Underrated Rock Book Too!: 200 More Overlooked Albums: Underrated Rock Book

Underrated Rock Book Too!

200 More Overlooked Albums

Jim Santora Jr.

Underrated Rock Book Too!

Copyright © 2022 by Jim Santora Jr.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the author.

Editor: Jim Santora Jr., Jim Mosley

Cover Design: Kevin McElroy of McElroy Creative Media

Text copyright © 2022 Jim Santora

Photographs copyright © Jim Santora Jr., Jennifer Hickman, Chris Greenwell and Joshua Santora.

All other photography has been approved for use by the artists, photographers and their management and noted in this document.

ISBN: 9798841921790

This book is dedicated to the memory of

Bruce Santora, Ted Hickman Sr., Charles Huerbin, and Jerry Benfer

Acknowledgments

Thanks to the following people who have lent a hand or been supportive in the process: Jennifer Hickman, Jim Mosley, Dominick Schork, Brian Cohen, Wayne Gonzalez, Mike Duva, Leroy Hickman, Chris Dymmel, Jordan Borenstein, Ed Cilurso, Kevin Law, John Erickson, Dan Chrzan, Byron Cowley, Joshua Santora, John Santora, Todd Schmidt, Billy Ackerman, Chris Greenwell, Randy Testerman and John Harris.

Special thanks to all of the radio programs, podcasts, and press: Philly Rock Radio, Radio Raven, Musical WTH, The Public John, Playlist Wars, Just Push Play, Focus On Metal, Rockwired, Publisher’s Weekly, Book Authority, Read Rock Repeat and Music Street Journal .

Table of Contents

Introduction: A Funny Thing Happened

Underrated Reviews

0-A

B-C

D-E

F-G

H-I

J-K

L-M

N-P

Q-R

S-T

U-Z

Underrated Rock Lists

Links

Introduction: A Funny Thing Happened

In September of 2018, the Underrated Rock Book was completed and being released. I was excited that after two years I put into this project, it was finally going out for people to read and enjoy. I went to my weekly bowling league and talked to my teammate and friend Wayne Gonzalez. Wayne was pretty knowledgeable about music and had worked for a music distribution service. I tell him the book is ready to go and will be officially out in a week. Wayne then tells me about some bands he was listening to, and thought should be in the book. That’s when it hit me. A few of the bands he mentioned I did not consider for the book, and I should have.

Then the floodgates in my brain opened, and I recalled all these other artists and albums. Ones that I knew and, for some reason, did not make the pages. At that moment, a new list was started. Several people during some interviews asked if there was going to be a follow-up. At some point, I said yes, but I needed to focus on promoting the book I had just released.

Finally, in late November of 2019, writing began for the follow-up of the URB. The same rules were applied in book one; I could only use an artist once, and no live albums were permitted. The only difference was that I expanded the years; you will see releases from the 1960s and some after 2015 in this edition. I also included some soundtrack albums this time because a few, in my opinion, are underappreciated yet awesome.

It was a challenging exercise. I will always say that the first hundred selections I chose were the easiest for the original URB, but then it got hard. There was more research and digging with this book, and I also considered some suggestions based on reviews of the original book. It resulted in me looking a little harder at some artists or genres. Those results allowed me to discover other albums that I was not familiar with but were great selections.

The question has already come up about a third edition of the URB. What I can tell you is that as I wrapped up selecting these 200 albums, that other artists and albums began to come up in general conversation, listening to songs or reading music related books and articles, leading to new discoveries. I do not believe that we will ever stop listening and not going that band is clearly underrated or that song was totally overlooked. I think that we will always have thoughts like this about music. Because music makes us feel. Many of us are passionate about music, to the point that we will debate with our relatives and friends about it (and trolls on social media). There may be a third book but, enjoy what is in these pages first. If you do not have the original URB, I suggest picking that up also. I would also say there isn’t a right or wrong order to read them. Think of them as a guide to some overlooked and underappreciated gems to flip through at your leisure while gaining an optimal listening experience.

Again, this is a book for people to read and have their own opinions. You may agree or disagree with me. Take this book and share it with your friends. It is also an interactive book. Listen to the songs on a streaming service while reading, especially if you do not currently own the music found inside these pages. Please search for the vinyl or disc to add to your collection if you like something. Always support the artists and the hard work they have put into some impressive releases.

I hope you take this book and use it as a reference to search for music that you may have missed or may not have known existed. Now, flip through these pages and go on a rock n roll journey.

Underrated Reviews

0-A

10 Years – Minus The Machine (Palehorse - 2012) Alternative Metal

The band 10 Years has been around since 1999, catching some success after the release of The Autumn Effect in 2005. This Tennessee group is somewhere between Tool and Chevelle in sound and substance. 10 Years is unique, as their sound was more progressive than grunge or nu metal, than some other artists in the genre. The soundscapes and vocals of Jesse Hasek make this an artist that should have been bigger than they were, and someone could argue that they have been underappreciated since the beginning. Minus The Machine is an album that shows a band that can weave through various sound structures, from soft to heavy, a slight nod to progressive styles and other effects. All of this while Hasek’s vocals soar. His vocals are distinct, without being in the forefront to take away from the overall musicianship. From the chaotic Backlash, the somber Writing On The Walls, and the peaks and valleys of the title track, each song has its own identity and fits on the record intricately. 10 Years is an artist who does not fall in line, which may be why they cater more to a diehard fanbase. Based on albums like this and the rest of their collection, I’m sure they wouldn’t have it any other way.

24-7 Spyz – Strength In Numbers (Atlantic - 1992) Alternative Metal

One thing that gets lost in the late 80s/early 90s music scene is that plenty of bands brought funk-rock elements to the masses. While the Red Hot Chili Peppers were the most recognizable and popular, other artists from Living Colour, Extreme, Infectious Grooves, and even Ugly Kid Joe were amongst the wave of bands. Another band that gets lost in the shuffle is 24-7 Spyz. Their career began in the 80s when their funk metal and hardcore punk combination was comparable to Living Colour and Bad Brains. In 1992, they released Strength In Numbers, and each song displayed a full-on showcase of funk and metal. While listening to each track makes you wonder how many nu metal artists like Incubus captured their early sounds after hearing Judgement Day. Meanwhile, songs like Stunt-man and Break The Chains show off a band that can give you funk and metal with some incredible vocal stylings by Jeff Brodnax. However, even the funk metal craze would get pushed aside thanks to grunge and alternative rock, with only the Chili Peppers surviving. It’s a shame because 24-7 Spyz has plenty to offer, and only a few got a real opportunity to appreciate it.

32 Leaves – Welcome To The Fallen (Double Blind - 2005) Hard Rock

Artists like 32 Leaves fall into the hard rock/post-grunge category alongside bands like Audiovent, Crossfade, and Evans Blue, to name a few. Those bands, like 32 Leaves, were mainly blips on the radar except for one track that established them. For 32 Leaves, that song was All Is Numb, from the album Welcome To The Fallen. This track began with somber guitar sounds, followed by great vocals/lyrics led by Greg Allen Norris. The chorus is one of the best I have ever heard and has a huge hook. Surrounded by solid musicianship, the lyrical content is the key to a great song, which is still underappreciated. Meanwhile, tracks like Wide Awake and Makeshift are heavier songs that pack a punch but keep an element that’s not too overpowering. 32 Leaves was an afterthought after the release of Panoramic in 2009, and not even All Is Numb is relevant after all these years. A band that got lost in a sea of 2000s hard rock.

36 Crazyfists – The Tide And Its Takers (Ferret Music - 2008) Metalcore

Alaska’s most significant musical export and an artist that takes its name from a Jackie Chan film, 36 Crazyfists, is an aggressive unit that falls under the radar in various heavy metal circles. While labeled a metalcore band, they have been considered post-hardcore and nu metal, which could explain why this band has been overlooked. With The Tide And Its Takers in 2008, 36 Crazyfists lay a hammer down to every track. Two tracks that quickly open up a pit include The All Night Lights and We Gave It Hell. Another song that quickly gets the moshers in a frenzy is Absent Are The Saints. 36 Crazyfists keep the foot on the floor throughout The Tide And Its Takers while also having the ability to be melodic and structured as well. While metalcore bands are known for the screaming/growling vocal styles and then going clean, vocalist Brock Lindow has a good voice and does both equally well. While metalcore had its share of successful artists like Atreyu, Killswitch Engage, and Bullet For My Valentine, 36 Crazyfists were a few tiers below. So this is an artist that gets missed by some heavy metal fans. If this is the first time you hear this band, let The Tide And Its Takers be the first album you listen to in their collection.

Aaron Lewis – Sinner (Dot - 2016) Country

Now, a few people will be critical of me for placing this album on the list. Let me explain. Sinner from Aaron Lewis is a country album, but people need to remember a few things. Aaron Lewis is about as outlaw country as you can be in modern times. More in the vein of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and David Allen Coe. Sinner landed #1 on the country charts with little or no radio airplay. Of course, singing a song titled That Ain’t Country will turn away the country purists. Other songs like the southern rock vibe of Northern Redneck and the title track (featuring Willie Nelson) show Lewis in his element. Most fans of Staind know Lewis for stripping down tracks and going acoustic for years. So it’s not a stretch for Lewis to go into more of a traditional country or southern rock direction and be able to pull it off. The more the country music fans turn their nose to albums like Sinner is the primary reason this album and others in Lewis’s collection are more rock n roll than ever. Not a hidden gem but more a must-listen if you have been wondering what Aaron Lewis has been doing for the last ten plus years.

Airbourne – Runnin Wild (Roadrunner - 2007) Hard Rock

Australia is known for bringing some massive musical artists to the US. From AC/DC to the Bee Gees and Olivia Newton-John, whether it was hard rock, pop, or something in between, they always seemed to be incredible artists with some success. Some artists had short-lived success, like Men At Work and Midnight Oil, while others, like The Angels, failed to make a dent in the US while they were successful worldwide. Somewhere in between AC/DC and The Angels are Airbourne, who would bring an explosive hard rock sound to the US with their debut album Runnin Wild in 2007. This album and band were high energy with a sound similar to Angus and company, singing about women, alcohol, and rock n roll. Led by the powerful Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast, Airbourne had a sure-fire winner with this album. Other tracks like the infectious Diamond In The Rough and the opening blast of Stand Up For Rock N Roll set the tone for a band ready for success in the states. However, that would not come to fruition. They would fail to crack the Top 100, and while future albums faired a little better, Airbourne has not become the household name they deserved to be. Maybe it’s because there can only be one AC/DC and anyone else sounding remotely close is an outcast. Regardless, this is an excellent album for anyone that loves that AC/DC style of play, with a twist.

The Almost – Southern Weather (Tooth & Nail - 2007) Alternative Rock

While over rock history, we have had drummers step out from behind the kit and take over the lead role in a band or solo career. Very few have made it work, with Phil Collins and Dave Grohl being two of the more successful in doing so. In 2007, Underoath drummer Aaron Gillespie did the same thing with his band The Almost and the release of Southern Weather. Aaron wrote all the tracks, sang, and played most of the instruments, and put together a true underappreciated classic. From the opening song, Say This Sooner, a pure alternative rocker with a punk/emo feel reached the Top 10 on the modern rock charts but should have been more significant. Other songs like the southern rock/acoustic-driven Dirty And Left Out show someone that could do more than just pound rockers all day. Another standout rocker is Never Say I Told You So, which is pure alternative/punk/emo energy. Southern Weather made some noise when it first came out, but it just seemed to be passed up over time for the masses. Other albums have followed, but nothing has seemed to match what Gillespie did with Southern Weather and remains an unappreciated gem today.

Alt-J – Relaxer (Infectious - 2017) Alternative Rock

While I look at a band like Alt-J, which appears to be very popular worldwide, I do not see them as artists taking over the US by storm. This alternative rock unit makes plenty of experimental music that sets them apart from some of the cookie-cutter modern rock in the mainstream. They have had songs that make modern rock radio, but nothing has ever been a significant charter, which could be because of the musical content. In contrast, the experimental rock could tilt towards progressive rock. With Relaxer, Alt-J will not make pop hits like Imagine Dragons. They use many instruments, effects, and anything else they can bring into their musical toolbox. Some of the songs that stand out include the electronic sounds of Deadcrush, the lo-fi 60s meets alternative rock of In Cold Blood, and the guitar-driven Devo-ish Hit Me Like That Snare. Alt-J will not be a band that blows up the radio with hits anytime soon, but that may be the point. Albums like Relaxer are for headphones everywhere.