500 Most Underrated Albums of All-Time
@underratedlps.bsky.social
Dedicated to celebrating the underappreciated masterpieces that should, but are rarely (if at all) included in "Best Albums of All-Time" conversations.
166. Roky Erickson & The Aliens – The Evil One (CBS, 1980)
"Led Zeppelin for psychotics."
- Sandy Robertson (Sounds)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2uL...
"Led Zeppelin for psychotics."
- Sandy Robertson (Sounds)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2uL...
November 18, 2025 at 5:25 PM
166. Roky Erickson & The Aliens – The Evil One (CBS, 1980)
"Led Zeppelin for psychotics."
- Sandy Robertson (Sounds)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2uL...
"Led Zeppelin for psychotics."
- Sandy Robertson (Sounds)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2uL...
167. Horace Andy - Dance Hall Style (Wackie's, 1982)
"Andy's delicate delivery beautifully intertwining with the equally delicate and intricate roots reggae riddim."
- Jo-Ann Greene (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqxo...
"Andy's delicate delivery beautifully intertwining with the equally delicate and intricate roots reggae riddim."
- Jo-Ann Greene (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqxo...
November 17, 2025 at 2:40 PM
167. Horace Andy - Dance Hall Style (Wackie's, 1982)
"Andy's delicate delivery beautifully intertwining with the equally delicate and intricate roots reggae riddim."
- Jo-Ann Greene (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqxo...
"Andy's delicate delivery beautifully intertwining with the equally delicate and intricate roots reggae riddim."
- Jo-Ann Greene (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqxo...
168. Pentagram – Day of Reckoning (Napalm, 1987)
"An ideal first glimpse at this very influential, but seriously overlooked group."
- Eduardo Rivadavia (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIqO...
"An ideal first glimpse at this very influential, but seriously overlooked group."
- Eduardo Rivadavia (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIqO...
November 16, 2025 at 5:48 PM
168. Pentagram – Day of Reckoning (Napalm, 1987)
"An ideal first glimpse at this very influential, but seriously overlooked group."
- Eduardo Rivadavia (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIqO...
"An ideal first glimpse at this very influential, but seriously overlooked group."
- Eduardo Rivadavia (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIqO...
169. Leo Kottke - 6- and 12-String Guitar (Takoma, 1969)
"With all the shit that has been released recently, it was a distinct pleasure to come across this album."
- Carl Bauer (Rolling Stone @rollingstone.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bt0...
"With all the shit that has been released recently, it was a distinct pleasure to come across this album."
- Carl Bauer (Rolling Stone @rollingstone.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bt0...
November 15, 2025 at 6:45 PM
169. Leo Kottke - 6- and 12-String Guitar (Takoma, 1969)
"With all the shit that has been released recently, it was a distinct pleasure to come across this album."
- Carl Bauer (Rolling Stone @rollingstone.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bt0...
"With all the shit that has been released recently, it was a distinct pleasure to come across this album."
- Carl Bauer (Rolling Stone @rollingstone.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bt0...
170. Eels @eelstheband.bsky.social – Electro-Shock Blues (Dreamworks, 1998)
"A brilliant work that combines often conflicting emotions so skillfully."
- Robert Hilburn (Los Angeles Times @latimes.com, 10/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Tfq...
"A brilliant work that combines often conflicting emotions so skillfully."
- Robert Hilburn (Los Angeles Times @latimes.com, 10/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Tfq...
November 14, 2025 at 3:30 PM
170. Eels @eelstheband.bsky.social – Electro-Shock Blues (Dreamworks, 1998)
"A brilliant work that combines often conflicting emotions so skillfully."
- Robert Hilburn (Los Angeles Times @latimes.com, 10/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Tfq...
"A brilliant work that combines often conflicting emotions so skillfully."
- Robert Hilburn (Los Angeles Times @latimes.com, 10/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Tfq...
171. Marlena Shaw – Sweet Beginnings (Columbia, 1977)
"Marlena Shaw belongs to a select number of singers who are equally adept at jazz and soul idioms."
- Tim Stenhouse (UK Vibe, 10/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=46P3...
"Marlena Shaw belongs to a select number of singers who are equally adept at jazz and soul idioms."
- Tim Stenhouse (UK Vibe, 10/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=46P3...
November 13, 2025 at 3:16 PM
171. Marlena Shaw – Sweet Beginnings (Columbia, 1977)
"Marlena Shaw belongs to a select number of singers who are equally adept at jazz and soul idioms."
- Tim Stenhouse (UK Vibe, 10/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=46P3...
"Marlena Shaw belongs to a select number of singers who are equally adept at jazz and soul idioms."
- Tim Stenhouse (UK Vibe, 10/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=46P3...
172. Jesu - Conqueror (Hydra Head, 2007)
"Drawing equally from Slowdive, Red House Painters, and doom metal gloom."
(Pitchfork @pitchfork.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5tt...
"Drawing equally from Slowdive, Red House Painters, and doom metal gloom."
(Pitchfork @pitchfork.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5tt...
November 12, 2025 at 4:36 PM
172. Jesu - Conqueror (Hydra Head, 2007)
"Drawing equally from Slowdive, Red House Painters, and doom metal gloom."
(Pitchfork @pitchfork.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5tt...
"Drawing equally from Slowdive, Red House Painters, and doom metal gloom."
(Pitchfork @pitchfork.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5tt...
173. Tackhead – Friendly as a Hand Grenade (TVT, 1989)
"Draw deep, swampy grooves from funk, rap, house music and dub reggae, then add a paranoid overlay."
- Jon Pareles (New York Times @nytimes.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MYK...
"Draw deep, swampy grooves from funk, rap, house music and dub reggae, then add a paranoid overlay."
- Jon Pareles (New York Times @nytimes.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MYK...
November 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM
173. Tackhead – Friendly as a Hand Grenade (TVT, 1989)
"Draw deep, swampy grooves from funk, rap, house music and dub reggae, then add a paranoid overlay."
- Jon Pareles (New York Times @nytimes.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MYK...
"Draw deep, swampy grooves from funk, rap, house music and dub reggae, then add a paranoid overlay."
- Jon Pareles (New York Times @nytimes.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MYK...
174. Speedy J - Ginger (Plus 8, 1993)
"Among the finest lounge-room techno or 'electronic listening music' releases of the decade."
- Mike Watson (A Guide to Essential Ambient & Downtempo Albums)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-x9...
"Among the finest lounge-room techno or 'electronic listening music' releases of the decade."
- Mike Watson (A Guide to Essential Ambient & Downtempo Albums)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-x9...
November 10, 2025 at 6:34 PM
174. Speedy J - Ginger (Plus 8, 1993)
"Among the finest lounge-room techno or 'electronic listening music' releases of the decade."
- Mike Watson (A Guide to Essential Ambient & Downtempo Albums)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-x9...
"Among the finest lounge-room techno or 'electronic listening music' releases of the decade."
- Mike Watson (A Guide to Essential Ambient & Downtempo Albums)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-x9...
175. Edgar Froese - Epsilon in Malaysian Pale (Brain, 1975)
"Wholly organic, subtle, and alive."
- Andy Beta (Pitchfork @pitchfork.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1_N...
"Wholly organic, subtle, and alive."
- Andy Beta (Pitchfork @pitchfork.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1_N...
November 10, 2025 at 12:24 AM
175. Edgar Froese - Epsilon in Malaysian Pale (Brain, 1975)
"Wholly organic, subtle, and alive."
- Andy Beta (Pitchfork @pitchfork.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1_N...
"Wholly organic, subtle, and alive."
- Andy Beta (Pitchfork @pitchfork.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1_N...
176. Jandek - Ready for the House (Corwood Industries, 1978)
"Bring the means of production to ‘the people,’ and they will out-create the moneyfolks almost every time.”
- Phil Milstein (Op)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_45...
"Bring the means of production to ‘the people,’ and they will out-create the moneyfolks almost every time.”
- Phil Milstein (Op)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_45...
November 10, 2025 at 12:19 AM
176. Jandek - Ready for the House (Corwood Industries, 1978)
"Bring the means of production to ‘the people,’ and they will out-create the moneyfolks almost every time.”
- Phil Milstein (Op)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_45...
"Bring the means of production to ‘the people,’ and they will out-create the moneyfolks almost every time.”
- Phil Milstein (Op)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_45...
177. Art Lande - Rubisa Patrol (ECM, 1976)
"May someday be considered as one of the classic ECM recordings of all time."
- Michael G. Nastos (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS_-...
"May someday be considered as one of the classic ECM recordings of all time."
- Michael G. Nastos (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS_-...
November 7, 2025 at 4:15 PM
177. Art Lande - Rubisa Patrol (ECM, 1976)
"May someday be considered as one of the classic ECM recordings of all time."
- Michael G. Nastos (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS_-...
"May someday be considered as one of the classic ECM recordings of all time."
- Michael G. Nastos (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS_-...
178. Betty Everett - There'll Come A Time (Uni, 1969)
"Strong material, punchy arrangements, and Everett's always dependably energetic and warm vocals."
- Richie Unterberger (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz5e...
"Strong material, punchy arrangements, and Everett's always dependably energetic and warm vocals."
- Richie Unterberger (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz5e...
November 6, 2025 at 2:53 PM
178. Betty Everett - There'll Come A Time (Uni, 1969)
"Strong material, punchy arrangements, and Everett's always dependably energetic and warm vocals."
- Richie Unterberger (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz5e...
"Strong material, punchy arrangements, and Everett's always dependably energetic and warm vocals."
- Richie Unterberger (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz5e...
179. Tammi Terrell – Irresistible (Motown @motownrecords.bsky.social, 1969)
"A sexy, hypnotic voice and alluring sensibility."
- Ron Wynn (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h630...
"A sexy, hypnotic voice and alluring sensibility."
- Ron Wynn (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h630...
November 5, 2025 at 10:42 PM
179. Tammi Terrell – Irresistible (Motown @motownrecords.bsky.social, 1969)
"A sexy, hypnotic voice and alluring sensibility."
- Ron Wynn (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h630...
"A sexy, hypnotic voice and alluring sensibility."
- Ron Wynn (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h630...
180. Jackie-O Motherfucker – Fig. 5 (ATP, 2000)
"The first unapologetically brilliant piece of experimental music I've heard this year."
- Brent S. Sirota (Pitchfork @pitchfork.com, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA__...
"The first unapologetically brilliant piece of experimental music I've heard this year."
- Brent S. Sirota (Pitchfork @pitchfork.com, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA__...
November 4, 2025 at 3:26 PM
180. Jackie-O Motherfucker – Fig. 5 (ATP, 2000)
"The first unapologetically brilliant piece of experimental music I've heard this year."
- Brent S. Sirota (Pitchfork @pitchfork.com, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA__...
"The first unapologetically brilliant piece of experimental music I've heard this year."
- Brent S. Sirota (Pitchfork @pitchfork.com, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA__...
181. Bang on a Can - Renegade Heaven (Cantaloupe, 2000)
"Listeners are all the richer for the wondrous pleasure they offer us here."
- Thom Jurek (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMsZ...
"Listeners are all the richer for the wondrous pleasure they offer us here."
- Thom Jurek (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMsZ...
November 3, 2025 at 3:49 PM
181. Bang on a Can - Renegade Heaven (Cantaloupe, 2000)
"Listeners are all the richer for the wondrous pleasure they offer us here."
- Thom Jurek (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMsZ...
"Listeners are all the richer for the wondrous pleasure they offer us here."
- Thom Jurek (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMsZ...
182. The Black Dog @theblackdog.bsky.social - Spanners (Warp @warprecords.bsky.social, 1995)
"An epic journey through life in the modern world."
- Shana Ting Lipton (CMJ New Music Monthly)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMm-...
"An epic journey through life in the modern world."
- Shana Ting Lipton (CMJ New Music Monthly)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMm-...
November 2, 2025 at 11:30 PM
182. The Black Dog @theblackdog.bsky.social - Spanners (Warp @warprecords.bsky.social, 1995)
"An epic journey through life in the modern world."
- Shana Ting Lipton (CMJ New Music Monthly)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMm-...
"An epic journey through life in the modern world."
- Shana Ting Lipton (CMJ New Music Monthly)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMm-...
183. Tony Williams – Life Time (Blue Note @bluenoterecords.bsky.social, 1965)
"The unpredictable music holds one's interest; a very strong debut for the masterful drummer."
- Scott Yanow (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2FW...
"The unpredictable music holds one's interest; a very strong debut for the masterful drummer."
- Scott Yanow (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2FW...
November 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
183. Tony Williams – Life Time (Blue Note @bluenoterecords.bsky.social, 1965)
"The unpredictable music holds one's interest; a very strong debut for the masterful drummer."
- Scott Yanow (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2FW...
"The unpredictable music holds one's interest; a very strong debut for the masterful drummer."
- Scott Yanow (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2FW...
184. The Bonzo Dog Band - The Doughnut in Granny's Greenhouse (Liberty, 1968)
"Deflate British blues, psychedelia, and other pop, jazz, and music hall styles with priceless wit."
- Richie Unterberger (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpJs...
"Deflate British blues, psychedelia, and other pop, jazz, and music hall styles with priceless wit."
- Richie Unterberger (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpJs...
October 31, 2025 at 2:07 PM
184. The Bonzo Dog Band - The Doughnut in Granny's Greenhouse (Liberty, 1968)
"Deflate British blues, psychedelia, and other pop, jazz, and music hall styles with priceless wit."
- Richie Unterberger (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpJs...
"Deflate British blues, psychedelia, and other pop, jazz, and music hall styles with priceless wit."
- Richie Unterberger (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpJs...
185. Death in June - But, What Ends When the Symbols Shatter? (New European Recordings, 1992)
"Douglas Pierce begins here an esoteric shift with fellow Current 93 friend David Tibet."
- Olivier Swingedau (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0-E...
"Douglas Pierce begins here an esoteric shift with fellow Current 93 friend David Tibet."
- Olivier Swingedau (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0-E...
October 30, 2025 at 4:56 PM
185. Death in June - But, What Ends When the Symbols Shatter? (New European Recordings, 1992)
"Douglas Pierce begins here an esoteric shift with fellow Current 93 friend David Tibet."
- Olivier Swingedau (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0-E...
"Douglas Pierce begins here an esoteric shift with fellow Current 93 friend David Tibet."
- Olivier Swingedau (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0-E...
186. Paris - The Devil Made Me Do It (Scarface, 1990)
"Rap music reaches new heights of political invective on Paris' jolting debut recording."
- People @peoplemagazine.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvzq...
"Rap music reaches new heights of political invective on Paris' jolting debut recording."
- People @peoplemagazine.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvzq...
October 29, 2025 at 3:08 PM
186. Paris - The Devil Made Me Do It (Scarface, 1990)
"Rap music reaches new heights of political invective on Paris' jolting debut recording."
- People @peoplemagazine.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvzq...
"Rap music reaches new heights of political invective on Paris' jolting debut recording."
- People @peoplemagazine.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvzq...
187. Chuck Prophet - Homemade Blood (Cooking Vinyl, 1997)
"The vocalist that Tom Petty might once have been if Jimmy Iovine hadn't drowned his records in 50 fathoms of audio varnish."
- Adam Sweeting (The Guardian @theguardian.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8jX...
"The vocalist that Tom Petty might once have been if Jimmy Iovine hadn't drowned his records in 50 fathoms of audio varnish."
- Adam Sweeting (The Guardian @theguardian.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8jX...
October 28, 2025 at 3:15 PM
187. Chuck Prophet - Homemade Blood (Cooking Vinyl, 1997)
"The vocalist that Tom Petty might once have been if Jimmy Iovine hadn't drowned his records in 50 fathoms of audio varnish."
- Adam Sweeting (The Guardian @theguardian.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8jX...
"The vocalist that Tom Petty might once have been if Jimmy Iovine hadn't drowned his records in 50 fathoms of audio varnish."
- Adam Sweeting (The Guardian @theguardian.com)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8jX...
188. Jackie Mittoo - Macka Fat (Coxone, 1971)
"The sound of the best rocksteady music."
- Richie Unterberger (AllMusic)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqll...
"The sound of the best rocksteady music."
- Richie Unterberger (AllMusic)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqll...
October 28, 2025 at 3:08 PM
188. Jackie Mittoo - Macka Fat (Coxone, 1971)
"The sound of the best rocksteady music."
- Richie Unterberger (AllMusic)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqll...
"The sound of the best rocksteady music."
- Richie Unterberger (AllMusic)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqll...
189. Colin Newman @colinnewman____ – A-Z (Beggars Banquet, 1980)
"The most rewarding" of any Wire member's projects outside the main band."
- Jim DeRogatis (Trouser Press)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-eH...
"The most rewarding" of any Wire member's projects outside the main band."
- Jim DeRogatis (Trouser Press)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-eH...
October 27, 2025 at 3:54 PM
189. Colin Newman @colinnewman____ – A-Z (Beggars Banquet, 1980)
"The most rewarding" of any Wire member's projects outside the main band."
- Jim DeRogatis (Trouser Press)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-eH...
"The most rewarding" of any Wire member's projects outside the main band."
- Jim DeRogatis (Trouser Press)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-eH...
190. Eddie Harris - Exodus to Jazz (Vee-Jay, 1961)
"Paved the way for numerous other crossover successes during the '60s (many in the soul-jazz realm)."
- R.S. Ginell (AllMusic, 10/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IyX...
"Paved the way for numerous other crossover successes during the '60s (many in the soul-jazz realm)."
- R.S. Ginell (AllMusic, 10/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IyX...
October 27, 2025 at 3:46 PM
190. Eddie Harris - Exodus to Jazz (Vee-Jay, 1961)
"Paved the way for numerous other crossover successes during the '60s (many in the soul-jazz realm)."
- R.S. Ginell (AllMusic, 10/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IyX...
"Paved the way for numerous other crossover successes during the '60s (many in the soul-jazz realm)."
- R.S. Ginell (AllMusic, 10/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IyX...