This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Beatles’ White Album, but that wasn’t the only landmark LP to come out in 1968. Here are some of the other releases that helped define the era.
Johnny Cash
At Folsom Prison (Columbia/Legacy)
The Man in Black was nearly washed up in the country world when he made this live recording at California’s infamous maximum-security penitentiary. With his deep baritone and tight backing band, he delivered an exceptionally tough set in front of a group of skeptical and highly dangerous inmates. The stark reality of songs like “25 Minutes To Go” and “Cocaine Blues” couldn’t have been further away from the Beatles’ cosmic flights.
The Rolling Stones
Beggars Banquet (ABKCO)
This was Mick and Keith’s comedown record after the swirling psychedelic mess of Their Satanic Majesties Request. Featuring their strongest set of melodies to date, the group gave it all a rough bluesy swagger and nailed the dark hues of the late ’60s in ominous songs like “Street Fighting Man” and “Sympathy For The Devil.” Pure evil ― in the best way possible.
Van Morrison
Astral Weeks (Warner Bros.)
The Irish songwriter had already scored hits with “Brown Eyed Girl” and “Gloria” but this was something different – an album of exceptional beauty that not only showcased Morrison's deft melodies but his incredibly sensual voice. Songs like "Cyprus Avenue" and "Madame George" still sound fresh, blending jazz tones and warm R&B grooves with touches Celtic folk. The album was such a staggering achievement he's spent the rest of his career living it down.
Jimi Hendrix Experience
Electric Ladyland (MCA)
Having positively blown minds with his guitar pyrotechnics on his first two albums, Hendrix was free to cut loose here. He subsequently delivered the 15-minute-plus "Voodoo Chile," the snarling "Crosstown Traffic" and the amplified cover of Bob Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower" – which may be the only song to have equally inspired Guns N' Roses and U2.
Simon and Garfunkel
Bookends (Columbia/Legacy)
While the world imploded around them, this odd-looking New York folk duo delivered a quiet, contemplative antidote to the chaos. Restrained and beautiful, songs like "America" and "Old Friends" are still more effective than a bottle of Xanax.
The Byrds
Sweetheart of the Rodeo (Columbia/Legacy)
The band famous for covering Dylan's songs in the style of the Beatles confused just about everyone with this album of Nashville style country throwbacks. Even though Gram Parsons' vocals were removed (only to be replaced years later) from the original pressing, his influence was unmistakable on songs like "Hickory Wind" and "One Hundred Years From Now." You can thank this album for Wilco, Whiskeytown and just about every other country rock band to play your neighborhood dive.
The Doors
Waiting for the Sun (Elektra)
It's not the Los Angeles band's most highly regarded album but taken on its own The Doors' third LP is an almost perfect distillation of Jim Morrison's strange poetry and the band's explosive, alien sound. Delving into everything from the blues ("Five To One"), waltz ("Wintertime Love") and classical guitar "Spanish Caravan," it's a veritable time capsule of an era that was beyond weird.
The Velvet Underground
White Light/White Heat (Verve)
Parting ways with both Andy Warhol and Nico, the New York band recorded its second album in just two days. Its lo-fi production and abundant distortion made it one of the primary influences for punk bands for decades to come, while Lou Reed ramped up his lyrical depravity in blistering songs like "Lady Godiva's Operation" and the sprawling 17-minute freakout, "Sister Ray."