Album/CD you consider great that was not a big hit

[Magpel]

Mzeger, heck I'm with you on the XTC vote, but why English Settlement? That's one of their *most* accalimed albums, with one of their biggests hits. How about Big Express as a REALLY overlooked gem? But you're right. Pretty much any XTC except Skylarking qualifies as under-appreciated.

[ricknbokker]

mzeger... Love Argy Bargy... one of my favorites! :) Can't say enough about XTC, either. 11 Tracks of Whack...amazing... Can't think of any of my own right now. Maybe later... Steve

[soapbox]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Magpel:[/i] I'd take "Right Hand Man" over "One of Us" any day.[/quote] Me two! I also like the Captain Beefheart album "Clear Spot" from which the "Right Hand Man" opening guitar lick was lifted... Add that to the list of great albums that weren't big hits!

[BP3]

Becker, XTC, Squeeze... you guys are on point. "Eleven Tracks of Whack" proved where the edge of Steely Dan comes from. Here's some of my favorites that didn't sell what they should of. [b]Crowded House - Temple of Low Men Squeeze - Play David Sylvian - Dead Bees on a Cake Adrian Belew - Twang Bar King Meshell Ndegeocello - Peace Beyond Passion David Sancious - True Stories Happy The Man - Crafty Hands Thomas Dolby - Aliens Ate My Buick[/b]

[Doctor Frankensteinway]

[quote]Originally posted by mzeger: Was (Not Was) "What Up, Dog" - other than the unlikely hit "Walk the Dinosaur", everything else on the album kills me [/quote] Oh yeah . . forgot about that one. I like the first Was/Not Was album . . . who could forget [quote] When Zaz Turned Blue[/quote] sung by Mel Torme . . . If that isn't a classic to end all classics . . . don't know what is . . . Actually . . I forgot about [b]NRBQ - [/b] All Hopped Up being their best. Beethovan put out a couple of albums that went no where. That was tragic. He was ahead of his time. Of course, the gramophone hadn't been invented yet, but still. And of course, [quote]Album/CD you consider great that was not a big hit[/quote] . . . well any that I have been involved with (so far). Nertz.

[Hippie]

Empty Planet mentioned David Bowie's 'Low'. Yes! great record with a crazy production. 2 other selections that come to mind are from Neil Young: 'Time fades away' & 'Tonight's the Night'.

[Tedster]

[quote]Originally posted by Chip McDonald: [b] Kings-X, anything. It's amazing, the best "Christian" group ever and they never tout them - BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MAKE MONEY OFF OF THEM. Ridiculous. [/b][/quote] I was blown away the first time I heard King's X...they sounded like the Beatles, only with Ty Tabor's dangerous guitar...the whole thing much heavier.

[deanmass]

RE: Aimee Mann- I think she has no label out of choice, and likes it Better than most, heard by to few: Aimee Mann/Bachelor #2 Kate Bush/ The Sensual World The Jayhawk/ Tomorrow the Green Grass ----I thought the Golden Smog CD was a Jayhawks offshoot? Heather Nova/Siren Maria McKee's debut after the breakup of Lone Justice David Wilcox/Big Horizon

[henrysb3]

Several come to mind: "Fire Up" with Merle Saunders, Jerry Garcia, Tom Fogarty and Grady Tate "Bare Wires" by John Mayall "Bare Trees" by Fleetwood Mac (before Buckingham & Nicks) hmmm, lots of bareness, huh "Mott the Hoople" with an instrumental 'You Really Got Me' and cover art by M.C. Escher (unrelated to Hammer or any other MC's) "Naturally" by J.J. Cale Anyone remembering any of these may contact the Society of Bone Fide Geezers for honorary membership... "A very great man once said, Some folks will rob you with a fountain pen. It didn't take too long to find out Just what he was talkin' about." - Talkin' New York Blues - "Bob Dylan" - Bob Dylan "May you stay Forever young."

[halljams]

I thought Cris Cornell's solo album with "she's going to change the world" etc on it was really really good and it went nowhere. I also really liked Jellyfish. I bought Jason Falkner's solo album (where he's walking away from the airplane or something)(I suck with names) And it was Awful, really awful. What about The Jazz Butcher That guy rocked, funny as hell. And What about the Blow monkeys'. "Did i mention i am a doctor baby" he was the real Austin powers. Great great shit! And the Waterboys, This is the sea!!!!!!!. And and and....

[Duhduh]

[quote]Originally posted by Chip McDonald: [b]_Grace_ - Jeff Buckley Kings-X, anything. It's amazing, the best "Christian" group ever and they never tout them - BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MAKE MONEY OFF OF THEM. Ridiculous. [ 01-14-2002: Message edited by: Chip McDonald ][/b][/quote] DUDE!!! OMG!! I have newly discovered Jeff Buckley. Wow! Listening to his music inspires me to write more than anything I've heard in the last 10 years! Literally!!! Oh how I wish he hadnt died. Very interesting reading, if you have the time: http://www.jeffbuckley.com/story.htm http://www.timbuckley.com/ (His dad) effbuckley.com

[Meriphew_dup1]

I think David Sylvian has put out a few solo records, which in my opinion, are incredible though not radio friendly, thus resulting in little media attention. [url=http://www.meriphew.com]www.meriphew.com[/url]

[Mark Zeger]

[quote]Originally posted by Magpel: [b]Mzeger, heck I'm with you on the XTC vote, but why English Settlement? That's one of their *most* accalimed albums, with one of their biggests hits.[/b][/quote] I understand your point. Except for college radio, I don't recall hearing "Senses Working Overtime" anywhere on the air. There are so many acclaimed XTC albums, but don't know if I would call any of them "hits". I don't no where "English Settlement" charted, but in 1982 I'm guessing it didn't pass the corporate rock hit albums (Styx, Journey, REO, Foreigner, etc.) that dominated radio playlists and sales charts.

[John Paterno]

Here are a few that I put on every once in a while and always say 'I forgot how good this record is!' Sam Philips -- Martinis and Bikinis Jonatha Brooke -- 10 Cent Wings Del Amitri -- Twisted Something about the songs, and the way it's all put together... -John

[Dan South]

Fuel (Sunburn) and ANYTHING by Thomas Dolby.

[Chip McDonald]

[quote]Originally posted by halljams: [b]I thought Cris Cornell's solo album with "she's going to change the world" etc on it was really really good and it went nowhere.I[/b][/quote] Yeah, I should have mentioned that, I listened to that more than anything else in 2000. Great stuff, I wish he'd hurry up with the Sound Machine or Rage Against the Garden project, or whatever it's going to be called...

[Chip McDonald]

[quote]Originally posted by Duhduh: [b]I have newly discovered Jeff Buckley. Wow! Listening to his music inspires me to write more than anything I've heard in the last 10 years! Literally!!! [/b][/quote] Check out Chris Cornell's solo record if you have a chance. It's not quite the same thing, but similar (also does a tribute song to Buckley)

[Stephen Fortner]

I just mentioned this on the "music for intimate moments" thread, but what the heck. There's a Canadian band called [url=http://www.philosopherkings.com]The Philosopher Kings[/url] . Their self-titled debut album from 1994 is great... and it's sad to say I picked it up in 1995 in a cut-out bin. I haven't heard their newer stuff. Jazz-influenced pop with serious crooner-type singing. Great mixing, too. Their cover of Dylan's "Just Like a Woman" sounds amazing.

[Jedi]

Oh I must agree The Posies-Frosting on the Beater Flaming Lips-Soft Bulletin(my three year old son loves this album)I'm quite fond of it as well some others that never got their due Afghan Whigs-Black Love(I love all the Whigs' stuff but I'll just put this one) Sunny Day Real Estate-The Rising Tide(I love all of their stuff too) Built to Spill-Keep it Like a Secret Erykah Badu-Mama's Gun(I don't think they made a lot of hype out of this one. I could be wrong) Urge Overkill-Exit the Dragon(This band kicks ass) I'll end it with them. Cool Thread. You really start to realize how small the popular musical landscape has become. Maybe its always been tiny. Oh well, you can play only four songs on the the radio if you want, but music lovers will always dig up, search out, sniff around and find the real shit. Namaste' Jedi

[Magpel]

Pleased to see so many XTC fans here. Of course all of their albums meet the esential criteria for under-rated. But it was the two albums that followed English Settlement, Mummer and The Big Express, that really cemented their utter commercial failure. Of course, this also coincides with Partridge's nervous breakdown and declaration that he was done playing live, which he has unfortunately never recanted. My favorite XTC albums are: Black Sea English Settlement Big Express Skylarking Psonic Psunspot (Dukes of Stratospheare) [quote]Originally posted by mzeger: [b] I understand your point. Except for college radio, I don't recall hearing "Senses Working Overtime" anywhere on the air. There are so many acclaimed XTC albums, but don't know if I would call any of them "hits". I don't no where "English Settlement" charted, but in 1982 I'm guessing it didn't pass the corporate rock hit albums (Styx, Journey, REO, Foreigner, etc.) that dominated radio playlists and sales charts.[/b][/quote]

[Doctor Frankensteinway]

[quote]halljams: And the Waterboys, This is the sea!!!!!!!. [/quote] Indeed. I forgot about that one. Great album. Whatever happened to Mike Scott? I know he put out a few more albums. Oh, and I heard that the guitarist/writer from Big Country killed himself a few weeks ago. What a shame. There was a guy that wrote "In a Big Country" and "Fields of Fire" and "Chance" which were all such good songs. I always thought that Mike Scott backed by Big Country would have made a great album. Just like I always felt that those individual solo artists ~ George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Star and that guy from Wings .. .what was his name . . Denny McCartney or Paul Laine or something? Those four Might possibly have been good as a band together. Who knows though, eh?

[bohemian]

Re: XTC- Since they got out of that bogus contract they are releasing the demo tapes of the two latest projects they've finished- great liner notes and insight- a must for fan musicians- Anyone mention Greg Brown? chris

[halljams]

[quote]Originally posted by Chip McDonald: [b] Yeah, I should have mentioned that, I listened to that more than anything else in 2000. Great stuff, I wish he'd hurry up with the Sound Machine or Rage Against the Garden project, or whatever it's going to be called...[/b][/quote] Yeah i anxiously await that too.

[sysexguy]

Hey what's going on? Everyone's agreeing!!! 100% on King's X especially the stuff produced by Sam Taylor Also agree about Thomas Dolby (Aliens Ate my Buick is killer) and I'll add Mr. Mister "Go On" which was a complete commercial dud after the mega selling first album. Andy

[fantasticsound]

My fav. underrated albums: Toy Matinee - Toy Matinee; Every song on this album is wonderful. The arrangements, timbres, and other production are beautiful, and the lyrics are intelligent. The sparse vocal reverb is very nice, in particular. Hardly anyone seems to be familiar with this album, but most every mixer I'm aquainted with owns and loves it. The masterminds behind it were Kevin Gilbert (the songwriter) and Patrick Leonard, who among other credits produced several Madonna albums. Chet Atkins & Suzy Bogguss - Simpatico; An incredible swan song for Mr. Guitar. Wonderful covers of In The Jailhouse Now & Elton John's Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word. The rest of the album is great, too. Recorded a few years prior to his failing health. There was also an album with Mark Knopfler that belongs here, as well, but I can't remember the name...

[JES]

F-ing awesome thread! I'm checking out Jeff Buckley right now -- very cool. 2nd's on the following: XTC -- everything Trip Shakespeare -- Lulu (and by the way, everything I've heard that's been recorded at Pachyderm Studio sounds absolutely amazing) A couple rockers: Shiner -- everything, really, but I like Lula Divinia and The Egg -- the pinnacle of alternarock Jawbox -- Jawbox. Also killer rock stuff. Failure -- Fantastic Planet. Ditto Something mellower: Death Cab for Cutie -- The Photo Album. Absolutely beautiful. Good lord there's so much more but I'm not remembering right now. --JES

[Duhduh]

[quote]Originally posted by Chip McDonald: [b] Check out Chris Cornell's solo record if you have a chance. It's not quite the same thing, but similar (also does a tribute song to Buckley)[/b][/quote] I HAVE heard it and I DID like it. I didnt know he has a tribute to Buckley on there, though! I'll have to give it a listen again.

[Duhduh]

[quote]Originally posted by JES: [b]F-ing awesome thread! I'm checking out Jeff Buckley right now -- very cool. [/b][/quote] Cool! Im glad to see someone checking that out! I found it fascinating. [quote] [b] Failure -- Fantastic Planet. Ditto [/b][/quote]] DUDE! I totally dig this band, too! Ok, one more for you: Gomez. Check THAT out!

[tnb]

"Plantation Lullibies" Me'Shell Ndegeocello

[trick fall]

[quote] posted 01-14-2002 10:53 PM                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------ quote: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Originally posted by Magpel: Mzeger, heck I'm with you on the XTC vote, but why English Settlement? That's one of their *most* accalimed albums, with one of their biggests hits. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I understand your point. Except for college radio, I don't recall hearing "Senses Working Overtime" anywhere on the air. [/quote] I remember a better time, a time when I did hear that song on commercial radio.