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

25. Sheer Heart Attack – Queen

26. Big Fun – Miles Davis

27. Rock 'n' Roll Animal – Lou Reed

28. Deal Gone Down – Michael Chapman

29. I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight – Richard and Linda Thompson

30. It's Too Late To Stop Now – Van Morrison

31. Teasin' – Cornell Dupree

32. Close Up the Honky Tonks – Flying Burrito Brothers

33. Feats Don't Fail Me Now – Little Feat

34. Veedon Fleece – Van Morrison

35. Paradise And Lunch – Ry Cooder

36. Dreamer – Bobby Bland

37. In Concert – Beach Boys

38. Fear – John Cale

39. For Everyman – Jackson Browne

40. His California Album – Bobby Bland

41. Limited Edition – Can

42. The Psychomodo – Cockney Rebel

43. Good For You Too – Toni Brown

44. Live – Marvin Gaye

45. Live from Deep in the Heart of Texas – Commander Cody

46. All American Boy – Rick Derringer

47. Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash – Mike Nesmith

48. Streetwalkers – Chapman-Whitney

49. Keep On Smilin' – Wet Willie

50. Planet Waves – Bob Dylan

51. Anthology – Marvin Gaye

52. Soon Over Babaluma – Can

53. Spyglass Guest – Greenslade

54. Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley – Robert Palmer

55. Propaganda – Sparks

56. The Shipbuilder – Bob Pegg & Nick Strutt

57. Learn To Love It – Jesse Winchester

58. Guitar Solos – Fred Frith

59. Angel's Egg – Gong

60. Good Old Boys – Randy Newman