10 Almost Perfect Folk Rock Albums With One Bad Song

7. Jim Croce: You Don't Mess Around With Jim (1972)

Music history is littered with great artists taken before their time. But perhaps more egregious is when an artist is taken before their music is really appreciated.

Jim Croce certainly received a degree of success and recognition before his death in a 1973 plane crash, but it was nothing compared to the adulation his work received in the wake of the tragedy. To this day his music pops up everywhere; from the X-Men franchise to the Hangover movies; Stranger Things and American Gods. Even if you're not aware of who Jim Croce was, you'll recognise his sound. His fifth and final album I Got A Name was released posthumously. Both the title track, and I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song, become huge hits.

Sadly his untimely death means his back catalogue isn't all that expansive, but the stuff we do have is damn enjoyable. We recommend you start with, his third album You Don't Mess Around With Jim. It's filled with funny character stories and touching love ballads. Although Croce is one of the all time greats, a full album of almost exclusively acoustic guitar, can become wearing... By the time you reach the final track, Hey Tomorrow, you're about ready to say "bye" to the record.