Albums that missed the cut.........
Other good albums worth checking out that were also released in 1974, but weren't quite good enough to make the top 10 and are listed below in no set order, so the best of the rest:
Thin Lizzy
Nightlife 1974
The album where the band became four and the first that constituted the classic line-up. This is an accomplished album, that focuses of the softer side of the band and despite not reaching the heights of some of their classic period albums, should still be listened to!
Montrose
Paper Money 1974
Often regarded as a disappointing follow-up to the hard rocking debut set, but in reality it’s far from a weak album and has some of the band’s best and most original material ever. Song for song though, it does sit behind the first and third albums overall.
Grand Funk
Shinin’ On 1974
After their impressive comeback album the year before, the band retained the services of Todd Rundgren and produced another set of vibrant songs. The album had the songs of
We’re An American Band, but they weren’t as well executed as on that album. The band also released the unconvincing
All the Girls in the World Beware!!! in 1974 as well.
Rush
Rush 1974
The Rush debut was essentially a hard rock effort and a far cry in many ways from the progressive rock sound that they would become iconic with. A steady debut but ultimately let down by its mish-mash bluesy riffs without ever finding their true melody.
Elf
LA.59 1974
The best all round album that the band put out and the heavy boogie blues sound is carried across on the strength of Dio’s powerful voice. It was around this time, that the Roger Glover connection to Ritchie Blackmore would later blossom for vocalist Dio.
Scorpions
Fly to the Rainbow 1974
The band are still trying to find their way here, but on this album they at least showed the sound that that they would become synonymous for as time went on. There is some interesting material on this album, such a shame about the terrible album cover though!
..... and too good to be left off!
Trapeze
Hot Wire 1974
With Glenn Hughes having decamped to Deep Purple, Mel Galley took over on vocals and gave us a solid workout with the classic Trapeze sound and a number of these songs are good enough to make it on any previous album by the band.