GlamRock.com's top 10 glam albums Pt2
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6. Alive – Kiss (1975)
Alive! was Kiss' fourth album and is considered their breakthrough, as well as a landmark for live albums. The double-disc set contained live versions of selected tracks from their first three studio albums, Kiss, Hotter Than Hell, and Dressed to Kill. It peaked at No9 on the album charts and has, to date, sold over 4 million units. In 2003, the album was ranked number 159 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. It charted for 110 weeks - by far the longest in the band's history.
5. New York Dolls (1973)
The New York Dolls' debut album features a hard rock sound mixed with what were, in retrospect, influences of proto-punk and girl-group pop. The Dolls had a reputation as wild troublemakers, and the slurred vocal style helped to reinforce it. Lyrically intelligent though, the album addresses controversial issues like the Vietnam War, mental health and other social issues of the time. New York Dolls is a pioneering recording in the history of punk rock, which would explode in popularity within a few years. It is also a pioneering recording in heavy metal because of the heavy riffs used in the album.
4. School’s Out – Alice Cooper (1972)
Combining the look and the sound, Alice Cooper's 1972 release established glam rock in America. The title track became the chant of rebellion for America's youth. Nearly everyone had had enough of Vietnam. Mum and Dad had done their hippy thing in the 60s and now it was turn of the kids - and where did they turn to explress their individuality? To glam rock. By the way, the original album cover had the sleeve opening in the manner of an old school desk - innovative at the time.
3. Alive! – Slade (1972)
By early 1972, the UK was abuzz with glam fever. Many bands were looking the part - but not sounding the part. Sweet were topping the charts, but were doing it with bubblegum pop: songs aimed at young teens with memorable choruses, multiple key changes to avoid monotony - and often, Caribbean drums to provide an exotic feel. Not so the case of Slade. They set the rock agenda: power chords, thumping bass and minimalist drumming to give the drummer opportunities to do stick-tricks. Glam Rock had a visual image and now it had a sound.
2. Desolation Boulevard – Sweet (1974)
By 1974 glam was well established and its future certain. Take a look at the cover of Desolation Boulevard - it's no other than LA's Sunset Strip, which would go on to become the birth place and home of 80s glam metal. Desolation Boulevard is loaded with classics including Ballroom Blitz, The Six Teens and of course, Fox On The Run.
1. Electric Warrior – T Rex (1971)
If the late great Marc Bolan is the original daddy of glam, then Electric Warrior is an epic landmark in time. Despite releasing four albums under the name Tyrannosaurus Rex, this was the first recorded outing for simply T.Rex, and was released at a time when Marc was photographed wearing a purple feather boa on stage, sequin-adorned bell-bottoms and platform shoes. Glam rock was born.
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