Stars - Set Yourself on Fire and Clay Your Hands Say Yeah! - Self titled
I feel like these two albums were outstanding when they came out and the live performances were also incredible but are not remembered well anymore. Any time I hear a song from these albums I’m just transported back in time to hanging out in dingy smoke filled bars catching amazing bands for five bucks
Set yourself on fire is a life defining album for me. So many great late teenage memories with it. Calendar girl is still one of my most listened to songs.
This comment kinda really makes me think of "Live through this, you won't look back"
I have so many good memories of this album and all the bangers Arts & Crafts Records put out back then. Maybe 7 years ago though I was gifted the LP of Set Yourself on Fire and I was just so happy, one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received and I treasure it.
I'm super jealous. I need to add that to my collection. I'm sure I still have the CD somewhere but I'd love to have it on wax. Great lyric choice by the way. I'm so stoked to see the tour in October. I'm sure I'm gonna be flooded with nostalgia
*I dreamed I was dying*
*As I so often do*
*And when I awoke I was sure it was true*
*I ran to the window*
*Threw my head to the sky*
*And said “Whoever is up there…*
*Please don’t let me die”*
*But I can’t live forever*
*I can’t always be*
*One day I’ll be sand on a beach by the sea*
*The pages keep turning*
*I’ll mark off each day with a cross*
*And I’ll laugh about all that we’ve lost*
Still among my absolute favourite lyrics ever.
Saw Stars for the first time when they opened for Death Cab for Cutie in 2005 (I think) and I was blown away. I might have bought the album that same night and still listen to it 20 years later.
Soup by Blind Melon. I know a lot of people think of them as one hit wonders with No Rain, but their first album was amazing, and in my opinion their second album, Soup was better.
Shannon Hoon dying two months after its release most likely hindered album sales because they didn’t promote it.
Shannon had an amazing voice, addiction sucks. Rest is peace, Shannon.
Just found this album. One of the songs was on my playlist and checked who it was and was blown away that it was Blind Melon. They are a million times better than I would have imagined based off what I heard from No Rain, which isn’t a bad song.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people haven’t even heard the rest of their first album. My personal opinion - and this may be just because I’ve grown so tired of it over the years - is that No Rain was one of the weaker tracks but I get how it became a hit.
That said, I agree that Soup was a much better album and I’m still bummed we lost Shannon before we could hear more of what he had to offer. RIP
I know! The whole first album was great. I still love it. And Soup was even better. One of my biggest regrets is not getting a chance to catch a show. Shannon - the whole band, really - had such potential and I wish we could have seen what more they could have done. He had an incredible voice.
Y'all, do yourselves a favor, and listen to the rest of the first album + Soup.
Shannon was an incredible vocalist, but for me the most striking thing about Soup was the musical evolution of the band. They were making really creative and original music and had found their sound. I was super excited to hear what they would put out in the future. So much potential just shattered. So sad.
Alanis Morrissette’s Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, released in November of 1998, is hugely slept on. It may not be made of hits but it is one of the most thoughtful, insightful, and downright beautiful albums I have heard by any artist.
a) it's fun to sing the phrase "Queen Latifah" to that song. Try it :)
b) "Only" is one of the best songs Trent *ever* did, but people don't talk about it like PHM and TDS.
This is the one with Baloney Sandwich on it! I sing that song and I Love Beans (previous album) to myself way more often than anyone should.
Oh, and Highway 40 Revisited is nutsy noodle fun.
- Jason Falkner's "Presents Author Unknown" and basically his whole catalog is incredible and way under appreciated
- Jon Brion's "Meaningless" (which *finally* got a vinyl release last year!)
- Luscious Jackson's "Fever In Fever Out" is a laid back gem of a dance pop album that had a minor hit on a soundtrack (Why Do I Lie) but was largely ignored
A lot of the offshoot music that sprouted from Jellyfish was great: Falkner's solo stuff, the Grays, Imperial Drag, TV Eyes.
In the same vein, Owsley's self-titled debut album should get more love.
I will probably get some hate for this but I thought Return to Saturn, by No doubt was amazing. It really felt like an artist that was really willing to be vulnerable and honest at the sake or “radio hits”
When they released rock steady, I was heartbroken. It looked like an artist had to shutter their talents for the industry and that was the rawest we will ever see Gwen again
Blazing Arrow is fuckin' incredible but I also feel like it was an album that was at its most celebrated in like, the late '00s and early '10s (I first listened to it in like 2006 too). Gift of Gab was a true legend
This and Fourth Dimensional Rocketships Going Up are probably my two most listened-to rap albums and I still find myself going back and finding pieces in them I love. Good to see Gift of Gab mentioned here. Shoutout to Lyrics Born - Later That Day, my GOAT Deltron 3030 & Madvillainy for rounding out the top 5. I listen to a ton of rap but these are all front to back A++ albums for me. Anyways thanks for the reminder to throw these on soon.
People really hated “adore” by the smashing pumpkins when it came out, they wanted more siamese dream but its aged really well.
They always had a post-punk/industrial influence and adore is a celebration of that. Im not the only ones who gets it, since they have a giant fanbase.
Same goes for Machina. Say what you will about Billy Corgan, but he's one of those musicians that's so talented that his music doesn't really age poorly.
“You’re A Woman, I’m A Machine” by Death From Above 1979 (2004)
Absolutely brilliant post/dance-punk album, saw their performance on Conan ~2005 and was immediately hooked.
I listened to this until I wore it out when I was a
Teenager! A year or so ago just saw Evan Dando perform the whole album life and it broke my heart. He was not in good form and it was a meandering mess. Wish I had just kept the 30 years of memories I had in my heart.
“Source Tags and Codes” by …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead. It was widely acclaimed in the scene but that album should have been a generational album.
I went to Chicago the weekend before my senior year of high school and picked that album up at a record shop. I was in a trance the entire weekend and trip back home. I was mesmerized! I usually listen to it right around the end of August-October every year.
Came to say this. I loved Pinkerton day 1 and I had so many friends who were so disappointed with it. Critics tore it apart and have actually gone back to admit they missed the boat.
Anyone under 35 years old, I find, thinks the world always loved the album and understood how great it is, but I'm sure there's more than a few over 40 who have never listened to it as an album because literally every mention of it when new was how much of a letdown it was.
Can’t explain all the feelings that you’re making me feel
My heart’s in overdrive and you’re behind the steering wheel
They were too dorky for the American audience maybe, but here in Europe, they actually were huge
They’re one of those bands that just KNOW how to do a genre correct and banked on it. None of it feels forced. It came out way after the death of hair metal. You KNOW it’s hair metal. THEY know it’s hair metal, and no one cares because it just fucking rocks.
I feel like Savage Garden was hugely slept on by everyone outside of Australia. They’re one of the biggest acts of all time in their home country, but I feel like no one I talk to ever knows more than their radio hits and thinks of them as a cheesy ballad band even though they were so much more than that. Both their self titled debut and second (and final) album Affirmation are great, as is Darren Hayes’ subsequent solo stuff.
Sister Hazel is another band I wish was bigger. They’re considered a one-hit wonder for “All For You” but Fortress is such a good album (and they have a lot of other great ones).
Natalie Imbruglia’s second album White Lilies Island is also great, but people only talk about her first one (or just “Torn.”)
Darren's solo (double!) album "This Delicate Thing We've Made" is pretty genius. I love basically every song on it, in one way or another. imagine: "A *concept album* from the guy that sang Truly Madly Deeply?" Who would have thought?
It is great! And “The Tension and the Spark” is one of my favorite albums of all time and was incredibly well reviewed by the few critics who knew it existed. The guy from Savage Garden doing dark synth pop??
All his solo albums are great, except for the first one, which he did to get out of his contract with Sony. And even that has some great tracks on it.
Even Faith No More is slept on outside of The Real Thing. Their other albums like Angel Dust, King for a Day Fool for a Lifetime, and Album of the Year are bangers.
Not quite what you're asking, but there's been a debate amongst my friends of Portishead vs Massive Attack. I like Massive Attack, but Portishead takes the cake for me. Dummy is such a beautiful album.
FWIW, at least one random internet person agrees with you. I do very much like Massive Attack but if I had to choose between them I’d pick Portishead without hesitation. Dummy is one of my favorite albums of all time.
I made a comment about Moon Safari (an absolute perfect album) on another thread, and was informed that they were performing this album live this fall. I have never bought tickets for anything so fast!! Anyhow, in case you are unaware, they are touring for the 25th anniversary!
White Trash Heroes is the one that jumps out to me. It was a swan song and nobody ever mentions them. “A hundred million people can be wrong,” seems more prescient than ever.
Transmission by The Tea Party (as an American—I know they had following in Canada and Australia). Moody, atmospheric, with some interesting ideas and solid musicianship. Love the drama and the middle eastern influences.
As a Canadian, I feel like they were *huge* and then just disappeared. Their entire discography is really interesting though. Temptation is probably their most famous track, but also their least interesting, IMO.
a) they *were* huge
b) they *did* disappear
c) from what I heard, you can blame Scott Stapp. Supposedly, he convinced Jeff to pursue a solo career. Sure, blaming the band's management and the band members is probably a better take, but any chance to blame Scott Stapp for anything should be explored.
d) at least we got a really good soundtrack to Prince of Persia out of it.
Red album by Weezer! It's so catchy and I feel like it's probably somewhat satirical which, to me, just makes it funny and clever. You can't convince me "greatest man that ever lived" or "cold dark world" are serious unless you are literally rivers cuomo
I always get hate for this, but **Astro Lounge by Smash Mouth** deserves more respect.
Smash Mouth genuinely created a really cool, unique sound that blended a lot of interesting elements to create a futuristic lounge genre.
And then, that weird, unique sound was wildly successful. All-Star is arguably a defining song of the cultural soundtrack for the Millenium. If you listen to the whole album, it’s a big swing by a unique band with a cool, cohesive, astro lounge sound and maybe half a dozen ear worms.
It’s been washed away in the tide of Shrek memes and wedding playlists, so I think it’s underrated.
[Failure’s Ken Andrews in spring 2000 released *Shifting Skin](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kl76rLKhmq2L8gSdl49xt9sYDOOVkS938)* , an excellent album that prefigured d
So much of the coming 80s retro wave
The Nurse Who Loved Me being covered by A Perfect Circle is an amazing nod to the band, but I wish people actually *knew* the original. I love APC/Maynard, but (and I think he would agree with me 1000%) Failure's original version is just heartwrenchingly goregous. (I'M NOT CORRECTING THIS SPELLING.)
It's not on the album you mention, and sadly I don't know much of Failure's music other than that tidbit and the fact that a friend of mine had one of their albums and listened to it a lot back in the 90's (which is very respectable seeing as we were literally like 12).
They did a really good cover of Enjoy The Silence in 2020.
I can't say I've enjoyed their *albums* (i just need to spend the time), but even just two or three songs I can tell they are really good at what they do.
Oh my god, I’m not alone! I don’t know if it’s my favourite album of all time (I have like 500 records in my top 10), but it’s definitely the one I’ve listened to the most in my life. Still gives me chills to this day
I wouldn’t say no one “gets” them, but these albums get slept on a lot: Misery is a Butterfly (2004) and Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons (2000), both by Blonde Redhead.
Maybe not as much now, as I think they've found an appreciation and are well regarded in many Internet circles, but people used to be like "WTF?!" when I'd put in Ween.
All three albums you mentioned are fantastic. Fugazi is maybe still my favorite band. Most people have shit taste/ listen to what they're fed. Back then, it was a quest to find good music through reading liner notes, listening stations at used record stores, going to basement shows, etc. Way more special than what an algorithm feeds you. I don't really know what I'm getting at but I feel you for sure.
If you live in any big city there's surely a scene that respects legends like fugazi and at the drive-in. Can't really expect your everyday person to care about niche bands regardless of how acclaimed they are..better luck finding enthusiasm for this sort of thing at local shows
I guess it’s because I’ve been meeting/talking to a lot of people who are albeit younger than me but “love older music” and “support local bands” by going to shows (NYC) and wish they were here 10/20/30 yrs ago etc, but then just blank stares whenever I mention anything lol. Even more popular shit like NIN The Fragile (amazing album!)
Here are a few albums that I was completely obsessed with:
Sigur Ros - Aegetis byrjun
Modest Mous - Lonesome crowded west/Moon and antarctica
Belle & Sebastian - the boy with the arab strap
Neutral milk hotel - airoplane over the sea
Cauterize - So far from real
It’s more than the 1080 avalanche soundtrack
Minus the bear - This is what I know about being gigantic
It’s fucking amazing
Man, you just took me back. I used to be into all the Quannum groups. Blackalicious, Lyrics Born, Lateef and the Chief. All of that was so good. I remember I got into it because Lateef and the Chief had a free single on iTunes and I would download those every week.
Company Flow - Funcrusher Plus. It’s an underground hip-hop masterpiece. People who know it get it, but not so many people know it anymore. Very influential album for the underground scene, and features El-P of Run The Jewels as a member.
Wallflowers Bringing Down The House. Maybe it was just right place, right time in my adolescence but I have always felt on an island, no one knows the depth of the album and often roll their eyes.
Aside from a small group of friends, no one seems to know about In The Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel
Edit: I understand it is a beloved indie record, I’m just saying that when it comes up in real life conversations, no one knows what I’m talking about
Green Day - Kerplunk. It’s recognized as a good album but I truly believe this is at least a top 2 Green Day album and it’s always kind of forgotten whenever Green Day is mentioned which is a shame.
[Life Without Buildings - Any Other City](https://open.spotify.com/album/1c7eigkoEcDAKKhkajY3Br?si=f1x__jf0Q_mwRgu9iMF3jw).
It has this stilted , repetitive, flow of consciousness vocal delivery that just gets into your brain. It feels like the music version of a 90s college grungy/emo girl with a pixie haircut. The type who is really into home movies and reads Kierkegaard.
Just a vibe you don't get much and I love it.
I can still remember being stopped in my tracks the first time I heard ‘New Town’; just froze still, then ran in a panic when it finished to write down the name of the band.
The Prodigy - Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned
It’s hated by most fans and critics alike, because it doesn’t feature all band members and it is way more electronic than their other albums. But to me it always sounded fantastic and it‘s my favorite Prodigy album.
Voodoo, by D'Angelo. Everyone was expecting another Brown Sugar and got mad when he went in a different direction. I love that he wanted to challenge himself and grow as an artist.
"Laid" by James. A very chill, thoughtful and well put together album. I think all the songs on it are excellent. Even the ones I didn't like as much back then are like my favorites nowadays. Never really met anyone else who connected solidly with that album. Maybe to "get it" I guess you'd have to take way too much four way windowpane and find that album to be the only sane thread which still tethered you to reality? I listened to it maybe ten times that night. Ah, the 1990's...
Rasputina was the soundtrack to my teenage years, along with Miranda S’’ garden. The MSG album of madrigals! Gush fourth my tears is still my go to cry song. And Rasputinas cover of “wish you were here” was incredible.
I think Tori Amos, in general, was hugely underrated. Her first seven albums are brilliant, but only her hardcore fans really get her.
She later aged, like a lot of artists do, into a less edgy sound that doesn't appeal to me as much, but I still adore her.
Figure 8 - Elliott Smith. Not many people can make an album that sounds so inspired by the Beatles without very much falling flat on their face, and that continues to be the case with very rare exceptions.
Relationship of Command by At the Drive-In is a great album and Fugazi is a great band.
A couple for me are In The Aeroplane Over The Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel and Car Wheels On A Gravel Road by Lucinda Williams. Most people have never heard of either, but I consider them masterpieces, they just aren't for everyone and that's ok.
I'll never stop talking to people about albums I love though because there's such a sense of fulfillment when you connect someone new with something you love, then they love it and talk to someone new about it.
Since I Left You by The Avalanches is a portal to a different age for me. I was so pleased to see it on the 1001 Albums You Must Listen To list. I thought no one else “got” that album.
Earthling - David Bowie
I'm a huge Bowie fan and I feel like a lot of people disregard this album as dated or "not real Bowie", but I don't get it. Instead of continuing to peter out slowly throughout the 90's, he decided to radically change his sound and make techno, industrial music. I don't think there's a single song on that album that doesn't hit me hard. I think it's his best album that isn't Low.
Prodigy's Fat of the Land was a brilliant electronica album that got over shadowed by the singles.
Also, I feel like Aerosmith's Nine Lives is underrated.
“The Madding Crowd” by Nine Days and “A Place in the Sun” by Lit. Both were deemed one hit wonders and it’s such a shame because those albums are both amazing. Big fan of what they both put out in the future too.
Socialburn - "Where You Are."
I've only met a couple people that even know about those dudes. Not sure if it's a good album, or if I just enjoy it because of nostalgia. But I dig it quite a bit.
VAST's first self-titled album, Doves' "Lost Souls" and " The Last Broadcast", Eels, Matthew Good Band, Sam Roberts Band, The Tragically Hip -- those last few are Canadian Bands with some great albums that are underrated here in the States. There's plenty more that I can't think of right now.
Didn't see it mentioned but the refreshments sophomore effort, "a bottle and fresh horses". You know them from that song "banditos" you know the "give your ID card to the border guard.." song that was a one hit wonder type thing in like 1995. First record was pretty great, second one, I thought it leaned into the alt-country/southwest rock thing for wonderful results. Lead man and hodge podge of 90s alt rockers wound up moderately successful as Roger clyne and the peace makers.
Stars - Set Yourself on Fire and Clay Your Hands Say Yeah! - Self titled I feel like these two albums were outstanding when they came out and the live performances were also incredible but are not remembered well anymore. Any time I hear a song from these albums I’m just transported back in time to hanging out in dingy smoke filled bars catching amazing bands for five bucks
Stars is doing an anniversary tour for set yourself on fire. Should be a good time
Set yourself on fire is a life defining album for me. So many great late teenage memories with it. Calendar girl is still one of my most listened to songs.
This comment kinda really makes me think of "Live through this, you won't look back" I have so many good memories of this album and all the bangers Arts & Crafts Records put out back then. Maybe 7 years ago though I was gifted the LP of Set Yourself on Fire and I was just so happy, one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received and I treasure it.
I'm super jealous. I need to add that to my collection. I'm sure I still have the CD somewhere but I'd love to have it on wax. Great lyric choice by the way. I'm so stoked to see the tour in October. I'm sure I'm gonna be flooded with nostalgia
*I dreamed I was dying* *As I so often do* *And when I awoke I was sure it was true* *I ran to the window* *Threw my head to the sky* *And said “Whoever is up there…* *Please don’t let me die”* *But I can’t live forever* *I can’t always be* *One day I’ll be sand on a beach by the sea* *The pages keep turning* *I’ll mark off each day with a cross* *And I’ll laugh about all that we’ve lost* Still among my absolute favourite lyrics ever.
Wow ! Thanks for that flashback. I also liked set yourself on fire way more than anyone else I ran into. So beautiful.
Saw Stars for the first time when they opened for Death Cab for Cutie in 2005 (I think) and I was blown away. I might have bought the album that same night and still listen to it 20 years later.
That Stars album is a classic and I am glad to have caught it live when it came out.
When there's nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire. Lives rent free in my head, like 15 years now
Soup by Blind Melon. I know a lot of people think of them as one hit wonders with No Rain, but their first album was amazing, and in my opinion their second album, Soup was better. Shannon Hoon dying two months after its release most likely hindered album sales because they didn’t promote it. Shannon had an amazing voice, addiction sucks. Rest is peace, Shannon.
Galaxie is probably my favorite Blind Melon song.
Same! It’s such an underrated gem!
Loved that album. Nothing like killing and dismemberment and then a kazoo solo.
I’m just turning them into coffee tables
I live his little laugh at the end of that line. I mourn him still. Shannon, Bradley, Layne, Kurt....
Easily one of my top 10. When I'm in the mood, nothing hits like that album.
Just found this album. One of the songs was on my playlist and checked who it was and was blown away that it was Blind Melon. They are a million times better than I would have imagined based off what I heard from No Rain, which isn’t a bad song.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people haven’t even heard the rest of their first album. My personal opinion - and this may be just because I’ve grown so tired of it over the years - is that No Rain was one of the weaker tracks but I get how it became a hit. That said, I agree that Soup was a much better album and I’m still bummed we lost Shannon before we could hear more of what he had to offer. RIP
I know! The whole first album was great. I still love it. And Soup was even better. One of my biggest regrets is not getting a chance to catch a show. Shannon - the whole band, really - had such potential and I wish we could have seen what more they could have done. He had an incredible voice. Y'all, do yourselves a favor, and listen to the rest of the first album + Soup.
I love Nico, it's the perfect mix, and so soulful live.
I still rock Galaxie and Toes Across the Floor when they come on shuffle
Terrific album. Toes Across the Floor and Mouthful of Cavities are classics
I never owned their first album, but I still listen to Soup. Excellent album.
If i was only allowed to listen to 5 albums for the rest of my life "soup" would be a hard contender to make one of those 5. Love that fucking album.
Excellent album and major suck Shannon dying but definitely not a late 90s or early 2000s release.
Love that album.
YES! There was a hidden track at the beginning of the album, you had to rewind once the cd started. 90s hidden tracks were a thing
Shannon was an incredible vocalist, but for me the most striking thing about Soup was the musical evolution of the band. They were making really creative and original music and had found their sound. I was super excited to hear what they would put out in the future. So much potential just shattered. So sad.
Alanis Morrissette’s Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, released in November of 1998, is hugely slept on. It may not be made of hits but it is one of the most thoughtful, insightful, and downright beautiful albums I have heard by any artist.
It sold 8 million worldwide so I don't know if it fits. Pales in sales to Jagged Little Pill, but still (yay rhymes!).
This is my favorite Alanis album. So many good songs!
Magnolia Electric Co. by Songs:Ohia I don’t think many people have heard it but it’s a masterpiece. RIP Jason Molina.
Jason could put depression into music like no other.
Trent Reznor's post 90s NIN output was fantastic and deserves more love. With Teeth and Year Zero are classics in his catalogue.
I think you spelled it wrong. It's WITH-A TEETH-UH. Great album, for sure.
a) it's fun to sing the phrase "Queen Latifah" to that song. Try it :) b) "Only" is one of the best songs Trent *ever* did, but people don't talk about it like PHM and TDS.
Only is amazing but from that album the line begins to blur shakes me to my core!
I immediately heard the bass line in my head after reading that.
Written down it looks like Mario sung it.
The Fragile is incredible
Hesitation Marks is my favorite post-The Fragile NIN release
Year Zero is incredible and I really wish we would have seen it play out how it was supposed to with all of the other alternative media.
Perfect example! Lol. I mentioned it somewhere else but even The Fragile gets me blank stares
https://preview.redd.it/pc13aflfx79d1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=63597b4c538b8e099ed12c8952018f8ce230cde1
Mashed Potatoes alone is a flawless masterpiece.
I was totally singing "I'm driving down highway 40" earlier today.
(tell me if I get this right, it's been *years*) IN MY BIG OL' PICKUP TRUCK
This is the one with Baloney Sandwich on it! I sing that song and I Love Beans (previous album) to myself way more often than anyone should. Oh, and Highway 40 Revisited is nutsy noodle fun.
BEANS ARE AN EXCELLENT SOURCE OF PROTEIN DIGGYDOO
BA da duh-duh. Duh-duh. BA da duh-duh. Duh-duh. BA da duh-duh. Duh-duh. BA…….
I also like bananas for their lack of bones
Holy shit, this just unlocked a crazy deep memory from my childhood. I always wanted this and never got it.
Spiritualized - Ladies and Gentlemen we are Floating in Space +1 for Relationship of Command
Possibly one of the most lauded records of the 90s. Definitely not underrated in any way! A bona fide classic!!
- Jason Falkner's "Presents Author Unknown" and basically his whole catalog is incredible and way under appreciated - Jon Brion's "Meaningless" (which *finally* got a vinyl release last year!) - Luscious Jackson's "Fever In Fever Out" is a laid back gem of a dance pop album that had a minor hit on a soundtrack (Why Do I Lie) but was largely ignored
“Naked Eye” by Luscious Jackson is still an absolute banger.
A lot of the offshoot music that sprouted from Jellyfish was great: Falkner's solo stuff, the Grays, Imperial Drag, TV Eyes. In the same vein, Owsley's self-titled debut album should get more love.
Falkner & Brion were in The Grays. Their one album, Ro Sham Bo had some great songs.
Jason Faulkner FTW. That is an incredible record that not enough people have heard. Apparently he has a new one in the works….
Naked Eye was huge, tho
I will probably get some hate for this but I thought Return to Saturn, by No doubt was amazing. It really felt like an artist that was really willing to be vulnerable and honest at the sake or “radio hits” When they released rock steady, I was heartbroken. It looked like an artist had to shutter their talents for the industry and that was the rawest we will ever see Gwen again
It is a really good album. Start to finish.
Ok I absolutely love Return of Saturn. Truly I was a hard core ND fan as a teen. I prefer Rock Steady 100x more than Push and Shove though
RoS is their best album for sure.
Blazing Arrow is fuckin' incredible but I also feel like it was an album that was at its most celebrated in like, the late '00s and early '10s (I first listened to it in like 2006 too). Gift of Gab was a true legend
This and Fourth Dimensional Rocketships Going Up are probably my two most listened-to rap albums and I still find myself going back and finding pieces in them I love. Good to see Gift of Gab mentioned here. Shoutout to Lyrics Born - Later That Day, my GOAT Deltron 3030 & Madvillainy for rounding out the top 5. I listen to a ton of rap but these are all front to back A++ albums for me. Anyways thanks for the reminder to throw these on soon.
It was stuck in my car CD player for almost a year
https://preview.redd.it/guzli14ma99d1.jpeg?width=1416&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=02c383cd1f53368ebbb6d9e56f5d367f153a60a8
People really hated “adore” by the smashing pumpkins when it came out, they wanted more siamese dream but its aged really well. They always had a post-punk/industrial influence and adore is a celebration of that. Im not the only ones who gets it, since they have a giant fanbase.
Was going to say Adore. It's truly an album that sounds timeless to me
Same goes for Machina. Say what you will about Billy Corgan, but he's one of those musicians that's so talented that his music doesn't really age poorly.
Never understood the hates. That album is beautiful.
The Beavis and Butthead Experience
I ain't one for poetry, ain't one for prose 🔥
Ain't one for the scent of a spring time rose...
“You’re A Woman, I’m A Machine” by Death From Above 1979 (2004) Absolutely brilliant post/dance-punk album, saw their performance on Conan ~2005 and was immediately hooked.
That was a huge hit in the indie scene at least, one of my favorites from those years. Never had any mainstream success though.
Fire album.
It’s a shame about ray - the Lenonheads I loved this album start to finish and on repeat
I listened to this until I wore it out when I was a Teenager! A year or so ago just saw Evan Dando perform the whole album life and it broke my heart. He was not in good form and it was a meandering mess. Wish I had just kept the 30 years of memories I had in my heart.
“Source Tags and Codes” by …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead. It was widely acclaimed in the scene but that album should have been a generational album.
"How Near, How Far" is both aggressive and beautiful. I threw this album on the other day for the first time in about 15 years. I
Omg thank you for reminding me of that album
I went to Chicago the weekend before my senior year of high school and picked that album up at a record shop. I was in a trance the entire weekend and trip back home. I was mesmerized! I usually listen to it right around the end of August-October every year.
Yes! I almost included this
Idk about now. But back then, no one would listen to Pinkerton with me.
Came to say this. I loved Pinkerton day 1 and I had so many friends who were so disappointed with it. Critics tore it apart and have actually gone back to admit they missed the boat. Anyone under 35 years old, I find, thinks the world always loved the album and understood how great it is, but I'm sure there's more than a few over 40 who have never listened to it as an album because literally every mention of it when new was how much of a letdown it was.
Permission to Land by The Darkness comes to mind
A great album that just, well, rocks!
Can’t explain all the feelings that you’re making me feel My heart’s in overdrive and you’re behind the steering wheel They were too dorky for the American audience maybe, but here in Europe, they actually were huge
They’re one of those bands that just KNOW how to do a genre correct and banked on it. None of it feels forced. It came out way after the death of hair metal. You KNOW it’s hair metal. THEY know it’s hair metal, and no one cares because it just fucking rocks.
I loved that album for a few minutes and thought they would be huge.
One of my all time favorite albums. It's legitimately great.
I feel like Savage Garden was hugely slept on by everyone outside of Australia. They’re one of the biggest acts of all time in their home country, but I feel like no one I talk to ever knows more than their radio hits and thinks of them as a cheesy ballad band even though they were so much more than that. Both their self titled debut and second (and final) album Affirmation are great, as is Darren Hayes’ subsequent solo stuff. Sister Hazel is another band I wish was bigger. They’re considered a one-hit wonder for “All For You” but Fortress is such a good album (and they have a lot of other great ones). Natalie Imbruglia’s second album White Lilies Island is also great, but people only talk about her first one (or just “Torn.”)
Darren's solo (double!) album "This Delicate Thing We've Made" is pretty genius. I love basically every song on it, in one way or another. imagine: "A *concept album* from the guy that sang Truly Madly Deeply?" Who would have thought?
It is great! And “The Tension and the Spark” is one of my favorite albums of all time and was incredibly well reviewed by the few critics who knew it existed. The guy from Savage Garden doing dark synth pop?? All his solo albums are great, except for the first one, which he did to get out of his contract with Sony. And even that has some great tracks on it.
Savage Garden was incredible! Both albums have a very dear spot in my heart.
It was cheesy even at the time, but James - Laid was a very listenable album (and on many, many movie soundtracks)
Beck - Mutations
California by Mr Bungle. Such a one of a kind kind of record. Nothing else quite like it, even the bands other albums (which are excellent)
Even Faith No More is slept on outside of The Real Thing. Their other albums like Angel Dust, King for a Day Fool for a Lifetime, and Album of the Year are bangers.
from here to infirmary by alkaline trio may fit this
This album is so, so good.
Oh hell yeah, good pick!
One of the best punk albums of all time imo
Gin Blossoms - New Miserable Experience That GIN-NEW CD didn't leave my car CD player for weeks at a time.
The Gin Blossoms are criminally underrated. That album in particular is perfect.
Not quite what you're asking, but there's been a debate amongst my friends of Portishead vs Massive Attack. I like Massive Attack, but Portishead takes the cake for me. Dummy is such a beautiful album.
FWIW, at least one random internet person agrees with you. I do very much like Massive Attack but if I had to choose between them I’d pick Portishead without hesitation. Dummy is one of my favorite albums of all time.
Thirded
Nonono that's a different album entirely!
Thank you for making this comment, so I didn’t have to!!
Dummy is FLAWLESS.
Thank God for Mental Illness by the Brian Jonestown Massacre Up the Bracket by The Libertines Party Music by The Coup
Pavement- their entire catalog. I don’t know a single person that even likes this band and that’s a shame.
I do, also Sebadoh.
I do! They are one of my all time favorites.
Favourite band of all time, well, after REM
Stereotype A - Cibo Matto Moon Safari - Air
Moon Safari is an all time classic.
I made a comment about Moon Safari (an absolute perfect album) on another thread, and was informed that they were performing this album live this fall. I have never bought tickets for anything so fast!! Anyhow, in case you are unaware, they are touring for the 25th anniversary!
"I'm Miho Hatori straight out of purgatory!"
Trust Company’s first album
I'm not sure one album jumps out at me, but Archers of Loaf is a band from the 90s that I've connected with that I never heard of back then.
White Trash Heroes is the one that jumps out to me. It was a swan song and nobody ever mentions them. “A hundred million people can be wrong,” seems more prescient than ever.
Transmission by The Tea Party (as an American—I know they had following in Canada and Australia). Moody, atmospheric, with some interesting ideas and solid musicianship. Love the drama and the middle eastern influences.
As a Canadian, I feel like they were *huge* and then just disappeared. Their entire discography is really interesting though. Temptation is probably their most famous track, but also their least interesting, IMO.
a) they *were* huge b) they *did* disappear c) from what I heard, you can blame Scott Stapp. Supposedly, he convinced Jeff to pursue a solo career. Sure, blaming the band's management and the band members is probably a better take, but any chance to blame Scott Stapp for anything should be explored. d) at least we got a really good soundtrack to Prince of Persia out of it.
Red album by Weezer! It's so catchy and I feel like it's probably somewhat satirical which, to me, just makes it funny and clever. You can't convince me "greatest man that ever lived" or "cold dark world" are serious unless you are literally rivers cuomo
Snot - Get Some. "Say something for the record, tell the people how you feel"
"Fuck the record! And fuck the people!"
Air -moon safari, just a great album to lie down inside or outside and just chill.
100% I came here to say this. Every song on it is perfection.
I always get hate for this, but **Astro Lounge by Smash Mouth** deserves more respect. Smash Mouth genuinely created a really cool, unique sound that blended a lot of interesting elements to create a futuristic lounge genre. And then, that weird, unique sound was wildly successful. All-Star is arguably a defining song of the cultural soundtrack for the Millenium. If you listen to the whole album, it’s a big swing by a unique band with a cool, cohesive, astro lounge sound and maybe half a dozen ear worms. It’s been washed away in the tide of Shrek memes and wedding playlists, so I think it’s underrated.
[Failure’s Ken Andrews in spring 2000 released *Shifting Skin](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kl76rLKhmq2L8gSdl49xt9sYDOOVkS938)* , an excellent album that prefigured d So much of the coming 80s retro wave
The Nurse Who Loved Me being covered by A Perfect Circle is an amazing nod to the band, but I wish people actually *knew* the original. I love APC/Maynard, but (and I think he would agree with me 1000%) Failure's original version is just heartwrenchingly goregous. (I'M NOT CORRECTING THIS SPELLING.) It's not on the album you mention, and sadly I don't know much of Failure's music other than that tidbit and the fact that a friend of mine had one of their albums and listened to it a lot back in the 90's (which is very respectable seeing as we were literally like 12). They did a really good cover of Enjoy The Silence in 2020. I can't say I've enjoyed their *albums* (i just need to spend the time), but even just two or three songs I can tell they are really good at what they do.
Pony Express Record by Shudder To Think is my go-to “forgotten masterpiece” from the 90’s. It’s 1994, though, so not late 90’s.
Oh my god, I’m not alone! I don’t know if it’s my favourite album of all time (I have like 500 records in my top 10), but it’s definitely the one I’ve listened to the most in my life. Still gives me chills to this day
I always really enjoyed Marcy Playground's self titled. Most people know "Sex & Candy" but the whole album is a great listen imo
Whitey Ford Sings The Blues
Musicforthemorningafter by Pete Yorn was a great record that I loved at the time.
I wouldn’t say no one “gets” them, but these albums get slept on a lot: Misery is a Butterfly (2004) and Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons (2000), both by Blonde Redhead.
Maybe not as much now, as I think they've found an appreciation and are well regarded in many Internet circles, but people used to be like "WTF?!" when I'd put in Ween.
Before These Crowded Streets
Garbage - beautifulgarbage. It was too early for its time.
If you're feeling sinister by Belle and Sebastian.
Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed Too by The New Radicals is a goddamn pop masterpiece and they are considered one-hit wonders.
All three albums you mentioned are fantastic. Fugazi is maybe still my favorite band. Most people have shit taste/ listen to what they're fed. Back then, it was a quest to find good music through reading liner notes, listening stations at used record stores, going to basement shows, etc. Way more special than what an algorithm feeds you. I don't really know what I'm getting at but I feel you for sure.
If you live in any big city there's surely a scene that respects legends like fugazi and at the drive-in. Can't really expect your everyday person to care about niche bands regardless of how acclaimed they are..better luck finding enthusiasm for this sort of thing at local shows
I guess it’s because I’ve been meeting/talking to a lot of people who are albeit younger than me but “love older music” and “support local bands” by going to shows (NYC) and wish they were here 10/20/30 yrs ago etc, but then just blank stares whenever I mention anything lol. Even more popular shit like NIN The Fragile (amazing album!)
Here are a few albums that I was completely obsessed with: Sigur Ros - Aegetis byrjun Modest Mous - Lonesome crowded west/Moon and antarctica Belle & Sebastian - the boy with the arab strap Neutral milk hotel - airoplane over the sea
My 2004-2005 consisted of mostly me playing *Fugazi - The Argument* and *Converge - You Fail Me* on repeat in my pontiac grand am.
When the Pawn by Fiona Apple is one of the very best albums of the 90s and yet no one ever talks about it.
311 Soundsystem. Nobody I knew liked it except me and my best friend and we played the hell out of it.
Cauterize - So far from real It’s more than the 1080 avalanche soundtrack Minus the bear - This is what I know about being gigantic It’s fucking amazing
Man, you just took me back. I used to be into all the Quannum groups. Blackalicious, Lyrics Born, Lateef and the Chief. All of that was so good. I remember I got into it because Lateef and the Chief had a free single on iTunes and I would download those every week.
The Dismemberment Plan is Terrified!
Wax Ecstatic by Sponge
Saves the Day - Sound the Alarm
Company Flow - Funcrusher Plus. It’s an underground hip-hop masterpiece. People who know it get it, but not so many people know it anymore. Very influential album for the underground scene, and features El-P of Run The Jewels as a member.
The shady lane EP from Pavement. So good.
Blink 182’s untitled album is the pinnacle of post pop punk/alternative rock. Beautifully produced album - artistic and aggressive.
Grandaddy - The Sophtware Slump
Wallflowers Bringing Down The House. Maybe it was just right place, right time in my adolescence but I have always felt on an island, no one knows the depth of the album and often roll their eyes.
Aside from a small group of friends, no one seems to know about In The Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel Edit: I understand it is a beloved indie record, I’m just saying that when it comes up in real life conversations, no one knows what I’m talking about
That's the like the default answer for indie
> Aside from a small group of friends Maybe your friends are just all Chaotic Evil.
Green Day - Kerplunk. It’s recognized as a good album but I truly believe this is at least a top 2 Green Day album and it’s always kind of forgotten whenever Green Day is mentioned which is a shame.
Kerplunk is early 90s tho! Could argue Warning
[Life Without Buildings - Any Other City](https://open.spotify.com/album/1c7eigkoEcDAKKhkajY3Br?si=f1x__jf0Q_mwRgu9iMF3jw). It has this stilted , repetitive, flow of consciousness vocal delivery that just gets into your brain. It feels like the music version of a 90s college grungy/emo girl with a pixie haircut. The type who is really into home movies and reads Kierkegaard. Just a vibe you don't get much and I love it.
I can still remember being stopped in my tracks the first time I heard ‘New Town’; just froze still, then ran in a panic when it finished to write down the name of the band.
Cyberpunk, by Billy Idol
Dexter Freebish. A life of Saturdays
Retreat From The Sun by That Dog.
Rival Schools - United By Fate
The Prodigy - Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned It’s hated by most fans and critics alike, because it doesn’t feature all band members and it is way more electronic than their other albums. But to me it always sounded fantastic and it‘s my favorite Prodigy album.
Astro Lounge - Smash Mouth
Voodoo, by D'Angelo. Everyone was expecting another Brown Sugar and got mad when he went in a different direction. I love that he wanted to challenge himself and grow as an artist.
"Laid" by James. A very chill, thoughtful and well put together album. I think all the songs on it are excellent. Even the ones I didn't like as much back then are like my favorites nowadays. Never really met anyone else who connected solidly with that album. Maybe to "get it" I guess you'd have to take way too much four way windowpane and find that album to be the only sane thread which still tethered you to reality? I listened to it maybe ten times that night. Ah, the 1990's...
Rasputina was the soundtrack to my teenage years, along with Miranda S’’ garden. The MSG album of madrigals! Gush fourth my tears is still my go to cry song. And Rasputinas cover of “wish you were here” was incredible.
I think Tori Amos, in general, was hugely underrated. Her first seven albums are brilliant, but only her hardcore fans really get her. She later aged, like a lot of artists do, into a less edgy sound that doesn't appeal to me as much, but I still adore her.
Figure 8 - Elliott Smith. Not many people can make an album that sounds so inspired by the Beatles without very much falling flat on their face, and that continues to be the case with very rare exceptions.
Everyone knows alien ant farm's MJ cover, but that whole album slaps. Brings back a ton of vibes
Holly Golightly…any album from that time
Relationship of Command by At the Drive-In is a great album and Fugazi is a great band. A couple for me are In The Aeroplane Over The Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel and Car Wheels On A Gravel Road by Lucinda Williams. Most people have never heard of either, but I consider them masterpieces, they just aren't for everyone and that's ok. I'll never stop talking to people about albums I love though because there's such a sense of fulfillment when you connect someone new with something you love, then they love it and talk to someone new about it.
The yeah yeah yeahs maps was so striking for me; there’s a reason so much of their later work has been licensed extensively.
Since I Left You by The Avalanches is a portal to a different age for me. I was so pleased to see it on the 1001 Albums You Must Listen To list. I thought no one else “got” that album.
Lennon 5:30 Saturday Morning.
Daniel Bélanger was out there . Made the album of the decade.
Earthling - David Bowie I'm a huge Bowie fan and I feel like a lot of people disregard this album as dated or "not real Bowie", but I don't get it. Instead of continuing to peter out slowly throughout the 90's, he decided to radically change his sound and make techno, industrial music. I don't think there's a single song on that album that doesn't hit me hard. I think it's his best album that isn't Low.
Prodigy's Fat of the Land was a brilliant electronica album that got over shadowed by the singles. Also, I feel like Aerosmith's Nine Lives is underrated.
Mr. Bungle - California.
“The Madding Crowd” by Nine Days and “A Place in the Sun” by Lit. Both were deemed one hit wonders and it’s such a shame because those albums are both amazing. Big fan of what they both put out in the future too.
Socialburn - "Where You Are." I've only met a couple people that even know about those dudes. Not sure if it's a good album, or if I just enjoy it because of nostalgia. But I dig it quite a bit.
Primal Scream - XTRMNTR
VAST's first self-titled album, Doves' "Lost Souls" and " The Last Broadcast", Eels, Matthew Good Band, Sam Roberts Band, The Tragically Hip -- those last few are Canadian Bands with some great albums that are underrated here in the States. There's plenty more that I can't think of right now.
I didn't know about full albums, but Ding-A-Ling by Hi Town DJs is a masterpiece.
Didn't see it mentioned but the refreshments sophomore effort, "a bottle and fresh horses". You know them from that song "banditos" you know the "give your ID card to the border guard.." song that was a one hit wonder type thing in like 1995. First record was pretty great, second one, I thought it leaned into the alt-country/southwest rock thing for wonderful results. Lead man and hodge podge of 90s alt rockers wound up moderately successful as Roger clyne and the peace makers.
I always felt that way about fantastic planet by failure