Classic Albums from 1965
While it’s essential to keep up with new music, every great vinyl collection should include timeless classics that not only defined their era, but influenced future generations of bands and musicians. These six albums are all turning 50 this year, and they’re still as important and relevant (and good) as they were in 1965.
Out of Our Heads, by The Rolling Stones
Out of Our Heads, the Rolling Stones’ fourth US release, marks a key moment in their ascension from R&B cover band to pioneering force in rock music. While there are some cover songs on this album (most notably Sam Cooke’s “Good Times” and Marvin Gaye’s “Hitch Hike”), this album includes their mega-hit “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” the gospel-influenced “The Last Time,” and an underrated country-blues jam, “The Spider and the Fly.” The success of “Satisfaction” and the blooming songwriting skills of Jagger & co. made Out of Our Heads the Stones’ first American No. 1 album.
Out of Our Heads, by The Rolling Stones
Out of Our Heads, the Rolling Stones’ fourth US release, marks a key moment in their ascension from R&B cover band to pioneering force in rock music. While there are some cover songs on this album (most notably Sam Cooke’s “Good Times” and Marvin Gaye’s “Hitch Hike”), this album includes their mega-hit “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” the gospel-influenced “The Last Time,” and an underrated country-blues jam, “The Spider and the Fly.” The success of “Satisfaction” and the blooming songwriting skills of Jagger & co. made Out of Our Heads the Stones’ first American No. 1 album.
Rubber Soul, by The Beatles
Rubber Soul was a triumph on all fronts for the Beatles; not only did its recording give them a respite from their then-hectic touring schedule, it blended their traditional R&B and soul influences with psychedelic music and a refined pop sensibility. The result was a critical and artistic smash hit that is regarded as one of the best albums in the history of popular music. So yeah, there’s that. “Drive My Car” and “Nowhere Man” are standout tracks, and the George Harrison-penned “Think For Yourself” packs a lot of charm into 2½ minutes.
Rubber Soul, by The Beatles
Rubber Soul was a triumph on all fronts for the Beatles; not only did its recording give them a respite from their then-hectic touring schedule, it blended their traditional R&B and soul influences with psychedelic music and a refined pop sensibility. The result was a critical and artistic smash hit that is regarded as one of the best albums in the history of popular music. So yeah, there’s that. “Drive My Car” and “Nowhere Man” are standout tracks, and the George Harrison-penned “Think For Yourself” packs a lot of charm into 2½ minutes.
Highway 61 Revisited, by Bob Dylan
Dylan’s sixth studio album, recorded with a rock band instead of acoustic accompaniment, was lauded by Michael Gray as the album that started the 1960s. The new band’s instrumental punch lent additional swagger to Dylan’s already unorthodox voice, and turned the album’s opening track and biggest hit, “Like A Rolling Stone,” into a snarling, resentful piece of folk rock, as well as one of the best pop songs of all time (in fact, Rolling Stone thinks it’s the best). “From A Buick 6” is rollicking and messy without losing focus, and “Ballad of a Thin Man” summarizes the burgeoning counterculture with one of Dylan’s most enduring lines: “Something is happening here/ But you don’t know what it is/ Do you, Mr Jones?”
Highway 61 Revisited, by Bob Dylan
Dylan’s sixth studio album, recorded with a rock band instead of acoustic accompaniment, was lauded by Michael Gray as the album that started the 1960s. The new band’s instrumental punch lent additional swagger to Dylan’s already unorthodox voice, and turned the album’s opening track and biggest hit, “Like A Rolling Stone,” into a snarling, resentful piece of folk rock, as well as one of the best pop songs of all time (in fact, Rolling Stone thinks it’s the best). “From A Buick 6” is rollicking and messy without losing focus, and “Ballad of a Thin Man” summarizes the burgeoning counterculture with one of Dylan’s most enduring lines: “Something is happening here/ But you don’t know what it is/ Do you, Mr Jones?”
A Love Supreme, by John Coltrane
A lot of jazz fans are unapologetic vinyl junkies, and Coltrane’s A Love Supreme is (or should be) one of the crown jewels of their collections. Blurring the line between jazz and contemporary classical, this album weaves rhythmic bebop and modal/avant-garde composition with grace and precision. Not only is it widely considered one of the best jazz albums of all time, the album’s manuscript is part of the National Museum of American History’s “Treasures of American History” collection. If it’s worth preserving forever in the Smithsonian, it’s definitely worth adding to your record shelves.
A Love Supreme, by John Coltrane
A lot of jazz fans are unapologetic vinyl junkies, and Coltrane’s A Love Supreme is (or should be) one of the crown jewels of their collections. Blurring the line between jazz and contemporary classical, this album weaves rhythmic bebop and modal/avant-garde composition with grace and precision. Not only is it widely considered one of the best jazz albums of all time, the album’s manuscript is part of the National Museum of American History’s “Treasures of American History” collection. If it’s worth preserving forever in the Smithsonian, it’s definitely worth adding to your record shelves.
The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads, by Otis Redding
Otis Redding is essential listening for anyone who loves soul music, and this album (his second) pairs Redding’s raw, emotional vocal delivery with a killer band, including Donald “Duck” Dunn, Steve Cropper (whom some readers may recognize from the classic 1980 musical comedy The Blues Brothers), and a young Isaac Hayes. Grab this album on vinyl so you can really hear how incredible the band is, and to get the full effect of Otis’s gritty, powerful voice. Songs like “Mr. Pitiful” and “That’s How Strong My Love Is” don’t hurt, either.
The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads, by Otis Redding
Otis Redding is essential listening for anyone who loves soul music, and this album (his second) pairs Redding’s raw, emotional vocal delivery with a killer band, including Donald “Duck” Dunn, Steve Cropper (whom some readers may recognize from the classic 1980 musical comedy The Blues Brothers), and a young Isaac Hayes. Grab this album on vinyl so you can really hear how incredible the band is, and to get the full effect of Otis’s gritty, powerful voice. Songs like “Mr. Pitiful” and “That’s How Strong My Love Is” don’t hurt, either.
Today!
Vinyl LP $24.99
Today!
Primary Artist The Beach Boys
Vinyl LP $24.99
The Beach Boys Today!, by the Beach Boys
The Beach Boys released three albums in 1965, and this was the first of them, recorded after a nervous breakdown forced Brian Wilson to stop touring with the band and focus his energies on songwriting and producing. When they recorded Today!, the Beach Boys started maturing. Beginning with this album, the band’s song arrangements and studio production improved by leaps and bounds, and their lyrics looked beyond girls, surfing, and cars (without completely abandoning them). Not that they forgot how to write upbeat radio jams; “Do You Wanna Dance?” and “Help Me Ronda” are on this album and they’re two of the best straight-up pop songs the Beach Boys ever wrote.
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The Beach Boys Today!, by the Beach Boys
The Beach Boys released three albums in 1965, and this was the first of them, recorded after a nervous breakdown forced Brian Wilson to stop touring with the band and focus his energies on songwriting and producing. When they recorded Today!, the Beach Boys started maturing. Beginning with this album, the band’s song arrangements and studio production improved by leaps and bounds, and their lyrics looked beyond girls, surfing, and cars (without completely abandoning them). Not that they forgot how to write upbeat radio jams; “Do You Wanna Dance?” and “Help Me Ronda” are on this album and they’re two of the best straight-up pop songs the Beach Boys ever wrote.
Shop the vinyl store >