Obviously in response to Johnsofats brawler this is exactly what the subject says it is. So I'll start, and satisfy my inner urge to pretend i'm cool by thinking the following bands are cooler than they are generally thought to be.

The Unicorns - So essential. So underrated. There are those who revere them but Islands will help everyone see their glory.

Architecture in Helsinki - I don't know how these guys received so many insanely divergent scores here on meta. I thought there record was top ten last year. Insanely packed with incredible, catchy ideas.

Spenking - best acoustic singer songwriter around in my opinion.

Regina Spektor - I don't know why. She is just amazing. She can make the most out of so little.

Minus Story - Their album 'The Captain Is Dead, Let The Drum Corps Dance' is one of the most amazing albums I've ever listened to. Their new one is awesome too.

Mt. Eerie - I can't see why anyone could give Phil crap. His new stuff is just as good as his work as Microphones.

Liars - Their experimentation is actually forward thinking in my book. Way underrated, especially on their second album. 'Drums' is a masterpiece.

Joseph Arthur - My absolute favourite artist ever. I am baffled at his underratedness. Absolutely amazing in every aspect of his work.

Joanna Newsom - Some might question this because she has already received a mass amount of praise. I think she is even better than that. Best lyricist around. More than excited for her follow up.

Gang Gang Dance - Why aren't these guys recognized more? Amazing. Don't dismiss them just 'cause they're from brooklyn too.

Flotation Toy Warning - Better than the Flaming Lips, Grandaddy or any other indie psych rock band out there.

Eluvium - Drone for the masses. This can be enjoyed by anyone. I'm convinced. His most recent album has been trying to persuade me that it is my favourite album ever. I think it is better than Fennesz or KFW.

Akron/Family - This band deserves to all the love in the world. They're work on the Angels of Light/Akron split is some of the best music I have heard in ages. Pure unadulterated energy. I love it.

this list is too long...sorry.

We already have about 372 places to discuss overrated/underrated bands, artists, songs, albums, cars, cell phones, place settings, and recliner styles. Do we really need another?

Until we get new software, I can't combine 'em all up , so I guess this stands.

Why does everyone whine so much on blogs? You don't have to enter the post. You read the subject line right? It doesn't take a lot of physical effort to not scroll down a screen and scan what you want to look at to read.

I wouldn't classify it as whining: it's more like comic sarcasm. I use humor to take peoples minds off some of the babbling nonsense they read here. The only problem is it gets lost on some. My main concern here is whether or not an Indie category dealing with underrated artists limits the discussion to Indie music only. The thread already exists under General Music Discussion and, in turn, covers all music. This will of course lead to potentially meaningful discussions being dissected and weakened like a split-squad spring training game. I'm sure you can see the irreversible harm in that. (It's frightening!)

Back to the "new" topic...

Teitur is underrated and I'm glad. The music is mine, all mine, and I will not share. In that case, disregard. He is quite overrated and a waste of time.

sicnarf-

i'll respond to your post about underrated bands.

the unicorns - i don't think they're underrated. i don't know if i've heard anyone say they didn't like it. it's great, and people acknowledge it.

liars - i think it's just not for some people. i love their new album, but i can see a lot of people not liking them.

joanna newsom - i like her. that's all i have to say about that.

architecture in helsinki - i agree that 'in case we die' is a great album. i absolutely loved it, and it was the only thing that all my roommates could agree on when sitting around drinking. however, their live show was EXTREMELY disappointing. maybe they need to cut down on their members, or maybe they just need to rehearse more, but they were not tight at all. way too jumbled, all over the place. basically, their show couldn't live up to the skill that took place on their album.

quote:

Originally posted by Sicnarf:
Why does everyone whine so much on blogs? You don't have to enter the post. You read the subject line right? It doesn't take a lot of physical effort to not scroll down a screen and scan what you want to look at to read.

They whine because every new thread makes for that much more information to scroll through. A quote from the Forum Guidelines:

"2. Do not repeat things that have already been said. This means you are responsible for READING PREVIOUS POSTS before making a post yourself. Obviously, if there are hundreds of posts on a topic, you won't be required to read every one, but you should read a significant portion of them. Users who constantly repeat things that have already been said do not add anything of value to the discussions in our Forums.

3. Do not start a new thread if there already is one on your subject. Yes, this means you must scan the existing threads first to ensure that you are not duplicating one."

There was already a thread in Indie Rock with the exact same topic:

http://forums.metacritic.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/576108/m/2720010383

Not to mention numerous others similar to it. I'll keep whining because, on a daily basis, I have to delete duplicate threads.

I agree with most of the bands you listed. I especially agree with Akron/Family. Their self-titled was top three for me last year and their half of that split is insane. I can't wait to hear more from them.

Ok ok, I can handle that. Feel free to delete this thread.

quote:

Originally posted by Sicnarf:
Ok ok, I can handle that. Feel free to delete this thread.

I'll leave it up, since it's getting some traffic.

I'll even add to it:

American Music Club. Back in the early 90's, SPIN called Mark Eitzel the next great American songwriter. They never sold any records, they broke up, Eitzel made some solo records (some great, some crap), they got back together, and people still don't seem to care. Pity.

Archers of Loaf. Eric Bachmann's (Crooked Fingers) former band. Everything they have done is gold in my book. Especially Vee Vee which is probably in my top five.

Drive Like Jehu/Rocket From the Crypt/Hot Snakes/Sultans - John Reis and Rick Froberg can do no wrong. Unrelenting rock and roll.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnsofats:
Archers of Loaf. Eric Bachmann's (Crooked Fingers) former band.

I second that. Archers of Loaf are fantastic. "Web in Front" is one of the best alternative rock songs ever.

Juno is the most underrated band of all time. "this is the way it goes and goes" and "a future lived in past tense" rightfully deserve to be listened to by any and every living human being. Beautiful expansive music, gorgeous guitar interplay...just go listen to them.

I cant keep saying this enough

HALO BENDERS! They were so amazing, its Calvin Johnson from Beat Happening (also underrated) and Doug Martsch from Built To Spill singing post-modern love songs at the same time! I get carried away talking about these guys.

The Wrens- I cant believe after all the amazing reviews they got for the meadowlands that so many people I meet either never heard of them or just hate them.

Polaris- They only did music for Pete and Pete but the stuff is pure gold.

Daniel Johnston- Its sad cause this guy will probably be considered overrated after his movie goes nationwide, but he seriously is a genius and one of the biggest reason indie rock even exists. Its worse to know that people will buy his albums because of his life story rather then his actualy music or even his huge influence on many bands today.

Emperor X- Not a lot of people know about this guy and even I'll admit I was almost turned off by the terrible name, but his music is diverse and well arranged.

Fleming and John- Married couple that does music together, though I dont know if they still do. Great lyrics and very atmospheric with just as many clever/funny songs as they have serious love songs.

Masters of the Hemisphere- Really amazing band that never took off. The sounds of indie rock from the early 90's mixed with a beach boys kind of sounds. Hard to find but seriously worth a listen.

Liars, Architecture in Helsinki, Archers of Loaf. Agreed, agreed, agreed. Good stuff guys.

Halo Benders, the Wrens and Polaris (Minneapolis!) are all great.

Baptist Generals - Lo Fit outfit that put out an album on Sub Pop a few years ago. It got decent reviews, but nothing followed. I think it's such a good album though and they haven't done anything since, must have been 3 or 4 years ago now.

Reigning Sound. A great band out of Memphis that embraces the classic rock n' roll sound of the early sixties, but with DIY punk rock spirit. Think Love meets the Ramones. Their album Time Bomb High School is one of my favorite albums in recent years.

quote:

Minus Story - Their album 'The Captain Is Dead, Let The Drum Corps Dance' is one of the most amazing albums I've ever listened to. Their new one is awesome too.

So there is at least two people who knows about that band

Most underrated band : HOOD

It is rather odd how long Hood have been together and still practically unknown. Reminds me of another band called The Frames, really and all over the place when it comes to their us of acoustic or electric. At least 5 albums deep and most people in the US dont know of them, which is odd cause it sounds like they'd be big.

Ummmm........Suede?