Underappreciated shit
These are a few songs and albums that should get more airplay than they do. |
| 1 |  | Johnny Cash
American IV: The Man Comes Around
"Sam Hall"
This whole album is a masterpiece. Rick Ruben is a mad genius for recording all of the "American Recordings" albums and showing Cash's frail but still powerful soul. Sam Hall is just a big middle finger to the world. It is also sung by Clint Eastwood in "Two Mules for Sister Sara". |
| 2 |  | Leonard Cohen
Songs of Leonard Cohen
"Teachers"
Teachers is as powerful and intimate as any of Cohen's ballads that pepper "favorite" lists around the world. You won't find it on any greatest hits album though. |
| 3 |  | Primus
Frizzle Fry
"John the Fisherman"
I loves me some Primus. Frizzle Fry was my first Primus record and I was hooked for life. I can listen to it from beginning to end and enjoy every song but John the Fisherman is my favorite. |
| 4 |  | Smog
Knock Knock
"River Guard"
This song punches me right in the gut. I pretty much have to listen to it twice every time I hear it because I need more of that. |
| 5 |  | Al Stewart
Past, Present and Future
"Roads to Moscow"
I'm not the biggest Al Stewart fan but Roads to Moscow is a profound experience that needs to be listened to loud. It is the story of a Russian soldier during WWII who was initially losing to the Germans but eventually turned the tide and defeated them only to end up in a Siberian work camp upon his return home. It is powerful, both musically and lyrically. |
| 6 |  | Aesop Rock
The Impossible Kid
"Blood Sandwich"
The Impossible Kid is a really solid album that stays in heavy rotation in my playlists. There are quite a few good tracks on it. Blood Sandwich is a nod to his two brothers and stories of his memories of them as kids and lamenting the fact that they don't have as much contact as they could as adults. I can definitely relate. |
| 7 |  | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
The Letting Go
"Strange Form of Life"
Wil Oldham (Bonnie 'Prince' Billy) is a fantastic songwriter and Strange Form of Life is one of his best. Dawn McCarthy's sweet voice melds so well with Oldham's. |
| 8 |  | The Cure
The Head on the Door
"The Baby Screams"
Head on the Door is my favorite Cure album. I love the whole thing. It doesn't get much credit, though, when talking about The Cure. Always Disintegration or Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me. |
| 9 |  | Arthur Lee
Vindicator
"Everbody's Gotta Live"
Arthur Lee was a grossly underappreciated talent in his own right; not just a Jimi Hendrix wannabe. |
| 10 |  | Deer Tick
War Elephant
"These Old Shoes"
Another solid album all the way through but These Old Shoes is a stand-out. |
| 11 |  | A Perfect Circle
Mer de Noms
"Orestes"
This album does get plenty of airplay in certain circles but, I think, a lot of people steer clear of it because of the enigmatic frontman, Maynard Keenan. |
| 12 |  | Madrugada
Industrial Silence
"Riverbed"
Another powerful song about war. Madrugada never really got the respect they deserved in the US. |
| 13 |  | Truckfighters
Mania
"Blackness"
Mania is probably Truckfighters' strongest album. Blackness is a great example of their style and chops. |
| 14 |  | The Doors
Waiting for the Sun
"My Wild Love"
My Wild Love should get just a s much play as Light My Fire or Riders on the Storm. |
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