The final installment of my top twenty list.
Rush – Moving Pictures
Rush have always been a favourite band of mine, from the early ‘Led Zeppelin Junior’ approach of their debut album, though the epic prog-rock of “2112″ and “Hemispheres” to the polished stadium-rock of the 80s. It’s difficult to pick a single best album, but Moving Pictures is one of my favourites, catching them at a point of transition, combining the best elements of their ‘prog’ and ‘stadium’ eras.
UFO – Strangers in the Night
From start to finish, this album is dominated by the guitar of Michael Schenker. Although he left the band immediately after this recording, he’s never been quite so good before or since – just listen to his fluid solos on “Out in the Street”, “Love to Love”, “Lights Out” and of course, “Rock Bottom”. If you’re a fan of lead guitar, this album is a must-have.
Uriah Heep – Salisbury
Uriah Heep’s second album, and the most varied and progressive album they recorded. Highlight is the 17-minute title track, a semi-orchestral piece recorded with brass and woodwind sections, a seriously overlooked rock classic.
Yes – Going for the One
While many people say Yes were never as good after “Tales from Topographic Oceans”, this 1977 album is still my favourite. It contains both “Awaken”, one of the best of their lengthy epics with some marvelously dotty lyrics from Jon Anderson, and the storming “Parallels”, one of their few real rockers, with that wonderful intro of Rick Wakeman’s pipe organ and Steve Howe’s rippling guitar.
Frank Zappa – The Best Band You’ve Never Heard in your Life
Frank Zappa has recorded seemingly hundreds of albums, including a great many live ones. This one, recorded on his final 1988 tour with an 11-piece band, includes most of the greatest hits from his 20-year career. It also contains a surreal cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway” with the brass section playing the guitar solo note-for-note.
