5 Classic Albums Released 50 Years Ago This Month

It’s time for another deep dive back to the musical past. We’re setting our sights on 50 years ago this month and checking out what major albums were released in July 1974.

As it turns out, there were some killer LPs that came out that month, and many have endured long after their initial period of success to achieve classic status. Let’s take a look at five of those albums that deserve special mention.

Fulfillingness’ First Finale by Stevie Wonder

Wonder was smack-dab in the middle of a four-album run of brilliance when he dropped this record. It built upon the strengths of Talking Book and Innervisions, as Wonder once again ingeniously worked synthesizers into his mix. From a lyrical standpoint, he was still speaking truth to power with a ferocity that few artists of his era would dare, especially here on the Nixon takedown “You Haven’t Done Nothin’.” Elsewhere, his rhythmic ease shines through on “Boogie on Reggae Woman,” while slow song “They Won’t Go When I Go” is strange and mesmerizing.

On the Beach by Neil Young

To borrow from John Mellencamp, Neil Young never wanted to be no pop singer. “Heart of Gold” put him in that lane, which is why he spent several records in the ‘70s veering out of it. On the Beach epitomizes that era. Whether he’s riffing on electric guitar or going off on an acoustic wander, Young always seems either agitated or depressed on these tracks. The titles say it all: “Ambulance Blues,” “Vampire Blues,” and perhaps most menacingly brilliant of all, “Revolution Blues,” which features a funky bottom end courtesy of The Band’s Rick Danko and Levon Helm.

Up for the Down Stroke by Parliament

George Clinton unleashed one of his most potent lineups on this album, and the result is one of his finest in terms of consistency from start to finish. Every one of these songs contains myriad nooks and crannies that will entertain and surprise. Of course, Clinton and company deliver on the funkier stuff, especially the title track. But if all you know of Parliament are the bangers, check out Side Two of this record, which features a collection of weird and wonderful songs of a slower tempo, proving this collective could do it all.

461 Ocean Boulevard by Eric Clapton

Clapton took some pressure off himself on his first studio album since the Derek and the Dominos days by collecting material from many different sources. That meant he only needed to punch in here and there with original songs, one of which, “Let It Grow,” turned out to be one of the most affecting in his catalog. He was wise to balance out the rest of the songs between those of more recent vintage (“I Shot the Sheriff” and “Mainline Florida”) and older classics (“Motherless Children” and “Willie and the Hand Jive”), presiding over it all with easygoing vocals and effortlessly thrilling guitar work.

Another Time, Another Place by Bryan Ferry

Ferry’s solo debut in 1973, These Foolish Things, was somewhat of a revelation due to the way he played fast and loose with beloved standards and managed to carry it all off. When he did it again a year later, some of the novelty had worn off and the album didn’t get as much recognition. But it’s just as enjoyable a listen as the first record. His unexpected phrasing and knack for off-kilter arrangements enlivens the material and makes you appreciate all over again the brilliance of classics like “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” and “Funny How Time Slips Away.”

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Photo by David Redfern/Redferns