Thanks for all of the comments on my previous post about your perfect albums. I will have to give a first listen to some of them!
Now, on the same theme of the bemoaning the death of the album, I want to talk about a type of album that’s not necessarily the opposite of the perfection but close.
First, I want to think of artists/bands that you like and have followed throughout their career. Their career should be long enough that they have a few (more than 3) albums under their belt.
Now that you have them in mind, is one of those albums something that was a departure from their musical direction or momentum? This album doesn’t have to suck but when you heard it you did not like it or really wanted it to be more like the “sound” they had established. Did they add synthesizers? Back up singers? Horns? Maybe you can give them a little credit for exploring their artistic side but you wonder “why did they have to let it out of the recording studio?”
Yes, I’m thinking of “Pop” by U2 and “Load” by Metallica, “Van Halen III”, and the disco album from Kiss. What I’m talking about is the album that you couldn’t wait for its supporting tour to be over with so they can get in the studio to make the “comeback” album. I’m thinking of just one album but maybe the artist/band musically jumped the shark and haven’t come back.
Know what I’m talking about?
Share yours and why!
9 responses so far ↓
suzukiuw // April 2, 2009 at 9:19 pm |
Load and ReLoad – Metallica
Everything by Prince after the name thing
The KISS solo records – just because it was a blatent attempt to get KISS fans to buy four records at the same time
Live – the Dolphins one
It seems like every third or fourth Neil Young record he tries a little too hard.
C-Flo // April 3, 2009 at 9:03 am |
Chris Cornell – Scream
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxTlTXqh4g4&feature=related
http://www.chriscornell.com/
This is the same guy who wrote the music and lyrics for Temple of the Dog & fronted Soundgarden?!!!???!!!!!??
No other album by any artist can be as much of a crappy departure and disappointment as this…
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fernsehturm // April 3, 2009 at 1:17 pm |
I’d have to say the last departure like that was the Titanic from England.
Mike Emerson // April 5, 2009 at 6:55 pm |
Weezer — Green album. If you’re a Weezer fan, you may argue. I know Pinkerton was a departure, and an unwelcome one for many. I thought it was great, so the return to the Blue album pop was unwelcome for me. Luckily, they recovered post-Green with Maldroit which I think is their best album.
Stone Roses — Second Coming. Talk about mailing it in…
Everclear — Songs from an American Movie, Part 1. Remake of Brown Eyed Girl? The crappy lyrics on AM Radio are disturbing. In my opinion, this is about the best example of WTF I can come up with.
James — Wah Wah. When I first heard James I thought they would be the next U2. Inspired lyrics, interesting hooks. Wah Wah was a concept album, basically outtakes from studio recording session. I think I figured out that I like the finished product, not the experimentation that goes on to get there.
Thanks for listing to my rants…
Denise // April 6, 2009 at 1:01 am |
Chinese Democracy.
B-Briggs // April 12, 2009 at 1:36 pm |
I’m a huge DMB fan, but I found it hard to get into Some Devil..In fairness it weren’t DMB, but still…
In a drastically different vain of music then y’all prolly listen to..I’m a huge fan of another Dave, DCB..(David Crowder Band) If you guys don’t mind hearing a little about Jesus, these guys have cut their own path!! However, what they did with “Sunsets and Sushi” made me pass it by..Youtube “David Crowder Band Church Music” to get the feel of these guys…
I suppose you could have a conversation about the evolution of the Goo Goo Dolls too, but there isn’t enough space here for that..
And, I’m sure I’ll get blasted here but, the new U2? Really??
Ktrue // April 19, 2009 at 5:01 pm |
How about a special sub-category for your listing for bands “discovered” by a famous musician, put out one amazing album (probably with some help) and then vaporize…
In that list, you could throw in things (depending on your taste) like Dream Academy (David Gilmour), Mott the Hoople (David Bowie), etc.
Jim Flecht // April 27, 2009 at 10:34 am |
I just burned my Soundgarden albums. C-flo how do you find that stuff?
C-Flo // April 27, 2009 at 10:38 am |
B-o-r-e-d-o-m.
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