Albums that you feel get ripped on undeservingly...



Despite being a pretty sizable hit at the time, Monster is now considered (if not the worst) one of the worst albums of REM's career. I think it's unfairly maligned; it's easily better than Up, Reveal, or Around the Sun. I love how grimy and distorted it sounds. It wasn't going to be possible to top Automatic for the People, so I think it was wise to go a completely different direction. This is probably the most "rock" album in their whole cannon. Plus, it has "What's the Frequency Kenneth", "Star 69", "Tongue", "Bang and Blame" and "Let Me In".





U2's Pop was never finished; the vocal track to one of the songs (can't remember which one) was recorded while the album was being mixed. The band has since expressed their desire to re-record it, has remixed the songs from it for the 1990-2000 Greatest Hits CD, hasn't played one song from it on their latest tour, and issued every single from the album but two with a different single mix. Despite all this, I think Pop is at least as solid of an album as All That You Can't Leave Behind. I think U2's marketing behind the album sucked (it was neither "Pop" nor the techno album we were promised), and I think that the public didn't appreciate the ironic approach U2 was taking at the time. Contrary to popular belief, critical reviews were initially glowing; Rolling Stone gave the CD a near-perfect review (which it has since changed unceremoniously). Of course, it's now considered the nadir of their career. As with Monster, this album has many bonafide classics; almost every song is great (excepting Miami and Playboy Mansion, both of which are absolute, unmitigated shit). Please, Staring at the Sun, Gone, Last Night on Earth, and Do You Feel Loved are definitely more "rock" than they get credit for.


Which CDs do you love that had the shit kicked out of them by the press, the artist's fanbase, or by both?

Axchi696 said:

both good albums.

my favorite sinead album by far.

An extremely fine album that didn't quite measure up to the two that preceded it - but it's still very worthy.
[Edited 4/11/05 19:47pm]

damosuzuki said:

as far as songwriting goes, i have tons of respect for 'the lion and the cobra' and a fair amount for 'i do not want what i haven't got', but in terms a good female vocals album, 'am i not your girl' kicks my ass all over the place. i think all the controversy she was in during that time completely eclipsed how amazing her voice was on that album.


oh, but you were talking about the pavement album.

Axchi696 said:

And I even like those 2.

It seems that Come by Prince is criticized as being the weaker, half-assed, lifeless bastard child to the superior Gold Experience. I don't agree. The tone of the album called for less promotion and fanfare. It's depressing and dark. His Black Album for the 90's. All of the press I read from that time talked about Prince having 2 albums ready to go, one sounding like a tired throwaway and one a revitalized exciting fresh start. I mean, most of these songs are from the same era. I think it's a credit to Prince that he was able to take a large batch of songs and divide them up into what became 2 very distinct albums. Now Gold might have more classic songs on it, but as a complete listen, I get more enjoyment out of Come for some reason. As it stands within his body of work, I find it to be one of the least pretentious, most interesting works in his catelogue. Love it.

easily, EASILY, Wild Mood Swings by the Cure. If that isn't the most unjustly reviled album, I don't know what is.

The problem with WMS is that its arranged wrong, has perhaps 2 songs too many, and should have been augmented with its exceptional b-sides.

But there is some GREAT material on it, especially "Want", "Jupiter Crash", "Treasure" and "The 13th" which is an utterly daft and brilliant song.

I also think the artwork was bad, and that can leave a bad impression in some listeners minds. The artwork makes it seem a little disposable.

It's not my favorite Cure album, but it isn't the horrid piece of shit that so many Cure fans make it out to be.

JonSnow said:

Agreed. But you know how it goes. There's always gotta be one kid to pick on.

JonSnow said:

Also agreed.

I love the b-sides from that album. They clearly point the way to what was to come with Bloodflowers.

They would've radically changed the tone of that album.

GangstaFam said:

exactamundo to the nth degree.

DJ506 said:

Always getting slammed on

Because of the bad film and crazy antics this album was lauded without really being heard. Most of the reviews I've read told NOTHING about the songs but just her life at that present time.


This was a strong and a very personal sounding record. Bits and pieces stopped it from going to the top like:
"If We" with JaRule
"Last Night A DJ Saved My Life" with Fab & Busta
"Dont Stop" with Mystical
"Loverboy Remix"

With those left off we wouldve recieved more of a almost classic Mariah album...
"I Didnt Mean To Turn You On" just as good as 84
"Lead The Way" MC's longest time holding a note on wax ever
"All My Life" Produced by Rick James!!?? Originally for the Mary Jane Girls!!??
"Never Too Far" Beautiful!!!
"Reflections (Do You Care)" very personal sounding and emotional
"Twister" A strange and stark acapella almost only accompanied by a slight piano, which is also persoanl.
"Loverboy" Its ok but better when Cameo comes on with her

i really dont get why people think this is so bad, i mean sure its not as good as history (or any of his previous albums for that matter) but its still really good. i htink this album wouls have been better if about 4 songs (namely heartbreaker, you are my life, heaven can wait and privacy) had of been taken out. thats what i think the problem was, too many songs.

hellomoto said:

There some great tracks on there. Mike should just release whatever he wants and do an album every year like in the 70's. The minute he blew up he had to be all precious with his shit.

Fuck those new producers and hits.

I know NWF will agree with me on this one:



Most people focus on the first two albums and Cosmic Thing, but Whammy! has always been my favorite album by the 2's; I really love how they traded in the garage-rock vibe for synth-pop. Legal Tender should've been as big a hit as Love Shack or Roam was, and Song For a Future Generation should be recognized as the anthem that it is.

Axchi696 said:

no arguments here. i love 'whammy'.

Any of the disco songs and albums that were made by rock artists. Disco being my first love, I loved songs like:

Heart Of Glass - Blondie
Do Ya Think I'm Sexy - Rod Stewart
I Was Made For Loving You - KISS
Baby I'm Burnin' - Dolly Parton (A Country Artist)

I remember a lot of rock fans being pissed when these songs were made.

GangstaFam said:

great post.

Tessa said:

Thanks.

GangstaFam said:

Cloudbuster said:

Hmmmm lets see

Erotica & American Life by Madonna. They're criticised for the simple reason that people think they should be, not because of their content. Erotica does have dodgy moments - Words, Theif Of Hearts and In This life I find extremely difficult to get my ears round, but that still leaves 10 really good songs.
American Life is one her most rounded works, its problem is it doesnt have the standout tracks her other albums had. Music had its title track Dont Tell Me and WIFLFAG, all amazing songs, AL didnt have this, however it was a much better overall album.

Caribou by Elton john. Not criticised as such, but people didnt like it because it wasn't Yellow Brick Road. It still contained songs like The Bitch Is Back and Dont Let The Sun Go Down On Me, and the beautiful Ticking.

New Adventures In Hi Fi by R.E.M. An absolutely brilliant album. I listened to this constantly through my University days. New Test Leper, Leave, Electrolite and Be Mine are among their best tracks. Just fantastic.

Ram by Paul McCartney. Made in 1971 just before he formed wings, this is a fantastic album, full of great songs, vocals and some quite raw guitar playing. He really cuts loose on this album, mixing traditional mccartney with some more random choices. This is the sound of an angry man venting a bit of steam about his situation with some great music as a result.

Be What You Are by The Staples Singers. Not a criticised album, but Ive never heard anyone talk about it....ever, and its such a fantastic album, I cant believe it isnt. If i ever want to feel good about life, I put this album on. Sublime singing and uplifting songs.....nuff said.

CrozzaUK said:

i agree with you on erotica, it totally didnt deserve the bad critism it got (which it mainly got cos of the whole sex thing), but i have to say american life is critised because its simply crap, i wish it had never been made or madonna had of hired a different producer for a different sound, that techno/ guitar sound just got stale, and plus the songs just arent as good as all her others (although i did like a few)

GangstaFam said:

What's confusing about it? I was just messing.

Anxiety said:

Oh yeah, this album is just brilliant.

Her version of Bewitched, bothered and bewildered especially - makes me wanna cry everytime i hear it.

At least for me anyways. I feel it is up there with Like a Prayer, and to me is certainly a better album than Ray of Light which is pretty overrated.
This album compares to Like a Prayer as it is a more confessional work as LAP is. It contains "nothing Fails," one of the best ballads of her career, "Intervention" which is a moving song about her son, XStatic Process her newfound relationship with God and Mother and Father about her relationship with her dad.

It certainly took the elements of the Music album but made it more meaningful to her.