“Everyone knows rock attained perfection in 1974. It’s a scientific fact.” – Homer Simpson
The ‘70s was an amazing decade for music, and especially for the progressive rock genre. Numerous albums from this decade are still revered to this day, and some are still cited as some of the greatest albums ever made. 1974 was one such year where hundreds of albums were released – some of which are certified classics. These albums celebrate their fiftieth anniversary in 2024. In the past months, we’ve seen remixes and remasters of many such albums, and for listeners who haven’t heard these masterpieces, now is a great time to experience them.
In this unranked list, we will take a look at five albums that turn 50 in 2024.
A disclaimer. This list, as any other list of similar format, is completely subjective. This may or may not contain your favourite record from 1974.
Frank Zappa – Apostrophe (‘)
Released on March 22, 1974.
Apostrophe is a relatively approachable record for beginners to Frank Zappa’s bizarre catalogue of avant-garde music that’s challenging to even categorise.
This is partly a concept album, with the first few songs telling the story of the Eskimo Nanook. Zappa’s most commercially successful record, Apostrophe features some of his best-known songs, like Uncle Remus: an unusually solemn song about discrimination against African Americans and the title track, an instrumental composition.
While this album is very tame when compared with other albums by Zappa, for those who haven’t heard Zappa’s music before, it will be quite the listening experience due to the eclectic blend of instruments that are not often used in rock, and the humorous, often surreal lyrics.
David Bowie – Diamond Dogs
Released on May 24, 1974.
The last glam rock record by the mainstream yet difficult-to-categorise rockstar David Bowie is a concept album with lyrics inspired by George Orwell’s timeless novel 1984.
While it is considered a glam rock album, music critics and fans all over the world debated back in 1974 – and retrospectively – as to what genre this record truly belongs in. Some consider this a predecessor to the punk rock genre. The complexity of the record, both lyrically and musically, stands as a testament to Bowie’s genius as a musician.
It’s a popular album with catchy songs that almost anyone will fancy. Singles such as Rebel Rebel and the title track are doubtless familiar to some readers.
King Crimson – Red
Released on October 6, 1974.
A melancholic, somewhat solemn album by the progressive rock giants. Red was released just two weeks before King Crimson was disbanded by Robert Fripp. This album serves as sort of a farewell, which is apparent in tracks like Starless.
As an eclectic prog band, King Crimson usually incorporate elements of many other genres into their music. Red is no exception. Here, you will experience some of the heaviest songs recorded by KC, and it could be categorised as a progressive metal album.
Initially in 1974, Red was not a commercial hit. It was, nonetheless, a critical success. In hindsight, however, it’s rightfully viewed as one of the band’s best works.
Camel – Mirage
Released on March 1, 1974.
Camel’s second album, Mirage, is anything but extravagant or loud. Indeed, it’s not a record that many people who are not fans of progressive rock may have heard. Nonetheless, it remains one of the best albums of 1974 and a relatively accessible prog-rock record.
For first-time listeners, some of the tracks in the album will sound bizarre, as they tend to employ some remotely avant-garde musical elements.
It may not be an album that’s revered universally, but it’s held in high regard by fans of the genre. For a curious listener who’s willing to explore this genre, Mirage is a great entry point.
Gentle Giant – The Power and the Glory
Released on September 20, 1974.
The Power and the Glory by the progressive rock masterminds Gentle Giant could be considered a concept album, as all of its tracks have lyrics that deal with corruption, abuse of power and money. This is the sixth album by the band and a record that’s critically acclaimed.
This album, like the previous entry, might not be a record that’s popular among many listeners today. However, many facets of The Power and the Glory make it one of the best albums of 1974, and one of them is its musical complexity.
Some listeners will recognise the track “Proclamation” from The Power and the Glory, as it was sampled in Travis Scott’s song Hyaena.
Miles Davis – Big Fun
Released on April 19, 1974.
Big Fun by Miles Davis is possibly one of the most bizarre records on this list. A Jazz-fusion album that combines traditional instruments like the trumpet – which Miles Davis specialised in, and exotic Indian instruments like the tambura and sitar that weren’t often featured in Western music, this is also one of the most exciting and fascinating records of the year.
It’s apparent from the above paragraph that this album certainly isn’t for everyone. It features long, complex compositions that defy easy categorisation. It stands as a testament to Davis’s genius as a musician.
Big Fun also features the legendary John McLaughlin on the guitar. He clearly played a big part in making the album sound quite psychedelic with the influence of Indian classical music.
Neil Young – On the Beach
Released on July 19, 1974.
On the Beach by Neil Young is possibly one of the saddest albums on this list. As revealed by the lyrics, On the Beach is a deeply personal record for the artist. The songs talk about life as a celebrity, despair and alienation.
One of the best blues folk-rock albums of the year, On the Beach was a critically lauded album that managed to earn perfect scores by many music critics at the time. Musically, the album sounds gloomy and melancholic, with blues-based guitar solos and harmonica tunes.
All of the songs on the album were written by Young, and many of them are about his life and relationships, while some of the lyrics are about less personal topics. For example, Vampire Blues is about the oil industry.
Queen – Queen II
Released on March 8, 1974.
Queen II is not the band’s most well-known album, but it is, to some, one of the essentials of the legendary group. It is an album that most fans of rock music need to experience, as it’s an eclectic blend of hard rock, art rock, metal and progressive rock.
Described by many as one of the heaviest albums by Queen, this hard-hitting record is a concept album with lyrics telling the tale of a mystical world that was introduced in the band’s first album. Queen II serves as a sort of sequel to the first.
Queen II might not be the best album on this list. But none can deny that it’s a fascinating record that emphasises the eclecticism of Queen’s early works.