern Rock - ZZ Top - Tres Hombres

Essentials are the Who, Stones and Hendrix.

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Malaise is THE dominant human predilection.

SATCHMO

I think Quadrophenia is a great, mind blowing album from start to finish, but it's not one you hear raved about constantly


My favorite is Band of Gypsies, still most will tell you Are You Experienced, Electric Ladyland, or Axis:Bold as Love. I think those three are equally good, but very different albums.

Without a doubt, get The Allman Brothers: Live at Fillmore East

debaserr

Prog Essentials(some overlap with Unknown Soldier's list):

Genesis - Selling England By The Pound and Foxtrot(specifically Supper's Ready)
Yes - Close To The Edge
Jethro Tull - Thick As A Brick
Comus - First Utterance
Gentle Giant - Octopus
King Crimson - Red
Pink Floyd - DSOTM, Animals and Wish You Were Here
Rush - Moving Pictures

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Howard the Duck

no probs - always happy to oblige

__________________


Malaise is THE dominant human predilection.

Necromancer

Necromancer

(Those are all to 80s & 90s Glam rockish). Just about anything southern rock or leaning more R&B..Blues Rock orientated, like Lynard Skynard, Molly Hatchet, any 70s classic rock may produce better results if your looking for good guitar leads, etc.
Dr. Feelgood is OK, but Pour Some Sugar On Me and Unskinny Bop sounds kinda.. (bubblegum)?

James D Hill

I love Prog Metal like Dream Theater,Symphony X,Ayreon,Pagens Mind,Stratavarious and Vaden Plas but I feel these bands owe a debt to Rush of course but also King Diamond.King who just recovered from heart surgery has one of the best vocal ranges in all music.Not only is he a great singer but his songwriting is second to none.Just listen to the diobalical classics Them and Conspericy.I know a lot of people dislike him due to the Satanism but to me that just adds to the creepyness and isnt that what metal is really ment to be.What makes King Progressive is the great bant behind him and his concepts.

SGR

Anyone have any recommendations for GOOD modern rock?