Wonderful Yet Obscure Albums

In My Humble Opinion
1

Do you have an album in your racks that is largely unknown to the wider record-buying public and yet is a genuine stone classic ? The sort of record you press upon visibly reluctant friends having praised its virtues with bug eyed fanatical intensity ? The kind of album that you have 2 copies of just in case you lose one ? And you wince in sympathy if you happen to see it marked down in a bargain bin…

My own choice would be Nils Lofgren and Grin’s “1+1” a record so unappreciated I found it almost impossible to buy on CD (in the UK) having worn out my early 70s vinyl copy. It’s a fantastic, instantly lovable record of truly exceptional songs divided - as the title suggests - between a “Rockin side” and a “Dreamy Side”. Nils may be best known these days for being The Boss’s (hah) sideman, but those us with ears to hear know that the little guy could and should have been a contender. His songs on this album are peerlessly crafted, beautifully arranged, produced and sung with a passion and zest for life you rarely hear in these anodyne days. David Briggs’ production is just about perfect too - covering moods ranging from swaggering rock n roll to outdo the Stones to heartbreaking, bittersweet ballads - delivered so sincerely by Nils it makes your heart lurch. To think this wonderful, passionate record was met by such indifference on its release…

Here’s your chance to make amends people - get down to your neighbourhood record shop and indulge in a life-enhancing experience.

So… what records in your collection should we all have bought?

2

The Shaggs’ “Philosophy of the World.” If you don’t know the amazing true story of the Shaggs, look it up 'cause I sure as hell don’t have the time to tell you. Listen to some sample tracks here:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000I0QQ/qid=990300732/sr=1-2/ref=sc_m_2/104-6756921-6675164

3

Warren Zevon - “Warren Zevon”
Warren Zevon - “Excitable Boy”

Two of the best rock albums of the 1970’s, and not many people have ever heard them (Well, “Excitable Boy” did crack the Top-10 for a short time).

4

Even though I already had copies on CD, I absconded with my parent’s copies of these recently when they went through a major house cleaning and were going to give them to goodwill.

I was horrified.

5

Not exactly obscure, but I have seen these in discount bins. Sad.

No One Is Really Beautiful - Jude
Also known as Jude Christodal. Aside from appearances on the Felicity and City of Angels soundtracks, I don’t believe he ever had much publicity.

Mirmama - Eddi Reader & The Patron Saints of Imperfection
Reader does well, if not better, after the end of Fairground Attraction.

Back to Basics - Billy Bragg
One man, one mike, one electric guitar. Beautiful in it’s plaintiveness.

Captain Swing - Michelle Shocked
Shocked steps away from her girl-with-an-acoustic-guitar formula and does jazz and swing. Her record company goes into shock.

It’ll End in Tears - This Mortal Coil
Liz Fraser’s drop-dead gorgeous cover of Tim Buckley’s ‘Song to the Siren’ alone is worth the price of the album.

From Langley Park to Memphis - Prefab Sprout
IMHO, the best album from this two-hit wonder. Everybody now - ‘Hot dog, jumping frog, Alberquerque’…

6

Woo-hooo! Someone finally started the thread I’ve been waiting for…

Pat MacDonald Sleeps With His Guitar
The former frontman for Timbuk3, a guitar, and a berserk percussionist. Incredible songwriting.

Lullabye for the Working Class
Anything by them. They make ALBUMS, dammit. Not songs, not hits, but solid, incredible albums.

Lincoln
An eponymous first and only album. This band opened two tours for They Might Be Giants. Happy, peppy, poppy pop. Go to your local cutout bin, find the bright green and orange cover, and stick the disc in your car CD player for whole damned summer.

Wheat - Medeiros
I can’t get enough of this band right now. Good lyrics, great tight band, and an epic sense of real life that echoes early Springsteen.

Okay. I’m done for now. Thank you for letting me get that off my chest.

Oh, and dittoes on the Zevon, Prefab Sprout, Billy Bragg, and Jude. Great stuff.

7

For the friends who think they know their music:

Pete Townsend and Ronny Lane - Rough Mix

Anne Clark - The Best of…

War of the Worlds - Jeff Wayne and Justin Hayward (of Moody Blues)

Nilsson - The Point
For my music neophyte friends:

Laurie Anderson - Talk Normal

Kate Bush - This Woman’s Work (if I trust them)

Kate Bush - The Whole Story (if I don’t)

Tom Waits - Small Change (only if they agree to listen three times through before deciding they don’t like it)

8

Where do I start, when do I stop? I will limit myself to five.

** This is the ice age - Martha and the Muffins **

One of the best new wave albums of the eighties. So obscure that it is not even available on CD though. :frowning:

** Merlin - Kayak **

This is the masterpiece of the Dutch band Kayak. It is a concept album, dedicated (first side of the LP) to the legend of Merlin and Arthur. World class symphonic rock.

** Before and after science - Brian Eno **

One of the most influential musicians of the past fifty years - and how many have an album by him? I’d choose this one, which is a bit more pop than some of his ambient output. And I simply love the track Julie with…

** Tin drum - Japan **

Japans sound is a bit of an acquired taste, but it is unique and of extremely high quality. The track Ghosts is one of the five most beautiful songs ever imho. Most solo albums by singer David Sylvian should also feature in this list.

** Peter Gabriel plays live - Peter Gabriel **

Devastating. Almost every song sounds even better than on his CD’s.

Oh and I second the motion for This Mortal Coil and Kate Bush.

9

I’d have to disagree with some of the listings here. I won’t live in a world where Warren Zevon and Peter Gabriel are considered obscure. :wink: Still, here’s my (short) list :

Gentle Giant Three Friends

David + David Boomtown

Moondog Moondog (compilation CD of his two CBS albums)

Micheal O’Suilleabhhain The Dolphin’s Way

Conlon Nancarrow Studies for Player Piano Vol. 4

Scott Johnson John Somebody

10

“Don’t you ever listen to regular music?” is something my friends/siblings ask every time they venture into my CD collection. More stuff they’d never borrow:

Doppelganger - Curve
Before I discovered Massive Attack’s ‘Mezzanine’, this was my regular dose of loud, trippy electronica.

Songs for A Blue Guitar - Red House Painters
Includes a lovely cover of Paul McCartney’s ‘Silly Love Songs’.

March - Michael Penn
There’s so much more to this guy beyond his ‘Romeo-in-black-jeans’ hit. He should be big.

Flown This Acid World - Peter Himmelman
Another talented singer-songwriter who deserves more limelight. His song ‘Always In Disguise’ has one of the most romantic (but non-too-mushy) lyrics I’ve heard.

Tabula Rasa - Einsturzende Neubauten
One of their more accessible albums. Yet no one I know wants to give this a try. Tsk.

11

Oddesy and Oracle by The Zombies I’m not a big Zombies fan but on this, their final album, they made magic. From the haunting “Brief Candles” to the wistful “Rose for Emily” to the eerie “Beechwood Park” this is one of the most evocative albums ever.

I also like Happy Together by The Turtles which isn’t all that obscure, but is pretty forgotten.

Euty: I just discovered Moondog: What weird stuff, but I like it.

Fenris

12

Wow, dodge_this, picking Curve was a great choice. I agree wholeheartedly with that one.

I’ll also add the following:

Prince Blimey
[sub]RED SNAPPER[/sub]

  • Smoky, jazz-influenced instrumental trip-hop; chilled-out and funky at the same time

Tindersticks
[sub]THE TINDERSTICKS[/sub]

  • Moody, darkly humourous ballads (a bit Nick Cave-ish), particularly the comedy/tragedy My Sister

Cuckoo
[sub]CURVE[/sub]

  • Just edges out Doppelganger, in my humble opinion

A Storm In Heaven
[sub]THE VERVE[/sub]

  • Their earliest, least tuneful but most psychedelic album

Bizarro
[sub]THE WEDDING PRESENT[/sub]

  • Growly-voiced, jangly-guitared indie

Going Blank Again
[sub]RIDE[/sub]

  • Appalling lyrics, but more slightly trippy indie rock
13

Olias of Sunhillow
by Chris Squire of Yes

14

“Trout Mask Replica” by Capitain Beefheart and the Magic Band, for those of us with a surrealist bent.

You should check out “Zappa and the Mothers Live at the Fillmore East”. This version of the Mothers includes Flo and Eddie and they do a wicked, Zappaized version of “Happy Together”.

15

Almost anyting by King Crimson

16

Obscure albums…

Angel Dust by Faith No More: Most people know FNM from “Epic”, but few people remember the follow-up album from '92 which is extremely influential to today’s most popular bands. Not as commercial as the record company would have liked. This album changed the way I look at music, and I still listen to it everyday.

Second Grand Constitution & By-Laws by Secret Chiefs 3: This genre twisting band mixes techno, surf, metal, and middle eastern styles to create something beautifully unique. This album was recently re-released and is available at many online stores like Cdnow.com

Naked City by John Zorn: Experimental and freeform jazz. Chaotic but worth checking out.

It’s Understood by Estradasphere: Another genre twisting band that correlaborates with Secret Chiefs 3. It’s some of the most unique music I’ve ever heard. AFAIK, you can only buy it from http://www.estradasphere.com (has sound clips too).

17

A second on David + David’s Boomtown.

Nik Kershaw’s The Riddle, which my cassette copy of also includes “Wouldn’t It Be Good,” his one big hit.

Susan Tedeschi’s Just Won’t Burn is burning me up lately.

Stanley Clarke’s Hideaway is beautiful, lyrical jazz, kind of an unusual love for a hardcore bebop man like myself.

18

Angel Dust is a great album, but I don’t think it qualifies as obscure in the slightest!

19

90% of my albums. if not 95%.

But a couple particulars.

In general:

Eskimo - by the Residents.

This really was and still is a groundbreaking album. Never ceases to amaze me. Not nesecarily my favorite album by them, that would probably be Not Available, but it’s the one I trot out.

The Sound of the Heart Beating as One - by Yo La Tengo

Much more mature than their earlier albums, very dreamy and druggy. A little more mainstream than a lot of my stuff, but good.

EAT - by Charming Hostess.

From the East bay, on vacination records, the people who gave us Idiot Flesh, Eskimo (the band), 9 wood, Mumble and Peg and others. Charming Hostess is probably one of Vacinations most accessable bands. Female singers, klezmer, jazz, punk, folk music. They do some amazing covers of early hungarian and jewish tunes.

RUIS - by Jolly Jumpers

A norweigen band, sounds like a mix of the velvet underground and nick cave. Really good.

Hip Hop-

Steal this Album - by the Coup

Poltical, socialist, funny hip-hop from the East Bay.

Black Elvis - by Kool Keith

One of the best rappers out there, both in terms of production and rhymes. His Dr. Octagon work was great, as was Dr. Dooom. He’s funny, violent, scatological, and extremely talented. Been ripped off and immitated too many times to count.

Too bad but True - by Fever

Best hiphop album of 99. By a british outfit on Digital Hardcore records. Very dark, deep, and rumbling.

Punk:

Statue - by DeadStoolPigeon

Dutch hardcore punk. Political. A friend of mine is in it. Really strong and muscualr, formed from ManLiftingBanner. Definetely my favorite punk band.

Fat Elvis - by the Big Boys

Texas skater punks from the Early 80’s. Toured with Black Flag and the like. Did funky punk like the red hot chilli peppers imitated. Definetely essential punk listening. Their cover of hollywood swinging is great.

Rock for Loot - by Black Fork

A teenage Gilman punk band out of the East Bay. Great fast, newcore stuff. 15 year old girl singer screaming her lungs out. Very punk

Metal:

Total Destruction - by Unsane

NewYork grindcore. They’ve been around for 10 years and have only gotten better. Loud, angry, grinding!

Share the Fantasy by GodHeadSilo

Really good. Just a bass guitar and drums, so very heavy. A warped sense of humor, and lots of screams

Revenge - by the Flying Luttenbachers

An hour of NOISE punk jazz metal! Weasel Walter is trully amazing with his saxophone on here. He also appears in the next two bands I’ll mention.

Lake of Dracula - by Lake of Dracula

Weasel does drums and vocals on this. Hard to describe. Very experimental. Very rocking. Very punk. Very hard. Very head bangable. Lot’s of weird yelps and noises.

BloodLust - by HateWave

Weasel again does drums, and they’re tighter than anywhere else. You’d think it was a machine. Death metal. Heavy heavy evil death metal. Slit the Catholic throat is one of the best songs.

Electronic

Sinology - by Andy Sine

A philly jungulist. Very good mix. Actually takes you somewhere. Even people who don’t like D like this.

Quirk by Quirk

Tim Heally and Mark Allen make great music. House, techno, trance, and some other scuzzy stuff. Catch them live too if you can.

Feast - by Crash Worship

Tribal drums, techno, horns, and lots of sweaty bodies. Very primal, and fun.

and of course there are more, but that’s a good start.

20

First, I want to second some of the suggestions made already:
The Shaggs - Philosophy of the World
Billy Bragg - Back To Basics
The Wedding Present - Bizarro
Now for my own picks:
Husker Du - New Day Rising
I know, I never shut up about them. Great catchy/noisy post-punk. On a similar note:
Bob Mould - Workbook
Largely acoustic singer/songwriter fare with very obscure lyrics from Husker’s frontman. The band’s punkier fans hated it.
The Divine Comedy - A Secret History (Best Of)
Burt Bacharach-ish pure pop. Beautiful songs.
The Go-Betweens - Tallulah
The songs demand attention before sinking in, but it’s worth it. Subtle acoustic pop.
Cinerama - This is Cinerama
Lovely indie-pop from the former frontman of the Wedding Present (sounds nothing like 'em).
Handsome Boy Modeling School - So…How’s Your Girl?
Hip/trip-hop with actual musicianship, featuring a horde of guest stars.
Gang of Four - Entertainment!
Funk/punk Marxist agitprop. Will make you twitch.
Os Mutantes - Best of…
Brazilian psychadelic art band.
Quasi - Featuring "Birds"
More indie pop/rock.

I’ll stop now, so I’m not sitting at the computer all day.