20 forgotten fantastic albums from the 1960s you have likely never heard

Exploring lesser-known or forgotten albums from the 1960s might leave one pondering why they didn’t receive the recognition they deserved back then. To modern listeners and those discovering them now, it may seem perplexing, but it’s important to consider that these albums were released more than half a century ago.

Back then, I had to survive without the convenience of the internet and streaming platforms. If I was part of an indie label or if the big label honchos showed little interest in promoting my game releases, or if they only put out a handful of copies of my games, it was a tough grind for me.

Instead, the key factors relied on were good fortune with disc jockeys, an astute music critic’s appreciation, another artist’s praise, and casual recommendations from someone who randomly discovered your album.

1960s albums that were underloved but still need to be heard

As a passionate music lover, I’ve noticed an interesting dilemma lately: Many classic albums I adore have been reissued, but the issue now is not just their availability, it’s the sheer abundance. My cherished reissues are often competing with fresh, brand-new releases. It’s a delight to have access to these timeless tunes, but choosing between the old and the new can be quite challenging!

It’s possible that any of the ones listed may have been overlooked, unknown to many, or popularized within a dedicated fan community that should ideally reach a larger audience.

Monks – Black Monk Time (1966)

In more straightforward terms: Often, “Louie Louie” by Richard Berry is hailed as the start of punk and garage rock by both critics and fans alike. However, one might wonder if another album deserves that title instead? This album was recorded by a group of American soldiers stationed in Germany, interestingly enough, they financed it themselves.

Indeed, it truly earned its cult following, yet despite multiple re-releases, it failed to reach the broader audience it merits.

The Remains – The Remains (1966)

This album shares many similarities with that of The Monks, having been released in the same year and consisting mainly of original tracks without fillers, making it a significant pioneer in early punk rock. Notably, Barry Tashian, one of the band’s key members, went on to earn recognition as a talented songwriter.

Harpers Bizarre – Feelin’ Groovy (1967)

By the time this album was released, singles were predominantly the primary source of music, especially within the sunshine pop sub-genre. However, it was an era where it was feasible to form a largely studio-based band capable of producing high-quality output.

This album is widely regarded as the perfect embodiment of soft rock, featuring complex compositions by musicians like Leon Russell and Van Dyke Parks.

6 more gems from the 1960s

The Left Banke – Walk Away Renee/Pretty Ballerina (1967)

When passionate music connoisseurs indicate where baroque pop began to thrive, they usually refer to this particular album. Although “Walk Away Renee” is commonly recognized as a classic late-sixties single, the album itself failed to capture the broad acclaim it merited, due to its abundance of exceptional songs and harmonious compositions by the duo Michael Brown and Henry Lookofsky, father and son.

Van Dyke Parks – Song Cycle (1967)

Van Dyke Parks is often recognized for his significant collaboration with Brian Wilson on the Beach Boys’ unfinished masterpiece, “Smile.” However, it’s essential to remember that prior to this partnership, Parks had already established a reputation as a songwriter and arranger in his own right. His unique and groundbreaking approach to vintage melodies, which marked his debut solo effort, remains one of the most overlooked yet genuinely charming albums.

Chrysalis – Definition (1967)

If you’re unsure about what constitutes soft psychedelia, this solo album by Ithaca, New York, serves as a comprehensive representation – encompassing genres like folk, soft jazz, rock, and even middle eastern influences. It warranted all the reissues it received, but perhaps it should have garnered a bit more recognition from a broader audience.

The Peanut Butter Conspiracy – The Peanut Butter Conspiracy Is Spreading (1967)

This quintet delivered fantastic psychedelic tunes, thanks to Gary Usher’s impressive production, and it truly embodied the spirit of psych rock. However, perhaps their choice of name or association with peanut butter didn’t resonate with audiences. Yet, they managed to convincingly perform a wide array of late ’60s psych rock songs.

The Zombies – Odessey & Oracle (1968)

Some people view the Zombies as a band that barely scratched the surface during the British Invasion, while others, including many artists, regard them as legends. This isn’t solely due to their two popular singles “She’s Not There” and “Time of the Season,” but rather for their groundbreaking concept album. This album frequently appears on best-of lists, yet it rarely receives the widespread acclaim it truly deserves, both for its exceptional songwriting and stunning vocal harmonies.

Os Mutantes – Os Mutantes (1968)

This album, which has been advocated by figures like David Byrne among others, serves as an illustrative case study of the Brazilian Tropicalia genre. Originating as a sub-category, it evolved into a cultural phenomenon that merged Brazilian music with influences ranging from The Beatles to psychedelic rock.

More underloved albums from the 1960s

Soft Machine – The Soft Machine (1968)

Prior to Soft Machine gaining fame as pioneers of progressive and jazz rock, they were a band known for pushing boundaries in psychedelic rock. Notably, their lineup included the exceptional songwriting and vocal abilities of Robert Wyatt and Kevin Ayers, demonstrating their innovative approach to this genre. Remarkably, this album is often overlooked by even dedicated Soft Machine fans, but its quality should not be underestimated.

Sagittarius – Present Tense (1968)

At a certain point, the professionals from the studio took control, as this album was essentially crafted within the studio that proved effective. The reins were held by studio innovators such as Gary Usher, Terry Melcher, and Curt Boettcher, who managed to recruit talents like Glenn Campbell and renowned drummer Hal Blaine to shape this timeless sunshine pop masterpiece.

The Millennium – Begin (1968)

As a gamer, I often find myself drawn to compare this album with the legendary Sagittarius one. The reason? Both were crafted by the brilliant minds of Gary Usher and Curt Boettcher, but this time around, it was Millennium – an actual band – bringing the magic to life, albeit with some studio assistance. But let me tell you, the music was just as enchanting as the Sagittarius album, if not more so, with a veritable feast of vocal harmonies that only added to its allure.

The Incredible String Band – The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter (1968)

When referring to an esoteric sixties band, you might consider starting with this Scottish group, known as The Incredible String Band, headed by Mike Heron and Robin Williamson during this album’s era. Modern freak-folk musicians often find inspiration in their unique style, which seamlessly blended various elements of folk music, even incorporating a global assortment of kitchen sinks into their compositions.

The United States of America – The United States of America (1968)

In the peak of the 1960s psychedelic era, wild experimentation refers to the fearless exploration and blending of various musical styles, resulting in an unpredictable and dynamic soundscape. This album, with its diverse range spanning from vaudeville to Velvet Underground, showcases this experimentation in a daring yet controlled manner, creating a harmonious and captivating listening experience.

Asylum Choir – Look Inside the Asylum Choir (1968)

Prior to achieving solo fame, Leon Russell teamed up with Marc Benno in a duo, producing this genuine psychedelic treasure that traverses a broad spectrum of music genres while offering a humorous jab at the burgeoning music industry.

Final five 1960s albums that still need to be heard

Autosalvage – Autosalvage (1968)

This New York band garnered Frank Zappa’s notice not by chance, but through their intricate and sophisticated interpretation of psychedelic music on this, their only album that resonated with psychedelic enthusiasts, although it didn’t gain widespread popularity and is frequently overlooked, even after multiple re-releases.

The Insect Trust – The Insect Trust (1968)

As a devoted fan, I’d say this Hoboken, New Jersey band, often overlooked, was seen by many as America’s counterpart to the Incredible String Band, especially after their debut album. However, our group, Insect Trust, didn’t heavily lean on the British folk music tradition like they did. Instead, we drew from the rich American folklore, giving our music a unique flavor that, unfortunately, didn’t quite resonate with a broader audience at the time.

Brigitte Fontaine – Comme à la Radio (1969)

Despite encountering a language hurdle, forward-thinking jazz musicians such as the Art Ensemble of Chicago, featured on this album and also collaborating with Sonic Youth in later years, were able to appreciate the exceptional talent of this songwriter-turned-singer. Her skill was evident not just here but throughout her entire career.

Mother Earth – Make a Joyful Noise (1969)

Initially, numerous individuals believed that ‘country’ was one genre and ‘rock’ another, but this six-piece group from California challenged this notion. They offered an innovative concept where they blended rural and urban styles in their music, demonstrating that these genres could coexist harmoniously despite their differences. This blend was showcased on a vinyl album.

Kaleidoscope – Incredible! Kaleidoscope (1969)

Kaleidoscope, once fronted by the late guitar virtuoso David Lindley, showcased that psychedelic music could encompass tunes from around the globe. They frequently incorporated a diverse mix of both unusual and common instruments in their albums. This fusion worked brilliantly, yet it didn’t manage to expand beyond their devoted cult following.

2025-07-01 13:00