[Closed] Insanely underrated albums

I got given a poster of that cover for some reason, I kept it because it made me laugh that it didn’t look that much like Courtney Love!

Stone Roses - Second Coming

Most people wasted their energy complaining about the long delay after the first album, they moaned it wasn't the same as the first album and the costs involved etc.

In my view, and the view of many retrospective reviewers recently, it is much better than the first album in many ways but given the negativity around it's release it was never given a chance.

^^^ yep, the Second Coming is an amazing album!

Scream, by Chris Cornell is really good. Everyone got all “it’s not grunge...” but it’s soooooo good

Id forgotten Bruce’s singing career after Moonlighting.

In my view, and the view of many retrospective reviewers recently, it is much better than the first album in many ways

It's not bad at all, but better than the debut? Have you been at Ian Brown's crack pipe?

My first nomination: Beulah - When Your Heartstrings Break

If you like what used to be called "indie guitar music", do give it a try (click through to YouTube for full playlist).

Id forgotten Bruce’s singing career after Moonlighting.

Good move

My first nomination: Beulah – When Your Heartstrings Break

Thanks for the shout - on track three and it's suiting my mood perfectly. 🙂

Stone Roses – Second Coming

Agree and I loved it from first listen as soon as it as release and still love it now. I found the first album a bit too poppy (although still great)

Daughter's 'If You Leave'.
Raw, melancholic beauty.
Desperately sad in some places but with glimmering elements of hope. One of my all time favourites.

King's X first two albums -

Out Of The Silent Planet
https://open.spotify.com/album/08fDwAVsLdPY38aF03qmQa?si=aErMJNrrRdCXFGcD4uHidg

and

Gretchen Goes To Nebraska
https://open.spotify.com/album/6ARDkQ9znc4tjNyQm9Z9cM?si=f-i8fVOCTpmmV6XJQjSjRg

At one point they were mentioned by lots and lots of musicians as being influential and "the next big thing", but never quite broke through commercially. Fantastic albums though

I could probably list quite a few albums, but one that comes to mind is
"Salt" by Roseau

I think she must've gone back to a 9to5, cos she's disappeared. Shame.

The artwork around the time was gorgeous too

I've got a soft spot for ABC's second album, Beauty Stab.

Everyone hates it, even the band.

Very different from the first LP, but I can't help liking it a lot more.

Depends on how you define underrated, this one was fairly popular when released, history perhaps redefined them just as a pop greatest hits band, but IMO well worth sitting down and listening to One step beyond by Madness.

It gets a very hard time, which isn't surprising given Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik preceded it, but I think it's an absolutely fantastic album, and it's a huge insult to Dave Navarro that it gets so much criticism

I do really like One Hot Minute, my favourite Chillis album - though I did really enjoy Californication when it came out.

I put that Courtney Love album on, and amn't loving it - songs seem a bit pedestrian and the production is a bit blah. Live Through This was my highlight for her.

I dunno if it's underrated but I've really enjoyed going back to Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt. Songwriting, playing and vibe are great.

I love that Daughter album, great shout

My usual answer to this is JuJu by Siouxsie and the Banshees. It's an utterly brilliant album, all killer no filler. Probably one of my favourite albums with some of John McGeoch's best work. Sublime.

Id forgotten Bruce’s singing career after Moonlighting.

I enjoyed it.

She's your little voodoo dolly... I'm going to play the album 🙂

+1 for Second Coming. Have always loved it.

@submarined - I am a big fan of Daughter. I remember considering If You Leave to be my album of the year at the time. Elena Thorn's Ex:Re album seemed to get more attention (it is also excellent).

To be honest though, I don't think I have ever stopped to think much about whether other people like the music or not - I (like everyone else above I think) just enjoy the music on its own merits. There is no objective good and bad when it comes to art, so I permit myself a subjective assessment and go from there.

Anyway, keep posting the interesting music - better than concentrating on proper work..!

How to Steal the World - Helicopter Girl

and this is one of my happy summer albums, Money Mark - Push the button

REM - New Adventures in Hi-Fi. Got panned after the success of Monster, but is a bit of a sleeper. E-Bow The Letter maybe wasn't the best single choice, but Leave, The Wake-Up Bomb and So Fast, So Numb are all in the mould of Monster and Undertow is just a cracking track.

some of John McGeoch’s best work.

And Budgie's. The drumming on this is a joy.

Indeed... I'll listen to it again later today.

Both Second Toughest in the Infants and Barking by Underworld are criminally underrated IMO.

They often fall in the shadow of DubNoBassWithMyHeadMan, which is brilliant in it's own right, but particularly Second Toughest doesn't get the praise it deserves.

Barking has some glorious songs on it. What about Oblivion With Bells? I need to play that now.

Well when Sonic Youth Goo has finished. It was near to Siouxsie in the rack and haven't listened to it in decades. Shit, it's good.

@DezB have you heard Peter and Kerry? Kerry is Kerry Leatham from Roseau.

There is some stuff from last year....still amazing

Ian

One Hot Minute,

I'm pretty much on the fence with that one, I've been a huge RHCP fan for years.

The 'problem' is it doesn't feel or sound like a RHCP album, less so now the more stuff they've out out, but at the time it just didn't.

It was a convergence of circumstances, mostly because of Frusciante leaving, rather than Navarro joining, but it meant a different singing 'style' from Kiedis, singing rather than his more rap-style. Songs written in a different style, often by different people to a different style of music. It doesn't help that it's book-ended by probably their two best, most successful Albums.

I read recently that Frusciante has rejoined and they're recording again, maybe they'll release another "Californication" or maybe it'll sound like a group of near-OAPs jumping around half naked shouting la la land pseudomythological nonsense in between Guitar solos.

No! I'll have to look it up - I've been checking her Soundcloud & Facebook and there's nothing. Nice one, cheers!

Sorry, just got to the end of Goo and am like, what? why? not really the thread for it but hey ho. Maybe it is underrated by some!

I'll chuck a vote in for Nothing But Thieves: Broken Machine. One of my favourite albums of recent times along with Highly Suspect: The Boy Who Died Wolf

Second Toughest in the Infants

Is highly praised, highly respected, sold in huge numbers... not sure how it's "underrated"... I'm putting it on now though... thanks for the nudge...

All true, but seems to still be eclipsed by DubNoBass...

I read recently that Frusciante has rejoined and they’re recording again, maybe they’ll release another “Californication” or maybe it’ll sound like a group of near-OAPs jumping around half naked shouting la la land pseudomythological nonsense in between Guitar solos.

I'm eagerly waiting to hear what they come up with. As talented a musician as Josh is he is not as good a creative writer as John. I get the feeling that whatever album they release this time will be a final swansong with one final huge world tour. I just hope and pray that it's somewhere close to as good as BSSM and By The Way

That's an incredibly high bar Allan!

Considering it was dissed by the band themselves, I’m going for Atom Heart Mother. I love the album, it might even be my most listened to Floyd album

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fku7hi5kI-c

Kelvin... I know. I'm probably hoping in vain but I'd seriously love them to go out with something amazing

Been watching that ICON programme about music photography? Much as I have no interest in Pink Floyd's music, they've had some brilliant album artwork. (apart from the massive one, that is!) 🙂

Regular Urban Survivors by Terrorvision. My cousin gave it to me on tape when she emigrated to the US and listed to it until I wore it out and have just this week rediscovered it. Brilliant.

Man Alive - King Krule

It's a shame about Ray by the Lemonheads. Start to finish perfect.

Beck, colours album

Insanely underrated.

Better Living Through Chemistry sits in the shade compared to Fatboy Slim's other albums which is criminal as it's ace.
Synthia by The Jezabels never sold anything like as well as their previous two albums but it's umpteen times more accomplished.
Beautiful by Garbage sounds soooo good now as well, but it was panned because it wasn't Version 2.0 part 2. In fact, all their stuff past Version 2.0 is easily as good but not as radio friendly so never achieved the success it should have...

One of my favourite Bowie albums but maybe get a wee bit of a hard time from some is Aladdin Sane, it took a while to really like it as a 13 year old but stick with it

Afghan Whigs - Do to the beast

They obviously never listened to Parked outside and Can Rova

Beautiful by Garbage sounds soooo good now as well

Agreed, another fantastic album.

Sonic Youth Goo

Not sure it's underrated but I always thought it was their best album, as a complete package. And has many of their best songs on it, to my ears. And one of the best album covers ever.

I always did like my feedback-drench atonal guitar noise on the more melodic side though.

Agree with Beautiful Garbage but I really preferred Not Your Kind Of People.

I'm not sure if underrated is the same as under-appreciated but Slowdive's Souvlaki got totally lost on release (there's a Pitchfork doco on Youtube). It was all Blur v Oasis etc. I think now it's no longer underrated and I'm glad that over the last few years the band have been getting the praise they were due.

Yeah, I snuck Goo in just cos I personally forgot how damn good it was 😁

Allow me to be the first to mention this undersung slice of unutterable genius:

^ An insanely under-appreciated band but that record is well regarded by their fans.

Great thread. Loving the Daughter album and enjoyed Beulah too.

Blind Melon - Soup. A phenomenal album from a criminally underrated band remembered for one song and a video. A truly eclectic album that still flows extremely well, has great lyrics and compositions. Tackles some very dark subject matter with a sense of humour. Also has a kazoo solo in a song about Ed Gein.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5j_ps7ylddE

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lCHd3VCu47M

Frank Zappa - Zoot Allures.

Tell me who is daring to underestimate a Zappa album. I'll go round and wee in their sausages.

Can think of many so here’s randoms per decade:

70’s: Nektar ‘Down To Earth’

80’s: XTC ‘Black Sea’

90’s: Julian Cope ‘Jehovakill’

00’s: Boredoms ‘Vision Creation Newsun

10’s: Angel Olsen ‘Halfway Home’

20’s: Jockstrap - Wicked City

For their second appearance in the thread. 100% twisted pop perfection. Awful cover though.

+ Second Coming. Great to cycle to too.

New Adventures in Hifi is my favourite REM album.

Goo is probably my favourite Sonic Youth album.

Dunno if it's underrated or not, but I really love Third by Portishead. I suspect it didn't fare as well in the charts as their other albums

I have to take issue with ‘Broken English’ as an ‘Insanely underrated album’. I remember when it came out, it was hugely regarded, it saw Marianne’s return after years of obscurity and showed just how great a singer and songwriter she was. I still have my original vinyl copy upstairs, it got played a lot, and I believe it’s still regarded as one of the great British female rock albums.
Not got a contribution at the mo’, I’ll have to give it some thought because there’s quite a few spring to mind, and it’s getting late and I need to head for bed. 😴

Bit off track because it stretches the album bit, but under rated band. Most people have them as a one (maybe two) hit wonder, but give Wheatus a chance. Some lovely textured, layered harmony songs with his all-part-of-the-band backing singers

If I had to go with one album - Hand Over Your Loved Ones

but I just love this from the Lightning EP

Great live too - every show a request show

Loving the TPE recommendations. Top albums.
How about XCNN - 'XCNN'.
Still don't know a single person who's heard of them, but it's a great album.

New Adventures in Hifi is my favourite REM album.

Mine too. Never realised it wasn’t well regarded. I especially liked it on CD as there was no artwork on the version I had. Regularly put it in the player upside down.

Not sure it's underrated as much as just unknown but I love Wide Awake by Rayland Baxter, full of beautifully crafted songs blending pop and Americana. Try 79 Shiny Revolvers or Hey Larocco to start.
I'm not a Dinosaur Jr fan but I found a copy of I Bet On Sky in our local library and I prefer it to their more highly rated albums.

I'd go with strawberries by the damned, overshadowed by the debut album and the black album, it's a brilliant collection of psychedelic dark poppy tunes. Just doesn't seem to get the recognition it deserves.

Still don’t know a single person who’s heard of them, but it’s a great album.

You do now 🙂
From before the news corp made them add an 'X'

Glad some of you enjoyed Beulah, baffling why it's not more widely known - perhaps just 1999 was the wrong time for a perfect pop album.

Enjoyed listening to Daughter, that was new to me.

My second submission is The Egg - Albumen.

A joyous mash-up of house, funk, disco and pop and one of the most impressive live dance music acts I've ever experienced.

Dunno why it wasn't a massive hit, possibly too genre-bending at a time (1996) when dance music was getting more nichey and segregated. Or maybe just too much wah-wah and chick-chick.

Anyway, click through for the full album playlist again...

Anything by James McMurtry

Saturday Night Wrist by Deftones get an undue hard time. There are some amazing tracks on that, and Mein with Serj Tankian is one of my favourite Deftones tracks ever.

God Shuffled His Feet. Crash Test Dummies

I would like to share Leigh Steven Kenny. He records as LSK, and the eponymous album LSK from 2000 is just lovely.

Its worth a listen

Ian

DezB I salute your impeccable music taste.

Deli creeps - Dawn of the deli creeps. Its like abstract faith no more. Its a shame they only released the one album.

Not had a chance to really give this much thought until now, getting home at gone 7.30 and having dinner at around 9 and what have you, I’ve only just started to think about what albums I’d consider underrated without seeming to be wilfully obscure, but there are three that spring to mind.
‘Hearts And Bones’, by Paul Simon. It started off as a new Simon and Garfunkel album, but Art was also involved with some solo stuff, and their fractious relationship took a turn for the worse, and Paul just scrapped Art’s bits and carried on on his own and presented it to the record company as his new solo album. It wasn’t given a great reception by the critics, but I read a great retrospective review in Hi-Fi News and Record Reviews later on by Ken Kessler, which supported my view that it was one of Simon’s greatest albums. It’s a lovely mixture of upbeat, humorous and melancholic, and it’s stunningly well produced.
‘Cowgirl’s Prayer’ - Emmylou Harris. She made this album at a point where she was becoming disillusioned with the Nashville country scene, and was returning to her folk roots in New York; it’s what would later be referred to as more alt-Country, and is a sign of what she would produce later with Daniel Lanois on her ‘Wrecking Ball’ album.
There’s a bunch of great songs, but ‘Prayer In Open ‘D’’is the standout for me, a heartbreaking song about loss, regret and redemption.
‘Black Rose’ - John David Souther. I bought this on the strength of a surprisingly decent review in NME, in the early 70’s, and fell in love with it immediately. JD worked with a number of other musicians who would later form The Eagles, who he wrote and co-wrote major hits for, as well as for other artists like Linda Ronstadt. Obviously there’s a strong country-rock feel, but again a bit more melancholy in tone.
A great singer, as well as writer, and a really lovely, unassuming man to talk to as well.
I can’t miss an opportunity to mention all the albums by Kris Delmhorst as well; I saw her supporting her friend Erin McKeown in Bristol, when she’d just released her third album, ‘Songs For A Hurricane’, and I was smitten! She’s got a really warm quality to her voice, and a great way with words, and, twelve albums in, her talent has been criminally ignored by the music media; it’s way past time she had some exposure and recognition of her talent as a musician and songwriter.

I must like underrated albums as I've probably got about half of the ones mentioned here 🙂

Blind Melon – Soup

I love that album

I’ve got a soft spot for ABC’s second album, Beauty Stab.

Me too 🙂