November 9, 2004 by A.S. Van Dorston

I’m not talking some obscure, struggling local yokels who are dime a dozen, but rather artists with several accomplished albums under their belts and have played all around the world. I figure when an artist only has one album, it’s too damn soon to tell if they’re underrated until they show they’ve got staying power.

The Flaming Stars
They’ve released several excellent albums, yet I still get blank looks at the record stores when I ask for their latest. Formed by ex-Gallon Drunk drummer Max Decharne, I consider them the epitome of Garage Noir. Think 60s garage rock mixed with sinister rockabilly of Nick Cave’s Bad Seeds and cinematic aspects of Tindersticks. Their new album Named And Shamed sees domestic release on Nov 16.

Sunset & Void (Alternative Tentacles) 02
A Walk On The Wired Side (Vinyl Japan) 01
Ginmill Perfume: The Story So Far 1995-2000 (Alternative Tentacles)
Sell Your Soul To The Flaming Stars (Vinyl Japan) 97
Bring Me The Rest Of Alfredo Garcia Singles 1995-1996 (Vinyl Japan) 96

Asian Dub Foundation
Before it was fashionable, they mixed early Gang Of Four, Public Image Ltd., dancehall ‘n’ dub reggae, rap, metal, techno, drum ‘n’ bass, classical Indian and Bengali folk. ADF’s songs are political, angry and spiritual, and their awesome live shows are something to behold — something between Public Enemy and a heavy dancehall-dub soundsystem.

Enemy of the Enemy (Virgin) 03
Community Music (London) 00
Rafi’s Revenge (London) 98
Facts And Fictions (Nation) 95

Chico Science & Na?ao Zumbi
Founder Chico Science originally architected their sound (which he called “mangue” in reference to crabs that live in the mud flats of Recife, Brazil), based on ancient folkloric Northeastern musics, but sounded hyper-modern, adding afro bloco, maracatu, reggae, funk, hip-hop, rock and electronic music. Science was tragically killed in a car accident in 1996, and the band has carried on with percussionist Jorge du Peixe at the vocals.

NaÃ§Ã£o Zumbi (Trama) 02
RÃ¡dio S.AMB.A. (Stern’s Brasil) 00
Afrociberdelia (Chaos) 96
De Lama Ao Caos (Chaos) 95

Arto Lindsay
Early in Arto Lindsay’s career, he was known for his impatience with convention and tradition, his spastic guitar-playing in the no-wave band DNA being the epitome of unpredictability. His style morphed quickly, and remained ever-changing and dissonant throughout his stints with the Lounge Lizards and Ambitious Lovers. Which is surprising how single minded he’s been for an amazing six album stretch in studying a particular form, albeit in a somewhat fractured, deconstructed form. He loves his bossa nova, and lovingly sprinkles in a touch of skronk and electronica. But experimentalism takes a back seat now to aesthetic beauty, with consistently amazing results.

Salt (Righteous Babe) 04
Invoke (Righteous Babe) 02
Prize (Righteous Babe) 99
Noon Chill (Bar/None) 98
Mundo Civilizado (Bar/None) 97
O Corpo Sutil (Bar None) 96