5 Best Unknown Rock Albums ?
I had an interesting discussion with a music buddy about some of the least popular, best discs of the past few decades.
The challenge: Name 5 outstanding Rock and Roll albums that 90% of the music buying/downloading public are unfamiliar with.
3 rules:
1. Rock and Roll (including Pop)! No jazz, classical or world music
2. Obscure: Not a big seller, relatively unknown, not a top 40 song or a top 100 Album;
3. Outstanding album: The disc must be great, listenable from start to finish, cohesive, with one good song after another and a handful of great ones.
Defining what obscure is was also a challenge — a popular UK album unknown in the US counts, but vice-versa didn’t.
We set an arbitrary cut off date of 25 years — there is simply too many great albums from the 1960s and 70s, and those unknowns are more a function of age than obscurity (UPDATE: The older mega-hits “discovered” in comments confirms this). Anything released after 1985 is fair game. And we went with Rock, because there are simply too many obscure Jazz recordings out there.
Cutting it down to just 5 was difficult, but gave the exercise some focus. I will publish my list next Friday.
What are your 5 favorite unknown CDs?
De.li.cious
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July 30th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
The hardest part of putting my list together is the issue of obscurity
Matthew Sweet Freedy Johnson, Morcheeba, Michael Penn, Bitter:Sweet, Magic Numbers — can I really call their best albums obscure ?
July 30th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Los Lobos – Kiko
July 30th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
I don’t know if this one fits your criteria for best of “Unknown Albums” …..but I’ve got a new crowd of folks who thought this group’s work was “Pop” in the 80′s….but now thinks it’s the First Time they ever heard it.
Who could figure how tastes change? This is an incredible DVD for their Performance and there is an Album. The video of the whole thing was cool to my and my friends taste. A new VIEW of “H&O’s.”
——-
Hall & Oates ‘Live At The Troubadour’ Out Nov. 25; See Four Songs From The DVD Here!
November 21st, 2008 7:00pm EST 1 comment favorite Add to My News
Hall & OatesIn May 2008, Daryl Hall and John Oates took the stage at the legendary Troubadour for the first time since playing their earliest Los Angeles shows there 35 years before. The best performances from this much anticipated two-night concert, which included hits such as “Maneater,” “Private Eyes,” “Rich Girl,” “Sara Smile” and “Kiss On My List,” will be made available in three formats – DVD, Blu-Ray, and a 1-DVD/2-CD combo, via Shout! Factory on November 25.
“John and I have a lot of great memories associated with performing at the Troubadour, since it was our first show in LA,” said Daryl. “It’s like going back to where it all began for us. We’ve always had an enthusiastic following in Los Angeles, and this is a chance for our fans to see us up close and personal in an intimate setting.”
http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2008/11/21/hall_aamp_oates_live_at_the_troubadour_o
July 30th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Tim – The Replacements
’nuff said.
July 30th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
The Clash – Sandinista (1980, but i didn’t learn of it until the oughts)
~~~
BR: That was a HUGE album, wedged between London Calling (1979) and Combat Rock (1982)
July 30th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Roger Waters – Radio K.A.O.S.
Big Head Todd & The Monsters – Midnight Radio
Lou Reed – New York
Ben Lee – Breathing Tornados
Ric Ocasek – This Side of Paradise
July 30th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
I can’t think of 5, but i can think of a couple:
Neutral Milk Hotel – In the Aeroplane over the Sea
It’s very indie, very lo-fi, and takes a few full listens just to get to the point of not hating it (thus its obscure nature) but if you can get past that, you’ll agree with many critics that it may be the perfect album.
Sufjan Stevens – Come On Feel the Illinoise!
Sufjan’s album about the state of Illinois, part of his now-defunct 50-state/50 albums project feels both very big in songs like “Chicago” and “Jacksonville”, and incredibly intimate in songs like “The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is out to Get Us!” and “Casimir Pulaski Day”. Another fantastic album that most people will never hear, unfortunately.
July 30th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
My musical tastes are probably heavier and, uh, stonier than most of your fan base, but I’m a Gen-X’er from the Pacific NW, so what can you do. Flannel 4 life.
1. Sky Valley – Kyuss – criminally under-appreciated desert skateboard stoner rock; lead guitarist now heads up Queens of the Stone Age.
2. Bullhead – The Melvins – proto-grunge, without all the sniveling.
3. Liveage – Descendents – nerd punk; lead singer is a PhD bio-chemist / loser.
4. Queen Elvis – Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians – barely even rock, but awesome. Titular song contains best lyrics ever written.
5. Go For It … Live! – Fu Manchu – fast car rock for kids who were teens in the 90s.
July 30th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
But, but, but. … There was no real rock after 1985.
Maybe phony. But NOT REAL ROCK.
July 30th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
My own comments notwithstanding, I have to agree with Schmoo. It is one of the great mysteries of rock that the Replacements aren’t as appreciated as they should be.
July 30th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
OK, given the rules, here goes my list (have no idea 5%), but suspect:
P J Harvey – To Bring You My Love
Train – Drops of Jupiter
Dido – No Angel
The Breeders – Pod
Would like to add great obscure – Alan Parsons Project – i Robot, but 1977 and maybe not deemed rock
~~~
BR: Train – Drops of Jupiter was a big radio hit
Dido – No Angel had Thank You you on it, one of the top songs of the year!
We can call Alan Parsons Project prog rock (Yes, Genesis, etc.) but they were very, very well known. For you young ‘uns, Alan Parsons was the engineer on Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.
July 30th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
UGK-Ridin Dirty
UGK-Underground Kingz
Z-ro-Cocaine
Bun B- Trill
Three 6 Mafia-Kings of Memphis: Underground 3
July 30th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
For decompression and healing:
> Keola Beamer (Tales from the Dream Guitar)
> Zazen (Canyons of Light)
> Ozzie Kotani (To Honor a Queen)
For the exact opposite:
> Rick Wakeman (White Rock II)
> Yes (Keys to Ascension)
July 30th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
Guadalcanal Diary – Flip-Flop
The Brandos – Honor Among Thieves
Face to Face – One Big Day
Lone Justice – Shelter
James McMurtry – Too Long in the Wasteland
July 30th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
In order of awesomeness, 1 being the most awesome.
5. Some Cities – Doves (should’ve been bigger than Coldplay)
4. In the Aeroplane Over the Sea – Neutral Milk Hotel (nothing like it ever made before or since)
3. Kill to Get Crimson – Mark Knopfler (your CD player’s heart will break)
2. Blinking Lights and Other Revelations – Eels (a double album masterpiece)
1. Sumday – Grandaddy (a technophobic masterpiece from 2003, accurately predicted the economic crash and degenerative effects of Californian urban sprawl.)
buy ‘em all, trust me.
~~~
BR: I love Knopfler, I’m a huge Dire Straights fan . . .
July 30th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Dinosaur Jr. – You’re Living All Over Me
Sebadoh – Sebadoh III
My Bloody Valentine – Loveless
Eugenius – Mary Queen of Scots
The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses
July 30th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
OT — because this is pre-1985:
“It’s a Beautiful Day” !!!
Excellence knows no time-constraints.
Have a good weekend.
July 30th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
In the Aeroplane over the Sea – Neutral Milk Hotel
Live – Built To Spill
Rainy Day Music – The Jayhawks
All Hail West Texas – The Mountain Goats
Let It Bloom – The Black Lips
July 30th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
It’s a safe bet that over 95% of all people ages 20-40 in the UK have heard of The Charlatans. I would also bet that a MAJORITY of them would list The Charlatans as one of the 10 best bands of the past 20 years. They still play to sold old shows all over Europe every year. Although they tour here occasionally, I would be surprised if more than 1 or 2% of the people in this country over the age of 18 has heard of them. A couple of their later albums weren’t great (e.g. Up at the Lake). But here are my five favorite, plus a
1. Us and Only Us (The Charlatans)
2. The Charlatans (labeled “Beggars Banquet” in the U.S.)
3. Tellin’ Stories (The Charlatans)
4. Between 10th and 11th (The Charlatans)
5. You Cross My Path (The Charlatans)
Three non-Charlatans picks:
1. When the Sun is the Moon (Hudson Bell)
2. Jesus East (Black Cab)
3. Passover (Black Angels)
July 30th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Anything from JackoPierce, although you might consider it folk-rock.
“Bringing On the Weather” might be my favorite.
July 30th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
How about:
Chris Whitely ‘Reiter On’
Forest for the Trees
Greg Brown “Evening Call’
Willard Grant Conspiracy ‘Regard the End’
Calexico ‘Garden Ruin’
I was going to list the Eels ‘Live at Town Hall’ but noticed they had been previously mentioned.
July 30th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
The only thing that occurs to me within the narrow specifications is “Brothers in Arms,” Dire Straits. It was a reasonably popular album, but very far from ubiquitous. Sold well for Dire Straits in the US, for what that is worth. But it was an outstanding, outstanding album – one of the best of the decade easily. Kate Bush’s “Hounds of Love” is another pop/rock album that was outstanding and did very little business in the US. REM’s “Document” came out, like ’87 — and was excellent. “Life’s Rich Pageant,” too. Didn’t sell that much. The rest of what was excellent either came well before 85 or sold well (well, pretty well) — like the Violent Femmes. Like the Smiths “Meat is Murder.”
So I suppose I’d have to say
“Brothers in Arms” by Dire Straits
“Document” by REM
“Meat is Murder” the Smiths
“Texas Flood” by Stevie Ray Vaughn
“Blackout” by the Scorpions was too early, I think – but that was a truly excellent album.
Again, this is all not really what I’d call classic rock and roll, although Stevie and Dire Straits are directly related. Scorpions is kind of metal, REM and Smiths would have been alternative.
~~~
BR: Brothers in Arms was a giant smash hit for Dire Straits Those two outstanding REM albums — Document and Life’s Rich Pageant — were college radio staples for years. (I also love Murmur and Reckoning)
July 30th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
I’ve had obscure tastes since I before I started high school (which coincidentally, was in 1985) and some of the bands I was into have since become some of the biggest acts around. But I guess some of the earlier stuff would still be obscure.
If it were bands I’d have a lot of trouble narrowing it to five and of course there’s obscure songs I love but the rest of the album isn’t anything special (like Terminal Sunglasses – My Cat Got Run Over by a Bus).
Off the top of my head, if only considering entire albums:
1. Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven by Love & Rockets (I’d have put Tones on Tail’s Pop but that came out in 1984, I think)
2. Ocean Rain by Echo and the Bunnymen
3. Life’s Rich Pagaent by R.E.M. (their best one, imo, and while the band is certainly not obscure I don’t think this particular record is well-known.
4. Aion by Dead Can Dance
5. Savvy Show Stoppers by Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet – really cool spaghetti-western surf songs. They did the theme for the TV show Kids in the Hall.
I have to admit I never ‘got’ the Replacements. Gave them an honest listen a few times and never understood why music critics loved them so much. Same for Neutral Milk Hotel.
Love Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians – seen him several times in concert – very witty performer too. Love the Stone Roses as well.
July 30th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
T-Bone Burnett – True False Identity
Cash Brothers – How Was Tomorrow
Steve Earle – El Corazon
Living Color – Vivid
Uncle Tupelo – No Depression (Would’ve used Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot but it got so much critical acclaim I don’t know if it qualifies)
July 30th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Understand, I was brought up by folkies who used to take me to Harry Chapin concerts when I was in elementary school:
Sam Phillips– Martinis and Bikinis
Eva Cassidy — Live from Blues Alley
Nanci Griffith — One Fair Summer Evening
Iris DeMent — Infamous Angel
The Reels Beautiful
July 30th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
someone pulled out Lone Justice / Shelter. nice call. great U2 combo concert tour that year too
July 30th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Actually, now that I think about it, I’m torn between Life’s Rich Pageant and Reckoning – the one that got me into REM to begin with.
And Julia Chestnut – great taste in music. Brothers in Arms was really brilliant as well – had forgotten about that one. & Stevie was great too. Died way too soon.
July 30th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
Barry, actually I don’t fully agree with your comment about earlier albums being obscure just because of age. I certainly agree that there are just too many great albums from the 60′s and 70′s but even then, there are lots of albums which were obscure even back in the day. Nick Drake would be a good example?
But anyways, following your rules (Yes, SIr!!) I offer the following which are amongst my favourite albums I’m pretty sure nobody will be familiar with:
“Second you sleep” by Saybia (Danish band)
“Chrysalis” by Anggun (Indonesian singer)
And sorry to cheat but I couldn’t resist “Children of the Sun” by Sallyangie (Mike and Sally Oldfield made but one album together before going their separate ways. This is now extremely rare and difficult to find)
July 30th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Good and obscure…
Radio K.A.O.S. – nice call, cwf. I’ll second that.
Waterboys – Fisherman’s Blues (1988)
William Shatner (with Ben Folds) – Has Been (2004) – yes, I’m serious
Regina Spektor – Begin to Hope (2006) – also a Ben Folds collaborator
They Might Be Giants – Flood (1990)
~~~
BR: The Regina Spektor disc went gold, selling 500,000 units.
Flood was They Might Be Giants breakout album, with “Birdhouse In Your Soul”, hitting #3 on Billboard Modern Rock Tracks Chart, and top 40 hit elsewhere. It also had their most well-known song, “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)”
July 30th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
The Fugs Final CD. Pt 1 (released a few years ago, their best ever)
Wayne Kramer. Dangerous Madness (from MC5)
Southern Culture on the Skids. Mojo Box
Drive-by Truckers. The Dirty South
Steve Earle. Copperhead Road (maybe not so obscure?)
James McMurty. Childish Things (w/ the epic “We Can’t Make It Here Any More.”)
Steve Roach. Structures from Silence (ambient, but a classic)
July 30th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
no particular order .. and to be sure incomplete .. :
David Lee Roth – Skyscraper
Zebra – #1? (1983)
Triumvirat – Spartacus (not sure if its a Hollywood demo something and not even a band)
Simple Minds – Once Upon A Time
Lake – Blue Album (a borrowed copy)
I took a picture
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000769882220#!/photo.php?pid=173861&id=100000769882220
ps – Kansas I too
July 30th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Before I set into drumming up a list, may I say that almost all “good” music nowadays is not popular. There are SO many bands to choose from, it is damn near impossible to keep up. I will keep this mainstream-ish, easy, and to things that are still in heavy rotation on this end:
1. Los Lobos ~ Kiko (and the Lavender Moon) 1992
2. The Libertines ~ Up The Bracket 2002
3. Faith No More ~ Angel Dust 1992
4. Arcade Fire ~ Funeral 2004
5. The Deadly Snakes ~ Ode To Joy 2003
I tried to stick to the “rock” qualifier, and can not in good faith call this a top five. Instead, think of it as 5 albums you MUST buy.
July 30th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Old school…LOL.
Slade…obscure;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLsw668PVyY
Uriah Heep…not so obscure;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKxZY0DIxIk
Deep Purple…only cause your a motorhead BR ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh0iihjANPc
July 30th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Aeroplane Over the Sea seems to be emerging as a sleeper hit. It gets my vote.
Are the Magnetic Fields too popular? Yo La Tengo as well? Jeffrey Lewis? Holly Golightly? Iron and Wine? They all put out nearly perfect albums at some point. Replacements and their peers turned out quite a class of great albums about 25 years ago.
I can’t seem to locate a single album title for those wonderful bands I mention and I think I know why — the iPod essentially killed the concept of the album
July 30th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
God Street Wine: $1.99 Romances
Soul Coughing: Ruby Vroom
Phish: A Live One
moe: L
Smashing Pumpkins: Gish
July 30th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Here are five randomly-chosen and under-the-radar but nevertheless – STELLAR recordings for you all (no age limits here):
1. The Libertines – The Libertines
2. The Kinks – We Are the Village Green Preservation Society
3. Alice Cooper – Killer
4. The Fall – This Nation’s Saving Grace
5. Joe Jackson – Look Sharp
~~~
BR: Look Sharp is a great album, but hardly obscure — It was a huge seller, and nearly every song was a top 40 hit.
July 30th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
PJ Harvey, Mountain Goats, Dead Can Dance, Built to Spill, Sebadoh, Breeders — your readers have come up with a fantastic list of bands I’ve sort of forgotten about. Off to rediscover some classics.
July 30th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Human Sexual Response – Fig 14.
July 30th, 2010 at 10:18 pm
1. Red House Painters (aka Rollercoaster) – Red House Painters
2. Realistic – Ivy
3. About a Boy (Soundtrack) – Badly Drawn Boy
4. Workbook – Bob Mould
5. Grace in Gravity – The Story
July 30th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Fisherman’s Blues by The Waterboys
July 30th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
I don’t know where in the “rock ‘n roll” spectrum this would fit but Queensryche’s Operation:Mindcrime is an interesting listen. It runs on a theme, has characters, and a plot.
July 30th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Nice exercise. Now I have a lot to check out.
So far nobody mentioned
Jeff Buckley-Grace, mid 90′s. Great talent, tragic death, huge influence on alt rock right now. Also,
Duncan Sheik-Self Titled
Josh Rouse-Under Cold Blue Stars
Poe-Hello
And one that’s totally obscure,
Innaway-Self Titled
~~~
BR: I have a few Josh Rouse albums — very nice, mellow stuff . . .
July 30th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Songs for the Deaf – Queens of Stone Age
A Thousand Day Dream – Vertebrats
Wakajawaka – Frank Zappa
No Depression – Uncle Tupelo
The Missing Piece – Gentle Giant
Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain – Pavement
I may lose one or two on this egregious twenty-five year thing. When did we start getting carded ’round here?
July 30th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Five jazz picks for y’all….
1. Marcus Roberts – Alone with Three Giants
2. Charlie Haden & Quartet West – Now is the Hour
3. Eric Dolphy – Music Matador
4. Nina Simone – Nina Simone Sings the Blues
5. Chico Hamilton Quartet w/ Dolphy – The Original Ellington Suite
July 30th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
In the brief part of the early 90′s when Jimi Hendrix was “open sourced” a DJ group from the UK called the Beautiful People released a CD called “If the 60′s were the 90′s.” If was so amazing, I had to pull off onto the shoulder of the westbound Santa Monica freeway and call KCRW to ask what was playing. I had a pal in the Bay area that found it the same day in similar way. It is truly amazing and I hope that if you don’t already have it, you can round it up.
July 30th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Barry – I would definitely listen to Ambulance Ltd.’s 2004 record “LP”. Far and away the best rock/pop record of the decade. They were from NYC, only put out this in 2004 and an EP in 2006 and that was all, although the singer/songwriter recorded another record that John Cale produced but hasn’t been released. Absolutely wonderful, strong tunes start to finish, draws on a ton of influences.
I would also second Neutral Milk Hotel, In The Aeroplane Over The Sea is a listening experience for music nerds. Will make you cry if you can get through the rough production. Also suggest Explosions In The Sky’s “The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place”. Instrumental post-rock, but the soundtrack of my life of the decade. The track “Memorial” is earth-shattering. They did the soundtrack for Friday Night Lights too. A friend of mine who runs a hedge fund listens to them when he’s working late into the night.
Finally I would suggest The Wrens, “The Meadowlands”. Came out in 2003 and was my album of all-time. Just a great rock record by a bunch of guys from NJ who should have been much bigger than they were. Good fun, thanks for the post.
July 30th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Lords of Acid – Lust
Flunk – Morning Star
Agent Orange – Living in Darkness
Hüsker Dü – Candy Apple Grey/New Day Rising/Zen Arcade (none perfect, but almost)
Butthole Surfers –
Deadkennedys – Moon Over Marin (single)
July 30th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Interstellar – To Sleep To Dream To Wake
DJ Tiesto – In Search of Sunrise 5
Dead Can Dance – Into the Labyrinth
Stereolab – Pretty much anything
They Might Be Giants – Flood
July 30th, 2010 at 11:27 pm
Cheater Jones – Bombshell
July 30th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
There is something major wrong about music lists w/o links to the music!
July 30th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
grooveshark.com
July 30th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
All rather obscure, and all have at least some live cuts.
1. Phil Lesh and Friends, “There and Back Again (Limited Edition)”
2. The Derek Trucks Band, “Live at Georgia Theater”
3. Neville Brothers, “Love on Planet Earth”
4 Van Morrison, “A Night in San Francisco”
5. Warren Haynes, “Live at Bonnaroo”
~~~
BR: Nite in SF is a great Van the man live album — but those songs are hugely known.
July 30th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Aren’t there a million nerds with a million typewriters making sure that no semi-decent rock band from here to Mongolia goes unrecognized?
July 30th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
David Bowie – Low
Until the End of the World – Soundtrack (Sax & Violins, Daniel Lanois, etc.)
Passengers (Soundtrack — Eno & U2)
Hot Tuna – Double Dose (Killing Time in the Crystal City, etc.)
Little Feat – Waiting for Columbus
Les McCann – Invitation to Openness
July 30th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
jojo – quite correct.
Here is a link to a song from the funky Bombshell album I noted.
July 30th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
Jojo is right — all fanboys/girls should go the extra mile and post links if they want their obscure recordings to become slightly less obscure. Here are my nominations with links to the Amazon page with samples (hopefully this works)…
Buffalo Tom – Let Me Come Over
http://www.amazon.com/Let-Me-Come-Over/dp/B000S58OZK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1280547115&sr=8-1
Superchunk – No Pocky for Kitty
http://www.amazon.com/No-Pocky-for-Kitty/dp/B000U7XTEW/ref=sr_shvl_album_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1280547211&sr=301-4
Afghan Whigs – Gentlemen
http://www.amazon.com/Gentlemen/dp/B001OGLR3S/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1280547290&sr=301-1
Babes in Toyland – Fontanelle
http://www.amazon.com/Fontanelle/dp/B001OGPU54/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1280547332&sr=301-1
Mudhoney – Superfuzz Bigmuff
http://www.amazon.com/Superfuzz-Bigmuff-Plus/dp/B000YN0B7A/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1280547376&sr=301-1
July 30th, 2010 at 11:51 pm
Robben Ford and The Blue Line- 1992
July 30th, 2010 at 11:55 pm
frank allison hokey smoke
dirtbombs chains of love
pascal pascal goes pop
ssm break your arms for evolution
deastro light powered
These are all local MI bands that never made it. Kind of sick of seeing all these listings with top 40 bands like Van Morrison, The Cars or Pink Floyd.
July 30th, 2010 at 11:58 pm
I forgot Spoon’s “A Series Of Sneaks”, came out in 1998. A riff on a Wire record, incredibly solid start to finish. Not a bad song in the bunch, even when some clock in under 1:30. The track “30 Gallon Tank” is my Peak Oil song of all time, and also a kick-ass tune, would make a great bar-fight song.
Also Built To Spill, “Perfect From Now On”. When an indie band finally makes it to the bigs with a major label and still puts out a record where the average song runs over six minutes you know they’re all about the music and this will blow you away.
July 31st, 2010 at 12:04 am
Sporto Kantes—Act 1
Lhasa De Sala—-La Llorona
Baby Fox —Dum Dum Baby
David Holmes–Bow Down To The Exit
Marc Almond—Enchanted
Sneaker Pimps—Bloodsport
Heather Nova—Oyster
July 31st, 2010 at 12:08 am
The Bouncing Souls – How I Spent My Summer Vacation
Toadies – Rubberneck
And I would say this was too popular an album, but not necessarily known….
Sublime – 40 Oz to Freedom
July 31st, 2010 at 12:09 am
@BR: VERY COOL. NOW I GET IT.
You’re a NASDAQ Apple guy.
You’re doing nothing more than pumping your Apple iTunes stock, which you never quit doing. If they get the fidelity above MP3 it might continue to work. As if it’s not working. But for how much longer.
Otherwise it was kind of a fun evening.
Thanks.
~~~
BR: I recommended AAPL after I got a hold of the first iPod — it ws $15 (pre-split), with $13 cash. Sold it near $200 in Dec 2007, with everything else. Haven’t owned it since.
(This is why we have moderated comments — so i can catch bad dope lijke this and correct it in real time)
July 31st, 2010 at 12:11 am
This is for Barry. I’d have to nominate two NY’ers. The first two albums by either Willie Nile(Willie Nile & Golden Down or Jesse Malin(The Fine Art of Self Destruction & The Heat.
July 31st, 2010 at 12:14 am
Simple Minds – Street fighting years
Joe Jackson – Rain
Manic Street Preachers – Send away the tigers
Stone Roses – Second coming
Peter Gabriel – Passion (music from the last temptation of Christ)
Not all rock…sorry.
~~~
BR: The Gabriel Passion disc is an interesting choice (I own anything he does) It was part of the huge Last Temptation movie controversy — and is probably more widely known than actually heard . . .
July 31st, 2010 at 12:20 am
Only 1 to add and I’m not sure about the year, might be too old. John Mayall did a reunion double album with some the greats that passed through his bands when they were largely unknowns. Clapton, Mick Taylor, Johnny Almond, Sugarcane Harris, Keef Hartley and about 10 others. Name of the album is Back to the Roots. I bought it in a used record store and have never seen it anywhere else.
July 31st, 2010 at 12:23 am
Feelies
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_Rhythms
Velvet Underground–all original albums
Everyone should have a chance to hear this music.
July 31st, 2010 at 12:29 am
1. Warren Zevon – “Transverse City” – Start to finish brilliant
2. New Order – “Regret”
3. Morrissey – “Bona Drag” – Beautiful sadness
4. Billy Bragg – “Don’t try this at home” – The last socialist rocker
5.
~~~
BR: Every girl you wanted to nail in college was into Morrissey . . . hardly unknown!
July 31st, 2010 at 12:31 am
Richard Thompson, “Shoot Out the Lights”
Meat Puppets, “Up on the Sun”
Hunters & Collectors, “The Jaws of Life”
X, “Under the Big Black Sun”
Minutemen, “Double Nickels on the Dime”
July 31st, 2010 at 12:32 am
This is great. I’ve got a lot of downloading to do. Here are mine, though I’m sure I’m forgetting something:
Teenage Fanclub – Bandwagonesque
Ride – Going Blank Again
Pavement – Slanted & Enchanted
Paul Westerburg – 14 Songs
The Libertines
@ charlatan: perhaps my all-time favorite band but I would prefer a greatest hits collection to any of their individual albums.
July 31st, 2010 at 12:37 am
Drive-By Truckers – Brighter Than Creation’s Dark
Replacements – Pleased To Meet Me
Black Keys – Rubber Factory
Wilco – Being There
The Hold Steady – Boys & Girls in America
July 31st, 2010 at 12:43 am
“Up to Here” – Tragically Hip 1989
“Down at the Khyber” – Joel Plaskett Emergency 2001
“Clayton Park” – Thrush Hermit 1999
“Life behind the 21st century wall” – Johnny Society 2003
“A new devotion” – The High Dials 2003
Us Canadians do have an unfair advantage when it comes to listing off obscure awesome rock bands.
July 31st, 2010 at 12:43 am
File under the title of The Greatest Unknown Guitarist’s [ Telecaster based]
Danny Gatton and 88 Elmira St.
Roy Buchanan and Sweet Dreams: the Anthology (stunning version of Green Onions)
There is a reason why each are listed in top 100 guitarist listing (rolling stone)
July 31st, 2010 at 12:49 am
My picks don’t go too far back, but they include some criminally unknown artists:
Magnet – On Your Side
Melpo Mene – Bring the Lions Out
Mew – And the Glass Handed Kites
Cardia – Cardia
The Joy Circuit – EP1
July 31st, 2010 at 12:54 am
Repo Man soundtrack – various
Greetings from Timbuk 3 – Timbuk3
Up on the Sun – Meat Puppets
Monsters – Meat Puppets
and the immortal
Texas Funeral – John Wayne
July 31st, 2010 at 12:55 am
sorry that should be Jon without an h
July 31st, 2010 at 1:12 am
Vulgar Boatmen – Please Panic
Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Ali Farka Toure & Ry Cooder – Talking Timbuktu
Portishead – Dummy
Chuck E. Weiss – Extremely Cool
July 31st, 2010 at 1:31 am
Entroducing – DJ Shadow
Breathless – My Bloody Valentine
Z- My Morning Jacket
Sea Change – Beck
Arular – MIA
Stankonia – OutKast
Naked – Talking Heads
Merriweather Post Pavilion – Animal Collective
July 31st, 2010 at 1:32 am
Addendum: if either of these do not jump start your mojo, you may need serious medical assistance!
Showdown (Robert Cray, Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland) – Grammy award in ’87
Harp Attack (Junior Wells, James Cotton, Harp Attack, Carey Bell, Billy Branch)
As Muddy (Waters) once said: “The Blues are the Roots, everything else is the fruits”
July 31st, 2010 at 1:33 am
Hard-Fi — Stars of CCTV ***Why are these guys not successful in the US?
Hard-Fi — Once Upon a Time in the West
Tragically Hip — Up to Here ***”New Orleans is Sinking” is one of the greatest ever
Operation Ivy — Energy ***Greatest punk album of all time
La Frontera — La Frontera ***Yes, it’s in Spanish. Listen to Viva Las Vegas and you’ll get it.
July 31st, 2010 at 1:45 am
“California Bloodlines” by John Stewart (Capitol – 1969)
John recorded this album at the same time and with the same session players as Bob Dylan’s “Nashville Skyline”. Contains “Never Goin” Back (to Nashville)” and July, You’re a Woman.” Reached #98 in ’69. Far and away Stewart’s best solo album.
John never took off as a solo artist, but he was one of the great songwriters. “Daydream Believer” is no doubt his most widely known song.
July 31st, 2010 at 2:10 am
Television – Marquee Moon
Stranglers – La Folie
Sonic Youth – Sister
The Fall – Perverted by Language
Ut – In Gut’s House
July 31st, 2010 at 2:12 am
Not yet mentioned…
If I Should Fall from Grace with God, The Pogues, 1987.
July 31st, 2010 at 2:16 am
Seems a lot of what I, and others, think of as obscure was actually a top 100 album
in it’s day. Roger Water’s solo stuff was all great and obscure (‘which one
was he? Pink?’) But it seems Radio KAOS made number 50 on the album charts and
Amused to Death number 21.
But, to add a few really poor sellers:
Aimee Mann – Bachelor No. 2
The Pretenders – Viva el Amor!
Lou Reed – Magic and Loss
July 31st, 2010 at 2:16 am
Oh shit, some of mine are outside of the 25 year rule.
Well, I suck.
But those records don’t.
July 31st, 2010 at 2:24 am
John Vanderslice: Cellar Door
The Black Keys: The Big Come Up
The Flaming Lips: Clouds Taste Metallic
Ben Kweller: Sha Sha
The Shins: Shutes Too Narrow
Maybe the Shins and Flamings Lips don’t fit the spirit of the challenge, and maybe The Blacks eventually went mainstream, but I think these albums meet the criteria (unless the Shins had more commercial success than I am aware of…)
July 31st, 2010 at 2:26 am
And by “the Blacks” I meant the Black Keys. This text box is not iPhone friendly… Or drunk friendly…
July 31st, 2010 at 2:31 am
Dinosaur Jr. – Green Mind
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Orange
Mission of Burma – The Horrible Truth About Burma
Son Volt – Trace
James McMurtry – Too Long in the Wasteland
July 31st, 2010 at 3:56 am
Unknown or not well known in U.S., from Quebec:
KARKWA – their last 2 albums: Les Chemins de verre (2010), Le Volume du vent (2008), lyrics in french à la québécois
http://www.karkwa.com/musique.php?album=4144
BEAST – only one album yet titled ‘ Beast ‘ , but what an album, Betty Bonifassi has a tremendous powerful voice, she sings in english in this group, saw them live in Montreal last december, it was amazing, maybe quite known in the States coz they were nominated for a Grammy in some smaller category
http://www.beastsound.net/
MALAJUBE – their last 2 albums: Labyrinthes (2009), Trompe-L’Oeil (2006), also known to some in the States from the shows they performed there, quite ” dense ” music
http://www.malajube.com/en/albums/
LES COLOCS – their first one ‘ Les Colocs ‘ (1993) and third one Dehors Novembre (1998), this group didn’t survived the tragic suicide of their leader singer Dédé Fortin
http://www.colocs.qc.ca/colocs.html
Many other interesting rock groups from Quebec…
July 31st, 2010 at 4:29 am
1. A RAINBOW IN CURVED AIR – Terry Riley
2. BEFORE AND AFTER SCIENCE – Brian Eno
3. LAST DECADE DEAD CENTURY – Warrior Soul
4. UNITED STATES of AMERICA – Joe Byrd and the Field Hippies
5. YOU – Gong
probably 30 years old but unknown masterpieces
July 31st, 2010 at 4:33 am
Representing the grungers here:
Slint – Spiderland
Flaming Lips – The Clouds Taste Metallic
Swervedriver – Raise
Pavement – Wowee Zowee
Meat Puppets – Too High to Die
July 31st, 2010 at 4:41 am
the other ones, still older than 30yrs
6. SAFE AS MILK – Captain Beefheart & the Magic Band
7. PROJECTIONS – The Blues Project
8. WONDERWALL MUSIC – George Harrison
and now the eligible discs
9. BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB – Ry Cooder
10. ESPERS II – Espers
July 31st, 2010 at 4:45 am
Nice background working music, selected at random from my collection:
Morphine – Cure for Pain
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones – UFO Tofu
Cornershop – When I Was Born for the 7th Time
DJ Food – Kaleidoscope
Jamie Lidell – Jim
July 31st, 2010 at 5:30 am
WAY OF THE VASELINES – The Vaselines (one of Cobain’s faves, and justifiably so)
VU – Velvet Underground (any of the other original four albums as well)
DOOLITTLE – Pixies (or SURFER ROSA, depending upon the mood)
THE LA’S – The La’s (pure pop brilliance)
PINK FLAG – Wire (older than 25 years, but is an absolute essential in any collection)
There are tons more, but just to mention some other great artists from these decades with consistently very good to excellent albums:
1980s (or older) + onwards: Tom Waits, The Replacements, Public Enemy, De La Soul, XTC, Jungle Brothers, Violent Femmes, The Smiths, My Bloody Valentine, Throwing Muses, The Gun Club
1990s + onwards: PJ Harvey, Spoon, Elastica, Supergrass, Sleater-Kinney, Massive Attack, Björk, Yo La Tengo, White Stripes, Beck, The Roots, Belle & Sebastian
2000s: TV on the Radio, Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, The Decemberists, Broken Social Scene
(Makes sense that it took a music question to finally push me over the line to actually registering after all this time — LOL)
July 31st, 2010 at 5:40 am
Robbie Robertson – Contact from the Underworld of Redboy
Adrian Belew – Mr Music Head
Harry Connick Jr – She
Lila Downs – Una Sangre
July 31st, 2010 at 6:25 am
The number one best rock and roll album of the 90′s was Clutch – Clutch. Thats and easy one.
July 31st, 2010 at 6:44 am
My Bloody Valentine – Loveless
Sufjan Stevens – Come on Feel the Illinoise
Jeff Buckley – Grace
Radiohead – Kid A
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
I am unsure whether these are well known albums in the states or not but I have a feeling they wouldn’t qualify as “popular”. They are all 5 star albums though and would make for a very enjoyable 3/4 hours.
July 31st, 2010 at 6:55 am
The Best of The Art of Noise
Starfish by The Church
Wild Birds by Peter Murphy
Violator by Depeche Mode
Book of Love by Book of Love (for fans of The L Word)
Best Pre-1985 Obscure Album:
Metro Music by Martha and the Muffins (1979)
July 31st, 2010 at 8:06 am
not sure if these will count but…
I consider Doves’ second album to be exceptional The Last Broadcast
Portishead’s Dummy was never a huge seller but still amazing to listen to
Paul van Dyk’s Out There and Back, if you consider dance music to be non-pop.
Marianne Faithful’s Before the Poison
Muse’s Origin of Symmetry
Tom Waits’ Alice in case PvD isn’t your thing
July 31st, 2010 at 8:19 am
1) Henry Gross – “Plug Me Into Something”
2) Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane – “Rough Mix”
3) Matthew Sweet – “Girlfriend”
4) Pete Townshend – “All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes”
5) The Del Fugos – “Boston, Mass”
July 31st, 2010 at 8:21 am
I’m gonna add one:
Sentimental Hygiene….Warren Zevon
I’d like to add all of Warren’s work, Frank Zappa’s too, but it occurs before the cut-0ff date, 1985.
July 31st, 2010 at 8:36 am
In alpha order…
Brickfoot – All the Broken Pieces – Former local Baltimore band with great musical minds. BF’s early albums were more pop-rock but AtBP is more Radiohead-ish.
Dream Theater – Octavarium – I’ll probably get laughed at here, and maybe prog-metal doesn’t count, but DT always writes albums that are cohesive (and amazing) from beginning to end. The song Octavarium ties all the songs in the albums together (see http://dt.spatang.com/octavarium.php) and also ends DT’s series of 4 albums that lead from one to the next. I’ve been a fan of DT since Images and Words, and actually IMHO any and all DT albums are great, but Octavarium represents the most cohesive… so far.
The Excentrics – Perfect Nervous Breakdown – Former local DC/Baltimore band with catchy tunes and great production.
Pearl Jam – No Code – I know what you’re saying… Pearl Jam on an unknown albums list? But how many of you have actually every listened to this entire album all the way through in one sitting? No Code debuted at #1 and did go platinum in the US, but I’m giving this one an exception as I believe those sales were most from consumers expecting another ‘Ten’ or ‘Vs.’ PJ took their listeners to places with this album that most were not ready to go to yet. Great cohesiveness, song writing, lyrics, and musicianship.
Queensrÿche – Rage For Order – Just making it under the age limit (1986) from the group’s hair band days, songs like London & I Will Remember are classics.
Sold plenty but not really known in the US in my mind
Muse – Absolution – Gold in the US (Platinum everywhere else) but still a great album from start to finish.
Hoobastank – Hoobastank & The Reason – Great listens all the way through.
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers – Highway Companion & Songs and Music From “She’s the One” – TP&tH sell plenty of albums, but these 2 are hidden gems.
Not cohesive enough to make the list but still great albums
Weezer – Pinkerton – Songs like El Scorcho still get me going.
Filter – The Almagamut – Some good energy here.
July 31st, 2010 at 8:37 am
Blue Chandelier- CRASH AND BOOM
July 31st, 2010 at 9:02 am
The Eels – Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
The Muffs – Happy Birthday to Me
The Avalanches – Since I Left You
William Shatner – Has Been
Ween – The Mollusk
July 31st, 2010 at 9:07 am
1) Mofro- “Lochloosa”
2) Gov’t Mule- “Dose”
3) Richard Thompson- “Shoot Out The Lights”
4) Drive-By-Truckers- “The Dirty South”
5) Jeff Beck- “Jeff Beck’s Guitar Shop”
July 31st, 2010 at 9:25 am
Great thread everyone! Maybe BR should start a music blog.
July 31st, 2010 at 9:27 am
All I can think of at the moment:
Lo Fi Resistance – A Deep Breath
Check it out…fills the 3 requirements quite well…
July 31st, 2010 at 9:33 am
My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless is surely in the Top 5 in the last 25 years and almost no one has heard of it.
July 31st, 2010 at 9:53 am
(not all obscure, but ordered by obscurity)
(re this first selection; low-fi would be overstating the production quality
but the composition/musical structure is quite good
takes a few listenings to get over the shock
Not to everyone’s taste I’ll admit.)
Destroyer – We’ll Build Them a Golden Bridge
SS Cardiacs – Fear the Love
Kelele Brothers – Has Beens and Wives
Nathan Lawr – Secret Carpentry
Patrick Watson – Close to Paradise
Wooden Stars – Mardi Gras
July 31st, 2010 at 10:12 am
Jayhawks – Hollywood Town Hall
Dinosaur Jr. – Where You Been
Spoon – Kill The Moonlight
Uncle Tupelo – No Depression
Steve Earle – El Corazon
July 31st, 2010 at 10:17 am
Agree with many picks so far. Disagree with many more. Not enough time to really go through it all to give a fair top 5 (fair to the bands). Replacements definitely should have one in the top 5. Loved the Waterboys as well (when did This is the Sea come out? Is A Pagan Place too old as well?). But, being as most of these have been mentioned, are they obscure enough?
Off the top of my head an album I always love when I put it on: Fury and The Slaughterhouse – Mono.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/recsradio/radio/B000006LED/ref=pd_krex_listen_dp_img?ie=UTF8&refTagSuffix=dp_img
July 31st, 2010 at 10:23 am
Anything by Paul Kelly post 1985 but maybe this as a starter:
Paul Kelly “Songs From The South”
Then
The Church “Starfish”
Nick Cave “Let Love In”
Hunters & Collectors “Ghost Nation”
Seasick Steve “I Started out with Nothin’ and I Still Got Most Of It Left”
Honorable mentions:
The Cruel Sea “The Honeymoon is Over”
Massive Attach “Blue Lines”
Portishead “Dummy”
The Verve “Urban Hymns”
Dandy Warhols “Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia”
Powderfinger “Odyssey Number 5″
TISM “Hot Dogma”
July 31st, 2010 at 10:26 am
@Ny Stock Guy
“The Avalanches – Since I Left You”
agree. just wasn’t sure it was the sort of music BR had in mind but it was definitely an underrated album.
July 31st, 2010 at 10:44 am
I think I’m dancing on the limits of your rules in terms of being strictly rock, but here goes.
1. Ernie Isley – High Wire
2. Bill Palmer – Outlines
3. Chris Whitley – Terra Incognita
4. Duran Duran – Astronaut
5. The John Popper Project
July 31st, 2010 at 10:52 am
Lost Albums:
band: Blue Rodeo album: OUTSKIRTS 1987
artist: Robbie Robertson album: Storyville 1991
artist: Graham Parker album: Songs of No Consequesnce 2005
What about TODAY ?
band: Truth & Salvage Co. asl;bum: Truth & Salvage Co.
July 31st, 2010 at 11:07 am
1. Morphine – Cure For Pain
2. Uncle Tupelo – Anodyne
3. Most any album by Spoon, I’ll pick – Transference
4. John Prine – Bruised Orange
5. Timbuk 3 – Eden Alley
July 31st, 2010 at 11:14 am
1. Pulp – Different Class
2. Junior Kimbrough – Sad Days, Lonely Nights
3. Adrian Belew – Side Four Live
4. Bobby Previte – Coalition Of The Willing
5. Snow Patrol – Songs For Polar Bears
July 31st, 2010 at 11:16 am
1. A Band of Bees- Octopus
2. Vampire Weekend- Vampire Weekend
3. Wood Brothers- Loaded
4. Morphine- Good
5. The Shins-Chutes to Narrow
All great albums from front to back. Thanks everyone for the other great bands to check out.
July 31st, 2010 at 11:38 am
ANYTHING by JJ Cale; truly America’s Troubadour
http://www.jjcale.com
Saw him (400 seat venue) last year as he made a 6 or 7 stop tour on the Left Coast.
July 31st, 2010 at 11:39 am
Time for a few dark horse nominees deserving of mention and in no particular order…
Hoodoo Gurus-Stoneage Romeos [1984; Aussie legends but pretty obscure here.]
Compulsive Gamblers-Crystal Gazing Luck Amazing [2000; Memphis underground classic. Brilliant.]
Camper Van Beethoven-Telephone Free Landslide Victory [1985; Witty, worldly, and wonderful.]
Jason & The Scorchers-Lost & Found [1985; Hard-rocking Nashville twang for long Lost Highway drives.]
Material Issue-International Pop Overthrow [1991; 45 minutes of what popular radio should have been.]
July 31st, 2010 at 11:46 am
Gotan Project – La Revancha del Tango
Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
Thievery Corporation – The Mirror Conspiracy
PJ Harvey – Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea
July 31st, 2010 at 11:52 am
As I looked through my music collection, it confirmed what you said about quality. The late 60′ s and most of the 70′s provided the bulk of all durable rock classics. Unlike today, those bands featured real talent on the instruments. A couple come to mind…
The Camel album was done in the 80′s as an anthology, but it does present a fairly good cross section of a relatively unknown British band. If you get a chance, pay attention specifically to the techniques of the lead guitar and drums. The Raitt album is one of the best live recordings I have witnessed. I highly recommend the DVD of this concert. “Burnin Down The House” just rocks.
Camel: Lunar Sea – An Anthology
Bonnie Raitt – Road Tested
July 31st, 2010 at 12:21 pm
1. Small Faces “Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake”
2. Love “Forever Changes”
3. Jethro Tull “Stand Up”
4. Procul Harum “Shine On Brightly”
5. Traffic “Low Spark of High Heeled Boys’
Hon. Mention: Kinks “Arthur,” Van Morrison “Astral Weeks,” Spooky Tooth “Spooky Two,” Allman Bros. “Live @ Fillmore East,” Jeff Beck “Truth,” Bloodwyn Pig “A Head Rings Out,” Spirit “12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus,” Quicksilver Messenger Service “Happy Trails,” Traffic & Mott the Hoople self-titled lps.
~~~
BR: Traffic “Low Spark of High Heeled Boys’ was a monster album — very well known
July 31st, 2010 at 12:25 pm
I was having this discussion with a good friend of mine last night and agreed that the 60′s and 70′s is why I am old school. Never the less, he suggested anything by the Subdudes is kick ass.
July 31st, 2010 at 12:30 pm
>>>>>>As I looked through my music collection, it confirmed what you said about quality. The late 60′ s and most of the 70’s provided the bulk of all durable rock classics. Unlike today, those bands featured real talent on the instruments>>>>>>>
I hear what you are saying, but having cut my musical teeth during the 60′s and 70′s, I find that I cannot turn on the “Classic Rock” format on the radio for 15 minutes without thinking that there was a LOT of bad to average music foisted upon us back then. Stuff that wouldn’t cut it today.
I won’t argue that it’s harder to find great rock music, in these days of multi-million dollar recording contracts being handed out to 2nd runners up in television reality shows, but it’s out there if you look for it.
I’d name names on both points, but it’s subjective, and I don’t want to venture off topic too far.
July 31st, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Avoiding bands which have already been mentioned…
O Positive – Only Breathing/Cloud Factory. They were Boston’s answer to REM, but with much less mumbling.
The Dead Milkmen – EAT YOUR PAISLEY – the true carriers of the Punk Flame, snot-nosed and irresponsible.
Marshall Crenshaw – Mary Jean & 9 Others – the pure rock/pop/country combo timeless.
Luna – Bewitched – Good old mope rock.
Sepultura – Chaos A.D. – Metal+Thrash+Industrial+Death+Hardcore+Punk = Awesome (you can still scare your children).
I would also recomend some stuff by Marc Ribot, Arto Lindsey (and his various side projects), but they don’t really fit the requirements.
July 31st, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Vulgar Boatmen – You and Your Sister (or Please Panic [I can't believe someone mentioned this above])
Dizzy Mizz Lizzy – Dizzy Mizz Lizzy (phenom hard rock from Denmark)
James – Hey Ma
Stan Ridgway – Anatomy (the song “Last Honest Man” from ‘Mosquitos’ might be your new theme for Wall St)
Pluto – Pluto
The Mommyheads – The Mommyheads
The Wonder Stuff – Eight Legged Groove Machine
David Kilgour – Frozen Orange
Hem – Rabbit Songs
Michael Hurley – Snockgrass
July 31st, 2010 at 1:00 pm
I posted Kiko last night since it’s so good, but to try to complet my list:
1. Los Lobos – Kiko. One of my all time favorite bands and albums
2. Robbie Robertson – Robbie Robertson. I think this may even be out of print now, but it’s very good. Released in 1987, it was produced by Daniel Lanois, who worked on two huge albums in that time frame – U2′s the Joshua Tree and Peter Gabriel’s So. Both U2 and Peter Gabriel guest on the record. The opening Track, “Fallen Angel” (written after Robertson’s former bandmate Richard Manual took his own life) is one of my favorite songs.
3. Rickie Lee Jones – Flying Cowboys. A mellow record, but very, very good. Every year I listen to this the start to finish first day of spring to set the mood.
4. Gov’t Mule – The Deep End Volume I. I could probably put anything by these guys, as they’re such a good band. The Deep End was a really cool project though – the band’s original bass player passed away and they did this record as a tribute to him, recording with a different guest bass player on every track (Jack Bruce, Bootsy Collins, Oteil Burbridge, etc.).
And as a relatively new record….
5. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals – This is Somewhere. Got this a year ago just before I saw them at the Troc in Philly. They’re great live. This a really good album start to finish and has some great songs on it.
Some bonus records…
I don’t know if the Black Crowes are too popular, but anything they’ve put out is good. The Black Crowes Live is awesome.
Widespread Panic – Til the Medicine Takes.
July 31st, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Los Angeles- X – I’m guessing on the album all their stuff is great, most repeatably listenable punk band
Mule Variations – Tom Waits -probably on of his many unheralded
Rockpile – Rockpile – Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds outfit
JJ Cale – Really – the epitome of his sound, the one Dire Straits and Clapton must have borrowed the most bunch of 2 minute songs that end 10 minutes too soon
Hendrix- Band of Gypsies The MAN on Soul
Quit buying music 25 years ago, hardly listen to that NEW stuff
July 31st, 2010 at 1:03 pm
my first post on the Big Pic…i couldn’t resist this one.
first i agree with the Lone Justice, “Shelter” pick and someone else mention Sufjan Stevens, “Illinoise”. Here are mine. You really do want to check these out:
Neal Morse – Testimony (double CD prog rock nirvana!)
Sufjan Stevens – Illinoise (can an 70+ minute CD contain more ear candy?)
Over The Rhine – Ohio (double CD, ‘smoky’ folk rock / singer songwriter stuff at its best)
Vigilantes Of Love – Audible Sigh (come, delve deep into metaphor)
Pat Metheny – Secret Story (I broke the rules here,…it’s jazz, world music, pop, all rolled into one of the best albums ever produced…and Pat Metheny is a fairly known artist)
Enjoy.
July 31st, 2010 at 1:06 pm
I just have one I’ll throw out- not quite sure how to classify the genre. Tom Waits was mentioned but not this album- his second from 1974
Tom Waits – Heart of Saturday Night
from the album- (live version)
New Coat of Paint
July 31st, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Gotye – Like Drawing Blood
Codeseven – Dancing Echoes, Dead Sounds
Dredg – Catch without Arms
Porcupine Tree – Deadwing
I want to add Animals As Leaders or Explosions in the Sky, but not sure if those meet the genre criteria.
July 31st, 2010 at 1:30 pm
The Bottle Rockets – The Brooklyn Side
– I think this album is a masterpiece, its front to back great.
I also give my thumbs up to several aready mentioned, Los Lobos’ Kiko, pretty much any of the Replacement albums.
July 31st, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Smokie – The Best of Smokie
British band that virtually no one in the US has heard of. A small number of people may be familiar with “Living next door to Alice” but not their other stuff. “Needles and Pins” is my favorite.
About 90% pop, 10% rock n roll, I’d say. Easy listening!
July 31st, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Not sure how obscure the Album is, but here it goes…
Live 801 -Phil Manzanera, Brian Eno and friends. Best live rendition of the Beatles “tomorrow never knows” ever!
July 31st, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Television – Marquee Moon
The New York Dolls – The New York Dolls
The New York Dolls – Too Much Too Soon
Marquee Moon is incredible. Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd on guitars, fantastic!
And if you want to hear where the Sex Pistols’ guitarist Steve Jones learned his chops, check out the Dolls.
July 31st, 2010 at 1:56 pm
If my experience on Pandora is any guide I would say none.
July 31st, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Wow, some good picks out there. Like the shout out to Lone Justice (Maria McKee had some gorgeous solo albums too). In my alternative universe Marshall Crenshaw would be a god. The Jayhawks are another favorite band. And the Replacements never go the love they deserved, though you hear their influence in current bands like my new fave the Gaslight Anthem.
Funny how age influences where someone thinks an album is obscure. For example:
Alan Parson’s Project I Robot was actually one of the best selling albums of 1977 – so it fails the post 1985 criteria as well. Alan Parsons was the engineer on the Beatles Abbey Road as well, and lead singer Eric Woolfson recently passed away.
REM’s Document was considered their “breakthrough” album at the time since it provided their first top 40 single
Joe Jackson’s Look Sharp was a staple of 1980′s college radio as was anything by the Clash or Squeeze
[BR: He was a junior engineer on the last 2 Beatles recordings, but on Dark Side, he was THE engineer]
My list:
Lloyd Cole – self titled “Lloyd Cole”
Josh Joplin Group – The Future that Was
Joe Jackson – Laughter and Lust
Todd Thibaud – Little Mystery
Ryan Adams – Cold Roses – maybe his most completely formed “thought” as an album and his most consistent
July 31st, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Some great picks already mentioned. Here are my “Top 5′ish”…
The Replacements – Let It Be
The Del Fuegos – The Longest Day
Camper Van Beethoven – Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart
Jason and The Scorchers – Lost and Found
Eels – Shootenanny!
Bonus/Extra Credit:
The Supersuckers – The Evil Powers of Rock and Roll
Reverend Horton Heat – Liquor in Front
The Wrens – The Meadowlands
The Dandy Warhols – Come Down
July 31st, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Here’s five off top of my head:
Hayden – Everything I Long For
Sophie Marotis – Standing Still
Zero 7 – Simple Things
Jes – Into the Dawn
edIT – Crying Over Pros for No Reason
p.s. Big fan also of above listed Chris Whitley, Spoon, Calexico, Drive-By Truckers, SCOTS, Poe, Mountain Goats, Flunk, Dirtbombs, X(!), Wilco, The Hold Steady, Black Keys, Pavement, Portishead, Matthew Sweet, Eels, Uncle Tupelo…all good stuff you’ll never hear on the radio.
July 31st, 2010 at 2:34 pm
In semi-order:
Crack the Sky – Dog City
I’ll second Bottle Rockets – Brooklyn Side, I even turned my teenage daughter on to them.
The Raisins – Everything and More (related to Adrian Belew and The Bears)
Crack the Sky – From the Greenhouse
Webb Wilder – Doo Dad
There are a bunch of albums that don’t technically meet the criteria (usually something barely cracked the charts) such as from bands such as Veruca Salt, Lita Ford, Vixen, The Kings, Tony Carey/Planet P….and others that don’t meet the spirit (they dominated overseas charts) The Baby Animals, The Angels (both Australia)
July 31st, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Hoodoo Gurus – Blow Your Cool! – 1987 Obscure Australian band. The album reached No. 120 on the Billboard 200 album charts in 1987. I still listen to the full album today.
Cowboy Mouth – Easy – 2000 Band is out of Louisiana; “Jenny Says” is their one big hit. Drummer & front man FredLeBlanc is an unbelievable entertainer.
July 31st, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Marah – 20,000 Streets Under the Sky. Simply the best album from a phenomenal east coast band that way too few people have heard of. These guys know how to rock and know how to put on a blistering live show. I rank them ahead of Jesse Malin (who was also an excellent suggestion earlier in the thread) as the best NYC bar band I’ve seen.
BellX1 – Blue Lights On The Runway. The album made number 49 on the US Billboard Top Independent Albums, so I’m not sure if it qualifies (though barely being tin he top 50 of a chart which excludes anyone who actually sells a lot of albums is probably still pretty obscure). But they’re the current next hot thing from Ireland and have a fantastic poppy rock sound.
Andrew Bird – Armchair Apocrypha. Rock music with incredibly sophisticated orchestration. Bird is a fantastic violin player and his love of sampling and looping his strings and his own voice shine through on the album (though you do not realize how much of his music is procedurally generated until you see him live and he’s using a sampling board to record and playback 8 different harmony parts, which he is then singing and playing over top of).
Murder by Death – Red Of Tooth And Claw. The lead singer sounds like Johnny Cash. They have an electric cello player. They sing songs about drinking and death. What is not to love? They’re also amazing live.
The Thermals – Now We Can See. 34 minutes long. Less scratchy then their previous albums. Some of their fans were sad about this, but I thought the addition of a little more music and the subtraction of a little noise added up to a fantastic album.
Bonus albums:
Marseille Figs – The Dirty Canon
Head Automatica – Popaganda
Butch Walker – The Rise & Fall of Butch Walker and The Lets Go Out Tonites!
July 31st, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Anything by Steve Hackett (the more recent, the better). He has to be one of the greatest underappreciated guitarist, ever. Endlessly creative.
Randy Newman’s “Faust” — his unsuccessful attempt at geting a play on Broadway. Classic Newman, plus these are the songs he really cared about. Toy Story’s were the ones that weren’t good enough to make it into Faust.
Triumvirat (see somewhere up above) was, indeed a band, albeit an ELP wanabee.
Speaking of which, anything by Keith Emerson (to quote my wife, “he plays like he has 15 minutes left to live.”
July 31st, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Is Cibo Matto’s wonderful “Stereo Type A” (1999) considered Rock?
Because otherwise I’m having trouble fitting within the time
constraints. Part of that is because I’m becoming an old
fuddy-duddy and not keeping up with the contemporary scene. The
other part is, I’m afraid, that “Rock and Roll” — depending on
where you stick your fence post — is almost sixty years old.
There simply isn’t a lot of new stuff that’s truly innovative
without going outside of the genre.
As another poster noted, “excellence knows no constraints,” so in
true Rock and Roll fashion I’m going to break all your rules. As
a bonus, these are obscure albums from big name artists.
5. Thrak (1995)
4. Discipline (1981)
King Crimson
Do you want intelligent, literate, driving rock as well as lyrical
ballads? King Crimson, in nearly all of their incarnations over
almost thirty years, fits the bill neatly. Honorable mention:
Beat (1982), Three of a Perfect Pair (1984), Larks’ Tongues in
Aspic (1973).
3. Baron von Tollboth & The Chrome Nun (1973)
Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, David Freiberg
Despite the billing, this is really the Jefferson Airplane, as
everyone else in the band plays on the album. Also making
appearances are David Crosby, Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart, Papa John
Creach, and the Pointer Sisters. This work has the polish that
their earlier efforts lack. It deserves greater recognition.
2. Go (1976)
Stomu Yamashta, Steve Winwood, Michael Shrieve, Al Dimeola, Klaus Schulze
How to describe this collaboration? It sounds like a collection
of “typical” Steve Winwood songs neatly woven together with
synthesizer-driven space rock interludes. Currently available in
a package with Go Live From Paris (1976) and Go Too (1977). The
latter lacks Winwood and has a more R&B/funk flavor, and while it
has its moments, it is not quite up to the original. The whole
collection is still worth it.
1. 801 Live (1976)
801 (Phil Manzanera, Brian Eno, Francis Monkman)
(Also Bill MacCormick, Simon Phillips, and Lloyd Watson)
I cannot praise this work too highly — it is one of my favorite
rock albums of all time, live or studio. It pioneered the now
common recording technique of “direct injection,” where the
outputs from instruments are fed directly to a mobile studio,
instead of using microphones or PA signals. Eno’s quirkiness is
kept to a tolerable level, and Manzanera’s guitar work is superb.
Sadly, the other 801 albums (Listen Now, Live at Manchester
University) are not in the same league. Instead, try Phil
Manzanera’s solo albums: Diamond Head (1975) and K-Scope (1978).
In closing I second the recommendation of the progressive rock
band Gentle Giant. “In A Glass House” (1973) or “Octopus” (1972) are
perhaps their best, but just about anything they’ve released is excellent.
Or look for the concert DVD, “Giant on the Box.”
July 31st, 2010 at 3:21 pm
The Clarence Greenwood Recordings – Citizen Cope (2004)
These Four Walls – We Were Promised Jetpacks (2009)
Leaders of The Free World – Elbow (2005)
Keep On Your Mean Side – The Kills (2003)
July 31st, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Elmo and the Lavender Moon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhzh2LHPzOo&feature=related
July 31st, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Porcupine Tree – In Absentia
Porcupine Tree – Deadwing
The Tea Party – Transmission
Marillion – Anorak in the UK
Mother Tongue – Ghost Note
Porcupine Tree, of course, are the prog rock giants few people have heard of. I could easily add a couple more of their back catalog albums to the list, but their more recent albums have been more commercially successful, all in top 100 and Amazon’s top 20 or top 10. Their live DVD Anesthetize is currently #9 in Amazon’s Music Videos list. Tea Party were hugely popular in Canada but not US. Mother Tongue are a US band with a large following in Germany.
Anyone who believes rock died in 1980s should listen to Porcupine Tree or Tool. They restored my faith in music.
July 31st, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Kiko – Los Lobos greatest work. Get It While You Can – Howard Tate. $1.25 in the bin, great voice . Bill Evans – Affinity. Bobby Blue Bland – Dreamer. Hard Again – Muddy Waters, James Cotton, Pinetop, Johnny Winter.
July 31st, 2010 at 3:41 pm
I would also suggest another Aussie band, Midnight Oil. Take your pick on the album, these two are both great.
Diesel and Dust (1987)
Blue Sky Mining (1990)
Points added for political activism and not just singing songs about sex & drugs… “not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
July 31st, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Ambulance LTD: LP (2004-ish)
July 31st, 2010 at 3:45 pm
So many great recs here, and many I’ve never heard of….lot’s to listen to….
some of mine:
Depeche Mode – Exciter
Ben Harper – Burn To Shine
Gorillaz – Gorillaz
Jane Siberry – When I Was A Boy
The New Pornographers – Twin Cinema
Third Eye Blind – Out Of The Vein
July 31st, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Closest I can think of, offhand…
Two Wheels Good – Prefab Sprout
The Trinity Sessions – Cowboy Junkies
Lone Justice – Lone Justice
~~~
BR: The Prefab Sprout disc is on my short list — so few people know them!
July 31st, 2010 at 4:10 pm
TISM’s album http://www.tism.wanker.com (album name, NOT a website URL!) deserves a look.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Www.tism.wanker.com
It even has Ben Bernanke’s theme song – Whatareya?
Bonus points for guessing which tune Richard Cheney sings in the shower.
Available at an iTunes store near you!
July 31st, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Well since no one has mentioned them yet, I guess it goes to show that they really are unknown here in the states, but the best all time unknown Rock band ever is New Model Army! And we are really talking Rock here, not pop, not heavy metal, not a synth band either…. and they have a few pretty mean ballads as well…. My picks:
1) New Model Army – Impurity (1990)
2) New Model Army – Love of Hopeless Causes (1993)
3) New Model Army – Strange Brotherhood (1998)
4) New Model Army – Thunder and Consolation (1989)
5) New Model Army – The Ghost of Cain (1986)
And check out their new CD – Today is a Good Day (2009)
You’re bound to like this band if you love good old rockers!
See: http://www.newmodelarmy.org/
and…. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Model_Army_%28band%29
July 31st, 2010 at 5:12 pm
5 BEST UNDiscovered Rock ALBUMS OF THE LAST 25 YEARS?
1. Anberlin – Never Take Friendship Personal
Powerful guitars, propulsive drums, solid vocals, great workout music. Has to be one of the best rock bands of the last two decades, IMO.
2. Relient K – Five Score and Seven Years Ago
Clever lyrics, Beach Boy-esque vocal harmonies, memorable hooks. All of their albums are great.
3. Imogen Heap – Speak for Yourself
Subtle yet moving, inventive and unique. I find some new aspect every time i listen to it.
4. Annie Lennox – Diva
Okay, there was a charting single on here (‘walking on broken glass’) but the album seems otherwise overlooked. Every song is richly produced and well-crafted, and Lennox’s voice was at its best.
5. Jens Gad – Le Spa Sonique
Defies categories – chill, world, prog rock. Less over-the-top than Enigma, one of his prior projects.
6. Zero 7 – Simple Things
In case Annie’s album is too mainstream, this is my substitute that others have already mentioned. Great chill music.
Albums older than the 25-year window:
John Martyn – Grace and Danger
An exquisite album: smokey vocals, emotive guitar solos. Written after the end of his marriage, every song drips with feeling.
Little Feat – Waiting for Columbus
I saw someone else mention it and thought i would second it. Never tire of this album.
Bruce Cockburn – Stealing Fire
~~~
BR: Annie Lennox Diva was another monster hit — huge airplay, big singles in “Why” and “Walking on Broken Glass”. Iy won Best British Album at the 1993 Brit Awards.
I really like Zero 7 — found them via the song “In the Waiting Line” that was on the “Garden State” soundtrack — a great album if you don’t know it
July 31st, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Robert Johnson – The Complete Recordings
July 31st, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Does J-Pop violate the world music disclaimer?
UA / Fine Feathers Make Fine Birds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNsELkkN_js&feature=related
Princess Princess / Bee-Beep
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anpys0AdAW4
Yuki / Five Star
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtxpN_dzHmI\
Every Little Thing / Time To Destination
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdMUzSoe54w
Dreams Come True / Love Unlimited
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a86WWRaOQ68
July 31st, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Sonny Boy Williamson – Nine below zero
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGUGXOxs6p0
July 31st, 2010 at 6:04 pm
My goodness–I quit seriously listening to music awhile back (I’m not longer an observational astronomer–
long nights in the dome are freakin’ great for music), but I can send a few your way that *might* fit.
“Brave”, by Marillion
“Haunted”, by Poe was pretty good
And “October Project” was good, although not sure it fits the rock category. I have a thing for sexy female voices…
I’ll eventually register to post on your blog. Happy flying
under the radar for awhile, though.
have a good weekend
July 31st, 2010 at 6:23 pm
I have to run out so I will finish later,
but
1: Ted Hawkins — The Next 100 years
2: Kathy McCarty — Dead Dogs Eyeball (covers of songs by Daniel Johnston, weird, beautiful, and heartbreaking)
several other faves already named, so I won’t repeat, but I will try and complete later.
thanks BR
July 31st, 2010 at 6:28 pm
OK, a delay, so real quick
3. John Doe Meet John Doe ( I actually consider it country, but his role in X makes it rock and it has a real rockn roll feel)
4. Billy Bragg — Talking with the Taxman about poetry (best title ever)
5. Hoodoo Gurus — Mars Needs Guitars
There are others I might have selected w/ more time but that’s a good group
July 31st, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Marillion!!! Thanks Tim! Had totally forgotten about this awesome band. Must have been 15 years since I last heard them.
July 31st, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Marillion – Misplaced Childhood
July 31st, 2010 at 7:20 pm
The Shaming of the True by Kevin Gilbert
Thud by Kevin Gilbert’
Toy Matinee by Toy Matinee
Stunningly entertaining music by Kevin Gilbert if you can find it. The only albums I have that I don’t get tired of.
July 31st, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Top 5 are:
O.A.R. – Any Time Now
Galactic – Coolin Off
Dispatch – Bang Bang
Ray LaMontagne – Trouble
The Black Keys – Rubber Thickness
Honorable mention:
The Doves – Lost Souls
The Libertines- The Libertines
G Love and Special Suace – Yeah, It’s that Easy
Robert Randolph and the Family Band – Live at the Wetlands
The Magic Numbers – The Magic Numbers
Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
~~~
BR: I just got invited to a Ray LaMontagne show in August — his first disc was pretty big, and made my Best of list for 2006.
The Black Keys made the 2004 Best of list for Thichfreakness. (Are you thinking of Rubber Factory?)
The Magic Numbers was my favorite disc of 2006 — it made the Best of list and got its own Friday Nite Jazz post for their debut album selling only 44,000 copies.
July 31st, 2010 at 8:43 pm
(Almost anything by) Richard Thompson – Rumor and Sigh
July 31st, 2010 at 9:25 pm
OK, I can live w/ my 5, here is the pre:1985 bonus:
Robert Palmer — Looking for Clues. The closest thing to a “hit” on it is Johnny and Mary, but Sulky Girl is a great rock n roll song.
July 31st, 2010 at 9:29 pm
1. Brilliant Brit Pop: Martin Newell, The Greatest Living Englishman
http://tinyurl.com/3yu4dl2
2. Brilliant quasi-comic psychedelia: The Dukes of Stratosphear (XTC)
http://tinyurl.com/2e2qyxt
3. More intelligent pop: World Party, Goodbye Jumbo
http://tinyurl.com/3ybhp2f
4. Just great rock: Replacements, Pleased to Meet Me
http://tinyurl.com/2d4wbmm
5. Will challenge some, but brilliant and influential band/album: The Pixies, Doolittle
http://tinyurl.com/2eg9uy2
July 31st, 2010 at 9:35 pm
The Yayhoos!
July 31st, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Chris Whitley – Living with the Law
Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Midnite Radio
Drive By Truckers – Southern Rock Opera
Steve Earle – Copperhead Road
Explosions in the Sky – The Earth is not a cold dead place
in no particular order.
July 31st, 2010 at 9:41 pm
1) You gotta sin to get saved – Maria McKee
2) XO- Elliot Smith
3) Breach – The Wallflowers
4) Speak of the Devil – Chris Isaak
5) Fashion Nugget – Cake
Bonus Sublime – Sublime
July 31st, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Actually, I feel that it wasn’t right to leave out two Flaming Lips albums: The Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. Some truly beautiful music in both.
Clearly this was a good question
July 31st, 2010 at 9:43 pm
MinnItMan: Good call on Elliot Smith’s XO. I had better go elsewhere cuz I could spend too much time thinking about it…
July 31st, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Oh yeah, one more thing, — Sonic Youth, the heirs to VU in the influence department.
July 31st, 2010 at 10:20 pm
I meant my bonus to be:
Welcome to the Freak Show – the Red Elvises
Sublime and Fashion Nugget were both pretty huge – I left in the middle of my post and forgot to give obscurity (but not too obscure) its due. I would mention any wilco, Jayhawks, Golden Smog.
July 31st, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Unusual representation here for Maria McKee/Lone Justice. Trivia: Maria was the half-sister of Bryan MacLean of the incredible 60′s band Love. Bryan wrote the song “Don’t Toss Us Away” on the Lone Justice debut. (Bryan also wrote one of Love’s most famous songs “Alone Again Or”, which I heard the other day at my local supermarket).
July 31st, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Ah, a tough category. In the 90′s, any band with a hundred bucks could cut a CD, and in SD there were tons of bands that put out quality releases like Unwritten Law, Sprung Monkey, Royal Crown Revue, Rocket From the Crypt, Buck O’Nine, POD, Natasha’s Ghost and on and on. Few of these ever left town.
For the more mainstream:
Social Distortion – Live at the Roxy (basically greatest hits performed live)
Scissor Sisters (self titled)
Eels – Beautiful Freak (amazing number of Eels fans on this site)
The Fabulous Rudies (self titled)
Death Cab for Cutie – Transatlantacism
Alternate selection, but recently released, so the jury is still out if it will be a hit or not -
Silversun Pickups – Swoon
July 31st, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Thanks to everyone for listing many great albums that have sat dormant on my iTunes for way too long.
1) My Blood Valentine – Loveless (Glorious feedback)
2) Billy Bragg and Wilco – Mermaid Avenue (Woody Guthrie lyrics turned into a true collaboration)
3) Chris Gaffney – Loser’s Paradise (terrific guitarist who passed away in 2008)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Gaffney
4) The Baseball Project – Volume 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails (side project by The Minus Five’s Scott McCaughey and REM’s Peter Buck, among others. Every song is about baseball. Tons of fun. They’re also doing a song a month during the baseball season this summer and releasing them for free.)
http://www.amazon.com/Frozen-Ropes-Dying-Quails/dp/B00197U10C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1280630535&sr=1-1
5) eels – Daisies of the Galaxy (I could basically pick any eels album; figured I’d list one that hadn’t already appeared on the site)
Bonus selection:
The Blasters – The Blasters (this one is from 1982, so technically outside of the 25 year limit. That said, every song on side one of this album sounds like an all-time rock and roll classic that you’d swear was a cover. Only one of them is.)
http://www.amazon.com/Blasters/dp/B003P8JMWG/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1280630768&sr=1-6
~~~
BR: The Eels song Mr. E’s Beautiful Blues is one of my favorites (mentioned in our 2004 Best of list) ; I also liked MC Honky, the bands alter ego
July 31st, 2010 at 10:51 pm
how about
Jesus & Mary Chain – Darklands
Elvis Costello – King of America
Associates – The Affectionate Punch
Don’t quite make the cut
Broken Homes – Broken Homes (1986)
Agree with
Cowboy Junkies – Trinity Sessions & Blackeyed Man
Wilco – Summerteeth
JRV – Texas Flood
~~~
BR: Can any Elvis Costello album be considered unknown? My Aim Is True and This Year’s Model were the soundtrack to senior year in high school and Freshman college, until The Wall pushed everything else off the radio.
July 31st, 2010 at 10:55 pm
OOOPS typo – SRV not JRV (Stevie, not Jimmy).
July 31st, 2010 at 10:58 pm
@mitchcalderwood:
Been listening to “Drown” all day.
Glad to see the love for “Kiko.” Los Lobos is so good and underappreciated.
And finally, as a shameless plug, I can’t leave out a live record I both performed on and produced:
Tar Beach – Live at the Logan
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/tarbeachlive1
(also available on iTunes and everything else)
July 31st, 2010 at 11:17 pm
I am 51 and Porcupine Tree is this best thing going these days! I cannot wait until they come back to Cleveland later this month. Marillion is second, I may have tour to Montreal when they come around next year!
Also, check out Stardust We Are by the Flower Kings!
July 31st, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Captain Beefheart – Trout Mask Replica
The Monks – Monk Time
Butthole Surfers – Locust Abortion Technician
The Pixies – Doolittle
Adrian Belew – Lone Rhino
July 31st, 2010 at 11:31 pm
PS….if you haven’t listened to Beefheart….well….you are missing out….
Start slow with Safe as Milk
Save Trout Mask for when you want to hear color and see music….
August 1st, 2010 at 3:24 am
24/7 Spyz – Harder than You (better than Living Color in my opinion and on the scene earlier)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El7E40c7dP8
Urban Dance Squad – Mental Floss for the Globe (the first rap group to play their instruments)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2a4MPP7zRI
Paw – Dragline (just another forgotten/great “grunge” group)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzJz9TIbjv8&feature=related
The Cult – The Cult (yes, people know this band but this album was not popular although it was one of their best)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe5gW8pZEw4
Bad Brains – Any one of their albums (This band should be the most celebrated US rock band living. They smashed through genres and race in the 80′s way before it was popular to do so.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw5uQZ6v4xE
August 1st, 2010 at 3:28 am
My contribution
The Chameleons UK – Strange Times
Flying Saucer Attack – Flying Saucer Attack
Explosions In The Sky – The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place
Out Hud – Let Us Never Speak of It Again
Boo Radleys – Giant Steps
Bad Brains – Bad Brains (1982)
Bonus:
My Bloody Valentine – Gilder (EP)
Pixies – Surfer Rosa/Come On Pilgrim
ColourBox – ColourBox
Moose – Sonny & Sam (EP)
Ride – Nowhere
Revolver – Baby’s Angry
Pale Saints – The Comforts Of Madness
Lush – Split
yeah I like shoegaze :-)
August 1st, 2010 at 5:48 am
RY COODER was the Guitarist on Safe as Milk by the Captain……, Barry
August 1st, 2010 at 7:13 am
“Meaningless” by Jon Brion (2000)
“Lost in Space” by Aimee Mann (2002)
“Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs” by Andrew Bird (2005)
“White Bread, Black Beer” by Scritti Politti (2006)
“Don’t Do Anything” by Sam Phillips (2008)
August 1st, 2010 at 7:27 am
Bram, you are right — Lila Downs “Una Sangre” is one of the great albums of all time. Start to finish, totally in love with that album. But it never occurred to me in the “Rock & Roll” genre. She is an enormous talent, but I’m not sure she’s BR’s kind of thing. That said, it’s impossible not to love “Viborita” if you have a blood pressure above the single digits.
Another that I loved at the time that is not great, but incredibly obscure here and was quite popular in Germany was “Die Toten Hosen” (the dead trousers). I think that their first album was eponymous. Not exactly great, but certainly fun at parties!
August 1st, 2010 at 7:39 am
as of this post there are 183 comments on this subject. ….powerful stuff, music , no ?
August 1st, 2010 at 9:02 am
1) Wussy – Funeral Dress (Cincinnati vet Chuck Cleaver’s new outfit, the dude can write songs)
2) Hold Steady – Boys and Girls In America (I was surprised this never made the Billboard 100; guess the album sales came later)
2) Old 97′s – Too Far Too Care (Timebomb is probably the best opening track on any album ever)
3) Greg Dulli – Live at the Triple Door (Little surprise charity album that came out a couple years ago)
4)Joseph Arthur – Redemption’s Son (Probably his most consistent and personal album)
5)Drive By Truckers – The Dirty South (At their best with Jason Isbel in the band; too bad Yoko Isbel ruined it)
6)Ryan Adams – Heartbreaker (Captures the feelings of getting your heart stomped)
7) The National – Alligator (They just had a top 10 album; this one got the ball rolling)
8)Guided By Voices – Bee Thousand (Came out of nowhere in the 90′s and still sounds fresh; they are touring again too)
9)The Libertines – Up The Bracket (Raw and loose before Pete Doherty went off the deep end)
10) Morphine – Yes (Another 90′s gem)
Bonus:
Joseph Arthur – Our Shadows Will Remain
Twilight Singers – Blackberry Belle
Mark Lanegan – Bubblegum
Ass Ponys – Some Stupid With A Flare Gun
The Libertines – Up The Bracket
The Gutter Twins – Saturnalia
M Ward – Transistor Radio
Del Amitri – Waking Hours
The Replacements – Tim
The Replacements – Let It Be
Whiskeytown – Strangers Almanac
Super Special Bonus
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals “Elizabethtown/Darkbreaker Sessions” – Unreleased album that you can find on the internet recorded when he was getting sober. Don’t know what’s more stunning the music or the fact the idiots at the record company never released it but the idiots at his record company didn’t release a lot of quality stuff.
August 1st, 2010 at 9:16 am
Fabulous Thunderbirds – tuff enough
Los Lobos – By the Light of the Moon
Marshall Crenshaw – downtown
The Blasters – Hard Line
most underrated- any genre – Gospel @ Colonus -
August 1st, 2010 at 9:41 am
Greetings from Timbuk 3 – Timbuk3
comet52 listed that one, it breaks Rule #2, but, the rest of the Album remained woefully ‘obscure’, and way underloved..
http://www.amazon.com/Greetings-Timbuk-3/dp/B000002O2P
same with David & David -”Boomtown”
http://www.amazon.com/Boomtown-David/dp/B000002GH9
also, way others, above, are really good picks~
~~
BR, looks like “ritholtz.com” should get Long a CD-press, or two..although, please, spare us from MP3 (;
August 1st, 2010 at 9:53 am
The Tears (one album side project for former members of Suede) – Here Come the Tears
For Squirrels – Example (awesome debut album, super sad story – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Squirrels)
Jump, Little Children – Vertigo (though Between the Dim and the Dark could work just as well)
The Smiths – The Queen is Dead (huge in the UK…barely a blip on the radar here in the US sales-wise)
They Might Be Giants – Factory (unbelievably devoid of even 1 top 200 Modern Rock single)
…someone else said it earlier, and I agree, been reading this blog in many iterations for 3 1/2 years…but it took this to get me to register…
August 1st, 2010 at 10:33 am
Lucero-1372 Overland Park. Or That Much Further West. The best band since the Stones.
Two Cow Garage-Please turn the gas on.
Gaslight Anthem-’59 sound. Or Sink or swim. They might be getting too big to be unknown.
Izzys-The violent Bear it away.
Warren Haynes-Bonneroo. Some of his Gov’t Mule stuff could be here, too.
U2 is too big to count. I’m considering Counting Crows’ August and Wallflowers’ Horse as too well known. I also considered Gin Blossoms’ New miserable Experience and Marshall Tucker’s Stompin Room, which was probably recorded before ’85.
August 1st, 2010 at 11:09 am
Warsaw- BattleSka Gallactica
Warsaw-Hor’s Galore
http://www.myspace.com/warsawpolandbros
Refreshments-Fizzy Fuzzy Big and Buzzy
Pixies-Doolittle (probably doesn’t qualify)
Veruca Salt- American thighs
Cake-Fashion Nugget
August 1st, 2010 at 12:14 pm
What a list – I will only add one
New York Fund – The Guns EP
Lots of great music listed above. This is why I like my Rhapsody subscription. I spent a few hours checking out the music and add these albums to a playlist. I then let my PC download all 3900 songs overnight. Turns out to be about 20G of mostly new music for me. And there are some real gems here. ;)
Thanks All
August 1st, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Thought about it some more and IMO without a doubt a Tragically Hip album or 2 has to be on the top 5. They are an incredible rock band – quite unknown to mainstream USA.
Up to Here and Fully completely are 2 earlier strong albums but they are still making great music.
Yer Favorites – is a great compilation for those of you wanting to initiate yourselves. Early work is definitely Rolling Stone influenced but they moved on into their own in later works.
Barry, you will LOVE this band.
http://www.myspace.com/thetragicallyhip
Listen to New Orleans is Sinking and World Container at this link (an old and a new). Then move on to the many others.
August 1st, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Great idea for a post. Some ideas:
Broken Social Scene – You Forgot It In People
My Morning Jacket – Z
Gomez – Bring It On
Flaming Lips – Soft Bulletin
Pavement – Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
Kings of Leon – Aha Shake Heartbreak
XTC – Oranges and Lemons
Hothouse Flowers – People
Spoon – Gimme Fiction
Hives – Veni Vidi Vicious
Broken West – I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On
Arctic Monkeys – Whatever You Say I am That’s What I’m Not
Ryan Adams – Gold
August 1st, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Terence Trent D’Arby’s – Symphony or Damn – 1993?
Regular reader since 2005; first post.
August 1st, 2010 at 1:42 pm
1. The Three Way- Lilys.
2. Author Unknown-Jason Faulkner
3. The Heavy Blinkers-the Heavy Blinkers
4. Nine Horses- Nine Horses ( David Sylvian et al also see “Brilliant Trees” by David Sylvian but falls outside the rule)
5. Pygmalion-Slowdive
I would include the live disc portion of “A Miller’s Tale” by Tom Verlaine as it was released within the 25 year period but not recorded then and also Tim Buckley’s “Live At the Troubador” disqualified for the same reason. “Girlfriend” may deserve inclusion but Sweet has had hits with the Thorns. Even if they didn’t sell well in the states, I think Spiritualized and MBV are a little too well known, otherwise “Loveless” and “Ladies and Gentlemen..” truly great records-would top the list
August 1st, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Art Brut – Bang Bang Rock and Roll
A truly amazing album. Pity their second effort came off terribly flat.
August 1st, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Many of my favorites have already been listed, but there are more that are excellent albums from beginning to end. You may find many of the titles below congregating in the early 90′s period–that was my maximum exposure to music–I worked in an indy record store. Believe it or not, there was more going on than grunge and titles from Sub-Pop…
Jellyfish-Spilt Milk –”power-pop”
Material Issue- Destination Universe — “power pop”
Calexico- A Feast of Wire
Dada- Puzzle –good stuff in a Toad the Wet Sprocket sort of way
Gene- Olympian –English whining–in a good way
God Lives Underwater- Empty –crunchy electronic..same timeframe as early Godsmack, NIN
The Golden Palominos- Drunk with Passion –a “super group” great stuff
Jonatha Brooke and The Story- Plumb –one of the chic singers trying to get traction against many others
Lindsey Buckingham- Out of the Cradle –legend guitarist, legendary ego, great album
Liz Phair-Whip Smart –angry chic, perhaps too blunt
Mutemath-Mutemath
Peter Murphy- Holy Smoke — solo effort from the King of Goth
Poi Dog Pondering- Volo Volo — fantastic band, never took off except in Chicago (where they moved to)
Rufus Wainwright- Poses –strange, wonderful with a family pedigree
She Wants Revenge- S/T — if you like Interpol, Wire, etc. you’ll like this
Sugar- Copper Blue – Bob Mould project. Awesome
Super Furry Animals- Zoom — very cool English group
The The- Infected –don’t know what to say about this… perhaps recorded a decade too early
Todd Snider- Songs for the Daily Planet — favorite pot smoking folky, alt country dude
Wilco- A.M. Where the Truth was first revealed about who was the brains behind Uncle Tupelo..
Ok, it’s not five, but my five favorite were already listed. These are all worthy to find and play.
August 1st, 2010 at 3:56 pm
dcsos Says:
August 1st, 2010 at 5:48 am
RY COODER was the Guitarist on Safe as Milk by the Captain……, Barry
—————————
Indeed….Here’s a great video of Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band, with Ry Cooder, on the beach at Cannes…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCSPf5Viwd0
August 1st, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Can’t go wrong with any of Dick’s Picks. Good old Grateful Dead
http://www.deaddisc.com/GDFD_Dicks_Picks.htm
Pick any ’77 for a look at what you missed. (all released after 1985)
Pick 73-74 for Jazz oriented
Pick 90-91 to hear Hornsby reinvigorate the old tunes.
Someone else posted a pretty weak Phish album. Try these instead.
Hampton Comes Alive
http://drygoods.phish.com/Product.aspx?cp=773_1429_6902&pc=PHCD95
NYE 1995
http://drygoods.phish.com/Product.aspx?cp=773_1429_6902&pc=PHCD58#
12/7/87 Dayton (still can’t believe I survived that onslaught).
http://drygoods.phish.com/Product.aspx?cp=773_1429_6903&pc=PHCD91
Finally, the new GD DVD, Crimson, White and Indigo, is superb. If you have never seen Garcia play, you need to. Sure, some find the noodling mindless, but he was a master, and 89 was a good year. This was the last event at Philly JFK before demolition, and the sight of the full stadium watching a band just play their music, without lasers and lights and eleborate staging is something not seen anymore.
http://store.dead.net/1980s/philadelphia-1989-3cd1dvd
See you at the Greek next week!
August 1st, 2010 at 4:17 pm
This list stretches the genre a bit, but suspect that’s sorta what you were after:
Temple of the Dog – Temple of the Dog (1991)
A one-off project by former members of Mother Love Bone, Soundgarden, and soon-to-be, Pearl Jam.
Billy Pilgrim – Bloom (1995)
Folk-rock project out of Eddie’s Attic in Decataur, GA, served as a springboard for Kristian Bush who would later join the hugely popular country-pop band, Sugarland.
Eva Cassidy – Live at Blues Alley (1997)
Was a complete sleeper for years until figure skater, Sarah Hughes, skated for the Olympic gold medal to “Fields of Gold” in the 2002 Winter Olympics. First heard her version of “Fields” on a trip to Boston in 1998. About halfway through the song, I was looking for a freeway exit to hunt down that album.
Blue Oyster Cult – Mirrors (1979)
Sure, had the minor hit “Dr. Music” on it, but was largely overlooked and has some great tracks (esp. “The Vigil”) for those fortunate enough to have a quadraphonic sound system.
Eddie Money – Life for the Taking (1978)
Great adaptation of blue-eyed soul with a certain gritty, rock edge. Title track is still a fave.
George Cole Quintet – Samois Faire / The Hot Club (2007)
If you’re a fan of Django Reinhardt-inspired Gypsy jazz, this group is worth chasing down. They’re from the SF Bay Area on some small labels which you can buy direct online. They have a new line-up and album in the works for which I’d keep an ear peeled… his lead singer/chantreuse, Molly Mahoney, has walked the boards on Broadway and can absolutely belt it out lick for lick with George’s frenetic guitar work. Fun stuff.
Cheers!
August 1st, 2010 at 4:28 pm
They keep coming to me!
Marah – Kids in Philly. AWESOME
It’s Only Money Tyrone and Round Eyed Blues are stand out great Rock and Roll.
http://www.amazon.com/Kids-Philly-Marah/dp/B00004RDJI
This band got me excited about music again.
UKARLEWITZ – I have almost all of your picks – YOU WILL LOVE MARAH.
August 1st, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Okay, I went double the five album limit, but hey…TEN was tough! Here are some albums that were truly robbed of the heaps of adulation they so clearly deserved:
Richard Davies — There’s Never Been a Crowd Like This
Television Personalities — Painted Word
The Jazz Butcher — Sex & Travel
Orange Juice — You Can’t Hide Your Love Forever (1982…but again…hey)
XTC — The Big Express (technically, 1984, but hey…)
Dukes of Stratosphere — both albums
The Clean — Unknown Country
Go Betweens — Before Hollywood
Th’ Faith Healers — Lido
The Wedding Present — Bizarro
…Someone’s already mentioned Prefab Sprout’s Two Wheels Good.
August 1st, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Don: I know Marah as well.
I can also second Buckingham’s Out of the Cradle and Prefab Spout’s Two Wheels Good.
Good luck making a list of just 5!
August 1st, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Working my way through this incredible list of music will take aeons, but worth it.
Keeping to the spirit of the ‘project’, Rock n Roll et al, obscure, and outstanding I would dare to suggest as an opening five…and in no particular order:
Tracy Bonham: “The Burden Of Being Upright’ (1996), Billboard 54
http://www.amazon.com/The-Burdens-Of-Being-Upright/dp/B000V699HS/ref=sr_shvl_album_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1280712552&sr=301-2
Lene Marlin: ‘Playing My Game’ (1999), did not chart in US
http://www.amazon.com/Playing-My-Game/dp/B000T045TS/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1280713345&sr=301-1
Nouvelle Vague: ‘Nouvelle Vague’ (2004), did not chart in US
http://www.amazon.com/Nouvelle-Vague/dp/B002G7A4YC/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1280713419&sr=301-1
Cardigans: ‘Gran Turismo’ (1998), Billboard 151
http://www.amazon.com/Gran-Turismo-Cardigans/dp/B00000DLVA
Richard Thompson: ‘Rumour & Sigh’ (1991), Billboard?
http://www.amazon.com/Rumor-And-Sigh/dp/B000TEPJM6/ref=sr_shvl_album_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1280713502&sr=301-4
I’m unsure as to the above’s ‘obscure’ quotient but hope that the links promote discussion/opinion and maybe a eureka moment for one or two readers.
Now, if you throw open the request to the 60s & 70s that’ll take us well into 2011!
Barry, what about putting together an album of a final list based upon contributor’s responses. With the obvious talent reading your blogs you’d be spoilt for choice re. volunteers.
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:04 am
One stand out for me, spiderbait (http://www.spiderbait.com.au/) , very much to the hard rock end of the spectrum but have surprised with the odd ballad or pop song. In terms of album i’d like to say the greatest hits, but that’s probably not in the spirit of the survey, so here are the top 5 in order:
1. The flight of wally funk (2001)
2. Ivy and the big apples (1996)
3. Tonight Alright (2004)
4. Grand Slam (1999)
5. The unfinished spanish galleon of finley lake (1995)
I’d also say that they have had some of the best album artwork as well. Their best known single is a cover of black betty, which is brilliant, but they aren’t a cover band, in their 7 album history they only did one other cover that i can identify, “run” – a song originally seen on the BBC 1970′s comic TV series the goodies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goodies)
August 2nd, 2010 at 1:10 am
OK, there’s one somewhat obscure album that I think is awesome. It just bubbled to the surface on one of my playlists.
Neck and Neck with Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler.
The interplay between the two is most excellent.
Unfortunately, I suspect this post is too late to mean anything….
August 2nd, 2010 at 2:33 am
Many thanks for this opportunity to present at least 5 following masterpieces: Porcupine Tree (Deadwing)‚ Riverside (Second Life Syndrome)‚ Pain of Salvation (Be), Demians (Mute) and Neal Morse (?).
August 2nd, 2010 at 4:18 am
Tool-Opiate
Ministry-Psalm 69
Mars Volta-De-loused in the Comatoriam
Alter Bridge: One day remains (very goddy, but great riffs)
Black Cow-Udder Destruction
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:29 am
Celldweller – Celldweller (2003), amazing multi-sub-genre solo effort
No One – No One (2004), somehow available on amazon.co.uk
Dream Theater – Live at Budokan (2004)
In Flames – Colony (1999)
Beck – Stereopathetic Soulmanure (1994), yes he’s quite popular, but this early and unknown “album” is an engrossing window into a developing music talent.
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:36 am
Freedy Johnston – Can You Fly? (you mentioned Freedy at the outset)
Richard Hawley – Late Night Final
Heavenly – Le Jardin de Heavenly
Tackle Box – On!
Shrimp Boat – Cavale
The Wedding Present – Seamonsters
The Elevator Drops – People Mover (and Pop Bus)
Spiritualized – Laser Guided Melodies
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:48 am
Difficulty counting to 5 appears to be directly correlated with posting number.
I can’t say these are the absolute best 5, they aren’t quite Folsom Prison quality, but they are very good.
Black Keys : Attack & Release
Danger Mouse : The Grey Album
Spoon : Gimme Fiction (try any album)
Bon Iver : For Emma For Ever Ago
Nick Drake. all of it.
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:57 am
Barry,
This being a financial blog and all, you need a screen. I propose OOP (Out of print), which is going to knock a few of mine out, but anything that was well known in its day, and has since gotten the deluxe re-reissue treatment…well, sorry Replacements. You know I love you.
1. American Music Club/Mark Eitzel. I can think of few other bands that can match American Music Club’s despair, and dexterity, from beautiful folk moments to noise to waltz, often in the same record. And even fewer had a string of records like Engine, California, Everclear and Mercury.
My pick: California http://www.amazon.com/California-American-Music-Club/dp/B00004VNTF
Obscurity status: Barely in print.
Another obsessed fan’s take: http://knol.google.com/k/tony-heywood/american-music-club-california-review/2wof1cxua853h/2#
2. Lone Justice/Maria McKee. Mentioned by several, but apparently even Lone Justice fans skipped the first Mckee solo record, which easily trumps her Lone Justice work. The great lost country singer of our time?
http://www.amazon.com/Maria-Mckee/dp/B000000OZ3/ref=sr_1_1
ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1280759320&sr=1-1
Obscurity Status: Wikipedia says her solo record hit #120 on the US Charts. Not so obscure, but definitely more overlooked than the LJ record, which hit #62
More eloquent than me: http://80music.about.com/b/2010/05/24/this-weeks-forgotten-gem-of-the-80s-maria-mckees-cant-pull-the-wool-down-over-the-little-lambs-eyes.htm
3. Unrest/Air Miami-Mark Robinson and Bridget Cross made 2 classics in Unrest, but this follow up is somewhat overlooked even by obscure indie pop standards. A summer pop classic.
Air Miami, Me, Me, Me.
http://www.amazon.com/Me-Air-Miami/dp/B0000251IW
Obscurity Status: There’s not even a Pitchfork review!
A more eloquent take: http://radiofreechicago.typepad.com/reredesign/2010/04/flashback-friday-all-aboard-the-next-flight-on-air-miami.html
4. Peter Holsapple & Chris Stamey/The dB’s. The dB’s are a somewhat forgotten early 80′s new wave/rootsy band, and trying to pick one of their records is a night mare…Some shine more on their Hoboken sound, some more on their songwriting. And then there is this odd duo record the band’s founders made in ’91 or so, that somehow captured everything amazing about the 2 of them-fantastic songs, beautiful harmonies, and lovely guitar work.
http://www.amazon.com/Mavericks-Peter-Holsapple/dp/B000003SZX/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1280760635&sr=1-3
Obscurity status: Pretty damn obscure.
Another fanboy: http://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-peter-holsapple-chris-stamey/
5. Steve Wynn & the Miracle 3-Heard of the Dream Syndicate? Maybe? Did you know Steve Wynn’s solo career has long since surpassed that ground-breaking band’s music? I didn’t think so.
Static Transmission
http://www.amazon.com/Static-Transmission-Steve-Wynn/dp/B000094FE7/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1280760664&sr=1-1
Obscurity status: Google most likely will take you to the Vegas developer.
The best band you’ve never heard: http://www.stompandstammer.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=579&Itemid=0
Honorable mentions: Lisa Germano-Early folk-y Capital release strikes the perfect bittersweet note, before moving on to much darker material on 4AD. Out of print for years.
http://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Lisa-Germano/dp/B000002MQH/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1280759352&sr=1-1
David Kilgour/the Clean. Crminally underrated New Zealand pop.
http://www.amazon.com/Feather-Engine-David-Kilgour/dp/B00005UNBD/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1280759286&sr=1-4
Kiko is way underloved, except apparently by music-loving Big Picture Nerds. Los Lobos are so great freakin’ Robert Plant is covering one of their songs on his current tour.
L
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Northstar – Pollyanna is probably the best album that no one has ever heard..
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Big Guns-Rory Gallagher
Live Radish Head-Little Women
Live At The Grand Olympic Auditorium-Rage Against The Machine
Best played loud.
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Link to above..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Riee63nmzE0&feature=related
August 2nd, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Sloan from Nova Scotia – almost any thing is great Twice Removed, 5 nights at the Palais Royal, later stuff very poppy Pretty Together and Between the Bridges
The Chills from New Zealand – same as above, early stuff rock later stuff pop, Submarine Bells and Soft Bomb are incredible. The song I Love my Leather Jacket is rock at its best.
Love Jones from Louisville – more lounge than rock but still great only tow records Here’s to the Losers and Powerful Pain Relief. Drummer was from Squirrel Bait, legendary HS punk band, Sun God was their anthem to those who can remember.
The Feelies, Minutemen, Dream Syndicate, American Music Club have already been mentioned. A very enjoyable exercise.
August 2nd, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Honky – Balls Out Inn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUDHscWdBeU
Boxcar Satan – Upstanding and Indigent
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZZKzjJmtrU
Stinking Lizaveta – Caught Between Worlds
http://www.stinkinglizaveta.com/media/StinkLiz_OutOfBreath.MP3
Los Mescaleros
http://www.myspace.com/losmescaleros
Grinderman – Grinderman (Nick Cave’s latest project)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuDP7c3Zd8I
August 2nd, 2010 at 5:50 pm
For 75 cents, you can enjoy Blackbird, a short-lived rock project of the Kinman brothers, who were better known for their leadership in Rank And File (and the west coast punk band The Dils).
http://product.half.ebay.com/Blackbird_W0QQtgZinfoQQprZ3076029
[The great Rank and File album 'Sundown' is from 1982 and does not qualify per the rules of this exercise]
August 2nd, 2010 at 7:48 pm
5 favorite unknown CDs:
Failure – Magnified
Failure – Fantastic Planet
LTJ Bukem – Logical Progression
Sunny Day Real Estate – Diary
DJ Brian – Hardesertrance (3 part series)
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Not obscure but somewhat ignored.
Tom Waits-Rain Dogs
Toots and the Maytals-True love
The Smithereens-Green Thoughts
Richard Butler-Richard Butler
I also agree with Sufjan Stevens above
August 3rd, 2010 at 12:59 am
Let It Be – The Replacements – Released in 1984 but hey it was late 1984
Tim – The Replacements – already mentioned
Hollywood Town Hall – The Jayhawks (1992)
Tales of the New West – the Beat Farmers (1985)
Frenzy – Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper – maybe a little passé but if you have any cultural relation to the 80’s – it’s still great (1986)
Stoneage Romeos – Hoodoo Gurus – From 1984 but hey that’s close enough
Mars Needs Guitars – Hoodoo Gurus (1985)
Lost and Found – Jason and the Scorchers (1985)
Most of the Girls Like to Dance but Only Some of the Boys Like to – Don Dixon – almost forgot this – believe me it’s a keeper (1985)
A little surprised no one had mentioned the Gurus.
Didn’t mean for so many from the 80’s but by the 90’s the music I liked was popular. Still bitter at all those alumni that made us listen to the Big Chill soundtrack until our ears bled.
August 3rd, 2010 at 1:51 am
Deadwing – Porcupine Tree
In Absentia – Porcupine Tree
The best band you’ve never heard of
August 3rd, 2010 at 2:09 am
Jessica6 contribured Ocean Rain by Echo and the Bunnymen, but I just say Echo and the Bunnymen. Lips Like Sugar is one of Coldplay’s best covers out and everyone know the song. They’re John Hughes, REM, Tears for Fears, the 80′s most forgotten band, any way you look at it.
Space Wrangler by Widespread Panic deserves mention. It’s not unknown, but it was never top 40. You can add any Phish album if you want to to this genre.
Third would be Les Claypool’s self titled album. He’s still going, wrote the south park them song and Les is just nasty.
August 3rd, 2010 at 3:20 am
Besides those not mentioned…
Silver Jews – American Water
My Morning Jacket – At Dawn
V-Roys – Just Add Ice
Not rock, but worthy…
Gillian Welch – time (the relevator)
Morcheeba – Big Calm
Jonathan Richman – Not so much to be loved as to love / Having a Party with Jonathan Richman
Best book about an unknown rock band “The Cheese Chronicles” (about the band Government Cheese)
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:13 am
Fun topic — love seeing bands I don’t know and people loving those I do! Jayhawks, Jason & The Scorchers and Hoodoo Gurus getting shout-outs — awesome (BTW – any Hoodoo fans should check out their latest, PURITY OF ESSENCE. The lead track, CRACKIN’ UP is one of the best things they’ve done since MARS NEEDS GUITARS).
Background: 1st gen MTV watcher, former Sunset Strip club DJ — listen to everything (and I mean everything) but fondest of thick-layered guitar RAWK and that is what I will list (also, with the exception of one CD which charted at #78 on Billboard, I am being anal about the requirements: no charting, no hit singles, and something that I could put on and play start-to-finish in one of my clubs and not have the kids revolt).
1. EARTH VS. THE WILDHEARTS – The Wildhearts. Lead singer Ginger is the best rock songwriter in the last twenty years, easy. Great hooks, tons of melodies. Drugs de-railed the WHs the first, second and third times around but they’ve had some good touring years recently and Ginger is now in an amazing all-star band with Michael Monroe (HANOI ROCKS) also called MICHAEL MONROE.
2. THROUGH THE DARKNESS – D Generation. With Jesse Malin on vocals now getting Todd Youth (MURPHY’S LAW, DANZIG) on guitar, this was the final and – imo – best D Gen CD. Band was touted as “the next big thing” but could never get enough traction. Lead single, HELPESS, appeared on the soundtrack for the teen horror/sci-fi film THE FACULTY but that didn’t help since only me and John Stewart’s mom saw that movie in theaters.
(People should also check out Todd’s most recent band, The Chelsea Smiles, for more great 50s-meets-70s guitar rock. Great band.)
3. BUCKCHERRY – Buckcherry. This charted at #78 on Billboard, but f*** it. This CD is GREAT — every track goes to “11″ and demands you jump around, get sweaty and make out with someone. The band has gotten bigger since (and, technically/musically, better) but has never been more raw or more fun than here. 1986 all over again. Best work Steve Jones did between the Sex Pistols and his 103.1 radio show.
4. GLOW – Reef. Reef was selling out stadiums in the UK the same summer in the mid/late 90s when they played The Whisky on the Strip. Talk about a disconnect. When Brit Pop was full offsoft-peddling mods like Pulp and Blur chasing Oasis’ tail, Reef grabbed guitars and piano and channeled the Faces and Stones. Gary Stringer has some of the best pipes since Terry Reid. Great band, great album.
5. TSAR – Tsar. Maybe now that they’ve reformed, Tsar will reach the heights they should have, but I doubt it. Hamstrung by a production budget on their debut rumored to be over $1.5 million, Tsar never got the push from the already-floundering Hollywood Records that they might have in another time. Merging the power-pop rock of Cheap Trick with the easy glam of T.Rex, Tsar is another fine “shoulda been a contender”.
I hope someone reaching this post takes the time to check out these bands. If, like me, you grew up watching MTV when they played videos and miss the days of guitar pop and rock, I think you’ll really like these.
A few bonus rounds (can’t resist — once you get me going…):
– concur with some others on the bands I mentioned in the opening, as well as My Bloody Valentine, Black Rebel Motorcylcle Club and the Verve (though URBAN HYMNS did make the top 25 on Billboard)
– THE METHOD TO OUR MADNESS – Lords Of The New Church. Punk superband with Stiv Bators (DEAD BOYS), Brian James (THE DAMNED), Dave Tragunna (SHAM 69) and Nicky Turner (BARRACUDAS), this disc came out in ’84, before our cut-off, but is still a must-listen. Dark, evil sound and lyrics — if your kids like MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, out-goth them with this one.
– DANZIG – Danzig. Rick Rubin produced, ignore (or don’t) Glenn’s “Satanic Elvis” schtick and enjoy one of the angriest, dirtiest sounding blues-rock records ever made.
– HURRICANE #1 – Hurricane #1 — a more traditional Brit pop band, but Alex Lowe’s voice is amazing. Also featured Andy Bell (RIDE, OASIS) on guitar.
– THE SEA HAGS – The Sea Hags. The best hair-metal record of the 1980s, bar none. Band managed to record it and release it just in time for the Grunge Bomb to hit and for heroin to decimate the band in one fell swoop.
Had fun gang!
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:57 am
The Mekons “Rock n Roll” and “Fear and Whiskey”
The Fibonaccis “Civilization and its Discotheques”
Latin Playboys “Latin Playboys”
August 3rd, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Good lists. Here is my top 5:
5. Motion City Soundtrack – I Am the Movie
4. Neutral Milk Hotel Hotel – In the Airplane Over the Sea
3. Mineral – EndSerenading
2. The Afghan Whigs – Gentlemen
1. Pedro the Lion – Control
If you haven’t heard of Pedro the Lion go download Control now. The whole album is a story involving materialism, vanity, adultery, etc. “Penetration” and “Magazine” are two of the best rock songs ever written, IMO.
August 4th, 2010 at 10:17 am
Pere Ubu – Cloudland (and Worlds in Collision)
The Opposition – Empire Days
The Sound – From the Lion’s Mouth (or Shock of Daylight / Heads and Hearts)
Game Theory – Lolita Nation
Minimal Compact – One By One
August 4th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
BR – Apparently we travel in the same circles music-wise. Things that may have been big to us like The Magic Numbers did not really hit the main stream. As for the others on the list I usually caught them up in Boston over the Oughts, ’03-’08. Robert Randolph put on the best performance I saw live. Ray was really good doing a solo set at the Orpheum and the Black Keys brought down the house at the Avalon (now the House of Blues.) I would concede that Ray and The Black Keys have hit the main stream now but there was a before.
Maybe it’s more of an argument of when you caught them. The Black Keys just played Central Park and it was jam packed on the 27th, but when I saw them in Boston after they released ThickFreakness (which is what I meant in my original post) a lot of the hipsters at the venue just came to hear a rock concert and were just presently surprised that two guys alone could kick it. Same thing with Dispatch, just kind of an unknown jam band when they released their albums in the late 90′s and very early 2000s, but when they did their free farewell concert in 2004, they expected about 20-30K Boston area undergrads to show up and then an estimated 110,000 people did.
Finally, I kind of used the “gold” standard. Did they sell 500k albums of that particular disc? If they did not, I equated that to being “unknown.” I look forward to your list on Friday.
August 5th, 2010 at 11:30 am
I mean really unknown — that Magic Numbers disc sold 44,000 copies!
August 5th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Three of these charted, but none terribly high. Hence the list of eight, five of which did not chart. (The others are, I’ll posit, fairly obscure, but I don’t have access to sales data — that I know of.)
Terrell: On the Wings of Dirty Angels (1990) – [ did not chart ]
Rob Dougan: Furious Angels (2001) – [ 16 / Billboard Dance/Electronic ]
Boozoo Bajou: Dust My Broom (2005) – [ did not chart ]
Primal Scream: Screamadelica (1991) – [ did not chart ]
Scott Weiland: 12 Bar Blues (1998) – [ 42 / Billboard 200 ]
The Mars Volta: De-Loused in the Comatorium (2003) – [ 39 / Billboard 200 ]
Stress: Stress (1991) – [ did not chart ]
Pere Ubu: Worlds in Collision (1991) – [ did not chart ]
August 6th, 2010 at 4:16 am
Three come to mind.
Rialto had an eponymous album in the late 90′s that did well in England, but didn’t stick here. They sound kind of like pre-psychedelic Beatles, except depressed. More hooks than a long-line trawler, and the lyrics drip with articulate self-hatred.
Metal is a good source of obscure greats, since the genre and bands don’t go away, they just go underground. God Forbid’s “Gone Forever” (2004) never got into the Billboard Top 200. Too bad. Bleak and thrashy, these are Jerseyites who do more than GTL (Gym, Tan, Laundry).
Trivium did chart on Billboard, for two weeks (peaked at 25 in 2006). They actually sing, a comparative rarity in the genre. Neck-snapping riffage and socially conscious lyrics round out the mis. Think of them as what Metallica could have been.
August 7th, 2010 at 2:49 am
The Replacements
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Replacements_(band)
Trip Shakespeare
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trip_Shakespeare
John Browns Body
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brown‘s_Body
August 8th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
from the southern front…
Vroys/ARE YOU THROUGH YET?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gqvz6Px92M
Connells/Ring
http://www.amazon.com/Ring-Connells/dp/B000000GPT/ref=pd_krex_shvl_2
Whiskeytown/Faithless Street
http://www.amazon.com/Faithless-Street-Whiskeytown/dp/B00000C2BX/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1281298907&sr=1-1
Lonesome Bob/Things Fall Apart
http://www.myspace.com/lonesomebob
The Gourds/Dems Good Beeble, Stadium Blitzer or Shinebox
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SunrKwykK_Y&feature=related
http://www.amazon.com/Shinebox-Gourds/dp/B00005NHNE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1281299636&sr=8-1
August 10th, 2010 at 11:29 am
Did I miss the top 5 final list posting (supposed to be last Friday?)?
August 13th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
[...] weeks ago, I asked a simple question: What are the 5 best unknown, unheard Rock albums [...]
August 15th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
I need to add a very late entry:
Bevis Frond – What Did for the Dinosaurs (2002).
OR
Hit Squad by same
On his 14th album (not including compilations) in 18 years, Nick Saloman finds himself reassessing his career as one of the British psychedelic underground’s key figures,as both the leader and sole constant member of the Bevis Frond and as the publisher of the pioneering fanzine Ptolemaic Terrascope. WHAT DID FOR THE DINOSAURS is one of his most overtly autobiographical albums. In particular, the sardonic but ultimately defiant title track is Saloman’s grudging acceptance of his role as a musical throwback, set to one of his catchiest tunes. Other highlights include the album’s 14-minute closing track, “Dustbins in the Rain,” a vintage extended guitar jam of the type that often decorated the Bevis Frond’s early albums, and the attitude-heavy “Good Enough For You.”
http://www.amazon.com/What-Did-Dinosaurs-Bevis-Frond/dp/B000066E7H/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1281892033&sr=1-5
August 20th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
O Positive-Only Breathing/Cloud Factory. Listening to this right now in my car. Great Boston band from mid to late 80′s. Still sounds fresh.
Stompbox-Stress. Another Boston band. Released 1 album,and 1 EP. Hits hard. Like Helmet meets Soundgarden. Band broke up, but this masterpiece remains.
Morphine-Cure for Pain. Yet another Boston band. Use of saxophone, low rock sound yet to be duplicated.
The Chameleons-Strange Times. All 3 of the Chameleons albums could be on this list, but the epic Strange Times released in 1986 falls within the last 25 years. Swirling guitars of Reg Smithies and Dave Fielding, and the lyrics of Mark Burgess are incredible. Most unsung band of the 80′s
Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers-Coming Home. The ultimate bar band from the ultimate shot and beer town, Pittsburgh. The former frontman of the Iron City Houserockers made a strong comeback with this 1988 release Rock and Real, however I selected the 1998 album Coming Home. The closer “Innocence is Beautiful” is the greatest song about fatherhood ever penned. Bruce Springsteen never sounded so good.
September 2nd, 2010 at 7:54 am
great list, got more enjoyment from this than any other before.
two thumbs up for the Fury in the Slaughterhouse album Mono, though I liked The Hearing and Sence of Balance more with tunes like Kiss the Judas, Hang the DJ, Radio Orchid, Every Generation Has Its Own Disease…….
nobody mentioned the Sponge abum Rotting Pinata, not a bad tune on it
Robbie Robertson – Robbie Robertson a haunting album end to end
Concrete Blonde – Concrete Blonde was a great disc if only for the tune ‘Dance Along the Edge’
The Darkness – Permission to Land , seems impossible nobody mentioned it, like them or not, it rocks big time
honourable mention to Dismemberment Plan – ‘Is Terrified’, Fiction Plane – “Everything Will Never Be OK”, Incubus is certainly a respectable band with “Fungus Amongus”, Spacehog – “Resident Alien”, Steve Earle – “Guitar Town”, Ted Leo & the Pharmacists – “Shake the Sheets”, Thomas Dolby – “The Aliens Ate My Buick”, best comeback album Tina Turner – “Private Dancer”, World Party – “Goodbye Jumbo”
be great to see more comments, huge FUN