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name unknown materpiece albums

Put the band, album title, genre and what you hear in it that makes it a masterpiece. I am not just talking about bass though you can bass (lol) it on that.

Their are known masterpieces like Jaco's solo album, Led Zeppelin IV, Who's Next, Moving Pictures, Synchronicity, Thriller, some of Joni Mitchells's stuff, some of Tool's stuff etc.... I am talking about bands or albums that few have heard of. And I don't want to hear "every album by so and so." If they have 10 greta albums what's the defining one?
 
My nomination goes to:

Prayer Chain - Mercury - Modern Rock

I like the bass but it is is just solid, not spectacular. I do like his style. What puts it over the top is the guitarist, who is insane but in a laid back way (not a shredder, but lots of feedback, loops, and effects on ostinato lines.) The drumming is absolutely incredible with a lot of worldbeat percussion added. The oeverall dynamic feel is killer. The singer is pretty great. The bass is really great too, but you would never notice unless you were a bassist.

I thought that the albums were very good right before and right after but this is a really amazing album and goes in my personal top 3 albums to listen to of all time... I think they didn't get the exposure they deserved because they are christian (I am not, I am actually convincingly and strongly agnostic.)
 
The Vindictives - Hypno Punko - Punk

This is one of those rare albums that you can tell was truly inspired and came together in a burst of creative genius. The title is indicative of the album content as there is a hypnotic refrain that keeps returning every couple of songs (with a bit of variation for each time) that ties everything together. And even though the songs are so different from each other, the whole album just flows from beginning to end. Most of the tracks are really raw and unpolished but the sound is very up close and personal that the band just sucks you in.

Now, I'm not a fan of punk and particularly I'm annoyed by the nasally, whiny vocals found in many punk recordings. But for some reason, this album is an exception and I actually find it adds to my enjoyment of the sound.
 
My nomination goes to:

Prayer Chain - Mercury - Modern Rock

I like the bass but it is is just solid, not spectacular. I do like his style. What puts it over the top is the guitarist, who is insane but in a laid back way (not a shredder, but lots of feedback, loops, and effects on ostinato lines.) The drumming is absolutely incredible with a lot of worldbeat percussion added. The oeverall dynamic feel is killer. The singer is pretty great. The bass is really great too, but you would never notice unless you were a bassist.

I thought that the albums were very good right before and right after but this is a really amazing album and goes in my personal top 3 albums to listen to of all time... I think they didn't get the exposure they deserved because they are christian (I am not, I am actually convincingly and strongly agnostic.)

wow, blast from the past for sure!! were a really good band and I do agree with them not getting the recognition that they should have had... good enough to get signed, not enough "drama" about them to get publicists on board I guess :smug:
 
Jude Cole - I Dont' Know Why I act This Way - Polygram

great CD from Jude, and somewhat over shadowed by his previous efforts
awesome writing, and great playing on all instruments on this disc... hmmm, I need to find this one again!

Godspeed You Black Emperor - Yanqui U.X.O. - Constellation

.... awesome, just awesome. equally as good is their previous album to this: Lift Your Skinny Fists to Heaven Like Antennas. yep, just needs to be listened to and appreciated. modern symphony.

:bassist::bassist::bassist:
 
Hypnos 69 - The Eclectic Measure (Progressive/Psychedelic)

Been my favorite LP since the first time I listened to it. The whole thing is just amazing, it's basically a concept album about finding oneself, your personal meaning of life and your place in this world. Good stuff, and of course, the bass is just outstanding. This LP influenced me in many ways - musically and personally.

Sounds really retro, with a big nod towards King Crimson and other early prog rock heroes.
 
I'll cite 1 (well 2) prog rock, 1 blues/rock, 1 jazz...and I'll add another Blues.

I really love King Crimson's Discipline album. It is like an unusual integrated show front to back. I guess you love Fripp guitar or not...I do. The repetitive guitar runs create an environment that takes you away from where ever you are. The bass in Discipline is this asynchronous acoustic flavoring. The extensive use of talking lines and the headwork associated with them is something else.

Of course, In the Court... is boneshattering fantastic. The massive spacious sound, the unusual lyrics and hey the gold standard of all attempts at the use of Mellotron!

Why Crimson?....many know of them....few really listened.


Now for a 6 g turn into another genre's Masterpiece (IMHO) and it is little known:
Attack of the Killer V by Lonnie Mack. Lonnie plays serial number 7 flying V Gibson through Leslie Speakers in some situations. He has kind of a country/rock background, but really carved out a unique role in a Blues/Rock setting. This is a live album with loads of energy and a mix of humorous and more classic blues themes. Stevie Ray Vaughan held him at hero proportion and actually revitalized Lonnie's career.

Another would be a jazz album by Curtis Fuller called Blues-ette....I always hold this up as a masterpiece of trombone jazz...great composing, arrangement and playing....when people laugh about trombone as a "serious" instrument, I tell 'em to listen to Blues-ette. Not that many people followed Curtis Fuller who was largely a session player.

Last masterpiece by a guy everybody knows is entitled simply Blues, by da man....Jimi Hendrix. Not at all what folks are used to hearing from him. Fantastic blues interpretations blended in with your basic Hendrix genius. Doubt many have listened to the album.
 
Extreme: 3 sides to Every Story. Genre? Funky Metal/Hard Rock.

One of THE most underrated concept albums of all time.

And Extreme gets labeled as a HAIR METAL act, when they really weren't.


Okay I was going to list some fusion stuff but you pressed a button here:


Nuno: Scizophonic. Genre? Alternative hardish rock

This album by Nuno Bettencort, former member of the band Extreme, has great lyrics and the music matches the lyrics well. Somewhat introspective without at all getting pissy. Some shouting out at the world and life too. Nice bits of psychedelic shadings that fit well. Excellent, tight guitar, bass and for the most part vocals too. Top notch production and flow. This material also held up really well live when Nuno toured with it.

I usually consider Nuno to be egotistical and annoying, maybe even a total jerk. Still I feel that this album backs up a lot of his talk.

Peace,
S
 
Ok I just have to put this one in too. One of the albums I most regret loosing.

Material: Memory Serves
Genre: Jazz Fusion

Bill Laswell serves up a bunch of great players including himself, Sonny Sharrock, Billy Bang and many others. Great rhythmic and harmonic adventures that get out there but not so far out as to loose most listeners. Laswell sure knows how to record bass.
 
Extreme: 3 sides to Every Story. Genre? Funky Metal/Hard Rock.

One of THE most underrated concept albums of all time.

And Extreme gets labeled as a HAIR METAL act, when they really weren't.

I agree that this is a masterpiece also. Not that I disagree with any of the others, but this is one I also know and it is amazing. I actually don't like the 2 albums before it except for a few cuts.
 
"Act II - The Meaning of And All Things Regarding Ms. Leading" by The Dear Hunter

My favorite album...ever. The second installment in a 6-album story is musically, lyrically, and conceptually the most amazing thing I have ever heard. It can go from jazz to blues to near headbanging rock in a single song, yet is still focused and just incredible.

Some highlights:
 
XTC- English settlement - not a bad cut on it and probably their best work in my opinion.

Maximum The Hormone - Buiikikaesu , Great mix of various genres into something unique.

Quite Sun - Mainstream