Introduction
I started A Pop Life to highlight, comment on, and celebrate my favorite music. However, over time I have also, sometimes blindly and sometimes on the recommendation of friends and/or reviewers, purchased albums that I found deeply disappointing, downright terrible, or whose high acclaim I simply could not understand. A small selection.
Classic
For me, the definition of a classic is an album that is generally recognized as an exceptionally good record, a highlight in an artist’s body of work, and an album that appears in multiple ‘best of’ lists. Many classics are standard entries in various ‘best albums of all time’ lists and books. Based on such reviews and general descriptions, I have occasionally bought albums that, after listening to them, I never played again or even got rid of altogether.
The list below of classics that disappointed me does not only contain albums that I hate, but also albums that disappointed me or that, in my opinion, do not deserve all the praise they receive, often because much better albums by the same artist(s) have been released.
There is a lot of music that I love, but probably just as much that I hate. Symphonic rock is a genre that does nothing for me (with the exception of Genesis). But I really hate MOR or AOR bands such as Kansas, Journey, Boston, Foreigner, Chicago, Dire Straits (although the debut album is actually okay), and Yes even more. I also have little to no appreciation for bands that are generally highly regarded, such as Rush, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Green Day. The same goes for artists like Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Ed Sheeran, SZA, and Adele. But I would never buy any of their music, so they are not included in the list below.
List
In full contrast to the nature of the A Pop Life blog, see my list of albums that have been labeled classics, which I bought and found disappointing or worse. Under the heading Actually Good, albums by the respective artist that I think are good/fantastic/classic are mentioned.
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The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band1967 It is not a bad record, but together with Let It Be, it is the weakest album The Beatles ever recorded. The album contains only three good songs: She’s Leaving Home, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise), and A Day In The Life. Far too little for an album that is often regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time. Actually good: Revolver, The White Album, Abbey Road |
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Love – Forever Changes1967 An album that I simply do not understand at all. The music does not connect with me, neither do the lyrics nor the vocals. It simply can’t believe this is considered a classic album. Actually good: – |
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Pink Floyd – The Wall1979 Double albums often have an irresistible appeal to me. The Wall is an exception to that rule. It contains a few decent songs, but as a whole it fails to convince. Too drawn out, too self-indulgent, much like a lot of Pink Floyd’s music. An overrated band altogether. Actually good: Wish You Were Here |
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Dexys Midnight Runners – Searching For The Young Soul Rebels1980 Pretentious vocals, horns everywhere for no good reason. The combination of punk, ska, soul, and pop becomes irritating, even though it should be a golden formula for great music. Actually good: – |
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The Pogues – Rum Sodomy & The Lash1985 I have never understood the romanticism surrounding the eternal drunkard who has to lean against a microphone stand to avoid falling over and is barely able to sing. The Pogues are a heavily overrated band. Actually good: Fairytale Of New York (song) |
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Michael Jackson – Bad1987 Jackson suddenly grabbing his crotch and feeling the need to showcase his vocal tricks on every single song. None of it feels convincing. Back then, I thought The Way You Make Me Feel was fantastic. Listening to it again now, only the bonus track Leave Me Alone still stands out as genuinely good. Rarely have I heard an album that sounds as dated as this one. Jackson thought he could do without Quincy Jones: clearly not. Actually good: Off The Wall, Dangerous |
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My Bloody Valentine – Loveless1991 Shapeless, meaningless, aimless, sleep-inducing, overhyped failure. Actually good: – |
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Soundgarden – Superunknown1994 Like much of the rock music from the early 1990s, this album was undeservedly praised. Predictable, mediocre rock that adds nothing new and/or original. Actually good: – |
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Radiohead – OK Computer1997 Radiohead are the Pink Floyd of the 1990s, and that is no compliment. The album itself is not even that bad, but the hype surrounding it is incomprehensible. It doesn’t even come close to being Radiohead’s best album, let alone being one of the best albums of all time. Actually good: Kid A, Amnesiac, The King Of Limbs |
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MGMT – Oracular Spectacular2007 Using the 1980s as inspiration is never a bad idea, but you do have to do something ‘different’ with it. Too many predictable and unexciting songs. Why this album was so highly praised remains a mystery, especially since 2007 was not a bad year for music. Actually good: – |
Bubbling under
- 10cc – The Original Soundtrack
- The Allman Brothers Band – At Fillmore East
- Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
- The Band – The Last Waltz
- The Eagles – Hotel California
- Guns N’ Roses – Use Your Illusion I & II
- Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin I, II & III
- The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death
- Pulp – Different Class
In closing
What are your disappointing classics? Let me know!
