Vastly Underrated Al***s
Posted by: Kevin-W on 16 May 2003
OK chaps - I presume that no women (they are quite sensible creatures who use their time constructively) inhabit this forum - here's a new one for you.
We all know those dullard critics' lists of the Top 100 Best Albums Of All Time Ever. We all know they're dominated by the same stuff - Revolver, Pet Sounds, What's Going On, etc etc.
But what about those albums that are stunningly, awesomely good, which are massively underrated, which never get on those lists?
Rules:
1. You are allowed a max of five choices
2. No Beatles
3. Use your imagination
4. No Sting or Police records please
5. That's it
Here are my five:
1 ULTRAMARINE - Every Man & Woman Is A Star (1990)
best album of the early 90s, a brilliant fusion of English folk, psychedelia and whimsy coupled with the latest development in techno)
2. SCOTT WALKER - Scott 3 (1969)
Scott 4 has the critical and cult kudos, 'cause it was a flop at the time; but Scott 3 has the songs: Copenhagen, Big Louise, 30 Century Man, It's Raining Today etc etc
3. CAN - Future Days (1973)
The real roots of ambient music
4. PINK FLOYD - Ummagumma (1969)
Just coz nobody listens to it today doesn't mean it's not good. The Floyd's best-ever music is on the live album and even the studio album has its moments (I know it's self indulgent and "a bunch of middle-class poshos trying to be avant-garde in their Sunday best" but it's great). Oddly enough, the Floyd's most optimistic album (there's two concepts which aren't usually seen in close proximity: Pink Floyd and optimism)
5. THE DURUTTI COLUMN - The Return Of The Durutti Column (1979)
Massively underrated guitarist makes oddly soothing and milkily erotic record with genius producer in the punk comedown. Still sounds stunning, still unique. And it comes in a sandpaper sleeve.
Kevin
We all know those dullard critics' lists of the Top 100 Best Albums Of All Time Ever. We all know they're dominated by the same stuff - Revolver, Pet Sounds, What's Going On, etc etc.
But what about those albums that are stunningly, awesomely good, which are massively underrated, which never get on those lists?
Rules:
1. You are allowed a max of five choices
2. No Beatles
3. Use your imagination
4. No Sting or Police records please
5. That's it
Here are my five:
1 ULTRAMARINE - Every Man & Woman Is A Star (1990)
best album of the early 90s, a brilliant fusion of English folk, psychedelia and whimsy coupled with the latest development in techno)
2. SCOTT WALKER - Scott 3 (1969)
Scott 4 has the critical and cult kudos, 'cause it was a flop at the time; but Scott 3 has the songs: Copenhagen, Big Louise, 30 Century Man, It's Raining Today etc etc
3. CAN - Future Days (1973)
The real roots of ambient music
4. PINK FLOYD - Ummagumma (1969)
Just coz nobody listens to it today doesn't mean it's not good. The Floyd's best-ever music is on the live album and even the studio album has its moments (I know it's self indulgent and "a bunch of middle-class poshos trying to be avant-garde in their Sunday best" but it's great). Oddly enough, the Floyd's most optimistic album (there's two concepts which aren't usually seen in close proximity: Pink Floyd and optimism)
5. THE DURUTTI COLUMN - The Return Of The Durutti Column (1979)
Massively underrated guitarist makes oddly soothing and milkily erotic record with genius producer in the punk comedown. Still sounds stunning, still unique. And it comes in a sandpaper sleeve.
Kevin
The Dismemberment Plan -- "Emergency & I"
Complex, densely structured and intelligent alt-Pop and a rare combination of originality and fab tunes. People seem to get put off by his rather odd voice or by the tendency to left field rhythms buts its basically a minor classic. See also the later album "Change".
Bedhead -- "Transaction de Novo"
Stripped down slowcore masterpiece with every single bass note, guitar riff and drum hit beautifully and perfectly conceived, placed and executed. One of those albums where you seem to say "This is the best track" at the start of each new song. In my all-time Top 10.
The Triffids - "In The Pines"
If you want the fabled "as live" experience from your hi-fi then this is the album for you. By this time The Triffids were a finely honed band (after years playing covers in Perth and Melbourne boozers and then 3 studio albums) riding on the success of an NME cover and they shipped of to a sheep shearing shed in the outback middle of the outback with a pile of booze and an old 8-track and recorded themselves playing some new songs for their mates. There are a couple of iffy fillers (although the sense of atmosphere and performance is always there) but also some acoustic gems ("25 to 5", "Only One Life") and three stone cold classics in "Keep Your Eyes on the Hole", "One Sould Less On Your Fiery List" (way better than the subseuqent album version) and "Love and Affection". Looking back it occurs to me The Triffids were the original alt.country band and cannot be praised enough.
The Bod Radleys - "Giant Steps"
Ok it was many peoples album of the Year at the time so I suppose a case can be made for it not being underrated at all but it seems to me that everyone has subsequently forgotten what a fantastic album this is (Possibly a reaction to being intensely annoyed by wall to wall air play of "Wake Up Boo" the following Summer). A genuinely surprising leap forward from their relatively unremarkable shoegazing origins and a brilliant mix of the experimental guitar blasts, pop gems and Martin Carr's fantastic song writing. The bit in "Lazarus" where the squall of guitar noise and frenetic drumming builds to a climax and that sublime trumpet riff enters remains one of the great moments in rock.
Kristin Hersh - "Hips & Makers"
Although this is my favourite of Kristin's albums its probably her least accessable and not exactly easy listening. Has the wonderful intensity and the quiet drama of the truly personal songwriting, bizarre but often oddly affecting lyrics ("This hairdo's truly evil. I'm not sure that its mine") and some wonderful fingerstyle acoustic guitar playing all in Kristin's unique, off-kilter style born of beng half crazy and growing up steeped in Appallachian folk music.
All in all Kristin has not only been in one of the greatest and most original bands of the 90s in Thorwing Muses (recently reformed and with an excellent album) but she's had a string of brilliant solo albums and seems able to write wonderful song after wonderful song. As such she gets my vote not just for the most underrated album but as one of the most underrated artists in general. One of my all-time favourite musicians and so wonderful I am obliged to provide a photo.
<sighs> Lovely, Kristin.
Matthew
Complex, densely structured and intelligent alt-Pop and a rare combination of originality and fab tunes. People seem to get put off by his rather odd voice or by the tendency to left field rhythms buts its basically a minor classic. See also the later album "Change".
Bedhead -- "Transaction de Novo"
Stripped down slowcore masterpiece with every single bass note, guitar riff and drum hit beautifully and perfectly conceived, placed and executed. One of those albums where you seem to say "This is the best track" at the start of each new song. In my all-time Top 10.
The Triffids - "In The Pines"
If you want the fabled "as live" experience from your hi-fi then this is the album for you. By this time The Triffids were a finely honed band (after years playing covers in Perth and Melbourne boozers and then 3 studio albums) riding on the success of an NME cover and they shipped of to a sheep shearing shed in the outback middle of the outback with a pile of booze and an old 8-track and recorded themselves playing some new songs for their mates. There are a couple of iffy fillers (although the sense of atmosphere and performance is always there) but also some acoustic gems ("25 to 5", "Only One Life") and three stone cold classics in "Keep Your Eyes on the Hole", "One Sould Less On Your Fiery List" (way better than the subseuqent album version) and "Love and Affection". Looking back it occurs to me The Triffids were the original alt.country band and cannot be praised enough.
The Bod Radleys - "Giant Steps"
Ok it was many peoples album of the Year at the time so I suppose a case can be made for it not being underrated at all but it seems to me that everyone has subsequently forgotten what a fantastic album this is (Possibly a reaction to being intensely annoyed by wall to wall air play of "Wake Up Boo" the following Summer). A genuinely surprising leap forward from their relatively unremarkable shoegazing origins and a brilliant mix of the experimental guitar blasts, pop gems and Martin Carr's fantastic song writing. The bit in "Lazarus" where the squall of guitar noise and frenetic drumming builds to a climax and that sublime trumpet riff enters remains one of the great moments in rock.
Kristin Hersh - "Hips & Makers"
Although this is my favourite of Kristin's albums its probably her least accessable and not exactly easy listening. Has the wonderful intensity and the quiet drama of the truly personal songwriting, bizarre but often oddly affecting lyrics ("This hairdo's truly evil. I'm not sure that its mine") and some wonderful fingerstyle acoustic guitar playing all in Kristin's unique, off-kilter style born of beng half crazy and growing up steeped in Appallachian folk music.
All in all Kristin has not only been in one of the greatest and most original bands of the 90s in Thorwing Muses (recently reformed and with an excellent album) but she's had a string of brilliant solo albums and seems able to write wonderful song after wonderful song. As such she gets my vote not just for the most underrated album but as one of the most underrated artists in general. One of my all-time favourite musicians and so wonderful I am obliged to provide a photo.
<sighs> Lovely, Kristin.
Matthew
quote:
Underrated by who? This routine gets described as the best Pixies album, and I've never seen trhe Pixies dismissed by anyone with half a clue.
Mekon - "We all know those dullard critics' lists of the Top 100 Best Albums Of All Time Ever. We all know they're dominated by the same stuff - Revolver, Pet Sounds, What's Going On, etc etc."
In the context of the original topic matey!
You are right of course - we are all superior beings here and do have half a clue. You know what I mean tho'..eh?!
Pale Saints - The Comforts of Madness
At the time, this got lumped in with the shoegazing thing. However, listening to the stuff off Constellation, and even anticon, it sounds incredibly prescient. Hi-pitched whiney vocals, cacophonous drums, half-speed tape effects, and tons of feedback. I got to see them at the Zap (supporting Ride along with the Boo Radleys, on Ride's daffodil ep tour), and a Glasto'90. Both times were excellent.
Sweet Exorcist - CCEP
Warp's first full length always seems to be passed over in favour of LFO or NOW's albums as the landmark early release. More than Genaside II's 'Death of a Kamikaze', more than Chime, more than Voodoo Ray, the title track of this EP shaped my music buying in the early 90's. I think is makes most of Warp's subsequent output sound very tame.
Money Mark - Mark's Keyboard Repair
This comprehensively outguns Mellow Gold. It should have been a monumental release. Push the Button got more exposure, but still not enough. Deep funk indie hop.
De La Soul - Stakes is High
They'd dropped off the radar pretty much when this dropped. I've seen it get more respect recently, but by no means enough. It predates Jurassic 5's debut by two years, which owes it a huge debt, yet it is J5 that have the MTV buzz. It is a hip hop album about growing up and taking responsibility, and as such deserves a wider audience, IMO.
Sage Francis - Personal Journals
Not underrated by heads in the know, but criminally so by the music press at large. Despite his limited assocation with them, it remains the strongest straight hip hop album that anticon have put out, and is a way ahead of Def Jux's catalogue. Still, it will all blow up on his next release with Joey Beats on Lex, and his follow-up coming out on Epitaph. If either come close to this, they will be special. A straight-edge journalism major, with a poetry slam background, this is literate hip hop backed up with solid beats.
[This message was edited by Mekon on SATURDAY 17 May 2003 at 17:01.]
I have heard relatively few of these, so thanks everyone for some good leads.
O.k., I understood "Maximum of five" to mean "Maximum of five by genre" (and if you disagree I'll cite rule #5 in my defense!
j).
Classical:
- Shostakovich, Symphony #14. Rarely mentioned or disucussed, and quite unfairly. This is a fantastic piece and gives us a hint of what we would have gotten if S. had written another opera. Go for the German language version, though, not the Russian.
- Stravinsky, Petrouchka. Composed between and overshadowed by Firebird and Rite of Spring, but far better than the former and a near-rival to the latter.
- Stravinsky, Les Noces. A wild and fantastic piece that was written in 1914, but only appeared long after Stravinsky's neo-classical stuff, which completely overshadowed it.
- Bruckner, Motets. I don't even like Bruckner overall, still less the Roman Catholic liturgy. But these are really great, far richer than your typical Bruckner symphony (IMVHO), and thanks to them, I know lots of the Catholic liturgy in Latin! Honorable mention goes here to the Brahms motets, which are also quite fine despite the fact that they are rarely performed.
- Sofia Gubaidulina, The Canticle of the Sun. This is a new piece so it may get its proper due in time. I really like it; a fine continuation of the East European tradition of drawing on the Orthodox liturgy for instpiration (a la Penderecki, Gorecki, Schnittke, Ustvolskaia, etc.).
Rock:
- Hal al Shedad: Textures of Tomorrow.
- Gang of Four: Entertainment! (This is a bit like listing The Pixies, I know, but this album periodically seems to slip beneath the pop culture radar.)
- Sebadoh: Smash your Head on the Punk Rock.
- Unwound: The Future of What.
- Juno: A Future Lived in Past Tense.
My rock selections are a bit uncertain; I just picked good albums by good bands that tend to get ignored; they're not on a par with Revolver, though.
Cheers,
Eric
O.k., I understood "Maximum of five" to mean "Maximum of five by genre" (and if you disagree I'll cite rule #5 in my defense!
j).Classical:
- Shostakovich, Symphony #14. Rarely mentioned or disucussed, and quite unfairly. This is a fantastic piece and gives us a hint of what we would have gotten if S. had written another opera. Go for the German language version, though, not the Russian.
- Stravinsky, Petrouchka. Composed between and overshadowed by Firebird and Rite of Spring, but far better than the former and a near-rival to the latter.
- Stravinsky, Les Noces. A wild and fantastic piece that was written in 1914, but only appeared long after Stravinsky's neo-classical stuff, which completely overshadowed it.
- Bruckner, Motets. I don't even like Bruckner overall, still less the Roman Catholic liturgy. But these are really great, far richer than your typical Bruckner symphony (IMVHO), and thanks to them, I know lots of the Catholic liturgy in Latin! Honorable mention goes here to the Brahms motets, which are also quite fine despite the fact that they are rarely performed.
- Sofia Gubaidulina, The Canticle of the Sun. This is a new piece so it may get its proper due in time. I really like it; a fine continuation of the East European tradition of drawing on the Orthodox liturgy for instpiration (a la Penderecki, Gorecki, Schnittke, Ustvolskaia, etc.).
Rock:
- Hal al Shedad: Textures of Tomorrow.
- Gang of Four: Entertainment! (This is a bit like listing The Pixies, I know, but this album periodically seems to slip beneath the pop culture radar.)
- Sebadoh: Smash your Head on the Punk Rock.
- Unwound: The Future of What.
- Juno: A Future Lived in Past Tense.
My rock selections are a bit uncertain; I just picked good albums by good bands that tend to get ignored; they're not on a par with Revolver, though.
Cheers,
Eric