Underestimated, song, artist or group '' gems'' ?

Sonicbeauty, I don't know how old you are (I'm 38) but give Steve Forbert a listen. His cd "American In Me" (1998)is one of my all-time favorites. It's strong and great songwriting on it. I second The Tragically Hip recommendation. Beth Orton has some great stuff out too! I you're lookin' for something more current check out Interpol, a band out of New York (think Echo and the Bunnymen meet David Bowie).

Oh well back to work (this is fun though)!

i cant believe i am saying this but the lisa marie presley
disc is great good recording good performance i saw her live and she sucked was really surprised how much i enjoyed the cd ted thanks

I'd echo Synthfreak's recommendation of Nick Drake. Especially 'Pink Moon'. Timeless (even though it's over 30 years old).

Also;

XTC- Nonsuch
Peter Gabriel - Passion
Budd/Eno - The Pearl
Michael Brook - Cobalt Blue
Talk Talk - Colour of Spring
Lou Reed - Magic & Loss
Miles Davis - In A Silent Way

Additionally, the ECM catalog is littered with gems.

CD

Burton Garr - Mighty Long Road
This is the blues artist the record stores in the Big Easy listen to. Find it, buy several copies and share with friends. Easliy the best find I've made in 5 years.

I second the Richard Thompson nomination. Although he has even been nominated for a Grammy or two, the average music fan has never heard of him.

I'll also nominate John Cale. He's been consistently over-shadowed by Lou Reed in terms of both popular and critical appeal, but for my money his post-Velvet work has been much stronger than Reed's.

And how about Graham Parker? The forgotten member of a remarkable late 70's new-wave triumvirate (along with Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson), his body of work is arguably the best of the three (although admittedly less adventurous). Yet he has no profile at all in the States, and most of his albums are out of print.