Under Rated and Greatest Albums of All TimeMusic

[Canadian Speed]

I don’t doubt that there’s already a thread about the best albums out there, but the search function isn’t working for me, so I couldn’t find it. And although these two subjects could probably be in their own threads, I basically wanted to make a “great albums” thread. There are how ever some rules to this… At least half of the songs on the album have to be better then average, and “Best Of”, “Compilations” and “Tribute” albums can’t be part of this list… Only original recordings need apply. And talk a bit about em too… Don’t just simply go Michael Jackson Thriller and leave it at that… at least a few words. Get it, got it, good… I use to work at a record store that was nice enough to give me cost on anything I wanted… They should have just paid me in stock, in a way, they did. At it’s height, my collection was over 800 CDs with roughly 100 tapes and just over 50 actual albums… Anyhow, I’ve got a ton of them, but I’d like to give people a chance to add their input on what they like…

So here we go, I’ll get us started:

Probably my favorite album of all time and most under rated album as far as I’m concerned is by far Counting Crows "August and Everything After". The fact that this album has never really gotten the recognition it deserves is a complete and total oversight by the music industry. This album has some of the greatest lyrics you’ll ever find in modern music. Adam Duritz has one of the most haunting voices you’ll ever hear. Nearly every song is perfect in it’s own way… It’s not a “feel good” album, but it got me through some pretty rough times. It’s a great album to drink alone too if you know what I mean… Not that I’m encouraging that kind of stuff, I just mean that it’s the kind of albums you just want to be alone, listening to, in a dark room or with headphones with your eyes closed. Most people will know the hit song “Mr. Jones” and maybe “Round Here” but this entire album from front to back is a gem. People often use to ask me what to get and I had recommended this album so many times and not a single person ever came back and said I was wrong…

 

[Danny]

Goldfrapp- Black Cherry

Great album, but no-one bought it.

 

[Ev0]

Rush - Hemispheres

Outside of Rush fans, nobody knows about this album. Instrumentally, it is arguably Rush's finest album, despite strong competition from their other masterpieces like 2112, Moving Pictures, and so on. Lyrically, Neil Peart is also in top form, as shown on the epic 18 minute title track, and in 'The Trees', a very interesting song about equality. But the real gem of the album is the final track, La Villa Strangiato. Clocking in at just under 10 minutes, this instrumental alone makes the album worth purchasing, despite the other outstanding tracks. Alex, Geddy, and Neil all put in one of their finest efforts at their respective instruments for this outstanding track.

I've never seen this album on sale for more than $10. If you ever see it in a record store, and you're a fan of any sort of rock music, buy this album. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Andrew R]

I think NoFx - Punk In Drublic is a great album that gets over looked.

And I think this could cover the opposite end of the spectrum. The most OVER rated band / album.

My nomination goes to anything by Nirvana.

 

[Canadian Speed]

Rush - Hemispheres

Outside of Rush fans, nobody knows about this album. Instrumentally, it is arguably Rush's finest album, despite strong competition from their other masterpieces like 2112, Moving Pictures, and so on. Lyrically, Neil Peart is also in top form, as shown on the epic 18 minute title track, and in 'The Trees', a very interesting song about equality. But the real gem of the album is the final track, La Villa Strangiato. Clocking in at just under 10 minutes, this instrumental alone makes the album worth purchasing, despite the other outstanding tracks. Alex, Geddy, and Neil all put in one of their finest efforts at their respective instruments for this outstanding track.

I've never seen this album on sale for more than $10. If you ever see it in a record store, and you're a fan of any sort of rock music, buy this album. You won't be disappointed.

So very VERY true... Actuely the entire Rush "Trilogy" is just amazing... The 2112, Farewell To Kings, and this album are just simply rediculous as far as talent is concerned... Very very good pick here folks. Just listening to Neil Peart in the background is mind blowing.👍

And I think this could cover the opposite end of the spectrum. The most OVER rated band / album.

My nomination goes to anything by Nirvana.

I couldn't agree with you more on this one as well... Never, ever has a band been more overated in my opinion. All Curt ever did was rip off Neil Young, the Pogues and the Pinheads. I have no idea why people have such a love for this guy and this band. The best thing to come out of this band was Dave, and what later became the Foo.

 

[Kylehnat]

I always felt that System of a Down's 1998 self-titled release was vastly underrated and largely ignored, despite the fact it was a very groundbreaking album. It sounded nothing like anything that had come before it. With it, SOAD basically invented their own style of music and became very successful with this formula. Even with their noteriety today, this album still gets little mention, even though it's probably their best. "Sugar", "Suggestions", "Spiders", "Soil", "War", "Peephole", "Darts", "CUBErt", and "Mind" are all absolutely amazing songs which really define the band as a whole.

 

[Filizola]

Greatest album...huh...
Well, for me, I want to say "Achtung Baby"(U2), but darnit, "War"(U2) is so-close, but then there is "Supernatural"(dcTalk), and then there is "Demon Days"(Gorillaz; [Damon Alburn's best work by the way]).

If I'd have to settle on something, I'm gonna go with "Nothing is Sound"(Switchfoot), and underrated band in itself. Just ignore the Grammy nomination for "Learning to Breathe".

 

[tait]

Goldfrapp- Black Cherry

Great album, but no-one bought it.

Oh hell yeah!

Wolf Parade - Apologies to the Queen
It's a great cd for anyone into music, it's just all around good. Every track is worth listening to, and each one differs from the first.

 

[F1GTR]

Led Zeppelin III and Presence are often overlooked compared to other Zep albums.

 

[SRV2LOW4ME]

Not sure how under rated it is in the states, but in Canada, my pick for most under rated album would be Deftones - White Pony 👍

 

[Canadian Speed]

Good call on the Deftones... Though I like Adrenaline a lot more. For Canadian albums... I'd have to go with The Tragically Hip's "Road Apples". By far one of the best works they've ever put out, but has always been overshadowed by other works like Up To Hereand Fully Completely. Although they're both great albums, the country understones of the music in Road Apples was a big step forward in finding their sound for later albums... and although they've moved away from their traditional sound in recent albums, I seriously hope they make a return to their roots, more specificaly this album. A real gem if you like straight forward rock. I'm not even sure if you folks from the States and abroad are aware of this band... I'm sure you've heard a few songs. But their earlier works are really all quite good. Save their self titled first album... unless you're a hardcore fan of the group. By far, Road Apples album is one of those great albums that you can put on and simply let play in the backgroud. It's when you actuely sit back and listen to the words that this album really shines. A little known fact abut the Hip's earliest works are that, true to their names, they focus on real life tragedies, mostly Canadian, but from all walks of life for their inspirations.

Now for a simply great album. Not underrated by any means, though for how great this albums is, it can't help but be under rated as you can't possibly say enough about this album. Everytime you listen to it, you discover a little something new, or a little rif, run or sounds that you never caught onto before. From one of the best bands ever, and the first vinyl album I ever baught from a used record store... The Police's Synchronicity. The rythme of this album is simply amazing. A must for dummers and basists, as well as people who simply like great music. This is by far one of my favorite albums of all time. I can put it one and just drift off into the songs on this album. Keep in mind that this was made in the 80's, so it'll sound over produced in some areas, but the overall product is a master piece of the greatest standards. Give it a listen and you'll see what I mean.

 

[SRV2LOW4ME]

For Canadian albums... I'd have to go with The Tragically Hip's "Road Apples".

Big fan of the Hip, and thats definitly my favorite album from the group. 👍

 

[Slicks]

I've got the Hipeponymous set, Up To Here, and Day For Night. Hipeponymous is excellent, but it's basically a Greatest Hits set. I'll always love Up To Here as my favorite Hip album.
Stevie Ray Vaughan's Texas Flood and In Step are my two favorite albums from him. Overall, although by no means underrated, he is a relatively unknown musicion (OK, I know musicion is spelled wrong, but my brain can't put together the effort to get it right at this time...) compared to the other ones of his era.
I also love Dark Side of the Moon. While I don't think it's underrated, I do think it is overshadowed alot by The Wall.

 

[Canadian Speed]

I've got the Hipeponymous set, Up To Here, and Day For Night. Hipeponymous is excellent, but it's basically a Greatest Hits set. I'll always love Up To Here as my favorite Hip album.

Isn't Hipeponymous a box set?

Stevie Ray Vaughan's Texas Flood and In Step are my two favorite albums from him.

Both very good albums... Though I still like Couldn't Stand The Weather more. The cover of Voodoo Child is amazing on it...

I also love Dark Side of the Moon. While I don't think it's underrated, I do think it is overshadowed alot by The Wall.

Only by people who don't know better. If ratings are the source of how great an album is, this is the best album of all times as it was on Billboards Top 200 List for an amazing 15 years!!! You'll never see that again... Amazing album, but folks who know, can never argue that it's less then perfect... Possibly the best album ever... Period... Good pick...

Here's a link in case you don't believe me... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Side_of_the_Moon

As a side note when the album is played simultaneously with the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, the images of the movie occasionally appear to be synchronized with the music and lyrics. It's called the "Dark Side of the Rainbow" or "Dark Side of Oz". Band members have never said it was intentional, but I've done it several times and it's pretty freaky. The way you set it up is like this. Press "Repeat" then "Play" and then "Pause" your CD right away. Turn on the Wizard of Oz. When the MGM Lion roars three times (the black and white one), on the third roar, unpause the cd and turn the sound off on Oz. If you got it right, when the producers name comes up, the music should kick in full swing. The album will play through three times durring the movie. Things that I've noticed from watching are when "Waiting for some little something to show you the way" is sing, Toto hops through the window and leads Dorothy out of the house. The scene where the lady who represents the Wicked Witch comes to take away Toto, coincides with the drum solo part of the album. The head and arm motions go with the drums. Right as Dorothy opens the door to Munchkin land, the song money starts up. The colours are green and gold and the munchkins are all marching in time with the music. The heart beat at the end of the album goes with Dorothy listening to the Tinman's chest. This is repeated several times later in the movie. Don't watch it to see if EVERY last thing goes together with the music, as it doesn't. But there are several parts that do. People often wonder how this could have been done. But in all reality, it's quite easy. Take the score of the movie, which is a musical where people are moving in time with the music. The score is actuely played in three parts and it's time is repeated three times. Make your album along the same times and voila!!! The words take a bit more time to work in, but the musical parts will all fit and people will move in time with the music. Still no small feat, but not impossible... Thought you'd just like to know... Have fun!!!

 

[Canadian Speed]

Bump!!!!

Has anyone tried this out yet? I've done it several times in the past and it does work... Thouhg it does take quite a bit of patience to listen to the album three times over... But it's really kind of neat...

 

[Touring Mars]

Has anyone tried this out yet? I've done it several times in the past and it does work... Thouhg it does take quite a bit of patience to listen to the album three times over... But it's really kind of neat...

I've got to say, I don't believe this for one second - not least because the music (instrumental sections) could be taken to 'fit' just about any imagery (psychedelic or otherwise) you could care to mention, and I seriously doubt that the film reflects the lyrical content of that album by any stretch of the imagination. I seriously doubt that Roger Waters (who wrote all of the lyrics for DSOTM) watched (or even sub-consciously linked) 'The Wizard Of Oz' before or during the writing of the lyrics... and even if he did, it is difficult to see both how and why any scene from the movie would inspire him to write lyrics around the themes addressed by the album...

I think this is on a par with other rock album myths, like playing 'Stairway To Heaven' backwards, the Judas Priest affair, or the legendary 'Paul Is Dead' rumour (which actually was later genuinely used by The Beatles as a joke)...

----

My choice of 'under-rated' album would have to be one of Neil Young's so-called 'Doom Trilogy'... a series of three (well duh!) albums recorded after the deaths of close friends Bruce Berry and Danny Whitten - "Tonight's The Night", "Time Fades Away" and "On The Beach"... until recently, "Time Fades Away" was not available for love nor money, but luckily my mate had it on vinyl, hence how I was exposed to it.

Completely disowned by Neil Young's recording company at the time, it consists of 8 songs, all recorded live, and about as rough and under-rehearsed as it gets... apparently Neil Young was pretty wrecked during the recording of both "Tonight's The Night" and "Time Fades Away", and you can tell, as the quality of his vocal and guitar performances leave something to be desired... the only thing is, the quality of the songs is sensational...

From the solo piano/vocal/harmonica songs 'The Bridge' and 'Journey Through The Past', to the soaring full-band rock song 'The Last Dance', the album covers the full range of Neil Young's immense abilities. 'L.A' is another satnd-out track, but for me, the autobiographical tale 'Don't Be Denied' is one of Neil Young's finest songs...

(Incidentally, the album cover for 'Time Fades Away' was exactly replicated in a scene from the film 'Almost Famous'...)

 

[Scaff]

As far as underratted has to go mine would be

The The - Dusk

One of The The's most underratted albums, as most people know Infected best (which is still great), Dusk is quite possiable one of my single most listened too CDs (and with well over 500 albums on CD and Vinyl thats saying something).


The Boo Radleys - Giant Steps

A truely mesmorising album, by a band that was incrediably important to the UKs indie scene of teh 90's yet never got the recognition these deserved. Buy this one now.



The Afghan Whigs - Gentlemen

Pure class this one, I love it still to this day am amazed at how badly it did in the UK. In fact I going to put this on now while I make my last selection for the moment.



Buffalo Tom - Buffalo Tom

While I honestly believe that everything Buffolo Tom did is hugely under rated, the self titled first album contained some sublime, raw and amazingly powerful tracks.


I could go on for a very long time like this, after motorsport and cars, music is my next love.

Regards

Scaff

 

[Canadian Speed]

I've got to say, I don't believe this for one second - not least because the music (instrumental sections) could be taken to 'fit' just about any imagery (psychedelic or otherwise) you could care to mention, and I seriously doubt that the film reflects the lyrical content of that album by any stretch of the imagination. I seriously doubt that Roger Waters (who wrote all of the lyrics for DSOTM) watched (or even sub-consciously linked) 'The Wizard Of Oz' before or during the writing of the lyrics... and even if he did, it is difficult to see both how and why any scene from the movie would inspire him to write lyrics around the themes addressed by the album...

I think this is on a par with other rock album myths, like playing 'Stairway To Heaven' backwards, the Judas Priest affair, or the legendary 'Paul Is Dead' rumour (which actually was later genuinely used by The Beatles as a joke)

Had I not seen it before with my own eyes, I'd never have believed it myself. However, the coincidences are quite prevelent in the movie. And as I said, repeated three times durring the movie, various parts appear to line up with what's on the screen at that very time... And if you're asking, no I was not high at the time, I don't do drugs... I wasn't drunk either. Well at least not 90% of the times I've watched it... It's truely amazing, and if it was in fact made to go along with the movie... It's a huge tip of the hat artistically, at least from me, as it really is neat to watch... Anyone doubting should really at the very least, give it a shot... Like humouring a little child. You just may be surprised with what you find... But, as a side question, why wouldn't Roger have watched TWOO in your opinion... It was around well before this movie was made, it's a classic, it's weird and would fit with his general sence of wackyness... With the experimetation they were doing at the time, I put nothing past them... I watched a docu on them and they're all really quite tallented and clever people... Nothing is ever beyond anything... Just give it a try for ****s and Giggles... If nothing catches your eyes on the first go round, stop... The worst thing that will have happened is that you listened to the Dark Side of the Moon, something most people should do more often anyhow... FYI, if you're going to use something other then a CD, it has to be a track that plays continuously, from start to finish with no breaks... Give it a try, what are you afraid of? lol...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Side_of_the_Rainbow

The Afghan Whigs - Gentlemen

Pure class this one, I love it still to this day am amazed at how badly it did in the UK. In fact I going to put this on now while I make my last selection for the moment.

I've heard this one a few times... I can't say anything stood out to me, but I was never a big fan and also, geography often plays a roll in what's hot and what's not... The others you mentioned I'll have to check out, as I'm oblivious to them... Ever hear of Gental Giant? Now there's something neat as far as prog raock is concerned...

 

[Scaff]

I've heard this one a few times... I can't say anything stood out to me, but I was never a big fan and also, geography often plays a roll in what's hot and what's not... The others you mentioned I'll have to check out, as I'm oblivious to them... Ever hear of Gental Giant? Now there's something neat as far as prog raock is concerned...

Ah but thats what makes music so wonderful, we all have different tastes, must admit mine are very broad (everything from early American folk and blues right through to Punk and dance and everything in between).

If you were not overly impressed by The Afgan Whigs then Buffalo Tom may not appeal.

However 'The The' are a band with a very, very broad fan base (and for that album had in my opinion one of the great guitarists playing with them in Johnny Marr) and as for the The Boo Radleys' Giant Step - that you will either love or hate. Never met anyone with a neutral opinion on them.

Regards

Scaff

 

[Canadian Speed]

Will make a serious effor to check some of those out for sure... And yes, not everything is going to appeal to everyone...

 

[Solid Lifters]

I'll be booed, hissed and panned for this one... Van Halen 3. It has several great songs, and the rest are damn good. Plus, the album has one of my more favorite Van Halen songs of all time. It sold less than 500,000 copies, when if first came out, and Van Halen has always gone multi platinum. Oh well, your loss...

 

[IMADreamer]

Govt Mule - Life Before Insanity

Monte Montgomery - Wishing Well

Few have heard of either but both are truely great.

 

[High-Test]

I think the Greatest Album ever is Cream: Wheels Of Fire.

 

[Scaff]

I think the Greatest Album ever is Cream: Wheels Of Fire.

Now that is a great album, haven't heard it in years and now I'm going to have to try and find a copy.

👍 Thank you for reminding me of it.

Regards

Scaff

 

[Fairlady240zg]

Some of mine picks..

Cream- Disraeli gears

John Mayall and the bluesbreakers with eric clapton

Albert King: King of the blues guitar

Black Crowes: Shake your money maker

Simon and Garfunkel: Bookends

The WHO: Live at Leeds

Jimi Hendrix: Axis: Bold as love (all of his albums are awesome, this by far is my most favorite.)

Eric Clapton- From the cradle

David Bowie- Man who sold the world

Rod Stewart- Every picture tells a story

 

[Fairlady240zg]

Oh, cant forget this one from my first installment...

Been listening to this alot lately:

MC5: Kick out the jams (MOTHER ****ER!!!)

 

[Canadian Speed]

Good picks man... All very good albums, though I don't really know too much about the last one...

 

[Coleio]

Still Life - Opeth

One of the greatest Progressive metal albums of all time.

Mikael Akerfeldt is a genius.

 

[OZZYGT]

Only by people who don't know better. If ratings are the source of how great an album is, this is the best album of all times as it was on Billboards Top 200 List for an amazing 15 years!!! You'll never see that again... Amazing album, but folks who know, can never argue that it's less then perfect... Possibly the best album ever... Period... Good pick...

Men...If you were a girl, I would ask you out you totally stole the words from my mouth, Pink Floyd's Dark Side of The Moon IS overshadowed by the Wall, it's a great double album, and It contains very good songs...but not even the Another Brick on the Wall or Perfectly Numb compares to "Time", "The Great Gig in The Sky" or "Us and Them" or the whole album!!

The Drak side of the Moon is pure bliss.


Ciao...

 

[Aus Rotten]

That MC5 cover gave me the chills!!!!! NICE! to me it might be Rush, Moving Pictures