Music

Best folk rock albums of all time

Explore a curated selection of the most influential and timeless albums in the folk rock genre. From the pioneers of the 60s and 70s to modern masterpieces, this list celebrates the fusion of folk storytelling with rock energy. Discover essential records that have defined the sound and lyricism of this musical style, perfect for fans of acoustic guitars and profound lyrics. Dive into the history of folk rock music and find your next favourite albums.

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  1. 1

    Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over The Sea (1998)

    239 Global Votes
    • Considered a cult classic in indie rock

      (+4)

    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.

  2. 2

    Leonard Cohen - Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967)

    136 Global Votes
    • Monument to originality and creative vision

      (+4)

    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.

  3. 3

    Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks (1975)

    66 Global Votes
    • Captured Dylan at height of writing powers

      (+4)

    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.

  4. 4

    Fairport Convention - Liege & Lief (1969)

    55 Global Votes
    • Definitive British folk-rock album

      (+4)

    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.

  5. 5

    Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)

    41 Global Votes
    • Considered one of the best folk rock albums ever made

      (+4)

    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.

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  7. 6

    Richard & Linda Thompson - I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight (1974)

    29 Global Votes
    • Celebration of the folk tradition

      (+4)

    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.

  8. 7

    The Byrds - The Notorious Byrd Brothers (1968)

    15 Global Votes
    • Critically acclaimed upon release

      (+4)

    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.

  9. 8

    Van Morrison - Astral Weeks (1968)

    13 Global Votes
    • Heralded as one of the greatest albums of all time

      (+3)

    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.

  10. 9

    Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Déjà Vu (1970)

    6 Global Votes
    • Rich musical variety

      (+4)

    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.

  11. 10

    John Martyn - Solid Air (1973)

    1 Global Votes
    • Achieves incredible ambience and mood

      (+4)

    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.

  12. 11

    Bob Dylan - The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963)

    0 Global Votes
    • Masterpiece album

      (+4)

    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.

  13. 12

    Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited (1965)

    0 Global Votes
    • Biblical, epic, draining, harrowing, hilarious, brilliant

      (+4)

    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.

  14. 13

    Joni Mitchell - Blue (1971)

    0 Global Votes
    • Deep and profound

      (+4)

    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.

  15. 14

    Neil Young - Harvest (1972)

    0 Global Votes
    • Best-selling and most beloved album

      (+4)

    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.

  16. 15

    Nick Drake - Pink Moon (1972)

    0 Global Votes
    • Stark, beautiful, and devastating sound

      (+4)

    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.

  17. 16

    The Band - Music from Big Pink (1968)

    0 Global Votes
    • Revolutionary debut album

      (+4)

    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.

  18. 17

    Elliott Smith - Either/Or (1997)

    0 Global Votes
    • More upbeat than its predecessor

      (+4)

    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.

  19. 18

    Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (2007)

    0 Global Votes
    • Allows beauty of melodies to shine through

      (+4)

    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.

  20. 19

    Grateful Dead - American Beauty (1970)

    0 Global Votes
    • Features folk harmonies and major-key melodies

      (+4)

    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.