View Full Version : Worst Album By Favorite Artist?
Ron Stone
06-05-2002, 04:09 AM
While discussing Los Lobos' previous album, THIS TIME, I was reminded of other albums that really let me down once I got 'em home. I'm not talking about that horrible album you bought during a moment of temporary insanity while waiting for your significant other in the mall. I don't mean the John Coltrane ripoff that featured three other soloists with more mic-time than the artist it was filed under. I mean an album you bought the day it came out, scheduled your evening around listening to it, only to discover you'd been had.
I'm too young to have been crushed by Dylan's SELF-PORTRAIT, but I have been tempted to sell a few albums as soon as I finished the first listen. So what's on your list?
John Hiatt - LITTLE HEAD ("Thus endeth the winning streak")
The Who - FACE DANCES ("Wasn't this a hard rock band?")
Los Lobos - THIS TIME ("Leftovers again?")
Rolling Stones - UNDERCOVER ("Let's put Charlie's drums through electronic thingies!")
Beatles - ANTHOLOGY 1 ("You CAN fool all of the people all of the time")
Tom Petty - PACK UP THE PLANTATION ("Live Album Rule #1: Live Albums Suck, No Matter How Much You Love the Artist")
Eagles - THE LONG RUN ("After much effort and money, we have succeeded in sounding completely anonymous")
Claus
06-05-2002, 04:40 AM
Black Sabbath - Dehumanizer
Deep Purple - The Battle Rages On
Rainbow - Bent Out Of Shape
Originally posted by Claus
Deep Purple - The Battle Rages On
Rainbow - Bent Out Of Shape
While I agree that Battle... was a really lame album, I beg to differ on Bent Out of Shape - a good pop album all around with some fine instrumentals from Blackmore.
I would say Slaves and Masters was a lame DP effort, but a decent Rainbow album at the same time:)
On the subject of this thread, I'd say all Queen albums following The Game, with a possible exception of Innuendo.
Strabo
06-05-2002, 05:31 AM
In the category of recent releases I would have to so the new Rush Vapor Trails CD.
I want to believe that there is good music on that disc, but I can't force myself to listen to it again to find out.
As much as I try, I can never get into Chris Cornell's (Soundgarden) solo debut. His past 3 Soundgarden records were killer, its a big letdown.
mcow1
06-05-2002, 06:33 AM
Leonard Cohen - Death Of A Ladies Man
Eric Clapton - August
Jeff Beck - Flash
Dan C
06-05-2002, 06:36 AM
The Jayhawks- "Smile". :mad: This is what happens when one of the best alt-country bands loses their key founding member, hooks up with a classic rock producer and goes in a 'new direction'. :rolleyes:
John Hiatt- "Little Head". Yup, a second vote for this dog, but I never stoped admiring Mr. Hiatt. I'm defending "Tiki Bar" right now since I think Ron hates that one too. Good album, Hiatt's back in fine form.
REM- "Monster". As many times as I tried to listen to this, I couldn't help but feel like I was being punished for something.
Matthew Sweet- "Blue Sky on Mars". After three fine albums ending with the near classic "100% Fun" he follows up with this drab muck fest. I think this sadly ended any chance he had to get to the top :(
Squeeze- "Cosi Fan Tuttie Frutie". Overproduced obnoxious trendy 80's production sounded dated the second it came out. Despite that, some great songs are on here.
Sting- "Soul Cages". Maybe it's not a bad album, but this is where Sting goes way too soft FM for my tastes. Or my tastes simply go in another direction. I dunno.
Hmm, that's all I can think of for now. Better start getting ready for work. I could do this all day!
Dan C
Originally posted by Dan C
Sting- "Soul Cages". Maybe it's not a bad album, but this is where Sting goes way too soft FM for my tastes. Or my tastes simply go in another direction. I dunno.
That was where he lost me, too:), and IMO it was all down afterwards with Mercury Falling and Brand New Day.
Still, he did those great versions of several jazz standards roughly at the same time on Leaving Las Vegas soundtrack; not a bad recording, either.
Jeffrey
06-05-2002, 06:49 AM
Originally posted by Ron Stone
("Live Album Rule #1: Live Albums Suck, No Matter How Much You Love the Artist")
Hi,
That's a rule I'll be ignoring. My favorite artist is The Grateful Dead and their best albums are their live ones!!
A few other artist who have put out live albums that don't exactly suck: Little Feat, Alllman Brothers and Phish.
-Jeffrey
joelee
06-05-2002, 06:56 AM
Replacements-Don't Tell A Soul (a few good songs but nothing like like the 3 albums that preceeded it)
Rolling Stones-Steel Wheels (the come-back album that's lifeless, and I really like Voodoo Lounge and Bridges to Babylon).
Steve Earle-Copperhead Road (two great LPs and then this Southern Fried piece of garbage) he's starting making great records again with I Feel Alright.
Highway Star
06-05-2002, 07:28 AM
Mardi Gras by Creedence. :( I was spoiled by their previous works.
Pink Floyd - The Final Cut (Roger Water's first solo album and should have been labeled as such)
Velvet Underground - Squeeze (No John Cale or Lou Reed might make a good Maureen Tucker solo album, but certainly not a good VU album)
Metralla
06-05-2002, 07:51 AM
Originally posted by SVL
That was where he lost me, too:), and IMO it was all down afterwards with Mercury Falling and Brand New Day.
Nevertheless, he showed with "Ten Summoner's Tales" that he is able to write with the best of them. Who can deny the power and beauty in "Fields of Gold" (especially when delivered in heartbreaking style by Eva Cassidy)? I also think "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" and "Love Is Stronger Than Justice" are excellent songs. And "It's Probably Me", cowritten with Eric Clapton, is just lovely. Songs like this will remain as classics for a long time.
Opinions of course...
As to "Mercury Falling" - yeah, a little weak but I like the title track and I really enjoy "Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot".
"Brand New Day" is a throwback to his more popular, effervescent style and doesn't really grab me - except for "Desert Rose". And the last song's kind of poppy and funny - especially in light of the stock market roller coaster ride.
Still, I have no problem playing and enjoying any of these records. Even at his worst he's a hell of an artist and a clever writer.
Regards,
Metralla
GoldenBoy
06-05-2002, 07:53 AM
I'd add these:
Metallica: Load ( they suddenly cut their hair, put on shades and turned 'alternative', they even did Lolapalooza. Not that there's anything wrong with any of that, but they just didn't do it well. Reload was a better album)
Prince: Rave Un 2 the Joy Fantastic; Graffitti Bridge
Sting: Mercury Rising
REM: Monster
Van Halen: 5150 and anything after it
Bruce Springsteen: Human Touch
Guns 'n' Roses: The Spaghetti Incident
Lenny Kravitz: Circus (although I have been coming around to this one a bit)
Cowboy Junkies: Miles from Our Home
Frente: Shape
Sinead O'Connor: am i not your girl?
The Sugarcubes: here today, tomorrow next week
Judas Priest: Turbo; Ram It Down
I'm sure ther are more, but I'm drawing a blank right now. :)
GoldenBoy
06-05-2002, 07:58 AM
Originally posted by Metralla
Nevertheless, he showed with "Ten Summoner's Tales" that he is able to write with the best of them. Who can deny the power and beauty in "Fields of Gold" (especially when delivered in heartbreaking style by Eva Cassidy)? I also think "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" and "Love Is Stronger Than Justice" are excellent songs. And "It's Probably Me", cowritten with Eric Clapton, is just lovely. Songs like this will remain as classics for a long time.
Opinions of course...
As to "Mercury Falling" - yeah, a little weak but I like the title track and I really enjoy "Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot".
"Brand New Day" is a throwback to his more popular, effervescent style and doesn't really grab me - except for "Desert Rose". And the last song's kind of poppy and funny - especially in light of the stock market roller coaster ride.
Still, I have no problem playing and enjoying any of these records. Even at his worst he's a hell of an artist and a clever writer.
Regards,
Metralla
I have to agree with most of that. Ten Summoner's Tales was a brilliant album as far as I'm concerned. "Shape of My Heart' is my favourite on that one; that and 'Love is Stronger Than Justice'. I really can't get into Mercury Rising. Brand New Day has it's good points but, still, leaves me with an empty feeling.
aashton
06-05-2002, 08:35 AM
Deep Purple - Come Taste the Band
Yes - Drama (but all things are relative)
for what seemed like years in my teens I listened to Rush (on headphones off tape) every night when I went to bed (2112, Farewell to Kings etc..) so I really hope their latest album is an acquired taste - not bought it yet (here's fingers crossed)
All the best - Andrew
Scott Wheeler
06-05-2002, 08:44 AM
Yes -Union
Genesis - Abacab and everything afterwards
John B
06-05-2002, 09:18 AM
Sometime in NYC - JL
Originally posted by Metralla
Nevertheless, he showed with "Ten Summoner's Tales" that he is able to write with the best of them. Who can deny the power and beauty in "Fields of Gold" (especially when delivered in heartbreaking style by Eva Cassidy)? I also think "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" and "Love Is Stronger Than Justice" are excellent songs. And "It's Probably Me", cowritten with Eric Clapton, is just lovely. Songs like this will remain as classics for a long time.
I agree it is a very good album, more so as compared to what came before and after it. As for the tracks, I also like "She's Too Good for Me" - a nice rock'n'roll song, I don't think he's written many of those.
quote:
Originally posted by Ron Stone
("Live Album Rule #1: Live Albums Suck, No Matter How Much You Love the Artist")
Ron, most of the time I would agree with you, but there is one that I really like. Rush: All The World's A Stage. A truely stellar performance.;)
Originally posted by Scott Wheeler
Yes -Union
Genesis - Abacab and everything afterwards
Scott, sorry I can't agree with you on Genesis: Abacab. Check out the Atlantic Gold cd sometime, you won't be disappointed.;)
Unless, of course sound quality isn't the issue.:D
Originally posted by Dave
quote:
Originally posted by Ron Stone
("Live Album Rule #1: Live Albums Suck, No Matter How Much You Love the Artist")
Ron, most of the time I would agree with you, but there is one that I really like. Rush: All The World's A Stage. A truely stellar performance.;)
It sure is! And so is Lynyrd Skynyrd ~ One More For / From the Road. You can *feel* the arena!
A live album should be able to make you thing you were there! Make you get up off your seat!
Eeekkkk :eek: How could we forget DCC's Deep Purple ~ made in Japan!?! :eek:
VeeDub
06-05-2002, 11:44 AM
I would slightly disagree with Dan C. on Matthew Sweet. Although "Mars" was definitely weaker overall, "100%" wasn't much better. Then he roared back with "In Reverse," which I rank a close third to "Girlfriend" and "Altered Beast."
REM: Monster was the first stumble, tripping their way through the mediocre Hi-Fi and Up, then Reveal was truly abysmal.
Peter Gabriel: Us. I know many fans love the personal exorcisms on this one, but musically it was the first time he really repeated himself ("Son of So").
U2: I know I'll get plenty of disagreement here, but I was not the least bit disappointed in anything from the band until Pop, which wasn't that awful. Now, following that with All That You Can't Leave Behind? Yuck. The media praised U2's "big comeback" (& the tour was great), but these songs all sound like they spent about 4 or 5 minutes writing them, forming a bland blend of all of their previous styles. Sorry, but ATYCLB sounded like the first time they didn't try.
mcow1
06-05-2002, 11:57 AM
Originally posted by Gary
It sure is! And so is Lynyrd Skynyrd ~ One More For / From the Road. You can *feel* the arena!
A live album should be able to make you thing you were there! Make you get up off your seat!
Eeekkkk :eek: How could we forget DCC's Deep Purple ~ made in Japan!?! :eek:
And E.C. Was Here
GoldenBoy
06-05-2002, 12:14 PM
Originally posted by VeeDub
I would slightly disagree with Dan C. on Matthew Sweet. Although "Mars" was definitely weaker overall, "100%" wasn't much better. Then he roared back with "In Reverse," which I rank a close third to "Girlfriend" and "Altered Beast."
REM: Monster was the first stumble, tripping their way through the mediocre Hi-Fi and Up, then Reveal was truly abysmal.
Peter Gabriel: Us. I know many fans love the personal exorcisms on this one, but musically it was the first time he really repeated himself ("Son of So").
U2: I know I'll get plenty of disagreement here, but I was not the least bit disappointed in anything from the band until Pop, which wasn't that awful. Now, following that with All That You Can't Leave Behind? Yuck. The media praised U2's "big comeback" (& the tour was great), but these songs all sound like they spent about 4 or 5 minutes writing them, forming a bland blend of all of their previous styles. Sorry, but ATYCLB sounded like the first time they didn't try.
I agree about U2, only, I liked POP. I could never understand why so many people panned it. ATYCLB is what it is, and that is the band trying to recapture their 'golden years'. It has some listenable tracks, but it is certainly not the instant classic that many critics were trying to hail it as.
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