Most under-rated album of all time?

Given that we have a thread about disappointing albums I think it would be fitting to have a thread about under-rated albums, great albums that many people may not have heard of or may have heard of but haven't heard much about because the lists of classic albums that are published in music magazines with depressing regularity usually feature the same albums in a slightly different order. So, if you want to tell people about the music scene's best kept secrets do so here. I'll start the ball rolling with:

Shack - Waterpistol (Marina MA 16)

The critics raved about The La's album and it is a great album (although there are no other tracks that come close to "There She Goes" or "Feelin'") but "Waterpistol" is better. Mick Head has a gorgeous and versatile voice, an unerring sense of melody and a big heart that's in the right place. "Sgt. Major" and "Mr. Appointment" will make you wonder why Shack aren't bigger than Blur and "Hazy" and "Undecided" will make you wonder why Shaun Ryder became the voice of a generation of Northerners. When the follow-up "HMS Fable" (which is also wonderful) was released Shack's music got some of the airplay it deserves but the re-release of the lost classic "Waterpistol" (which is probably a bit better) went largely unnoticed. The fact that Travis and The Stereophonics have sold millions of albums and Shack haven't is further proof that most British people are very easily pleased.

smog...any record by smog! smog has some of the most lazy ass fans (i guess that would include me ( ) who can't be bothered to post on smog boards more than twice a year. but none the less, you ask anyone who knows this group, loves them.

smog is the work of bill callahan and he's from chicago. he writes the most bone chilling, deadpan and disturbing lyrics (anything from stalkers to bitter lovers to prisioners) to wonderful different styles of music (rock, country, folk, even a bit of electronic music.) he's sometimes been pegged as the king of lo-fi (next to lou barlow) cuz of his early recordings that were made in his bedroom with lots of tape hiss. his stuff is more polished now and his records often have a theme running through them (ie. broken hearts, death and songs about the country side). best one to start with would be wild love, red apple falls or julius ceaser.

he's been compared with will oldham, but i think he's more like hayden (for those canadians out there)

Yes, that's him, and he's recorded a lot of great stuff under several names: Palace, Palace Brothers, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, his own name, and some others I forgot.

He was also an actor in his younger days, and is brilliant as a young West Virginia preacher in John Sayles' Matewan, one of my all-time fave films.

Here's some pics of him performing at a Portland record store from a couple of years ago.

http://users.bart.nl/~ljmeijer/oldham/pics/portland.htm

wen, you know will's brother! ever met will?

yep, will has a good acting back ground. i think he did some theatre as a teen. the best will oldham site would be the pulpit...

http://pry.com/pulpit/

it even features some short stories will wrote. the plastic cheese story is amusing.

but check out smog! actually, i think will oldham and bill callahan did a collaboration and put out a record together. forgot what it was called.

I don't know why I'm telling you any of this One thing is, don't ever tell anyone, I told you this Don't save me, just forgive me, forgive me 'cos I was only thinking of you, just you.

Sound Familiar? Probably not. Though some will be groaning already, as I'm about to go into repeat mode.

One Dove's - Morning Dove White is the album I'll again attempt to extol the virtues of, for the benefit of the uninitiated.

Released in 1993 after an initial underground buzz surrounded their early releases. It met with the kind of reaction you'd expect for a record in the 'most disappointing album' thread.

The main creative force I'd credit would be producer Andrew Weatherall, who after a rich vein of form producing various balearic remixes culminated on his work as producer on Screamadelica. Again a record I'd largely say was a case of the producer being the most talented individual on board. Certainly his star was rising in many circles, though the euphoria which met the release of Screamadelica didn’t carry on with the release of Morning Dove White.

The mood of the criticism, I can recall from the time was that it didn’t live up to the early promise of the singles. I agree most of the tracks have a better remix available and well worth tracking down. That said the feel of the album is maintained more cohesively. And the idea that a work can springboard others from it is no bad thing. Witness Lee Combes Crystal remix or James Holden’s of Someone like you. I’d make the comparison that it’s akin to saying Kenny Dalglish’s goal against Chelsea to seal the double in ’86 wasn’t as good as his clincher in the European Cup final against Brugge in ’78.

Perhaps some felt it was time for a backlash. Whatever the reasons, I can’t believe it doesn’t still have a vast potential audience. The production is lusher than a luscious lush thing with extra lashings of lustrous lusciousness on top. The vocal delivery dreamily evokes the smell of Angel Delight. The mood is one of blissed out wistfulness. Not dissimilar to a cross between Screamadelica and Fox Base Alpha. There are gorgeous hooklines aplenty. Not IMO out of place alongside the likes of Pet Sounds, Power Corruption and Lies and Technique.

Weather as an accompaniment to a post coital refactory period or lazy summer afternoon on a blanket under a tree, A despondent miserable day staring at the rain or so many potential last tune of the night hands in the air moments. I’d heartedly endorse ownership.

I’d go as far as to personally guarantee, their money back to anyone who, after listening to the bass drum kick in on ‘There goes the cure’ doesn't feel like they’ve been kicked in the pit of their stomach by something they wish had kicked them before. You will feel you’ve lived to long without owning this record. Track number 6 is particularly good. I feel a spiritual connection with David Hasselhoff on that one.

Originally posted by WenOrder Wow, that is interesting, all this time I never knew! I know will's brother ned through my next door neighbor Jack Carneal. They have a band called The Amoananon ( I may have mispelled that) Ned is also a regular contributor to the local Citypaper here. I went to see Ned and Will at a local show, jack was playing drums that night. It was dubbed something like "A very special performance" I didn't understand what they meant by that, that night. I have to ask jack about this later!here is a picture of Ned Oldham and my neighbor Jack in Jack's backyard.My rowhouse is just to the left<---------------- :-)Here is the article http://www.citypaper.com/2001-08-22/nocover.html

that's fooking cool wen! ever liked will's music? i see a darkness is a great song.

Old 97's last record, Satillite Rides, is pretty awesome, especially if you're into the Byrds and some other country-rock outfits from the past.

Nobody ever talks about Magical Mystery Tour, but it's a pretty solid Beatles lp.

New Order's Republic springs to mind :p

Originally posted by Spotnick You will hate me for this :)Monaco's second album.I just love all the songs and don't see why so many people don't like it!

people don't like it? i thought people haven't heard it. oh well, i'm not a big fan of import prices, so never really checked it out. but see saw is a great song.

Ultra Vivid Scene - Joy Stereolab - Switched - On

both of these albums are perfect from the first song to the last.

The Piper At The Gates of Dawn..Pink Floyd

Kinda helps you appreciate what PF lost when Syd Barrett left. It's a bit dated, but some of their best stuff is on this album. No wonder they spent the rest of their career paying tribute to him (Dark Side/Wish You Were Here/The Wall)

Salt Peter Remixed - Ruby (Creation) A truly great all rounder of an LP, beg,borrow,or steal.

Originally posted by Spotnick You will hate me for this :)Monaco's second album.I just love all the songs and don't see why so many people don't like it!

Well i too love this album and never really bother if people like or dislike anything..If it makes YOU happy that is ALL that counts.

Red House Painters - Red House Painters (their first album, that is)

Why weren't this band huge?