The Greatest Albums You Probably Have Never Heard

'Sand Rubies' by Sand Rubies

Year: 1993

Genre: Rock, Hard Rock, Desert Rock

Recommended if you like: The Neighborhoods

Comments: A harder-rocking, darker version of Gin Blossoms; hailing from Arizona (like Gin Blossoms); they were originally known as The Sidewinders but changed their name due to legal issues.  The album presents rootsy, hard rocking but very melodic songs ("Goodbye", "Your Life Story"), but interspersed are some softer tracks ("Santa Maria Street", "Guns In The Churchyard") and a few longer form slower rock pieces ("Never", Neil Young cover "Interstate" and "Bar Room Light").  It wraps up with a satirical country duet "Black Eyes And Broken Noses".

'What Goes On' by The Sighs

Year: 1992

Genre: Power Pop

Recommended if you like: Velvet Crush, Gigolo Aunts

Comments: Chalk it up to bad-timing, Holyoke, Mass.'s The Sighs's big break was scuttled almost immediately after it came.  Soon after their debut for the Charisma/Virgin label, Charisma was bought by EMI and was immediately liquidated.  This album is a collection of concise, crisp, upbeat, hook-laden guitar pop (the definition of power pop). 

'Breathe The Daylight' by Sonichrome

Year: 1998

Genre: Alternative Rock, Power Pop

Recommended if you like: The A's, The Knack

Description: A different flavor of power pop, Sonichrome was a project of California's Chris Karn.  They veered closer to alternative rock with a sprinkle of retro Cars-ish production on some tracks.  Karn shows a lot of range in his crafty songwriting and production; going from emotionally sung hard rock to softer ballads with strings.  Almost all of the songs with hooks galore.  The first single "Honey Please" enjoyed some airplay on alternative stations and the Ranchera-tinged "Innocent Journey" was used in at least one movie soundtrack.

'Goldenheart' by The Organ Beats

Year: 2012

Genre: Alternative Pop Rock, Melodic Hard Rock

Recommended if you like: Paramore

Comments: From the ashes of Boston's Damone, Waltham, Mass. vocalist and guitarist Noelle LeBlanc formed a new outfit: The Organ Beats.  The band specializes in heavy rock with mucho harmonized vocal tracks and catchy verses and choruses.  Those familiar with Paramore would have a good idea of what to expect.  Noelle has a strong and compelling voice and is a talented songwriter. 

'Tsar' by Tsar

Year: 2000

Genre: Alternative Pop Rock, Melodic Hard Rock

Recommended if you like: Material Issue, SR-71, The Neighborhoods

Comments: California's Tsar took punk rock, glam rock and pop and put it all together to create a thrilling album for the ages.  The first half of the record overflows with hooks.  Songs like "Calling All Destroyers", I Don't Wanna Break-Up", "Kathy Fong Is The Bomb" and "Silver Shifter" make you want to play them over and over until you get sick of them, if that's at all possible.