When a band is popular and has a lot of good music, some of their work might be outshined by their more popular music. Just because an album isn’t as popular doesn’t mean it is worse. Sometimes its the opposite where these albums might be better than some of their more listened to work. If you like the following artists, then be sure to check out these underrated albums and songs as you could be sleeping on some real hidden gems.
Warning – Green Day
In terms of release year, this album (released in 2000) is right in between the band’s two most popular albums, Dookie and American Idiot. It is a catchy pop/rock album that leans away from their more punk sound of the 90’s. There are still some politically charged lyrics throughout, especially in the track Minority. However, this was only a sliver of political commentary compared to their future records. This album blends political and other serious themes, such as consumerism found on Macy’s Day Parade with a more fun, lighthearted and upbeat sound.
Even with some serious themes, the band still doesn’t take itself too seriously in its sound, allowing for a fun album with mixed in serious topics. It’s an easy listen, its lighthearted and there is nothing overly complex about this album. It shines in its fun rock sound.
Song Highlights: Church On Sunday, Castaway, Deadbeat Holiday and Hold On.
Blue Banisters – Lana Del Rey
This album is overshadowed by Lana Del Rey’s magnificent work on other albums. It isn’t my favorite album by her, but it still has a lot of good songs. The album has this elegant, charming and slower sound. Lana’s album’s all have their own unique sound, and this album is sadly overlooked. It debuted in the top ten in the US charts but was her first album to not be in the top three. Personally, I like this album over Honeymoon and Ultraviolence.
This specific sound that is unique to this record is emotional yet easy to listen to, sleek and polished. I think what deters listeners to this album is that it has this sad and slow sound to it. While a lot of her songs have highlights of sadness and these slower elements, this album is full of them. Piano’s and dramatic vocals are in almost every song. This contrasts the sound from some of her more popular work like, West Coast, Born to Die, Margaret and Diet Mountain Dew. Some of my favorite songs by Lana Del Rey are in this album.
Song Highlights: Arcadia, If You Lie Down With Me, Beautiful, Thunder and Nectar of the Gods.
Live at Montreux Jazz festival – RAYE
I was debating adding this, but it is classified as an album, and it is too good to not mention. This album, this rendition is my favorite by RAYE. Even though it is a live album, it is the best versions of each of these songs. She leans into the jazz side of her music. It is upbeat, impressive and catchy horns, keys and drums throughout. All of that is great, but I think RAYE’s voice sounds the best in this record. She is live and can “be dramatic” as she says she is during this album. There are plenty of moments where she improvises and scats, and her voice during each of those moments is mind-blowingly impressive.
All these versions are better than the original versions of the songs. The instruments blend so well and go with her amazing and powerful voice that she lets loose many times in this live record. I also love the lyrics and the broad range of topics for this show. They range from fame, sexual assault, the music industry, gender inequality and dealing with life’s hardships. I love this album, and I have to include it because too many people don’t know about it.
Song Highlights: Genesis, The Thrill is Gone, Mary Jane, and It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.
Amine – Limbo
If you know Amine and listen to him often, this album is probably not underrated. However, a lot of people know Amine from the popularity of his viral song, Caroline. I almost chose his album Good For You, the record with Caroline on it. However, this album is more underrated and less listened to. I love the mix of humor and seriousness packed into this album. It isn’t just a rap album, but there is singing as well. It’s hard to narrow down what this album is in a few words because it is so diverse, from lyrics to sound.
Whenever I go back to this album, I wonder why I don’t listen to it more. The beats are fun and unique, as is his voice. However, what stands out the most is the lyrics. Amine can go from dropping bars that are funny and flow well, to lines that are hard hitting and make you think. It keeps the album fresh by being so diverse and is one of the most slept on contemporary rap albums.
Song Highlights: Woodlawn, Roots, Shimmy, Becky, and Fetus.
All We Know Is Falling – Paramore
Not only is this album underrated, it is some of their best work. It might even be my favorite album by Paramore. Like many others, I fell in love with this band early on in my life with their release of Riot! Misery Business had a chokehold on a lot of people, me included. The whole album was good, Paramore was one of my favorite bands and Haley Williams was my first celebrity crush when I was growing up. When I got more into the emo/pop punk scene, this album appeared on my radar. I didn’t even know it existed. I love what this band is doing currently, but this sound they have in the early to late 2000’s is unmatched.
This album has a lot of angsty emotions on it, paired with unique guitar chords and impressive drumming and Williams’ angelic voice on top is a recipe for success. There was a lot of experimentation and sounds you don’t typically see in this genre, or for a band’s first album. Williams’ vocals are unmatched, and there are a lot of fun guitar moments. My Heart is still one of my favorite songs by the band and has harsh backing vocals at the end of the track. Something I wish they did more because it adds a layer of raw and powerful emotion that contrasts with Williams’ voice.
Song Highlights: My Heart, Pressure, Brighter, Here We Go Again, and Conspiracy
There Here and Now – Architects
This band has grown in the metal community and is currently peaking in popularity. However, their early music leading up to this point is my favorite and what I consider their best work. This climb to where they are now has a severely underrated record. I think it is simply outshined by later albums but still needs to be on fan’s rotations. It is angsty and raw, and the band has yet to really dive into their dark metalcore sound. A lot of the band’s later themes of afterlife, religion and anger are yet to be explored. Also This album cover is gorgeous.
Lead vocalist Sam Carter is still growing into his sound, so it isn’t as polished as their later work. However, I think this adds to the album. There is a lot of anger, more at people rather than gods or a creator like in other albums, but this anger is shown well in this unpolished and raw vocal style. There are many times I go back to this album for that reason. I also love themes and lyrics, especially in Learn to Live, Delete, Rewind and An Open Letter to Myself that aren’t as relevant in their current work.
Song Highlights: Learn to Live, Delete, Rewind, The Blues, and An Open Letter to Myself
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