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.
156. Steeleye Span - Below the Salt (Chrysalis @chrysalisrecs.bsky.social, 1972)
"There's not a weak note here, and all of its has a harder, more muscular sound."
- Bruce Eder (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTbq...
"There's not a weak note here, and all of its has a harder, more muscular sound."
- Bruce Eder (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTbq...
November 28, 2025 at 4:02 PM
156. Steeleye Span - Below the Salt (Chrysalis @chrysalisrecs.bsky.social, 1972)
"There's not a weak note here, and all of its has a harder, more muscular sound."
- Bruce Eder (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTbq...
"There's not a weak note here, and all of its has a harder, more muscular sound."
- Bruce Eder (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTbq...
157. Maureen Tucker - Life in Exile After Abdication (50 Skidillion Watts, 1989)
"Amerindie knockouts, lived postpunk takes on the grind and release of lower-middle class adulthood."
- Robert Christgau
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Bl...
"Amerindie knockouts, lived postpunk takes on the grind and release of lower-middle class adulthood."
- Robert Christgau
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Bl...
November 27, 2025 at 3:29 PM
157. Maureen Tucker - Life in Exile After Abdication (50 Skidillion Watts, 1989)
"Amerindie knockouts, lived postpunk takes on the grind and release of lower-middle class adulthood."
- Robert Christgau
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Bl...
"Amerindie knockouts, lived postpunk takes on the grind and release of lower-middle class adulthood."
- Robert Christgau
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Bl...
158. Stephen Duffy – I Love My Friends (Indolent, 1997)
"Duffy's knack for a timeless hook made it a perfect fit with Brit-pop."
- Tim Sendra (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=khW9...
"Duffy's knack for a timeless hook made it a perfect fit with Brit-pop."
- Tim Sendra (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=khW9...
November 26, 2025 at 3:04 PM
158. Stephen Duffy – I Love My Friends (Indolent, 1997)
"Duffy's knack for a timeless hook made it a perfect fit with Brit-pop."
- Tim Sendra (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=khW9...
"Duffy's knack for a timeless hook made it a perfect fit with Brit-pop."
- Tim Sendra (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=khW9...
159. Richie Furay - I've Got a Reason (Asylum, 1976)
"More about looking inward than they are about proselytizing."
- Brett Hartenbach (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQm5...
"More about looking inward than they are about proselytizing."
- Brett Hartenbach (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQm5...
November 25, 2025 at 3:25 PM
159. Richie Furay - I've Got a Reason (Asylum, 1976)
"More about looking inward than they are about proselytizing."
- Brett Hartenbach (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQm5...
"More about looking inward than they are about proselytizing."
- Brett Hartenbach (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQm5...
161. Steve Roach - Structures from Silence (Projekt, 1984)
"One of the most important ambient albums of all time."
- Fact
www.youtube.com/watch?v=98BO...
"One of the most important ambient albums of all time."
- Fact
www.youtube.com/watch?v=98BO...
November 24, 2025 at 4:31 PM
161. Steve Roach - Structures from Silence (Projekt, 1984)
"One of the most important ambient albums of all time."
- Fact
www.youtube.com/watch?v=98BO...
"One of the most important ambient albums of all time."
- Fact
www.youtube.com/watch?v=98BO...
161. Lindsey Buckingham @lindseybuckingham.com – Gift of Screws (Reprise, 2008)
"Gorgeously lyrical soundscapes."
- Elyssa Gardner (USA Today @usatoday.com, 10/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA9U...
"Gorgeously lyrical soundscapes."
- Elyssa Gardner (USA Today @usatoday.com, 10/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA9U...
November 24, 2025 at 4:20 PM
161. Lindsey Buckingham @lindseybuckingham.com – Gift of Screws (Reprise, 2008)
"Gorgeously lyrical soundscapes."
- Elyssa Gardner (USA Today @usatoday.com, 10/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA9U...
"Gorgeously lyrical soundscapes."
- Elyssa Gardner (USA Today @usatoday.com, 10/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA9U...
162. Exploding Hearts – Guitar Romantic (Dirtnap, 2003)
"A fucking awesome power-pop record that would've been just as relevant and engaging twenty-five years ago."
- Matt LeMay @mttlmy (Pitchfork @pitchfork.com, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVu4...
"A fucking awesome power-pop record that would've been just as relevant and engaging twenty-five years ago."
- Matt LeMay @mttlmy (Pitchfork @pitchfork.com, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVu4...
November 23, 2025 at 4:27 PM
162. Exploding Hearts – Guitar Romantic (Dirtnap, 2003)
"A fucking awesome power-pop record that would've been just as relevant and engaging twenty-five years ago."
- Matt LeMay @mttlmy (Pitchfork @pitchfork.com, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVu4...
"A fucking awesome power-pop record that would've been just as relevant and engaging twenty-five years ago."
- Matt LeMay @mttlmy (Pitchfork @pitchfork.com, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVu4...
163. Lhasa – The Living Road (Audiogram, 2003)
"Seamless, sophisticated, and sensual mélange."
- Sean Carruthers @globalhermit.bsky.social (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Knzu...
"Seamless, sophisticated, and sensual mélange."
- Sean Carruthers @globalhermit.bsky.social (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Knzu...
November 23, 2025 at 4:22 PM
163. Lhasa – The Living Road (Audiogram, 2003)
"Seamless, sophisticated, and sensual mélange."
- Sean Carruthers @globalhermit.bsky.social (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Knzu...
"Seamless, sophisticated, and sensual mélange."
- Sean Carruthers @globalhermit.bsky.social (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Knzu...
164. Sylvester – Step II (Fantasy @fantasyrecords.bsky.social, 1978)
"His falsetto dances along with tense breath control until he screams that orgasmic chorus."
- Eric Torres (Pitchfork @pitchfork.com, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8A9...
"His falsetto dances along with tense breath control until he screams that orgasmic chorus."
- Eric Torres (Pitchfork @pitchfork.com, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8A9...
November 20, 2025 at 4:24 PM
164. Sylvester – Step II (Fantasy @fantasyrecords.bsky.social, 1978)
"His falsetto dances along with tense breath control until he screams that orgasmic chorus."
- Eric Torres (Pitchfork @pitchfork.com, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8A9...
"His falsetto dances along with tense breath control until he screams that orgasmic chorus."
- Eric Torres (Pitchfork @pitchfork.com, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8A9...
165. Swirlies - Blonder Tongue Audio Baton (Taang!, 1993)
"A mainstay of early-'90s indie music."
- Heather Phares (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B7h...
"A mainstay of early-'90s indie music."
- Heather Phares (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B7h...
November 20, 2025 at 4:19 PM
165. Swirlies - Blonder Tongue Audio Baton (Taang!, 1993)
"A mainstay of early-'90s indie music."
- Heather Phares (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B7h...
"A mainstay of early-'90s indie music."
- Heather Phares (AllMusic, 9/10)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B7h...
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__...