Best folk rock albums of all time

This indie-folk album has achieved cult status and widespread critical acclaim for its unique sound, surreal lyrics, and raw emotional intensity. Its blend of folk instrumentation with lo-fi rock energy makes it a standout of the late 90s.

Cohen's debut album is a masterpiece of poetic lyricism and melancholic folk. His deep voice and profound, often dark, songwriting set a benchmark for the singer-songwriter genre.

Often considered one of Dylan's most personal and emotionally raw albums, 'Blood on the Tracks' explores themes of heartbreak and relationships with powerful lyricism. Its blend of folk and rock elements, combined with its profound emotional depth, makes it a timeless classic.

This album is widely regarded as the defining moment for British folk rock, blending traditional English folk songs with electric rock instrumentation. It created a unique and influential sound with Sandy Denny's vocals and Richard Thompson's guitar work.

The duo's final studio album is a landmark in folk-rock history, blending poetic lyricism with lush, innovative production. The title track is an anthem of comfort and resilience, showcasing their harmonies at their peak.

This album is a dark, beautiful, and influential work of British folk-rock, known for its poignant songwriting and the interplay between Richard Thompson's guitar and the duo's vocals. It's celebrated for its unique blend of traditional folk and rock.

The Byrds were pioneers in blending folk with rock, country, jazz, and psychedelic elements. This album showcases their innovative use of instrumentation like the modular synthesizer and pedal steel guitar, creating an ethereal sound that was progressive for its era.

This album is a unique blend of folk, jazz, blues, and classical elements, known for its ethereal and improvisational quality. Morrison's stream-of-consciousness lyrics and passionate vocals create a deeply atmospheric and influential work.

A cornerstone of 1970s rock, 'Déjà Vu' blends folk, country, and blues with unmatched vocal harmonies and lyrical depth. Tracks like 'Woodstock' capture the spirit of a generation, making it an enduring and influential album.

A key album in the British folk scene, 'Solid Air' blends folk, jazz, blues, and rock with hypnotic guitar riffs and Martyn's distinctive vocal style. It's considered a timeless work showcasing his unique musical capabilities.

This album is a pivotal moment for Bob Dylan and the folk genre, establishing him as a defining artistic voice. It features iconic protest songs that captured the anxieties and hopes of its generation.

This album marked Dylan's definitive shift towards electric folk rock, blending blues, rock, and folk. It includes classics like 'Like a Rolling Stone' and is frequently cited as a masterpiece and a cornerstone of the genre.

Blue is celebrated for its raw emotional honesty, poetic lyrics, and Mitchell's intimate vocal delivery. Its profound impact on songwriting and enduring vulnerability make it a timeless classic in the folk tradition.

Harvest is one of Neil Young's most commercially successful albums, featuring a blend of folk, country, and rock. It includes hit songs like 'Heart of Gold' and 'Old Man,' showcasing his distinctive songwriting and melancholic sound.

An understated but deeply moving album, 'Pink Moon' is an intimate masterpiece featuring just Drake's guitar and voice. It captures loneliness and beauty in equal measure, and its influence has grown massively over time, inspiring indie-folk and singer-songwriters worldwide.

The debut album from The Band, 'Music from Big Pink', fused country, rock, folk, and blues. It was praised for its 'natural instrumentation' and unique sound, becoming highly influential on subsequent roots rock and Americana artists.

This album is a folk-rock opus known for its hushed intimacy, intricate guitar work, and poignant lyrics. It blends sparse, melancholic folk with hints of pop, making it an ideal introduction to Smith's acclaimed catalog and a significant indie-folk record.

Recorded in a remote cabin, this debut is a haunting indie-folk masterpiece reflecting on heartbreak and grief. Its intimate, lo-fi sound and Justin Vernon's distinctive falsetto have made it highly influential in modern folk and indie music.

This album continued the Grateful Dead's folk/country sound, becoming an immediate success and hitting the Billboard 200 chart. It's listed on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and was reissued for its 50th anniversary.