Big-name classic rock musicians from back in the day rarely put out bad records. However, I’ve noticed that a few records by the biggest names in the game have been sorely underrated, at least when compared to their bigger, more memorable, and higher-charting hits. I think these underrated records need more love. Let’s take a look!
Videos by American Songwriter
‘George Harrison’ by George Harrison
George Harrison is known as one of the best soloists to come out of The Beatles. All Things Must Pass is an iconic record, after all. However, I happen to think that Harrison’s self-titled effort from 1979 tends to fly under the radar among fans, and it earns a spot on our list of underrated records.
It was a bold venture, too. The world of rock music was changing and evolving fast, and instead of changing his sound to become unrecognizable, Harrison decided to go in a wildly different direction with an incredibly sincere album full of folk pop and pop rock elements.
‘Young Americans’ by David Bowie
This one might earn an eye-roll or two. But I really do not think people love Young Americans as much as they should, at least when compared to Bowie’s other releases. This entry on our list of underrated records is nestled between Bowie’s true classic rock era and his eventual pursuit of krautrock stylings. There’s a soulful element to it that Bowie embodies quite naturally, and I happen to think his vocals sound the best on this album.
‘Rock Of Life’ by Rick Springfield
Remember Rick Springfield? This Australian-American classic rock star is best known for the 1981 mega-hit “Jessie’s Girl”. He hit the Australian and American charts on several occasions through the 1980s. However, I’m honestly still shocked that most people don’t remember the 1988 album Rock Of Life at all.
This album was a wild divergence from the sugary power pop vibe of “Jessie’s Girl”. The pop-rock album Rock Of Life featured some of Springfield’s most poignant songs, namely the track “Tear It All Down”. And that track wasn’t even released as a single. In it, Springfield critiques the world around him and, seemingly by accident, created a protest song that reflected the attitudes of the average American at the time. I really can’t believe that this album didn’t do better. It’s one of the most underrated classic rock records ever.
‘Grace Under Pressure’ by Rush
Ah, Rush’s synthesizer period. Grace Under Pressure is one such album to come out of that era, and it’s one of the most underrated records in Rush’s discography. It’s a full commitment to synths, and while it isn’t as aggressive or heavy as the band’s previous works, it’s still an incredibly emotional and smart album. Some fans didn’t want to give it a chance, and that’s a real shame.
Photo by Tom Wargacki/WireImage
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.