Album Chart of 1968
| ← 1967 |  |
1969 → |
| Album Chart of 1968 |
76 tracks, runtime 5h 15m. The playlist features the highest-rated track from each album (subject to what's available on YouTube) in chart order, with a minimum individual track-rating of 6.5 required for inclusion. To view the full tracklist, access shuffle-play or avoid in-play interruption due to territorially blocked videos, it might be best playing directly via YouTube 
WALDO JEFFERS R.I.P.
Mindless, pointless death was everywhere in 1968, from Vietnam to Martin Luther King to Waldo Jeffers. Was there any sane sanctuary? Transcendental Meditation in Rishikesh anyone?
Pictured reflecting the blackness are Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, John Cale and Moe Tucker on the eve of the release of the second Velvet Underground LP. Once again, they shone as thee extra-ordinary leaders when it came down to artful creativity. Joining them on the outer fringes were Silver Apples with a jaw-dropping set doused in electronics, Nico with a wondrous neo-classical adventure, and The United States of America, who laid down new wave motifs for a generation yet unborn.
Messin’ and twistin’ blues templates were Captain Beefheart, Dr John and Canned Heat, whilst Van Morrison moved in a snazzier direction with “Astral Weeks”, which was class personified.
The birth of Reggae was represented on terrific LPs from Prince Buster and Desmond Dekker. “Don’t watch that, watch this” proclaimed the Prince to the World. It was a good shout.
It was a fine year for folk music; Tyrannosaurus Rex and The Incredible String Band led the alternative camp, whilst The Dubliners, Finbar and Eddie Furey and The Johnstons made it one of the best-ever years for traditional Irish music.
Within the albums, anti-war protests continued left, right and centre with “Street Fighting Man” (The Stones), “The Unknown Soldier” (The Doors), “Sky Pilot” (Eric Burdon) and “Draft Morning” (The Byrds) to name but four from this chart.
Meanwhile, the situation in Vietnam was hopeless, as the whole sorry mess rumbled on with no end in sight… perhaps a calming visit to the Maharishi wasn't such a mad idea…
The Jukebox Rebel
28-Jan-2016
The Velvet Underground
Verve Records V6-5046
“A classic” Trance RockJukebox picks: “Sister Ray” (10) • “Lady Godiva’s Operation” (9.5) • “White Light / White Heat” (9.4)
Arriving at the tail end of January ’68 was the second Velvet Underground LP, recorded over the course of just 5 days in...more →
Van Morrison
Warner Bros. Records WS-1768
“Excellent” Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “Madame George” (10) • “Astral Weeks” (9.9) • “Cyprus Avenue” (9.7)
After having been “tricked” into his first album last year, the Belfastian delved headlong into the mystic with this beg...more →
The Rolling Stones
Decca SKL-4955
“Excellent” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Street Fighting Man” (9.9) • “Parachute Woman” (9.5) • “Sympathy For The Devil” (9.1)
There’s not a single track which lets this album down – it’s a corker. The seventh proper Stones LP arrived in the last ...more →
Prince Buster
Blue Beat BBLP-820
“Excellent” Reggae; Ska / RocksteadyJukebox picks: “Rough Rider [album vesion]” (9.8) • “Scorcher” (9.6) • “Dreams To Remember” (9.4)
“Rock Steady Reggea” proclaims the album’s cover excitedly, promising cutting edge action within. The back sleeve furthe...more →
The Doors
Elektra EKS-74024
“Brilliant” Cerebral Pop; PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “The Unknown Soldier” (9.4) • “Five To One” (9.2) • “Spanish Caravan” (8.8)
I love it, it was commercially successful and was critically acclaimed – now that does make a nice change. The third Doo...more →
Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje / Space Queens
CBS LAB-4005
“Brilliant” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Isinkwa Nobanana” (9.3) • “Sesi Ngenile” (9.1) • “Ingwe Idla Ngamabala” (8.7)
Despite being a split LP, “Ingwe idla Ngamabala” still qualifies for the “A-list” chart as there’s enough new material f...more →
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Regal Zonophone SLRZ-1003
“Brilliant” Alternative FolkJukebox picks: “Mustang Ford” (9.6) • “Hot Rod Mama” (9.4) • “Weilder Of Words” (9.1)
Slappy bongo with hypnotic guitar picking and repetitive melody with some crazy vocal performances. It’s a good look dud...more →
Silver Apples
Kapp Records KS-3562
“Brilliant” ElectronicaJukebox picks: “Misty Mountain” (9.0) • “Oscillations” (8.5) • “Velvet Cave” (8.1)
New York, not for the first or last time, was at the artsy epi-centre of the musical universe in 1968 – giving the Velve...more →
Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band
Blue Thumb Records BTS-1
“Really good” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Beatle Bones ’n’ Smokin’ Stones” (9.0) • “Trust Us” (8.2) • “On Tomorrow” (8.0)
Following the major label rejections, Bob Krasnow’s new Blue Thumb label took this on, and the murky, muddy production –...more →
The Dubliners
Major Minor MMLP-34
“Really good” FolkJukebox picks: “The Irish Navy” (9.3) • “I Wish I Were Back In Liverpool” (8.5) • “Many Young Men Of Twenty” (8.1)
The fourth album on Major Minor Records from folk’s, never mind Ireland’s, finest ensemble. It’s packed with very fine t...more →
Nico
Elektra EKS-74029
“Really good” Avant-GardeJukebox picks: “Evening Of Light” (10) • “Facing The Wind” (9.3) • “No-One Is There” (8.2)
The sound of desolation row this may well be, but it’s a compelling, beautiful work of art nonetheless. In 1968, the nom...more →
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Regal Zonophone SLRZ-1005
“Really good” Alternative Folk; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Deboraarobed” (10) • “Stacey Grove” (9.4) • “Conesuala” (8.6)
“Prophets, Seers & Sages” arrived in October ’68, just 3 months after their debut LP had been released. They had much to...more →
Dr. John, the Night Tripper
ATCO Records SD 33-234
“Really good” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “I Walk On Guilded Splinters” (8.8) • “Danse Kalinda Ba Doom” (8.4) • “Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya” (7.8)
In a year chock-full of absorbing eccentrics, Dr. John more than holds his own in the higher echelons alongside Marc Bol...more →
Bra Sello with Abafana Bentuthuko
CBS LAB-4006
“Really good” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Mthembu Nonzimande” (8.0) • “Siyanyawuka Nzimande” (7.9) • “Mr Music” (7.8)
This album rounds up recent single sides on CBS, all themed by being predominantly instrumental and being led, melody wi...more →
Desmond Dekker and The Aces
Beverley's Records LP-004
“Really good” Ska / Rocksteady; ReggaeJukebox picks: “Israelites” (10) • “A It Mek” (10) • “Music Like Dirt (Intensified ’68)” (9.0)
Dekker’s second Jamaican LP, issued on Beverleys LP-004. Although three of these twelve tracks repeat from last year’s U...more →
The Incredible String Band
Elektra EUK-258
“Really good” FolkJukebox picks: “A Very Cellular Song” (9.7) • “The Minotaur’s Song” (8.9) • “Mercy I Cry City” (7.6)
On their third album, the Incredible String Band’s song arrangements are more complex than ever before; the exotic range...more →
The Dubliners
Major Minor MMLP-14
“Really good” FolkJukebox picks: “Gentleman Soldier [album version ’68]” (9.4) • “Dirty Old Town [album version ’68]” (8.9) • “The Parting Glass [album version ’68]” (7.9)
The classic Dubliners quintet continue with their third album on Major Minor Records and whaddya know – they’re still ba...more →
Canned Heat
Liberty LST-7541
“Really good” Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “On The Road Again” (10) • “Amphetamine Annie” (8.4) • “Turpentine Moan” (7.9)
There are 9 out of 10 originals on the second Canned Heat album – albeit with a few “adaptions”. If 1967 was a big year ...more →
Simon and Garfunkel
Columbia KCS-9529
“Good” Folk Rock / Americana; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Hazy Shade Of Winter” (9.7) • “Fakin’ It” (8.3) • “Mrs. Robinson” (7.9)
Having been central musically to Mike Nichols ’67 film “The Graduate” (the soundtrack for which was issued in January ’6...more →
The United States of America
Columbia CS-9614
“Good” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “The Garden Of Earthly Delights” (9.3) • “Coming Down” (8.7) • “Cloud Song” (8.2)
Joseph Byrd – fresh from his wonderful production on Phil Och’s “The Crucifixion” from ’67 – delivered another fine stat...more →
Otis Redding
ATCO Records SD 33-252
“Good” Soul; Soul BalladJukebox picks: “I’ve Got Dreams To Remember” (9.5) • “Hard To Handle” (8.3) • “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” (7.5)
“The Immortal Otis Redding” – who could fail to be touched by that title in 1968? The intended seventh Otis Redding albu...more →
Tomorrow
Parlophone PCS-7042
“Good” Psychedelia; PopJukebox picks: “My White Bicycle” (9.2) • “Real Life Permanent Dream” (8.0) • “Colonel Brown” (7.6)
This was a very fine debut album from the London quintet who lined up: Keith West (vocals); Steve Howe (guitar); John Wo...more →
Finbar and Eddie Furey
Transatlantic Records TRA-168
“Good” FolkJukebox picks: “Come By The Hills” (8.9) • “The Curragh Of Kildare” (8.7) • “The Spanish Cloak” (8.6)
Back in 1960, for £2 each, these child protégés were playing in O’Donoghues; they were still school kids at the time! Ma...more →
Eric Burdon and The Animals
MGM Records SE-4537
“Good” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Sky Pilot” (9.8) • “Monterey” (6.5) • “Just The Thought” (6.5)
“If you wanna find truth in life, don’t let music pass you by” sings Burdon on the opening track “Monterey”, the...more →
The Johnstons
Transatlantic Records TRA-169
“Good” FolkJukebox picks: “The Lambs On The Green Hills” (10) • “The Apprentice’s Song” (8.1) • “The Rounding Of Cape Horn” (7.3)
The Johnstons were an Irish close-harmony folk group, originally founded in the early 60s in Slane, County Meath, consis...more →
Esquivel
RCA Victor MKS-1777
“Good” Latin; Orchestra DanceJukebox picks: “El Cable” (8.0) • “Mini Skirt” (7.7) • “Lamento Borincano” (7.6)
After 12 years, “1968 Esquivel!!” is last in line of his original RCA albums. Groovy bachelors living in space-age Londo...more →
Os Mutantes
Polydor LPNG 44.018
“Good” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “A Minha Menina” (8.5) • “Panis Et Circenses” (8.1) • “Baby” (6.9)
In the summer of ’68, South American hipsters in the know were groovin’ to Os Mutantes (The Mutants), an adventurous tri...more →
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Track Record 613 008
“Good” Rock; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “All Along The Watchtower” (9.8) • “Burning Of The Midnight Lamp” (8.7) • “Crosstown Traffic” (8.0)
The last of the three albums to be billed to the Jimi Hendrix Experience was a good ‘un, although it’s not without dull ...more →
The Beatles
Apple Records PCS-7067/8
“Decent enough” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Crooner / Cabaret; Psychedelia; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Revolution 1” (9.4) • “The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill” (9.0) • “Dear Prudence” (8.6)
Clocking in at an unsexy NINETY FOUR minutes, the tenth Beatles LP could do with being severely trimmed. The first and l...more →
Them
Tower ST-5104
“Decent enough” Pop; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Walking In The Queens Garden” (9.1) • “What’s The Matter Baby?” (7.2) • “I’m Your Witch Doctor” (6.9)
Somewhat unexpectedly, a third fine album statement arrived from Them in January ‘68. With Van Morrison having quit back...more →
Aretha Franklin
Atlantic SD-8176
“Decent enough” Soul; Soul BalladJukebox picks: “People Get Ready” (8.1) • “Money Won’t Change You” (7.3) • “Since You’ve Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby)” (6.6)
Another big success for Aretha Franklin and Atlantic Records, a million selling album spawning three Top Ten hits in the...more →
Johnny Cash
Columbia CL-2647
“Decent enough” Country; FolkJukebox picks: “Cisco Clifton’s Filling Station” (9.4) • “The Walls Of A Prison” (8.4) • “The Masterpiece” (7.3)
1968 was a big year for Cash, both as a man and an artist. It started in January with “From Sea To Shining Sea”, once ag...more →
Pretty Things
Columbia SCX-6306
“Decent enough” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Private Sorrow” (8.7) • “S.F. Sorrow Is Born” (8.2) • “Balloon Burning” (7.2)
Released late in 1968, this concept album was based on a short story by singer Phil May, structured as a song cycle, tel...more →
Canned Heat
Liberty LST-27200
“Decent enough” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Going Up The Country” (10) • “Sandy’s Blues” (8.8) • “My Mistake” (6.9)
The second Canned Heat album of 1968 was a sprawling two-record set, with mixed results over the 90 minutes. Featuring g...more →
Shivkumar Sharma, Hariprasad Chaurasia and Brijbhushan Kabra
His Master's Voice ECLP-2382
“Decent enough” DesiJukebox picks: “Bhoop” (7.1) • “Ahir Bhairav” (6.6) • “Rag Piloo” (6.5)
This all-instrumental classical Indian affair is a concept album which follows a day in the life of an Indian shepherd f...more →
Eric Burdon and The Animals
MGM Records SE-4553
“Decent enough” RockJukebox picks: “The Immigrant Lad” (7.5) • “Year Of The Guru” (7.4) • “New York 1963 - America 1968” (7.2)
1968 was a very busy year for The Animals, “Every One Of Us” was the second of three albums to be released in the year, ...more →
The Kinks
Pye Records NPL-18233
“Decent enough” Cerebral Pop; Pop; Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “The Village Green Preservation Society [original mono album version]” (7.8) • “Big Sky [original mono album version]” (7.4) • “Starstruck [original mono album version]” (7.3)
This famously English affair, all written by Ray Davies, had more in common with the worlds of folk and music hall than ...more →
The Incredible String Band
Elektra EKL-4036/37
“Decent enough” Folk; Alternative FolkJukebox picks: “Log Cabin Home In The Sky” (9.0) • “Douglas Traherne Harding” (7.8) • “Ducks On A Pond” (7.6)
Wee Tam is you or I; we're looking at the Big Huge star-filled universe above, around and beyond us. There are four play...more →
James Brown
King Records KS-1031
“Decent enough” Soul; Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “You’ve Got The Power [1968 version]” (8.7) • “Shhhhhhh (For A Little While)” (7.3) • “Stone Fox [1968 version]” (7.2)
Not too shabby, dragged down a little by some late night instrumental meandering fillers, but pulled up by some top notc...more →
Sweeney’s Men
Transatlantic Records TRA-170
“Decent enough” FolkJukebox picks: “The Handsome Cabin Boy” (7.4) • “Dicey Riley” (7.3) • “Reynard The Fox” (6.8)
This fine debut album - a mix of Irish and American folk traditionals - was issued in July, 1968. With hindsight a super...more →
Neil Young
Reprise Records RS-6317
“Decent enough” Folk Rock / Americana; Rock; Soft Rock / A.O.R.; SongwriterJukebox picks: “The Last Trip To Tulsa” (7.4) • “The Loner” (6.6) • “I’ve Loved Her So Long” (6.6)
Neil Young had too much songwriting in him to be fulfilled in Buffalo Springfield's busy creative hub and his progressio...more →
The Byrds
Columbia CS-9575
“Decent enough” Folk Rock / Americana; PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Goin’ Back” (7.5) • “Old John Robertson” (7.3) • “Space Odyssey” (7.2)
An album which floats along on a real magic carpet ride where moog synthesizers sit aside steel guitars whilst hosts phi...more →
Grapefruit
ABC-Dunhill Records DS-50050
“Decent enough” Psychedelia; PopJukebox picks: “Yes” (7.8) • “C’mon Marianne” (6.8) • “Elevator” (6.7)
On their debut album the very capable London 4-piece lined up: George Alexander (bass guitar), John Perry (lead guitar),...more →
James Carr
Goldwax Records GW-3002
“Decent enough” Soul Ballad; SoulJukebox picks: “You’ve Got My Mind Messed Up” (7.3) • “A Man Needs A Woman” (6.7) • “I’m A Fool For You” (6.7)
Hangs on to “new album” status although 2 tracks are repeated from last years debut LP (hence the part “comp” tag), “The...more →
The Zombies
CBS S-63280
“Decent enough” PopJukebox picks: “This Will Be Our Year” (7.4) • “Time Of The Season” (7.4) • “Care Of Cell 44” (6.9)
Decent second LP from the St Albans 5-piece, retrospectively hailed as a British psychedelic classic by fans and critics...more →
David Axelrod
Capitol Records ST-2982
“Decent enough” Film Score / Incidental; Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Urizen” (7.2) • “The Mental Traveler” (6.5) • “The Smile” (6.4)
The restless multi-genre producer turns artist on his all-instrumental debut album, “Songs Of Innocence”, named after, a...more →
Al Kooper
Columbia CS-9718
“Average” Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Song And Dance For The Unborn, Frightened Child” (8.7) • “Hey, Western Union Man” (7.0) • “One” (6.7)
First fully solo album from the 24-year-old New Yorker, immortalized for his organ parts in Dylan's “Like A Rolling Ston...more →
Iron Butterfly
ATCO Records SD 33-250
“Average” Psychedelia; RockJukebox picks: “Flowers And Beads” (6.9) • “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida [long version]” (6.5) • “Most Anything You Want” (6.2)
A monster of an album which went on to sell more than thirty million copies, veering from the peppy psychedelic pop of “...more →
Manfred Mann
Fontana STL-5470
“Average” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo)” (9.2) • “Ha! Ha! Said The Clown” (7.5) • “Every Day Another Hair Turns Grey” (6.7)
A bizarre album - like a Monty Python sketch crossed by The Kinks “Preservation” sound via Beach Boys harmonies. Individ...more →
Jerry Lee Lewis
Smash SRS-67104
“Average” CountryJukebox picks: “What’s Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made A Loser Out Of Me)” (7.0) • “Another Place, Another Time” (6.6) • “All The Good Is Gone” (6.0)
By 1968 Rock n Roll was long out of fashion and Jerry Lee Lewis decided it was time to hone in on his second love - coun...more →
Sly and The Family Stone
Epic BN-26371
“Average” Soul; Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Dance To The Music” (7.9) • “Dance To The Medley : Music Is Alive / Dance In / Music Lover” (6.5) • “I Ain’t Got Nobody (For Real)” (6.0)
The second LP from the soulful and funky San Franciscan ensemble with the core line up: Sly Stone (vocals, multiple inst...more →
Duke Edwards and The Young Ones
Prestige PR-7590
“Average” JazzJukebox picks: “Is It Too Late?” (9.4) • “Man: Don't Cry Baby / Why? / Reach For A Star” (5.8) • “Black Elephant” (2.0)
Eddie “Poppa Duke” Edwards was a renowned recording artist who performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, an...more →
The Beach Boys
Capitol Records ST-2895
“Average” Cerebral Pop; PopJukebox picks: “Be Still” (7.5) • “Little Bird” (7.4) • “Transcendental Meditation” (7.3)
A psychedelic pop affair and, somewhat befittingly, the first Beach Boys album to be released only in stereo. “Friends” ...more →
The Byrds
Columbia CS-9670
“Average” CountryJukebox picks: “Life In Prison” (6.5) • “Nothing Was Delivered” (6.4) • “You’re Still On My Mind” (6.3)
The Byrds attempt to make Country hip on this highly rated but rather sedate affair which bobs along in a manner which i...more →
Fats Domino
Reprise Records RS-6304
“Average” Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Blues Rock / Soul Rock; PopJukebox picks: “Honest Papas Love Their Mamas Better” (8.3) • “Lovely Rita” (6.8) • “Lady Madonna” (6.5)
Reprise 6304. Later issued in Great Britain in July 1970 on Valiant VS 107. All new, but with 2 reworkings onboard - “...more →
Sweetwater
Reprise Records RS-6313
“Average” Psychedelia; Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “Come Take A Walk” (7.9) • “My Crystal Spider” (7.0) • “For Pete’s Sake” (6.6)
Debut album from the Jefferson-Airplane-inspired Los Angeleans. Uniquely for their type, they refused to allow electric ...more →
Eric Burdon and The Animals
MGM Records SE-4591-2
“Average” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “The Madman (Running Through The Field)” (6.7) • “I’m An Animal” (6.3) • “To Love Somebody” (6.1)
Bassist Danny McCulloch and guitarist Vic Briggs left after “Every One Of Us”, with Zoot Money taking on bass and his ol...more →
Scott Walker
Philips SBL-7840
“Average” Crooner / Cabaret; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “Jackie” (9.5) • “Next” (8.0) • “The Girls And The Dogs” (7.4)
The second LP from the 25-year-old is dominated by his three Brel interpretations; “Jackie” (9.5), “Next” (8.0) ...more →
Wanda Jackson
Capitol Records ST-129
“Average” Country; PopJukebox picks: “Fever” (7.6) • “I’d Do It All Over Again” (6.2) • “I’m A Believer” (5.7)
Wanda's second LP of 1968 continued the recent recovery in form and included a brilliant reading of “Fever” in the s...more →
Big Brother and The Holding Company
Columbia KCS-9700
“Average” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Turtle Blues” (7.0) • “Ball And Chain” (6.0) • “Summertime” (5.7)
They've got Janis, but don't always make the most of her soulful voice, preferring to rawk out all-too-often. Annoyingly...more →
Small Faces
Immediate IMSP-012
“Below average” Psychedelia; Pop; RockJukebox picks: “The Journey” (6.9) • “Lazy Sunday” (6.6) • “Happydaystoytown” (6.2)
The fourth LP from the increasingly complex East Londoners, now more psychedelic than ever before. The front-cover was a...more →
Wanda Jackson
Capitol Records ST-2976
“Below average” CountryJukebox picks: “Little Boy Soldier” (8.0) • “There Stands The Glass” (7.1) • “Don’t Touch Me” (6.1)
A step back in the right direction after a couple of poor efforts, the “cream of the crop” referring to the songwriters ...more →
The Mothers Of Invention
Verve Records V6-5045
“Below average” Avant-Garde; Pop; PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Mom & Dad” (7.6) • “Flower Punk” (7.3) • “Who Needs The Peace Corps?” (6.7)
Their 4th LP “We’re Only In It for the Money” (Verve Records V6-5045) was released in March, 1968. I’ve got a love/hate ...more →
P.P. Arnold
Immediate IMSP-017
“Below average” Pop; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “Angel Of The Morning” (6.8) • “To Love Somebody” (6.5) • “God Only Knows” (6.0)
This is one of those albums which confuses the brain. Well, it confuses mine anyway. On one hand, there’s some fine dram...more →
Family Tree
RCA Victor LSP-3955
“Below average” Psychedelia; PopJukebox picks: “Melancholy Vaudeville Man” (6.6) • “Birthday/Dirgeday” (6.5) • “Any Other Baby” (6.3)
San Franciscan quintet led by Bob Segarini, completely inspired by the Englishness of “Sgt. Pepper”, with “Penny Lane” p...more →
The 5th Dimension
Soul City SCS-92002
“Below average” Soul; PopJukebox picks: “Sweet Blindness” (6.4) • “Stoned Soul Picnic” (6.2) • “California Soul” (6.1)
An uplifting set of soul pop from the quintet best described as “the black Mamas and Papas”. It’s perhaps just a tad too...more →
The Dave Clark Five
Columbia SCX-6309
“Below average” Pop Ballad; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “A Little Bit Now” (6.5) • “Return My Love” (6.5) • “Who Do You Think You’re Talking To” (6.1)
Now finding themselves out of favour in the States, the UK would now be graced with the new Dave Clark Five LP, “5 By 5 ...more →
Jeff Beck
Columbia SX-6293
“Below average” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; RockJukebox picks: “Ol’ Man River” (7.1) • “You Shook Me” (5.8) • “I Ain’t Superstitious” (5.5)
Debut album from the 24-year-old ex-Yardbird with a little help from his friends, Rod Stewart (vocals), Ronnie Wood (bas...more →
Them
Tower ST-5116
“Poor” Psychedelia; RockJukebox picks: “Just On Conception” (6.2) • “Black Widow Spider” (5.8) • “Time Out For Time In” (5.4)
A very ordinary sidestep into psychedelia from Them as they slip further down the ladder of relevance....more →
Jerry Butler
Mercury SR-61171
“Poor” Soul; Soul BalladJukebox picks: “These Arms Of Mine” (6.7) • “A Change Is Gonna Come” (6.0) • “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)” (5.9)
Gets off to a bad start by repeating “Never Give You Up” from the last album. What the hell’s the matter with these ...more →
Laura Nyro
Columbia CS-9626
“Poor” Soul; PopJukebox picks: “Luckie” (6.7) • “Poverty Train” (6.2) • “Lonely Women” (5.9)
Acclaimed second album from the classy 20-year-old soul-pop artist. How classy? It even came with a perfumed lyric sheet...more →
Buffy Saint-Marie
Vanguard VSD-79280
“Poor” CountryJukebox picks: “Tall Trees In Georgia” (8.2) • “Now That The Buffalo's Gone [album version '68]” (6.1) • “They Gotta Quit Kickin' My Dawg Around” (5.9)
Includes 3 reworkings from the back-albums: “Sometimes When I Get To Thinkin'” (Little Wheel Spin And Spin, 1966), “...more →
The Electric Prunes
Reprise Records RS-6316
“Poor” Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Kol Nidre” (5.8) • “Individual Confessional” (5.6) • “The Adoration” (5.2)
Second religious rock album of 1968 in the name of Electric Prunes but not featuring any real Electric Prunes. Dear oh d...more →
The Electric Prunes
Reprise Records RS-6275
“Poor” ProgJukebox picks: “Agnus Dei” (5.6) • “Kyrie Eleison” (5.2) • “Credo” (5.2)
There had already been hints of the exotic / bizarre on the Electric Prunes debut album but it’s highly unlikely that fa...more →
Quicksilver Messenger Service
Capitol Records ST-2904
“Poor” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “The Fool” (5.2) • “Dino’s Song” (5.1) • “It’s Been Too Long” (5.0)
Unaffecting debut album from the San Franciscan psyche-blues rock-jam merchants who line up: John Cipollina (lead guitar...more →
Jefferson Airplane
RCA Victor LSP-4058
“Poor” RockJukebox picks: “The House At Pooneil Corners” (7.1) • “Lather” (6.5) • “Crown Of Creation” (5.0)
Although these late 60s rock bands were largely tiresome to me, there's always something appealing on Jefferson Airp...more →
Blood, Sweat and Tears
Columbia CS-9720
“Poor” Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Spinning Wheel” (6.5) • “More And More” (5.2) • “Smiling Phases” (5.0)
1968 was a big year for this progressive New York based group, bookended by their first two long players. Now an ambitio...more →
The Band
Capitol Records SKAO-2955
“Poor” Folk Rock / Americana; SongwriterJukebox picks: “The Weight” (6.9) • “Chest Fever” (5.5) • “This Wheel’s On Fire” (5.4)
Named after the practice house where it was largely conceived, the debut album from Bob Dylan's backing band was release...more →
Blue Cheer
Philips PHS 600-264
“Poor” RockJukebox picks: “Rock Me Baby” (5.6) • “Summertime Blues” (5.6) • “Second Time Around” (4.5)
Debut album from the San Franciscan stone-rock trio of Dickie Peterson (vocals, bass), Leigh Stephens (guitar) and Paul ...more →
Buffalo Springfield
ATCO Records SD 33-256
“Lame” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; CountryJukebox picks: “In The Hour Of Not Quite Rain” (6.5) • “On The Way Home” (5.1) • “I Am A Child” (4.7)
Plagued by infighting and drug-related arrests, Buffalo Springfield had split in April 1968, 2 months before the final a...more →
Traffic
Island Records ILPS-9081T
“Lame” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “Vagabond Virgin” (6.6) • “(Roamin’ Thru The Gloamin’ With) 40,000 Headmen” (6.0) • “Feelin’ Alright?” (5.0)
Second album from the Birmingham 4-piece who're already on the slide for me, althought the opening to side two spikes th...more →
Torero Band
Music For Pleasure MFP-1266
“Lame” Pop; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “The Holly And The Ivy” (5.5) • “Silent Night” (5.3) • “Good King Wenceslas” (5.0)
A zippy, brassy, affair; not to be taken too seriously and worth having for the odd festive mixtape drop. The sleeve not...more →
Noel Harrison
Reprise Records RS-6295
“Lame” Crooner / Cabaret; FolkJukebox picks: “Dress Rehearsal Rag” (6.6) • “So Long Marianne” (5.6) • “Highway In The Wind” (4.7)
Fair play to Noel Harrison for delivering an album which is hard to categorize - he's like some sort of bohemian variety...more →
The Box Tops
Bell Records BELL-6017
“Lame” SoulJukebox picks: “Cry Like A Baby” (7.3) • “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” (5.0) • “Deep In Kentucky” (4.9)
Opens explosively with the soul stomper “Cry Like A Baby”, but then proceeds to deliver, by comparison, a tepid albu...more →
Jerry Butler
Mercury SR-61146
“Lame” Soul; Soul BalladJukebox picks: “I Come To You” (5.7) • “Beside You” (5.2) • “When A Woman Loves A Man (When A Man Loves A Woman)” (5.0)
Jerry’s brand of adult-orientated smooth soul is just not for me, only rarely does this LP flicker into life. “I Come To...more →
Caetano Veloso
Philips R 765.026L
“Terrible” Pop; LatinJukebox picks: “Tropicália” (6.4) • “Eles” (6.3) • “Clara” (4.6)
Unique album from the 25-year-old Brazilian, where traditional bossa-novans meet psychedelic rockers in the classical up...more →
Four Tops
Motown MS-669
“Terrible” Soul; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “Yesterday’s Dreams” (5.1) • “I’m In A Different World” (5.0) • “Remember When” (4.5)
With Holland-Dozier-Holland having recently left the company in a royalties dispute, the new Four Tops LP included just ...more →
Stevie Wonder
Tamla TS-291
“Terrible” Soul; PopJukebox picks: “For Once In My Life” (4.8) • “I Don’t Know Why” (4.5) • “Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day” (4.1)
An improvement on the awful “Eivets Rednow” LP from earlier in the year, but that's not saying much. There's not a singl...more →
Paul Revere and The Raiders featuring Mark Lindsay
Columbia CS-9605
“Terrible” SoulJukebox picks: “No Sad Songs” (5.5) • “I’m A Loser Too” (4.8) • “Soul Man” (4.4)
For me, very much a brand name on the slide at this stage. It's Mark Lindsay who's taken over, and this LP sees him expl...more →
Johnny Cash
Columbia KCS-9726
“Terrible” Speech / Chat; CountryJukebox picks: “In Bethlehem” (5.7) • “Mother’s Love” (5.0) • “My Wife June At The Sea Of Galilee” (5.0)
Well, heart on the sleeve time for Johnny Cash as he shares his pilgrimage to Israel with the world on record. It’s cert...more →
Charley Pride
RCA Victor LSP-3952
“Terrible” CountryJukebox picks: “A Girl I Used To Know” (4.8) • “Baby Is Gone” (4.5) • “Now I Can Live Again” (3.9)
“//Buy this album friends, and I guarantee you'll take home a little of the soul of country music. Ol' Faron wouldn't pu...more →
Jerry Butler
Mercury SR-61198
“Dire” Soul; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “Can’t Forget About You, Baby” (5.6) • “Lost” (4.3) • “Only The Strong Survive” (4.1)
With the Kenneth Gamble / Leon Huff production team now firmly at the helm, Jerry dives ever deeper into the world of or...more →
Paul Revere and The Raiders featuring Mark Lindsay
Columbia CS-9665
“Dire” Pop; PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Free” (4.1) • “Don’t Take It So Hard” (3.8) • “The Good Times” (3.8)
The downward slide continues on “Something Happening” as Mark Lindsay steers the group away from the Memphis Soul sound ...more →
Eivets Rednow
Gordy GS-932
“Dire” Pop; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “Grazing In The Grass” (3.8) • “Alfie” (3.3) • “More Than A Dream” (3.2)
Not wishing to confuse mainstream fans, this all-instrumental affair was released under Stevie Wonder's backwardly spell...more →
Blue Boys Of Ibrox
Hallmark Records HM-555
“Dire” FolkJukebox picks: “Medley : A) She’ll Be Coming Round The Mountain, B) We Shall Not Be Moved, C) Glory, Glory” (4.5) • “The Famous Glasgow Rangers” (3.4) • “The Blue Flag” (3.0)
Mainly “pro Rangers football-only”, however “The Sash”, “Billy Boys” and “No Surrender” are all here albeit ...more →
Bobby Goldsboro
United Artists Records UAS-6642
“An embarrassment” Pop Ballad; PopJukebox picks: “Honey” (3.4) • “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” (3.4) • “With Pen In Hand” (3.3)
His worldwide death-ballad smash “Honey” is at least tolerable as is his reading of “By The Time I Get To Phoenix...more →
| see also: (B-list) Album Chart of 1968 |
Album Charts by year
“A-list”
1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
“B-list”
1943 1945 1946 1950 1951 1952 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Album Charts by decade
“A-list”
1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s