The Elitist's Guide to the Best Albums of 1966.

Tack another one onto the number of years we've spent in the doldrums of 'ruck' music. This time around, the year of oure Lourde, 2006. But what if it wasn't? What if we wound the clock back forty years. What then? We'd find ourselves in 1966; a strange time I wasn't privileged enough to experience. Peace, love & understanding. So, for the sake of killing time before next week when I ramble on about how terrible music is today and stubbornly write out a list of the albums I thought were almost decent this passing year, I'm going to ramble on about how good music can be and was. This is the condensed version of 'The Elitist's Guide to the Best Albums of 1966' by Joseph T. Miller.

Bob Dylan - Blonde on Blonde.
Almost a year after the infamous Newport Folk Festival incident, Dylan came back with his seventh full-length LP [Blonde on Blonde] and he's got new friends - Al Kooper and bassist Harvey Brooks, both of whom played on Highway 61 Revisited, and new additions Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm, both of whom were members of the Hawks (later to be known as The Band). Easily one of the most influential albums of all time, despite being met with mixed reviews, Blonde on Blonde is an important album to own and appreciate and maybe even worship. Bob Dylan was the figurehead on the crest of a magic wave that no one thought would ever break. Until it did, of course.

MP3: Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 (live)

The Beatles - Revolver.
Number one on both the US and UK charts, the Beatles tapped into a secret vein no one ever knew existed leaving many with one simple thought: "Recorded music is a wonder." To this day, if you put on Revolver you will find that every note still rings true; every word still agleam and seemingly perfect; and that George was easily much cooler than Paul. Maybe evenly matched with John. Ringo isn't even around.

MP3: Taxman (demo)

The Yardbirds - Roger the Engineer.
Roger the Engineer is often referred to as the precursor hard rock thanks to guitarist Jeff Beck's experimentation with distortion and Eric Clapton's distinct vocal style. It's no wonder that the hard rock juggernaut that was Led Zeppelin was formed in the ashes of the Yardbirds. Roger the Engineer takes off like a bullet train on the wings of Lost Woman, a funky, upbeat tune with (probably) one of the best bass lines I've ever heard. Is it any wonder that Roger the Engineer was ranked number 349 in 2003 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time? It sure is. Rolling Stone never likes good music.

MP3: Lost Woman

I'd better stop now before I start to ramble. See you next week for things new and used.