Music is one of the hardest industries to survive in. Sure, occasionally a truly talented band or artist makes it. But most of the time the “mainstream” of music is just manufactured junk that is pushed onto the radio because it’s catchy or “marketable.”
Because of this, many talented music artists fall through the cracks. Here’s my list of the top five most underrated musicians.
5. Jonny Lang – Jonny Lang is truly a phenomenal musician no one seems to know about. I first saw a video of him when he was 19-years-old on the DVD “Jonny Lang Live at Montreux,” and he was awesome. It has been 10 years since that DVD was recorded, and he’s become ten times better. His music sounds like a rare mix of Jimi Hendrix and B.B King, which creates a cool fusion of rock and blues. Best Song – “Lie to Me”
4. Super Bob (Formerly Bob) – I absolutely love these guys, and it’s sad that they haven’t hit the big time yet. Most people would consider them a Maryland metal band, but they are a lot more than that. Their sound is a fusion of rap and punk, and they are similar to the band Rage Against the Machine. No one can put on a show like Super Bob. I honestly think that the reason these guys aren’t popular is because their name used to be just Bob, which happens to be a name of a popular rapper, who coincidentally would be on my list of ridiculously overrated musicians. Because of this, they are actually kind of hard to find, but if you can find them, they are definitely worth checking out. Best Song – “Nancy”
3. Ashley Parker Angel – I bought this guy’s CD for 27 cents, and it was worth every penny. He sounds like a more hardcore version of the Jonas brothers. You know, without the childish, purity rings and the ‘fros. If you couldn’t tell already, I hate the Jonas brothers with a passion. In fact, I blame them for the downfall of music, and you’d think that I would be against any artist similar to the Disney Channel band. But somehow, Ashley Parker Angel pulls it off. Best Song – “So Alive”
2. No Use For A Name – This awesome punk band has a soft edge. I feel like these guys are the last hope for punk to make a comeback. The softer songs that they sing can bring people in, and lead them to listen to their more hardcore punk songs. That combination makes them a solid number two. Best Song – “Angela”
1. Atmosphere – By far the best rap band out there right now. Atmosphere is the number one most underrated group of musicians. The lead singer-rapper, Slug, is unlike many rappers who spend all their time rapping about money and drugs. Slug raps about his life and the lives of normal people who struggle through life. This makes his music meaningful, which, in my opinion, is the most important thing a musician can do. To be honest with you, I have no idea why this band isn’t more popular. Their music is legitimately good, and their lyrics are deep, but their fan base only consists of those who like underground music. I think that is because Slug refuses to move away from the underground scene and break into the mainstream. Despite this, I feel like they should be recognized for their creations. Best Song – “Sunshine”
If you ever get a spare moment, I would definitely recommend looking up some of these artists and bands. I promise you will not be disappointed.
Ryan Lina can be reached for comment at [email protected].