21 must-have double albums that deserve a spot in your vinyl collection

Instead of discussing whether the quality or duration of an album matters more, let’s focus on another aspect for now: during the heyday of CDs, it wasn’t significant if an album was standard length or extended (like a double album).

Before we delve into that, let’s consider the current trend – vinyl records are popular once again. Whether an album is a single disc or a double set, it still holds significance; most importantly, you will need to spend more money on a double album.

It appears that double albums emerged due to constraints in the medium used for storage – artists often found themselves with more content than could fit onto a single disc, regardless of format. Their desire was to include it all within a single release. However, as time progressed during the late sixties and beyond, they sought to incorporate an additional aspect into their artistic expression.

These double albums are worth your listen

To start things off, it was in the 1950s that the initial double album was introduced: Benny Goodman’s “The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert,” which hit the shelves in 1950. The pace increased in 1966 when Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention unveiled their debut album, “Freak Out” (deserving recognition here), marking the first double album in rock music. A short while later, Bob Dylan released his “Blonde On Blonde.

After that point, there was an ongoing influx of double albums, and the ones listed below are certainly worth adding to any record collection. There are several others I’d like to highlight, such as “Quadrophenia” by The Who and Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.” These are also highly recommended.

Bob Dylan – Blonde On Blonde (1966)

It’s possible that Zappa might have preceded Dylan when it comes to the first double rock album. However, this collection of extraordinary songs, primarily recorded with skilled Nashville session musicians, is not just one of the finest double albums but a masterpiece in its own right and one of Dylan’s best albums ever made.

Beatles – White Album (1968)

To put it simply, although each member worked independently on the songs, there was a noticeable division among them. Yet, the quality of their songwriting reached its peak, as did their musical abilities (including all those contributing, such as Clapton). Despite this independent approach, the outcome still retained the essence of the Beatles at their finest.

Jimi Hendrix – Electric Ladyland (1968)

Summarizing his most impressive work, this trilogy marked the pinnacle of Hendrix’s talent. Whether it was his exceptional guitar playing, thoughtful songwriting, venturing into uncharted musical territories, such as the fusion of spiritual jazz and psychedelia in “1983… (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)”, or surpassing Dylan in “All Along The Watchtower”, he truly excelled in every aspect. Simply amazing!

Mothers of Invention – Uncle Meat (1969)

As a gamer, I’d say: “In this adventure, we’re delving into the second double album of Zappa’s Mothers of Invention era. This is where he sets the benchmark for those artists yearning to explore jazz-infused progressive rock. Here, Zappa traverses a myriad of territories, from nostalgic 50s parodies to complex jazz ensemble performances, hitting all the notes in between.

Miles Davis – Bitches Brew (1969)

Beyond just jazz or jazz-rock, this collection showcases something extraordinary – it’s what happens when genres blur together. These groundbreaking workouts by Miles and his band demonstrate this perfectly. Interestingly, Miles recorded more tracks than were eventually included in the final cut. When Teo Macero, the producer, asked Miles why he selected the tracks that made the final cut instead of those left behind, Miles simply replied: “Because I can.

Captian Beefheart – Trout Mask Replica (1969)

This double album isn’t just unusual, it’s often considered one of the greatest rock classics by critics and other musicians (though not as widely appreciated by listeners). Was it a matter of inspiration, Don Van Vliet’s creative mind, or the band’s intense preparation before recording? Whatever it was, it clearly paid off.

Grateful Dead – Live/Dead (1969)

It didn’t take the Grateful Dead much time to discover their preference for recording live performances over studio sessions. Their initial official (and sometimes unofficial) live recordings continue to be significant milestones in live show recording history and serve as a blueprint not just for the Dead but also for other artists, regardless of whether they are jam bands or not, when it comes to live recording.

Allman Brothers Band – At Filmore East (1971)

A different group established their unique style through a live album and an entire genre known as Southern Rock. However, The Allman Brothers offer a more extensive range of musical styles than the ‘southern’ label suggests, along with their exceptional skills in both instrumental and vocal performances.

Can – Tago Mago (1971)

As a gamer, I can’t help but rave about another groundbreaking double album that’s left its mark on the Krautrock genre. It’s not just any ordinary record; it stands tall alongside Amon Duul II’s “Yeti,” both released in the same year. This masterpiece showcases the band’s cosmic improvisations, with Damo Suzuki, a Japanese vocalist, adding his unique touch. They transformed the playful moniker of Krautrock into something genuinely credible and of high musical quality.

Rolling Stones – Exile On Main Street (1972)

How did disorganized recording sessions and a lavish lifestyle on the French Riviera transform into a groundbreaking double album rock classic? The Rolling Stones might not be able to explain this, but for them, this was an album where they stayed true to their blues and R&B origins, and everything seemed to fall perfectly into place, despite their personal indulgences.

Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti (1975)

How can you encapsulate the most memorable highlights of your career using a collection of fresh tunes? Perhaps the solution is hidden within the rhythmic patterns of this double album. Moreover, it contains one of Led Zeppelin’s top-tier performances – “Kashmir,” drummed by Jon Bonham.

Stevie Wonder- Songs In The Key Of Life (1976)

This double album showcased Stevie Wonder at the pinnacle of his talent, demonstrating both his exceptional songwriting skills and virtuosity on instruments and vocals. Each participant on the recording brought out their very best.

Clash – London Calling (1979)

The ’70s punk movement was often characterized as a three-chord expression of angst. However, Joe Strummer and the Clash refused to conform to this stereotype, proving instead that the spirit of punk can be combined effectively with various musical elements, resulting in what is arguably one of the greatest punk rock albums ever produced.

Bruce Springsteen – The River (1980)

In much the same way as any accomplished artist evolves over time, Bruce Springsteen experienced distinct stages, and this double album encapsulates his early phase, characterized by a powerful rock sound and lengthy, poetic narratives that weave their magic throughout each track on the album.

Talking Heads – The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads (1982)

For those who knew the Talking Heads solely from their studio recordings, it would have been hard to imagine how electrifying they were live. However, this double live set provided them with that experience, serving as a kind of career summary for the band’s early years.

Hüsker Dü – Zen Arcade (1984)

Without Bob Mould, Grant Hart, or Greg Norton maintaining their original hardcore intensity, Husker Dü transitioned effortlessly into various rock styles, creating one of the finest double albums from the 1980s regardless of its specific genre.

Prince – Sign O’ The Times (1987)

Prince always felt the need to express multiple facets of his musical creativity, and it was in this venue that he shared his musical thoughts from the past, present, and future, avoiding the occasional mistakes that became more apparent as his career progressed.

Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation (1988)

Transforming creative musical concepts, be they rooted in rock or contemporary classical music, into a harmonious and enjoyable piece wasn’t simple. Sonic Youth required some time to transform fleeting genius into an all-encompassing masterpiece, which took several albums before it fully materialized, giving them the freedom to explore various directions from that point onward.

Wilco – Being There (1996)

After Uncle Tupelo disbanded and Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy went their separate ways, many critics predicted Farrar’s success. The first Wilco album hinted that they might be correct. However, by the time of Wilco’s second, a double album, it seemed that Tweedy had dedicated his entire songwriting prowess to the project, resulting in songs as numerous as those recorded on this album.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Lift Yr Skinny Fists Like Antenna To Heaven (2000)

This Canadian ensemble skillfully exploits the expansive canvas provided by a double album format, crafting what is arguably one of the finest post-rock albums to date – an effort that consistently requires and offers ample space for its innovative ideas.

Outkast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003)

Characterizing this album solely as hip-hop might be an oversimplification, given the abundance of innovative musical concepts showcased by both Dré and Big Boi. In fact, they needed to condense their multifaceted ideas to fit within the confines of this album, which was later validated by their subsequent careers.

Lambchop – Aww C’mon/No You C’mon (2004)

Lambchop has consistently been a dynamic musical group, both expanding and contracting, with its core being the creative vision and evolution of Kurt Wagner’s musical concepts. As its principal figure and leader, Wagner plays a pivotal role in shaping the group’s sound. This double album could very well be Wagner at his best, boasting not a single misstep on this wide-ranging double release.

2025-05-25 13:00