Need just a little bit of classic rock to get you through the day? The following four classic rock albums from the 60s and 70s are less than 30 minutes long, but they’re a thrill from start to finish. Let’s dive in!
Videos by American Songwriter
‘Nashville Skyline’ by Bob Dylan (1969)
Nashville Skyline by Bob Dylan clocks in at only 26 minutes and 46 seconds long. This album is famously known as Dylan’s country album, but it’s full of classic country-rock elements that make it more than worthy of a spot on this list.
Some listeners might notice that Dylan’s voice sounds quite different on this album. You can attribute that to the fact that Dylan had (temporarily) quit smoking cigarettes ahead of the album’s sessions.
‘Ramones’ by The Ramones (1976)
The Ramones’ self-titled debut album is only about 29 minutes and some change. This is one of the most famous punk rock albums of all time, and it’s more than deserving of a place in the memory of classic rock fans around the world. From “Blitzkrieg Bop” to “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend”, this album inspired countless young punk rockers in the generations that followed its release in 1976.
‘Green River’ by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)
The classic swamp rock record Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival is only 29 minutes and 25 seconds long from start to finish. The band’s third studio album, Green River features a whole host of hit singles, from “Bad Moon Rising” to “Green River”. And John Fogerty’s songwriting talents are at the heart of it.
‘Younger Than Yesterday’ by The Byrds (1967)
Remember Younger Than Yesterday by The Byrds? This 1967 record makes it to our list of rock albums that are under 30 minutes long, clocking in at only 29 minutes and 11 seconds. This folk rock album with a psychedelic and jazzy edge was a pretty big deal back in the day. It peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard Top LPs chart.
You can really hear the band’s decision to start really experimenting with unique sounds and genre divergences on this album. It’s considered a classic rock staple today for good reason. It’s full of covers, but doesn’t lose its luster in all of its 30-minute runtime.
Photo by Ivan Keeman/Redferns








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