First off, apologies for limiting this to rock albums, but I believe it will keep the thread from getting too off focus. The category is somewhat flexible, however. Just use your best judgement. That being said, here is the best rock album Dopers have never heard:
Men Without Women - Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul
Steven Van Zandt finally steps out of the shadow of Bruce Springsteen and turns in a terrific album, full of tough rockers and tender ballads, and showcasing an affecting singing voice that was only hinted at, however considerably, on his work with the Boss. From the explosive opening of “Lyin’ in a Bed of Fire”, and with songs like the moody “Under the Gun” and the heartfelt “Princess of Little Italy”, every song is a gem. And while no one who was paying attention at the time could doubt the talent of Little Steven, to me the album was an unexpected surprise. Even now, when I listen to it in the context of a first solo album, his burst of amazing songs still continues to wow, however familiar they are to me. And Van Zandt wrote every song on the album!
Undoubtedly, this is the best rock album Dopers have never heard. Am I right?
Close, but no cigar. I think Hearts of Stone by Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes is better. Often called “the best album Springsteen never recorded.”
My vote would go to the Keith Richards solo album “Talk Is Cheap”. I bought a copy back when it first came out, due to it getting lots of positive reviews. And it really is a solid solo album, nothing like the Stones. But sometimes I get the feeling that I’m one of maybe ten people who own the album, I’m not sure most people these days (including Stones fans) are aware it even exists.
Thanks for asking, and allow me to clarify if I wasn’t clear: the thread is meant to showcase somewhat (or even more so) obscure albums that YOU believe others aren’t aware of. So, the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Are You Experienced” wouldn’t work, but “Band of Gypsys” might, as it was recorded without the Experience and isn’t well known (I suppose…)
Two Against Nature came out in 2000 so it’s not so new but it won Grammy’s for: Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Engineered Album, and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group for the song Cousin Dupree. I’ll bet most classic rocker fans have never even heard of it.
Everything Must Go from 2003 has some great tracks on it.
Donald Fagen’s solo extends well beyond The Nightfly from 1982.
In 1993, his follow-up, Kamakiriad. is regarded as great from beginning to end.
Completing this pseudo-trilogy is 2006’s Morph the Cat which includes Fagen’s musings on death and September 11.
Sunken Condos from 2012 is solid.
That’s a lot to take in but I’ll provide just one link, the title track of Morph the Cat.
In the early 90s, I played Ultra Vivid Scene continuously, and I have yet to meet someone who heard of them (actually him, it was just one guy). It’s stereotypical late 80s/early 90s college radio. My favorite album was probably Rev, loaded with long, epic songs convinced of their self-importance.
UVS had one minor hit with Kim Deal (Pixies) on backup vocals, but even that was pretty obscure.
Back when I was, oh, 10-ish years old, I won a Shawn Phillips album in a radio station contest. (“Contribution”, I think…) I listened to it once or twice but it wasn’t really the kind of music I was listening to at that age. That album is long gone… but yes I’ve heard of him!
Interbabe Concern by Loud Family. The equal and more of anything ever done by Big Star. I have no idea why Joe Cocker is listed in the Amazon listing. He had nothing at all to do with it.
From the same era, we have The Buck Pets. If they had only waited a couple of years, they may have got in on the alternative explosion of the early 90s.
It’s worth pointing out that without Steve van Zandt, there wouldn’t be any Southside Johnny. Maybe no E Street Band, or even Bruce Springsteen (as we know him).
Ah, memories. They were another favorite of mine. I liked This One’s For the Ladies, but that might have been more based on where I was at that point in life than it being better than any other album.
Their cover of the Kink’s Picture Book is bangin’, and I dare anyone to listen to Taco Wagon without shouting “taco wagon!” at least once.
Thanks for asking, and allow me to clarify if I wasn’t clear: the thread is meant to showcase somewhat (or even more so) obscure albums that YOU believe others aren’t aware of. So, the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Are You Experienced” wouldn’t work, but “Band of Gypsys” might, as it was recorded without the Experience and isn’t well known (I suppose…)