Neil Young - Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (1969)

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Neil Young's second solo album, and his first with backing band Crazy Horse, administers heavy doses of the rural rock Young would soon popularize. While in the midst of a 105-degree fever, Young penned "Down By the River," and "Cowgirl in the Sand," which along with "Cinnamon Girl" dominated airplay in 1969 and '70. It is frightening how simple these songs really are, yet it's so easy to hear their influence upon every proceeding generation of antiestablishment flannel rockers. Choosing the one album to listen to from Young's early recording career is impossible (because they all kick a**), but Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere is a solid slice of signature Neil Young-amplified Americana.

Fairport Convention - Liege & Lief (1969)

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Seminal British folk-soft rockers, Fairport Convention hit their stride with their fourth album, Liege & Lief. In 1969 most acts where worshipping feedback and amplifier-destroying psychedelia, but Fairport Convention favored a quiet storm of ornate instrumentation, gorgeous harmonies, and Sandy Denny's opiate-like voice. Liege & Lief is widely considered the groups finest release, yet ironically, it offers only one original song ("Come All Ye"), while the bulk of the album offers modern interpretations of traditional English music. In fact, this album is more English than "cream tea."

The Byrds - The Notorious Byrd Brothers (1968)

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The Byrds stand as one of rocks most overlooked rock bands. Pigeonholed as mop-topped Dylan appropriators, the Byrds provided a template for '70s country-fused space rock. The Notorious Byrd Brothers is a sun-soaked nod to London's shinning beacon's of ostentatious psychedelia; The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's; and Their Satanic Majesties Reqest from the Rolling Stones. For the perfect example, check out the album's final track, "Space Odyssey," a retelling of Arthur C. Clarke's short story "The Sentinel," which was also the inspiration for Stanley Kubrick's film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The Beach Boys - Friends (1968)

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Many music writers will simply toe the line on this Beach Boys recording by telling you it is not an essential installment in the group's catalog. I say that is a bunch of bullocks. Friends was the album that proceeded the controversial Smiley Smile; it is also the album that was temper to Brian Wilson's eccentricities. That was not the case. Friends offers a boatload of psychedelic studio trickery, avant-garde arrangements, stony low-fi surf themes, and painfully autobiographical lyrics from Brian. This album also offers up contributions from Dennis Wilson, but noticeably offers up nothing from Mike Love. Love was actually out on extended sabbatical in India with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Despite his transcendental meditation getaway, Love did manage to contribute vocals on two songs. Friends may take a couple listens before you truly fall for it, but make no mistake that eventually this slow burner will become a staple in your Beach Boys collection.

The Bee Gees - Bee Gees' 1st (1967)

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Most folks fondly remember the Bee Gees as the group that breathed life back into the corpse that had become disco. You know the jams: "Stayin' Alive," "Jive Takin'," "How Deep Is Your Love." But long before the brothers Gibb were doing the hustle, they were producing melancholic, psychedelic rock reminiscent of Revolver-era Beatles. But writing off Bee Gees 1st as forgery of mid-'60s London pop would be foolish; the trios triumphant harmonies soar throughout the album, albeit a tad melodramatic at times, and the backing band is spot on. Bee Gees 1st is a must for Brit-pop enthusiasts and anyone who considers the Bee Gees to be a one-dimensional act.