The Best Albums From 1968

Furthering the expansion of rock music in the 60s, 1968 continued to blow the doors of convention off the hinges. This year saw a few of the most important releases in music. To name a few; The Beatles blew their own sound wide open with arguably their most expansive release with the White Album. Blue Cheer introduced the world the earliest sounds of heavy metal with their debut. Peter Brotzmann tested the limits of what Jazz could be with his Free Jazz noise masterpiece "Machine Gun". Johnny Cash released his legendary live performance from inside Folsom Prison introducing the world to one of the first forms of Outlaw Country. The Jimi Hendrix Experience ended their short reign with their most expansive album and true genre bending masterpiece "Electric Ladyland". The Incredible String Band pushed folk to it's limits with their trippy raga influenced psychedelic masterpiece. The Kinks released what I feel to be their best and most cohesive album with "Village Green". The Millennium made up to the date it was released the most expensive studio album ever with their pop masterpiece "Begin" which used hundreds of hours of tape to create a kaleidoscopic baroque pop gem. Van Morrison wowed all of his fans with a stripped down ruminative folk album with "Astral Weeks" which showed his calm and introspective side coming off of the success of his hit "Brown Eyed Girl" and showed us all his ability to craft quality songwriting outside of hitmaking pop music. Zappa and the Mothers created one of the first examples of Gonzo concept albums and basically invented modern day Alternative Rock in 1968. Mickey Newbury kicked off his "American Trilogy" which are what I consider to be 3 of the finest Country albums ever made. Nico got even weirder with her second release with "The Marble Index" and would be a taste of things to come as she took her sound and stretched it and molded it to be the experimental juggernauts of her career. Silver Apples wowed the few who were listening in 1968 by incorporating pulse tone machines over Jazz drums to create one of the first hybrids of electronic rock thereby changing the musical landscape forever. Simon & Garfunkel released what I feel is the highlight of their catalog by incorporating many different styles outside of their established folk framework. The Velvet Underground basically created modern day noise rock with their dark fractured masterpiece "White Light/White Heat. And finally, The Zombies crafted one of the finest examples of Psychedelic Rock with their beautiful masterpiece.

This year also saw it's share of debuts to careers that will live on forever. Some of these are; The Band stepped away from Bob Dylan and  debuted with "Music From Big Pink". Creedence Clearwater Revival started their long and legendary career this year. Dr John brought us his New Orleans spooky brand of swampy creepy rock which would evolve into many other forms over his still ongoing career. Fairport convention made their debut with their unassuming debut album. Randy Newman blessed this world for the first time with his biting satire and wit. And one very overlooked album introduced us to one of, if not the biggest, players in the just around the corner Progressive Rock scene. Giles, Giles & Fripp gave us the legend that is Robert Fripp who just a year later would go on to found the rock giant King Crimson.

So fire up that spotify playlist below and trip out to the crazy sounds of 1968!

David Axelrod-Song Of Innocence(Capitol)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Psychedelic Pop, Jazz Fusion, Art Rock, Baroque Pop, Jazz-Funk

The Band-Music From Big Pink(Capitol)

Genre: Folk Rock, Roots Rock, Country Rock

The Beach Boys-Friends(Capitol)

Genre: Sunshine Pop, Baroque Pop, Psychedelic Pop

The Beatles-Self Titled(Apple)

Genre: Pop Rock, Rock & Roll, Psychedelic Rock, Blues Rock, Art Rock, Hard Rock, Experimental

Big Brother And The Holding Company-Cheap Thrills(Columbia)

Genre: Blues Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Acid Rock

Blue Cheer-Vincebus Eruptum(Phillips)

Genre: Heavy Psych, Blues Rock, Acid Rock

Blue Cheer-Outsideinside(Phillips)

Genre: Heavy Psych, Acid Rock, Hard Rock, Psychedelic Rock

The Peter Brotzmann Octet-Machine Gun(BRO)

Genre: European Free Jazz, Free Improvisation

The Byrds-Sweetheart Of The Rodeo(Columbia)

Genre: Country Rock, Folk Rock

Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band-Strictly Personal(Blue Thumb)

Genre: Blues Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Experimental Rock, Acid Rock

Johnny Cash-At Folsom Prison(Columbia)

Genre: Country, Outlaw Country, Rockabilly, Traditional Country

Shirley Collins-The Power Of The True Love Knot(Polydor)

Genre: English Folk Music

The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown-Self Titled(Track)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Psychedelic Soul, Art Rock, Acid Rock

Cream-Wheels Of Fire(Polydor)

Genre: Blues Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Hard Rock, Acid Rock

Creedence Clearwater Revivial-Self Titled(Fantasy)

Genre: Blues Rock, Swamp Rock, R&B, Psychedelic Rock

Daughters Of Albion-Self Titled(Fontana)

Genre: Psychedelic Pop, Baroque Pop, Sunshine Pop

Dillard And Clark-The Fantastic Expedition Of...(A&M)

Genre: Country Rock, Progressive Country, Progressive Bluegrass, Folk Rock

Dr John-Gris Gris(ATCO)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, New Orleans R&B, Swamp Rock, Zydeco, Psychedelic Soul, Freak Folk

The Doors-Waiting For The Sun(Elektra)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Blues Rock, Acid Rock, Psychedelic Pop

Eternity's Children-Self Titled(Tower)

Genre: Psychedelic Pop, Sunshine Pop, Baroque Pop

John Fahey-The Yellow Princess(Vanguard)

Genre: American Primitivism, Psychedelic Folk, Avant-Folk

Faine Jade-Introspection: A Faine Jade Recital(RSVP)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Psychedelic Pop

Fairport Convention-Self Titled(Polydor)

Genre: Folk Rock, British Folk Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Psychedelic Folk, Jazz Rock

Family-Music In A Doll's House(Reprise)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Progressive Rock

Fifty Foot Hose-Cauldron(Limelight)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Experimental Rock, Electronic, Space Rock, Acid Rock

Brigitte Fontaine-Brigitte Fontaine Est...Folie(Saravah)

Genre: Chanson, French Pop, Psychedelic Pop, Baroque Pop

Aretha Franklin-Lady Soul(Atlantic)

Genre: Southern Soul, Soul, R&B, Gospel

Serge Gainsbourg-Initials B.B.(Phillips)

Genre: French Pop, Baroque Pop, Chanson, Ye-Ye, Chanson A Texte

Gilberto Gil-Self Titled(Phillips)

Genre: Tropicalia, Baiao, Psychedelic Pop, Frevo, Afoxe

Giles, Giles And Fripp-The Cheerful Insanity Of...(Deram)

Genre: Psychedelic Pop, Baroque Pop, Progressive Pop, Progressive Rock, Jazz Pop, Spoken Word

The Gods-Genesis(Columbia)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Psychedelic Pop, Progressive Rock

Margo Guryan-Take A Picture(Bell)

Genre: Sunshine Pop, Psychedelic Pop, Baroque Pop, Jazz Pop

The Jimi Hendrix Experience-Electric Ladyland(Track)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Blues Rock, Acid Rock, Hard Rock

Lightning Hopkins-Texas Blues Man(Arhoolie)

Genre: Electric Texas Blues

The Incredible String Band-The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter(Elektra)

Genre: Psychedelic Folk, Chamber Folk, Progressive Folk, English Folk Music

The Incredible String Band-Wee Tam And The Big Huge(Elektra)

Genre: Psychedelic Folk, Progressive Folk, Chamber Folk

The Insect Trust-Self Titled(Capitol)

Genre: Psychedelic Folk, Psychedelic Rock, Jazz Rock, Experimental Rock

July-Self Titled(Major Minor)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Psychedelic Pop

The Kinks-Are The Village Green Preservation Society(Pye)

Genre: Pop Rock, Psychedelic Pop, Baroque Pop, Sunshine Pop

The Left Banke-Too(Smash)

Genre: Psychedelic Pop, Baroque Pop, Pop, Sunshine Pop

The Lollipop Shoppe-Just Colour(Uni)

Genre: Garage Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Proto-Punk

Magic Sam Blues Band-West Side Soul(Delmark)

Genre: Chicago Blues

The Millennium-Begin(Columbia)

Genre: Sunshine Pop, Psychedelic Pop, Baroque Pop

The Steve Miller Band-Sailor(Capitol)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Blues Rock

The Moody Blues-In Search Of The Lost Chord(Deram)

Genre: Psychedelic Pop, Progressive Pop, Progressive Rock, Baroque Pop, Psychedelic Rock, Art Rock

The Monkees-Head(Colgems)

Genre: Psychedelic Pop, Film Soundtrack, Sound Collage, Experimental Rock, Pop Rock

Van Morrison-Astral Weeks(Warner Bros.)

Genre: Singer/Songwriter, Chamber Folk, Blue Eyed Soul, Jazz, Celtic Folk Music

The Mothers Of Invention-We're Only In It For The Money(Verve)

Genre: Experimental Rock, Satire, Psychedelic Rock, Musique Concrete, Doo-Wop, Musical Parody, Tape Music

Nazz-Self Titled(SGC)

Genre: Garage Rock, Psychedelic Pop, Psychedelic Rock, Blues Rock, Pop Rock

Mickey Newbury-Looks Like Rain(Mercury)

Genre: Progressive Country, Singer/Songwriter, Contemporary Folk

Randy Newman-Self Titled(Reprise)

Genre: Singer/Songwriter, Baroque Pop, Satire

Billy Nicholls-Would You Believe?(Immediate)

Genre: Psychedelic Pop, Baroque Pop, Singer/Songwriter, Sunshine Pop, Mod, Freakbeat

Nico-The Marble Index(Elektra)

Genre: Avant-Folk, Chamber Folk, Chamber Music, Drone

Harry Nilsson-Aerial Ballet(RCA Victor)

Genre: Baroque Pop, Psychedelic Pop, Singer/Songwriter, Sunshine Pop, Music Hall, Pop Rock

Phil Ochs-Tape From California(A&M)

Genre: Singer/Songwriter, Contemporary Folk, Chamber Folk, Folk Rock

Os Mutantes-Self Titled(Polydor)

Genre: Tropicalia, Psychedelic Rock, Psychedelic Pop

The Outsiders-CQ(Polydor)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Nederbeat, Garage Rock, Proto-Punk

Pearls Before Swine-Balaklava(ESP Disk)

Genre: Psychedelic Folk, Field Recordings, Chamber Folk

The Pentangle-Self Titled(Transatlantic)

Genre: Progressive Folk, British Folk Rock, Baroque Folk

Pink Floyd-A Saucerful Of Secrets(Columbia)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Experimental Rock, Space Rock, Progressive Rock

Erica Pomerance-You Used To Think(ESP Disk)

Genre: Psychedelic Folk, Avant-Folk

The Pretty Things-S.F. Sorrow(Columbia)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Rock Opera, Psychedelic Pop, Freakbeat, Acid Rock

Terry Riley-In C(Columbia Masterworks)

Genre: Minimalism, Indeterminacy

Sagittarius-Present Tense(Columbia)

Genre: Baroque Pop, Psychedelic Pop, Sunshine Pop, Folk Pop

Second Hand-Reality(Reality)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Heavy Psych, Baroque Pop, Art Rock, Progressive Rock

Silver Apples-Self Titled(Kapp)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Electronic, Experimental Rock

Silver Apples-Contact(Kapp)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Electronic, Experimental Rock

Simon & Garfunkel-Bookends(Columbia)

Genre: Folk Pop, Folk Rock, Chamber Folk, Singer/Songwriter

Small Faces-Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake(Immediate)

Genre: Psychedelic Pop, Psychedelic Rock, Mod, Folk Pop, Spoken Word, Blue Eyed Soul

The Soft Machine-Self Titled(Probe)

Genre: Canterbury Scene, Psychedelic Rock, Jazz Rock, Experimental Rock, Acid Rock

Spirit-Self Titled(Ode)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Progressive Rock, Jazz Rock

SRC-Self Titled(Capitol)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock

Tiny Tim-God Bless Tiny Tim(Reprise)

Genre: Standards, Pop, Vaudeville, Psychedelic Pop, Baroque Pop, Spoken Word, Music Hall, Show Tunes

Tomorrow-Self Titled(Parlophone)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Psychedelic Pop, Freakbeat

Tyrannosaurus Rex-My People Were Fair And Had Sky In Their Hair...But Now They're Content To Wear Stars On Their Brows(Regal Zonophone)

Genre: Psychedelic Folk, Freak Folk

Tyrannosaurus Rex-Prophets, Seers And Sages: The Angels Of The Ages(Regal Zonophone)

Genre: Psychedelic Folk, Freak Folk

The United States Of America-Self Titled(Columbia)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Experimental Rock, Art Rock, Electronic, Sound Collage, Experimental

Caetano Veloso-Self Titled(Phillips)

Genre: Tropicalia, Psychedelic Pop, Bossa Nova, Samba

The Velvet Underground-White Light/White Heat(Verve)

Genre: Experimental Rock, Noise Rock, Proto-Punk, Art Rock, Spoken Word, Garage Rock

Scott Walker-2(Phillips)

Genre: Baroque Pop, Chanson

Muddy Waters-Electric Mud(Cadet)

Genre: Electric Blues, Blues Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Chicago Blues

The Zombies-Oddessey And Oracle(CBS)

Genre: Psychedelic Pop, Baroque Pop, Sunshine Pop, Psychedelic Rock