All Killer No Filler: Classic Rock Essentials on Vinyl

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Classic rock and vinyl are inseparable. These albums were engineered for the format, mixed with vinyl's characteristics in mind, packaged with artwork that demands 12-inch presentation. Here are the records every collection needs.

Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)

The archetypal vinyl album. Engineered specifically for vinyl playback by Alan Parsons, every element was designed for the format. The dynamic range, the sonic textures, the seamless flow between tracks.

The 2016 remaster sounds exceptional. Avoid the 1992 CD mastering that crushed the dynamics. Original UK Harvest pressings are expensive and rarely better than the modern reissue.

This album showcases what vinyl does well. Space, atmosphere, dynamics. Put it on, dim the lights, play both sides. That's the experience.

Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II (1969)

Jimmy Page produced this knowing it would be played on vinyl. The bass is mixed to thrive on turntables. The dynamics shift between whisper-quiet passages and wall-shaking riffs. Whole Lotta Love demands proper speakers.

The 2014 remaster by Page himself is definitive. Clearer than the originals without losing the raw power. Zeppelin I and IV are equally essential, but II showcases why these albums belong on vinyl.

Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (1977)

Immaculate production. Crystal-clear vocals, layered instrumentation, pristine engineering. This album sounds gorgeous on vinyl, warm without being muddy, detailed without harshness.

The 2011 remaster is excellent. Original pressings vary wildly in quality depending on pressing plant. Don't overspend on originals unless you know what you're getting.

The Beatles - Abbey Road (1969)

The Beatles' swan song is their most cohesive vinyl experience. Side two flows as one continuous piece, designed to be experienced without interruption. Skipping tracks misses the point.

The 2019 Giles Martin remix is controversial but sounds remarkable on vinyl. The original mix is also excellent. Either works. What matters is experiencing both sides as intended.

The Who - Who's Next (1971)

Pete Townshend's synthesizer experiments meet power chords. Baba O'Riley builds and builds, demanding to be played loud. The album flows perfectly across two sides, harder-hitting tracks balanced with introspective moments.

Original pressings sound good but aren't worth premium prices. Modern reissues capture the energy without the wear.

David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust (1972)

A concept album that tells its story best on vinyl. The sequencing matters. The artwork matters. The commitment to sitting through both sides matters.

The 2012 40th anniversary remaster is definitive. The 2016 reissue also sounds excellent. Avoid the mid-90s masterings.

Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms (1985)

Audiophile favourite. Recorded digitally but mastered for vinyl with incredible dynamic range. Mark Knopfler's guitar work is pristine, the production is immaculate, the bass is authoritative.

The original pressing is considered one of the finest-sounding vinyl albums ever released. The 2014 reissue maintains that quality. Either works beautifully.

Steely Dan - Aja (1977)

Studio perfectionism translated to vinyl. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker spent months getting every note right. The result is one of the best-sounding albums of the 1970s.

Original ABC pressings sound exceptional. Modern reissues are also excellent. This album showcases why good turntables and speakers matter.

Queen - A Night at the Opera (1975)

Bohemian Rhapsody is just the opening. The entire album is layered, dense, theatrical. Brian May's guitars, Freddie Mercury's vocals, intricate production that reveals new details on repeated listens.

The 2015 remaster does justice to the original production. Avoid compressed masterings from the CD era.

Lynyrd Skynyrd - (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) (1973)

Southern rock perfection. Free Bird builds over nine minutes, impossible to skip, demanding to be experienced in full. Simple Man and Tuesday's Gone showcase the band's range.

Original MCA pressings are good. Modern reissues capture the energy. Just avoid compressed versions.

Eagles - Hotel California (1976)

Meticulous production, pristine recording, songs that defined 1970s rock. The title track's guitar solo sounds glorious on vinyl, the bass is warm and full, the harmonies are crystal clear.

The 2013 remaster is excellent. Original Asylum pressings are also superb. Either delivers the goods.

Genesis - Selling England by the Pound (1973)

Progressive rock that justifies the format. Complex arrangements, shifting time signatures, instrumental passages that benefit from vinyl's warmth. Cinema Show alone justifies ownership.

Original Charisma UK pressings sound good. The 2008 remaster is also excellent. This is music designed for concentrated listening.

Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick (1972)

One continuous piece split across two sides. The ultimate vinyl album. Skipping is impossible. Shuffling is pointless. You play both sides or you miss the experience.

Original Chrysalis pressings are good. Modern reissues capture the dynamics. The gatefold artwork completes the package.

These albums represent classic rock at its finest, all engineered with vinyl in mind, all benefiting from the format's characteristics. Pair them with a decent turntable and they reward careful listening.

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