Underrated and Obscure Music

Check out the website: underrated.music.blog

[underratedmusic]

Bästard - Radiant, Discharged, Crossed-Off [Experimental Rock, 1996]

Genres: Experimental Rock, Post-Rock, Math Rock

As someone (who isn’t me) pointed out: “can you imagine This Heat played by Kyuss?”... this fits the album perfectly. Hypnotic repetitions en masse on the more experimental tracks. The album transforms back and forth from great and experimental Kyuss-influenced cuts (this would fit to the release year of the album), to more experimental cuts which are also rather successful in their execution. The album doesn’t just randomly throw experimental and more musical tracks at you like a compilation album, it seems like the order was planned for a smooth experience. Give it a shot if you like Kyuss, This Heat, or a combination of those.

Example (no example could show the variety of the album):

[underratedmusic]

McCarthy - Banking Violence and the Inner Life Today [Indie Pop, 1990]

Genres: Indie Pop, Jangle Pop, C86

As you could probably already tell from the title of the album, it’s gonna be political. While the album definitely has the songwriting and instrumentation to make for a great album (it does have 2 members from Stereolab after all), the lyrics are certainly the highlight on this album. 

The lyrics are not only overtly political, but also far-left. While that might turn some people off, the lyrics are not the same old rhetoric you usually hear from far-left music, but intelligent critiques of the system and capitalism which would even make ancaps think for a few minutes. This is definitely an album which will turn some people off from the lyrics alone, which is understandable, but you can always give it a shot.

Example:

[underratedmusic]

The Evpatoria Report - The Evpatoria Report [EP, Post-Rock, 2003]

Didn’t even need genre tags for this one because it’s simply Post-Rock, in its purest essence. It’s almost 17 minutes long and only spans 2 tracks, which might be the reason why it’s their most underrated release. Both tracks on here luckily are worth their time with tension filled buildups and worthwhile releases. It’s just 17 minutes long, you can always give it a shot if you like Post-Rock.

Both songs:

[underratedmusic]

Jessica Bailiff – Jessica Bailiff [Slowcore, 2002]

Genres: Slowcore, Dream Pop

It’s a haunting album by a girl whose voice so ethereally wanders over droning layers of textures that it almost sounds like shoegaze. While it might be too foggy for a lot of listeners, which I can fully understand, it makes for a rather unique experience as a whole. The album is meant to be more of an experience, after all.

Example:

[underratedmusic]

Jackie-O Motherfucker - Fig. 5 [Post-Rock, 2000]

Genres: Post-Rock, Free Folk, Free Improvisation

A jammy, improv-styled Post-Rock album from quite an underrated band in that genre. While I included Free Folk in the genres, it’s rather free from folk (geddit?). While there definitely is folk, it’s often just part of the Post-Rock style they are going for, mixed with Jazz and Avant-Garde too at times. Don’t let yourself get fooled from the rather boring opener, the album is a masterpiece. 

Example:

[underratedmusic]

1 Mile North - Minor Shadows [Post Rock, 2003]

Genres: Post-Rock, Ambient

An album so minimal in its approach to Post-Rock and you could easily call this an Ambient album. It tries to hook listeners with its sublime and gentle soundscapes. It’s definitely an album made for contemplating while staring at a sunset. The songs do take a while to get going, generally, which some might dislike. However, still give it a shot, because it is worth it.

Example:

https://underrated.music.blog/2019/06/12/1-mile-north-minor-shadows-post-rock-2003/

[underratedmusic]

Mandy More - But That Is Me [Folk Rock, 1976]

-Reader Recommendation-

Genres: Folk Rock, Psychedelic Folk, Blue-Eyed Soul, Art Pop

This album’s a treat for everyone who likes Kate Bush or Tori Amos. It’s a mix of piano centered Pop and Folk Rock with a great amount of Soul influence. It’s a compelling mixture of styles. It’s a perfect example of Pop actually being able to  captivate listeners. All of the songs feel like the foundation of Art-Pop which would later be released in the 80s-90s.

Example:

https://underrated.music.blog/2019/06/08/mandy-more-but-that-is-me-folk-rock-1976/

[underratedmusic]

simian cyborg - questions everyone is asking but no one knows the answers to [Emo/Slowcore, 2019]

-Reader Recommendation-

Genres: Emo, Slowcore, Indie Rock

It appears that almost all of the messages I’ve received through Wordpress got deleted 10 days later, and this was the only album I could save from that. If someone’s sent in an album on Wordpress and I haven’t posted it yet, well....

Either way, the first thing I did before listening to this album was read the description on its Bandcamp, and it appears that this album was recorded in his bedroom. That usually makes me scared, especially when it comes to more obscure albums. However, I was positively delighted by its quality, not only in recording but everything else around the album. While it’s not the most innovative album of all time, it’s definitely solid to strong in just about every aspect I can think of. It may be short, but it’s damn good. 

A sincere and at times depressing EP, if you’re a fan of that, give it a shot. 

Example: 

https://simiancyborg.bandcamp.com/album/questions-everyone-is-asking-but-no-one-knows-the-answers-to

https://underrated.music.blog/2019/06/05/simian-cyborg-questions-everyone-is-asking-but-no-one-knows-the-answers-to/ 

[underratedmusic]

M.O.T.O. - Bolt! [Power Pop, 1986]

-Reader Recommendation-

Genres: Power Pop, Garage Punk, Alternative Rock, Surf Punk

This album is basically if early Guided by Voices made Power/Pop Punk, instead of Indie Rock. The album’s exactly what you would expect from that description - another song, another catchy hook, and it’s all with a wonderful lo-fi aesthetic, blown out guitars, a drum machine and juvenile lyrics. If that’s not a perfectly valid reason to give this album or this band a shot, then what is?

Example: 

https://underrated.music.blog/2019/06/01/m-o-t-o-bolt-power-pop-1986/

[underratedmusic]

TwinSisterMoon - When Stars Glide Through Solid [Psychedelic Folk, 2006]

-Reader Recommendation-

Genres: Psychedelic Folk, Ambient, Drone

Hush lullabies performed with sparse instrumentation which is rather reminiscent of Natural Snow Buildings in a way. That being said, TwinSisterMoon is a more unknown side project by Mehdi Ameziane, a member of Natural Snow Buildings, so it’s hardly a surprise. From the voice to the tambourine to the banjolin, he does it all... and he does it well. If you’re a fan of Natural Snow Buildings or want some lo-fi psychedelic folk lullabies, go for it. 

https://underrated.music.blog/2019/05/30/twinsistermoon-when-stars-glide-through-solid-psychedelic-folk-2006/

[underratedmusic]

Normil Hawaiians - More Wealth Than Money [Post-Punk, 1982]

-Reader Recommendation-

Genres: Post-Punk, Experimental Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Avant-Prog, Krautrock

I’ve now officially updated the title format and my posting schedule (hurray!). Another reader recommendation, I’m racing through those recommendations like Richard Hammond in his jet-powered car. Let’s just hope the outcomes aren’t the same.

Enough of my hilarious jokes, More Wealth Than Money is a fantastic hybrid of  Post-Punk and Psychedelia. You can also hear a clear This Heat influence in the more experimental cuts on this album, which would make sense since “Deceit” came out just a year prior. Packed tightly with unconventional samples, improvisation and freakouts, this album seems to draw different influences on every track. From Pere Ubu to New Order, everything seems to be present on this album. Do yourself a favour, if you’re a fan of This Heat or similar bands, just listen to it. 

Example:

https://underrated.music.blog/2019/05/26/normil-hawaiians-more-wealth-than-money-post-punk-1982/

[underratedmusic]

Wooden Veil - Wooden Veil

-Reader recommendation-

Genres: Free Folk, Freak Folk 

This album was actually one of the many recommendations I’ve received through my Tumblr and Wordpress account, and I’ve actually missed them all, because I'm illiterate when it comes to computers. Better late than never, eh? 

 Either way, most of the members on this album have participated in experimental noise and Krautrock collaborations and bands, which should give away the gist of the album right away. It’s a mixture of (Freak) Folk, Krautrock and Industrial music, sometimes delving into slight noise and Ambient music. While this might sound rather draining, the compositions remain accessible with melodies which are sometimes reminiscent of Pop music. While their style can’t exactly be defined, one thing which can be said is that the band is anything but ordinary. 

Example:

https://underrated.music.blog/2019/05/22/wooden-veil-wooden-veil/

[underratedmusic]

Ciśnienie - JazzArt Underground

Genres: Post-Rock, Experimental Rock, Jazz Rock

Ciśnienie is a Polish band, and the material on this album was recorded at the JazzArt Festival 2018 in Katowice. The material on here could be described with Jazz translated into Post-Rock. The album is a collection of rather long compositions which undergo many changes and escape unambiguous classification. It’s a tense and beautiful Post-Rock album which consists of long build ups and gratifying climaxes. 

Example:

underrated.music.blog/2019/05/20/cisnienie-jazzart-underground/

[underratedmusic]

A Great Big Pile of Leaves – Have You Seen My Prefrontal Cortex?

Genres: Indie Rock, Math Rock, Midwest Emo

Fantastic math-rock inspired indie rock. It’s warm, fuzzy, smooth and melodic, and actually just fun to listen to. The album is actually self produced in their living room, which is unbelievable considering how well produced it sounds. It’s a very feelgood album, which is ironic considering that it’s also an Emo album. Give it a shot if you're interested in upbeat indie rock by people who simply love creating music.

Example:

https://underrated.music.blog/2019/05/14/a-great-big-pile-of-leaves-have-you-seen-my-prefrontal-cortex/

[underratedmusic]

Yume Bitsu - Yume Bitsu

Genres: Post-Rock, Space Rock, Ambient, Shoegaze

Language: English

Firstly, I’m positively surprised by the feedback I’ve received in the past days. If we combine the Tumblr and the Wordpress followers of this blog, we’ve surpassed 50 followers. I’m glad everyone is enjoying my blog as much as I love writing it. 

That being said, this album is a keeper. It’s a rather floaty take on post-rock, but not in the drawn-out and slow style of Godspeed. They definitely have discovered their own, melancholic and psychedelic take on the genre. It’s so criminally underrated and it simply baffles me why that’s the case. This time though, I’d rather let the music speak for itself.

Example:

https://underrated.music.blog/2019/05/07/yume-bitsu-yume-bitsu/

[underratedmusic]

Toshiko Akiyoshi & Lew Tabackin Big Band - Kogun

Genres: Jazz, Progressive Jazz, Modern Big Band 

Front to back, it’s a fantastic Jazz album from Japan. Toshiko Akiyoshi is definitely one of the most underrated composers of the 20th century. Her compositions are always so driving and romantic, while still keeping an experimental touch. None of her ideas implemented on this album failed to thrive, which is partly due to her musical skill, but also partly due to the fantastic orchestra she worked with. Evocative is really the best word to describe the orchestra. Give it a shot if you are interested in a fantastic underrated Big Band record. 

Example:

https://underrated.music.blog/2019/04/28/toshiko-akiyoshi-lew-tabackin-big-band-kogun/

[underratedmusic]

Various Artists - Tripwave 2

Genres: Psychedelic Rock, Space Rock, Neo-Psychedelia

Language: Russian

An absolutely underrated collection of Psychedelic Rock from Russia. Every cut on this album is fantastic in its own right. This album ranges from loud and heavy songs with distorted guitars and amazing riffs to calm and collected, almost meditative songs.  Any fan of Psychedelic Rock should have this in their library, and I was quite frankly disappointed by how unknown it is. There’ll be at least one track for every person listening to the album. 

Example:

https://underrated.music.blog/2019/04/22/various-artists-tripwave-2/