okay you missed alot; shame for no daniel johnston; tom pettey? the band? bob seger? they are appreciated! i think you missed the whole concept of the list

A truly underappreciated artist wouldn’t even make it on list. What about Failure?

Mr.Bungle

NRBQ

not bad. at least you got two of mine in there

yeah… this list is no good… music is subjective… I wouldn’t listen to most of these bands because they dont push the boundaries of music… Tom Waits? the number 1 underappreciated artist? Out of the thousands of talented bands/artists in the world who may never be found, but exude more talent than anyone on this list, you chose tom waits… silly.

You still missed some good ones:

Ministry, The Stooges, The MC5, Suicide, Joy Division.

But yes, Tom Waits deserves to be the no.1 underappreciated artist by far.

good list!!! really suprised

Good list overall, but Bob Seger can eat a fat dick.

As far as unappreciated on a mainstream scale this list suffices. But there’s too much music out there to assume the Talking Heads are really all THAT unappreciated.

Why make everyone give their opinions when they werent gonna be considered in the first place. There was HUGE support for the Kinks for example ( not by me granted ) and they didnt even make the list. I think the whole exercise was a waste of time.

X

the biggest one i think you missed.

The Beastie Boys

not enough people appreciate their true contribution to the world of music

I listened to stuff from about 1/3 of the bands on the list to see if I could find some new great music to enjoy. Wow was I unimpressed. None of it was terrible (well some was…) it was just that none of it amazed me. I felt like most of what I heard belonged in an elevator… so dull, repetitious, predictable and uninspired. Maybe I’m not getting a decent sample of these bands music (using pandora). Sigh.

SILVERCHAIR

and I wish Alice In Chains were as recognized as Nirvana.

James Gang

Raheem DeVaughn
Keyshia Cole
Sean Price
Papoose
Plan B
Shawnna
24K
The Go! Team
The Gossip

How many of these people are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? (Tom Petty,Bob Seger, Talking Heads, The Band) I think that honor would show that they have been given their due. Try a little harder next time.

You said it, ‘Disappointed’. KINKS!

no ben folds?

I have to agree with ME… if Bob Seger is underAppreciated, I would marvel to see the size of the hall he would need to play to accomodate even a small percentage of the fans…Same with a lot of the folks on this list…BUT…
if we are going for a more esoteric version of “appreciated”, then I think I see the gist of the list, y’all. Some of this gang may be popular, but they don’t get the BONUS of being considered major contributors over-all.
For example: Tom Petty is probably one of the best American Songwriters of the last 30 years, but he doesn’t get mentioned in a league with Springsteen…
A thought provoking take on “under-appreciated” to be sure.

P.S. NRBQ indeed.

Throw Jane’s Addiction’s name in the hat…they’re one of the fathers of alternative music

People who like Tom Waits (me included) don’t want him to necessarily have mass appeal.

It’s hard enough to get tickets to his concerts.

If Tom Petty is so unappreciated, why do I have to hear his annoying music every single hour on the friggin’ radio?

the animals
deep purple
dead kennedys
mc5

also traffic

Great Addition Sam.
Nobody will truly appreciate the Boys de Beastie until long after they’re gone.
Other additions: Mike Patton and all his projects, Primus, De La Soul, Jane’s Addiction, The Damned, Bad Brains, Minutemen/fIREHOSE, Fishbone.

Grant Lee Buffalo
Bob Mould
Soul Asylum
Screaming Trees
Alice in Chains
Urge Overkill
Fiona Apple
R.E.M
Blind melon
Counting Crows
Sugar
Husker Du
Chris Cornell

Tom Petty, and everyone else on this list, doesn’t get mentioned as being in the same league as Springsteen because he is not in that league. What needs to be defined a little more crisply is, “under appreciated” by whom?” With the exception of his 1984-85 spike in popularity, outside the Northeast and Europe, Bruce has always been a bit of a cult hero (that’s understood). The average college student, at least in the South, has heard his name, but couldn’t name five songs he has written.

Brand Nubian for sure

Tom Petty is very much appreciated.
Swans, however, are not given their due

Graham Parker
Nick Lowe
XTC

i was checking out the top 500 songs and the chili peppers got no love at all

Nazareth has got to be one of the most under-rated rock bands. Sometimes I wish they’d never recorded “Love Hurts” or “Hair of the Dog” because they’ve got dozens of others that far outshine those. Come on DJs, play the B-sides!

pavement, pavement, and pavement

Oh, and Drivin n Cryin

I think The Band should be at least top five underappreciated, but Tom Waits is definitely number one.

The Drive By Truckers are the best band in the world.

all these folks are talented, true. But underappreciated? Most of ‘em choose to have small fanbases, purposefully playing outside the mainstream.

Tom Waits, his gutteral swamp sound gets its dues…not just from fans, but from the dozens of artists who’ve covered him (and taken him to the bank).

Maybe somebody like Lou Reed, who always wanted to be big but never “made it”? Or the Ramones, a band who should still be selling records every year but doesn’t?

In that way, I agree with poster “me”. The Band? I don’t think those dudes are ever gonna starve…

ZAPPA!!!

tom petty? he’s in the r+r hall of fame…which is an absurd place, as it has run out of worthy inductees.

WHERE

IS

BLUUUUUUUUUUURRR RRRRR ????

Tom Petty is def. appreciated. Just look at the press he gets when he releases an album.

And I guess you could say the Band are “underappreciated”… if you want to make the case that they should be up there w/ The Beatles and The Stones… they already get a loooottt of credit.
Devo… now there’s a thought…

WHERE

IS

BLUUUUUUUUU UURRR RRRRR ????

Tom Petty is def. appreciated. Just look at the press he gets when he releases an album.

And I guess you could say the Band are “underappreciated”… if you want to make the case that they should be up there w/ The Beatles and The Stones… they already get a loooottt of credit.
Devo… now there’s a thought…

i missed out on the first part of this so i dont know if they were even mentioned, but Neutral Milk Hotel should have been here even if they were dead last.

sonic youth is the greatest band in the world, check out their version of madonna’s into the groove on the white(y) album

This list (as well as pretty much all lists) is missing “The Damned”. “Damned Damned Damned” and “Machine Gun Etiquette” are two of the greatest albums of all time, “New Rose” is one of the greatest singles of all time (see High Fidelity), they were the first UK Punk band to release a single, and the first UK Punk band to play CBGB’s. Not to mention the fact that they are one of the few Punk bands of the 70’s to still be releasing great albums and touring. So if you want to discover an amazing band that not a lot of people know about, I suggest looking up The Damned.

Motor City Really is burning. Le Sigh.

Bruce Willis
Steven Segal
Eddie Murphy
Julliette Lewis
William Shatner
The Hof
Joey Lawrence

WHAAAAA……..Tom Petty, Bob Seger, Talking Heads, Sonic Youth? these guys get total cred like big time. Is your definition of underappreciated artists/bands that didn’t hit the top 40 or mainstream radio? I could agree w/ half of the list.

Ummmm… who are Big Star & The Pharcyde?

Most of those artists look pretty appreciated to me. Big Star defnitely belongs up there tho!

nickelback

What about friggin’ Caetano Veloso for Pete’s sake?

nickelback and rob thomas

the kinks
r.e.m
the black crowes
the dave matthews band

Or Nick friggin’ Drake!!!???

Waits is actually the most overrated (and tone-deaf) artist of all time.

The list is fine. Others could be included, but lists are subjective. Waits #1 is great with me. In the opinion of this Canadian he is the greatest American Songwriter. I suppose I just appeciate a lot of the underappreciated.

where are:
built to spill
wolf parade
fischerspooner
infected mushroom
pixies
binary star
ben folds
the black keys
the broken west
cake
the dears
fountains of wayne
hot hot heat
explosions in the sky
the go! team
jedi mind tricks
john frusciante
my morning jacket
rogue wave
plain white t’s
slightly stoopid
smashing pumpkins
we are scientists

cmon rs

faith no more
nick cave & the bad seeds

Petty and Waits? Not sure about that.

What’s funny about the original list everyone contributed to is that so many people mentioned the same artists over and over. It sounded as though they really had a lot of fans out there. Of course that would mean they really weren’t underappreciated then (at least in theory).

As for being the only person to mention Bill Haley & the Comets, well… I guess that means he really is still underrated.

LEONARD COHEN

great list – especially Cheap Trick

their 80’s output in particular, though far from consistent, has numerous gems that have been tragically overlooked

also faith no more rarely gets their due for “angel dust” which is massively influential though it tanked commercially

Aimee Mann should have been on the list. “Whatever” (1994) is a “perfect” album…a record of masterful pop-rock songwriting from start to finish.

Not only are the commercially successful, there a terrible band

Jackie Greene
Cake

You didn’t just walk into a minefield with this, you created one. This list is populated with critics darlings and mainstream, popular rockers. Was any criteria at all established here? Tom Waits, Sonic Youth..underappreciated on the charts, but not among music lovers. Petty, Seger…maybe get the short end among hipsters and the intelligensia, but have proved amazingly popular and durable. If your going to breach this subject, include 99% of the music that’s been put out in history. I mean, think about it: What does “The #1 Under Appreciated Artist” mean anyway?

P.S.

Where’s Leonard Cohen?

The Flaming lips.
Jeff BEck.
The Pixies.
Blind Melon!
I thought the list was good. Except i think bob seger and tom petty get enough credit. they do here in my lame ass part of the country.Central illinois

how about john hiatt

Bon Jovi should be on that list too. Totally underappreciated.

Tom Waits couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket. He deserves to be ignored.

I think the point about Petty is that he doesn’t get enough CRITICAL respect. Sure,, he has sold a ton of albums, but as many of the posts here show, he still gets no proper appreciation. He was certainly one of the best songwriters of the 70s and 80s. Nothing lame at all about TOm Petty.

The New York Dolls weren’t appreciated enough in their prime, but I think they get enough recognition today

No complaints. Good list…even though it ignores Social Distortion and Bad Religion.

reading the posting over the weekend, I remember seeing much more love for Third Eye Blind than i would have ever expected. I’m surprised they didn’t make this list, I was pretty sure they would they got a good amount of support.

George Michael is underappreciated too. Man, what a VOICE!!
Tom Petty and Bob Seger are garbage.

Tom Petty?
You’re right, 10 top-ten albums (not counting the Wilburys) just screams “underappreciated” to me.

Agree with some picks (Sonic Youth, Fugazi, Wilco), disagree with others (Seger? Petty? Underappreciated?).

A couple to add to the list:

Phish – The greatest live band of their generation (70,000 people to remote northern Maine for shows in three different years with no “hit” songs, c’mon), but barely any mainstream media coverage and no major awards.

Mudhoney – A keystone band in the development of alternative and grunge music in the 90’s.

Grant Green – One of the alltime great jazz guitar players who has had a major influence on current jazz, funk and jamband groups.

Traffic – Definitely.

How About XTC, Motorhead, Terry Reid. Only three of many who are under appreciated…..And as for the joker who put Bon Jovi on the list, Seriously dude, give your head a shake!

Tom Petty is a million times better than Springsteen, but Bruce gets all the attention. Tom’s a better singer too, and he could probably kick his ass in a fight.

Good call on Cheap Trick. Their self-title debut has been stuck in my CD player for weeks.

Look at the disprespect Petty has gotten in this very thread. That should be proof enough he is underappreciated, to a fan at least. This poll clearly isn’t talking about albums sold, but critical acclaim.

AW WEAK. I MEAN YOU GOT SOME REALLY SWEET STUFF BUT I REALLY THOUGHT YOU GUYS WERE GONNA COME THROUGH ON TOWNES VAN ZANDT. “AW I FELL ASLEEP AT THIS MEETING AND I GOT MY POOP ON MY FACE”

ornette coleman.
joy division.
pixies.

really need these on there.

RS didn’t even bother reading what the fans wrote over the weekend. They were always gonna put what they wanted on the list, readers be damned.

Underappreciated by who? I have albums by 17 of the acts on that list and I listen to them often. My friends tend to be people of the same musical tastes and they rave about some of those albums. If you ‘get it’, you ‘get it’. Those artists don’t make music or cater to those who don’t. I hardly think Talking Heads are underappreciated! Barely was/has a bad word been written about them.

How about The Cure? Seventeen Seconds/ Faith/ Pornography – what a trilogy.

Or The Chills (from New Zealand)? Their song Pink Frost is as good as anything post-punk.

Etc etc etc.

I agree that The Band is most definitely underappreciated and should be within the top five…..but whats with the blogger who posted Bon Jovi as being underrated!? Common now!! And I almost threw up in my mouth when I read the post saying that Nickelback and Rob Thomas are missing out!!! These people are ridiculous!!!! Please realize that this new wave is NOT music.

There is no way Tom Petty is underappreciated. Everyone I know likes Tom Petty, or at least one of his songs.

Uh, Gov’t Mule is the #1 most under appreciated band. Get Petty off that list. There are a few others I’d remove from that list, but for very different reasons – but I’ll keep this comment in the ‘positive’ vein.

What about:
Turbonegro
The D4
Burning Brides
Bill Hicks
Tricky Woo
Bionic
Supersuckers

To name a few

And the most underappreciated of all time, these guys should have sell millions of record
THE RAMONES

Tom Petty is GARBAGE???
Is all your taste in your mouth??

The Australian Band The Church are the most overlooked band in history. Their music is a vintage hybrid of Pink Floyd, U2 and Radiohead. Their lead vocalist and bass player, Steve Kilbey, is as good or better that Thom Yorke and Bono. The Church have been wrongfullyly ignored. Guitar virtuoso, Jeff Beck, is also overlooked.

Where the heck are the women? Kate Bush? Mylene Farmer? PJ Harvey? Aimee Mann? Kirsty Maccoll? Ani DiFranco? Sinead O’Connor?

Another male dominated rock list. Yawn.

Pretty solid list, though I’m bummed it didn’t step too far out of RS’s usual wheelhouse as far as musical styles go. But any list that raises publicity for Warren Zevon is OK in my book.

BTW, Seger is still underappraciated critically. He may sell out large venues, but you won’t hear him referred to as arguably the best straight-up rock-and-roller of the 70’s, which he is. His Chevy commercial and country music days seem to be tarnishing his Night Moves-era amazingness.

Also props for Alice Cooper. He gets dismissed too often as shock rock. Billion Dollar Babies is one tight record.

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS

I’m sorry, I just don’t get why Seger and Petty are in there. They are not, in my opinion, underappreciated. Same with The Band. The Band is critically acclaimed. Oh, and Bryan, chill dude.

TREEPEOPLE!!!
they are so underrated; they were one of the major pioneers in grunge history.

The Bodeans

Good picks – but I think a few of them are already in the R&R Hall of Fame, so I don’t think they’re underappreciated by any stretch.

MODEST MOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

YES! MODEST MOUSE!

Anyone who says Tom Petty is a better singer than Bruce Springsteen really needs their head examined. I mean, you’re joking, right? Petty can’t top the Boss’ permanent aneurysm every second he’s in front of a mike!

Robbie Williams (in the U.S.)
Foetus
Fischerspooner

The Black Crowes
Blur

but yes this is a good list, otherwise.

soooo..no love for “Born to Runner Up” wtf??!

Rolling Stone gathers moss. Anyone calling Bob Seger and Tom Petty underappreciated needs a lesson in Rock and Roll 101. Turn The Page and Runnin’ Down A Dream are two of the best road songs ever, bar none.

tom waits sucks same with seater-kinney

‘The Beatles’, in my opinion are still underated. Consider this, Mikhail Gobachev, (one of the most important people who ever lived) said..”more than any war, more than any bomb, more than any religion or ideology, the single most importatant reason for the diffusion of the Cold War was..the Beatles”
God bless them.

butch walker

How is Bad Brains not up there?

The Beatles under-appreciated??? They are considered the greatest rock band EVER and the measurement towards what most bands strife to achieve.

Gino Vannelli has not got the respect in the USA he deserves since the 70’s.

FRANK ZAPPA
Tragically Hip

some of the names on the comments i agree with more than the ones on the list (nick cave, silverchair, mr. bungle) but what about frank zappa? hardcore music people tend to like him but the most people don’t know who he is in my experience

Hole/Courtney Love, of course. Everybody hates her but the music’s always great.

Frank zappa
porcupine tree

overall good list, except you missed THE KINKS!

A solid percentage of respondents voted for the Kinks. I would have loved to see them make the list. Or does that mean they are fully appreciated?

Mott the Hoople!! Most underrated band of the 70’s.

MODEST MOUSE! ALL INDIE ACTULLY. EMINEM! UM ….NINE INCH NAILS!

LOS LOBOS are the most uderated and underappreciated band ever. In fact, I’d include them on my top ten list of the greatest ever bands. I guess these days it doesn’t pay to be in a guitar band with authentic blues, folk and traditional roots, and have a gutsy, dignified and unpretentious approach to music.

safe.
predictable.
corporate.

How are any of these artists underappreciated? Most of the people I know are into a lot of these bands — because they’re cool, and cool people like cool bands. Just because “mainstream” people don’t listen to them doesn’t mean they’re underappreciated. In fact, I would argue that they’re appreciated more.

Glad to see Roxy Music there, but where is The Cult and Brian Eno??

Dinasour Jr.
!!!
LCD Soundsystem

I also agree that Warren Zevon is underappreciated while being an outstanding artist. Just listen to “Mohammed’s Radio” and “Desperados Under the Eaves.” You will agree. Oh, and for ThldsmnSNL, sorry about your shitty taste in music, might need to work on that one…..

No love for Ryan Adams? Huh?

TOM PETTY is the coolest man alive…bar none

Son of Bazerk
The Goats

Dave,Phil,Gene,John,Bill –
The Blasters

blind melon, alice in chains, zappa, joy division, soundgarden, screaming trees, silverchair, JEFF BUCKLEY, gentle giant, yes, primus, blackfield, saves the day, of montreal

To ThldsmnSNL & whom it may concern: Every person has the constitutional right to Freedom of Speech. This means we can speak about any topic we like without fear of being harassed, jailed, discriminated against or denied any constitutional rights. For example, if someone sees a website he dislikes or is confusing, he can ignore that website and go somewhere else. An individual doesn’t have to read anything he doesn’t like or doesn’t understand.

soundgarden. period.

Three words: Stevie Ray Vaughan.

The Residents

How about Richard Thompson? He’s an amazing guitar player and songwriter for 40 years. He is well underappreciated. Check him out live for $25 at a small venue!

Lets be serious. Ween and The Talking Heads should higher up on the list. And where are The Pixies in all this?

Agreed on Frank Zappa

I think The Cars got just about the amount of appreciation they deserved.

Social Distortion and def Fugazi

The Drive-bt Truckers, The Black Keys, and the Bottle Rockets are the three best bands in the last fifteen years. And a special mention to Lucero.

How is Tom Petty underappreciated? He is incredible and well respected. He sells out arenas; I have seen him in several. The man is amazingly talented, but also is popular, with many top ten albums. Goodness sakes, he is in the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame.

Rusty String Quartet were a great Minneapolis band.

the cars?!? somebody hit the brakes on that one, pls. i nominate bjork!

Please… Soundgarden? They are way over Appreciated. I’d Have to say the Black Keys have been stiffed by critics since day one.

Pretty funny that their list is like a who’s who of critical darlings. Sonic Youth, Big Star, Cheap Trick, Wilco – all these bands are way too often referred to as “underrated,” when pretty much everyone agrees that they’re good.

I think I read ELO on just about every response to the initial posting, but because they’re an “art-rock” band, they don’t get listed.

Thus, lists like these and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame continue to ignore incredible bands like Yes, ELO, early-Genesis, The Soft Machine, King Crimson, mainly because of “prog-rock’s” reputation. It’s so annoying and pathetic.

Kelly Joe Phelps!!!!!!!!

SOUTH NORMAL!!!!!!!!!
They played in NYC and the music reps obviously overlooked them because they lack hair gel and eyeliner….BOOOOOO!! They WILL rule the nation…..
http://www.myspace.com/s outhnormal
The most underappreciated band out there!

REM

oops, that’s
http://www.myspace.com/southn ormal

Beck, Nin

Dredg!!!!! They rule and no one knows who the heck they are…it makes me so emo…

Faces – Rod Stewart, Ron Wood, Kenny Jones, Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagen, awesome band, awesome music

The top 2 deserve it.

JACK WHITE

he gets love, but not the kind of love he deserves for what’s looking like a 10 year stretch full of a lot of great music, no missteps, and just greatness all around.

Where is Peter Case?

Eels

joy division, awesome band, more influential than a lot of people think, they should be on there imo but good list nonetheless.

Frank Zappa, Ben Folds, The Faces.

Right on to whoever said Jackie Greene, I’ll second that one. Also, I can’t believe no one mentioned Townes Van Zandt. Simply one of the greatest songwriters ever.

JEFF BUCKLEY!!!

Dredg?!?! please

I agree with a lot of these… definitely agree with The Band, Dinosaur Jr. and Seger. I would add The Black Keys, MC5, Parliament, Ornette Coleman, and most definitely Steely Dan

Big Audio Dynamite
Tommy Bolin
Iggy Pop
X
Mott the Hoople
Roxy Music
Zappa
Dada

Yeah Obvious is right, a few of these bands could be considered underappreciated (Husker Du, Cheap Trick, Big Star) but really The Band, Tom Waits, Sonic Youth are hardly underappreciated. Nice going Rolling Stone take a fun question with unlimited potential and go all pussy on us. Thanks for going out on a limb with your choices!

ill choke out anyone who says bad about tom waits

THE BLACK KEYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alejandro Escovedo
Dwight Yoakam
Gang Of Four

Cheap Trick? Nah, way overrated (and I’m FROM mid-state Illinois).

xtc and stan ridgway

MINISTRY
RICKIE LEE JONES
KATE BUSH
STEELY DAN
BJORK
PUFFY AMIYUMI
STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN

Why is Tom Petty on that list? He’s still selling out arenas and amphitheatres and all his songs are very popular and are played all over the place. That makes no sense!

I forgot to mention The Black Keys are great!! EXTREMELY underappreciated. I have all their albums.

The Roots should also be on that list. My favorite band to see live. Game Theory is one of the best hip hop albums of all time. While it hasn’t been selling much now, it’ll be one of those albums that will sell by word of mouth, and will still be selling 20 years from now. Innovative!!

I could not afree more with Tom Waits being Underappreciated. Now if he’d only come out of hiding and tour!

CAPSLOCK!!!!!!!

Captain Beefheart – Trout Mask Replica will never be approached for its uniqueness. Milli Vanilli for the best practical joke in the business (”we’re bigger than the Beatles” made even funnier by the fact they believed it.

jeff beck. THE best guitarist ever, anytime he thought he was getting too mainstream, he changed his music completely! (for the better, in my opinion).

I can agree with much of the list, I would also submit my own 25 to make 50:
J.J. Cale
Nick Drake
The Pixies
Alice In Chains
Soundgarden
The Smashing Pumpkins
Blind Melon
The Black Crowes
Uncle Tupelo
Gomez
The Verve
Ben Folds
Ben Harper
G. Love & Special Sauce
Toad the Wet Sprocket
Badly Drawn Boy
The Blind Boys of Alabama
Afghan Wigs
A Tribe Called Quest
Digital Underground
Travis
The Wallflowers
The Flaming Lips
The BrianJonesTown Massacre
Phish

I’m drunk riht now (like the Replacements often were live) but damn how did they manage to make such great music for a decade with almost no commercial success? If you’re a “young person” and feel like you’re being fitted to be a gear in the factory of modern society I guarantee you their music (especially “Let It Be”) will speak to you more than anything else out there. Go for it! Make their albums platinum!!

JIMMY EAT WORLD
PAUL WELLER
OASIS
STONE ROSES
THE HUSH SOUND
BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB
REGINA SPEKTOR
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
RYAN ADAMS
BEN FOLDS FIVE

mason jennings ?maybe…yes….maybe

Mos Def
Talib Kweli
Hieroglyphics
All that underground Rawkus stuff. Although it gets rave reviews, not many people have picked up a record and listened to it. amazing stuff.

if you ask me; tom petty’s a travelling willbury, therefore he is greatly appreciated…

Pearl Jam still remains without respect from Rollingstone…

How does John Mellencamp not make this list or any of the subsequent posts? Explain it!! This guy will never, ever get the credit he deserves as one of the best songwriters of the last 25 years. Unbelievable.

T. REX

Chuck Berry
Little Richard
without them there would be no “BeaTles sound.” But people think Tom Waits is under-the-radar. People don’t care about real rock-royalty….

unlike the 4 20 list, i actually agree with this completely. Tom Waits is the king. Go and buy Nighthawks At The Diner.

Paul-sound advice on introducin’
today’s youth to the wonderful
world of The Replacements
Gonzo-good call on Peter Case
Certainly agree with those who
thought the likes of XTC,Joy
Division,X,Nick Lowe,The Buzzcocks
and Kirsty MacColl should’ve made
the cut,but I wouldn’t mind puttin’
in a few that weren’t mentioned at
all(no particular order)-
Ian Dury And The Blockheads
Lone Justice
The Jim Carroll Band
The Plimsouls
Dr Feelgood
The Pursuit Of Happiness

Shuggie Otis, Jeff Beck, J-Dilla.

a lot of those bands listed get a lot of appreciation and recognition from their respected genre fanbases. and a lot of those fanbases are established out of not getting pop culture recognition so really theyre being appreciated at the fullest extent of their intentions.

I have to say that Tom Petty, Alice Cooper and Seger are definitely appreciated. Totally agree with Waits, Zevon, Ween, Fugazi and Sonic Youth.

However, Tool and Kyuss still are the two of the most underappreciated bands.

Sublime (anyone who grew up as a teen in the 90s had an album, or at least their friend did). Tool, and Anthony Hamilton

i guess what i’m saying is that this list represents what all music lovers believe to be hidden pleasures, but this list conversely represents musicians that everyone listens to as a result of supposedly being a hidden gems. so really theyre respected en masse for being overlooked. false list.

sublime, anthony hamilton, tool

I just want to say that as a huge fan of The Band and Tom Petty I find it insulting you all would consider them underappreciated. They are NOT, and I can’t believe Rolling Stone of all things would say so. And hasn’t Bob Seger sold something like ten million plus records? Somehow I don’t think that counts as underappreciated either. Seriously everyone that posts on any of these lists are for the most part complete morons….my favorite is the Pearl Jam contingent, who say Pearl Jam should be at the top of every list, be it this one, or best grunge band, or best 90s band, or best 80s band, best band ever, or best band with a female lead singer. Does anyone, including the people who work here, actually both appreciate music and pay fucking attention to it?

I have to admit the top 6 are good….however, I’ve been watching this list all day, and I’ve seen several bands outnumber Pharcyde and Dinosaur Jr. and The Cramps and (even though I love them) The Pogues, in fact the latter I don’t remember seeing once (although, again, I feel a little stupid for never putting them up myself)…why do I feel like the writers here had their list already and just made it, regardless of crowd support?

Juvenile, Rhett Miller, and George Harrison when compared to the other Beatles.

Air
James
Aimee Mann
Meat Puppets
Joan Osborne
Pernice Brothers
Posies
Throwing Muses/Kristin Hersh/Tanya Donelly
and I agree with whoever said XTC

I agree with st.robinson…..I saw faith no more and the defones posted just about more than any other bands….what gives?

You guys have LOST IT. If you really want to make a list of the most under appreciated artists, you would have to have a cosmic microscope so deep, it would interrupt the natural flow of gravity. Tom Waits is not “under appreciated”, OH NO sir, Tom Waits is a flower beholden to the eye of the beholder! S–t creek ends when the crap stops flowin babe!

Oh pshaw. You guys left out:

X
The Buzzcocks
PJ Harvey

The Band should be ranked higher, Stevie Ray Vaughan deserves to be known by every single person whose ever listened to music PERIOD as a guitar god like Hendrix and Clapton and thus added on the top 5 of this list, and I have to agree with the couple other people that said that Alice in Chains deserve more recognition than they get. Maybe not in the top 25, but close. #26? They deserve it more than Smashing Pumpkins–they always got attention, so they were never truly ‘underrated.’ Just the opposite, in fact.

Afghan Whigs
Catherine Wheel
The Strokes
Interpol
Nick Cave

Oh, and to the idiots:
Tom Waits absolutely belongs on this list!

amen… the pharcyde has finally gotten some love, one of the most influential rap group ever, the fab 4 opened a new door 2 alternative rap

Todd Rundgren.

the brian jonestown massacre
the flaming lips
a tribe called quest
the traveling wilburys
stephen malkmus

Nick Drake!!!! It’s that easy!

This is a bit silly.
Sonic Youth have had a no1 album in the uk, thats called appreciation.
Talking Heads As well as influencing nearly every new band of the moment, have had countless ‘hits’. Thats called appreciation.
Tom Waits, fugazi, the cramps, big star, the replacements ect might not be household names but for all those lucky enough to have been introduced they have not gone underappreciated.

What we need is a list of bands that got dismissed by the critics and sold nothing. Then we will have a list of underappreciated bands.

Here’s one to start with:
The Gun Club

I kind of wonder if the best way to find “underappreciated” artists is by popular election. Doesn’t that seem like it’d be a better way to figure out who the “appreciated” ones are?

magnificent choice at No. 1. Genius

But no XTC?

James, XTC, Eels

YOU AM I
SILVERCHAIR
SOMETHING FOR KATE
LONG WALK HOME

This whole topic is pretty meaningless without any parameters. However you define “underappreciated,” you probably won’t come to a definition that allows you to have both Tom Petty and Tom Waits on the same list. I mean, Tom Cruise sings “Free Falling” in Jerry Maguire, for God’s sake. I think an “Underappreciated By Hipsters” list would be the most fun–full of platinum artists who are secretly awesome. I nominate Avril Lavigne and Blink 182.

yeah the talking heads are in the rock n roll hall of fame. that’s not underappreciated. steve miller band. that’s all i’m saying.

I love the Band, but how can you say they’re underappreciated?

RUSH (BY RS) Snakes and Arrows proves the point.

XTC should be on this list. In fact it looks like they are the band most listed in the ‘comments’ section…

XTC & Porcupine Tree

Were would Nirvana be without the “Pixies”. And how about “Television”?

Where is U2 on the list? They can’t be appreciated enough.

The Church; unreal no one has mentioned them, X–they rocked LA, along with the Gun Club/Germs, Little Feat, Beat Farmers, Ted Hawkins, XTC, The Neats! Now check out the latter to really see an unappreciated band; the list is a sham w/o them and Split Enz!

please add Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd combined and solo…..and The Waterboys, World Party!

Hank Williams III, an artist rejected by mainstream country music. The ultimate legacy, and a breath of fresh air in a generation of country music infected with pretty people, poppy radio ballads, and other invariables once not generally associated with country music.

I like the list, but most of the bands on it were hardly suggested by people over the weekend. So why even ask our opinion at all?

Its sort of a slap in the face to ask for our opinion and then completely disregard it.

Concrete Blonde
Ween
Bottle Rockets
Drivin N Cryin

Where is Orange Juice ? And Julian Cope ? And where is Grace Jones ? Talk about underappreciated, she´s always been treated as a joke, and I can´t understand why.

So many left off!:

Richard Thompson, Kristin Hersh, Robyn Hitchcock, Will Oldham/Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, etc…

Mats Mats Mats Mats!!!!

Bob Mould
Flaming Lips
The Tragically Hip (yes, a Canadian Band)
Prince – never has a musician so iconic been so ignored. Years from now, you will say that you saw him.

Where is jawbreaker? Come on now.

I agree with this list for the most part. Tom Waits IS underappreciated. Sonic Youth IS underappreciated. Sleater-Kinney IS grossly underappreciated. Good job.
If people are looking for a list of bands that “no one knows that critics hate”, that’s NOT an underappreciated list! That’s just good reason why they don’t have fans. And honestly, who thinks the Strokes are underappreciated? They get far more attention than they deserve. I mean they’re product placement in the new Transformers movie! Nuff said.

the more I think about it the list you compiled is basically a sham; indeed add Richard Thompson and where’s Bert Jansch!? Tim Buckley? Richie Havens? Culture? Be Bop Deluxe!!

ZAPPA!!
CONCRETE BLONDE

Thelonious monster.

anonymous.. the hip is underappreciated but I think only in America, There coming here in september can’t wait to see’em!

Nice list. You know what would be kinda cool. RS overrated artists of all time. Be interesting who they would select.

The biggest problem with this list is defining what you mean by “underappreciated.” Does it mean not selling many records? If so, then take off Tom Petty, the Cars and Bob Seger. Does it mean not being ackowledged as influential? Then take off Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Band and Talking Heads. And for the love of God add Richard Thompson and Graham Parker.

My chemical romance is underrated. people just dismiss them as teenage emo music. Also Cat power is very underrated.

Kyuss… Kyuss… Kyuss…

Steve Earle…America’a greatest living songwriter other than Dylan.

This list was clearly made up prior to public input which is journalistic dishonesty.
As is typical of young useless rock writers, you’ve injected your personal bias into evaluations instead of listening to public input or using reliable metrics.
When the five bands you initially ’suggested’ happen to end up on the list including ‘The Pharcyde’ which didn’t show up in the polling then you know the whole list is a farce. Let me guess… Pharcyde is the fave band of the lead writer of this bit. Why bother polling the public anyway?
Wouldn’t a far better journalistic piece be a discussion of what makes an artist unsung? Every time I stoop to read some article polling the public on rock whether it is this or VH1 lists… I end up embarrassed by the sloppy and dishonest nature of the piece. Such junk. By the way.. Talking Heads and most of those bands are already well regarded by critics so, again, what the hell?

KINGS OF LEON

Didn’t see this man on anyone’s list. JAMES MCMURTRY. His songwriting and guitar work are one of a kind, and McMurtry fans have the upmost respect for him and his talents. Check him out.
He is well worth your time.

Tribe Called Quest

Missing Warren Haynes and Ry Cooder…

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club!

Oh wait, this isn’t the list of bands underappreciated by Rolling Stone?

My vote goes to Sianspheric.

Tom Petty? Really? I say take him off the list and replace him with Steve Earle or Drive By Truckers.

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, or just Nick Cave in general. Thats all I really have to say. Take it or leave it.

You put Alice friggin’ Cooper on the list and not the MC5?!?!?! Stupid, just totaly stupid.

How many times was Blur listed this past weekend? And you guys put the Cars on your list! Why bother having a weekend poll if you ignore the results?

aka,

You’re missing the concept. Rolling Stone (namely it’s journalists) offer their personal opinions on the subject. Then you, the reader, say where you agree and disagree. Also, props to them for firstly getting the job at rolling stone, and then opening up the list for bashing. Whether you agree or disagree, the fun in it is chiming in your two cents about what you’d change and what you agree with. Come down from the podium, grow some man-parts and offer your personal opinion. You’re shoddy indifferent filibuster to this group discussion borders on the interesting. Also – the technique which you’re referring to, polling, is what we get year in and year out at various award shows, and now american idol. A change of pace is nice, and this is the appropriate arena.

In addition to Hank 3, I’d like to mention The Clarks, John Eddie, Of A Revolution, Silverstein, and MC Chris.

I agree with the several people who have brought up the Pixies and the list for Tom Waits and a personal favorite Warren Zevon.

See how that works?

Talking Heads, The Cars, The Band and Tom Petty all got PLENTY of press and radio play, and hardly qualify as under appreciated.

I would drop them and add Bruce Cockburn, Richard Thompson, The Waterboys and The Tragically Hip!

I missed the part where they apparently did originally ask for feedback, but still, as it says, they are unveiling “our official list.” and I stand by my statement, even the concept of the list having their own touch ignites great arguments from readers. As shown below.

The Pixies, you crazy bastards!

And Kyuss!

Beta Band!

The Deadly Snakes!

ah, what’s the use…

Robert Pollard

How ’bout NAZZ, Todd Rundgren’s first group?

Yeah that’s right, Tom Petty didn’t get anywhere near the publicity Pavement got. They only played that Alice in Wonderland video five-thousand times on MTV. Same as Free Falling and Into the Great Wide Open. Oh, and Bassinger appering in Last Dance With Mary Jane, completely under appreciated. The fact that any concert go’er knows the name Tom Petty another point as to why he’s so underappreciated. I feel sorry for tours with him headlining, how’s Tom Petty suppose to sell tickets. Well, after all I can he had to live in The Boss’s footsteps his whole career, maybe that’s why. Or he’s so vanilla he tends to blend in with his background, I don’t know.

the subdudes…wait for the new album in August!

You forgot Rory Gallagher

The Church

They’re the very definition of underappreciated artist. More than 25 years going, consistently strong albums, Still at it.

Flickerstick
Bon Jovi
Stone Temple Pilots
These bands are totally underrated-and do not fit into a specific genre-they are unbelievably great bands!

Tom Wait’s is an idiot. A poor man’s John Cafferty, if you will. Can’t sing, can’t write, and certainly can’t play. People are right to hate him.

THE TRAGICALLY HIP

Half this list is OVERappreciated.

I’m not sure how RS is defining “under-appreciated.” But, if I were to look define it, lack of popular success and/or critical clout would be two criteria. Using these as a basis, I’d suggest Nick Cave, Roy Harper, and Talk Talk. A lot of people seem to be saying the Pixies. But the Pixies have no lack of critical clout. A lot of people are also suggesting Richard Thompson. This seems like a good suggestion to me.

Material Issue belongs on this list

Tom Petty and Bob Seger? Turn on the freaking radio dude. You can’t miss them.

Blue Oyster Cult
Uriah Heep
Rufus Wainwright
Dream Theater
Symphony X

Zevon and Waits are gimmees as under-appreciated, but it defines them. If they were appreciated they way the probably should be, they’d lose some of their je ne sais quo. John Hiatt, on the other hand, deserves more!

How about the following.
Heart
XTC
Henry Rollins
De La Soul

lol i hate y ou

Captain Beefheart

Please re-do the list. someone at RS half assed this project.

WIDESPREAD MUTHA FUNKIN PANIC!!!

WIDESPREAD PANIC SHOULD BE NUMBER #1

Seger? Petty? The Cars? Not appreciated? C’mon! They’ve made millions and were chart toppers in their day. Put some thought into your lists. As a rock and roll magazine(at least until you put Britney Spears on your cover) you all should know more than anyone who are truly underappreciated ARTISTS and/or PERFORMERS. Where’s JJ Cale or Richard Thompson?!? Sheesh!

This is the stupidest list I’ve ever seen. What is this even supposed to mean? Are Sonic Youth and the Replacements really underappreciated? Maybe among people who read this shit magazine, but for those who know anything they get all the respect they deserve (which is a lot IMO).

Kajagoogoo
Culture Club
Bon Jovi
John Mellencamp

Tom Waits can’t even sing. John Mellencamp is waaaaay underappreciated. He’s a much more gifted songwriter than Springsteen or Nick Cave.

that is so cool that the cramps are on here, right on target with that one, but tom waits, he is not underappreciated, every trendy indie kid and wannabe coffee house poet goes on and on about that idiot, the only one more annoying to me is bob dylan, you should of went with nick cave instead

where are the kinks?

Since I just looked through 271 posts and saw no mention of the Old 97’s, I’d say they’re under appreciated. Check ‘em out live for a blistering show.

The Kills (not to be confused with the incredibly lame band The Killers)
Dead Moon
The Dirtbombs
Captain Beefheart
The Stranglers

Ray Davies and the Kinks ..top of the list ..Davies is one of the great treasures of contemporary songwriting,a true genious who with his band the Kinks shaped the early template of modern rock while also writing enduring classics like “Waterloo Sunset” and “Sittin” In the Midday Sun” that offered poetic insights into the human condition.

I’m not sure how RS gets away with putting the Cars at #16 when neither the Band nor Elliott Smith even made the list. Especially considering a ton of people wrote in for Elliott.

ps. “urSlave” has the worst music taste of all time.

What about Jeff Buckley, Sass Jordan, Iggy, Blind Melon, or John Frusciante’s solo work? …Tom Petty & Bob Seger are good but they really don’t qualify to be on the list. Kudos on Sonic Youth, I agree.

As said before, The Kinks. Also no mention of The Zombies, c’mon where would the world be without Odessey & Oracle

Bon Jovi? Under appreciated? They’re like number 4 for all time record sales.

Kajagoogoo? The one hit wonder?

Culture Club? Ugh. Don’t even get me started.

And some of you guys are naming bands no one has even heard of!

Yes, The Cars were an extremely influential and under appreciated band.

Yeah, The Kinks and The Zombies should be there too.

How about Great Big Sea and Alanis Morisette? The Hip may be underappreciated in the States but not up in Canada!

it’s in my opinion that Tom petty has too many god damn fans.

he’d make my overrated list.
although Damn the Torpedoes would make my underrated albums list. Cuz let’s face it, millions of college kids like my brother who go all the way to Connecticut just know “Breakdown” and “Free Fallin’” and don’t know how great things like “Century City” and “Here Comes My Girl” are.

I’ll go with The Band cuz they really deserve the cult following that The Grateful Dead get. How i look at those two bands is the same way i look at Phish and Wilco. Phish/Grateful Dead had the great live show and the cult following while The Band/Wilco wallow in obscurity with WAYYYYY better songs and albums than Phis/Grateful Dead.

Agreed on Tom Waits, but maybe that would change if he’d go on a real tour once in a while.

Gram Parsons

Everyone knows the genre changing artists who helped create a distinctive sound for their genre (Pearl Jam/Nirvana, NWA, The Beatles, Bob Dylan). But of all the genres, why is there no mention of the creators of alt-country? I love Wilco, and they brought a new audience to alt-country, but they did not start a new genre. Though many people consider Uncle Tupelo as the start of alt-country, remember they covered Parsons (Sin City anyone?). If UT can give respect where it is due, we should also.

How about Gram Parsons, Steve Earle, or Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Eels are definately underappreciated. As are Crowded House, Leonard Cohen, and Bjork.

The CHURCH. They have put out 9 career defining records since 2001. One of them was a double. Three of the greatest guitar players ever–atleast the last 25 years, THE CHURCH RULE!!!!!!!!!!!

Ry Cooder and Frank Zappa should have made the list. Also, Randy Newman in his pre-Disney days. What a wit!

Neil Young & CRAZY HORSE
The Ramones
Ween
Concrete Blonde

Tom Waits is underappreciated? Please. Like many on this list (or those off, like the Kinks) they’re loved well, and for good reason (, except for the Evil That Is Bob Seger).

So: best underappreciated. Easily:

The Comsat Angels
The Sonics
Bob Stinson
King Tubby
Edwyn Collins
Silver Apples
Lightning Bolt
Ultramagnetic MCs
The Clean
Not Big Star, but all/any Alex Chilton
Outrageous Cherry
Love
Mekons
Paul Collins
Scott Walker
Nancy Wilson
Wall of Voodoo
The Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments
McClusky
Long Fin Killie
Auteurs
Jandek

Tom Wait’s in the worst singer in the history of Rock & Roll. An ugly bastard, too. Known to be a horrible musician, it’s said that he’s even a worse person.

This is out of hand. Just list your favorite bands already. But don’t tell me that U2, The beatles, and Sublime are underappreciated.

That Tom Wait’s sure is one ugly bastard…..horrible looking, IMO

CLUTCH

I strongly agree with Devo being one of the most underappreciated bands but one band I know ALWAYS gets the snub (even on this list) is Oingo Boingo, you can tell that the little bratlings bands of today (or they call themselves “EMO”) like Fall Out Boy and especially Panic At the Disco are fans of Boingo or at least Danny Elfman, even Primus, System of a Down, and NIN site Oingo Boingo as one of their influences. Man, people don’t get Elfman and Oingo Boingo the praise that they deserve.

Great list, lets go way back, how about MITCH RYDER and the DETROIT WHEELS!!

Oh, so that everyone doesn’t think I’m a complete moron, I meant to say that “People don’t GIVE Elfman or Oingo Boingo the praise that they deserve.

Porcupine Tree must top the list, and I’m glad I’m not the only one who believes that. I’ll be even more glad if PTree finally get recognition they deserve, as by far the best band of the 21st century.

OASIS
CAKE
VAST
AMOS LEE
CAT STEVENS (PRE YUSUF)
DAVE MATTHEWS
PHISH

A shame no one’s mentioned the Bodeans…

Just 4 letters needed NRBQ

Matthew Sweet!!!

ditto on black rebel motorcycle club. also:

the jam
oasis
blur
ryan adams
the smiths
the libertines

RUSH
Steive Ray Vaughn
The Cult

All mandatory for any list regarding underappreciated artists.

I knew it was only a matter of time before someone mentioned the damn libertines!!! WHY??? The libertines are overrated for being considered, or even ever mentioned!!

Though they didn’t use to be, Oasis now is ludicrously underappreciated. Kudos for throwing Tom Petty, Warren Zevon, and the Cars on the list, RS. Not sure what the hell Sonic Youth’s doing on the list, though. I think they’re just about as appreciated as they deserve…

Please take Tom Waits wang out of your mouths.

GOMEZ
G. Love
Fiest
John Butler Trio
Citizen Cope

But I am glad they are not picked up by the MTV corp machine… I love the fact that I can go to a small venue and see real talent up close.

I think the list is pretty thoughtful and interesting, overall. I’m really glad to see Tom Waits, The Cars & Devo on the list.. Waits & Devo were undeservedly branded as novelty acts, and The Cars have a real poetic depth under the hood of their masterful pop anthems.

Tom Petty & Alic Cooper I might have a tough time considering ‘under-appreciated’.

Would love to see on the list: Elliott Smith & XTC.. both incredibly prolific and brilliant songwriters who rarely make the radio playlists..

Dissapointing!! No Low yo-yo!!
How did Captain beefheart not make it?!

I’d like to get Brokeback with Tom Wait’s…

RANDY NEWMAN
RANDY NEWMAN
RANDY NEWMAN

Easily the most underrated songwriter of the last 40 years.

No Can? For Shame!

elliot smith
guided by voices
spiritualized
super furry animals
mercury rev
talking heads
teenage fanclub
zwan. yes. zwan.

i see alot of people just putting down their favorite bands, and hard as this may be to believe, some of these are just regional acts, i think an underappreciated band is one that although everyone may know the song to hear it you would never know the bands Name. therefore,
ELO
the Verve
Asia
the Church
and please the next time i see Bjork i will vomit, she is just strange, something subtley sexy about her maybe but she is loopy.

King’s X
Local H
Mudhoney
At The Drive-In

I know it has been said many, many, times, but I agree that Tom Petty and Tom Waits are “critic’s darlings” and are in no way underappreciated in my opinion.

1. John Frusciante

Flaming Lips
NoFx
Robert Randolph
Left Over Salmon
Jeff Beck (we will dismiss the Idol thing)
Black Crows

Flaming Lips
NoFx
Robert Randolph
Left Over Salmon
Jeff Beck (we will dismiss the Idol thing)
Black Crows
Talking Heads
Primus

Champ you may puke if you see Bjork again but I just vomited a little in my mouth when I saw Asia….you are kidding right.

Procol Harum!!

The Stereophonics

My Morning Jacket

My Morning Jacket!

Nice call on The Replacements and Talking Heads. I’ve been saying that for years. But what about the Pixies?

Who could forget…..

Air Supply
Bay City Rollers
The Banana Splits

lots and lots of bands listed here that, if they had ever achieved the ‘appreciation’ some here believe they warranted…that i wonder how many of the same very people would’ve immediately disowned said bands for ’selling out’ or being ‘too mainstream’.

Lisa Loeb
Chronic Future

I like the comment that if they were appreciated by the main stream music world, most fans would consider them sellouts…So TRUE!

Where the heck is Leonard Cohen? He should be a serious candidate for #1

Ian Hunter
Alejandro Escovedo
Steve Earle
Killing Joke
Damian Rice
John Hiatt
Peter Murphy
Wilco
Duncan Browne

Harry Nilsson
Kinks

Nick Cave
Danzig
Leonard Cohen
Cake
Queensryche

check out the new release from phish’s keyboardist page mcconnell
myspace.com/pagemcconnell

Maybe not underappreciated by the record buying public, or by other musicians (Sex Pistols, Tina Turner, Cassandra Wilson, Smashmouth) but by the shallow and divisive rock’n'roll cognescenti known as music critics, its clear that The Monkees deserve some long overdue respect. These guys weren’t content to just churn out the mindless dribble foisted on them by pop impersario Don Kirshner – they were driven to write their own songs, play on their albums, and choose which sidemen to collaborate with. They were ballsy enough to introduce the world to Jimi Hendrix (on tour, prior to Woodstock, mind you)
took creative chances in the studio (Mickey Dolenz working with one of the first Moog synthesizers ever,) and gleaned musical inspiration from the most eclectic sources (any band who could write a tune like “Goin’ Down” after digging on Mose Allison’s “Parchment Farm” goes beyond “unsung.”) They pioneered the music video, exposed us to the ountry-rock musings of the equally unsung Mike Nesmith, and Mickey Dolenz is, hands-down one of the most dynamic voices in the field of 60s rock, period.

…that was the “country-rock musings of Mike Nesmith.” What?
No preview/edit button? Sheesh!

John Mellencamp for some reason gets disrespected alot, yet is at least as worthy if not more than Petty or Seger.

RUSH is also a band that is grossly underappreciated by many so called critics. (see RS on RUSH)

Neutral Milk Hotel

Um…

Nick Drake?
Pavement?
Can?
The Silver Apples?
Felt?
Television Personalities?
The Swell Maps?
The Modern Lovers?
Gang of Four?
Wire?
Brian Eno?
The Magnetic Fields?
Billy Bragg?
Blue Cheer?
Bonnie Prince Billy?
The Fall?
The Zombies?
Vashti Bunyan?
Robyn Hitchcock?
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel?
Television?

Barenaked Ladies

Furthermore…

The Wrens?
The Beta Band?
Leonard Cohen?
Neutral Milk Hotel?
Guided By Voices?
Kraftwerk?

Ok, really! How can we say bands like The Kinks, The Band, Zappa, Steely Dan, Tom Petty, Seger are under appreciated? They’re in the damn R&R Hall of Fame!

New Model Army
The Mekons
Blue Rodeo
The Tragically Hip
Jr. Gone Wild
The Redskins
Midnight Oil

check out patti smith’s new release
myspace.com/pattismith

New Oder
Stone Roses

alright how about
Gary Wright

XTC!

Man, they can’t even get respect on your underrated artists list.

also, check out the latest release from tori amos
myspace.com/toriamos

T. REX!!!

Local H – Great rock band that never got the recognition they deserve. They were doing the whole singer/guitarist-drummer-no bassist thing before the white stripes.

Tom Petty? Are you kidding? Shooting Star is the best clssic rock band that most people have never heard of.

With some of the names you’ve got on there, you might as well include Elvis, Dylan and The Beatles.

How about the Afghan Whigs or the Twilight Singers? Mark Lanegan solo work is pretty good stuff as well. Lou Reed too.

Thanks so much for including Sonic Youth. A band that good with some 20 albums, and they’ve gone GOLD like, twice?! Thanks for putting them high up.

Starflyer 59
Slowdive
Gram Parsons
Jeremy Enigk

DEVO – now there is a truly under appreciated band! From fashion to video, not to mention a genre not seen before which still sounds fresh today (25+ years later)
They were ripped-off!

Echo and the Bunnymen.

silverchair

What!?!?!??? No King’s X? Chronically underappreciated!

…loves King’s X! I promise!

Kenny Wayne Shepard
Johnny Lang
The Good Rats
Humple Pie
Soundgarden
Mountain

Patti Smith is a drunkard and a whore. She can burn in hell for all I care..

Man I wish Jellyfish had made that list. Such a great band – otherwise a great list.

The fans of these artists certainly appreciate them, at least. The rest can p*ss off.

Andrew Bird
Art Brut
Bevis Frond
Blur
Camper Van Beethoven
Die Kreuzen
Flaming Lips
Hüsker Dü
The Jam
Jeff Buckley
Jim White
John Kruth
M. Ward
Meat Puppets
Minutemen
The National
Paul Westerberg
Pernice Brothers
Replacements
Robyn Hitchcock
Silver Jews
The Wrens
Yo La Tengo

and

Tom Waits

sonic youth and ween… two of the most under appreciated band ever in my opinion… they totally deserve to be on this list

how about the kinks???

How ’bout Faith No More.

David Sylvian?
Matt Johnson?
Kim Salmon?

tom waits is underappreciated? that is insane.

missed the black keys, another great akron band that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. but what the hell do i know.

Where’s Patrick Swayze?

Spirit

I added up the number of votes for each band on the polling page. Here are the results and they are very different from the ‘official’ RS results.
Columns:
A-Rank by Public Votes;
B-Rank found in RS final top 25;
C-Band Name
D-# of public votes on poll page

A B C D
1 — kinks 55
2 — elo 40
3 2 replacements 34
4 — ben folds 31
5 23 wilco 31
6 3 cheap trick 29
7 — nick drake 27
8 1 tom waits 27
9 — faith no more 23
10 — pearl jam 23
11 — rush 23
12 — tragically hip 23
13 — xtc 23
14 18 alice cooper 20
15 16 cars 20
16 — pixies 20
17 — big star 19
18 — kings of leon 19
19 — ryan adams 19
20 — black crowes 17
21 — blind melon 17
22 — oasis 17
23 — alice in chains 16
24 — king crimson 16
25 25 ween 16
26 — band 15
27 — duran duran 15
28 21 hüsker dü 15
29 — jeff buckley 15
30 — jeff beck 14
31 — pavement 14
32 — counting crows 13
33 — neutral milk hotel 13
34 — pj harvey 13
35 — richard thompson 13
36 — roots 13
37 4 sonic youth 13
38 — t rex 13
39 — tom petty and the he 13
40 — blur 12
41 — cake 12
42 — elliott smith 12
43 9 talking heads 12
44 — tears for fears 12
45 — tori amos 12
46 — velvet underground 12
47 5 warren zevon 12
48 — fixx 12
49 8 roxy music 11
50 — peter gabriel 11

Here is the posted RS official top 25 with the actual number of votes from the public polling page listed to the right. Obviously some of the RS writers elevated their personal choices onto the list despite no showing in the polling.
Check out the next post for bands that got huge number of votes but were unfairly omitted from the top 25.

27 1. Tom Waits
34 2. The Replacements
29 3. Cheap Trick
13 4. Sonic Youth
12 5. Warren Zevon
19 6. Big Star
1 7. The Pharcyde
11 8. Roxy Music
12 9. Talking Heads
2 10. Bob Seger
10 11. Fugazi
2 13. The Cramps
4 14. The New York Dolls
15 15. The Band
20 16. The Cars
4 17. Pogues
20 18. Alice Cooper
5 19. Dinosaur Jr
7 20. Sleater-Kinney
15 21. Husker Du
2 22. Devo
31 23. Wilco
13 24. Tom Petty
16 25. Ween

The Free Design
Phil Ochs
Pretty Things
Kelly Pickler

frank zappa
frankie valli and four seasons
king crimson
john prine

How come all these “appreciated artists” like Dylan, the Stones, Zepplin, Elton, the Who, AC DC, EWF, Pearl Jam, ET add infinitum — havent started record companys to promote “under appreciated artists” —– Hummm Hummmm??? Because music is a business, and appreciation isnt part of the deal.

seeing Sleater-Kinney on this list made my day….they are a really fantastic band that never seems to get enough press

WOOO SLEATER-KINNEY!

Seeing Sleater-Kinney on this list made my day….i love that band……they’ve kicked ass since day one

All of the bands on your list are bands everybody’s heard of. How about some great touring bands, that play great shows, consistently show good turnouts at their venues, but get little or no radio play:
#1: String Cheese Incident
#2: Ratdog
#3: Robert Randolph
#4: Moe
#5: Railroad Earth

I’m still trying to figure out how String Cheese can pack large concert venues, and have albums in most record stores, with virtually no radio play, or media coverage.

grandaddy
merle haggard
giant sand

Corrosion of Conformity

A very underappreciated band, and one of the best live bands going today – Calexico.

Creating a list of the top 25 underappreciated is just really silly. If everybody agreed somewhat on the list than the people wouldn’t really be all that underappreciated. Underappreciated is like saying really good but not that many people like them.

The most overlooked guitarist is Jeff Beck who has actually improved with age. His last three CD’s “Who Else”, “You Had It Coming” and “Jeff” are superior to Blow By Blow and Wired. He is 62 years old and his guitar virtuosity and live performances are still spellbinding. Jeff Beck is revered by Page, Clapton, Gilmour, Brian May and Slash. He is also an animal-loving vegetarian for over 35 years. A very cool bloke !

Neil Young and CRAZY HORSE
The Cult
Concrete Blonde
Ween
The Bottle Rockets

How about Madness? Great British band that deserves much more praise.

TOOL – perhaps you’ve never heard of them, because you NEVER write about them in your crappy mag.

how about country artists?
Suzy Bogguss, great,great voice,
John Prine
Jimmy buffett(not quite country)
Lucinda Williams
Mary Gauthier
Guy Clark
Texas as a Whole!

How is Wilco underappreciated? They are very popular and critical darlings.

Here is one for you: The Cardigans.

Everybody dismissed the as too poppy after “Lovefool” but I think their earlier stuff (before 2000) is pretty darn good.

And I have to agree with Tom Petty. He has obviously had a lot of success but go listen to Widflowers. There isn’t a bad song on there.

Thanks for the tally and great post, aka; I’m hip to it.

Elvis Costello.

Here is one of the great songwriters of his generation that seems to be familiar to many only for ‘Allison’. He has, over the years, matured into a multi-faceted musician who’s written some of his best stuff as he nears fifty.
He obviously has a following, but, man, I rarely meet a knowledgeable fan…

WEEN!!!

I”ve been into these guys ever since god ween satan. Strange lads, funny lyrics..
They put on a good show

either you love tom waits, or you hate him.
there is no middle ground.
if you get his music, it’s authentic and heart-wrenching and more exciting than anything else you’ve ever heard.
if not, you just make fun of how ugly he is.
ps – he was more handsome when he was younger, just so you all know, but not that it matters at all.
i love me some tom waits!

Warren Zevon.

No kidding.
I have all of his CDs and his songwriting, rocking-ness, and influence in rock are definately underestimated.

Seriously, which of these bands are underappreciated?
What constitutes appreciated?
Who is the appreciator who previously did not appreciate, and what is appreciated in lieu of what should be appreciated?
How are your sales these days, boys?
sheesh

The experimental scene is very much underappreciated

John Zorn for Masada (ppl still ignore his accomplishment), Electric Masada, Naked City, Painkiller

Trey Spruance, Trevor Dunn and Mike Patton are underrated artists for : Secret Chiefs 3, Mr.Bungle, Fantomas, Tomahawk, Moonchild, Peeping Tom, Kaada/Patton, General Patton, Asva, DEP.

Dylan Carlson and his Earth

Sunn 0))) and Boris are not getting mainstream recognition…

Nobody mentioned CCR… In the late 60’s, nobody made it sound easier then John Fogerty. The quintessential American singles band, and Green River, Willy and the Poor Boys, and Cosmo’s Factory are three of the finest American rock albums ever. Without CCR, there may have never been bands like The Eagles, America and the Doobie Brothers. Yet, when great bands are brought up, CCR always seems to slip through the cracks.

Sloan
You Am I
Oingo Boingo
Railroad Jerk
Grifters

The Feelies
Slackdaddy
Kevn Kinney

What was the point of this list? Like most of the crap in RS…there is no point other than to make yet another stupid list.

Seger and Tom Waits and the Cars make sense, but Wilco might be the most overrated band of the last 10 years. History will shake them out of its hair.
And whoever said Elvis Costello is underrated is mistaken, since that guy will do anything — tribute albums, duets, TV commercials — but his job.

The Eels
Radio Birdman ( late 70’s u tube – “New Race” awesome)
The Sunnyboys (early 80’s debut self titled album. Utube – “Happy Man” very cool)
The Jam
The Church
Tragically Hip
Fugazi
Pavement
Bob Mould
Buffalo Tom
You Am I

How about a list of the stupidest lists of all time?

XTC!!!!! come on!

Buckner and Garcia
of “pac-man fever” fame

Jeff Buckley. The end.

Jeff Buckley, end of story.

What about The Embarrassment? Quite possibly one of the best bands you’ve never heard of,,, They were around for just a short time in the late 70’s-early 80’s, Great lyrics, excellent playing, and one of the best bands to see live,,
Check out “Heyday” by them sometime,, then add them to your list.

Cheap Trick? There was a time when I was a kid when they were huge! T-Rex, however, barely a ripple. Always thought that Marc Bolan was just some glam wannabe, but it turns out the man was an extremely focused & talented musician who never got his due in the States. Electric Warrior alone should have placed him on this list.

whoever thinks that Tom Petty is underappreciated is an idiot. that list is a joke

There are a lot of millionaires on this list. Tom Petty’s not really starving for appreciation. More than a few of these artists could have been bumped for folks like Townes Van Zandt, Luna, Mark Lanegan, Neutral Milk Hotel, the Pernice Bros., Whiskeytown, Shout Out Louds, and Steve Earle.

“not bad. at least you got two of mine in there”

thats rolling stone for ya. always safe. never going out on a limb. just trying to sell, sell, sell.

Oh Yeah
Uncle Tupelo

The Hoodoo Gurus
Rush
Drivin n Cryin
Mother’s Finest (early years)

if their so underrated…write about them,rolling stone.

Actually I think that the love hate for Tom Waits is more 15% love, 20% hate, 65% various degrees of like. And yeah CCR are critically under-rated. I think because they made it look so easy.

Tom Petty, Bob Seger and The Cars?!?!?! 1. Petty’s classic but not underappreciated. 2. Bob Seger is OVERappreciated, if anything (though he does have some classic tunes), 3. The Cars were huge!

How about: Uncle Tupelo, The Jayhawks, Steve Earle, Nick Drake, Damien Jurado, The Gourds, Townes Van Zandt and maybe T. Rex.

Lord, RS is so budget.

Apocalypse.

Tragically under-rated, these South London boys paved the way for the likes of The Stone Roses, Oasis, and pretty much any band of consequence to come out of England since their halcyon days in 1981/82.

“Going Up In The World” remains one of the songs that defines a very particular period in British music.

For an all too brief period they shone like stars in the summer night.

del amitri, del amitri, and also del amitri. how this band remains not only underappreciated but almost entirely unknown rattles my brain.

del amitri, del amitri, and del amitri. how this band can remain unknown, let alone underappreciated, rattles my brain.

Frank Stallone or maybe Rick Springfield

I love the concept, and most of the list. A good criteria for an underappreciated band is when they appear in national ads years after their music was recorded. Examples include:

Buzzcocks (VW)
Clash (Cadillac??!!)
Jam (Start is a great, great song)
They Might be Giants (VW, I think)
Ramones (a zillion ads and a zillion sporting events)
Romantics (what I like about you never was a hit).

I also agree with artists that recorded a lot of albums, and still tour, like XTC, Elvis Costello, Graham Parker, Marshall Crenshaw.

Cheap Trick is so influential, I was glad to see them on the list.

Gene Clark
John Martyn
House of Love
Moody Blues
Love
Built to Spill
Supergrass

guided by voices.

nuff said.

It really is a trajedy that no one knows about

BILL MALLONEE (Vigilantes of Love)

A true and wonderful artist

My BLood Valentine?

BECK!!!!!!
frank zappa
beck
flaming lips
beck
captain beefheart
beck
pj harvey
beck
bjork

does anybody realise that alot of the stuff you call “wierd” is actually very enjoyable if you just accept it for what it is???
these artists are very creative, and therefore very entertaining.
its a shame they dont get the recognition they deserve =]
ps- in case you couldnt tell… i think beck is pretty underrated….duh.

Don´t forget Scritti Politti! Anyway, I´m glad RS did such a crappy list, otherwise we wouldn´t have this entertaining debate and get reminded about all these great bands!

bla ,bla, none of you talk to musicians..because if you do they will tell you: LIVING COLOUR!

LIVING COLOUR!!

soo obvious

And allow me to add:

Joe Henry
Guadalcanal Diary
Magazine
Jane Siberry
Wire
Killing Joke
Stranglers
Penetration

Bill Nelson
Sam Philips
Throwing Muses
Tom Robinson
HP Lovecraft
The Move
Siouxsie and the Banshees
The Neats
Dada
Folk Implosion
Silverchair
Blinke r The Star
Plastics
Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Klaatu
Innocense Mission
Suburban Lawns
Telex
Our Lady Peace
Grant Lee Buffalo
Godley and Creme
His Name Is Alive
Jim Carroll
Deep Purple
Firehose

hum

Uncle Tupelo
Son Volt
Neil Young&CRAZY HORSE
Ween
Bottle Rockets
Concrete Blonde
Drivin n Cryin

It all depends upon how one describes underappreciated. By whom? Critics, Rolling Stone, the record buying public, radio? Led Zeppelin went largely ignorned while the press told us every time Mick and Keiff sneezed. Van Halen was lambasted by the media and critics alike.

i agree with monsieur, mike patton is fantastic, tomahawk, peeping tom, fantomas, faith no more, mr bungle, patton/kaada, it is fantastic!!!

Cooper, Petty and The Dolls, all mentioned?! OMG, Rollingstone you finally got something right!

I always think of an underappreciated band in terms of a band that is known for one or two huge hits, while the rest of their work goes almost completely unnoticed, even though it’s even better than “the hits”. These come to mind:

Aimee Mann
Our Lady Peace (in the 90’s)
Midnight Oil
Faith No More

god who could forget Concrete Blonde. Maybe the greatest rock vocalist (Johnette Napolitano) of all time, and they are relegated to a little cult following

King’s X
King’s X
King’s X
These guys have been working their assess off for 20+ years, making the best hard rock, and getting snubbed by the industry.

I isn’t never heard of nair’n of these peoples. Whar’s Nickelback, Creed and Toby Keef? Now that’s whut I call music! Feel bad for you RS!!!

The Blues Brothers.

If you listen very closley, you can actually hear goat piss turning into gasoline.

1 Queen
2 Genesis
3 Electric Light Orchestra

A LOT of people forget easily that in the 70´s with Led Zeppelin on the rock side and ABBA on the pop one, these guys (especially the ELO) rocked the decade in an amazing way.

QUEEN – Lauded the world over except in the USA

Violent Femmes

Van Morrison.

‘Nuff said.

Me.

I am underappreciated.

No one understands.

“Julian Banks” from the Apaches of Paris in Austin Tx — The greatest unsung Female Vocalist and songwriter in America.

Warren Zevon should definately be at the top of that list

ANI DIFRANCO!!!!

Ani is one of the best songwriters alive today. She deserves credit for being so kickass – check her out!!!!

Television Personalities?
The Fall?
Black Lips?
The Brian Jonestown Massacre?
Amon Duul II?
Wire?
The Walkmen?

Steve Kilbey, the vocalist, lyricist and bass player for the Church is the most underappreciated individual in rock music. In addition to being the frontman for the Church for the past 27 years he has also recorded several refined and dynamic solo CDs and he has fronted for quality bands called Jack Frost. Isidore and Gilt Trip. In addition to being a great vocalist whose voice is a hybrid of David Gilmour and Bono, Steve kilbey can play myriad instruments and has recorded three all instrumental CDs. He is a fantastic solo acoustic performer who garnered rave reviews for his concert at World Vegan Day in Australia 2006.

i read some of the comments and no one mentions Jethro Tull,,how bout DREDG, Meshuggah, or even clutch…

It’s nice to see The Church getting such high praise. I got their best-of last Christmas, and I enjoyed it a lot. There are quite a few bands out there that were underappreciated in their time, and they are more appreciated now than they were then. That is certainly the case for The Church, and others like Echo and the Bunnymen, The Smiths, The Jam, Violent Femmes (whose debut album is timeless)… even Elvis Costello. These guys were hugely influential in the late 70’s and through the 80’s. One cannot listen to the latest efforts by the Kaiser Chiefs and Hot Hot Heat and not hear The Jam. Another personal favorite of mine who should have been more popular back in the day was The Smithereens, which surprises me that nobody mentioned them so far. And for those Pittsburgh fans, there’s the Iron City Houserockers, the best damn bar band nobody ever heard of.

DADA
JELLYFISH
XTC
LIGHTNIN G SEEDS
BAUHAUS/LOVE AND ROCKETS/
/TONES ON TAIL

hmmm… I was going to mention Bauhaus/Love and Rockets… Jesus and Mary Chain deserve a mention, as well as Joy Division/New Order.

..Oh yeah, Jesus and Mary chain,
Joy Division/New Order, definately,,

also Gene loves Jezabel..

Ween should at least be in the top 5…WTF

Uncle Tupelo anyone?

Who keeps mentioning Our Lady Peace?? You must be joking.

Whiny, blatant Smashing Pumpkins ripoffs. The only reason they made any impact is because canadian content laws force-fed them down our throats.

Although I don’t think it’s fitting to mention someone who is in the RNR Hall of Fame, what about Steely Dan ??? Is it just me, or is this another one of those forgotten groups (like CCR) ??? Steely Dan also made it look pretty easy.

well one thing i have to say is awesome call putting the cramps on the list. that is truly an underrated band.

ELLIOTT SMITH!!!!!!

FLOATER!!!!!

bob seger definitely
the pixies
matthew good band (they are big in Canada)
feist

How about Rufus Wainwright and Nick Cave? Defintely two of the greatest underappreciated artists of our time.

Saw Fogerty in Spokane in 04; danced my ass off… almost had a heart attack (I’m 65) it would have been worth it. What more can you say?

the feelies

Not a list without Greg Dulli and the Afghan Whigs/Twilight Singers.

Gene Clark is by far and away the most underappreciated artist ever. Clark was the true creative genius behind the Byrds. Clark wrote those gorgeous melodies and incredible lyrics for the early Byrds albums. Before the Byrds, there was Frankie Vali and Dion. How bad was that? Gene Clark and the Byrds led the American rock revolution in the sixties, influencing everyone, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Jefferson Airplane, Buffalo Springfield (with Neil Young, Stephen Stills, etc.), Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, REM, etc.

Also heavily influenced by Clark (Dillard and Clark), the Byrds, and the Flying Burrito Brothers were country rock bands like the Eagles and Poco, and country performers like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.

Clark’s solo album, No Other, is undeniably among the very best ever, and certainly the most underappreciated.

I have to say, that while the Hearbreakers were a great band, and Tom Petty was probably the most dedicated of Byrds-influence performers, Petty is vastly over-appreciated.

UPP
Connor
Tomcraft

Tim Easton, Kathleen Edwards, Doug Kwartler, Jay Farrar

Not that this list means anything but the one group that deserves all the praise and respect is the Super Furry Animals. That band is amazing in every aspect and 99% of people have no clue who they are. Its a shame. Bob Seger just blows…

Led Zeppelin, despite most media(yes, including rs) doing everything to ignore them, they became one of the most popular bands anyhow. Just imagine how much more popular they would have become if they had been given as much media hype as rollingstone reserved for, say Bob Dylan, the beatles, et al.

the Dead Milkmen

O.M.D.
The Stranglers
Ministry (both early and newer stuff).

Where the heck is Primus? Their bassist has to be the best that ever lived and they get NO credit whatsoever.

If anyone thinks Tom Petty is not underappreciated, then you are stupid. Him AND his band have been rock solid for thirty years, and still no one thinks of anything but free fallin’ and mary jane’s last dance (granted, great classic songs). Branch out to his other songs and maybe you’ll agree.

Morphine

Bad Brains

T e l i v i s i o n

Jason Ringenberg (a true songsmith)
Jason and the Scorchers

and definately
WEBB WILDER *The last of the full
grown men

Spot-on summary of the Dolls. Early RnR fun plus later RnR fury! Sylvia… How you call your loverboy? TRASH!

Hasn’t anybody mentioned Manic Street Preachers? Huge everywhere but US. “The Holy Bible” is manditory listening.

Better than Ezra…and Ben Folds!

i like the list, but i gotta agree that Primus should be there, especially in the top 10. if you put tom waits at number one, just think about bone machine. les claypool and tom waits made some abjectly beautiful sounding music.

With an undertaking such as this, you’re bound to get “add-ons,” fans trying to promote their favorite bands.

This is a brilliant list! And Tom Waits at #1…

Wow!
No female solo artists or groups!

My vote:
Lucinda Williams

The very definition of underrated is Slowdive. Their first album was weak but everything else they did was sonic perfection.

Their record company didnt get them so just tried to bury them and hope they disappear. They’re probably more recognized now then the 13 years ago when they changed their name to Mojave 3.

I’M SERIOUS – SLOWDIVE

some may consider QOTSA a big band, but if you want real fun and power listen to KYUSS…no other band did it better and yet they never made big bucks…green machine rules!

Yeah Long Side!! Gun Club!!
It’s funny (well, not really) when an artist dies they either go into legendarium (yes, I believe there’s such a word) or become forgotten about and eventually become members of the Legendarium Club decades later (Nick Drake, Marc Bolan,Gram Parsons)and there are some who have not “crossed over” still waiting for their membership application to be accepted.
These artists are waiting to belong:
Jeffrey Lee Pierce
Kevin Coyne
Alex Harvey

Idiots make the longest comments on these boards…

Sleater-Kinney, dumbass.

“Mr.Tim | 5/4/2007, 1:30 am EST

Wow!
No female solo artists or groups!

My vote:
Lucinda Williams”

WHERE IN THE HECK ARE THE GUIDED BY VOICES SUPPORTERS??????
LEAD SINGER SONGWRITER ROBERT POLLARD HAS WRITTEN TONS OF CLASSICS AND THEIR ALBUMS “BEE THOUSAND”, “ALIEN LANES”, AND “ISOLATION DRILLS” ARE ABSOLUTE CLASSICS.
STILL THEY HAVE LOW SALES COMPARED TO SUCH GARBAGE TRIPE LIKE JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE(THE POOR MAN’S MICHAEL JACKSON BEFORE MICHAEL WENT BONKERS CREEPY).
THEY STILL HAVE A VERY STRONG FOLLOWING BUT A CULT FOLLOWING AND POLLARD IS A FREAKIN’ GENIUS AND ONE OF THE IF NOT THE MOST PROLIFIC SONGWRITER EVER.

Most of these acts are over-appreciated not under. What kind of definition are you using?

The Mars Volta

Marc Bolan is the most underrated rock artist of all time, especially by Rolling Stone Magazine, and consequently, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

No Bolan, no half the music from the 70s til today.

Graham Parker. Great for 30 years.

They’re all either rich or have squandered their riches. I recognize all the names but a couple, so they have a measure of fame. What criteria, indeed.

KiSS

Procol Harum
XTC

is there anything more fun RIGHT NOW (van halen)..then these RS blogs?
Steve Miller is someone I came up with way way later, after I thought about it for awhile.
He’s similar to Bob Seger in that if you don’t know the early stuff, specifically here, Steve Miller #5, you don’t have a good grasp of their rock n roll CREdentials.
XTC. the best at what it is they do…unexplainable phenomena,. WOW.

umm… What about Mannequin Heads?

LISA GERMANO

Paris Hilton

that list makes me sick. it should be list of under-appreciated AMERICAN artists because clearly thats those are the only artists americans know anything about.

what about the tragically hip? as if they aren’t one of the best bands of all time…. or what about silverchair? (listen to diorama and tell me they aren’t amazing). or what about Sam Roberts? our Our Lady Peace? Alexisonfire?

WEEN?!?!??! what the hell is wrong with you people? thats novelty, not music.

KISS by far…..how is this band NOT in the R’n R Hall of Fame

Whwere is Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band? They should have been Number 1.

Jellyfish.

new york dolls johnny thunders mc5 stooges

Duran Duran. The epitome of underappreciation in the real sense of the word.

COCTEAU TWINS & Diamanda Galas

What about Widespread Panic?

Peter Gabriel. It’s shameful that he’s still not in the RnR Hall of Fame. He’s been making adventurous, vivacious, progressive music for over 30 years, and working hard to promote other musicians as well.

Bar far the most underrated overlooked band has got to be Jethro Tull. The R&R Hall of Fame is a complete joke and imo totally irrelevent without this unique and totally original band. Unlike bands like Led Zep which are merely glorified garage bands (i.e great sound but nothing original whatsoever offered), Tull has maintained its originality despite the pressures from rock critics to turn out what Zappa would term “product.”

Alice Cooper? Tom Petty? The Cars? Those guys get played ALL THE TIME, do HUGE arena shows, and are incredibly well known. Bob Seger is one of the most OVERRATED musicians ever. He’s not awful, but EVERYONE knows who he is. no Blind Melon, no Faith No More, no Mark Lanegan, not even the Pixies, a given looking at this list…this seemed like more of an obvious critical darlings love letter than what it could have been, a cool way to get people’s attention and get them to listen to great music they’ve never heard before. If Blind Melon becomes trendy, suddenly we will hear Rolling Stone singing their praises. Remember, Rolling Stone gave Nevermind THREE STARS. speaking of which, I’m surprised that Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Bon Jovi and The Beatles, judging by what you did (for the most part – props for Pouges, Devo, Cramps and Sonic Youth)

Not good…Not at all. I’ll wait five years for the next one.

Little Feat
Sonny Landreth

Have to agree with Paul about Gene Clark; if you follow the lineage from Dillard and Clark, you have most of the top American bands in the 60’s through 80’s.
Joni Mitchell, while a “holiness on the FM radio” in the 60’s, is almost totally absent from “oldies” sites today.

I also have to go with Faith No More as an underrated band. They had a huge influence on other artists but are rarely recognized outside of Mike Patton maniacs.

Are you kidding me? Half of the bands listed hre have sold millions upon millions of discs and routinely sell out large halls and arenas. Tom Petty? The Cars? Talking Heads? Bob Segar is so OVER-rated that it is laughable that he should be mentioned. This list reads like the playlist from a 1980’s MOR rock station. The bands that should have made this list were XTC, Captain Beefheart, The Kinks, Love, Brian Eno, Frank Zappa and others who paved the way for so many mediocre bands but never got the acclaim they deserve. Don’t get me wrong, Talking Heads, Wilco and Tom Waits are three of my all time favs, but they have all received nothing but glowing reviews and accolades from the critics and fans. The Replacements, Husker Du, Dinosaur Jr. are deserving and underappreciated.

I can’t believe you didn’t list The Blasters. These guys were (and are) the John Steinbecks of Rock ‘n’ Roll– muscular, intelligent, insightful, incisive and thoroughly, gloriously American.

The Tragically Hip, by far. They just put out the finest disk of their 15 year career.

In my part of the south, people think I’m refering to a medical procedure.

Where’s Mott the Hoople, the Minutemen, X, Nick Drake, John Cale, Dave Edmunds, Iggy & the Stooges, Teenage Fanclub, the 3 O’Clock or Sparks, huh?

I can’t believe no mention of Dary Hall and John Oates! Their music is so influential and ubiquitous! I hear them constantly, sampled and original. Tak about underappreciated, these guys are the definitive underappreciated band!

The Ramones are nowhere to be found? Maybe I don’t understand the criteria…

Bands you have slagged over the years that still have a solid fan base: Iggy Pop and/or The Stooges, Grand Funk Railroad, Concrete Blonde, New York Dolls, Ramones. Tom Petty is not under-appreciated, he’s an over-played Dylan wannabe.

The real interesting list to make is of the most overappreciated artists in R&R; oh man! It goes to hundreds. Every week the media names at least 2 or 3.

And how about Mashmakhan?

Kudos to the person mentioning Morphine. Good call man…

Rancid, Sweet, Social Distortion, Powerman 5000, High Frequency, i can write many more but don’t have the time

the fact that everyone seems to be coming up with their own list (with similarities and differences) of bands, i think part of the problem is simply picking too small a number to represent some of the vast amount of underappreciated artists. and what defines a musical contribution in whose eyes (the buyer and/or the seller) and what defines a successful career?

Kudos on Alice Cooper and Devo. How about Alex Harvey, The James Gang, Quicksand, Audience, Blue Oyster Cult, The Glass Harp,UFO, Gary Numan and Canned Heat?

The Jayhawks!!!!!!

What about Paul Mccartney ??? The guy helped change music and you guys never give him credit because he`s still alive and rockin…Band on the run was as good if not better than any of lennon solo record. and not to mention pauls one of the best players in the world a ace guitarist and keyboard player and song writter and vocalist..you people will be sorry when he`s gone..PAUL IS GOD !!

I the US oasis are never credited with the influence they have had,
Rolling Stone resolutely refuses to acknowledge this seminal group. In this weeks NME Live Forever was voted teh Greatest Indie Anthem of all time.
Its proably because they are British and cocky with it.

The Ramones

Robert Johnson, Janis Joplin, Memphis Minnie, Bessie Smith, Syd Barret

Add to the list Peter Frampton who is still doing great work.His last cd,all all instrumental was excellent.Another Artist that goes under appreciated is Walter Trout.Considered to be one of the top 10 best guitarists in the world.

SUE MEDLEY ueber alles!!!

RS and you guys seem to forget that many bands simply have a small local or geographical following and thus simply are never heard in many other parts of the world. Doenst mean they are underated, it just means that many of us dont even know they exist.For instance The Tragically Hip have a huge Canadian following, but are almost unheard of in the States, Same goes with Scottish Bands Big Country and Simple Minds, which are huge in the UK and EU but are small influences in North America.
Anyways, thanks for all the bands you listed, 90% of them which I never heard of.Ill try to find some of them at a used record or pawn shop.

i like Tom Petty, but he is over-appreciated if you ask me. There are far too many artists left off this list to even begin with. Tom Waits is a great number one though…. however this list does not, and could not, cover the true injustices in music. That is, the bands that could never be even considered because no one even knows of them, and may be some of the best bands in the world. I can think of some and I’m no slouch, but you wouldn’t know who they are anyways, and I’m sure there are some of yours I wouldn’t know of….

John Hiatt
Townes Van Zandt
Guy Clark
Steve Earle
Rodney Crowell
Billy Joe Shaver
(these guys are some of the best songwriters and performers of our time and they don’t get the recognition and especially radio airplay that they deserve.)

Reading this list makes me realize how fortunate we are to have so many great musicians to listen to. I’m happy to see that a few people mentioned who I consider to be most underappreciated: RYAN ADAMS; also his band Whiskytown. I’m in full agreement with JohnGA when he says that ultimately my top fave BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN remains essentially a cult hero.

The Church
Small Faces
Ronnie Lane
Thin Lizzy-(the original three
Jorma Kaukonen
Moby Grape
Love
Brian Jonestown Massacre

Wake up

I agree with the Top 10 entirely (and by the way, anyone who disses Tom Waits blindly as I’ve seen should not even be able to hear music let alone write), except that maybe Seger would have to make room for XTC. Truly one of the most underrated bands, moreso than the Cars, man.

to the guy that said Paul McCartney is unappreciated: What the hell are you taking about man? NO WAY is Band on the Run anyway near as good as anything Lennon released. But Paul has still gotten plenty of appreciation. Ask his ex, she took half of it.

Born an orphan in Ireland 1953 and not finding out this precious snippet of info until I was a raging rock and roll mythalogical alcoholic 40 something going through a costly [emotional and phiscal] divorce, and both my mothers [maternal and adoptive] dieing in the same month of the same year September 95. I reached for the people who stood by me in troubled times. Brothers and sisters? [I had none] true friends of the local kind? all gone thier own separate ways and had thier own shit to culture. The needle scratched and Dylan returned,I hadn’t heard him for so long and like all true friends he appeared without request so did Cohen and above all Tom Waites, he placed his music and words at my feet and I walked with him into my future with Dylan and Cohen just a couple of steps behind and as the road spread out before us I heard Young, Taylor, Browne and Seger all speaking thier peace for my soul to recover from the ravages of this unapreciating world. I stood alone amongst them and thanked myself for keeping them alive in me and within thier conciet my life is no longer a dream and so I move along the road. To all of them I send my appreciation and greatfull thanks.
Peace Tom ‘O

Bands & people I like who you’ve probably never heard of…so they would fall into the broad GrandCanyon of under-appreciated…

1.John ny Japes and his Jesticles.
2.Some Girls.
3.The Deaths.
4.Pedal Steel Transmission
5.Tin Huey
6.Steve Forbert
7.Chelsea on Fire
8.Dennis Linde
9.the Hellecasters

i agree with most of the list very nice of you to include the cramps, but it is missing people who go from the norm, cheap trick? bob segar? not a chance, records sales say they are pretty well appreciated. the list is missing silverchair, nick cave and the bad seeds, danzig, and maybe megadeath, but just maybe

Wings (Paul McCartney) what I think happen is the bad reputation McCartney have with his solo work dont make people look further to his work.which is simply brilliant and containts more gems than any other solo artits. People are lazy! Yes Band On The Run was very good.but he did lots of other albums that are so diversified. He was a genius in The Beatles why cant he be alone too?.

and SUPERTRAMP! those are what musicianship is all about….

yep Tom Waits is the perfect number one.
well done!

yep Tom Waits is the *perfect* numero uno.
well-done!

yep i absolutely *agree* with Tom Waits as numero uno.
well done!

The Partridge Family
The Brady Kids
The Bananna Splits
Bay City Rollers
The DeFranco Family
Starland Vocal Band
G.G. Allin

THE CHURCH. maybe most under appreciated band going. They are are still making exciting music, full of artistry and integrity. very hard not to love them, if you know them…

agree with all who mentioned THE CHURCH. Steve Kilbey is one of the best lyricists ever, and the guitar work in the band is truly amazing. A very special band, and definitely under appreciated. Reat artists making gorgeous and challenging music…

maybe the Talking Heads didn’t sell so many records, but they always enjoyed critical acclaim and a huge fan following. XTC, however, didn’t sell one tenth as much and are as important and influential as them were. and more important, they’re still playing!

A deuce for your top 50 greats & underrated lists.
George Martin, Phil Spector ain’t got nothin’on him.
Randy Newman, brilliant songwriter, overlooked by that joke in Cleveland too. There’s Dylan, Lennon-McCartney and Newman. Not Simon. Not Springsteen.

Jellyfish
Thomas Dolby
Klaatu
Godley & Creme
King’s X

Butthole Surfers: “Hairway to Steven” deserves to be recognized as one of the most profound albums of the 20th century. These guys did it their own way, and made some of the most beautiful demented music ever. If you have not been satisfied with music for a long time, and something inside you is a little “twisted” then you must seek out the Butthole Surfers. Get anything up to and including “Pioughd.”

John Paul Jones. Probably the most versatile and gifted member of the most gifted band, Led Zeppelin. Totally agree with ‘by fans or media’s comment.

Without a doubt…

NRBQ!!!

Peter Hammill.

But who’s the comedian who suggested Paris Hilton? Best joke ui’ve heard all day LOL

Tech N9ne

How did you miss these three?
1.Daniel Johnston
2.Jonathan Richman and the modern lovers
3.Animal Collective

KISS is the name your stupid list should start and end with, since your crap mag has never given them one ioata of respect. Also, Pearl Jam is ten times the band Nirvana ever thought of being.

cheap trick is the reason of the excistence of smashing pumpkins,soundgarden,guns and roses,pearl jam,motley,etc,etc…they are still sooo great!viva cheap trick carajoooo!!!

I have to agree with those who said Fishbone, King’s X, Zappa, Los Lobos and Gov’t Mule. I would add Living Colour, Galactic, and Clutch.

Tom Petty tried to take the drums out of rock music. His later music is all drum machine crap. Nirvana not only drove the hair bands out of music but drove out the likes of Tom Petty and the other tired classic rock stars who reduced the roles of their band mates by using session musicians and drum machines.

I sitting here listening to Billy Joel’s “Turnstiles,” on vinyl, and I’m thinking: Hmmm…maybe he should have been added to this list….

The Monkees are the most underrated bands ever. They had Mickey onE of the best rock and roll singers ever Davey inventor of the axl dance and some of the best songs written by some of the best song writers ever.. Gotta love them MONKEES

Laura Nyro had an influence on a lot of female artists. Ever listen to Eli and the Thirteenth Confession? You’d never guess it was released some 40 years ago. She was a tremendous song writer who wasn’t afraid to take risks with her instrument.

I am trully amazed that no one has included “The Hollies”. This band has been hugely successful for more than 40 years, are still touring to-day and fill most of their venues, selling out some. Constantly they are overlooked and should surely be included in the R&R hall of fame for recognition of their acheivments. There is no better Guitarist than Tony Hicks or frontman vocalist than Alan Clarke

The Klezmatics!

You include a couple inductees of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on your list of Most “Underappreciated” Artists? And I thought your political opinions were comical.

Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Social Distortion
Waylon Jennings
Definately agree with Tom at #1 Though…Oh and don’t forget the Pixies whom Nirvana completely ripped off..and did I mention Waylon Jennings?

The Kinks, X, XTC, Squeeze, Go-Go’s, English Beat. Also the 2 “Mermaid Avenue” albums of unfinished Woody Guthrie songs by Billy Bragg & Wilco were modern day classics – a shame that they’ve been more or less ignored by the mainstream. Check them out.

Soul Coughing and their frontman Mike Doughty!

Just a Few Off the top of my head..
Leonard Cohen
Nick Cave
Social Distortion
Soul Asylum
Buffalo Tom
Okkervill River
Screaming Trees
Misfits(Danzig era only)
Ryan Adams
Violent Femmes
Dogs D’amour
Waylon Jennings
Counting Crows
Mazzy Star
Rancid
Pixies
Joseph Arthur….Okay I’ll shut up now

Add:

Roddy Frame
Graham Parker
Richard Thompson
Prefab Sprout

Steve Morse & The Dixie Dregs
Ronnie Montrose
NRPS

…all not obscure but highly underrated.

Good call on Ween and Wilco.
What about Richard Hell and My Morning Jacket?

I think it should be specified that it’s ‘Alice Cooper’ the band which deserves appreciation. Alice Cooper the guy (Vincent Furnier) is kind of a goob. Neal Smith, Dennis Dunnaway, Glen Buxton & Michael Bruce, these were the good part of Alice Cooper.
Has anyone ever heard of Red Lorry Yellow Lorry? The Wedding Present? Chocolate Zulu? Ned’s Atomic Dustbin. Poster Children. The Rosemarys. The Lightning Seeds. I also agree that Nick friggin Drake deserves a shot.
Many of these ‘additions’ have had their moment in the sun. The glory can’t last forever. Like Jane’s Addiction. They were huge for a while. They were like NIN or Chili Peppers, played on every station. & I’m sure the Beasties get their props. But no list can be perfect since everyone’s got an asshole. I mean opinion.

I see several people mention Leonard Cohen. I am a huge & longtime fan of Cohen, but I don’t think he’s that underappreciated. The people who count know & love him. He doesn’t want to be a pop star. They made a movie last year of artists covering (& appreciating) his music.

How many times is Bob going to post Ween, when they’re already on the list?!

Re: (champ | 5/1/2007), by that logic DRAMARAMA needs to be on there. Everyone, & I mean EVERYone knows the song “Anything Anything” (”I’ll give you candy, give you diamonds, give you pills, I’ll give you anything you want, hundred-dollar bills!”) but most people don’t know who it is.

But there is something to be said for people having the following they want. Let’s not forget that artists being appreciated is dependent upon artists appreciating their fans.

Little Feat
Climax Blues Band
Nils Lofgren (with Grin & E-Street)
Mott the Hoople

Nazareth, Budgie, Clutch, Peter Gabriel-era Genesis, Tripping Daisy, super-early pre sell-out Scorpions.

How about a little ‘ol band called Saint Vitus?

BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE I SAY !!!! DIG !!! ANTON!!! JOEL !!!MATT !!!

Cat Stevens

Angelo Badalamenti; Chris Isaak.

The way RS skewed the results of this doesn’t surprise me. Think back to all the other lists they’ve posted online and in print. When was the last time anyone was satisfied? And marnr67, “Century City” and HCMG are awesome…it’s beyond me why “Century City” wasn’t a hit. But TP does have way too many STUPID fans that only want to hear the monster hits. I stay away from them. I wonder how many people have more than just the Hits package. Not too many, I’d bet.

Why people keep writing these next letters?

X T C

No one has mentioned Sha Na Na yet?
What gives?

After going through the list I see nobody picked one of the most left off had great originality.
############################ #####
KANSAS
###################### ###########
They said it right with
the song
all we are is
DUST IN THE WIND
I guess they are the unappreciated

um…Gram Parsons?

KYUSS
KYUSS
KYUSS

Well i thought about this and about who deserved to be appreciated more than any band I can think of and it was an easy choice – The Church – totally under-appreciated in their own country and, despite the band being still around for over 25yrs having never broken up, still produce quality atmospherically charged music in the studio and live on stage, have a brilliant original, yes original, lyricist lead singer/bass player Steve Kilbey, two damn good guitar players Peter Koppes and Marty Willson-Piper and a hot drummer Tim Powles, have still not been recognised for their contribution to the music industry. I dont know what they have to do to get recognition. Isnt it about time they at the very least got inducted into the Hall of Fame? If they ever did, i would tell them to not even accept unless the ARIA people had the decency to give them top billing on the night, anything less would be a huge insult.

C’mon, Tom Waits underappreciated? You gotta be kidding. Even my old dad knows who that is.

This list is missing The Church, which should be on top of the list. In fact, it should not be so under-appraciated and thus get on this list to begin with. Very few bands lasted this long, with so many great ablums, new and exciting styles, constantly re-inventing themselves. Pristine lyrics, unique vocals, and most of all, unparalleled guitar work second to none. Rare to find such bands these days, yet Steve Kilbey, Marty Willson-Piper, Peter Koppes, and Tim Powles are still fascinating, exhilirating, and geniuses in their own right!

Is there a more under-appreciated band (at least with the masses) than The Church? Its baffling at times how many lesser bands get so much more attention. For any of those of you who aren’t familiar with their work, it spans 25 years and their recent material is up with their best.

Although The Cars are indeed a great band, along with most of the other artists listed, they have ALL had quite a bit of attention recently. I wouldn’t say they are that “under-appreciated.” This list is however missing a TRULY under-appreciated band…THE CHURCH!! Seriously, this is a group that deserves a LOT more recognition. They are incredible people and a huge influence to many bands today. Thank you for your consideration.

Most of your list people lead a very comfortable millionaire’s life financed by general appreciation.

XTC
The Church
Judee Sill

The Church will top my list, you’ll never find a better guitar duo than Willson-Piper and Koppes. Afghan Whigs should be on this list as well, I’ll never know why they never made it big.

The Church!
The Church!
The Church!
The Church!
NO other Australian band has existed for so long, still producing mind blowing music of such quality.

I like Waits, Seger, Cooper, Petty, and The Band being on this list. I have to wonder, though, why this magazine seems to have never heard of Guster, a group that deserves so much more fame than they’ve got. Also, what about Captain Beefheart? I seriously know like 2 people who have ever even heard of him and His Magic Band.

311.
fishbone.
anything that mike patton touches.

this list is wack…

Guster.

Incubus! Nu-metal, rap-rock, alternative… attempts to categorise Incubus have often failed because they’ve never tried to fit into the 15-minute-fame-box (so very shiny, so very impermanent) so when many other bands in their time have returned to the land of obscurity they’ll still be rocking. What’s wrong with romantic rockers? Romance made Jeff Buckley great. What’s wrong with experimentation? That’s what made Bjork… well… Bjork. They’ve evolved over the years and never repeated themselves. The riffs, the swells, the ups and the downs in their albums, often labelled as inconsistencies are precisely what saves us from monotony. Kilmore distinguishes himself from other band djs, Boyd’s voice is unique (in a good way) and Michael Einziger rocks the guitar. All this sans the look-at-me-I’m-brooding eye-liner/dog-collars and the I’m-quirky-so-my-yummy-indiepo p-synthesiser’s-overheating approach. A crow left of the murder… an elephant left of the herd. Hurrah Incubus!

Wow -are the church still going ? Vote for the just on their past stuff

the Church,Flamin’groovies and the sound

Talk about cultural apartheid…

Smokey Robinson
Joe Tex
Johnny Adams
Professor Longhair
Terence Trent D’Arby
The Neville Brothers

That’s just for starters.
Or are we coons not considered Artists?

Smokey Robinson
Joe Tex
Neville Brothers
Professor Longhair
Allan Toussaint
Terence Trent Darby
Johnny Adams

Talk about cultural apartheid… or are we coons not considered Artists?

My choices:

Fishbone
Morphine
Oi ngo Boingo
Digable Planets
Khoiba
Gin Blossoms
Nada Surf
Helmet
Soul Asylum
Sublime

By the way, RS´s list of underappreciated artists consists mostly of canonized critical darlings, anyway.

am I the only one that is wondering where #12 on the list is? right now it is the RS Top 25 (but we really mean 24) Underappreciated Artists.

I am number 12. They forgot me.

The Church. They dropped off the commercial map in the early ’90s, but they’re still touring, still releasing incredible material. The acoustic “El Momento Siguiente” and electric “Uninvited, Like the Clouds” are blinders, to borrow a phrase from Mr. Kilbey.

i g g y

p o p

Elliott Smith
=========
Besides influencing a ton of singer/song writers to pick up a guitar over the past ten years (and not in a shitty way like Dave Mathews did), he got nominated for an academy award in ‘98, and lost to My Heart Will Go On by Céline Dion? Are you fucking kidding me? If that’s not under appreciation, I don’t know what is.

Guided By Voices
=============
I defy you to find any, ANY band, in your local record stores ‘Indie’ bin that doesn’t owe everything to this pioneering band, and doesn’t list them as an influence. Watch the documentary DVD on their Hardcore UFOs box set, and then tell me that this band shouldn’t be the textbook blueprint for what every band’s ethos should be. You can’t. Maybe you just get it if you play in bands, or if music is more to you than what your radio spouts out in the form of top 40 pop or classic rock. Listen to your local college radio station. Good music is out there, but is must be found… it will not be fed to you.

Mission of Burma
=============
When Sonic Youth lists your band as an influence, you are doing something right. Has RS ever done an article on this band? Talk about being under rated, and how about an under rated guitar player! Fender should be making $200 Roger Miller signature series guitars, not $50,000 Eric Clapton ones! This band IS punk rock! Not makeup or hair product or spikes and chains… although those are all well and fine. And then to come out of ‘retirement’ as such, and put out one of your best albums (2006’s Obliteratii), this isn’t just a band, this is ‘How your band should be 101’

Velvet Underground
==============
I suppose they are appreciated in a select few circles (mostly comprised of musicians in bands that play around their local towns, or record store employees), but on the whole, this band has never gotten their full amount of due. Who, of today’s crop of under appreciated bands, hasn’t VU influenced? Over the course of the past 40+ years, this band has been the catalyst for a multitude of young men and women to start writing songs, poetry, starting up bands amongst friends, painting, graphic design, getting involved in artistic ventures, stepping back and looking at their social and political surroundings. They really did, for their short run, take people by their ears and open up their eyes. A crazy cast of mismatched characters, all of them, and they came together so wonderfully. And for all their greatness, all you ever hear on your radio, and all anyone ever knows is “Take A Walk On The Wild Side.” Not even VU, but Transformer Lou. Go find a record bin, NOW!

Built To Spill
==========
This might just be more of a personal viewpoint of what I feel is a truly under appreciated band, but I can’t find a single flaw with anything BTS has ever done. They’ve always made music they way they’ve wanted to, and it has always, on every album, been an experience and treat for the listener. You can follow them from beginning to present, and it’s like a journey of growing up and finding your way in the music industry, and as a person. And best of all, all the songs, even some of the rougher ones, are great! Very few, and I mean VERY VERY FEW guitar players out there making music today, can actually convey emotion with their instruments (including their voice), but somehow, BTS never fails to deliver on this. The cast of players are all outstanding, but Doug Martch especially with his unique “Neil Young” compared voice and absolutely outstanding guitar work (which although outstanding, truly comes alive when interacting with the rest of the band, I can’t stress that enough, how much of a true ‘band’ effort BTS seems to be). I’ve had the pleasure of seeing them a good number of times at Slim’s in SF and once in Sacramento at a small club called Harlow’s, and whether the crowd is large or small, they are always taken back by how good this band sounds and how they interact; both within the band amongst its members, as well as how the music itself interacts with the audience.

Emitt Rhodes
===========
A home recorded pop genius! For certain, more looked over than any other artist I’ve mentioned here. If Capital records had pulled their heads out of their asses back in 1970/71 and picked this guy up and put him on a label contract with full creative control, I have no doubt that he would have not only out sold McCartney’s first solo album by a far cry (wouldn’t have taken much), but also, he would still be producing hits today, and would probably be touring with Neil Young or Tom Waits. Shit, maybe even with McCartney! If you don’t have the outstanding compilation “Daisy-Fresh From Hawthorne, California,” a capsule of Emitt’s work, then you are doing yourself an great injustice. If nothing else, hear what can be done with a four track real to real in your basement! Pro tools my ass!

The Muffs
========
No other woman has vocals that can touch the soft caring/harsh brutality of LA’s Kim Shattuck of the Muff’s. Few things in this world make as visceral a sound as the powerful voice of this careening beauty. If you’ve never seen them live, than you’ve not seen the power that three people, who are 100% on at their craft, can truly do. I’m not sure if Roy McDonald is still their current line up drummer, but if not, find out what band he is in, and go watch them! Combine that with the understated and perfect bass lines of bassist Ron Barnett, and you have the makings of just about the best power-pop punk trio you’ve ever seen live!

I’d be interested to hear any comments or feendback on my ammendment list…

tim@monsterlabaudio.c om

i would also add the wallflowers and jackson browne

creedence clearwater revival definetly deserves its space

This list just shows how out of touch Rolling Stone is now days. 90% of the bands on the list have been quite successful or VERY Successful (Petty,Cars,Cooper).
If you consistently sell out arenas or have had several chart topping hits you are not under appreciated.
Several bands more deserving:
The Stooges, MC5, Roky Erickson, hell you could go on forever with more deserving bands.

The Wipers!

The Wipers
X

Here’s a real list of unappreciated (or lesser known) artists who should be heard:

Television,Tom Verlaine,Richard Thompson,Bob Mould,Captain Beefheart,Roky Erickson,Flying Saucer Attack, Eleventh Dream Day,Bardo Pond,Low,Windy & Carl,Jessica Bailiff,Steve Wynn,Giant Sand,Matthew Sweet,Dinosaur Jr.,Steve Malkmus,Antietam,Chris Brokaw,Deerhoof,Robin Hitchcock,Alvin “Youngblood” Hart,Yo La Tengo,My Bloody Valentine….
Tom Petty? What are n’t you guys smoking?

I think it depends on who you talk to…in most circles (maybe not necessarily in the RS circle of trust) anything Bob Mould (who’s website I found this link), Paul Westerberg, J Mascis, Ian Makaye, and Thurston Moore ever touched is highly appreciated. My hope is RS is just kicking the beehive a bit on this one in an attempt to shine a few dusty gems. I’m down with The Silver Bullet Band as well…”Main Street” is a much appreciated tune.

didn’t seem to be able to find Richard Thompson in your list .. i guess Britain’s finest guitarist and songwriter is unappreciated by Rolling Stone as well.

This list is nonsense… where is XTC? Julian Cope? Robert Wyatt? Nico, anyone? Ferchrissakes, I would even take Black Sabbath, or The Kinks… but if Sonic Youth are an unsung band, then what are Les Rallizes Denudes?

What about Young Marble Giants? Tom Waits? He’s not under appreciated? Besides, he’s just a cleaned up Harry Partch with a major label contract.

Who is # 12?

This is a conspiracy! This list is only 24 entries long. Rolling Stone is frauding the public! Sure, I got on here for free, but I still feel cheated. With one more additons, we could get 2,000 more posts saying things like, “Dude, NOFX changed everything…” or “I hate to admit it, but Justin Timberlake is really catchy and cool.” Give us # 12!!!!!!

I’d say y’all need to make room on that list for both Superdrag and Guided By Voices. Amen to #1, 2 and 6, though. Move number 19 up a bit.

The Godfathers

not on the list but should’ve:

The Church
The Tragically Hip
Cowboy Mouth (before Sanchez’s departure)
Smithereens
Neko Case
Jayhawks
XTC (but they are partialy to blame for never touring after 82)

on the list… (i agree)

Cheap Trick
The Replacements
Warren Zevon

tywsl poli sibhplq zofbirmds ibyr tohv wxkzjv

Swans!!!!!!! They really should be on this list. Very underappreciated and one of the best live bands – ever!

I’ve loved the Replacements for 20 years. Their music (Paul Westerberg’s music) has been the sound track to my life.

I think it’s very “classic” Mats, that they came in 2nd in the under-appreciated poll. They can’t even win this… that’s another reason to loved them.

I’ve loved the Replacements for 20 years. Their music (Paul Westerberg’s music) has been the sound track to my life.

I think it’s very “classic” Mats, that they came in 2nd in the under-appreciated poll. They can’t even win this… that’s another reason to loved them.

1 4 8 9 23 are valid but cheap tranny. what?

Concrete Blonde failed to make even this list… they are totally underappreciated! Johnette Napolitano & the band have delivered memorable & powerful music. Her new cd “Scarred” is one of the best of 2007…

Mitch Ryder
John Mellencamp
Willy Deville
Waylon Jennings
Calexico
Steve Wynn
Drupi

Tom Petty, Bob Seger, The Cars – 3 of the biggest pop rock acts of all time. How can they possibly make such a list?

The RollingStone critics never have underappreciated Supertramp!

Supertramp was one of the few english progressive rock bands able to obtain an artistic and commercial success in the States!

Musically RollingStone knows very well that the band of Roger Hodgson was one of the best of all times!

However they forgot to list in the “RollingStone 500″ some creative songs like “Crime of the Century”, “Gone Hollywood” “Even in the Quietest Moments”…. and this is unforgivable for a prestigious and competent review like “RollingStone”.

Hi Claudio,

Drupi????

I can understand a list with some immortals italian artists like Lucio Battisti, Umberto Tozzi or Domenico Modugno but not Drupi here!

What kind of list is this!? they are some glaring MIA’s on there such as Roky Erickson/13th floor elevators, Grant Lee Buffalo, Thin Lizzy, BAD BRAINS!?? dude RS is losing touch.

Judee Sill

nick cave?

I think Mylene Farmer is one of the most underestimated singers. Despite being a pop diva, her music has an underground quality.

This was one crappy list. Seems like Rolling Stones just took the chance to name some artist they just wanted to name… Like Tom Petty is underappreciated…. Practically all of these guys have an established, noted career. I’ll make you a top 6 underappreciated artists, that’s more accurate:

1. Lindsey Buckingham
2. Hazel O’Connor
3. Kim Carnes
4. Jackie DeShannon
5. Jim Steinman
6. France Gall

PAVEMENT!
PAVEMENT!
PAVEMENT!

Why won’t anyone give them credit for being a catalyst in the indie/slacker rock movement? I guess it’s because nirvana got all the credit for that.

Every album Pavement has recorded is genius, there has not been a single dispensable track in their repertoire. Steven Malkmus was another generation’s Kurt Cobain.

it;s my two cents that this list was created under the pretense of under appreciation only referring to critical acclaim not success. That makes plenty of sense, they’re critics. That being said yeah they fucked up some, musical appreciation being opinion based doesn’t mean there aren’t expert opinions I also understand how well known artists can be called under appreciated. An under appreciation score should be a ratio. Merit / appreciation. So even if a bad has a lot of appreciation it’s merit might be that much greater i.e. Tom Waits. but seriously one’s you totally fucking missed.

1. Neutral Milk Hotel
2. Pavement
3. Primus
4.Pixies
5. Flaming Lips
6. Stevie Ray Vaughn
7. Zappa
8. Captain Beefheart
9. Converge
10. Built to Spill
11. Johhny Winter
12. Faith No More
13. Lemon Jelly
14. Pelican
15. DJ Shadow
to name a few

Pretty good list. Tom Waits is more worthy of the first spot on the list than any other artist, living or dead. He should be as praised as Dylan or Springsteen. It would only be fair.

Though I’m having a big problem with the fact that Rolling Stone magazine keep ignoring Elliott Smith. That he didn’t even make this list makes me want to kick someone in the balls.

R.E.M could’ve gotten a spot, too. They may be big and all, but in a better world they would have been U2.

Also, Eric B And Rakim should get more recognition. As well as The Kinks!

Perhaps the list should have been subdivided into genres.
I’m ELATED to see Roxy Music on there!! And I think someone mentioned Nick Cave?! I’d have loved to see him up there, too.

Pere Ubu, The Fall…

dimebag darrell is a fuckin guitar legend

Sass jordan for sure!

TORI AMOS!!!!!! TORI AAAAAMOOOSSSS!!!! GOD DAMMIT, TORI FUCKING AMOS!!!!!! TORI AMOS!

One of the Greatest Bands ever
UNKLE

Lets not forget about Dream Theater a progressive metal band that never got the respect it deserved.

Humble Pie and Uriah Heep too, some of my favorites who were sadly forgotten.

Where the hell is Runrig, probably one of thee most underated bands on the planet. If you’re not a fan, you don’t understand what the hell they have done and how good they really are, your really missing out on one of the greatest celtic folk rock groups of all time.

And I completely forgot about Budgie, one of the greatest hard rock bands ever who should have been as big as Zepplin.Iron Butterfly too because people only know them from one song ,but they had a few other good ones.

why are two rock greats like Tom Petty and Alice Cooper on the most under-appreciated list? they dont seem to belong

1) Velvet Underground
2) Mudhoney
3) PJ Harvey
4) Black Keys
5) Iggy and the Stooges
6) MC5
7) Arctic Monkeys (in the US)
Pixies
9) Breeders
10)Arcade Fire
11)Blind Melon
12)Butthole Surfers
13)Husker Du
14)Interpol
15)Porno for Pyros
16)Kings of Leon (in the US)
17)Love Battery
18)Screaming Trees
19)Meat Puppets
20)Melvins
21)The Fluid
22)Scratch Acid
23)Sonic Youth
24)Tiger Army
25)Nickelback. (JUST KIDDING)

What about A Certain Ratio?

Pavement should most certainly be in the top five. Pretty good list otherwise.

Widespread Panic
White Buffalo
Guadacanal Diary
Lets Active
Colonel Bruce Hampton
Indecision
To name a few

Nice to see The Cramps on there!
I think Siouxsie and the Banshees should be on there.

eh thin lizzy???

huffamoose

This list is missing the most influential alternative rock band, Pixies. This list means nothing without a band like Pixies.