Listmania!
Massively underrated or unheard of albums
Brain Thrust MasteryBrain Thrust Mastery by We Are Scientists
Buy new: £12.49 / Used from: £5.20
A hugely varied but, crucially, still cohesive album from the fab WAS. Funny, poignant, shivers-down-the-spine stuff, with every track delivering something special.
Walk It OffWalk It Off by Tapes n Tapes
Buy new: £7.49 / Used from: £5.94
A grower, not a shower, Tapes 'n Tapes third release is a superb aural assault made with conviction. Anvil and The Dirty Dirty are truly fantastic.
PosesPoses by Rufus Wainwright
Buy new: £2.98 / Used from: £2.09
The 'difficult second album', it's a challenging, slow-burning work that's a good starting point for introducing people to Rufus. Poses (Kate Winslet's favourite song) is the standout.
Supposed Former Infatuation JunkieSupposed Former Infatuation Junkie by Alanis Morissette
Buy new: £1.49 / Used from: £0.55
Panned by the critics on release, this is too introspective & idionsyncratic for some tastes, but if you have aquired said taste then this will surely resonate. UR & That I Would Be Good are classics.
Those the BrokesThose the Brokes by Magic Numbers
Buy new: £1.24 / Used from: £1.00
Superior to their debut, it's another slow burner that grates on first listening but reveals hidden depths on repeat listens. Undecided is breathtaking - stunning harmonies.
The Forgotten ArmThe Forgotten Arm by Aimee Mann
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.73
Who does concept albums these days? Well, indie pioneer Aimee Mann of course. When even the booklet artwork is stunning you know you're onto something special.
In Ghost ColoursIn Ghost Colours by Cut Copy
Buy new: £6.98 / Used from: £6.58
Where has this band been all my life? Intelligent Electronica is a rare thing indeed - you'll be hooked from Feel The Love onwards.
The Tension and the SparkThe Tension and the Spark by Darren Hayes
Buy new: £7.37 / Used from: £3.00
Darren Hayes seems to be wallowing in self-loathing (it was recorded before he came out) in this depressing but somehow life-affirming album. It's stunning stuff, Darkness being his best single yet.
The Con [CD + DVD Special Edition] [Us Import]The Con [CD + DVD Special Edition] [Us Import] by Tegan and Sara
Buy new: £22.99 / Used from: £10.93
Tegan & Sara have created their best yet; filled with important, heartbreaking, depressing and funny songs. I Was Married, Dark Come Soon & Soil, Soil are essential.