Overlooked Albums (Hidden Gems)
by Jorbaa 
Overlook-o-meter: Albums get a higher score if they've been ignored upon release, are standing in the shadow of another album, are hard to get (no reissue, limited release no digital release) or are not getting the attention they deserve.
Also check out my sister chart of this one:
https://www.besteveralbums.com/thechart.php?c=63689
That chart has more an emphasis on 'hidden gems'.
- Chart updated: 12/12/2020 15:45
- (Created: 10/07/2016 15:39).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 7 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Overlooked Albums (Hidden Gems) has an average rating of 89 out of 100 (from 6 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
View the complete list of 57,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.
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Overlook-o-meter: 10
Quality scale: 9.5
Only released in the US with zero promotion and with limited reissue and digital release. This is a lost classic. Great quality songs here, specially on the B-side. 'I've been loved' is a good love song (in the tradition of all his albums, on track #2), 'Surf's Down' is a fun Beach Boys style song. The grand slam final on the album begins with 'House Above The Strand', a big musical like number and one of his best songs ever. It ends with the bluesy 'Such A Woman' and the modest 'Postcards'.
David Ackles is one of the most underrated en overlooked artists, luckily his debut album and his masterpiece 'American Gothic' have had a bit attention among record collector. Only this album is sadly the least known of his work. I can not recommend this album enough.
For people who like: Elton John, Randy Newman and just all singer-songwriter music from the 70's. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
Quality scale: 9.5
Only released in the US with zero promotion and with limited reissue and digital release. This is a lost classic. Great quality songs here, specially on the B-side. 'I've been loved' is a good love song (in the tradition of all his albums, on track #2), 'Surf's Down' is a fun Beach Boys style song. The grand slam final on the album begins with 'House Above The Strand', a big musical like number and one of his best songs ever. It ends with the bluesy 'Such A Woman' and the modest 'Postcards'.
David Ackles is one of the most underrated en overlooked artists, luckily his debut album and his masterpiece 'American Gothic' have had a bit attention among record collector. Only this album is sadly the least known of his work. I can not recommend this album enough.
For people who like: Elton John, Randy Newman and just all singer-songwriter music from the 70's. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
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Overlook-o-meter: 9
Quality scale: 10
Being a huge psychedelic music fan, i've searched a long time for 'the lost classic 60's psychedelic album'. Well, I found it in this album. Mister Faine Jade his album is a trip, totally unexpected after his debut garage single 'It ain't true'. Almost nothing is left of this garage sound, instead we get songs with a wider pallet of instruments. Melodic songs are all over the place, sometimes reminding me of early Pink Floyd. Highlights include 'Cold Winter Sun Symphony In D Major', 'On The Inside There's A Middle' and the very poppy 'introspection'. Last song was even covered by MGMT, which shows just how timeless these melodies are. After the cover, the album luckily got a little bit more attention. But this is still a overlooked album by the book. This should be held in the same regard as all the other so called lost classics, maybe even above them.
For people who like: Syd Barrett period Pink Floyd and other 60's psychedelic albums [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
Quality scale: 10
Being a huge psychedelic music fan, i've searched a long time for 'the lost classic 60's psychedelic album'. Well, I found it in this album. Mister Faine Jade his album is a trip, totally unexpected after his debut garage single 'It ain't true'. Almost nothing is left of this garage sound, instead we get songs with a wider pallet of instruments. Melodic songs are all over the place, sometimes reminding me of early Pink Floyd. Highlights include 'Cold Winter Sun Symphony In D Major', 'On The Inside There's A Middle' and the very poppy 'introspection'. Last song was even covered by MGMT, which shows just how timeless these melodies are. After the cover, the album luckily got a little bit more attention. But this is still a overlooked album by the book. This should be held in the same regard as all the other so called lost classics, maybe even above them.
For people who like: Syd Barrett period Pink Floyd and other 60's psychedelic albums [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
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Overlook-o-meter: 10
Quality scale: 8
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich were 60's pop icons. When Dave Dee went solo, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich were left an decided to make an album together. What we got was a total departure from their 60's sound. This album sounds more rock oriented, it even has a moog on some tracks! Too poppy for prog rock and to complex and rocking for pop songs, the tracks here are very varied. Highlight is 'Too Much' with it's guitar cresendo. The album was ignored upon release, but later reissued by repetoire with a bunch of extra tracks. Sadly the album is not available now, not even on most digital formats. So youtube this album's tracks and hear for yourself that these people are far more than has been popstars, they are serious musicians.
For people who like: Marmalde, the short tracks from Emerson, Lake & Palmer and overal proggy sounding music, 70's Rock. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
Quality scale: 8
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich were 60's pop icons. When Dave Dee went solo, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich were left an decided to make an album together. What we got was a total departure from their 60's sound. This album sounds more rock oriented, it even has a moog on some tracks! Too poppy for prog rock and to complex and rocking for pop songs, the tracks here are very varied. Highlight is 'Too Much' with it's guitar cresendo. The album was ignored upon release, but later reissued by repetoire with a bunch of extra tracks. Sadly the album is not available now, not even on most digital formats. So youtube this album's tracks and hear for yourself that these people are far more than has been popstars, they are serious musicians.
For people who like: Marmalde, the short tracks from Emerson, Lake & Palmer and overal proggy sounding music, 70's Rock. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
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Overlook-o-meter: 9
Quality scale: 9.5
Why are Roy Harper's albums not more well known or popular? For god sakes, the man sung on one of Pink Floyd's best albums and a song on Led Zeppelin III is named after him! The guest musicians list is 70's gold: John Paul Jones, Chris Spedding and even David Gilmour! His album 'Stormcock' is often praised as an overlooked classic, but this album is also great. It features his best known song 'When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease'. Other good songs are the long guitar epic 'The Game (Parts 1–5)' , the lovely 'Forget Me Not' and the mellow 'Hallucinating Light'.
For people who like: John Cale, Jimmy Page and 70's rock. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
Quality scale: 9.5
Why are Roy Harper's albums not more well known or popular? For god sakes, the man sung on one of Pink Floyd's best albums and a song on Led Zeppelin III is named after him! The guest musicians list is 70's gold: John Paul Jones, Chris Spedding and even David Gilmour! His album 'Stormcock' is often praised as an overlooked classic, but this album is also great. It features his best known song 'When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease'. Other good songs are the long guitar epic 'The Game (Parts 1–5)' , the lovely 'Forget Me Not' and the mellow 'Hallucinating Light'.
For people who like: John Cale, Jimmy Page and 70's rock. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
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Overlook-o-meter: 9
Quality scale: 9.5
The 90's alternative scene exploded, there were so manny artist and albums that some did just got lost in the pile. This album is a prime example: Had a single that got some airtime and good reviews, but was not picked up by the public. What a shame, because they missed out. Good alternative 90's guitars sound with a little bit of counrty thrown in. But what really shines is the songwriting. Melodic, hooks and very vaired in style. Highlights are the rapid 'You Know What It Is' and the calm surprise of 'Deadalus'. 90's rock fans, search no further than here, this is one of the decade's best albums. Period.
For people who like: Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo and 90's rock music. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
Quality scale: 9.5
The 90's alternative scene exploded, there were so manny artist and albums that some did just got lost in the pile. This album is a prime example: Had a single that got some airtime and good reviews, but was not picked up by the public. What a shame, because they missed out. Good alternative 90's guitars sound with a little bit of counrty thrown in. But what really shines is the songwriting. Melodic, hooks and very vaired in style. Highlights are the rapid 'You Know What It Is' and the calm surprise of 'Deadalus'. 90's rock fans, search no further than here, this is one of the decade's best albums. Period.
For people who like: Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo and 90's rock music. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
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Overlook-o-meter: 9
Quality scale: 9.5
Kim fowley, isn't that the freak who made 'Outrageous' and managed the Runaways? Yes, but when the guy got his act together, he could deliver some serious fun and smart music (For more evidence, see Ariel Pink's Pom Pom). This album is glam rock gold. Very varied, funny and clever lyrics and delivered with a lot of wit. The man was no star singer, but he could give the songs the sas they needed. Just listen to 'I Hate You' or 'Dancing All Night'. Some very poppy sounding tracks, like the stomper 'King Of Love' and the folky 'World Wide Love'. And for fans of his previous work: The madness middle part of 'So Good Wish You Would' is a nice tribute to his legacy.
For people who like: Ariel Pink, Sparks and Glam Rock [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
Quality scale: 9.5
Kim fowley, isn't that the freak who made 'Outrageous' and managed the Runaways? Yes, but when the guy got his act together, he could deliver some serious fun and smart music (For more evidence, see Ariel Pink's Pom Pom). This album is glam rock gold. Very varied, funny and clever lyrics and delivered with a lot of wit. The man was no star singer, but he could give the songs the sas they needed. Just listen to 'I Hate You' or 'Dancing All Night'. Some very poppy sounding tracks, like the stomper 'King Of Love' and the folky 'World Wide Love'. And for fans of his previous work: The madness middle part of 'So Good Wish You Would' is a nice tribute to his legacy.
For people who like: Ariel Pink, Sparks and Glam Rock [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
Buy album
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Overlook-o-meter: 9
Quality scale: 9.5
James Blake goes country and gets freaky along the way. Something eerie about this album. He probably made this in a dark room on his laptop, grinning from ear to ear. So here is the result: What would country music and Nashville sound like if they adopted dubstep and dance elements? Well, you would get something close to this album. But don't expect beats to dance to, no this is that other kind of dance music (all though 'looking back on '99' comes close to be a dance track). Atmospheric and moody synths, samples and sometimes glitchy production dominate this album. The tone is well set by opener 'Bad Guys', a dark moody piece. Followed by the more 'conventional' songs like 'In the Beginning' and 'Tiffany Lou', the album succeeds to create a sound and world of it's own. Also check out the sample of Lee Hazlewood's 'No train to Stockholm' on 'Rain on a Highway'. Just like much on this album, It gets repeated and formed into it's own cycle of sound. These cycles run through and built up the songs like 'Ray' and 'The Day You Were Born'. The risk here is that songs can sound the same, but 'All Hell' manages to sound different between it's tracks (though some are forgettable) and a lot different from anything else that is available in music. Too bad that it's so hard to get ( and that for an album released in 2012!).
For people who like: James Blake, Hank Williams III and experimental music. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
Quality scale: 9.5
James Blake goes country and gets freaky along the way. Something eerie about this album. He probably made this in a dark room on his laptop, grinning from ear to ear. So here is the result: What would country music and Nashville sound like if they adopted dubstep and dance elements? Well, you would get something close to this album. But don't expect beats to dance to, no this is that other kind of dance music (all though 'looking back on '99' comes close to be a dance track). Atmospheric and moody synths, samples and sometimes glitchy production dominate this album. The tone is well set by opener 'Bad Guys', a dark moody piece. Followed by the more 'conventional' songs like 'In the Beginning' and 'Tiffany Lou', the album succeeds to create a sound and world of it's own. Also check out the sample of Lee Hazlewood's 'No train to Stockholm' on 'Rain on a Highway'. Just like much on this album, It gets repeated and formed into it's own cycle of sound. These cycles run through and built up the songs like 'Ray' and 'The Day You Were Born'. The risk here is that songs can sound the same, but 'All Hell' manages to sound different between it's tracks (though some are forgettable) and a lot different from anything else that is available in music. Too bad that it's so hard to get ( and that for an album released in 2012!).
For people who like: James Blake, Hank Williams III and experimental music. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
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Overlook-o-meter: 9
Quality scale: 9
This French popstar took everythng that was great about his music and made it larger. The production en detail of this album are sublime. Grandiose orchestration on one song are switched with syntersizer and humming on another. It's a trainride allright, you never know what comes next. Even is you don't speak or understand French, the melodies and emotion shine through. Highlights are 'Le Désert N'est Plus En Afrique' and the lush 'A Minuit, à Midi'. Move over Gainsbourg, another French star is aming for your cinematic throne.
For people who like: Scott Walker, Serge Gainsbourg and lush/overproduced music. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
Quality scale: 9
This French popstar took everythng that was great about his music and made it larger. The production en detail of this album are sublime. Grandiose orchestration on one song are switched with syntersizer and humming on another. It's a trainride allright, you never know what comes next. Even is you don't speak or understand French, the melodies and emotion shine through. Highlights are 'Le Désert N'est Plus En Afrique' and the lush 'A Minuit, à Midi'. Move over Gainsbourg, another French star is aming for your cinematic throne.
For people who like: Scott Walker, Serge Gainsbourg and lush/overproduced music. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
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Overlook-o-meter: 9.5
Quality scale: 8.5
Ever wonder who Mick Jagger is trying to imitate? Here is your answer. A soul singer tried to sing the blues and the result is amazing. Setting the path for othe people who wanted to make easy-access Rock'n'Roll blues (looking at you Mick). The songs and guitar parts shine and the soul bleeds from most tracks. Listen to the two parter title track and 'Blues Ain't Nothin' But A Good Woman On Your Mind' for evidence. The songs range from the slow ´The Blues Don't Knock´ to the more uptempo ´Four Women´. Looking for some new Blues? Then pay this album a visit.
For people who like: The Rolling Stones, Taj Mahal and Blues Music [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
Quality scale: 8.5
Ever wonder who Mick Jagger is trying to imitate? Here is your answer. A soul singer tried to sing the blues and the result is amazing. Setting the path for othe people who wanted to make easy-access Rock'n'Roll blues (looking at you Mick). The songs and guitar parts shine and the soul bleeds from most tracks. Listen to the two parter title track and 'Blues Ain't Nothin' But A Good Woman On Your Mind' for evidence. The songs range from the slow ´The Blues Don't Knock´ to the more uptempo ´Four Women´. Looking for some new Blues? Then pay this album a visit.
For people who like: The Rolling Stones, Taj Mahal and Blues Music [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
10. (11) 1
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Overlook-o-meter: 9
Quality scale: 9
The Velvet Underground goes punk. Feedback and distortion, mixed with poppy rocksongs: A match made is heaven. Wreckless Eric proved he could write a good tune (Whole Wide World), but this came out of nowhere. And sadly no one was listening. His poppy punk songs are now played low fi with a shitload of feedback on them. The result is one of the more unique poppunk albums. The driving riff in 'The Golden Hour of Harry Secombe'is just rock bliss and 'Selina Through The Windsheild' puts the amps om maximum. The poppy songs and hooks shine here the most, 'Young, Upwardly Mobile... And Stupid' and 'Someone Must Have Nailed Us Together' are catchy as hell. The final 'Shirt Without A Heart' is such a sweet song, what shows that the punk kid 70's hit was not a fluke.
For people who like: The Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth and poppunk music. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
Quality scale: 9
The Velvet Underground goes punk. Feedback and distortion, mixed with poppy rocksongs: A match made is heaven. Wreckless Eric proved he could write a good tune (Whole Wide World), but this came out of nowhere. And sadly no one was listening. His poppy punk songs are now played low fi with a shitload of feedback on them. The result is one of the more unique poppunk albums. The driving riff in 'The Golden Hour of Harry Secombe'is just rock bliss and 'Selina Through The Windsheild' puts the amps om maximum. The poppy songs and hooks shine here the most, 'Young, Upwardly Mobile... And Stupid' and 'Someone Must Have Nailed Us Together' are catchy as hell. The final 'Shirt Without A Heart' is such a sweet song, what shows that the punk kid 70's hit was not a fluke.
For people who like: The Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth and poppunk music. [First added to this chart: 10/07/2016]
Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
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Overlooked Albums (Hidden Gems) composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 1 | 1% | |
| 1960s | 24 | 24% | |
| 1970s | 26 | 26% | |
| 1980s | 17 | 17% | |
| 1990s | 21 | 21% | |
| 2000s | 8 | 8% | |
| 2010s | 3 | 3% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Prix | 1 | 1% | |
| Spooky Tooth | 1 | 1% | |
| Arzachel | 1 | 1% | |
| Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich | 1 | 1% | |
| The Fallen Angels | 1 | 1% | |
| Iggy Pop & James Williamson | 1 | 1% | |
| Frank Sinatra | 1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
45 | 45% | |
 |
40 | 40% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
 |
2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Overlooked Albums (Hidden Gems) chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 1 from 17th to 16th Boy Named Sue And His Other Country Songs by Shel Silverstein |
| Up 1 from 16th to 15th Return Of The Frog Queen by Jeremy Enigk |
| Up 1 from 15th to 14th Balaklava by Pearls Before Swine |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 9 from 8th to 17th Neil's Heavy Concept Album by Neil |
Overlooked Albums (Hidden Gems) similar charts
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 100 Greatest Music Albums | Jorbaa | Overall chart | 2018 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s | Jorbaa | 1960s decade chart | 2018 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s | Jorbaa | 1970s decade chart | 2016 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | Jorbaa | 1980s decade chart | 2016 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1990s | Jorbaa | 1990s decade chart | 2016 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2000s | Jorbaa | 2000s decade chart | 2016 | |
| *All Time* Baroque Pop Albums |  bertrandu | Custom chart | 2019 | |
| Top 35 Music Albums of 1968 |  CellarDoor | 1968 year chart | 2019 | |
| Top 25 Music Albums of 2006 | Jorbaa | 2006 year chart | 2016 | |
| Top 25 Music Albums of 2003 | Jorbaa | 2003 year chart | 2016 | |
Overlooked Albums (Hidden Gems) similarity to your chart(s)
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Other custom charts by Jorbaa
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overlooked Albums (Hidden Gems) | Jorbaa | Custom chart | 2020 | |
| Hidden Gems (overlooked albums) | Jorbaa | Custom chart | 2022 | |
Overlooked Albums (Hidden Gems) ratings
Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AVwhere:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
m = minimum number of ratings required for an item to appear in a 'top-rated' chart (currently 10).
AV = the site mean average rating.
N.B. The average rating for this chart will not be reliable as it has been rated very few times.
Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 6 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 08/05/2022 22:55 | Soencer | 47 | 100/100 |
| ! | 03/27/2021 03:20 |  Purplepash | 1,690 | 88/100 |
| ! | 05/01/2020 17:08 | Steppenwolf666 | 88 | 89/100 |
| ! | 04/13/2018 13:53 |  Graeme2 | 213 | 94/100 |
| ! | 04/03/2018 17:23 | vruslov | 582 | 89/100 |
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Overlooked Albums (Hidden Gems) comments
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From Purplepash 03/27/2021 03:22 | #267798
Purplepash 03/27/2021 03:22 | #267798
I had only already heard four of these but can attest that all four are really good to great. Hopefully I get around to more judging by that.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
sssvnnn 03/26/2021 16:42 | #267786
sssvnnn 03/26/2021 16:42 | #267786
Good idea for a chart.
I´m sorry to say I can´t rate the chart because most of the albums have been overlooked by me...
...but now I give a try..
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Steppenwolf666 05/01/2020 17:13 | #250782
Very interesting. Roy Harper I definitely agree with. His 60's and early 70's albums are essential. Faine Jade is also one of many of my favourite psych albums that aren't as well known as they should be. Gandalf would be another.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Ronocoolo 08/06/2018 11:27 | #219295
I've only heard 1 of these, will be really fun going through them all
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Graeme2 04/13/2018 13:54 | #212797
Graeme2 04/13/2018 13:54 | #212797
Nice to see a couple from mick head. Good stuff.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From georgiegirl 01/30/2018 19:38 | #206862
Thank you! This is golden.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
ObsoleteEntity 08/26/2017 15:29 | #196761
ObsoleteEntity 08/26/2017 15:29 | #196761
Some nice finds. Only a music lover would go this deep. Saved chart as a Favourite!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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