10 Folk Rock Vinyls That Are Actually Worth Your Money

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Building a record collection is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a serious music fan, but on anything but an unlimited budget, there are tough decisions to be made about what's worth your money and what's not. Folk rock in particular is a genre graced with a number of classics from multiple decades, making it an exciting challenge for any collector. With an album collection's appeal ranging from display and decoration to hearing the recordings as intended, as well as simply physically owning the media itself, there's reason now more than ever to stock up on your favorite classic rock 'n' roll records. But which albums are actually worth buying?

Though there are a number of records that true folk rock fans should already own, we've picked out these 10 LPs due to, first, their quality and importance to folk rock, as well as their bang for your buck. The general prices vary, of course, based on location, pressing, or even buying them new or used, but each of these records on our list is affordable as well as essential to have physically on your record player. Whether you're into the early days of folk rock from the likes of Buffalo Springfield and Joni Mitchell, or the later '90s evolution and resurgence from Bob Dylan or Neil Young, we've got you covered. These are 10 folk rock vinyls that are most worth your money. 

Each of the Band's trademark records is worth a vinyl purchase, but "Music From Big Pink" is among the most essential folk rock records worth your money. Released in 1968, this album blends blues and roots rock instrumentals with timeless songwriting that's enjoyable each listen to this day.  The album can be purchased online for around $30, but you could save a few bucks by digging for it in person, especially at a store with secondhand records. "Music From Big Pink," either on display or on the turntable, will let anyone else know that you're as serious a folk rock fan as there is. 

Almost all of Joni Mitchell's records are worth considering for your collection, in particular the legendary album "Blue," but her underrated 1974 LP is one of the best folk albums you can get for the right price. "Court and Spark" is home to some of Mitchell's biggest commercial hits ever, "Help Me" and "Free Man in Paris," and is filled with a uniquely jazzy sound that differs noticeably from the rest of her catalog. The record is available for around $25 or less online, with used copies being especially affordable. Fit for both casual and in-depth listens, "Court and Spark" is certainly worth every penny. 

Though it may not be Bob Dylan's most iconic record, this 10 song, 51 minute collection from 1975 is arguably his best, taking his folk rock roots to another level of lyrical and emotional depth. "Blood On The Tracks" reverts Dylan to the grandiose of his '60s epics with a fresh and profound layer of maturity, in which just about every track ends up memorable — from the scathing "Idiot Wind" to the sentimental "If You See Her, Say, Hello." A fresh pressing of the record goes for about $23 to $25 online, and we can't recommend it enough for the price. 

Jim Croce, best known perhaps for his pair of 1973 No. 1 hits, "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" and "Time In A Bottle," included the latter of those hits on his excellent 1972 record that brought his folk rock and singer-songwriter chops into pop music. "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" is packed from start to finish with its 12-track, 33-minute runtime that includes serenading tunes like "Walkin' Back to Georgia" and "Operator (That's Not The Way It Feels)." At around $25 on average online, it's a worthy buy, and it certainly drops a lot in price on high-quality used pressings.

Though the year prior, 1966, was certainly the best year of Buffalo Springfield's career, their '67 follow up record is an underrated masterpiece that is quite a steal to own physically. The appropriately titled "Buffalo Springfield Again" features standout tunes like "Mr. Soul" and "Expecting to Fly," as well as a collage cover (designed by famous writer and artist Eve Babitz) fit for prominent display. Quality used copies can be found online in the $15 to $19 range, and a new copy of "Buffalo Springfield Again" should cost about $25, an excellent deal either way for this underrated record from the star-studded but short-lived band. 

Nick Drake's magnum opus has a slightly higher pricetag than the previous entries, but it's certainly worth the few extra bucks. "Pink Moon," though it was not appreciated in its time, helped make Nick Drake famous decades after his career and untimely death thanks to its eerie, poetic, and unique arrangements. Tracks like "Place To Be" and "Which Will" are among the record's many highlights, and you can hear it all on vinyl for around $30 online. There aren't many folk rock records like it, and "Pink Moon" is an essential and affordable part of an impressive collection. 

Labi Siffre records weren't flying off the shelves during his recording heyday compared to some of the other artists on this list, but his gorgeous folk rock style is rightfully recognized today as some of the best of this era, particularly his flagship album. "Crying Laughing Loving Lying" is full of stellar songs, including, in particular, its title track and "Cannock Chase," which show off Siffre's gentle voice and his moving lyricism. Though this is the most expensive record on this list, the price should only end up around $35, which we think is absolutely worth it to add this underrated record to your collection. 

Neil Young's career took off in the '60s and '70s with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, which fueled his storied solo career, but this record from the early '90s may be his finest work and is a completely necessary buy on vinyl for folk rock fans. "Harvest Moon" was the 1992 follow-up to his '72 record "Harvest," and its titular track has become arguably the defining song of Young's career. The record sells online for slightly north of $30, around $35 on average, but can be found at reasonable prices that make it an easy buy for a folk rock collection. 

Sixto Rodríguez wasn't much of a success in the United States during his short recording career, which only consisted of two early '70s albums that were far more popular overseas than in the U.S., but his debut record is a striking and unique piece of folk rock that's worth a vinyl purchase. "Cold Fact" finds Rodríguez at his most topical and politically charged with his poetic lyrical style. His gritty voice and the album's catchy instrumentation are available on vinyl for around $25 on average, a more than worthy price for this underrated and truly special album. 

As one of folk rock's icons, almost every major Dylan record is worth the price tag for a serious collector, but this '90s return to form stands just as strong as his iconic '60s and '70s LPs. "Time Out of Mind" matured his sound with a darkness and evolved croak, and won Dylan a Grammy in 1998, bolstered by unforgettable tracks like "Tryin' to Get to Heaven," "Love Sick," and "Not Dark Yet." For around $30, "Time Out of Mind" can be yours on vinyl — absolutely worth your money for the quality and significance of one of folk rock's best contemporary records.