These Albums Are 10s (1960s) 

Now Im finally allowed to check out the Beatles

You can’t deny how impressive the Beatles were for inventing music in 1963

isnt it shoking how abbey road was basically the last thing they ever did and were kinda pissed at each other at the time but still was able to pull out a absolute banger album

I'd definitely put In The Court of The Crimson King as a 10/10. It was absolutely groundbreaking and every song is incredible

All jokes aside, the Abbey Road medley I've always seen as my gold standard for music in general.

Frank Zappa is a damn genius, just incredible how ahead of his time he was

I would say that "At Folsom Prison" by Johnny Cash is another 10/10 album. It is one of the greatest live albums ever, and there is so much to love about it.

She's So Heavy is the song that made me realize how revolutionary the Beatles actually were

I appreciate you for including Charles Mingus on here. Hell of a musician and one amazing album that is.

Production on Abbey Road absolutely spot on, Paul McCartney's basslines are so underrated

King Crimson's In The Court of the Crimson King is my favorite album from the 60s just because it impresses me so much the fact it came out IN THE 60'S!!! (Yeah it was '69, but that's still the 60s) It sounds like something that straight up came the 70s but was accidentally transported to the 60s. It's also the most grandiose album I've ever heard (not because it's the loudest or most "grandiose", but because it's an album that sounds like it truly came out into the rock scene just to change it forever), it's a frickin GIANT.

As someone who never really understood jazz until very recently, Charles Mingus’ “The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady” literally hooked me in immediately. It was the first jazz album I finished all the way through and it’s one of my favorite albums of all time. It truly transcends the genre and is amazing music regardless of personal taste.

Now do the 1890s version,anthony!

The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady has to be my favourite Jazz album of all time, seriously creative on how they use separate takes that they made and construct them in such a way to creative a movement that still sounds original almost 60 years later.

In my opinion Abbey Road is also one of the best sequenced albums in popular music, not just because of how the amazing the arrangements Paul displays on the medley, which combines both his and Lennon's genius songwriting in a bunch of short random unfinished songs and turn them into a magnificent coherent piece (the way Polythene pam transitions into She came in through the bathroom window still blows my mind and is Paul at his brightest), but also the way it starts with come together, a very ecclectic song that awakes the curiosity and makes you want to keep listening further that's followed up perfectly with one of Harrison's best songs. The best example though is the transition between the a and the b side. That jump from the ominous ending of I want you to the start of Here comes the sun is perfect and feels quite literally as if the sun has just appeared after a long period of darkness. Love this record

Love - Forever Changes (1967) is an underappreciated classic 10/10 for me

Total xanarchy was also my album of the decade (60s)

I’d throw in Are You Experienced, the way Hendrix reinvented the guitar overnight and shaped its development for decades to come can’t be overstated

Canon 10s: Charles Mingus- The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady [1963] Bob Dylan- Highway 61 Revisited [1965] The Beach Boys- Pet Sounds [1966] Nina Simone- Nina Simone Sings the Blues [1967] The Beatles- Abbey Road [1969] Frank Zappa- Hot Rats [1969] Miles Davis- Bitches Brew [1970] Mahavishnu Orchestra- The Inner Mounting Flame [1971] Marvin Gaye- What's Going On [1971] David Bowie- The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stradust and the Spiders from Mars [1972] Led Zeppelin- Physical Graffiti [1975] Pink Floyd- Animals [1977] Television- Marquee Moon [1977] Wire- Pink Flag [1977] Pink Floyd- The Wall [1979] The Clash- London Calling [1979] Talking Heads- Remain in Light [1980] Prince- Purple Rain [1984] Kate Bush- Hounds of Love [1985] Metallica- Master of Puppets [1986] Public Enemy- It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back [1988] Beastie Boys- Paul's Boutique [1989] Depeche Mode- Violator [1990] Nirvana- Nevermind [1991] Wu Tang Clan- Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers) [1993] Neutral Milk Hotel- In the Aeroplane Over the Sea [1998] Lauryn Hill- The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill [1998] Godspeed You! Black Emperor- Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven [2000] Daft Punk- Discovery [2001] Björk- Vespertine [2001] System of a Down- Toxicity [2001] Converge- Jane Doe [2001] The Postal Service- Give Up [2003] The Unicorns- Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone? [2003] Madvillian- Madvilliany [2004] My Chemical Romance- The Black Parade [2006] Death Grips- The Money Store [2012] Swans- To Be Kind [2014] Kendrick Lamar- To Pimp a Butterfly [2015] Kids See Ghosts- KIDS SEE GHOSTS [2018] Daughters- You Won't Get What You Want [2018] Spellling- The Turning Wheel [2021] Lingua Ignota- SINNER GET READY [2021] Charli XCX- Brat [2023] I hope we'll get a list of all the 10s soon.

Thank you so much : that Mingus music is actually blowing my mind ! As always, I'm so grateful for all your work...

I know Pet Sounds doesn't need more praise than it gets already, but it's definitely a 10/10. It's a joke at this point how much acclaim it receives, but it's for a good reason. Undeniable how pristine and immaculate that record is.

abbey road is a perfect album. if you say it’s overrated the ghost of boomer past will drag you into hell

i'm so grateful for melon. put this on with my morning coffee and have all these albums queued up for the work day. what a literal gift. it can feel daunting to dig into music from decades past. these videos (and comment section!!!) are doing the lord's work.

I am a huge Dylan Fan. Highway 61 has always been my favorite from him. I've always wanted to hear you talk about Dylan, this put a smile on my face today. Thanks!

I hope this dude does a Part 2 to these 10/10 decade videos. Just so I can see In The Court of the Crimson King in the Pt. 2 of this video.

Great picks, I would personally throw in Electric Ladyland - Jimi Hendrix Experience Odessey and the Oracle - The Zombies Arthur or the Fall of the British Empire - The Kinks

Hot Rats was the first album I ever bought with my own money on vinyl. Not the first record I ever owned (Buddy Miles Electric Church was gifted to me by my drum teacher) but the first one I bought when I was 15 at a little indie record shop that no longer exists. It's still very special to me.

absolute injustice that none of the velvet underground’s albums featured

maybe the real 10/10 was the friends we’ve made along the way

This has gotta be my favorite series you’ve done. If there’s a way to continue this series or do the runner ups that would be dope 🤟

Velvet Underground & Nico: This album literally changed my life when I first heard it. It showed me how music can be so much more than just a hook and some riffs, it can be expressed in the most abrasive or unexpected ways so long as you can capture a certain feeling.

MINGUS! I was part of a few informal listening classes ("Listening to Music") and one of my instructors said Mingus was the greatest jazz composer of all time so I went out to investigate starting I think with Cornell 1964 or something like that and man it did not take long for me to get my head on right that the "greatest ever" part was not an overstatement. Mingus to me goes beyond jazz and is actually one of the greatest composers ever, PERIOD. It's almost impossible for me to choose a favorite album of his. Everything everyone says is classic is classic basically.

So happy to see Nina Simone on here - a truly influential musician that is too often overlooked - a magnificent force for the civil rights movement and powerful vocalist through and through

Literally so psyched to see the Hot Rats 10. Such a phenomenal album, best of the batch imo

Love this series and it's good to see you not avoid picking obvious albums but it might be cool to go through the decades again picking more niche, lesser known stuff exclusively.

Outstanding choices! Love all these albums. Delighted to see The Black Saint and The Sinner Lady included - it's a work of genius. Definite follow after watching this! Great stuff.

the last 3 tracks I consider 1 song, the greatest Beatles song ever. what a medley

Hot Rats is phenomenal. Zappa's always been an insane composer and musician, and he always had the perfect accompanying musicians with him to bring those ideas to life.

Glad to see Mingus. All time favorite album. So rich, intense, and beautiful!

I am so happy that you've picked "The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady", one of the greatest achievements of 20th century music!!!

Nina Simone is one of the absolute goats of music, just ever. Pastel Blues is pretty much a perfect album, I Put A Spell On You is perfect, Little Girl Blue and Broadway-Blues-Ballads are great, I haven’t really done a deep dive into her discography but I have not heard anything that is below great from her yet since I have started getting into her music

It's crazy how Dylan released two 10/10 albums within like 5 months of eachother in 1965, with Highway 61 and Bringing It All Back Home. Man is absolutely built different in terms of songwriting, nobody comes close imo.

I just checked out Nina Simone sing the blues and wtaf. This is the best album I've ever heard like wtf. I got into her and listened to two of her other beloved albums a year or so back maybe. But never tried this one. This is easily her best. Already in my top albums ever heard off one listen.

Pet Sounds should be one of the 10/10 albums of 1960s. Love the songs in the album & the experimental elements in it. The album feels like a mix of old quartet singers & orchestral instruments & composition with modern music style, composition & instruments.

Honestly Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, the White Album and Abbey Road are all 10’s (i also think Magical Mystery Tour is a severely underrated album)

Damn right Abbey Road is a 10!

I haven't listened Charles Mingus in a while, thanks for reminding me Anthony. I'm gonna dedicate a nice Christmas evening listening to this Album.

Great refreshing and freewheeling narrative and analysis. Fun and glad to meet you !

It's hard to believe Abbey Road actually received quite a lukewarm reception at the time of its release. Contemporary critics weren't overly satisfied with the sound of the album. Now, it's considered the greatest album of all time by tons of people.

the first ones that come to mind that melon left out that i’d also toss up there as 10s are sly and the family stone’s stand, let it bleed by the rolling stones, electric ladyland by the jimi hendrix experience, coltrane’s a love supreme, and odessey and oracle by the zombies. obviously there’s a lot more but those are some of my favorites not mentioned

Thanks for including Zappa as it often slips under the radar. Another that often escapes it's due praise is Herbie Hancock's Empyrean Isles which is truly magnificent.

The first time I heard the Long Medley in Abbey Road, I lost my mind. The best album i've ever listened to fr

As always spot on, love from Mexico!

Really loved this list. Particularly the inclusion of black saint and the sinner lady. I personally would place Court of The Crimson King on the list. I know you’ve reviewed the album before but would’ve loved to hear about it especially relating to the jazz rock of Hot Rats. Great stuff per usual🤟

Thanks for the recommendation of Hot Rats by Frank Zappa. Also, I’d love to see a “These albums are 0s.” series!

Now you should do underrated albums for each decade, giving the spotlight to albums that tend to get overshadowed by the 10/10s but are still great listening

so glad to see that you gave revolver a 10/10! such a deserved score for such an iconic album, bravo bravo👏👏😍

I'm glad you're doing this series. Always been curious as to what you would rate older records out of 10.

YES YES YES THE BLACK SAINT AND THE SINNER LADY, the Mingus deserves this, it’s such an enjoyable thrilling album holy shit

- Revolver by The Beatles - Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones - Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys - Wheels On Fire by Cream - Bringing It All Back Home by Bob Dylan - The Village Green Preservation Society by The Kinks Those are my 10/10s for the 1960s. I find Revolver to be the Beatles at their absolute songwriting peak. It combines their experimental, eclectic, psychedelic side with their melodic, poppy, hook-filled side perfectly. Let It Bleed is just absolute perfection of blues, country, folk, and roots rock. I would argue this albums defines the Stones sound more than any of their other albums, although I do believe Sticky Fingers is slightly better. I mean, an album with Gimme Shelter, Live With Me, Let It Bleed, Midnight Rambler, Monkey Man, and You Can't Always Get What You Want is as perfect as rock and roll can get Pet Sounds is just a masterpiece. Can't say anything that hasn't been said millions of times already. Arguably the three most talented musicians together in the history of rock. Clapton's guitar, Baker's drumming, and Bruce's bass playing is at its peak here, just listen to that version of Crossroads. Very unique songwriting and excellent musicianship make this one of the most interesting albums of the 60s. Cream has a legitimate argument for being the first heavy rock band I love Bob Dylan's 60s work, even his early, politically charged folk albums with just an acoustic guitar. I think the electric and acoustic side blend perfectly and the songwriting is just classic Dylan. I don't believe it's the only 10/10 Dylan released in the 60s, but it is my favorite The most underrated band of all time with an excellent album satirizing and celebrating British culture. Very unique and kind of humourous songwriting from Ray Davies. It is very of its time, but I think that brings it charm.

Guys, there are about 5 10/10 Beatles albums Rubber Soul Revolver Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band The Beatles (nicknamed the white album) Abbey Road Shoutout to Help!, Magical Mystery Tour and Let it be (naked). All amazing, just not as perfect as those 5 Edit: Hard Days Night is also excellent

I've changed what my possible favorite Beatles record could be for so long but after this it's obvious that I should keep it as Abbey Road from now on, so thank you for making it so clear this whole time Anthony

I’m glad you finally included some jazz albums in these lists, but how could you not have included a love supreme?!

was just listening to highway 61 revisited this afternoon mind-blowing songwriting

THE BLACK SAINT AND SINNER LADY GOES SO HARD

I don’t need to say anything more about Abbey Road, I’ve been listening to it since I was little and it still holds up. And I have to say that while I have a very up and down relationship with Bob Dylan, his greatest songs are absolutely incredible. I only recently heard “Ballad of a Thin Man” when I watched “I’m Not There” (would highly recommend) and couldn’t believe I had never heard it before.

Oh cool, That's really awesome and I'm going to check out some of these selections and I hope that you do a these albums are 10s for 2010.

What do you think about the record "Stand!" By Sly and the Family Stone?? I think Its one of the best albums of the sixtys not only for the messages that the band portrays, but too because of its bangers. I love it

Completely spot on about Hot Rats In my opinion. Bright left turns and jams that lead to some carnival-esque psych compositions. Just a fun record with incredible musicianship and dynamics

I’d honestly be wary to make my own version of this list, mainly because I’d have to call almost every Beatles and Doors record among my favourite albums of all time. Same with the 90s, where my list would just be Nirvana, Eminem and Biggie Smalls with a small splash of No Doubt. Your ability to find so many different artists for your top of the decade lists is a testament to your musical knowledge and versatility as a reviewer. I could never have made this list, despite agreeing with almost every album on it, simply because I’m not as diversely musically knowledgable as you are. Mad respect melon man

Any list with "The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady" is a 10/10 list. Good stuff.

Some albums I feel could have been included: - The Doors self titled - Disraeli Gears: Cream - Let it Bleed : The Rolling Stones - Electric Ladyland : Hendrix

Pet Sounds is the best album of the 60’s

We need a list of your top jazz fusion albums. I know that sounds specific, but it would be really cool, and help get some exposure to some jazz fusion acts that have been overlooked.

I'm was pleasantly surprised to see the Mingus selection. Phenomenal jazz album.

One album from the 60s that i always hold in high esteem is Moody Blues' Days of Futures Passed. Lovely mix of pop music with classical arrangements to form an early prog concept album about the day in the life of a man.

Please do 1950s!!! So many underrated albums

Thanks for the Zappa love right off the top. He was incredible and doesn't get the respect he deserves.

Glad to see Black Saint getting much-deserved recognition. Charles Mingus is a genius and that is truly a masterpiece

Finally, 5 more albums that I can listen to

The 60s deserve a longer video, there are so many more 10s that come to mind. Musically the best decade ever

Please, we need more!!!

Amazing video as always.

Worth mentioning that Abbey Road was the last album they ever recorded

this just makes me want a beatles worst to best video even more now.

Love the Mingus shoutout. One of my all time favorite records.

I love that so many love the Beatles still and always because I’ve been a fan since I was a kid and used to get teased in the 90s for bringing in Beatles to listen to during computer class and not Montel Jordan’s “this is how we do it” true story, needless to say I had the last laugh, “🎼the parties here on the west side!”

Finally! I though music started in the 70's, I'm glad to see the 60's also have valid music

Hello Fontano! I have watched your videos on music from time to time and enjoy your unique spin on topics. These choices were all deserving and I like that you picked a short list of albums that you go back to again and again. I also liked that they were not the 'standard fare' of choices. Great job! The one album I would have chosen for folk - rock interface, probably would have been Mr. Tambourine Man by the Byrds, instead of a Bob Dylan album. I just prefer Byrds interpretation of Dylan's songs compared with his renditions.

Was so glad to see the mingus album on here. It's my favourite piece of art ever and the best jazz/third stream album ever imo. I even have a tattoo of it because I love it so much. Took me by surprise to see it but I'm glad.

I’m a bit disappointed cuz in the Black MIDI interview he said Pet Sounds was one of his favourite albums of all time and it doesn’t appear here :(

I Want You (She's So Heavy) fucks so damn hard. Abbey Road deserves a 10 just for that track alone

For me it's The Zombies - Odessey and Oracle. How did they manage to complete music in 1968? Velvet Underground - s/t is also another favourite of mine

Interesting choices, a few albums I haven't listened to as a whole - will do so now

Abbey Road is a bloody masterpiece. One thing that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough is the medley near the end of the record. All of those songs are just short little snippets that don’t last more than a couple minutes yet they’re all memorable on their own as individual tracks. And they’re all freaking amazingly written, performed and produced to boot. My favorite Beatles record by a country mile.

Loved it, other amazing albums from this time that are 10's in my eyes are: Jefferson Airplane - Surrealistic Pillow Almendra - Almendra Frank Zappa - Freak Out Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced Los Flippers - Pronto Viviremos Un Mundo Mucho Mejor The Band - Music From Big Pink The Velvet Underground & Nico - Selftitle The Doors - The Doors

Really cool to see some Mingus! Love me some mingus :)

Best one of these yet. No misses. All 10s. Crushed it.

I feel a severe lack of In the Court of the Crimson King in this list

The Doors debut album ”The Doors” is a sure 10/10 in my book.