I'm with Stocky on Up. I am also one of the few who think that Monster is under-rated.

My all-time most under-rated album would be Key Lime Pie by Camper Van Beethoven. The Apocalypse as langour, warm and melting; scary in a generally-pleasant way.

How about Robyn Hitchcocks' I Often Dream of Trains? (Praised but seemingly-forgotten!)

And the Comsat Angels' Sleep No More?

Pretty much anything by Teenage Fanclub or The Church...

There are so many... Great topic.

--The THING

quote:

Originally posted by konstantinl:
As a huge Kraftwerk fan I've always felt 'Radioactivity' gets overlooked to some extent.

It's brilliant.

I think you're dead right Konstantinl, in many ways it's more interesting and takes chances than some of their later, more respected albums. "Radioland" is such a spooky wonder! in fact the album as a whole is very haunting and quite bleak, in the best, most electric way possible of course

quote:

Originally posted by WaxTadpole:

quote:

Originally posted by Stocky:

REM's UP is too long, but I think it's up there with their best albums.

I had some affection for UP as well, a lot of that though hinges on Daysleeper which I've always loved. I wouldn't put it in my top 5 REM albums though, but it would sit somehwere alongside New Adventures in Hi Fi just outside. I never saw an album by a major artist hit the bargain bins quicker then that album though. The new one, Around the Sun left me totally disillusioned though, I couldn't find a single track on that made me want to revisit it, quite a fall from grace, even though Reveal itself was also disappointing it at least had a couple of songs that were worthwhile.

I have to stick up for Reveal. I thought it was utterly boring and nondescript for the first ten listens (probably more patient with that CD than any other--cuz it was REM), and it finally sank in. Definitely one that you have to listen to it in its entirety, too. The singles are good but don't do it justice.

I find Reveal to be utterly boring and nondescript, but I can't say I've given it more than ten listens. Monster gets trodden on a bit too much - I think half the songs are good.

Around the Sun is a pile of dog shit.

I think Green Day's Insomniac is nearly forgotten. The only song anyone remembers from it is "Brain Stew". It's actually got two of their best songs, if not their two very best songs. "Panic Song" and "Stuart & the Avenue" are fantastic.

I've been giving Radiohead's Hail to the Thief another listen, and it's surprisingly solid. I think the reason I mostly forgot about it is that it's a collection of good songs, but not a really good album. Coming after Kid A, Amnesiac, and OK Computer, which were all musically and thematically stronger albums, HTTT was a weird change of pace. Quite excellent, though.

"Boz Scaggs" - Boz Scaggs was young and was learning his chops. He was good enuf to attract the likes of Duane Allman on this fine album.
I just gotta hear "Loan Me A Dime". Ace!

quote:

Originally posted by Chamberk:
I've been giving Radiohead's Hail to the Thief another listen, and it's surprisingly solid. I think the reason I mostly forgot about it is that it's a collection of good songs, but not a really good album. Coming after Kid A, Amnesiac, and OK Computer, which were all musically and thematically stronger albums, HTTT was a weird change of pace. Quite excellent, though.

They really nailed the sound quality of the album. Yeah, I was so dissappointed at first that it turned off of Radiohead. It's not a great album, but it is very strong. If you take most of the songs based on their own merits they stand up to most other Radiohead songs...just not when viewed as an album.

quote:

Originally posted by Stocky:
I find Reveal to be utterly boring and nondescript, but I can't say I've given it more than ten listens. Monster gets trodden on a bit too much - I think half the songs are good.

Around the Sun is a pile of dog shit.

Agree 100%. I'll never forget Q's review of Reveal that proclaimed it to be "better then Automatic For The People". I bought Reveal on the strength of that bloody review and when i heard it i didn't know whether to laugh or cry. One thing's for sure; i havn't bought Q since!

forgotten album:
fugazi - red medicine.
that album gets overlooked, as youngsters flock to the early fugazi to hear what dc hardcore sounds like (i.e., repeater and 13 songs).
red medicine is just gold for me though. just experimental enough, sonically. just agressive enough, musically.

quote:

Originally posted by the wuss:
forgotten album:
fugazi - red medicine.
that album gets overlooked, as youngsters flock to the early fugazi to hear what dc hardcore sounds like (i.e., repeater and 13 songs).
red medicine is just gold for me though. just experimental enough, sonically. just agressive enough, musically.

I'll need to give that one a shot, I never gave Fugazi much of a go, the earlier stuff was just to abrasive for my tastes, at that time I was listening to Go Betweens, The Chills and that kinda whimisical indie stuff. A couple of years ago though I picked up The Arguement on a whim second hand after remembering some decent reviews for it. That album just blows me away.

Clouds Taste Metallic by the Flaming Lips seems to get lost in the middle of Satellite Heart and Soft Bulletin. But all the tracks are strong and has the best opening track of any album they've done.

As for Fugazi, I just dont think Red Madicine forfilled it's potential. I reckon they could have made more of the songs. Ill produced.

Red Heaven by Throwing Muses is definitely a forgotten classic. Noone ever mentions it when talking about Throwing Muses (although in fairness, noone ever talks about Throwing Muses!). Most people mention the debut album, Real Ramona, or University. Red Heaven is in my all-time top 10 though.

Radio-Activity, Kraftwerk (forgotten because it is wedged between their two most magnificent albums, Autobahn and Trans-Europe Express.)

The Top, The Cure (unpopular album by The Cure in the 80's, but as time grew, and now remastered, it is getting the glory it deserves.)

Lodger, David Bowie (no matter how many times I play this album, I can never remember it.)

Clouds Taste Metallic, The Flaming Lips (another album where I cant remember a single track.)

Brotherhood, New Order (has one of New Orders most popular songs, "Bizarre Love Triangle", but if you ask anyone what album it's off of, they usually have no clue.)

Controversy, Prince (same reason as Brotherhood.)

Von, Sigur Ros (most people don't even know this CD exists.)

That is all I can think of at the moment.

quote:

Originally posted by Stocky:
Cat Power's Covers Record is an overlooked document of pure authentic emotion.

Personally I would recommend everything she's ever done. An extraordinary artist who has touched and moved me like no other.

REM's Lifes Rich Pageant I feel is not rated highly enough, probably cause its relatively simple compared to some of their later work. Its more like garage rock.

Jesus & Mary Chain's Darklands I feel is actually their best album from beginning to end but because of Psychocandy itll never get its due recognition.