So you're really pumped about one of your favorite band's new album. The release date comes closer and closer and anticipation is boiling over. You get a preview of one of the new songs and possibly a viewing of the cover art. As you wait patiently you start to wonder what direction this band is going to take the new album. You figure they might make it harder or groovier or they just might stick to the same formula that made you like them in the first place. So the time comes when you finally hear the album in its entirety and for some reason it completely blows. For example, say you've been out with your buddies, meet up with some broad, you feel like you're making a good impression and this might go somewhere. Then you buckle down, suck it up, cross your fingers and ask her to hang out again. You're riding a high, whether natural or alcohol induced, but then you're brought back to Earth or lower because the chick just punched you in the gut. That feeling rings too true. You feel awful, let down, almost betrayed. You have no real relationship or connection but for some reason the other party smacks you in the face. I've been there, other people have and I hope you have too cause if not then I want your life. The point of this is to try and get a bit of discussion and maybe some insight. I wanted to try and name some of the biggest artist let downs I have encountered and feel free to list your own cause it may make you feel better. Cause venting and complaining never feels better.
"Surely you're not talking about us."
Oh good grief, it's the Beta Band. Do you realize what you did to so many people? You literally broke hearts around the world.
"Seriously? Broke hearts? Do you realize how difficult it is create records that are enjoyable? Not to get too defensive but I'd like to see you try. Honestly, was 'Heroes to Zeros' that bad?"
Yes!!! Very!!! It made no sense. Even the album artwork was terrible. Honestly, you guys went from a wide following to basically sprinting face first, willingly into a black hole. Who does that? You guys can't even say that you fell into the category of signing a major contract and having other people sticking their fingers in your soup. You literally jumped on a grenade and saved no one.
"Hey! We're not the only band to do that. I'm sure other artists have struggled to keep the fans happy. I mean, look at Elliot Smith. What happened to that guy? He pretty much vanished after 'Figure 8'. And don't tell me that album was his greatest."
He friggin' killed himself! With a steak knife! Don't tell me you're that far off from reality. However, you're right. It wasn't his greatest but it wasn't bad. At least he went off with like a B.A. Homeboy can go ahead and call himself one of the greatest songwriters that ever walked this planet.
"Well, I guess we didn't know that. Our bad. Surely you can come up with some other respectable bands that hit the skids prematurely. We can't be the only ones."
You're right. You're not. But I'll go ahead and chalk you guys up for being the poster child for biggest let down that I can remember. But here we go. I'll go ahead and name a number of others who walked the plank without coercion.
"Thanks. By the way, it's been rumored that we are working on a free-form jazz album that may or may not include the ghost of Dave Brubeck. Put that in your pipe and smoke it the eff up."
Whatever. Dream on. Next thing you'll say is that Bradley Nowell will be a guest vocalist/guitarist joined by Keith Moon playing the bongos. But anyways, I hope this list makes you feel a bit better, but it shouldn't. You guys need medicated therapy. But just so you know I'm not even gonna put you on the list because you are on a whole different list by yourselves. Congratulations, dopes.
- Queens of the Stone Age - Lullabies to Paralyze: Hard to follow up from 'Songs for the Deaf' but gimme a break. Seriously not a single song to complement. Thank goodness Josh Homme has done a good job in Them Crooked Vultures.
- Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple: Kind of in the same category. 'St. Elsewhere' was so good that it pretty much changed an entire year. I will give the song 'Blind Mary' a thumbs up.
- Built to Spill - You in Reverse: Maybe age played a factor or maybe he wasted his tasty licks on his solo stuff but this just fell flat. Only redeeming factor was when the leaked copy came out and it had some guy yelling "who is Mike Jones?" every 30 seconds.
- The Hives - The Black and White Album: The previous albums were so good that I still get pumped when I hear any song from them. This album only produces tears and hair loss when I think about it.
- Hot Water Music - No Division: This album pretty much marks the steep decline of what used to be the most intense, no nonsense, rock band with the most conviction that I have ever encountered. Although I like it at times, it still cannot even compare to everything that came before. I literally get chills, seriously, from 'Forever and Counting' and 'Fuel for the Hate Game'. Too bad.
- Alkaline Trio - From Here to Infirmary: Another band falls into the trap of trying to appeal to a certain crowd. Why not just stick to what worked? I personally think it was the loss of Glenn Porter. One of the few drummers in the world who can take a mediocre song and turn it into your favorite.
- Mew - No More Stories: I can say that I was really stoked about a new album from a band that had such a heavy sound with great melodies that, somehow, incorporated a falsetto singer. I heard the single they released and felt okay about it but still thought there had to be more, bigger songs to compliment it. Nope.
- Jimmy Eat World - Futures: 'Clarity' and 'Bleed American' along with various EP's really made this a band with concrete promise of progressing into stud-dom. Honestly, this is one of those forgettable albums that makes you realize that they have peaked. Haven't listened to anything new since. Do they have anything recently?
I could probably keep going for a bit but you get the point. Let your frustration flow in the comments below. Whatever it is, whether I agree or not, I feel your pain.
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