As I was browsing my collection I came across two albums that exemplify the idea of overlooked classics. Both bands were rooted in garage to be sure but they lead the charge in a transition into more ambitious territory. Definitely the best of the class of 66.

	The Misunderstood - Before The Dream Faded Widely recognized for their efforts and innovations now, at the time The Misunderstood were sorely overlooked by many. The band moved to England with the help of John Peel, who happened
to be living in Texas at the time. Once there they recorded the first half of this collection, 6 songs that while lauded by the British press and some notable contemporaries, failed to "break" the band. Eventually the band ran into some visa/ draft troubles from the States and was forced back out of England ending short their budding careers. This has been reissued and repackaged a few times over and the best of these pairs the six more exploratory tracks paired up with earlier moments from the garage days. Truly an essential release in every respect of the term. Download: [MP3] The Misunderstood - Find A Hidden Door [MP3] The Misunderstood - I Unseen Support the artist. Buy it HERE
	Blues Magoos - Psychedelic Lollipop Ah The Magoos, probably one of the more underrated bands out at the time. They, as with The Misunderstood have righted this status in later years. Their second album is widely considered to be
their peak, though Electric Comic Book is pretty great too. Rooted in snarled garage but allowing themselves to wander into the broadening areas that psych was starting to offer, this is a perfect album to observe the transition between the two camps. They romp through old standards like "Tobacco Road," putting to shame those who'd taken a swing at it prior to them, amping up their ferocity with a quavering dose of organ. The band, in its original form split shortly after the third album but there did exist a version headed by Emil Thielheim into the 70's that never matched the luster of the full group. Thankfully though, their legacy has been documented in their earlier work and finally acknowledged. Download: [MP3] Blues Magoos - Tobacco Road [MP3] Blues Magoos - I'll Go Crazy Support the artist. Buy it HERE