The question of which band or which song is underrated, overrated, or deserves the amount of praise it garners is one of those pub debates that will rage on until the sun explodes and consumes us all.
Part of the problem is setting the criteria for what constitutes overrated or underrated. Is it critical praise? Public esteem? Maybe it’s commercial attention or even awards and accolades? Who can really say?
Having said that, we recently decided to turn one of our own pub debates into a slideshow for you folks. It’s a list of songs by well-rated and esteemed bands that perhaps don’t get as much attention as the rest of their respective discographies.
Tame Impala – ‘Forty One Mosquitoes Flying In Formation’
Taken off the band’s 2008 self-titled EP, which folks still happily call Antares, Mira, Sun, ‘Forty One Mosquitoes…’ is a slinky, slightly sinister number that rarely makes an appearance in Tame Impala’s setlists today, but should, if only for the fact that it shows how Kevin Parker could make a convincing hook out of simply singing ‘ah-ah’.
Sticky Fingers – ‘Cyclone’
Available only through a live recording on Sureshaker’s Soundcloud page, Sticky Fingers’‘Cyclone’ is closer to their earlier releases Happy Endings and Extended Play than their more recent work. With only two acoustic guitars, it’s a beautifully stripped-back love song from the Stickys.
Lorde – ‘Ribs’
It’s remarkable the way Lorde’s debut album, Pure Heroine, was universally acclaimed as being on the most refreshing pop releases in years and for being a fully-formed, mature album, but still managed to be overshadowed by its big singles. You may not hear about the elegant, intimate ‘Ribs’ as much as ‘Royals’, but it’s definitely worth listening to on your next rainy afternoon.
Ball Park Music – ‘Great Display of Patience’
Ball Park Music have managed to become one of triple j’s most beloved bands, both among hosts and listeners, but we strongly suggest you venture past the singles you hear on high-rotation, such as this cut from their second album. Humorous, self-deprecating, and catchy, it’s everything that makes Ball Park Music great.
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The Strokes – ‘Electricityscape’
Taken off the already underrated First Impressions of Earth, ‘Electricityscape’ is the ying to ‘Last Nite”s yang. Low, dark and built for 2AM, it’s always been a part of their setlist, but has always been lost in the crush of indie rock bangers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFotBQ9et4w
The Temper Trap – ‘Rabbit Hole’
The Temper Trap have done a bang-up job of becoming more than just the ‘Sweet Disposition’ band. They’ve proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that they’re serious musicians who respect songcraft. Nowhere is this more evident than on the brooding ‘Rabbit Hole’, which is centred on some simple acoustic chords and the honey pot in Dougy Mandagi’s throat before becoming something grand and epic.
Oasis – ‘Bag It Up’
On what was to be their last studio offering, Oasis re-asserted themselves a rock and roll band, defined by more than just ‘Wonderwall’. Liam Gallagher’s sneer is perfectly suited to the stomping distorted groove, and the Stone Roses vibes are strong here.
Red Hot Chili Peppers – ‘Gong Li’
Named after the Chinese actress, here Frusciante’s upbeat eastern picking is backed by oriental noises and eventually joined by Flea and being offset by the classic mellow groove characteristics of turn-of-the-century Chilis.
The Beatles – ‘Hey Bulldog’
Of all the Beatles tracks that laid the foundations for heavy metal, this cut from Yellow Submarine is surely one of the least recognised. Lennon’s famously nonsensical lyrics are set to an infectious bass groove, culminating in a fuzzy guitar solo from George Harrison and Lennon and McCartney howling like the titular canine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8Ed8E7cNak
Arctic Monkeys – ‘She Thunderstorms’
Suck It And See is already often panned by fans because it followed an uneasy response to the Josh Homme-produced Humbug, and as a result so many of the gems it actually contained are usually overlooked. ‘She Thunderstorms’ is proof of that.
The National – ‘About Today’
Taken off the often forgotten about 2004 Cherry Tree EP, ‘About Today’ is easily one of The National’s most heart-wrenching tunes. Matt Berninger’s voice is low over a simple beat, and it’s sublime.
Nirvana – ‘Lounge Act’
Nevermind is a memorable album for the delightfully unexpected moments of brilliance scattered throughout. There’s the deadpan humour in the story of a serial killer (‘Polly’), well-aimed barbs at masculinity (‘Territorial Pissings’), and this – what could be Kirst Novolselic’s best moment with the band, so titled because Kurt Cobain thought the bass line sounded like something a cheesy lounge band would play.
