The 4 most disappointing albums of the year so far
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Artist:
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Album:Day and Age
All by bands I love{d}, needless to say. If I didn't care, well, I wouldn't be disappointed now, would I. Again, no offense is meant towards the people who enjoyed one of these 3 albums.
4. Bloc Party - Intimacy
I almost forgot to put this in my list. Just goes to show how I feel about it. Bloc Party went down a new road for which I do not care at all. It doesn't suit them, and they're not good at it. What they call "intimacy", I call "blegh", and this is when we start seeing other bands.
3. Eagles of Death Metal - Heart On
I have no idea what happened there. Where's the spark, where's the sexiness, where are the tight, ear-catching compositions? They ain't here, I can say that much. Blah, so blah, all been done before in much better ways, and the band's lovable qualities and talents are on a milk box with the word MISSING underneath.
2. Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads
Not even Mark Ronson could cover up the lack of inspiration. 2-3 songs aside, the album makes my worst fear come true. Kaiser Chiefs have nothing to offer any more. Employment was it, and that's all there was to it. After the hopeful first single, Never Miss A Beat, came an album that's one of the same but worse on all accounts. In the words of Ricky Wilson himself, like a tomato in the rain, I got that feeling again {wtf?!}.
1. The Killers - Day & Age
It's now official, The Killers really went downhill. I hope that they enjoyed their ride more than I enjoyed this album. Ranging from uninspired mainstream moments to appalling sonical experiments, this album officially qualifies as RUBBISH, and I will only waste 4 more words on it. Goodnight, and good luck.
So, what are yours? Lay on the couch, get it off your chest...join the album-undertakers club ;)
Comments (66)
Ah, a quickie aren't you. ;) Yeah, Day and Age is rubbish to the bone, unbelievable. More unbelievable is that it is actually getting a good share of positive reviews, which is mind boggling to me. How much better is a song like 'Midnight Show' than all this rubbish on here?
The other two, with all due, respect, I actually saw coming so I didn't bother with it.
In good news though, you've heard 'Ulysses' yet on Franz Ferdinand's MySpace? I listened to Day and Age once, and then just put Ulysses on repeat to ease the pain. XD
Yes, I could no longer handle the pain, I had to share ;)
Positive reviews?! You have to be shitting me. That's just insane.
Based on Never Miss A Beat I was hopeful...look where that got me! And as far as EoDM are concerned, I love the 2 previous album, so I did not see this one coming.
I haven't! I'll go listen to it now! Oh goody, 'cause if the new Franz album is not good, too, I don't know if I'd be able to handle it....
There there Anna .... let it out.
It's always painful when a loved one turns on you like that.
Thankfully I haven't heard the Killers 'Day and Age' and thanks to you I probably never will.
The new Franz is gonna be amazing. I heard a bunch of new tracks live last summer, and they were absolutely fantastic. And I think 'Ulysses' is as well, hope you agree. ;)
Yeah, I never liked EoDM that much, so there we differ. Kaiser Chiefs, I loved the first, then I got weary of them, don't know why.
The Killers reviews:
Rolling Stone: 3 1/2 out of 5
Spin: 3 1/2 out of 5
The Fly: 3 1/2 out of 5
NME: 7 out of 10
The Sunday Times: 5 out of 5 ("On Day & Age, the Killers retake the summit.")
The Guardian: 4 out of 5
These are all reviews before the album comes out, so it makes you kind of wonder what corporate thingy lies behind this one.
Kickin' it mean school! Nice. I can't talk though, since I didn't hear any of the 3. Of course, thanks to Ms. Anna, I now know I missed nothing. Phew.
Rise Against Appeal to Reason was pretty disappointing for me (still holding on to what I listened to 5-7 years ago) but made a conscious choice did NOT buy Kaiser Cheifs after previewing it and realizing "Do I really want this, even if it is for $8?" Nope. I haven't heard the Killers yet so it's good to get your input on that to save me the time.
Other disappointments (that I actually own) - The Teenagers Reality Check (one good song, maybe two in my opinion)
Ra Ra Riot The Rhumb Line - moreso because about half of the songs were from the EP, so they didn't really add anything. I do like the strings on the album but it's not different enough to constitute calling it a debut LP.
Dodos Visiter - eh...just didn't grasp me enough
If you asked me a month ago whether I liked the new Keane, I would have said that it doesn't match up to the growth they had on Iron Sea. That still something I'll stand by but it's not as awfull as I had initially expected on first listen. I'd put this in the "it's-not-as-good-as-their-last-album" category, but it's better than the first one.
Can't wait to hear everybody's Best of 2008 lists....
Thank you, Chris...I feel much better now!
Saved you a sonical violation there...you owe me one :)
Stefan, I just heard the song...OMG. It's REALLY good! YAYYYY! Yes yes yes, thank you, god of music!
LOL @ their ratings...just one more proof that I'm right to never bother with reviews of the sort. In MOGgers I trust.
Cody, I can't be nice all the time, my gums start to hurt ;)
I took a few bullets for you. Got your back!
Eric, I wouldn't take it even if someone offered me 8$ :)
Thank you for sharing your disappointments! Haven't heard any of the albums you mention. Albums-to-be-afraid-of list is growing!
My best of 2008 list will probably give me a stroke...too many good albums this year...
I may be shot down for this but i think the new Razorlight - Slipway fires is also a bit of a lemon (Couldn't wait for this release after their previous albums but it turns out i probably could have...maybe it just needs a few more listens)
Bomb the bass is another one that comes to mind, after nearly 15 years since his last album - Future Chaos is just that, chaotic nonsense!
The cherry on the cake for me this year has got to be Bloc party's Intimacy. I expected this to be the return but sadly it is more of an erratic electronic mash of rock and pop. Bummmed!
Aaaaah, i feel so much better now that i've got that off my chest.
How much for the consultation?
Pugger, THANK YOU for reminding me of Bloc Party....I forgot about it...just goes to show..I added it now, cheers!
I never liked Razorlight so I didn't really give their new album a spin, guess I'm better off for it. Btw, I had never heard the "is a bit of a lemon" expression before...I like it!
Free of charge, because of your Bloc Party reminding services :)
Very sad that all of these rising stars have gone to pot.
The Bloc Party album is by far the saddest. :(
the killers...Awful.com
Helen, good news is...that now we can smoke 'em har har :)
I think that I am done with Kaiser Chiefs and The Killers, because they have been erm, sucking for a long time now.
The other two might get their act together, who knows...
Bloc Party? BLOC PARTY?!? It like I don't even know you anymore!
::calming down::
I completely agree that The Killers was rubbish, but at this point I expected as much, so I'm really not disappointed, you know?
I've not yet listened to EoDM's now album, but I'm kinda thinking I won't.
Here's my three releases that just didn't get it done, IMHO:
mothibi hahahhah BloodyAwful.com even....
Bull's eye Helen!
I'm sorry, brother, I do not like their new direction, I think that it doesn't suit them and they are not good at it :/
Please wuve me still!
Yeah, I was swimming in a sea of faux hope that their condition might improve. But nope, they are terminally ill, I'm afraid.
I've only heard the Long Blondes one out of the 3. I thought it was so and so, but not offensive enough to make this list hehe
Thanks Dale, nearly forgot about the Fratelli's. I must admit though that their 1st album was something of a revelation and will sit in my top 10 albums of all time (Big shout i know but true). Maybe if 'Here we stand' had been there 1st i wouldn't have been as bleak!
I really fancy the first Fratellis' album, but I never bothered to listen to the second one...survival instinct, I guess :)
OK, OK....lets head down a more positive path. Best newcomer for 2008?
Mine's going to...............The Rascals - Racalize
Oh boy... Wild Beasts, Foals, Late of the Pier, Glasvegas, These New Puritans, who knows what else I'm forgetting.....I can't pick! No more psychological pressure! No more mind games! ;P
{probably Wild Beasts....}
I still wuve you, let there be no doubt.
BTW, what I said of the Killers goes for the Kaisers as well.
That's just my thinking, the Long Blondes album isn't bad, but I went into that album with such high expectations after their debut, that it left me cold. Ditto Fratellis.
Tokyo Police Club? I think I read too many positive reviews.
i agree with you on the killers- they have gone steadily downhill since hot fuss.
while i havent heard the kaiser chiefs newest release, im still pissed at them for canceling their show ON MY BIRTHDAY last year. had tix and everything. soooo, yeah. i'll take your word for it on that one.
I would have included Kings of Leon. They lost whatever credibility they had with that piece of trash.
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I really thought Ashcroft going back to the Verve would be a return to the glory days. No, just sounds like another platter of solo shit.....
Hmm, the only one I am interested in is the new Killers. I was having high hopes after Sam's Town kind of fizz;ed for me, but now, there is fear in my heart. Now, that Bloc Party album cover gets my vote for album art of the year. I dig album art, for sure. That one's got me all hot and bothered.
Yup, dodged another bullet thanks to your cat like reflexes.
Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts I-V disappointed me on the first few listens but it's started to grow on me. I still have to be in the right mood. I was hoping it would be more like the Still album but it's totally different.
Best new comer for me goes to Crystal Castles.
When I saw the headline, the Killers album is what came to mind first. I think it belongs in the scrap heap. REM's new album - it's no comeback - it's awful. And finally, I didn't run towrds the new Sigur Ros album.
Dale, yay! :*
It's not our fault we have expectations (or in some cases good taste in music). They shouldn't raise the bar too high for themselves, those indie musician twats! :)
summer eyes, how dare they! That must have been disappointing. Off with her heads, indeed, then!
TynansAnger oww! I really like Sex on Fire, and I have high hopes for the rest of the album (which I haven't gotten around to yet)...should I be scared...
Neill, I liked one of the songs (can't remember which one), but I never got in deep. Neither did they, from what I understand...
Callisto, be afraid, be VERY afraid...
I like BP's cover, too, but my vote for the sexiest one of the year goes to Neon Neon's:
Mmm....
Chris, hahahha wait till you experience my upper body strength of a kitten...
Daniel, that's another one I didn't pay much attention to after it came out....
Crystal Castles is a solid choice!
Mark, mwuahaha!
REM's new album....hmmm...I don't think I cared enough to listen to a single song. la la la la
Wow, totally.
Great post Anna - absolutely love it and and a great duality between Cody B's (2008 favorite list) - also a great post of the day and fun to comment on too.
I'm with on all of the disappointing albums you chose, but honestly I've never really been a Bloc Party fan and I haven't liked any of the Killers music since Hot Fuss came out ages ago. And Pugger, I totally agree with you on Razorlight - definitely a let down.
My list for disappointing albums:
1) Robert Plant and Allison Krauss - I heard their single track on a JC Penney commercial and I thought it was majestic. Saw them in concert about 2 months later and not so much. It was the Allison Krauss show - and yes, she's good, but I paid to see Robert Plant play more than half the songs with only one Zep cover. Although that one cover was Black Dog and it was great.
2) Jack Johnson - he hasn't changed his sound since Brushfire Fairytales and don't get me wrong, it's a good sound, but lets see soemthing new.
3) Conor Oberst - I commented on this on Cody B's post this morning. This is in my top albums of the year, but also on my list of most disappointing albums. One may ask - how is this possible? The answer is simple - I had very high hopes and expectations for Conor, who has been described as the Bob Dylan of my time and has been the leading force in Bright Eyes since he was 17 years old. 17 people - that's just crazy. I respect and cherish everything the guy does, but I think I was just expecting a little too much for this album. Don't get me wrong I still listen to it all the time and can definitely rock out to tracks like Souled Out!!!, Lenders in the Temple, and Get Well Cards - but I think you all get the point. I did see the Mystic Valley Band (Conor's backup band) play at the Fonda with Conor about a month ago and it was incredible. Where I feel Conor fell short playing live a lot with Bright Eyes, the Mystic Valley Band have an energy and charisma that Bright Eyes was lacking. So if you get a chance definitely check them out - they're on tour right now playing small clubs and venues across the country.
The Black Kids was also a disappointment.
Callisto, excellent, glad our album cover sexaesthetics agree :)
Aw, thank you very much, Chocodile, I really appreciate it!
You pose an interesting question. Should our opinion of an album be affected by its live performance? I haven't heard the Plant/ Krauss album, so I don't know what is true in this particular case, whether the album is mostly her as well. I recently saw Ladytron, and although I love their recent album, they were not good live. I decided to not go see them again, and just treat them as a studio band, still loving the album and all that.
I'm not very familiar with Oberst's work, but I know the feeling you describe. I was exactly like this with Interpol last year. I thought the album was disappointing and left me a bit bitter, and yet it made it to my top 10 favourite albums of the year list. It's a strange, yet perfectly normal feeling.
Thank you for the feedback!
Eric, I agree, but since it was their debut album, I didn't have any expectations, so I wasn't disappointed, I just didn't like it. Their hipsterism destroyed everything in the album.
Yeah Anna, I usually don't either and after I started writing the post, it just sort of turned into that. Please do check out Conor Oberst - let me know what you think. I personally like Bright Eyes (I'm Wide Awake, it's Morning) - also check out the new self-titled Conor Oberst album that I commented on above. They're both on my profile page.
If it's any consolation, the Plant/Krauss album wasn't good at all either - haha
great concept for a post... my vote, hands-down, goes to Cold War Kids' album. I can't even remember the title it was that disappointing. Mainly because "Something Is Not Right With Me" was a good teaser, and then the rest of the album was crap. Oh well, chalk it up to the sophomore slump I guess.
Ohhh, as soon as I saw this title I thought the Kaiser Chiefs are going to get an earfull.
What an utter disappointment that album was...
Oh my god great call!!! My girlfriend bought it the day it came out and I think I listened to it once. Very, Very, Very Disappointing. Great call msquared64. That's my vote for #1 actually.
gotta say you nailed it, the killers.......ugh!
LOVE the new direction Bloc Party is going. To me it shows they are growing & trying new sounds. I haven't even bothered to listen to the new KC since I was less than enthusiastic about their 2nd album. Haven't heard The Killers album yet but love 'Human'. I'll give it a chance . . . .
I haven't come across any truly disappointing albums this year. Although I must say I was disappointed when I first heard the new Erykah Badu 'New Amerykah Part 1' since the rest of the album was so different than the first single 'Honey'. But I kept listening to it since I liked plenty of songs on it & the ones I was kinda iffy about grew on me. It just needed repeated listenings for me to appreciate the true artistry within.
I love the unbridled optimism of the "so far" in the title.
It's an interesting topic, but I haven't heard any of these albums so I can't contribute a sausage to this debate.
Instead...
Four Most Disappointing Woodland Creatures of the Year So Far:
Bad year for the vole family in general.
Chocodile, I will. I really fancy his song Lover I Don't Have To Love. Thank you for the recommendations!
msquared64, thank you :)
Cold War Kids, you say...that must have been very disappointing in connection to how yummy the first single was..talk about the trailer being better than the movie, eh?
Annie, hehe get an earful, some detention, and go home with a note!
Poop, plain poop.
Kevin, I'm glad you share my awful feelings about it :)
Uncle A, "I haven't come across any truly disappointing albums this year" wow that's good for you! You're not going soft on us, are you hehe
I felt the way you felt about Badu for our Goldfrapp! I was very disappointed when I heard her new album at first, not getting anything in the electro sexiness department, but after a few listens, I came to respect and enjoy its loveliness.
Fluxy, bah! I've been very optimistic so far ;P
Drop your own...you know you want to say Oasis...
I thought that voles were making a comeback! Guess that unfortunate telephone prank they did on garden gnomes not only cost them their jobs, but also smeared their public image forever, eh? ;)
Well, I try to keep things sunny and peppy at all times, or else I might kill, but in hindsight Interpol disappointed me the most if you must know. Not bad, but not amaaaazing. I had high expectations unlike with Oasis.
Great, now I'm on a negativity streak for the whole day. Watch out voles!
You mean their Our Love To Admire? Yeah, I'm with ya there. I'm having high expectations for the new Franz album btw...I really hope that I won't have to drive voles into extinction...but leave some for me just in case :)
Aw it's adorable! And dead on, for that matter.
Hope you didn't just take a picture of a stuffed one you have as decoration...
Anna I can see how you'd be disappointed in 7th Tree since it was the opposite of electro sexiness. I loved it from my first listen. But yea I hear ya. And NO I'm not going soft on ya, I'm harder than you'll ever know. . . . erm, uh, wtf did I just say?!
*Fluxy* That vole sure looks like what we call a mouse over here in the US! Not heard that term before. And btw, Colin, that Interpol album came out in '07 so you're a bit behind the curve on that, hehe.
In Anna We Trust.
I've only heard snippets of the albums you've mentioned and....Ack!
Human....humans whatever.....The Killers...complete trainwreck.
I couldn't fathom listening to anymore of it after hearing this song.
My sis was over the other night and they performed this on some music awards show.... when i told her "listen to the words! these guys are frickin' brilliant"! It took only two lines before she realized and bursted out laughing.
I'm sorry i don't have much to contribute in the "worst so far" department...seems i have selective memory on the topic.
(thank my lucky stars!)
The Stainless Style album cover?....uh.....yeah...
"hotter than Georgia asphalt"
Thanks to you it resides in the #2 spot on my sizzling list.
My fave cover is this one (hope it works with the link.. Mog won't let me upload photos today)
It's an EP cover though but i'm counting it because ...well i can.
I'm non negotiable on this being my pick.
Sorry.
I know...late post! I haven't been on for a bit. Just wanted to say I'm really enjoying EoDM's "Now I'm a Fool"...can't say the rest is up to par.
well done. i also got to agree with NEill
Bold - and sadly accurate, Anna. But allow me to add, "Let the good times vole!"
August referred to himself as hard!
My Morning Jacket's "Evil Urges" and Cat Power's Jukeox are my biggest dissapointments of the year. I understand your choices, but I didn't even listen to them... I had the feeling they were going to be that bad.
As much as I wanted to like Portishead's new album, I couldn't get into it. There are a few decent songs, but overall it's a disappointment.
Fleet Foxes - admittedly I haven't heard it, but any band with that level of hype can't possibly live up to it.
Not having listened to any of those disappointing albums, i can't really give my opinion, but i must agree with the Stainless Syle album cover, and I should add their music lives up to the cover - neon neon is Hott!!
Bloc Party is the only one I've heard (I don't care for KC). I've seen a lot of tepid reviews, but I enjoy the album. It's not as good as the first two, but my expectations weren't excessive. I was more dissiapointed by the new TV on the Radio, not because it was bad, but because it wasn't as good as I had hoped.
I have to get something off my chest; I actually like the new Killers album. I know it's wrong to feel this way; I just can't help it! Granted, it's not actually that great, but I do think it's fun.
With that said, I completely agree with your disappointment in both Kaiser Chiefs and Bloc Party.
no mp3, huh? i can tell someone's utterly disappointed. ;D i've never heard any of these except Heart On, and yes, i tried to like it for the first 5 minutes and then simply gave up. i'm going to still try to give Intimacy a listen, see if i love or hate.
on the reverse, i picked up The Duke Spirit's Neptune after reading your post, and digging it muchly, thank you!
Jemmo, the Fleet Foxes album does live up to the hype. My favorite album this year, but you have to like the intricacies of the vocals. Some of the finest harmonies I've heard in years. I agree with the posting of the worst albums, although I am starting to warm up a bit to the EoDM album. Dodos' album Visiter is very good. These guys rock with acoustics better than some electric bands. I am just sick from the crapola that Kaiser Chiefs just put out. Their first album was well worth the $$.
It seems this year has been full of disappointing rubbish, and spectacular accomplishments.
I agree with Kaiser Chiefs and the Killers, but then I never was a fan of either anyway. I'm with Chocodile about Conor Oberst's solo album; I, too, simply had too high expectations. While I will love anything he does, I was hoping for something more.
Death Cab's new album was a major disappointment. I know lots of people will disagree, and I don't quite understand how people can say it's amazing. It's just a load of generic, commercial crap. One or two songs I can barely bear to listen to.
The Faint were slighty disappointing also.
On the bright side, we've had Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, The Dodos, Portishead, Sigur Ros, Hot Chip and some great NIN. All of which I wholeheartedly love :)
I kind of liked the Bloc Party album.
Jenny Lewis was my big disappointment of the year. The Beck album was horrific too.
I just did my top 10 disappointments here (Kaiser Chiefs did make the list):
http://www.snobsmusic.net/2008/11/most-disappointing-albums-of-2008.html
Uncle Hard A...coming soon at a post near you...Beware!
I think that a vole is a mouse in a cuter outfit.
Greg, you really shouldn't trust me, I don't know what I'm saying half the time, and the other half I'm just talking bollocks :P
Glad you agree on The Killers...and your sister has good taste! She avoided that trap alright :)
I wish I had selective memory...right now I'm seeing a therapist to overcome these musical travesties, and I hope that in time I'll be able to forget....
Hot, too hot..can't touch this :)
Works just fine, and it's beautiful!
Hap, no worries! Yeah, I'm afraid that the album as a whole really doesn't work...oh well, that's 1 bad out of 3 for them, so I can forgive if the next one is good :)
Merci, Charley :)
Heya Mikey! I wish I wasn't accurate on these, but what can you do...but vole like there's no tomorrow hahahaha :P
Dale, yup....what can I say....my uncle does enjoy his profanities :P
elcunzio, MMJ, you say? Interesting. I haven't heard it, but I think I read good things about it. Plot thickens! I'll investigate further :)
Lucky you, I wish I could un-listen them...
Kinoshawk, I know what you mean. I fancy it, but it just doesn't click with me on the level that Portishead's album usually do. Maybe it's me and not them :)
Jemmo, I just don't like their music, but that's just my personal taste. Hype is evil :/
MinnowSashimi, oh yes! Content to mach the cover, pleasing on all levels! Great side-project, if I may say so.
Stoplight Sleep, I don't care about KC anymore either! Ha.
I guess the new BP is enjoyable, but I just can't stop feeling that it's just not right for them.
I'm not a TV on the Radio fan, but from a few songs I heard form the new album, I had the impressions that they became more light/bright-sounding. Would you agree?
Chris N, HOW DARE YOU! hahahah just teasing :)
Bit of a guilty pleasure for you then, eh? We all have those (I could write an encyclopedia on mine...)!
Glad you agree on the other two :)
poe, NO MP3. I'd sooner listen to it again :P
I tried, too, with Heart On, but then I thought...."hey, they didn't try at all. Why should I?" ;)
So glad to hear that! Awww! You made me all smiley now. You really wake up a smile in me!
captainkern, I don't really have an opinion on the Fleet Foxe's album, because I don't like the way they sound, and therefore I think that it wouldn't be fair on my part to have one that would be subjective. I just think that they're not my cup of coffee. Dodos, eh? Guess MOGgers' opinions are divided on that one, I need to check the album out. About KC, by this point, I was hoping that they've made enough money from the first album that they would stop recording...my poor ears!
Laura, yes, extreme highs and lows. I also noticed that we had many great debut albums, and many third-album slumps.
I think that Oberst is very talented (and this comes from someone that is just now starting to investigate the man), and I do believe that his bright future will make amends for this year's album :)
Just like with Fleet Foxes, I don't like DCFC's music, so I'm in the dark about them. All I know is that most MOGgers loved it, I think you're the first one that I've seen saying otherwise :)
Wait, Hot Chip had a new album out this year?! Gasp. I'll look around for it...ooops!
Heya tosnob (or not to snob hehe)!
Jenny Lewis and Beck, I couldn't agree more. Especially Beck, what on earth got into him :/
Oh no, you didn't like the new Kings of Leon, either? I'm really worried now. I love Sex on Fire, and I got excited for the album (which I didn't have a chance to spin yet). Now I'm really afraid!
I guess my expectations weren't that high. I'm slightly disappointed by Bloc Party and Eagles, never was a big fan of Kaiser Chiefs, and think the Killers is slightly better than the last one. I enjoyed it the few times I heard it, even if i don't plan to keep it. For every established artist who slips, there's ten more new ones to take their place!
Lucky you, sigh. That's very true. There were plenty of wonderful albums this year. Odd coincidence that are third albums. Is the third album the new sophomore slump, you reckon? :)