GREAT UNDER-KNOWN ROCK ALBUMS

[Lowbrow]

Detroit, eponymous debut by Mitch Ryder's post-Detroit Wheels band, featuring the roots-ripsaw guitar work of Steve Hunter (later of Alice Cooper and a zillion others), and some amazing sounding meat-bucket bass lines and tones.

Produced by "Wonderboy" Bob Ezrin in 1970.

Two seconds into the band's big-riff version of Lou Reed's "Rock and Roll," and 85 percent of you will go "A-HA!"

Only recently re-released on import CD!

 

[Mutato]

Anything by The Hellacopters, Danko Jones, or Rocket From The Crypt.

 

[gweimer]

Hughes-Thrall -- 20 years later, there's still talk of a follow-up.

Utopia - the b&w cover. It's nearly a perfect album, with songs like "Princess of the Universe" , "Say, Yeah", "Hammer in my Heart" and more

Foghat - In The Mood For Something Rude - the band does all covers, from funk to country. It's my second favorite album from them

Sharks - First Water - probably very well known in Europe, this collaboration between Andy Fraser and Chris Spedding spawned a few hits in the UK, but never made a dent over here.

Jamie Lidell - Multiply - new age funk/soul, good enough to give Stevie Winwood and Joe Cocker a run for their money

Eno - Here Come The Warm Jets - with a stellar cast of stars, Eno puts out a quirky set of pop songs that linger on forever. "Needle in the Camel's Eye" still gets airplay around here.

 

[J.D.B.]

Limbomaniacs.....MIRV's '89 incarnation.

Josh

 

[Tao4Now]

Limbomaniacs.....MIRV's '89 incarnation.

Josh

Not sure I'd classify it as a great rock album, but it is really good. The only rap act I ever liked, so naturally they disappeared. Played all their own instruments, used samples from movie soundtracks like Bladerunner, Network and Videodrome, and just generally tore the roof off the sucka with tunes like "Shake it Like That" and "Pavlov's Frothing Dogs" (with spoken-word contribution by William S. Burroughs, no less).

How about adding Warrior Soul's Last Decade/Dead Century to the list, along with Icon's eponymous debut? Great rock almost no one's heard.

 

[Mutato]

Warrior Soul was always teetering on being the "next big thing" in the early 90's. Their singer actually sings for Trouble now, speaking of under rated bands.

 

[Lowbrow]

For rock bass work, see also Slade's Old New Borrowed and Blue and Slayed?

UK TBers will scratch their heads at the suggestion that these Slade albums are at all "underknown." But, while huge in the UK and elsewhere, most state-side listeners know Slade through Quiet Riot's cover of their "Cum on Feel the Noize," maybe "Run Run Away," and little else.

Hear 'em at their peak for IMO the essence of simple, effective hard-rock: great tunes, great vocals, and great bass work by the mighty Jim Lea.

 

[fenderhutz]

Sunny Day Real Estate - LP2 (the pink album)

Hum - Downward is Heavenward

I know these are "indie" rock type of stuff the bass work is great for Sunny Day before he was snagged for the Foo-Fighters.

 

[Matt Till]

Lucifer's Friend:

 

[undeadbass]

Warrior Soul was always teetering on being the "next big thing" in the early 90's. Their singer actually sings for Trouble now, speaking of under rated bands.

Before that, he was singing for Dirty Rig (awesome NY band), on the "Rock Did It" album...
Although the "Blood, Sweat and Beer" album is better, in my opinion, both albums are great for when you just want to rock the **** out!

 

[Mutato]

Before that, he was singing for Dirty Rig (awesome NY band), on the "Rock Did It" album...
Although the "Blood, Sweat and Beer" album is better, in my opinion, both albums are great for when you just want to rock the **** out!

Great info. Thanks man!

I haven't heard him with Trouble yet but he's got some large shoes to fill.

 

[Morfman6]

I'll get flamed for this I am sure but Alien Ant Farm's Truant is a great under-rated/known rock album (or disc).....everybody I play it for goes 'wow'. Some very creative bass playing.

 

[jerry]

Sharks - First Water - probably very well known in Europe, this collaboration between Andy Fraser and Chris Spedding spawned a few hits in the UK, but never made a dent over here.

I was always a huge Andy Fraser fan so I loved this band, I also dug the second album without Fraser but with Busta Cherry Jones on bass. Fan of Ryder's Detroit album too! There will be a bunch on this list I'm sure, I was a record store junkie as a kid.

 

[Disraeli Gears]

I Wanna Be Your Pants by Huffamoose

 

[cusar5]

This album is an absolute classic, and I would recommend it to any fan of rock music. I won't say much else than that, because if you HAVEN'T heard it, I think going in cold would be the best way to experience Captain Beyond for the first time.

 

[Lowbrow]

Fan of Ryder's Detroit album too!

I actually convinced the last band I was in to cover the album's "Long Neck Goose," and it pretty much became our regular set finale. Fun on a bun!

 

[ForestThump]

"Tomorrow" by Tomorrow
"Vs" by Mission of Burma

 

[Matt Till]

This album is an absolute classic, and I would recommend it to any fan of rock music. I won't say much else than that, because if you HAVEN'T heard it, I think going in cold would be the best way to experience Captain Beyond for the first time.

I was going to mention this one, but I wasn't sure if it was under-appreciated. Regardless of how appreciated it is, it should be appreciated even more. Probably my favorite "super group."

 

[ryco]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] - Ted Nugent & Amboy Dukes

This is a GREAT album with rockin' songs. Before Nudge turned dumb. Excellent guitar work.

Rob Grange is one of the truly under-sung bass players. TASTY!!
Vic Mastrianni on drums

The CD may be discontinued - I don't see it listed anywhere. Mine's on Rhino #8122-70352-2

 

[steamthief]

Anything by Radio Birdman