Listmania!
Alan's Archives' Under-Rated Albums Part Three (1972-79)
RomanyRomany by The Hollies
Buy new: £15.37 / Used from: £4.98
The new-look Hollies, with new Swedish singer in tow, finally produce the dreamy acoustic masterpiece they'd long been on the verge of making. The harmonies are spledniforous and the writing perfect.
ManassasManassas by Stephen Stills
Buy new: £9.48 / Used from: £6.90
For my money Stills had the best form of any writer for the five years between 1969 and 1974. This is him at full steam on a double album, with several musical geniuses along for the ride.
Seventh SojournSeventh Sojourn by The Moody Blues
Buy new: £4.98
Album recorded in keyboardist's garage is a lovely swansong to the Moodies' original all-in-this-together-sound. One of the nicest bittersweet goodbyes in history, with symphonic landscapes aplenty.
Approximately Infinite UniverseApproximately Infinite Universe by Yoko Ono
Buy new: £15.18
One of ther Ono-Lennons spent most of 1972 crafting a cracking double album full of pioneering songs on controversial subjects that covered a ridiculous range of styles. And for once it wasn't John.
HollandHolland by The Beach Boys
The B Boys decided that the best way of escaping their managerial, commercial and musical fortunes was to de-camp to Holland for six months. Well, 1 out of 3 isn't bad - this is a lovely, mature album
There Goes Rhymin' SimonThere Goes Rhymin' Simon by Paul Simon
Buy new: £10.48 / Used from: £6.94
One of the most consistent records of Paul's admirable career, featuring the singer at his most informal+ joyous + bursting at the seams with ideas. The sprightly Muscle Shoals backing is perfect too.
Headroom/Allan Clarke/I've Got TimeHeadroom/Allan Clarke/I've Got Time by Allan Clarke
Buy new: £12.69
Another forgotten gem that sold poorly at the time (and again on CD a few years back), 'Headroom' is a classic album by the Hollies singer, full of classy swamp rockers and heart-melting ballads.
Goats Head SoupGoats Head Soup by The Rolling Stones
Buy new: £9.78 / Used from: £7.79
For once you can judge a CD by its cover: half of this under-rated set is blood-red with violence and danger and the other half finds Mick jagger at his most, well, 'horny'!
Wake of the FloodWake of the Flood by Grateful Dead
Buy new: £9.98 / Used from: £9.95
Warm, lazy and full of slow-burning epics so delicate in places that they test your powers of hearing, this is probably my favourite Dead album of the lot, subtle and clever and magical all at once.
QuadropheniaQuadrophenia by The Who
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £6.00
This concept album about a messed-up mod and his 4-way-split personality is simply one of the best albums ever made by anybody. Townshend's characterisation is spot-on, with his lyrics at their best.
Its JackIts Jack by Jack the Lad
Buy new: £7.98
Lindisfarne off-shoot that's well worth a listen, straddling pop rock and folk with typical aplomb.
Buddha and the Chocolate BoxBuddha and the Chocolate Box by Cat Stevens
Buy used from: £2.70
Lesser known Cat Stevens album finds artist at his most personal, intimate and engaging, with a stronger production than normal which really suits this thoughtful album.
Walls and BridgesWalls and Bridges by John Lennon
Buy new: £10.98 / Used from: £13.29
Walls keep you in; bridges take you out. A typically schizophrenic album from lennon's 'lost weekend', this CD is more fun than 'Lennon/Plastic Ono Band' but still contains plenty of home truths.
BreakawayBreakaway by Art Garfunkel
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £1.88
Art's rockiest record, with a welcome jaggedness to off-set those typically perfect orchestral ballads that show Art's golden voice at its very best.
Venus And MarsVenus And Mars by Wings
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £4.00
On which Macca spreads his 'Wings' into a typically eclectic, almost proggish album about love, war and the universe. Another example of just how creative and musical Paul is.
Stills/Illegal Stills/Thoroughfare GapStills/Illegal Stills/Thoroughfare Gap by Stephen Stills
Buy new: £9.98 / Used from: £12.82
'Stills', a neglected effort by the CSN guitarist, portrays Stills as contented family man, with an album's worth of songs about his new-found maturity in middle age to savour.
Tonight's the NightTonight's the Night by Neil Young
Buy new: £6.98 / Used from: £4.38
A bleak collection of half-baked songs played by a bunch of drunken musicians, this should be a mess! Instead this wake for departed friends has so much soul and commitment it's hard not to applaud.
Wind On The WaterWind On The Water by David Crosby & Graham Nash
One of the happiest of all CSNY records, full of catchy choruses, lively riffs, gorgeous harmonies and large dollops of summery sun-shiney pop.
The Who By NumbersThe Who By Numbers by The Who
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £3.23
An inspired and inventive Pete Townshend tells us how uninspired and old he feels on this voyeuristic album celebrating long dark nights of the soul. Most of the tunes are drop-dead gorgeous.
CSNCSN by Stills & Nash Crosby
Buy new: £14.08
I first heard this album aged 10 - neither me or my record collection have ever been the same again. All 3 men are on top form and the ghostly harmonies are guaranteed to send a shiver down your spine
London Town +2London Town +2 by Wings
On which Wings fit their latest album round their holidays, replacing the cold drab studio with summer sunshine. Perhaps the most complete +eclectic McCartney album, with Denny Laine on good form.
Who Are YouWho Are You by The Who
Buy new: £5.78 / Used from: £3.00
As the title suggests, this last album with Keith Moon is something of an identity statement, with the Who re-energised by punk and looking to take back their rock crown.
Bloody TouristsBloody Tourists by 10cc
Buy new: £2.98 / Used from: £1.40
Concept album loosely based around travelling has all the wit, energy and downright bonkers ideas earlier 10cc albums, but also a weight and honesty that brings out the best of the writers.
George HarrisonGeorge Harrison by George Harrison
Buy new: £10.98 / Used from: £7.85
In which George finds happiness and is finally at peace with himself and his legacy, with an album tailor-made for summer picnics and carefree days on the lawn.
M.I.U. Album/L.A. (Light Album)M.I.U. Album/L.A. (Light Album) by The Beach Boys
Buy used from: £6.55
'L.A.Light' is an amazing last-gasp of inspiration from a band nearing the end of the road. Comfortingly traditional, even with a much-talked-about 11-min disco opus on side 2.