And on a related topic ... can we listen it to greatness?

[Davey]

The cool thing is when you run into someone else who has "elevated" a similar album into greatness.

Take DOWNWARD IS HEAVENWARD by Hum. To the average everyday joe, a Smashing Pumpkins ripoff that sold diddly and went right to the cut out bin like hundreds of other bands did in the post-Nirvana 90's..

But there was something there that kept people coming back.

Yeah, that's one that took me awhile to realize how good it was, and it probably wasn't until I ran into some people like you. I think that is one that I picked up cheap used not too long after release, probably saw a good review someplace, and only listened once or twice. Didn't get it, but it did have a surprisingly nice sound quality for a somewhat heavy rock album so kept it around. And then much later realized how big was that legion of fans you mention, so pulled it out and proceeded to elevate it to a much higher level just by getting to know it with a binge session of listens. I think I might've done the same with Wedding Present, although I didn't get a copy of that one until long after the fact. I know I did it with The Lonesome Crowded West from Modest Mouse, although it always had a certain quirkiness that I appreciated even from the first distracted listen. Another prize snatched from the used bins not too long after release. Sometimes I have a hard time getting to that level of appreciation with older albums. Things like Camper Van Beethoven and Stone Roses and other highly regarded bands that I didn't know much about at the time they were getting attention. Much easier when you live through it the first time. But sometimes ...

[-Jar-]

Much easier when you live through it the first time. But sometimes ...

very true, which is why it's hard for me to "catch up" with bands like Gang of Four and Television..

and why modern rock "just isn't the same" as the classics..

-jar