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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_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?OasisThe pinnacle of Britpop—that's Oasis...
2Appetite for DestructionGuns N’ RosesAn album that embodied the essence of rock 'n' roll and…
3The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from MarsDavid BowieAl, towering as a monument of glam rock...
4Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex PistolsSEX PISTOLSA legendary album that will go down in the history of punk rock…
5Abbey RoadThe BeatlesSpeaking of legendary albums in rock history, The Bea…
6NevermindNirvanaA legendary figure who revolutionized the grunge rock scene…
7Back in BlackAC/DCThe legendary hard rock band AC/DC unleashes...
8The Dark Side of the MoonPink FloydThis, known as a masterpiece that will go down in the history of rock…
9Exile on Main StreetThe Rolling StonesThe classic album Exil…, released in May 1972
10Bon JoviBon JoviBon Jovi, who left a profound mark on the history of rock music…
11The Velvet Underground & NicoThe Velvet UndergroundThe legendary album in rock history, “The Velv…
12In The Court Of The Crimson KingKing CrimsonA masterpiece that has etched its name in the history of progressive rock…
13CalifornicationRed Hot Chili PeppersRed Hot Chili Peppers are, 19…
14Who’s NextThe WhoThe legendary album that carved its name into the history of rock, 'Who’s …'
15MeteoraLinkin ParkThe classic album “Me…” released in March 2003
16DookieGreen DayThe album released in February 1994, “...
17Blood Sugar Sex MagikRed Hot Chili PeppersAmerican rock band, Red Hot ...
18OK ComputerRadioheadThe classic masterpiece OK Com… released in 1997
19Led Zeppelin IVLed ZeppelinThe album that reigns as a monument of hard rock...
20Pet SoundsThe Beach BoysThe Beach Boys’ masterpiece “Pet S…
21The Joshua TreeU2U2 is a legendary rock ba… from Ireland
22PearlJanis JoplinFilled with the soulful cries of Janis Joplin…
23Close To The EdgeYESYes is a British prog band formed in 1968...
24Wheels of FireCreamCream is Mr. Eric Clapton, Ji...
25Are You ExperiencedThe Jimi Hendrix ExperienceHanded down as a landmark of psychedelic rock…
26The DoorsThe DoorsThe Doors’ debut, released in 1967...
27London CallingThe ClashThe pinnacle of punk rock, The Clash…
28WiredJeff BeckThe classic Western rock album 'Wired' is Jeff...
29Greatest HitsQueenThe masterpiece released in 1981, 'Grea…'
30Machine HeadDeep PurpleSpeaking of the pinnacle of hard rock, this masterpiece is the one...
31News of the WorldQueenA landmark album in the history of Western rock music—that's Alva...
32The Very Best of Deep PurpleDeep PurpleA compilation bringing together the greatest masterpieces in rock history…
33Best Of Volume 1Van HalenRo... from the 1970s to the 1990s
34Elvis PresleyElvis PresleyThe classic album by the King of Rock and Roll, ‘Elvis …’
35Master of PuppetsMetallicaA masterpiece that can be called a landmark of thrash metal, “...
36Toys in the AtticAerosmithA legend that sparked a revolution in the rock scene of the ’70s…
37DestroyerKISSSpeaking of classic Western rock albums, the album 'De…'
38The Freewheelin’ Bob DylanBob DylanA leading figure of folk music in the 1960s, Al...
39AjaSteely DanThe masterpiece that perfected the fusion of jazz and rock, “Aja”…
40TenPearl JamPearl Jam’s debut album Ten…
41RumoursFleetwood MacFleetwood Mac's album 'Rum…'
42Born to RunBruce SpringsteenThree albums by Bruce Springsteen...