Underrated albums/pleasant surprises

[Steady Stan]

I'm a big fan of Aviator's first album, although I've never been able to find Tubulence. I also love Serpent is Rising & Man of Miracles. Serpent was my first Styx lp, purchased at a used record store after "Lady" hit big, mostly because they listed a xylophone as one of the instruments!

Other under rated albums: Fireballet's Night on Bald Mountain, Ambrosia's Somewhere I've Never Travelled, Kansas' In the Spirit of Things (with Steve Morse)

I fell in love with Rush during their Signals through Hold Your Fire period. Geddy was too screechy prior to that, and I too prefer their more atmospheric sound courtesy of the synths. The later material (with some exceptions) doesn't seem to have the passion that the 80's stuff has.