There’s nothing like a deep, contemplative record to help ring in the fall weather. Listening to your favorite vinyl albums while enjoying the season of transition is only made better when the music itself has a distinct autumnal essence. Here are some of the most essential fall albums to add to your record collection.

5 Classic Records Perfect for Fall

1. Simon and Garfunkel – Sounds of Silence

With a perfect blend of acoustic guitars and haunting vocals, the melancholic songs that comprise this timeless yet timely album tie in perfectly with the changing of seasons. With lyrics like “Hello darkness, my old friend” and “leaves that are green turn to brown,” Sounds of Silence alludes to the invigorating changes brought on by autumn.

2. Van Morrison – Astral Weeks

An introspective album with a refined tracklist, Van Morrison’s second studio album has a mystical quality with lyrics that can only be described as stream-of-consciousness. With most songs finished in only one take, the acoustic nature of the record brings about the feeling of walking along tree-lined streets through brisk fall air.

3. Nick Drake – Five Leaves Left

The first of the three albums Nick Drake recorded before his untimely death, 1969’s Five Leaves Left alludes to autumnal change in its title alone. Soft and strummy, the songs themselves seem to contain the crackle and pop of a vinyl album, bringing a comforting warmth to Drake’s chilly, aloof lyricism.

4. Neil Young - Harvest

With melodies that slowly seep through you and self-reflective yet relatable lyrics, Harvest has been described as the true personification of Americana. The #1 selling album in the U.S. in 1972, the record combines simple acoustic rhythms with distant steel guitars and harmonica, conjuring the unmistakable feel of a pastoral farm even if you’ve never set foot on one.

5. Joni Mitchell - Ladies of the Canyon

Mitchell’s third album blends her moody songwriting with instruments ranging from piano and percussion to cello, clarinet, and flute. The charming opener "Morning Morgantown" invokes images of small towns and morning paper routes while the closing sentimental classic "The Circle Game” reminds us all of the inevitable change of seasons and perennial cycle of time.

 

Stock up on seasonal vinyl albums for your record collection at Alison’s Record Shop in Nashville, TN. Owned by a music-loving couple, this record shop keeps a wide array of classic LPs on hand and offers a place for you to sell vinyl records. With a curated collection of hard-to-find titles and top-quality vintage albums, you’ll find the perfect complement for any mood or weather. Call (615) 356-0180 to ask about their inventory or visit them online for more information.