2008 -- The Most Underrated Albums

1. Scarlett Johansson - Anywhere I Lay My Head

I don't know how people dislike this albums so much. Johansson's not the best singer in the world, but her voice has a thickness which does make her a distinct vocalist. The song selection was also excellent, and the musical backing perfectly couched her voice. This is an album that I think will be reevaluated as a classic in the years to come.

2. Jakob Dylan - Seeing Things

Most critics tried to say that this album is completely different from his dad's music, and then they didn't know what to say after that so they just gave up. This actually has a lot in common with good old Bob, but it isn't anything that glares out as being extremely obvious, and its more like late-period Bob than his sixties heyday. There are stolen melodies, apocalyptic lyrics -- all trademarks of his dad's recent work. Jakob handles this material just as well, though, which is what no critic realized. This is a very accompolished album.

3. Flowers Forever - Flowers Forever

This is like garage rock nirvana revisited. The guitars drive and the organs plow. The rhythms rush like a freight train. The yowling is manic. The lyrics in your face and often political. It is a shame no one besides Daniel Johnston took notice of these talented folks in 2008. Check out "Golden Shackles" or "Black Rosary." Now if they could only quit dancing around the stage like indie kids on crack....


4. Hayes Carll - Trouble In Mind

I knew I had to get this when I saw a track listing. The song titles called out to me: "She Left Me For Jesus," "Drunken Poet's Dream," "Wild As A Turkey," "Faulkner Street," "Bad Liver And A Broken Heart." The titles had a certain humor to them, and so did the songs. They were great. "Drunken's Poet's Dream" is the "Up On Cripple Creek" of the 00s. As I listened more, though, it was the more serious songs that continually bowled me over with maturity and grace. This might be essential.

Honorable Mention: Guns'n'Roses - Chinese Democracy

It doesn't live up to 17 years worth of built up expectations, but Chinese Democracy is a really solid album and deserves more credit than critics trying to make a name for themselves are giving it.