Let me add to an already prodigious list Yes' 6th album, the double record but only 4-track 'Tales from the Topographic Oceans', inspired by the Shastric Scriptures and for which Anderson and Howe won multiple awards as composers and arrangers. Even today, it listens unevenly and expansively, a true journey into perhaps the 'pathless land' which Krishnamurti famously used as a metaphor for Truth. Showcasing Howe's virtuosity, myself a guitar player I DID defend this album, though it was surpassingly abstruse and certainly the boldest, though not at all the best, musical effort by a pop group to that time, and perhaps to our own as well. A period critic said we would have to wait 25 years for it to be truly appreciated; well, that was 25 years ago now.
King Crimson's release for that year, 'Lark's Tongues in Aspic', also deserves to be on the list if for nothing other than its acid serving up of home-grown English auto-critique - or at least, criticism - on everything from class to the church; "Cigarettes, ice cream, figurines, of the Virgin Mary!".
And also from that SAME year, Genesis' 5th album, 'Selling England by the Pound' does the same with much more humanity and self-deprecation. Containing now canonical tracks such as 'I Know what I Like', 'Dancing with the Moonlit Knight', as well as the anthemic 'Firth of Fifth' with Tony Banks' eye-wateringly charismatic piano intro and leitmotif throughout, SEP, hit #3 in the UK charts and truly brought the band into the spot lights.
Finally, I wonder that no one has seemingly mentioned Wings' now legendary 'Band on the Run', which ended up being the top selling album in both UK and AU in the following year, with its late 1973 release. It was recently inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Two big hits, including 'Jet', and the title track, remain staples in Sir Paul's astonishingly long-lived tour presence to this day.
One thing is for sure, 1973 was quite a year for the pops. I DO think both the previous 2 years were better, however. And now we can do this again next year!
WOW! I am definitely on the same wavelength as you on this one. Monumental year of music! I love all of your highlights. When asked the question we have all been asked at some point, "If you could only listen to one album....." my answer is always Quadrophenia.
Great one Bryan. Love all that stuff. My favourite from '73 is Blue Oyster Cult's Tyranny and Mutation. Probably their best, and before they got really commercial.
Love it Bryan! For some reason, 1973 is a touchstone year for me--it was the year I really started to pay attention to music, so I know these albums well. It was the year I turned 9 years old! That quote at the end really landed with me too ...
Goodbye yellow brick road had great songs on it, though I have to say that candle in the wind was, IMO, a dirge whose lyrics were meaningless drivel, with a huge helping of sentimental mush when it became an anthem for princess Diana. Cf Imagine. Well that's my opinion anyway.
Let me add to an already prodigious list Yes' 6th album, the double record but only 4-track 'Tales from the Topographic Oceans', inspired by the Shastric Scriptures and for which Anderson and Howe won multiple awards as composers and arrangers. Even today, it listens unevenly and expansively, a true journey into perhaps the 'pathless land' which Krishnamurti famously used as a metaphor for Truth. Showcasing Howe's virtuosity, myself a guitar player I DID defend this album, though it was surpassingly abstruse and certainly the boldest, though not at all the best, musical effort by a pop group to that time, and perhaps to our own as well. A period critic said we would have to wait 25 years for it to be truly appreciated; well, that was 25 years ago now.
King Crimson's release for that year, 'Lark's Tongues in Aspic', also deserves to be on the list if for nothing other than its acid serving up of home-grown English auto-critique - or at least, criticism - on everything from class to the church; "Cigarettes, ice cream, figurines, of the Virgin Mary!".
And also from that SAME year, Genesis' 5th album, 'Selling England by the Pound' does the same with much more humanity and self-deprecation. Containing now canonical tracks such as 'I Know what I Like', 'Dancing with the Moonlit Knight', as well as the anthemic 'Firth of Fifth' with Tony Banks' eye-wateringly charismatic piano intro and leitmotif throughout, SEP, hit #3 in the UK charts and truly brought the band into the spot lights.
Finally, I wonder that no one has seemingly mentioned Wings' now legendary 'Band on the Run', which ended up being the top selling album in both UK and AU in the following year, with its late 1973 release. It was recently inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Two big hits, including 'Jet', and the title track, remain staples in Sir Paul's astonishingly long-lived tour presence to this day.
One thing is for sure, 1973 was quite a year for the pops. I DO think both the previous 2 years were better, however. And now we can do this again next year!
WOW! I am definitely on the same wavelength as you on this one. Monumental year of music! I love all of your highlights. When asked the question we have all been asked at some point, "If you could only listen to one album....." my answer is always Quadrophenia.
Great one Bryan. Love all that stuff. My favourite from '73 is Blue Oyster Cult's Tyranny and Mutation. Probably their best, and before they got really commercial.
Great post! 1973 was indeed a great year for music! I was in college, so couldn’t afford to buy many albums, but I had a great cassette recorder.
Cocteau’s quote? I call “Excréments de taureaux!” It sounds good, but it doesn’t hold up.
Love it Bryan! For some reason, 1973 is a touchstone year for me--it was the year I really started to pay attention to music, so I know these albums well. It was the year I turned 9 years old! That quote at the end really landed with me too ...
Goodbye yellow brick road had great songs on it, though I have to say that candle in the wind was, IMO, a dirge whose lyrics were meaningless drivel, with a huge helping of sentimental mush when it became an anthem for princess Diana. Cf Imagine. Well that's my opinion anyway.