Lets see some albums that have gone onto be concidered bonafide classics, but didn't set the charts alive on their first release - these are albums that thesedays are near the very top of best album lists.

Here are a few to get the ball rolling...

The Kinks - The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society (1968)
This album actually failed to make the top 40 in the UK!!

My Bloody Valentine - Loveless (1991)
Peaked at #24 in the UK.

The Pixies - Doolittle (1989).
Peaked at a respectable #8 in the UK, but failed to chart in their homeland of America.

Kate Bush- The Dreaming one that always springs to mind in at #3 then bombed out and was derided by all British critics though oddly America loved it and in recent years has been met more kindly aand seen as one of her best.

Good thread

The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)
Failed to chart

Forever Changes-Love (1967)
Peaked at #23 in the UK

Astral Weeks-Van Morrison (1968)
Peaked at #140 in the UK

What's Going On-Marvin Gaye (1971)
Peaked at #67 in the UK

Unknown Pleasures-Joy Division (1979)
Peaked at #71 in the UK

36 Chambers-Wu Tang Clan (1993)
Peaked at #77 in the UK

Illmatic-Nas (1994)
Failed To Chart

Funeral-Arcade Fire (2004)
Peaked at #33 in the UK




Hunky Dory by Bowie also charted poorly on release and only reached the top 10 after Ziggy Stardust was released

I'm sure Appetite For Destruction and Nevermind both took a long time before they eventually became huge sellers?

Dusty In Memphis regarded as one of the best of all time i think it failed to chart and was largely ignored.

Pet Sounds was incredibly unpopular upon its release in the US in 1966.

Beat me to it

it remains one of my favourite Kate albums.

Raw Power - The Stooges (1973) peaked at #44

classic album regarded as an influential forerunner for punk rock.

Songbird - Eva Cassidy (1998)
Grace - Jeff Buckley (1994)

My Bloody Valentine? Really?

Same here rank it behind Hounds Of Love and Aerial

Christina Aguilera's Stripped debuted at No.19 upon release and didn't really do much until 'Beautiful' was released.

Every Half Man Half Bisbuit album.

The Cheeky Girls - PartyTime

For pop fans:

Rachel Stevens - Come And Get It
Kelis - Flesh Tone

I know people will snigger but Come and Get It is a fantastic album and your right an underrated gem from an unexpected source

Flesh Tone well the reception that that got was criminal brilliant album.

Bless The Weather - John Martyn (1971). Still a classic, and far more appreciated over time than when it was first released. Here is the best known track from it.

Regardless of your opinion it's seen as an indie classic at least.

I love Flesh Tone but I don't think these albums were critically acclaimed which I think is what the OP means.

Who by?

Cheeky Girls - PartyTime

Lots of people.

name 10, i want signed confessions and pictures other wise im calling shenanigans.

I think all Bowie's pre-Ziggy albums sold poorly.
'The Man Who Sold The World.' was a hit afterwards too. Great album.

I've been listening to that album a lot lately. Still sounds as good as it did when it came out and I love every song on it. I don't know why it didn't do well.