10 Albums That Changed The Face Of Rock Music
1. Electric Ladyland - The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1968)
Jimi Hendrix's third and final album was his boldest. His debut, Are You Experienced, started everything off by shaking the very foundations of rock. His early performances dethroned Eric Clapton from the top spot and inspired Jack Bruce to write Sunshine Of Your Love.
Although his early entries onto the scene influenced his contemporaries to no end, Electric Ladyland was his most fully formed piece of work. Crosstown Traffic took everything Cream had done in three albums, and condensed it into a two and a half minute track. You've also got the inescapable pull of Voodoo Child and the spaced ambience of 1983. And of course the greatest cover of all time: All Along The Watch Tower.
Hendrix captured something that Bob Dylan was only hinting at with that song. Dylan's version is a wonder of bizarre song structuring; ambiguous yet profound imagery and emotive melody. When Hendrix performed the song, he poured his acid soaked brilliance into every gap, enriching it with a soulful, glowing psychedelia.
Hendrix was artistic expression made manifest. His musical skill and aptitude for creative melody was only matched by his soulful integration with the guitar. The guitar was an extension of Hendrix, and only he could emote so powerfully and effectively through the instrument. His guitar playing on this album has informed every genre in rock.