Many years ago, I casually mentioned to someone that I was really into “mid-to-late ‘60s pop music,” and he derisively responded something to the effect of, “Oh, like you’d know the difference between different parts of the ‘60s?”
This bothered me greatly not so much because I like to believe that I did know the difference, but because understanding the time and place of music – and other things too – is extremely important to me for reasons that I can’t fully explain.
Cataloging music in different ways must be inherently pleasing to me as I would go on to embark on a five-year journey to compile the best 1,000 albums ever, which interlaces pop culture and memoir across an article written for every single album selected.
And there’s something magical about the transition from the mid-to-late ‘60s, when the sideburns grew a bit longer, the skirts a bit shorter, and the sounds got groovier ahead of the full-blown psychedelic and acid rock scene taking over.
We got The Beatles’ astonishing Revolver and The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds in the year of 1966 alone – not too shabby.
Here are the eight albums from 1966 that made the best 1,000 albums ever, with a pull quote from the best 1,000 albums ever attached to each.
1) The Beatles – Revolver(#14 of the best 1,000 albums ever)
It was a time of wild experimentation, but it was still mostly anchored in more traditional styles and formats. To put it in style terms: the sideburns were getting longer and the overall vibe shaggier, but not too long or too shaggy. Not just yet.
2) The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds(#229)
Pet Sounds conjures such specific vibes and moods. Taking the album in as a whole is something of a journey that’s somehow both deeply nostalgic and super unique at the same time.
3) Bob Dylan – Blonde on Blonde(#315)
As a huge Dylan fan, it’s astonishing to still find myself – decades into my huge Dylan fandom – discovering and rediscovering flat-out masterpieces. I’m feeling these feelings as I play – and then delightfully replay – all seven and a half minutes of “Visions of Johanna.” It’s mostly Dylan doing his brilliant singer-songwriter thing, with subtle and expert backing from Nashville studio musicians.
4) The Monkees – The Monkees(#405)
Blessed with top-notch industry songwriters and even in the face of a public backlash for not playing their own instruments, The Monkees had a remarkable run. I’m partial to their self-titled LP as it ironically sounds pure British Invasion in the best kind of way.
5) The Mamas & The Papas – If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears(#410)
I remember first hearing “California Dreamin’” as a teenager and being immediately fascinated by it. Like the best Mamas & Papas songs, it fuses folk and rock with incredible vocals. There’s a nice little insistent rock beat that drives the song forward, and those harmonies hit my heart hard to this day.
Growing up on Long Island, New York, there was also something about the mystique of California and the West, and certainly there were plenty of long, cold winters to ponder warmer and presumably more exciting climes.
6) Question Mark and the Mysterians – 96 Tears (#427)
In much the same way that I was transfixed by The Doors’ sound around age 14 or 15, Question Mark and the Mysterians – sometimes known in a Prince-y way as ? and the Mysterians – hit me in the same manner.
7) The Zombies – I Love You (#430)
There are countless reasons why a particular song, album, or even band becomes “popular” or not. That said, I find it genuinely surprising that “Gotta Get A Hold Of Myself” isn’t in the conversation in terms of great songs from the ‘60s.
It’s got hints of mystery à la The Rolling Stones or early Doors, insanely great harmonizing on a par with The Byrds, and a Beatles-y knack for wonderful song craftsmanship and construction.
8) Nina Simone – Wild is the Wind (#846)
Nina Simone’s striking, powerful, and evocative vocals – mapped across a wide range of styles, from classic standards to jazz to pop-soul – make for quite a ride circa 1966.