Albums that are poignant cos they were the 'end of an era' for a group..

..
...Keys to Ascension 1 (1996)....Keys to Ascension 2 (1997)

 

How I wish there was a complete restored edition of the FULL Keys To Ascension concert, without the visual effects, mixed in 5.1 with tons of extras

It's really a wonderful presentation of the band

And I agree, it's like a glorious farewell. It should've been

 

Van Halen - 1984

 

Going way outside the box but I'd suggest Fairport Convention's Unhalfbricking. The van crash (which happened before it was even release) pretty much ended the band at the height of its power right when they put out one of the best folk-rock albums ever made. I know it's trendy to call Liege and Lief the end of classic Fairport, but while it's an excellent album Denny and Hutchings were basically out the door at that point.

 

Which Replacements album was THE END? Let it be? Tim? Pleased to meet me?

I guess it depends on your perspective

 

I think (someone else posted already) Blood & Chocolate was the end of his first/best era. Three years off and changed music directions.

 

Some good picks on this thread.
Totally agree with

Abbey Road
Seventh Sojourn
Phil Ochs Greatest Hits

I think "Blonde on Blonde" fits as this effectively ended a huge, influential period of Dylan (hit singles, the organ dominated songs, etc. ). (not to say that more was to come, but that sound was laid to rest)
"Exile on Main Street" the Stones. Of course this is debatable, but in my opinion, it was the most defining and last defining moment of the Stones as we knew or (thought we knew them.)
"A Salty Dog"Procol Harum. The impeccable touch of Fishers Hammond on Procols song was lost after he departed and the result was a more guitar oriented sound. (With Trower this is not a bad thing of course, but the sound definitely changed)

 

More Fun In The New World - X

The end of X's great run of 4 albums produced by Ray Manzarek. The 5th album was somewhat failed, and then Billy Zoom left and they changed to a more roots direction.

 

despite Bob's absence, Pleased to Meet Me sounds like a proper Replacements album. Don't tell a Soul sounds like the start of Paul Westerberg's solo career.

 

Well, that's awfully considerate of you.

 

Poco's Crazy Eyes. It was Richie Furay's final album with the band and is quite a powerful statement. Even the closer, "Let's Dance Tonight, has a sadness despite it being meant as a celebration.

 

Beach Boys - Holland
Springsteen - Born to Run
Rolling Stomes - Exile on Main Street
Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Hard Promises
Elvis Costello- Armed Forces
Nick Lowe/Dave Edmunds - Rockpile's Seconds of Pleasure
Van Halen - 1984
Eagles - One of These Nights

 

Two random ones: Tomorrow The Green Grass by The Jayhawks. Superb record. End of the Olson/Louris songwriting & vocal partnership, at least for a long while. The band would continue, but would sound much more deliberate in most everything they realeased afterward.

Another random: Led Zep, Physical Graffiti, because it's the last record they released where it sounds like everyone enjoys being in the band. Perhaps an illusion, because of the number of older outtakes contained, but Zep never sounded this fun afterward.

 

I've heard them many many times, trust me. I like "This Whole World" and "Add Some Music To Your Day" off Sunflower and "Long Promised Road" from Surf's Up is OK and that's it.
I think All Summer Long through Summer Days was their peak for me and then I love Wild Honey, Smiley Smile and Friends.
They're my favorite band of all time but I really do find the Capitol years far superior.

 

I think Summer Days (and Summer Nights) still had a lot of the fun sound too.

 

Jethro Tull's Stormwatch -the end of the 70s band and sound.

 

Dwight Yoakam - Population Me; it was his last with Pete Anderson producing and playing guitar. He made one more good album, Blame The Vain after that but has never really been the same since.

 

How the hell can you get into that position? Check them ankles out!