What album do you think best represents the 1970s, in both musical style and general "vibe"?

Question:
When I think of '70s music, I think of....

Choices:
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road -- Elton John
Chicago's Greatest Hits -- Chicago
Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack
Frampton Comes Alive -- Peter Frampton
Some other choice; tell me!

 

All of those ring true for me, though the first thing I think of is K.C. & the Sunshine Band... I still cannot help but move when "Boogie Shoes" plays and I love their funky brass.
Earth, Wind & Fire was another of my favortie 70's acts, as well as Sly and the Family Stone.

I voted for Chicago's Greatest Hits because I think they made music that most everyone liked to some extent (old/young, pop fans/rock fans, etc.); their music represented that kind of laid-back '70s vibe; and they were an example of an ensemble band, where their act wasn't based on a flashy image but solid musicianship instead. I never really liked the Eagles much, but they also seemed to fit that description.

Frampton Comes Alive is a reminder of the good ol' days of live albums! And also all the "album-oriented rock" bands of that time: Journey, Triumph, REO Speedwagon, Boston, etc. Good times!

Always liked Chicago. Not sure they were the same after Peter Cetera left, although I'm sure there will be some who disagree with that assessment.

Though it was released in the last year of the 70's, Supertramp's Breakfast In America is another album that takes me back to those times. Another that really takes me back is Point of Know Return by Kansas. Both are the kind of albums that defined a year and certainly are representative of the era.

I love all the choices so far, but for me the ultimate 70's album is Out of the Blue by ELO.

I remember getting this double album when I was 16. I desperately wanted to go to the concert in London, but the last train left for home before the concert finished, and my parents wouldn't let me go. It was one of the biggest disappointments of my teenage years.

To this day, and much to my children's chagrin, I know all the lyrics to "Mr Blue Sky"

Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd.

I figured I would just add a couple more albums from the 70's that I think belong :

• The Cars by The Cars
An album that was almost all pop radio hits "Good Times Roll", "My Best Friends Girl", "Bye Bye Love", "You're All I've Got Tonight"... maybe one of the most loaded debut albums ever.

• Rumours - by Fleetwood Mac
Perhaps the most inescapable album of the 70's, I got to where I despised everything about the group, but hard to deny their popularity.

• Alive - by Kiss - The only live album I really think is an absolute must 70's album, as Kiss really is a live experience. Awesome stuff.

• Some Girls by The Rolling Stones
Nowhere near their best album, but it is such a 70's sound. "Miss You", "Beast of Burden", and "Shattered" all were 70's biggies.

Great choices, Dogspit !

What about the debut album by Dire Straits? I still love 'Sultans of Swing'.

Bat out of Hell by Meat Loaf?

Not that I was around to hear all the great music from that era... I selected "other" because I thought of Leonard Skynyrd. I like hearing both the original singer/band play, as well as the current Skynyrds.

quote:

Originally posted by KaelSaxen:
Not that I was around to hear all the great music from that era... I selected "other" because I thought of Leonard Skynyrd. I like hearing both the original singer/band play, as well as the current Skynyrds.

I'm pretty sure it's Lynard Skynard. However maybe I was a little late getting the music, but I remember wearing out the vinyl on a few LP's like Led Zeppilin II and III, as well a few like Dave Mason, The Who, Triumph, Rush, CSN&Y, Neil Young, and here in Texas ZZ Top. (also known as the former 60's band the moving sidewalks)

There is absolutely no way I could ever pick a definitive 100 albums to represent what the 70's were to me, but a few lines from songs are close.

I.E. Peter Frampton "Woke up this mornin with a wine glass in my hand" and Zep "I've been dazed and confused for so long it's not true"