5 best underrated or unknown bands and why?

Bshapperd,
I have a few of their other CDs, I forget the names but they were recommended by All Music Guide as their best and they do not have the flavor of Is A Woman. They are distinctly more alternative sounding (which is usually fine with me) and I find myself not listening to them as much as Is A Woman.

Another good group is called: Ida.

Their CD called Will You Find Me? is a very nice mix of vocals harmonizing with acoustic guitar and organs and an eclectic mix of wind instruments. This album is very tastful and again, like Lambchop, I prefer this to the others that All Music Guide rates as their better albums.

Tim Mahoney, a Midwest regional band based out of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN). He has a website. They do covers and original music.

Exit, a Midwest regional band based out of Waukesha, WI. They too have a Website (www.exitmusic.com). Covers and original music.

Don't know 5 but have 10.

1. Can
2. Residents
3. Cul De Sac
4. Nina Hagen Band
5. Curlew
6. Lounge Lizards
7. Material
8. Praxis
9. Pere Ubu
10.Kluster

mhirtandir. maybe one of the best american rock synphonic band

Again we fall into problems with definitions and depends how knowledgable you are about music.
Lambchop are widely known and touted in the press all the time,turning up constantly in the end of year lists.
They probably make a good to decent living out of music too.
Gomez there was a big buzz about in the UK on their debut release.
Can are one of the most touted avant-garde bands of all time and had a hit single!
The Residents too are in a similar bracket.