10 Inspiring Guitar Albums Worth Listening To

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In today's age if you listen to the radio you hear all different kinds of music. You hear some pop, some rock, some rap, and other genres that are displayed on the more popular stations. Most of the time though, even after switching from station to station, you can't find any old, good rock music with amazing guitar solos and chords. Gone are the days when Led Zeppelin, Guns N' Roses, and Van Halen blared through your speakers as you hit the road.

Luckily, you can buy a few albums and the music you once loved can come back to life again through your ears. In this post we're going to talk about ten different guitar albums you need to listen do. In this list we have old classics, along with some newer material as well.

If you haven't heard any of these albums, you need to give them a listen today. We guarantee that they'll blow your mind. If you need inspiration to keep playing guitar as well, these will make you want to spend eight hours a day playing guitar until you're as good as the great guitarists in these albums. Without any further ado, let's begin.

#10: The Number of the Beast – Iron Maiden

Before The Number of the Beast, Iron Maiden was just another rock band hoping to someday become famous. After The Number of the Beast, they were a household name. If you're a fan of metal, and haven't listened to any Iron Maiden, this album is a great place to start. It contains some of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith's best work to date.
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#9: Blizzard of Ozz – Ozzy Osbourne

You either love Ozzy Osbourne, or you hate him. There's really no middle ground for the man who once ate a living bat on stage. The guitar solos in this album are absolutely ridiculous. Randy Rhaods was new to the band at this point, but after his work was highly praised with this album, he became one of the most reveled guitarists of the 80's.
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#8: Revolver – The Beatles

We have to include one album on this list that isn't your stereotypical guitarist song. The Beatles and Ozzy Osbourne may be two polar opposites, but they both feature intricate guitar chords and melodies throughout their songs. If you want something a little bit more “toned down”, this is a great album to listen to.
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#7: Moving Pictures – Rush

Everyone likes a little bit of Rush. This album contains the 80's hit “Tom Sawyer”, featuring some groovy guitar solos and a very 80's-like background. In addition to Tom Sawyer, this album has quite a strong supplementary cast, including “Red Barchetta”, a song that you have to admit is a little catchy.
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#6: Who's Next – The Who

The Who is one of the most iconic rock bands of all time. They brought a new feel to the seventies, and it was a feel that many of us still enjoy today. Sit back and listen to popular hits such as “Baba O'Riley” or “Won't Get Fooled Again”. You'll feel like you're back in the seventies with the synth blaring, Pete Townshend's voice, and the intricate bass patterns in the background.
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#5: Nevermind – Nirvana

Nevermind might not have actually started the grunge revolution according to factual history, but it definitely kick-started it in a way no other band could do. Although Kurt Cobain was typically known for his voice, he also played a mean guitar. This album might sound a lot different than the others on this list, but it's definitely a must-buy for anyone who's never heard Nirvana before.
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#4: Master of Puppets – Metallica

There's a lot anyone could say about this album. We can only really describe it in one word: crazy. If you want some metal to bop your head to, punch a wall to, or anything in-between, Master of Puppets is a great listen. Featuring hit song “Battery”, after Master of Puppets, Metallica really took off and became the popular band that they still are today.
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#3: Led Zeppelin IV – Led Zeppelin

This album is atop many people's list of the best rock albums of all time, and we can't really disagree. Any album on this list could easily surpass one another based on personal opinion. If you need motivation to keep playing guitar, or just want to rock out, this album is just about as good as it gets. We won't say much more about this album. Just listen to it from start to finish, and be amazed.
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#2: Van Halen – Van Halen

Everyone knows the popular songs “Jamie's Cryin”, and “Talkin' Bout Love”, but if you're a true guitarist, the pinnacle of this album is “Eruption”. Eddie Van Halen shreds a guitar like nobody else on this planet throughout the entire album. If you're a fan of ridiculous guitar solos, this album is full of them.
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#1: Are You Experienced – Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix may be the most influential guitarist of all time. Although there are many other great albums on this list, we have to put this one atop the list. The amount of riffs, solos, and energy put into the songs on this album make it a must-own. He took psychedelic rock to a completely new level. The sound you get out of this album is unlike anything else you can hear on the market today.
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Well there's our list of the top ten most influential guitar albums. This doesn't even begin to scrape the surface though. As we finish this article, we realize that we haven't included any Guns N' Roses, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, or The Smashing Pumpkins. Regardless, these ten albums are a great start for any aspiring guitarist, or anyone who loves to listen to rock music. Hopefully you enjoyed our list!


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