Psychedelic Sight invites readers to nominate recordings for its lists of best psychedelic albums and psychedelic songs. Below are some of their picks. Also, view readers’ picks for best songs.
> Nominate your favorite psychedelic albums (or songs).
> Listen to this page’s music on Spotify.
This is page 2 of the readers’ top psychedelic albums list. View page 1.
‘Suddenly One Summer’
J. K. and Co. | 1969 — Jeff Kaye was barely into his teens when he recorded this album, which was pretty much forgotten until it was rereleased by Sundazed. Reader Charles Flock remembers. Canadian arranger Bob Buckley, also a kid, was key to the recording. Brings to mind George Harrison’s work of the period.
> Listen (song “Fly”)
Brings to mind George Harrison’s work of the period.
‘Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake’
The Small Faces | 1968 — Reader Theodore says: “Lead us into the record stores / And deliver us ‘Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake’ / For nice is the music / The sleeve and the story / For ever and ever, Immediate.” Last album before the band morphed into Faces.
> Listen (title track)
Nice is the music / The sleeve and the story.
‘Journey to the Centre of the Eye’
Nektar | 1971 — Reader Buel Chandler says this single-song concept album offers “great instrumentation and ethereal vocals.” The debut album for these British prog rockers “could have been the soundtrack during the psychedelic descent to the monolith in ‘2001.’ “
> Listen to the album.
Great instrumentation and ethereal vocals.
‘The Nightmare of J.B. Stanislas’
Nick Garrie | 1968 — Reader Thomas Kinservik calls this album a classic “because it combines the genres of baroque pop and psychedelic pop brilliantly, with lush orchestration that calls to mind the Left Banke.” It’s been “long overlooked due to unfortunate circumstances surrounding its release.”
> Listen (title track)
Long overlooked combination of baroque pop, psychedelic pop.
‘Cheap Thrills’
Big Brother and the Holding Company | 1968 — Reader James Ponder says “James Gurley’s guitar work and tone on this album summarize everything the Summer of Love ever hoped to be. Even though it was recorded a year later.” Approved by the Hell’s Angels. Illustrated by R. Crumb. Sung by Janis Joplin.
> Listen to the album.
Everything the Summer of Love hoped to be.
‘The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators‘
The 13th Floor Elevators | 1966 — Reader Allan Vorda credits this as “the first album where the entire LP is basically all psychedelic songs.” Reader Tasos says the Texas psycho-rangers leave “a feeling to the listener that cannot be forgotten.” +1 from reader Jami Shofner.
> Listen to the album.
Leaves a feeling with the the listener that cannot be forgotten.
‘Deep Purple’
Deep Purple | 1969 — Reader Andy Moore finds “lots of weird, trippy touches” on the band’s self-titled third album. “A psych, prog, proto-metal bonanza. The guitar playing is superb! Deep Purple never sounded like this before or since. Even the (Hieronymus Bosch) cover is far out.”
> Listen (song “Chasing Shadows”)
A psych, prog, proto-metal bonanza.
‘Chill Out’
The KLF | 1990 — “An amazing road trip,” says reader Peter Hughes. “Takes in Mongolian goat herders, Elvis, ‘Albatross’ and Alpha Centuri!” The UK electronic music group takes you on a nighttime passage across the U.S. Gulf Coast. Ambient house for the head and heart.
> Listen to the album.
An amazing road trip of an album.
‘Puzzle’
Mandrake Memorial | 1969 — Reader Bill McCutcheon wants you to listen to this Philly band’s third album, but only on the “original Poppy LP pressing.” An orchestra, a kids choir and plenty of the emerging prog sound. Hailed by the underground press as “a symphony of the mind.”
> Listen to the album.
A ‘symphony of the mind’ out of Philadelphia.
‘To Our Children’s Children’s Children’
The Moody Blues | 1969 — “I felt holy after listening to it,” says reader Tim. “Or maybe my altered state had something to do with it.” Reader Jeff Balfoort adds: “This first song (‘Higher and Higher’) blows you out into the universe.” Inspired by that year’s moon landing.
> Listen (song “Higher and Higher”)
I felt holy after listening to it.
‘A Saucerful of Secrets’
Pink Floyd | 1968 — Reader Miguel directs you to this “key piece of the psychedelic movement.” This was Pink Floyd’s second album with David Gilmour arriving and Syd Barrett doing a disappearing act. “Many groups of the time would have liked to feel these omens.”
> Listen (title track)
A key piece of the psychedelic movement.
‘S.F. Sorrow’
The Pretty Things | 1968 — “At a time when British psychedelia was still for the most part sunny and whimsical, The Pretties came up with a bleak and despairing masterpiece,” writes reader John McConnochie. It’s a seminal rock opera.
> Listen to the album.
A bleak and despairing masterpiece.
‘Felt’
Felt | 1971 — Reader Craig pounds the table for this “really progressive” effort out of Alabama. “No one has heard of it for some mental reason!” Filled with “excellent key and time signature changes, loads of guitar and organ instrumental bits.” (Not the English band.)
> Listen to the album.
No one has heard of it for some mental reason!
‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’
Iron Butterfly | 1968 — Reader Peter Chrisp reminds us that this commercial powerhouse was an ace work of “flower-power psychedelia.” Everyone remembers the 17-minute title track, but save some love for solid songs on side 1 such as “My Mirage” and “Termination.”
> Listen (song “My Mirage”)
An ace work of ‘flower-power psychedelia.’
‘Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus‘
Spirit | 1970 — The fourth and final album from the classic lineup of this Topanga Canyon band. Reader Dave hails it as “quintessential psychedelica.” Reader Atomicdog finds the album a “poignant reflection” of late ’60s society, notably the “prescient” “Nature’s Way,”
> Listen (song “When I Touch You”)
Quintessential psychedelica, a poignant reflection.
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MORE PSYCHEDELIC ALBUMS: View the readers list on PAGE 3.