We’ve already seen some excellent suggestions for TV, movie, and reality stars who haven’t gotten their due share of attention this year. Of course, these injustices happen across all entertainment media. So here’s another question: Who are the most under-appreciated music acts of 2010?
I nominate OutKast’s Big Boi. His long-awaited solo debut, Sir Lucious Left Foot, got tons of well-earned rave reviews when it finally arrived in stores this June. Then it basically faded from view after selling an underwhelming 62,000 copies in its first week. This, ladies and gentlemen, is an outrage! Sir Lucious Left Foot is, top to bottom, one of the most innovative, ambitious, and downright fun hip-hop releases of the year. We should still be talking about it right now. The album’s weak sales are even more confounding considering what a huge commercial draw OutKast was at its height.
Speaking of solo debuts, I don’t think Radiohead drummer Philip Selway‘s solo debut, Familial, got nearly enough love this summer. Selway’s hushed, eerie folk tunes were a revelation after years of hearing him keep the beat in his main gig. Back on the pop side, I know many people feel that American Idol alum Allison Iraheta didn’t deserve to lose her record deal last month. And surely Robyn has cranked out enough undeniable jams this year — two Body Talk albums in four months! — to be a legit dance-pop star by now.
You get the idea. Now tell us what you think. Which musicians have been criminally overlooked in 2010? Let’s hear it!
Read more:
Who is the most under-appreciated TV star of 2010?
What film actors have been under-appreciated in 2010?
Bad Religion. Some of the best songwriters around. And gee, no samples, no stealing other people’s stuff, no rap.
Disagree, the most underrated talent has to be Jennette McCurdy – listen to her song “Not That Far Away” and you will forget all about Taylor Swift – first she CAN sing, listen to her acoustic performance (no enhancements) on youtube, she is amazing and the lyrics hit home for anyone out on their own for the first time
I saw not that far away on CMT and it is pretty good
Bad Religion is SO great, I agree completely!
It doesn’t matter anymore how naturally talented anyone is. It’s all about creating characters and marketing them in ways that have nothing to do with actual music. The fact that someone like Kesha or Bieber are actually nominated for AWARDS is such a slap in the face. Catchy songs are one thing – true talent another.
I completely agree but its the stupid autotune and disneyfication of entertainment. Its also corporate ownership of radio stations, which has taken away so much variety to preprogram everything to the lowest common denominator. Just like movies studios would rather bet on another tired sequel than a new idea so too radio stations will immediately play any katy perry, kesha etc song a million times but its really hard for a new artist to get airtime. And if you are somewhat original they don’t know where to “fit” you. I hardly ever listen to top 40 radio anymore its so boring
I like Kesha and only one Justin Bieber song, but I agree with LisaW on some parts. Pop radio already knows what they want to play in their lineup with the typical formulaic pop songs. There are some cities that play songs differently and not the same format such as album cuts, but while I like listening to top 40, I wish they could have more variety and play songs that missed the top 40 or peaked in the 30s, 40s or 50s on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Sometimes, you might go–heck those missed-the-top-40 songs are FAR better than the ones that peaked at No. 5 or 1, the more meaty and musical songs than the commercial/formulaic type! It will make the lineups far more interesting than the corporate approach they do now.
Cloud Cult hands down! They’re so good, I’m rather dissapointed that more people don’t know who they are, and people who do say they’re an Arcade Fire rip-off, which is dillusional because: 1.)They’ve been around far longer than Arcade Fire and 2.) they have far more effective uses of emotional catharsis. Do yourselves a favor and look up Cloud Cult!!!!!
Mika Nakashima
Has she even released an English album, you silly fangirl?
Big Boi, Musician. That’s silly.
How is it silly. He writes music, is probably able to play an instrument or two himself. And very few rappers (Outkast in particular) use samples these days.
Why do I sense an underlying racism in your posts?
Why does a complete distaste for rap/hip-hop always cause people to cry racism? From a musician’s standpoint, at least this musician’s standpoint, hip-hop is the exact oppisite of quality music, and is not led by a desire to create music, but merely a desire to entertain and make tons of cash, with very little to no regard for actual musicianship. Hip-hop may be a huge part of current black culture, but a dislike of it doesn’t have to brand someone as a racist. I fact, assuming that hip-hop encompasses all aspects of black culture is a very narrow way of looking at it. I think that my disgust with this genre of “music” is actually partially born of my distaste for sterotypes, which hip-hop is swimming with, and seems to have no problem re-enforcing. I think the music is crap, but that’s from a musician’s outlook, not an expert on race relations. Is that how you look at everything? Maybe your a bit too paranoid about it?
I can’t stand country. I hate the twang and how almost every song sounds the same but I won’t go as far as to dismiss it as not music. It’s just not for me. And while I don’t think your initial comment makes you seem like a racist, it is very condescending.
Well, Adam, from this musician’s standpoint you have a very narrow mind when it comes to music. Perhaps your prejudice against hip-hop is not race-based, but it’s a prejudice nonetheless. Try listening to some hip-hop other than Lil’ Wayne, and maybe you’ll get enlightened.
I’m not a huge fan of hip-hop overall, but did enjoy Big Boi’s album quite a bit this summer. Methinks that a) you have a very narrow view of what hip-hop is, and b) Just because somebody doesn’t use a guitar or piano to make music doesn’t mean they aren’t a musician.
Or put another way, should somebody dismiss all rock and roll because they hate Nickelback? Of course not.
Adam, it is obvious you’ve never actually listened to legitimate hip hop. imo, it’s superior to rock music (which is irrelevant these days), and allows for a lot more creativity.
How? You put down sampling as some kind of sin, yet it is just an inventive way of appropriating a specific sound in a new way. Why not? It’s not lazy, it’s one way of making music creatively. And not everyone does it, btw.
Lyrically, hip hop allows for more observation and poetry than “good” music does. The vocals are usually done in a more creative fashion, too. As opposed to the same guy/girl singing the same melody for the verse and just one other for the chorus and maybe a bridge, hip hop allows various MCs to take different verses on the same song, and have someone sing the choruses. Instead of having the same voice go through the same rhythms and melodies, you have different voices doing their own things, which makes the music more interesting.
I could go on, but it would take me a while to further shed light on Adam’s ignorance. No you’re not a racist for hating hip hop, you just have a minimal understanding of music in general.
Oh ProfLinus, how little you know about music…my problem with hip-hop is that there is virtually no emotion whatsoever. The only rap song that has ever conveyed an emotion thats not lust or greed is “Stan” by Eminem…and 1 to 1,000,000 doesn’t seem like a very good statistic…
Then you, my good man (or woman) — Person Who Talks — have not listened to very much hip-hop.
Everyone on here is commenting on music forms that you don’t even like, therefore, you are basing your dislike off of a sample of about 1-3 songs that they must have been forced to listen too. Ridiculous.
There are great hip-hop songs, rock songs, country songs… and … there are terrible hip-hop songs, rock songs, and country songs.
As a lover of music, and someone trained in music, if the song’s good, it’s good, regardless of the genre (and dare I say the color of the person’s skin).
I second your Robyn nomination.
I would nominate the Avett Brothers. It’s only a matter of time before they become huge… Heck, Mumford & Sons is already Top 20 with basically a Celtic version of their sound.
Yes… Robyn is amazing. “Dancing on my Own” should have been the song of 2010 but no one is playing it on the radio. Its insane!!!!
THIS. Why Robyn isn’t more popular is beyond me– “Dancing On My Own” was THE best song of the year hands down!!
The ONE upside? I have a ticket to her Atlanta show. Tiny theater. Not even 10000 people. $25 even with service charges.
If she was Lady Gaga huge (which she deserves to be)… I’d be paying 10 times as much to see her in a giant corporate arena. Robyn deserves more success but it’s kinda nice to see her in a more intimate venue!
Whoops… typo. I think the place holds 2500.
Yeah Robyn, so upset that with all the crap artist performing on the VMAs she gets only 30 seconds blink and you missed her moment.
Robyn’s mentioned a lot, but don’t mention the station where I live. They still love to play her 1997 hit Show Me Love (it’s an adult contemporary pop station). I heard it yesterday. They act as if that’s her only hit when she’s been performing for over a decade. Don’t even know that she’s released 2 EPs and releasing a 3rd on Nov 22nd this year. Sometimes, radio can be lazy with keeping up with artists’ careers.
Janelle Monae
FOR SURE. she’s amazing.
ALLISON IRAHETA FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love her!
Agreed.
The Archandroid gave me chills that I hadn’t had since listening to Rufus Wainwright’s Want One for the first time all the way back in 2003.
I absolutely agree. Janelle has a lot of drie, and I was really impressed with Tightrope. It really had a strong rhythm. I really hope she isn’t proclaimed as a one-hit wonder.
A lot of drie? What is drie?
Drie is the number three… not sure how that fits into the context of Michael’s comment.
THIS.
mariah carey, her last cd was so great! Perfect R & B!!
THIS
Mariah? I think you meant OVERRATED musician.
I agree!’Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel’ was a great CD!!!!
I agree. “Memoirs…” was a great CD of quality R&B. I also agree on Robyn and Janelle Monae, two that deserve Lady Gaga stardom.
Brandon Flowers
I second that one
third that
I couldn’t agree more!
Brandon Flowers’ solo CD has sold like 350,000 copies, was #1 in the UK, and was in the top 10 in the US. It’s not really underrated.
But it has been criminally under-appreciated here. And it’s a great album.
Yes!!!!! Flamingo was a great album, almost as good as Julian Casablancas’ Phrazes for the Young last year
I third the Robyn nomination. That chickie is fantastic!
ROBYN ALL THE WAY!
I just can’t figure out why her fame in the US isn’t as big as her tremendous talent.
ROBYN ROBYN ROBYN.
infinity times.
The first artist who popped into my mind was Robyn. ROBYN PEOPLE! ROBYN!!
My pick for most underappreciated music act of 2010 is The Gaslight Anthem. “American Slang” is one of the best straight-up rock albums of the year. My runners-up would be (in order):
2. Interpol
3. Massive Attack
4. Neil Young
5. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
100% agree about The Gaslight Anthem. They are amazing.
I’m having a hard time understanding how musicians who’ve played the Super Bowl could be considering underrated.
“Mojo” is easily one of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ best albums ever, and I’m still surprised I didn’t hear the singles from that album on the radio all that much. Hence the term “underrated”.
I didn’t even know he released an album this year. I suppose you are right!
Tom even said in interviews he made this album knowing he wasn’t gonna get radio play regardless, cuz artists over the age of 40 no longer get airplay on pop radio.
Agree with massive attack!
Yes! Loved the Gaslight Anthem’s ‘American Slang’ — plus, it inspired me to also pick up their previous album, ‘The ’59 Sound’.
Massice Attack has been around for nearly 20 years & they’re still as good now as they were in the mid – late 90s. Love their album Mezzanine!!
I also agree with Gaslight Anthem, “Stay Lucky” is my third favorite song of the year, right after Neon Trees’ “Animal” and Cloud Cult’s “There’s So Much Energy In Us”
Oh also, Lissie. Every now and then I’ll hear one of her songs on a TV show. Dollhouse, Grey’s, etc. “Everywhere I Go” is amazing.
Lissie is definitely one of the first people that came to mind. It’s too bad that Ellie Goulding isn’t more popular in the States. She did a pretty awesome cover of one of Lissie’s songs with her.
Lissie is amazing. I Sawyer when she opened on Ray LaMontagne’s acoustic tour in 2009. No one knew who she was when she came out, but everyone loved her by thetime she was done.
Her entire album is amazing. She has a fantastic voice, catchy lyrics, and really should be known more. Also Basia Bulat, Emma Pollock, and Kate Miller Heideke. Her “Caught in the Crowd” is relevant today, with so much in the news about bullying.
Finally, Josh Ritter.
Josh Ritter for sure!
The Avett Brothers
Completely agree.
See above. Mumford & Sons need to be paying them a commission!
Flying Lotus. Definitely one of the most innovative Djs/producers in the business, and “Cosmogramma” is my pick for best album of the year.
Big Boi’s a good pick too.
No question… Hanson’s newest album “Shout It Out” was majorly under-appreciated. I listen to it all the time, and it never fails to make me smile. Hanson needs to be taken seriously.
ha
Actually, they’re pretty good. They aren’t 11 anymore, ya know?
I’ll second that.
Big Boi, Jonsi, Gaslight Anthem, Kelis, Dessa, Sia, Robyn, Janelle Monae
Jonsi!!! I second that.
You have good taste!
Without a doubt, Ray Lamontagne.