1974 NME Critics End of Year Poll

This is the list of the best albums voted by the NME critics at the end of 1974. This was the first year the list was published. A ranked singles list was not compiled this year.

List of best albums

1. Pretzel Logic – Steely Dan
2. It's Only Rock 'n' Roll – Rolling Stones
3. Before the Flood – Bob Dylan
4. 461 Ocean Boulevard – Eric Clapton
5. Todd – Todd Rundgren
6. On The Beach – Neil Young
7. Rock Bottom – Robert Wyatt
8. Fulfillingness First Finale – Stevie Wonder
9. Country Life – Roxy Music
10. AWB – Average White Band
11. Future Days – Can
12. Smiler – Rod Stewart
13. Secret Treaties – Blue Öyster Cult
14. Maria Muldaur – Maria Muldaur
15. Another Saturday Night – Various Artists
16. Sold American – Kinky Friedman
17. On The Border – Eagles
18. Court and Spark – Joni Mitchell
19. Odds & Sods – The Who
20. Kimono My House – Sparks
21. Okie – J. J. Cale
22. Grievous Angel – Gram Parsons
23. Radio City – Big Star
24. Mysterious Traveller – Weather Report
24. Sheer Heart Attack – Queen
24. Big Fun – Miles Davis
27. Rock 'n' Roll Animal – Lou Reed
28. Deal Gone Down – Michael Chapman
28. I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight – Richard and Linda Thompson
28. It's Too Late To Stop Now – Van Morrison
31. Teasin' – Cornell Dupree
31. Close Up the Honky Tonks – Flying Burrito Brothers
33. Feats Don't Fail Me Now – Little Feat
33. Veedon Fleece – Van Morrison
35. Paradise And Lunch – Ry Cooder
35. Dreamer – Bobby Bland
37. In Concert – Beach Boys
37. Fear – John Cale
37. For Everyman – Jackson Browne
37. His California Album – Bobby Bland
41. Limited Edition – Can
42. The Psychomodo – Cockney Rebel
42. Good For You Too – Toni Brown
42. Live – Marvin Gaye
45. Live from Deep in the Heart of Texas – Commander Cody
46. All American Boy – Rick Derringer
46. Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash – Mike Nesmith
46. Streetwalkers – Chapman-Whitney
46. Keep On Smilin' – Wet Willie
46. Planet Waves – Bob Dylan
51. Anthology – Marvin Gaye
52. Soon Over Babaluma – Can
52. Spyglass Guest – Greenslade
54. Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley – Robert Palmer
55. Propaganda – Sparks
56. The Shipbuilder – Bob Pegg & Nick Strutt
56. Learn To Love It – Jesse Winchester
56. Guitar Solos – Fred Frith
59. Angel's Egg – Gong
59. Good Old Boys – Randy Newman

See also

• NME album of the year
• NME single of the year

References

• NME 1974 End of year critic lists