Graeme Ross of the UK's Independent newspaper has compiled a list of "The 20 best albums from 1968," and, 50 years later, some of these selections and their songs are still as relevant.
Ross writes, "From the arrival of heavy rock through to a revival in roots-based music, the albums released half a century ago reflected society’s chaos and upheaval."
- Van Morrison – Astral Weeks
- The Rolling Stones – Beggars Banquet
- The Beatles – The Beatles ("White Album")
- The Band – Music From Big Pink
- Aretha Franklin – Lady Soul
- Jimi Hendrix Experience – Electric Ladyland
- Simon and Garfunkel – Bookends
- The Byrds – Sweetheart of the Rodeo
- The Kinks – The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society
- Johnny Cash – At Folsom Prison
- Spirit – Spirit
- Randy Newman – Randy Newman
- Etta James – Tell Mama
- The Zombies – Odyssey and Oracle
- Otis Redding – Dock of the Bay
- The Small Faces – Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake
- The Mothers of Invention – We’re Only in It for the Money
- The Incredible String Band – The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter
- The Steve Miller Band – Sailor
- The Impressions – This Is My Country
Paul McCartney said of The Beatles' White Album:
"That was the big tension album. We were all in the middle of the sort of psychedelic thing or just coming out of it or whatever. But, it was weird, you know, I mean never before had we recorded with likes beds in the studio and people visiting for hours on end and business meetings and all of this. There was a lot of friction during that album."
Other classic albums released in 1968 include:
- Cream - Wheels of Fire
- Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper, Stephen Stills - Super Session
- Big Brother and the Holding Company - Cheap Thrills
- The Pretty Things - S.F. Sorrow
- The Moody Blues - In Search of the Lost Chord
- The Jeff Beck Group - Truth
- Blood, Sweat & Tears - Child Is Father to the Man
- Creedence Clearwater Revival - Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Traffic - Traffic
- Steppenwolf - Steppenwolf
Source: Independent