# most underrated bands **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 6, 2003, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122 "2003-02-06T03:31:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/41 "2003-02-08T08:13:44Z")
\*\*BLUR \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Dryga\_Yes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@Dryga\_Yes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dryga_Yes)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/42 "2003-02-08T13:26:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tangent \* > \*\*\*\*BLUR \*\* \*\* In the US, maybe - over there they seem to be known as “that song 2 band”, which is a bit of a shame. On our side of the pond they’re rather well-known, though. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/43 "2003-02-08T14:17:56Z")
I can think of a few dozen bands that I don’t think get their due, but for the most part I can see why they’re overlooked by most people. I’ve never really understood why the Apples in Stereo aren’t more popular than they are, though. ---
**Author:** ![fizgig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f04885/32.png) [@fizgig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizgig)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/44 "2003-02-08T17:42:30Z")
Most of the ones that first came to mind have already been mentioned: Lyle Lovett, Apples in Stereo, Pete Yorn, Tragically Hip, Toad the Wet Sprocket, etc. I’ll add: **Belle and Sebastian** , though they have a good following. Maybe they’re not as accessible as I think they are. **Spoon** , though they seem to be getting a little more noteriety since the near-perfect album _Girls Can Tell_. **Beulah** is making beautiful pop music, but I only heard of them on chance, and though I’ve had my ears open, haven’t heard much of them since. **Sparklehorse** has perfected the production quirks Wilco tried to capture on _Yankee Hotel Foxtrot._ Also, **The Trashcan Sinatras** put out fabulous music, but their song title _Obscurity Knocks_ seems to sum up the exposure they received. Lastly, **Nick Cave** is a modern lyrical genius as far as I can tell with amazing interpretation, but remains something of a cult figure, despite his multi-decade career with no sign of doing anything but maturing and improving. ---
**Author:** ![Splanky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@Splanky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Splanky)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/45 "2003-02-08T18:17:36Z")
> [@](#): > > He’s not a band. The band he was a part of can be called anything but underrated. He was talking about Roger’s solo works. Which I HATED. [rant] As a matter of fact, I hate all Pink Floyd solo albums, and I hate every Floyd album made after The Final Cut (Except for Pulse). This includes Nick Mason’s album, Gilmour’s solo albums, Roger’s albums, and even Syd Barret’s albums. And Lapse of Reason, Delicate Sound of Thunder, Division Bell, and everything before Meddle. Except for maybe Atom Heart Mother and Ummagumma. [/rant] Floyd is the best band ever, though. I’ll add Frank Zappa and the Mothers, and The Band. ---
**Author:** ![Splanky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@Splanky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Splanky)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/46 "2003-02-08T18:21:22Z")
Oh yeah, and Galactic. The best band out right now. I saw them on Thursday; WOW. ---
**Author:** ![kefka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/59ef9b/32.png) [@kefka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kefka)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/47 "2003-02-08T18:29:48Z")
i think a lot of bands coming out of virginia are really underrated. i say this because growing up here, anyone who’s not in the eastern seaboard compares any band to dave matthews band. i suspect that this happened to a lot of really great bands who came out of seattle in the early 90s who never got out of the shadows of nirvana, pearl jam, etc. but anyway, since someone already mentioned the fantastic emmet swimming, here are some fantastic underrated bands: virginia coalition - white boy go-go at its finest o.a.r. guster agents of good roots john mayer - gets no credit because he’s been made popular by vapid teenage girls who give him a bad name, but he writes great songs, and is an unexpectedly amazing guitar player… ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/48 "2003-02-08T19:56:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Felonious Mink \* > \*\*VNV Nation - just can’t live without 'em. \*\* I hear that, brother. Especially the **Futureperfect** material, which, in my opinion is definitely not as strong as previous stuff (primarily in production), but is a far cry better than most give it credit for. ---
**Author:** ![dogchow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e495f1/32.png) [@dogchow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogchow)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/49 "2003-02-08T21:38:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mayberrydan \* > I would like to say _Our Lady Peace_ - even though they are popular in Canada, I really have no idea how popular they are elsewhere. \*\* I almost put them down on my list. They’re somewhat known in my little part of big ol Texas. Alot of people have heard their songs but don’t know it’s by Our Lady Peace. I really like them myself. I would add another vote for Apples in Stereo, but I’ve only heard a few songs by them. What I’ve heard is pretty good though. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/50 "2003-02-08T22:23:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mayberrydan \* > \*\*I’ll second _Dishwalla_ and _Great Big Sea_. I would like to say _Our Lady Peace_ - even though they are popular in Canada, I really have no idea how popular they are elsewhere. \*\* They’re very popular with young people (early 30s and younger) here and every single ends up in heavy rotation on the radio, but OTOH, we might have greater than average exposure to the band, given that Canada is only a three hour drive away. ---
**Author:** ![Lodrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@Lodrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lodrain)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2003, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/51 "2003-02-09T02:27:51Z")
Depeche Mode. Most people either scream and hold their ears or say ‘hey, I remember that song’ when ‘Personal Jesus’ comes on. _Violator_ wasn’t Depeche Mode’s only CD; it was just the one with the most airplay. And of course, the venerable Einstürzende Neubauten. ---
**Author:** ![Mercutio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Mercutio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mercutio)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2003, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/52 "2003-02-09T06:09:13Z")
Geza X Le Shok Definetly Le Shok. ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2003, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/53 "2003-02-09T06:18:47Z")
Fountains of Wayne. In a perfect world I’d be sick of hearing their music on the radio constantly. Suzanne Vega. So much more than Luka and Tom’s Diner. ---
**Author:** ![Treviathan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@Treviathan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treviathan)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2003, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/54 "2003-02-09T07:53:39Z")
Wilco, very seriously. Aside from community radio I’ve never heard them on the airwaves, never seen one of their videos, and know perhaps five people who have ever even _heard_ of them. The Jayhawks. Excellent sense of melody, especially on their recent pop-oriented material. Death Cab for Cutie. Literate and wistful. The Tea Party (another Canadian band). They unfortunately get looped in with the likes of Nickelback and Our Lady Peace (whom I definitely think are _overrated_), but they make some really interesting, bombastic music with lots of crazy instruments. Spirit of the West. Better than Great Big Sea and just as fun to get sloshed to. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2003, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/55 "2003-02-09T10:43:28Z")
Wesley Willis may be a one trick pony (or rather, a one track pony, given that the music for almost every song he plays is the exact same “Demo” button on a cheap synth) but it’s a great trick. ---
**Author:** ![Homer\_J](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c37758/32.png) [@Homer\_J](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer_J)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2003, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/56 "2003-02-09T11:04:00Z")
Sublime, maybe less so in America, but there almost underheard of in the UK ☹ ---
**Author:** ![ElwoodCuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/edb3f5/32.png) [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/57 "2003-02-09T20:59:30Z")
Ben Folds Five/Ben Folds solo. They had pretty much one ever radio hit, “Brick”, which makes little sense because “Brick” sounds pretty much nothing like all their other songs. ---
**Author:** ![Jberto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8baadc/32.png) [@Jberto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jberto)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2003, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/58 "2003-02-09T22:03:08Z")
Prong. They totally followed their own muse and created some of the most interesting heavy metal of the 90’s. **Cleansing** and **Rude Awakening** are good places for newbies to start ( **Cleansing** is the best example of the classic Prong sound. Prong introduced more industrial elements in **Rude Awakening** ). They received good critical acclaim but never got the sales they deserved. Due to this, the lead singer/guitarist decided a better gig was with Glenn Danzig and disbanded Prong. :wally ---
**Author:** ![Novus\_Opiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/858c86/32.png) [@Novus\_Opiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novus_Opiate)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/59 "2003-02-10T14:33:48Z")
**Failure** was a great band that I will always miss. Anyone who isn’t familiar with them should give their album _Fantastic Planet_ a shot. Great album that is pretty unique. ---
**Author:** ![chorizo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@chorizo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorizo)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2003, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122/60 "2003-02-10T20:50:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Treviathan \* > **Wilco, very seriously. Aside from community radio I’ve never heard them on the airwaves, never seen one of their videos, and know perhaps five people who have ever even _heard_ of them.** Damn, you need to find some new friends. Pretty much everyone I know is into Wilco on some level. I know at least a dozen people who bought Yankee Hotel Foxtrot the week it came out. But I agree, they’re one of those bands you hear a lot about in certain circles but not at all in the mass media. They’ve only made one video, though, that I know of. What’s the point of making a video if you’re not cute and people have to actually think about your songs? As for underrated bands: fIREHOSE I’m listening to Flyin’ the Flannel right now and it always blows my mind. It’s such a great, varied, interesting album. Ask anyone you know about fIREHOSE, and they’ll possibly start singing “Finally Found the Love of a Lifetime” by the horrible 80’s lite-hair-metal band Firehouse. Nobody knows who they are, which is sad. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-bands/153122.md?page=4)