The Top 7 Most Underrated Albums of All Time
The Most Underrated Albums of All Time
There is something magical about finding an album that you can listen to from start to finish. With each track delivering something and no fillers. Some albums never got the love they deserved. Maybe they were overshadowed by bigger releases, misunderstood at the time, or simply ahead of their era. But great music has a way of standing the test of time, and these records deserve another spin. Here’s our pick of the most criminally underrated albums ever.
1. Big Star – Third/Sister Lovers (1978)
Big Star’s first two albums were power pop perfection, but their third was something else entirely—raw, melancholic, and filled with an unsettling beauty. Alex Chilton sounds like he’s on the verge of collapse throughout, but the songwriting is nothing short of masterful. Tracks like Kanga Roo and Nighttime show a band tearing apart traditional song structures and emotions alike. Barely noticed on release, Third has since become a cult classic, influencing everyone from R.E.M. to The Replacements.
2. Kate Bush – The Dreaming (1982)
Before Hounds of Love made her a global icon, Kate Bush released The Dreaming, a wildly experimental and deeply strange album that baffled both critics and fans. But listen now, and it’s clear this was Bush at her most fearless—layering tribal rhythms, theatrical vocals, and avant-garde production into something utterly unique. Tracks like Sat in Your Lap and Pull Out the Pin show an artist pushing boundaries years ahead of her time.
3. The Replacements – Tim (1985)
Punk? Power pop? Alternative rock before the term even existed? Whatever you call Tim, it’s a masterpiece that deserved far more commercial success. Paul Westerberg’s songwriting is at its peak, balancing chaos and vulnerability on tracks like Bastards of Young and Here Comes a Regular. The production might be rough around the edges, but the songs are undeniable. The Replacements should have been huge—but their messy, self-destructive nature kept them from it.
4. Talk Talk – Spirit of Eden (1988)
Forget It’s My Life—Talk Talk’s true genius lies in Spirit of Eden, an album that barely resembles pop music at all. It’s a sprawling, atmospheric journey that blends jazz, ambient, and classical influences into something breathtakingly beautiful. It confused fans at the time, but in retrospect, it laid the groundwork for post-rock and artists like Radiohead. Spirit of Eden isn’t just underrated—it’s revolutionary.
5. Manic Street Preachers – The Holy Bible (1994)
Dark, dense, and utterly harrowing, The Holy Bible is the Manic Street Preachers at their most intense. Richey Edwards’ lyrics read like a descent into madness, tackling themes of fascism, consumerism, and self-destruction with an unflinching gaze. The music itself is brutal—post-punk guitars slashing through relentless rhythms. While later albums brought the Manics mainstream success, The Holy Bible remains their most powerful work.
6. Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) (2008)
Erykah Badu is rightly revered as a neo-soul pioneer, but New Amerykah Part One still doesn’t get enough love. This isn’t just another soul album—it’s a politically charged, sonically adventurous masterpiece. With tracks like The Healer paying tribute to hip-hop culture and Soldier tackling social issues, Badu crafted an album both musically rich and deeply relevant. It’s a record that demands repeated listens to truly absorb its depth.
7. Queens of the Stone Age – …Like Clockwork (2013)
Queens of the Stone Age have no shortage of great albums, but …Like Clockwork often gets overlooked. It’s darker, moodier, and more introspective than their usual riff-heavy rock, but it’s also their most emotional and sonically refined work. Songs like I Appear Missing and The Vampyre of Time and Memory reveal Josh Homme at his most vulnerable. It’s an album that rewards patience and deserves to be spoken about alongside their biggest hits.
Why Underrated Albums Matter
Sometimes, the best music isn’t the most popular. These albums prove that innovation, emotion, and artistry don’t always translate into commercial success or immediate acclaim. But music history has a way of correcting itself, and these records have all gained devoted followings over the years. If you’ve never given them a proper listen, now’s the time—because great music deserves to be heard.
What’s your favourite underrated album? Drop us a comment and let’s talk forgotten classics.