Before The Drugs Wore Off (A-C)
Aerosmith
Toys In the Attic
Rocks
Whiplash hard rock courtesy of the Toxic Twins, Steve Tyler and Joe Perry. You can almost hear the lines being chopped on "Nobody's Fault" and "Round and Round."
The Beach Boys
Smiley Smile
Lots of great singles came from the California harmonists, but this album, Brian Wilson's last, self-destructive bid to top Lennon and McCartney, reflects his and the group's evolution from surf and sun to pot and pills. Contains the luminous "Good Vibrations."
The Beatles
Rubber Soul
Revolver
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
The Fabs rising to their drug-abetted peak. Certified masterpieces in any condition, but virtual revelations for tokers and trippers in '65, '66, and '67 and still packing a head-twist today.
Big Brother and the Holding Company
Cheap Thrills
Southern Comfort psychedelia from the tortured mistress of white girls' blues. Highlights: "Piece of My Heart," the cover of Gershwin's "Summertime," and the Monterey showstopper "Ball and Chain."
Black Sabbath
Master of Reality
Vol. 4
Most Sabbath discs are distinctly "drug records," but these two, from 1971 and 1972, respectively, are among their most explicit. "Sweet Leaf" and "Snowblind" remain anthems of cannabis and cocaine.
David Bowie
Diamond Dogs
Young Americans
Ziggy with Zig-Zags and the Thin White Duke getting thinner and whiter.
The Byrds
Mr. Tambourine Man
Electrified Dylan covers from Crosby, McGuinn, and Co. defined folk-rock, and the fish-eyed cover shot was an early glimpse of acid imagery.
Cheech & Chong
Cheech & Chong's Greatest Hits
Collection of the duo's best-known routines, like "Dave" and "Let's Make a New Dope Deal." Amusing enough when straight, comic genius when stoned. Go figure.
Eric Clapton
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (as Derek and the Dominos)
461 Ocean Boulevard
Slowhand
Not so much drug albums as albums by a man descending into and then emerging from devastating drug addiction, though "Bell Bottom Blues," "I Shot the Sheriff," and "Cocaine" are unmistakable songs of indulgence and dependence.
Cream
Disraeli Gears
"Strange Brew" and "Tales of Brave Ulysses" are wah-wah-what psychedelic guitar and lyrics were all about.
Crosby, Stills, and Nash
Crosby, Stills, and Nash
From the group originally called the Frozen Noses, these three superstars set the standard for record industry wealth and hedonism; this debut is also a fine record of idyllic vocals, delicate acoustic guitar, and sensitive lyrics.
To Be Continued...
Reviews by George Case
From his book Out of Our Heads
published by Backbeat Books, 2010
Unrelated:
Blackhawks vs. Flyers
Advantage Chicago re: "Official Wager"