Underrated Artists

[Chris D]

When I say underrated, it can mean whatever you want, as in underrated by whom, but for my artists, I'll say underrated here on this forum/site. But if you post your own artist, you can talk about underrated by radio, critics, etc. It doesn't really matter, just underrated in general

The other day on the thread about rumors of Reba possibly going to other labels, Razor X said:

There aren't any good artists on the current Lyric Street roster.

Is SHeDAISY still on their roster? Their latest album was great, and I love their past music too.

Yes, they are.

Now, not to single you out Razor (I know your taste in music can be very different than mine, and I respect that. ), but I disagree. I think SHeDAISY is very underrated as an artist. Now they aren't very country in sound, but what on radio is now? What makes SHeDAISY different is their songwriting ability (AKA Krystin Osbourne who has written or co-written every SHeDAISY song except for one, namely "God Bless The American Housewife") and harmonies. They have more lyrical substance than most major acts today, and in my opinion, sound much better and are more interesting to listen to.

Here's a few songs as examples:

"In Terms Of Love" http://www.last.fm/music/SHeDaisy/_/In+Terms+Of+Love
"Mine All Mine" http://www.last.fm/music/SHeDaisy/_/Mine+All+Mine
"Without A Sound" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSOzRMPoNbE (Sorry, it's some fan video of some TV show...)
"She Gets What I Deserve" -I couldn't find this one but it's amazing, and my favorite SHeDAISY song. It's off their Fortuneteller's Melody album, check it out.

So what do you think of my underrated artist? Do you have your own?

[lanibug]

I have to agree with you that SHeDAISY is underrated. And the song - "She Gets What I Deserve" has to be one of my favorites by them.

Two of my favorite artists are ones that I consider underrated -- Julie Roberts and Ashley Monroe. At least Julie Roberts has had two albums released but she does not get the airtime, etc. to allow the albums to sell, and Ashley Monroe could not get her album released due to poor airplay, etc. and now does not have a record contract.

I would also add Shelly Fairchild to that list, but I think she is now leaning away from country, but still think she is a great singer/songwriter.

[Hollerin Ben]

Now they aren't very country in sound, but what on radio is now?

you realize that to country music partisans like Razor X and myself (I'm taking a liberty speaking for him here, correct me if I'm wrong Razor)once you threw this out there the rest of your arguments were meaningless right? I mean, basically you are saying that Shedaisy is really good at non-country music, which shouldn't disqualify them because non-country music is totally in right now. but some people want real country music, and not non-country music, no matter how well the non-country music is executed.

Do you have your own?

my stock answer is The Jack of all Heartaches and Los Angeles' Uncrowned King of Honky Tonk Music Mike Stinson
http://www.myspace.com/stinsoncountry

but I'll throw Brennen Leigh's hat into the mix as well. She's a pretty amazing singer and is high on the list of 20-somethings who might actually save country music.
http://www.myspace.com/brennenleigh

[Razor X]

Now they aren't very country in sound, but what on radio is now?

you realize that to country music partisans like Razor X and myself (I'm taking a liberty speaking for him here, correct me if I'm wrong Razor)once you threw this out there the rest of your arguments were meaningless right? I mean, basically you are saying that Shedaisy is really good at non-country music, which shouldn't disqualify them because non-country music is totally in right now. but some people want real country music, and not non-country music, no matter how well the non-country music is executed.

I've never really liked SheDAISY very much. Chris is correct that they are better than most of what is on mainstream country radio these days, but if that isn't being damned by faint praise, I don't know what is. I'll give them credit for being different from most of what is out there, but as Chris said, they aren't very country so they don't interest me very much. I certainly wouldn't consider them underrated. I think they pretty much got the level of attention that they deserved in their heyday

[PaulaW]

but if that isn't being damned by faint praise, I don't know what is.

It's what we call at my house a "back door compliment".

[JR Journey]

I always thought SheDaisy was hit and miss - for me anyway. I really, really loved 'Mine All Mine' and 'Little Goodbyes'. Other songs like 'Passenger Seat' and 'Come Home Soon' did nothing for me.

I'm gonna say Terri Clark is way underrated. She has a distince and very country vocal - and great songs to boot. I caught her live back in 2005 and she did some impersonations of the likes of Hank, Jr., John Anderson, and Loretta Lynn that were spot-on perfect. Really entertaining lady.

[Chris D]

Now they aren't very country in sound, but what on radio is now?

you realize that to country music partisans like Razor X and myself (I'm taking a liberty speaking for him here, correct me if I'm wrong Razor)once you threw this out there the rest of your arguments were meaningless right? I mean, basically you are saying that Shedaisy is really good at non-country music, which shouldn't disqualify them because non-country music is totally in right now. but some people want real country music, and not non-country music, no matter how well the non-country music is executed.

I've never really liked SheDAISY very much. Chris is correct that they are better than most of what is on mainstream country radio these days, but if that isn't being damned by faint praise, I don't know what is. I'll give them credit for being different from most of what is out there, but as Chris said, they aren't very country so they don't interest me very much. I certainly wouldn't consider them underrated. I think they pretty much got the level of attention that they deserved in their heyday

I guess what I was trying to say is that there's a difference between not-country and bad, I guess.

It's also sad that their latest album, their best and most country of their albums (which isn't saying a lot), was completely ignored.

[Jordan Stacey]

I happen to like both the new country sounds and the older sound. I don't like either better than the other, but I don't classify them as the same genre. "Real" Country as I call it more or less lost it's spot in the main stream when Garth Brooks came out, about the same time I was born. "New" Country started then and took "Real" country's place in the main stream. "Real" Country still exists and still gets a little attention from the mainstream every now and then. Now SHeDAISY is a perfect example of how "New" Country could be done. Their lyrics and vocals are really great and I hope that their next album helps bring them back onto the charts. I have more to say but i'm getting kicked out of the place I'm in at this moment so I'll have to finish this rant later.

[indulgedcountrymusic]

Some people may disagree, but I think Sara Evans is underrated <3 She has the best voice in country music, IMHO, and records great stuff but her singles don't chart very consistantly, despite their wonderfulness...

EDIT: ie: after "A Real Fine Place to Start" did so well, "Cheatin'" should've been higher than #9... and "Coalmine" was awesome - IMO, it deserved higher charting than #37... and her recent single (before "Low") failed to chart, when it shouldn't have

[Rainbow]

Some people may disagree, but I think Sara Evans is underrated <3 She has the best voice in country music, IMHO, and records great stuff but her singles don't chart very consistantly

Probably because she's a woman, and "old news" to radio. Heck, LeAnn Rimes is 25, and she's old news to radio.

[Razor X]

I'm gonna say Terri Clark is way underrated. She has a distince and very country vocal - and great songs to boot. I caught her live back in 2005 and she did some impersonations of the likes of Hank, Jr., John Anderson, and Loretta Lynn that were spot-on perfect. Really entertaining lady.

Terri is very good, but has fallen into the trap of releasing too many songs that sound alike, have similar themes, etc. But whenever she's tried to branch out and do something different, radio has ignored her.

[Chris D]

I'm gonna say Terri Clark is way underrated. She has a distince and very country vocal - and great songs to boot. I caught her live back in 2005 and she did some impersonations of the likes of Hank, Jr., John Anderson, and Loretta Lynn that were spot-on perfect. Really entertaining lady.

Terri is very good, but has fallen into the trap of releasing too many songs that sound alike, have similar themes, etc. But whenever she's tried to branch out and do something different, radio has ignored her.

Exhibit A: Fearless, my favorite album from her.

[lanibug]

I agree that Terri Clark is underrated. I have turned my hard cored heavy metal husband into a fan of hers. We went and saw her at the local county fair in August of this year, and he was amazed at how talented she was, both vocally and instrumentally, and impressed with the musicians that she surrounded herself with.

I think if you look back at country music you will find that many artists are under appreciated in many ways....and sadly most of the artists I like are the ones that are, because I am turning more and more away from mainstream.

[pwdennis]

Jim Lauderdale is the most underrated artist currently going - a great songwriter and singer

He would be followed by

Gene Watson
Billy Yates
Amber Digby
Terri Clark
Joe Nichols
Erin Hay
Todd Snider
SheDaisy (I don't really like either Todd Snider or SheDaisy but their talents are undeniable)

[Steve Harvey]

.....

[Brody]

Dale Watson...

[JR Journey]

Dale Watson...

I was waiting for someone to mention him ...

[Swcj]

Jamey Johnson and Chris Knight...Jamey may be in the top 20 be he deserves higher also...Joey + Rory

[indulgedcountrymusic]

also...Joey + Rory

They are still new on the scene, and already quite popular as the fan-favorites for Can You Duet

They also haven't even release their album yet

[Chris D]

Well, another artist I think is underrated or at least overlooked is Little Big Town.

Here's an amazing live video of my favorite song of theirs:

http://blog.cmt.com/2008-10-08/the-stay ... ment-37765

Wow. This just shows how their harmonies are flawless live, it's amazing.

Anyway, I love them because they sound like nobody else in country music. Usually you have the groups or duos where one person sings lead, and everyone else becomes background voices. Not so with LBT, I love how they switch lead vocals, either track by track, or in some cases mid-track, like in "Boondocks", a song that I'm sure you all know. Their 4-part harmonies are just very unique, and it doesn't hurt that their songs are great too.

My favorite tracks:
"Stay (acoustic)" from The Road To Here
"Only What You Make Of It" from A Place To Land
"Lonely Enough" from A Place To Land

What do you guys think?