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55 Surprising Albums

Sometimes an artist issues a record that seems like a bad idea – an indulgent double album, a weird concept or a mismatch of ambition and talent. Here are 55 unexpected and surprisingly wonderful albums that stood the test of (my) time.
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made by mychael
avg. score: 6 of 55 (10%)
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Nits Ting
Nits Ting
1
Wonderland • Wonderland Band No.1
Wonderland • Wonderland Band No.1
2
Phillip Boa & the Voodooclub • She
Phillip Boa & the Voodooclub • She
3
Van Dyke Parks • Tokyo Rose
Van Dyke Parks • Tokyo Rose
4
Horslips • Happy to Meet, Sorry to Part
Horslips • Happy to Meet, Sorry to Part
5
The Notwist • Neon Golden
The Notwist • Neon Golden
6
Terry Allen • Lubbock (On Everything)
Terry Allen • Lubbock (On Everything)
7
Brian Eno • Apollo
Brian Eno • Apollo
8
Frank Zappa • Joe's Garage
Frank Zappa • Joe's Garage
9
Bark Psychosis • Hex
Bark Psychosis • Hex
10
Philip Glass • Songs From Liquid Days
Philip Glass • Songs From Liquid Days
11
Richie Havens • Richard P. Havens 1983
Richie Havens • Richard P. Havens 1983
12
Joni Mitchell • Hejira
Joni Mitchell • Hejira
13
Ute Lemper • Punishing Kiss
Ute Lemper • Punishing Kiss
14
Steely Dan - Countdown to Ecstasy
Steely Dan - Countdown to Ecstasy
15
Sabrina Ascacibar • Wo Bist Du?
Sabrina Ascacibar • Wo Bist Du?
16
Phish • Undermind
Phish • Undermind
17
Bob Dylan Time Out of Mind
Bob Dylan Time Out of Mind
18
No-Man • Together We're Stranger
No-Man • Together We're Stranger
19
Simon Ho • If
Simon Ho • If
20
A.R. & Machines • Echo
A.R. & Machines • Echo
21
Santana - Caravanserai
Santana - Caravanserai
22
Element of Crime • Romantik
Element of Crime • Romantik
23
Game Theory • Lolita Nation
Game Theory • Lolita Nation
24
The Roches
The Roches
25
John Prine • Lost Dogs & Mixed Blessings
John Prine • Lost Dogs & Mixed Blessings
26
Roland Heinrich • Common Verse
Roland Heinrich • Common Verse
27
Spirit • Spirit of 76
Spirit • Spirit of 76
28
Kante • Zweilicht
Kante • Zweilicht
29
David Sylvian • Gone to Earth
David Sylvian • Gone to Earth
30
Jam & Spoon • Tripomatic Fairytales
Jam & Spoon • Tripomatic Fairytales
31
Prefab Sprout • Jordan: The Comeback
Prefab Sprout • Jordan: The Comeback
32
Celtic Frost - Into the Pandemonium
Celtic Frost - Into the Pandemonium
33
Elvis Costello • North
Elvis Costello • North
34
Jane Siberry • the Walking
Jane Siberry • the Walking
35
Michael Nesmith • Tropical Campfires
Michael Nesmith • Tropical Campfires
36
The Beach Boys - Surf's Up
The Beach Boys - Surf's Up
37
Stay Awake: Music From Vintage Disney Films
Stay Awake: Music From Vintage Disney Films
38
Donovan • HMS Donovan
Donovan • HMS Donovan
39
Sam Philips • Cruel Inventions
Sam Philips • Cruel Inventions
40
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