Classic rock masterpieces: a roundup of must-listen albums
If you don’t usually listen to Western rock music, you might be thinking, “I want to give it a try, but I don’t know where to start,” and feel a bit stuck.
For those people, I recommend starting with the can’t-miss albums that have long been regarded as “classic masterpieces” in the rock scene.
In this article, we’ll introduce a host of landmark albums that have left their mark on rock history all at once.
From albums by legendary rock bands to records packed with songs everyone has heard at least once, we’ve gathered a wide range.
Use this as a guide and take your first steps into the world of Western rock.
Playlist
| Classic rock masterpieces: a roundup of must-listen albums | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | Appetite for DestructionGuns N’ Roses | play_arrow | Guns N’ Roses’ masterful debut |
| 2 | Abbey RoadThe Beatles | play_arrow | The Beatles’ masterpiece, the Abbey Road edition |
| 3 | (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?Oasis | play_arrow | Oasis’s classic album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? |
| 4 | The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from MarsDavid Bowie | play_arrow | David Bowie's signature work Ziggy Stardust |
| 5 | NevermindNirvana | play_arrow | The appeal of Nirvana’s classic album Nevermind |
| 6 | The Dark Side of the MoonPink Floyd | play_arrow | Introduction to Pink Floyd's classic albums |
| 7 | Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex PistolsSEX PISTOLS | play_arrow | Legendary punk music album |
| 8 | Back in BlackAC/DC | play_arrow | AC/DC’s iconic song about overcoming adversity |
| 9 | Bon JoviBon Jovi | play_arrow | Bon Jovi’s debut release is a huge hit |
| 10 | Exile on Main StreetThe Rolling Stones | play_arrow | The Stones’ masterpiece album, an immortal classic |
| 11 | In The Court Of The Crimson KingKing Crimson | play_arrow | King Crimson’s masterful debut album |
| 12 | Who’s NextThe Who | play_arrow | The allure and history of The Who’s classic album Who’s Next |
| 13 | The Velvet Underground & NicoThe Velvet Underground | play_arrow | The Velvet Underground’s classic album |
| 14 | DookieGreen Day | play_arrow | Green Day’s signature work, Dookie |
| 15 | MeteoraLinkin Park | play_arrow | An album of the evolutionary fusion of rock and hip-hop |
| 16 | OK ComputerRadiohead | play_arrow | A Radiohead masterpiece. Social critique and innovative sound. |
| 17 | Blood Sugar Sex MagikRed Hot Chili Peppers | play_arrow | Red Hot Chili Peppers' classic album |
| 18 | CalifornicationRed Hot Chili Peppers | play_arrow | Red Hot Chili Peppers’ signature work, Californication |
| 19 | Led Zeppelin IVLed Zeppelin | play_arrow | Led Zeppelin IV masterpiece classic |
| 20 | The Joshua TreeU2 | play_arrow | The allure of U2’s masterpiece, The Joshua Tree |
| 21 | Pet SoundsThe Beach Boys | play_arrow | The innovative nature of the Beach Boys’ masterpiece Pet Sounds |
| 22 | PearlJanis Joplin | play_arrow | Janis Joplin’s posthumous classic album, Pearl |
| 23 | Greatest HitsQueen | play_arrow | A masterpiece by Queen, a gem that distills all their charm |
| 24 | London CallingThe Clash | play_arrow | The Clash’s masterpiece album “London Calling” |
| 25 | Are You ExperiencedThe Jimi Hendrix Experience | play_arrow | Hendrix’s innovative guitar shocks music history |
| 26 | The DoorsThe Doors | play_arrow | The Doors' debut is a masterpiece. |
| 27 | Close To The EdgeYES | play_arrow | A British progressive rock band, highly acclaimed for its innovative musicality |
| 28 | Wheels of FireCream | play_arrow | Cream’s masterpiece album “Wheels of Fire” |
| 29 | WiredJeff Beck | play_arrow | Jeff Beck's 'Wired' is a masterpiece of fusion music |
| 30 | Machine HeadDeep Purple | play_arrow | Deep Purple's classic album is powerful |
| 31 | Best Of Volume 1Van Halen | play_arrow | Van Halen Greatest Hits |
| 32 | The Very Best of Deep PurpleDeep Purple | play_arrow | Deep Purple's Greatest Hits |
| 33 | News of the WorldQueen | play_arrow | A classic Queen album with a simple rock sound |
| 34 | The Freewheelin’ Bob DylanBob Dylan | play_arrow | Dylan’s masterpiece that laid the foundation of folk music |
| 35 | Toys in the AtticAerosmith | play_arrow | Aerosmith masterpiece, hard rock revolution |
| 36 | Elvis PresleyElvis Presley | play_arrow | Elvis Presley's classic debut album |
| 37 | Master of PuppetsMetallica | play_arrow | Introducing Metallica’s masterpiece, Master of Puppets |
| 38 | DestroyerKISS | play_arrow | The appeal and evolution of Kiss’s classic album Destroyer |
| 39 | AjaSteely Dan | play_arrow | Steely Dan’s masterpiece album “Aja” |
| 40 | TenPearl Jam | play_arrow | Pearl Jam’s debut release was a huge hit |
| 41 | Born to RunBruce Springsteen | play_arrow | Bruce Springsteen’s masterpiece album “Born to Run” |
| 42 | RumoursFleetwood Mac | play_arrow | Fleetwood Mac’s masterpiece album |


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