Underrated Rock Albums

This list is in no particular order and I will be adding to it periodically. Ready? Let’s play:

• Whenever We Wanted: John Mellencamp (1991/remastered 2005) — Mellencamp tends to be underrated overall — guess some people never could get over the John Cougar thing. But this early ’90s effort shows its staying power with “Love and Happiness” (oddly more relevant today than when it was released) and exquisite, timeless rockers “I Ain’t Ever Satisfied” and “Get a Leg Up.” A tremendous effort across every song.

• Talk Is Cheap: Keith Richards (1992) — A lost jewel, this album should be ubiquitous on any Classic Rock station that doesn’t just suck. Released during Keith and Mick’s trial separation in the early ’90s, this album easily matches the best of the Rolling Stones catalog. The rhythmic “You Don’t Move Me” stands tall as Keith’s Love Gone Wrong Letter to Mick (think Lennon on “How Do You Sleep?”) Play it loud and often.

• Human Touch: Bruce Springsteen (1992) — A great disc from Springsteen that was hurt by its simultaneous release with Lucky Town, a solid but lesser offering. “Human Touch” is very affecting and still shows up on collections, but left behind are some of the most powerful, infectious songs that Springsteen ever created: “Gloria’s Eyes,” the Stonesy “Roll of the Dice,” and “All or Nothing at All.”

• Fisherman’s Blues: The Waterboys (1988) — Considered a modern Irish-folk classic by purists, this spectacular album nevertheless has been long ignored by the music mainstream. From the haunting beauty of “Strange Boat” to the swirling intensity of “We Will Not be Lovers,” this is a career album full poetry and spirit, vim and vigor. Were Mike Scott never to have recorded another thing, this album alone would make him noteworthy.

• Nothing But a Burning Light: Bruce Cockburn (1991) — Canadian Cockburn has never enjoyed the U.S. attention he deserves.  But no one could argue the power of this brilliant album that explored the human spirit with a clear-headedness that is rarely found in any medium. These songs are so multidimensional and arresting that you can return to them time and again and still find them fresh, as with any classic work.

Listen to samples below: