There were a lot of albums this year from artists that I like that just didn't make the cut. I don't think any of these are bad albums, but they're definitely disappointing.

Albums That Went Too Polished
Kanye, Rilo Kiley

Albums That Needed Better Hooks to Pull Off Their Sound (aka the British bands)
Bloc Party, Maximo Park, Kaiser Chiefs, MIA

Albums That Were So Tuned Into Private Wavelengths That They Were a Slog to Get Through
PJ Harvey, Joanna Newsome, Bjork

What are yours?
[Edited 10/9/07 7:44am]

PJ Harvey's new album is excellent. I loved it...and I hate her so much!

i love the new MIA album and i think the new pj harvey is really interesting. i don't know if i LOVE pj's new album, but for some reason i'm drawn to it.

Anxiety said:

I never liked the woman...but this new album is a magnet. Maybe it's the Kate Bush
fan in me craving some fem music

Grand National / A Drink & A Quick Decision

It pains me to say it, given I've worn out their debut, but it has to be said. After coming off of their really strong and melodic 1st LP which is one of my favorite albums of this decade, this album just falls hopelessly flat. It's like Norah Jones music: snooze-inducing and just up-and-down boring.

MendesCity said:

For me, you can add Planet Earth to the list. I don't like it at all. There are some great tracks on the cd, but as an overall cd, it is horrible.

for it would be amy whinehouse...she's got a great sound but it just couldn't hold my interest throughout the entire disc.

sosgemini said:

Yeah, I gotta agree on that one too. Although since it was the first thing I'd heard by her, I'm not so much disappointed as thinking she's a promising artist with room to grow.

MendesCity said:

It's always interesting to me how people can listen to the same album and hear different things. Back To Black was my #1 album of this year.

For me the biggest disappointment of 2007 was Tegan And Sara's The Con. It has gotten rave reviews, but I just don't hear it.

Mild disappointments:

Prince - Planet Earth
Siouxsie - Mantaray

MendesCity said:

I really like the new Rilo Kiley album. But this is my first album by them so all the criticism about it being not their style or selling out is lost on me. I think it's a fine pop record--very Fleetwood Mac.

Joanna Newsom released an album this year?

Keyshia Cole.....cudda been better

Bjork was disappointing for me. Planet Earth has def waned in it's appeal.

Beastie Boys

sextonseven said:

Oh lord, Ys was 2006? Where's the time going!

Definitely check out the early Rilo albums, much better lyrics. Though, that said, as much as I see why people are disappointed, I'm kind of hooked on it as a guilty pleasure.
[Edited 10/9/07 12:53pm]

Macy Gray's new album, Big didn't push my buttons that much. Even though it was the first CD I ever brought by her, I have to say that producer, will.i.am really didn't make this the comeback Macy was looking for. But Finally Made Me Happyis one of my favorite jams of this year. Natalie really killed it on this one!

Rick James really pissed me off with the medicore release of Deeper Still because of its tepid production and weak lyricism. There was actually no hard funk that it was hyped up to have. There were only two songs that I enjoyed here and the rest just didn't hold my attention. A legend like this should've deserved better! Why didn't they release the double album he was working on instead of this?

Every album that came out.....

well, I like Chrisette Michelle and especially Jill Scott's CD.

Magic-Bruce Springsteen

MendesCity said:

Ys was my #6 album of 06.

I'll most likely sample some old Rilo Kiley at some point. Reading all the current articles about them and the making of this album, I suddenly find Jenny Lewis incredibly hot.

MikeMatronik said:

agreed with all that.

sextonseven said:

I hate to bring up that old gay cliche "just haven't met the right girl yet" but

GangstaFam said:

I think Tori regained that drive or rawness/anger she was missing in The Beekeeper and Scarlet.

Still I can't nay say Scarlet because it's one of most beloved Tori Albums.

MendesCity said:

I will add her to my "one night stand" list.

add edit
[Edited 10/9/07 16:19pm]

sirnozedevoidofunk said:

How? I don't want to diss her, but her 2nd disc is a huge improvment on her debut. Besides, she's not the most talented singer in the universe.

goat2004 said:

I totally understand where u are coming from. However, you can add Jill and Chrisette to the list of disappointing to me. I am NOT a Jill fan at all (she talks about food too much) and Chrisette's album was very redundant.

GangstaFam said:

definitely. that album didn't reel me in one bit. it may be the first one of their albums i flat-out don't like.

planet earth wasn't a disappointment because i was expecting it to be flaccid crap and i wasn't disappointed...in fact, i was pleasantly surprised by it, if only mildly.

Anxiety said:

I don't think the Beasties was utter shit, and the songs sounded great live. I like their instrumental sound. But I think part of their appeal is just how much ground they cover on their albums. Usually their funky little 70's instrumental pastiches fit in nicely with the usual hip hop, punk, and whatever else is going on in the mix. Isolated on their own on this new album, it makes things a bit boring. They should've saved 'em until they had some vocal tracks too.

Easily "Planet Earth" for me. To me, it's the worst Prince album ever, including "New Power Soul." I haven't even been able to listen to it more than a couple of times.

Planet Earth (I only listen to tracks 1-5 and 8)

Mika- Life in Cartoon Motion (too candy-coated)

NIN- Year Zero (not bad, but it faded from my regular playlist pretty quick)

Paramore- Riot! (A friend recommended this....OH PLEASE! )

Timbaland- Shock Value (BORING! I thought this was going to be a big hip-hop dance album)

Interpol- Our Love to Admire

It's proven difficult to get through.

That's it! Everything else I've bought this year has been worth it.