Especially for the sexiest sex God on RHP (God damn, I wish I was gay):
The Velvet Underground and Nico
Best story ever about an album cover. Some of the best songs ever written. A very high standard of lyrics. Great musicianship. Original to the extreme. Thank you Lou. Thank you John. Thank you Andy.
Best listened to...uh... well, that is the problem. Probably best listened to on a Sunday morning when you're so hungover you have to puke non-stop, but coming down from heroin is probably just as good a time...
But hey... THAT IS FFING ROCK & ROLL FOR YOU!!!
Born to run by Springsteen
Okay, okay. It's an okay album. What you have to do is place the songs in their live contexts. From "Born to run" (as a critic in the late 80's pointed out, it's a song most artists would love to be able to finish on, but Springsteen just plays it as one of the many), via "Tenth avenue Freeze out" (with references to the band) to "she's the one" (one of the rockiest live songs you could imagine).
Not to mention the greatest live song ever: "Jungleland."
And anyone who's heard "Backstreets" or "Thunder road (one of my personal favourite songs ever)" live can only think: "GOOD GRIEF... ARE THEY ORIGINALLY ALL ON ONE ALBUM???"
Yes. They are.
If you want blood, you've got it! by AC/DC
Best listened to when you want to get rid of unwanted guests at the end of a party or when you're hurtling down the motorway at 150km's an hour.
And if you can't drive that fast, then you probably shouldn't be listening to this album in the first bloody place.
The drum and base are played so tight it would give Freddie Mercury anal cramps.
Woodstock by various artists
Sit down. Don't get your knickers in a twist.
Let me just mention: The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young, Janis Joplin and many other of the best of the 60's.
And not only do you get "average" versions of some of the best songs, but you get a funny look at what people thought the 60's were all about to boot.
There are various "extended" recordings. Get them all. I believe Janis isn't on the original and there's even a recording of Jefferson playing "White rabbit".
Best listened to on a Friday evening with a bottle of wine and joint. However, if you can get the video of it all... just put that on and drink some beer.
Astral weeks by van Morrison
So different to most of his other work. And it's bloody brilliant.
Seemingly it's completely improvised.
Best listened to when driving around on a warm summer's morning, when you're stoned out of your skull and still wet from hot and horny sex.
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There are so many more...
Are Sinead O'Connor or Tom Waits rock?
Is "The unforgettable fire" a rock album?
What about Bob's "Blonde on blonde"? Where does that fit in? Or many of the Beatles albums?
The rolling Stones? Nope.
Great songs. Crappy bloody albums. Get a compilation.