When it comes to rock, there are the basic essential albums like Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, Paranoid by Black Sabbath or Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. However, what goes beyond legendary albums, the ones that are equally as influential or not even talked about, but should be.
I've been involved with the rock world for about seven years, yet I still find myself discovering more each day. There's something spectuacular about music from the late 60's going into the 80's. It feels like a time to be alive and I find myself wanting to time travel each time I spin a record.
The best part of this music journey is connecting with others and discovering something new each time. Whether it's an album that never got the love it deserved or a band I never heard of, it's always a special kind of feeling to have learned something new regarding a genre you love more than anything.
Though this long is everlasting, here are three albums that deserve all the love this world has to offer the genre of rock. Just maybe, in 2025 it will get the praise they always deserved!
People, Hell and Angels (2013), Jimi Hendrix
With his four-year reign as a rockstar, Jimi Hendrix was one of many beautiful hidden gems when it came to albums. Since so much of his work was released posthumously, the world was blessed even after his passing, yet it never got the same attention as it once did back in the late 60's.
Releasing in March 2013 as a compilation that was originally intended to follow after Electric Ladyland in 1968, People Hell and Angels was beauty in guitar. With an underrated track known as "Hear My Train a Comin", it makes me miss Hendrix a little more each time.
It's one of those albums that makes you realize that Hendrix was too good for anyone to match or come close to. Hendrix is arguably the best guitarist to ever walk the Earth that was gone too soon. Leaving legendary songs that cannot be perfected to this day.
What also lies beneath the famous albums, is compilations that never seem to make the conversation on what it takes to be a musical hero. People, Hell and Angels is one of the many post-humous albums released by Experience Hendrix that are equally as beautiful as Are You Experienced or Axis :Bold As Love.
The true guitar hero even has an underrated album believe it or not, and it deserves all the love it could possibly get! If it could change my life, it's bound to change another!
Moving Waves (1971), Focus
Possibly way ahead of it's time and known as THE Dutch prog rock group is Focus. Known for their no.1 single "Hocus Pocus" they are exceptionally underrated with their album, Moving Waves despite it housing one of the most legendary songs of all time.
From wicked guitar work, intricite drum work, and yodeling that can be heard for miles, it is an album one describe as meaning one word: everything.
The album is mischievous as it sounds like something that plays when one looks for a good laugh (or yodel) and fits perfect for showing someone a song you know they have never heard before and that they will laugh but appreciate how talented the band is.
The studio recording of the album doesn't give the band enough credit since their live performances are exceptional and pure chefs kiss. If you don't believe me, then see for yourself!
ELF (1971), Elf
Before Ronnie James Dio found himself in Rainbow, Dio, or Black Sabbath, he was in the group Elf. Possibly a sound that is drastically different compared to his image in heavy metal, Elf was more rock blues that never got the praise they deserved.
Possibly the most underrated rock band with only two albums, they only caught my attention when a family friend recommended them to me after noticing my admiration for the band, Rainbow, which Dio was the lead singer for a brief moment.
After listening to Elf's first studio album from 1971, I was appalled that no musical outlet really covered their work. Especially for only having two studio albums, it seemed pretty easy to cover. They quickly became a band I adored very quickly, since you cannot go wrong with Ronnie James Dio as your front man. With one of their more played songs, "I'm Coming Back For You", you'd wish time came back for Elf as they never got the traction that was more than well-deserved.
There's a forever round of applause for Elf, since of course, it gave us Ronnie James Dio. Despite never reaching commercial success, it is still essential in blues rock as well as showing musical progession for the sound of Dio since band members from Elf later joined Ritchie's Blackmore's band, Rainbow, which then achieved success!
It's also a beautiful example of sticking to your passion and to always keep your eyes on your goals since you never know where life can take you. Elf is the prime example of just that, but also recognizing the incredible talent and contributions made by Elf in the music world!
As much as I wish I could mention so many other fantastic albums that never reached the spotlight, these three embarked on a journey of progressive change, musical improvision, and of course, knowing how to rock and yodel in sync!