underrated bands...

[oxford_fan]

I don't think there's a bad track on that album

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida and Sleepless?

I just relistened and half the tracks are fuppin ace, but the rest are much of a muchness; bit repetitive and don't stand up to repeat listening.

I don't know if Pendulum are a great example, Hold Your Colour was a bit poo and there's definitely some poppy shit on there. You could tell they'd made it with the idea of cracking the album charts; it sounds very very different to what they play live.

I'm struggling to see how High Contrast could be more highly rated though. Who underrates him? Any big fan of drum and bass rates him highly. He's probably one of the three best selling artists in the genre over the two decades.

Burial lost the Mercury Prize to Elbow this year and Untrue is a more complete, consistent and meaningful album than Tough Guys.

[Ben Wah Balls]

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida and Sleepless?

I just relistened and half the tracks are fuppin ace, but the rest are much of a muchness; bit repetitive and don't stand up to repeat listening.

I don't know if Pendulum are a great example, Hold Your Colour was a bit poo and there's definitely some poppy shit on there. You could tell they'd made it with the idea of cracking the album charts; it sounds very very different to what they play live.

I'm struggling to see how High Contrast could be more highly rated though. Who underrates him? Any big fan of drum and bass rates him highly. He's probably one of the three best selling artists in the genre over the two decades.

Burial lost the Mercury Prize to Elbow this year and Untrue is a more complete, consistent and meaningful album than Tough Guys.

I like untrue but I think that high contrast is more deserving of an award but he's never ever been nominated, that's why he's underrated. I really like in a gadda da vida, sleepless takes a while to get going but the second half is very good. I don't think he's one of the top three selling artists. Number one would have to be pendulum, Roni Size has also sold a lot more and Shy FX and Andy C have both had top 40 hits and Andy C's mix cd's sell a lot. Chase and Status are also doing well recently.

[oxford_fan]

I would really struggle to pick the best 5 tracks

1, 4, 8, 9, and 10 are easily the best 5.

I like untrue but I think that high contrast is more deserving of an award but he's never ever been nominated, that's why he's underrated

Why is High Contrast more deserving?

Are you saying the only reason he's underrated is because he hasn't won the Mercury?

He has a great rep in the genre. He's sold loads of albums. He's reached the masses as much as anyone has from the genre.

He hasn't won the Mercury because he's not ever put a complete album out worthy of it. The new one has some nice tunes but is only really made for dancing and nothing much deeper. Okay there are a couple of vocal samples which hint at bigger themes but they're few and far between and often used on the weaker tracks.

Andy C deserves to sell more than High Contrast, if he does. He's been around for aaaages and is the best DJ around as far as I'm concerned. He plays all styles, is a flawless DJ and has done alot to promote the scene.

[juddie]

high contrast is pretty good.

Cooper Temple Clause were bellends, they went to my school. I still play footie against them now, right nobbers.

[Rich Pullen]

high contrast is pretty good.

Cooper Temple Clause were bellends, they went to my school. I still play footie against them now, right nobbers.

Did they kick you out of the band before they made it?

[Ben Wah Balls]

1, 4, 8, 9, and 10 are easily the best 5.

Why is High Contrast more deserving?

Are you saying the only reason he's underrated is because he hasn't won the Mercury?

He has a great rep in the genre. He's sold loads of albums. He's reached the masses as much as anyone has from the genre.

He hasn't won the Mercury because he's not ever put a complete album out worthy of it. The new one has some nice tunes but is only really made for dancing and nothing much deeper. Okay there are a couple of vocal samples which hint at bigger themes but they're few and far between and often used on the weaker tracks.

Andy C deserves to sell more than High Contrast, if he does. He's been around for aaaages and is the best DJ around as far as I'm concerned. He plays all styles, is a flawless DJ and has done alot to promote the scene.

I think the tough guys don't dance is much better than untrue, some of the burial tracks are great but he's been pretty over hyped and there are quite a few on that album I don't rate much. It's not the only reason he's underrated but lack of critical acclaim is definitely one thing and I just don't think he has sold loads of albums, his singles and albums only make the dance and indie chart.

I think Tracks 11 and 12 (chances and nobody gets out alive) are two of the best on the album.

[oxford_fan]

The Mercury panel don't agree with you. You must rate their opinion if you think High Contrast should have won by now. Which of his albums should have won?

Untrue was moving, atmospheric, consistent and above all original. There are a few weak tracks on there but the album pushed boundaries and created a new sound. In contrast, Tough Guys is nothing particularly new or original. It's a slight progression on what has already been done.

I don't think Untrue was 'over hyped'. It got hardly any press until the Mercury nomination. It was a fantastic album, very well received, but certainly not among the mass market or on anything approaching a big scale.

I still fail to see how High Contrast could be more highly rated. What do you want him to do, release a mainstream album which goes top 10 (ala shitty hold your colour) and a single which goes top 5 (ala slam - weak weak poppy drum and bass)? He's never going to do that, because he makes solid drum and bass tracks which don't sell in massive amounts or get critical acclaim amongst mainstream press (though his albums get reviewed in many many music magazines and newspapers). I think he's reached the peaks that he can, and is rated by all the right people. If more people rated him he'd be making watered down D&B.

[herthab]

But can you tap your foot to it?

[janaage]

"Kinda Thrifty" are the most under rated band, especially their third album.  KT don't actually exist, they're a band me and my mates made up years ago, more of a concept than an actual band, I was meant to play the drums and do part time vocals, but if we ever did do anything about it, we'd be so under rated, it'd be unbelievable.

[Ben Wah Balls]

The Mercury panel don't agree with you. You must rate their opinion if you think High Contrast should have won by now. Which of his albums should have won?

Untrue was moving, atmospheric, consistent and above all original. There are a few weak tracks on there but the album pushed boundaries and created a new sound. In contrast, Tough Guys is nothing particularly new or original. It's a slight progression on what has already been done.

I don't think Untrue was 'over hyped'. It got hardly any press until the Mercury nomination. It was a fantastic album, very well received, but certainly not among the mass market or on anything approaching a big scale.

I still fail to see how High Contrast could be more highly rated. What do you want him to do, release a mainstream album which goes top 10 (ala shitty hold your colour) and a single which goes top 5 (ala slam - weak weak poppy drum and bass)? He's never going to do that, because he makes solid drum and bass tracks which don't sell in massive amounts or get critical acclaim amongst mainstream press (though his albums get reviewed in many many music magazines and newspapers). I think he's reached the peaks that he can, and is rated by all the right people. If more people rated him he'd be making watered down D&B.

The mercury music prize is the only music award that really means anything but they do overlook some superb albums and generally include some dross on the short-list. High Society and Tough Guys Don't Dance should definitely both have been nominated and would have been deserving winners.

Personally I think he's already released albums that should have made the top 10 (they should have been no. 1). That they weren't just shows not enough people appreciate good music. I'm not saying he's underrated in comparison to similar artists I am saying that with the quality of the music he makes and his skill as a producer he deserves to be far more successful without needing to change his style at all.

[Ben Wah Balls]

Another underrated artist is Akala, I'd heard his stuff before but had forgotten just how good this tune is.



This verse is pure poetry:

Wise is the man that knows he's a fool
Tempt not a desperate man with a jewel
Why take from Peter to go pay Paul
Some rise by sin and by virtue fall
What have you made if you gain the whole world
But sell your own soul for the price of a pearl
The world is my oyster and I am starving
I want much more than a penny or a farthing
I told no joke, I hope you're not laughing
Poet or pauper which do you class him
Speak eloquent, though I am resident to the gritty inner city
That's surely irrelevant
Call it urban, call it street
A rose by any other name, smell just as sweet
Spit so hard, but I'm smart as the Bard
Come through with a Union Jack, full of yard

but all of the lyrics are insanely good.

Had some recognition but deserves far more.

[oxford_fan]

Jehst is underrated. Incredible lyricist.

[sonic youth]

i agree.

[random_five]

Mower and BSP.

Rumour is Mower are reforming.. Amazed that you've heard of them to be honest..

[axs]

People are cruel is a great album.