Highly underrated music albums, which do you know?

[divinemartyr]

This is something I've always had a strong feeling about, bands which don't get enough recognition, or albums which don't from bands that are or were once popular.

I think the most underrated band that I can think of right now, would have to be Dream Theater. These guys were incredible musicians. They might even be writing still today, I'm guilty of not following them closely too. I don't even know why. I feel their talent far surpassed any recognition they ever got. Probably the height of their popularity was when they released Images and Words but even that album I don't believe made it Platinum, it might have gotten Gold.

As far as popular bands whose albums haven't gotten enough recognition, there are two which come immediately to mind. Peter Gabriel made an amazing soundtrack to the movie The Last Temptation of Christ and while the movie was horribly blasphemous to Christians and others, I can set the music aside and look at it from a positive perspective. This was one of Gabriel's best works in my opinion.

The other, is Nine Inch Nail's The Fragile. This album possibly has one of the worst cases of underratedness. Trent's last offering The Downward Spiral went triple platinum, partly due to hits like Closer. No one is denying the fact that double albums never do as well as single cd albums, but I think in this case it still surprised me how quickly The Fragile fell off the charts. It's one of those CDs I can put in, listen to from start to finish, and still want to be hearing more. One of his best works to date, if not THE best IMHO.

What others do you know? Pleaes elaborate on why if you care to.

dm

 

[Modeps]

welp, they are underrated because no one knows them... but "the get up kids", "ednas goldfish" & "reggie and the full effect" are all great bands...

 

[Tauren]

Deconstruction by Deconstruction

Guitar and Vocals: Dave Navarro
Bass and Vocals: Eric Avery

It's completely different because neither of them can sing. Also, I think Dave is one of the most talented guitarists I have ever heard.

 

[Zucchini]

ateens, old abba hits refiltered and updated hehe

 

[Taz4158]

One for you DM since you're an audiophile too.
Get the VINYL version of Water Bearer by Sally Oldfield. The best sounding recording I've ever heard and almost completely unknown. It's reputation has made the rounds over the years in audiophile circles however. Depth, transients and warmth that's uncanny.

 

[hpkeeper]

how about the most overrated music albums (i.e. - Eminem -marshal Mathers LP)

 

[divinemartyr]

<< Get the VINYL version of Water Bearer by Sally Oldfield. The best sounding recording I've ever heard and almost completely unknown. It's reputation has made the rounds over the years in audiophile circles however. Depth, transients and warmth that's uncanny. >>



Unfortunately I don't own a record player. I guess that shows my young age in regards to audio gear huh? I'd really like to hear it sometime, but don't think I could bring myself to invest in a record player just to hear one recording.

Consequently, you may not like their music Taz, not sure what you're into, but that album I mentioned, The Fragile, has some of the best post-production I've ever heard on a studio recording. I only wish I could hear the master from which it was produced. It helps a lot though when the artist also produces his own album, allows you to hear what he/she wanted you to hear.

dm

 

[Tauren]

Taz4158 - Never heard of sally Oldfield, but pick-up the new Mike Oldfield &quot;Songs of distant earth&quot; it's absolutely incredible! I think from your description of Water Bearer: &quot;Depth, transients and warmth that's uncanny&quot;, I think you will like it.

 

[Taz4158]

<< Unfortunately I don't own a record player. I guess that shows my young age in regards to audio gear huh? I'd really like to hear it sometime, but don't think I could bring myself to invest in a record player just to hear one recording. >>


Then you my friend have not heard proper reproduction yet! Grab a cheap belt drive from a garage sale and grab some 25 cent albums and be prepared to be blown away! Heck I'll Paypal you the money to get a turntable! I'll pick up The Fragile tomorrow.


<< Taz4158 - Never heard of sally Oldfield, but pick-up the new Mike Oldfield &quot;Songs of distant earth&quot; it's absolutely incredible! I think from your description of Water Bearer: &quot;Depth, transients and warmth that's uncanny&quot;, I think you will like it. >>


I'll grab that tomorrow too.

 

[BDawg]

I agree 150% on Dream Theater

Another underrated band is Rush. The best music they write never makes it to the radios and is widely unknown.

 

[highme]

<< Deconstruction by Deconstruction >>


I can't count the ways that album dissapointed me.



Underrated albums


Sublime- Robbin the Hood
De La Soul- De La Soul is Dead
Jurrassic 5- Quality Control
NOFX- Ribbed
NOFX- White Trash, Two Heebs, &amp; a Bean
Bad Religion- Suffer, Against the Grain, No Control
Rush- 2112
SupremeEX-Destructo
Modest Mouse- The Lonesome Crowded West
311- Grassroots

Deltron 3030- go listen to this musical masterpiece NOW

 

[loup garou]

Bad Religion- Suffer is quite possibly the best full album (15 full tracks) that clocks in at under a half hour. That always amazed me. Good list, HighMe.

 

[geno]

Common - Like Water For Chocolate, this album only went gold, unbelieveable. Common is the most in depth, sophisticated, and one of the most creative artists in Hip Hop out there today. He's a genious when it comes to making a point or expressing himself. It's too bad that the masses aren't open to this type of music, but I don't care. As long as he's doing what he's been doing, I'll be happy.

 

[highme]

I was pretty disappointed in LWFC. Ressurection will always be the best Common Sense album out there, IMHO.



So, lets add that to my list

Common Sense- Ressurection
I coulda been a doctor, but I didn't have the patients

 

[Zucchini]

Diana Krall - when i look into your eyes
Diana Krall - love scenes

 

[fobbman]

Kate Bush - Hounds of Love. Talk about production! When you hear this work on a good set of headphones there are things going on in your head that beg you to listen to it again to catch it all. Amazing work.

Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden. Unlike anything they've ever done before or since. Or anyone, for that matter. Listen to it with an open mind. If you can find it, that is.

 

[geno]

highme - Resurrection is definitly his best. But LWFC was something deep and soulful, truly something very significant IMO that deserved some recognition.

 

[Midnight Rambler]

Todd Rundgren - &quot;Something/Anything&quot;

Many recent bands like Ben Folds Five are direct ripoffs of Todd.

 

[Napalm381]

Nile- Black Seeds of Vengeance. This album is way, way ahead of anything else in death metal area. It blew everything else released in the genre during the past few years away. It's a shame that almost nobody gets to hear it. They'll probably be lucky to break 20 thousand in sales.

 

[Taz4158]

<< Todd Rundgren - &quot;Something/Anything&quot; >>


Classic. And to the poster higher up I'd add ANY Kate Bush album except The Red Shoes.

 

[theonlymantis]

Rush: Ahh... someone who agrees. My fiance seems to think their really name is &quot;Crappyrush&quot;.

 

[Zucchini]

John tesh baby!! Actually i like yanni live at the acropolis...tesh mostly sucks

 

[Ornery]

They don't write em like this any more:

• Berlin Lou Reed 1973

Everybody's heard of Transformer from 1972, but Berlin is the one that gives me goose bumps! Too bad it isn't better known...

 

[bonk102]

like water for chocolate by common was incredible,
jurassic 5- quality control is a rap album everyone should own
nofx, the toasters, older might mighty bosstones are all highly underrated