Throughout the course of music history, what albums had everything necessary to be successful but fell short of expectations? What (to you) are the most underwhelming, underperforming, overall weak, and flat out disheartening albums in music?

For me:

Victory-The Jacksons: This is the perfect example of a disappointing album and I'll try not to go too in-depth. While Victory in and of itself was still very, very successful (partially due to the international tour that accompanied it) and the album decent, considering all that was going on at the time, it should have been the greatest Jacksons album of their entire discography. With the maddening and phenomenal success of MJ and Thriller from the music to the brothers' performance at Motown 25 to being one of the greatest groups of all time all grown up, the stars were aligned perfectly for The Jacksons to have some staying power, establish successful individual careers, and maintaiin/ increase relevance without Michael's presence. However, the so called Victory Tour might as well been the Thriller Tour (featuring The Jacksons) since not a single song off the former album was performed (apparently because MJ didn't want to rehearse new material) which I think dampened the album's impact. Whether or not the album was meant to cash in on MJ/ Thriller it didn't have to come off as such. The project feels somewhat rushed and half-hearted despite some rather good tunes and is a little too low-tempo, R&B centric for an album entitled Victory (personally, I was expecting more up-tempo, danceable, funky, and exciting pop numbers). It's also not unreasonable to say that the reason for this album being looked down is because due to this rare aligning of stars came ultra-heightened expectations that without the album would likely be looked at in a much more favorable light. Regardless of how you slice it, Victory is a 7/10 album that should've easily been a 10/10 and considering all that was surrounding it, a 20/10. The tour, while greatly profitable, should've been astronomically so. If only MJ was willing to rehearse some new material...

Reunion- The Temptations: One of the standard-bearers of contemporary R&B/ greatest groups of all time from probably the greatest label of all time, The Temptations could have reignited a fire with this album. However, they failed to truly capitalize on all the resources they had at their disposal. The main draw of the reunion was the union of all 3 lead singers in David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, and Dennis Edwards as well as the originals in Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, and the lesser known Richard Street. The album however good, depended mainly on the vocal prowess of Dennis (who had long since been the sole lead vocalist since Eddie's departure in 1971, 11 years before) instead of equally delegating the task of lead vocalist to not only him but Eddie and David (who was probably the biggest piece of the puzzle). The tour in the album's name certainly should've fared better than it did had it not been for Eddie's smoking habit and David's cocaine addiction which caused his singing to decline and for him to miss several shows, respectively. For what was supposed to be a last hurrah for The Temptations to go out with a bang on, it felt like no matter what, things just kept falling apart.

Yeezus-Kanye West: Say what you will about Kanye: he's an selfish, self-absorbed, self-righteous asshole (he is) and that he doesn't make hip hop (he does) but don't you dare say he can't make good music. Having one of the most eclectic discographies in his respective genre of hip hop akin to OutKast, Kanye has a colorful and diverse musical catalog to his name so every album of his is an anticipated release for me since I first began listening to him in earnest with Graduation. However, he dropped Yeezus and with it, seems to have lost his touch. Besides the stupid title, the album is unlistenable. The production is overwhelming yet underwhelming all the same and if it has done anything of significance, it has shown just how far Kanye is up his own ass in the superficial lyrics that make up almost every song. The one song that doesn't have such lyrics ("New Slaves") speaks out against the greed of corporate America and would actually be a good song if it weren't so hypocritical and self-victimizing. I know that the album was universally praised by critics and the general public alike but I just can't get into this album or this Kanye. I can understand what Kanye was going for with the sonicality of Yeezus and that it was meant to be experimental and sound like a demo tape but just because something is experimental doesn't mean that it can't suck, and the album sucks, partially because of the production but mostly because of Kanye's unlikability seemingly leaking into his music. If Yeezus stands as what we can expect from Kanye from now on in his music, then I'll stick to his pre-2013 discography.

Invincible-Michael Jackson: Much like his brothers 17 years before with Victory, MJ had a good album in Invincible but failed to live up to expectations despite being commercially successful. What was supposed to be a return to form for the King of Pop after 8 years of being shamed by the media ended up being an underwhelming album. The album didn't have that kick that all other MJ albums had and once again, like Victory was too subdued and R&B centric (but much more so) for the type of album it was and the while it contained enough good songs to even be considered underrated to a certain extent, Invincible's main issue was its indecisive and weak production ranging from songs recorded from 1997 to 2001, its year of release which threw off any sort of flow or synchronicity. MJ himself didn't seem to have any idea how to structure the album himself and if anything felt like a step back from the direction he was going in with HIStory. Considering who's album this was, it should have been much better than "decent" or "OK", especially since it was supposed to be a comeback album of sorts.

My Everything-Ariana Grande: Ariana Grande is one on a very small list of artists that I like despite her being hyped up as the next Mariah Carey and coming off as more of an industry product. Her debut album wasn't the greatest thing ever but it was good as it showcased that she was more than a simple pretty girl and that she has some musical talent as she can actually sing. However, her second album, while further showcasing her heavenly vocals, falls flat. As opposed to the more R&B based Your's Truly, My Everything is more pop-oriented with a twist of R&B here and there. That in itself is not bad at all but the production screams cliche and clashes with the voice that it's supposed to help accentuate. Ariana's vocals suit R&B better than the EDM/ pop-hybrid sound of today's Top 40 music and it shows. To match the bland Top 40 sound are uninspired, cliche lyrics typical of Top 40 music today and these things together actually make her voice annoying. It's more of a middling/ subpar album than a bad one but being middling/ subpar to me is bad and compared to what she did in her debut, qualifies as a disappointment.

Because the Internet-Childish Gambino: Compared to his mixtape work and Camp, this was not good. A lot of people consider Bino corny for some reason but I've always been a fan ever since I heard "Heartbeat" a couple years ago. He has that indie backpacker style yet still has bars on a mainstream level similar to mid-2000s Kanye. Usually, the sound/ production of his music is excellent but not here; this isn't your "traditional" rap album and the overcooked production convolutes the album to the point of watering down its impact. I get that it's a part of the album's "technological internet" schtick but I think Bino could've done a better job with his implementation much like how Kanye could've done with Yeezus. I haven't heard his latest mixtape but I heard that it follows the trends set by Because the Internet so I'm kind of reluctant to give it a listen and like I do with Kanye, only hope that Bino doesn't trade making good music for the sake of pushing the envelope when he can easily do both.

The 20/20 Experience and The 20/20 Experience 2 of 2 - Justin Timberlake: Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of JT and at one time thought he could turn the stagnant state of music around. After waiting six years after "FutureSexLoveSounds," the world held its breath (or at least I did) for the next Timberlake album. The lead single, "Suit & Tie," featuring Jay-Z, peaked at #3 on Billboard and - while the song did nothing for me - it showed 2013 would mark a return of Justin Timberlake to music-making. His next song from the album, "Mirrors" was simply too slow. Later, he won a Video Vanguard award from MTV. And, somehow, the album debuted at #1 by selling just over 980,000 copies. I think I played mine maybe three times - and it is even one of those "deluxe" editions from Target with extra songs!

By September of 2013, Justin released the "2 of 2" follow-up to "20/20 Experience." The first song, "Take Back the Night" was an obvious throwback to the Jacksons - specifically Michael and was a promising release that maybe, just maybe the continued "20/20" might include more up-tempo dance jams. My fingers were crossed anyway. "TKO" and "Not a Bad Thing" were slow jams that allowed JT to sing in a high voice. It's something he does alright with, but not something I like carried across two full-length albums. To me, these slow jams held down the two albums and marked a big disappointment for me in favoring Justin Timberlake as a musical saviour. Fingers crossed for the next release - I just hope it's not "The 20/20 Experience - Part 3."

Plectrum electrum

Prince - Emancipation

Dead Can Dance - Anastasis

Rave Unto The Joy Fantastic by "The Artist"- Just because it worked 4 Santana doesn't mean it was gonna work 4 The Artist (nor did it for Run-DMC). Shame on Clive Davis!!!

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Taking a bit of a different spin here, and focusing on artists who had no prior credentials, but did come out with a very catchy single, these represent what I like to call the "Cool single, naff album" category:

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Do You Wanna Ride?, by Adina Howard.

Using stylings that had been made popular in the then-current hiphop-R&B and G-Funk circles, Adina had all the heads bopping with 'Freak Like Me', a song that was uncharacteristic for female R&B singers at the time; an assertive approach to sexuality that took things a step further than the grounds Janet Jackson or Toni Braxton were exploring at the time. However, the album as a whole felt like twelve more copies of 'Freak Like Me', but none of them quite as good. Songwriting and production were weak overall, and the album almost sounded more like a novelty record than anything else. It certainly hasn't aged as well as contemporaneous releases by Brandy or Monica.

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The Ten Commandments of Love, by Duke.

In the mid nineties, Duke had a major hit in Europe with 'So In Love With You', a groovy dance pop tune graced by Duke's distinctive falsetto. In both sound as well as look, the man even drew obvious influences from Prince (down to the point where he went by a one-word moniker denoting royalty), and it seemed that an album by him would sound very interesting. Nothing was further from the truth; Ten Commandments of Love features some of the worst songwriting I have heard in my life, the lyrics rife with cliché upon cliché, exuding an obnoxious machismo that belies Duke's somewhat androgynous look. Composition and instrumental backing were likewise lacklustre.

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[Edited 11/8/14 1:00am]

woogiebear said:

Rave Unto The Joy Fantastic by "The Artist"- Just because it worked 4 Santana doesn't mean it was gonna work 4 The Artist (nor did it for Run-DMC). Shame on Clive Davis!!!

but it worked for BERLIN in 1986

its a long time ago now but led zeppelin 3 was a bit of a let-down, and it sounds just as awful

today as it did back then, even the vastly over-rated immigrant song wasnt anywhere -near as

good as their first two albums.

Around the World in a Day-Prince and the Revolution

Though not a bad album it was, at the time, disappointing coming off of the high from Purple Rain. I remember playing it for the first time and the flute of the title song, Prince's opening "squeal", and Indian vibe threw me the hell off. And I was only 12 years old.

Kid A-Radiohead

Coming off the high of OK Computer, Kid A was a let down for me. It's not that I didn't "get it" because there are some great songs on there and it's probably considered their masterpiece, but it didn't have the emotional feeling I got from Ok Computer which I still consider their masterpiece.

[Edited 11/8/14 9:39am]

Oasis - Be Here Now 1997 : the shortcomings of Oasis (finally ) exposed; hailed as the "end" of Britpop as a whole

Prince - ATWIAD

Prince - Lovesexy

Prince - Emancipation

The Rolling Stones - Goat's Head Soup 1973 (end of the winning streak 1968-1972)

David Bowie - Tonight / Never Let Me Down / Tin Machine 84-87-88 (crap and disappointment, a fallen legend virtually unable to find the right production-write new great material)

Public Enemy - Muse Sick n Hour Mess Age (golden age acts losing their mojo and paving the way for slow ass shit hop)

RAVE -- Prince mainly because there was so much HYPE around this and 1999 etc...this album is just overall not a good record, it has a song here and there, but overall its not good and a HUGE letdown for the way he hyped that whole year.

How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb - U2 now i actually like this record but coming off the return to form and back to basics of "All that You Cant leave Behind" this is a step back and even further with the next record.

ZooRopa- U2 not to bash on them because their new record is one of my tops of the year. But zooropa is why you shouldnt rush and record while on MEGA tours. This album was a HUGE HUGE mistake and almost ended this band.

a-ha "Lifelines"- now this was tough, because its my favorite band ever, but the thread is "disappointing" now i actually love most of this record. The title track, is possibly there best song ever, and tracks like "White Canvas" "Dragonfly" "You Wanted More" "did anyone approach you" "Afternoon high" all are tops on their fans fave lists. However this album is too long, 14 tracks, as lead singer Morten Harket said "if should have stopped at 9 or 10" and he was right, i cold easily toss 4 songs off this album then it would be one of their best. But as keyboardist Magne Furuholmen said "Too many damn producers were inovolved" and he was right, they were working with people in norway and the uk and NYC and then in germany all giving in mixes and remixes and 14 tracks it became too much of a varied pallet. And coming off their return to recording "Minor Earth Major Sky" which BONO called the best fucking record of the 00's, it was a letdown.

Lammastide said:

Prince - Emancipation

Dead Can Dance - Anastasis

I agree with both of these. Im a huge Dead Can Dance fan, and I liked both of Brendan Perry's solo albums (for different reasons) and I liked most of Lisa's work (Mirror Pool and Duality especially), although a bit of it just seemed rehashed vocalisations she's done millions of times before. I kind of think its disappointing to end the Dead Can Dance legacy with Anastasis because with the exception of a few tracks its just not original or captivating.

Emancipation speaks for itself, it was so hyped up that when I got my hands on it and it sounded so unspectacular I made a disc of the best songs on only one CD and shelved the rest because otherwise I would have grown tired of skipping all the bad stuff.

Madonna - American Life

Known primarily for its banned video of the title track that parodied the Bush administration and its run up to the Iraq War, the album was negatively received due to that, but overall its production was lacking the zippiness of her prior album Music and the retro dance vibe of Confessions of a Dance Floor which followed it.

Terrence Trent D'Arby - Neither Fish Nor Flesh

Terrence Trent D'Arby exploded onto the pop/R&B scene in the late 1980's due to his album Introducing the Hardline According To Terrence Trent D'Arby which contained the hit singles "Wishing Well" and "Sign Your Name." But on his next album the success went to his head, and he released a set of incohesive tracks that frustrated listeners who liked his earlier pop sound.

Pearl Jam - No Code and Yield

Pearl Jam were one of the vangurds of the grunge movement, and their albums Ten, Vs., and Vitalogy were huge commercial and critical successes. But No Code took the band in a weird direction, and it had no noticeable hits to speak of. Yield was slightly better in that it had a couple of minor hits in "Given To Fly" and "Do the Evolution" but by then the grunge sound was already on the decline.

Mariah Carey - E=MC2 and Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel

Mimi dominated the pop charts during the 1990's but by 2000 was heading into a personal breakdown that marred the reception of her albums Rainbow, Glitter and Charmbracelet. But she had a career renaissance with The Emancipation of Mimi. So when she released E=MC2, a lot of her fans expected it to be much like her previous album. But it became obvious she was trying to cater to young audiences as she was approaching the age of 40, and these audiences already had their own heroes in Britney Spears, Beyonce and Rihanna, and budding superstars in Lady GaGa, Katy Perry, and Taylor Swift. Though she had top ten hits with "Touch My Body" on E=MC2 and "Obsessed" on Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, the remaining tracks on each album lacked any originality or emotional pull.

[Edited 11/9/14 16:07pm]

@ Motown, Nice thread!

I agree with your comments on Invincible. I like that it was more R&B and less Pop. I think MJ should have stayed with that R&B theme throughout the album and made the album more shorter. I think the main problem with the album is that it has really strong songs mixed with just "ok" songs which is why you really can not call Invincible a bad album. Songs like Butterflies and Break of Dawn are some of the best songs and most underrated songs in his entire catalog. Whatever Happens and Threatened are some of his more experimental ones. The album has its gems and Butterflies is a classic. With that being said, Invincible is Michaels weakest album. However, Invincible is still very underrated though.

Around The World In A Day by Prince and The Revolution---The previous album is a powerful,relentless album with alot of energy.This follow-up album is too subdued and less interesting,to my ears at least.Yes,there are a few good songs ("Paisley Park","Pop Life") but this is one Prince album that I don't revisit very often.In 1985,I wanted to hear Prince funk it up and continue to show the world what a badass he was instead,he went all psychedelic and decided to give us his version of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper album.

regarding Victory....

I have always said that this album (and tour) should have never happened.Michael should have stopped doing albums with his brothers after the Destiny album.By that time,it was clear that he was the one that everybody wanted to see and hear.Off The Wall fully established him as a solo superstar and he should have remained solo from that point on.Victory is just an example of how his brothers tried to piggyback on the amazing success of Thriller.

Mariah's newest album is her worst produced and edited ever. I skipped the angel album too but it had several decent tracks that saved it from being awful and the production was good.

MDNA was also madonna's most boring of her career, no wonder it was the worst seller despite going number one everywhere. Several standouts on there could have fit in on different albums of her catalog but altogether, it sounds like a bunch of awkwardly packaged hit songs with poorly made demos where she's trying to sound like younger acts who are doing madonna better than madonna on CD, though performance wise, she's miles ahead still

20 YO??? I still don't get the irony, sorry janet JD. Discipline was a step in the right direction though, at least she left us with that before retiring.

Michael. Michael who? Was that even him? Why were we even put in a position to be asking that? Just, no.

[Edited 11/9/14 6:20am]

[Edited 11/9/14 6:20am]

lastdecember said:

ZooRopa- U2 not to bash on them because their new record is one of my tops of the year. But zooropa is why you shouldnt rush and record while on MEGA tours. This album was a HUGE HUGE mistake and almost ended this band.

aboslutely false

SuperSoulFighter said:

^^^ No ArtOfficialAge on your list?!???!?!? [Edited 11/8/14 14:32pm]

nah, because AOA at least wans't (that much) hyped

at this point, it's A LOT more disappointing that the remasters ain't gonna happen, not even after the "return" with Warners

SoulAlive said:

regarding Victory....

I have always said that this album (and tour) should have never happened.Michael should have stopped doing albums with his brothers after the Destiny album.By that time,it was clear that he was the one that everybody wanted to see and hear.Off The Wall fully established him as a solo superstar and he should have remained solo from that point on.Victory is just an example of how his brothers tried to piggyback on the amazing success of Thriller.

Destiny hit me harder than Triumph, but Triumph is also a great album including some of their best classics and underrated gems. It does sound like a mashup of Destiny and Off The Wall though...and michael said it too in Moonwalk!

mjscarousal said:

alphastreet said:

Im not a fan of Caca, but I'd say Popart sank her and her career.

lazycrockett said:

JoeTyler said: