Turkey Time
On Thanksgiving people mention all the good things in their lives. DC Rock Club likes to do things a little differently. Here are some things we're not thankful for: the worst albums of 2008. The flood of "Best of 2008" lists are just around the corner. Before that happens let's salute those bands put out the poo-poo this year for all to not enjoy.
I'll just mention a few and then let people chime in with their own submissions. I know Ashlee Simpson, Metallica, Madonna, Mars Volta, and Nickelback will top some lists. Those are givens. I had high hopes for a number of albums that were ultimately very disappointing. Here are some nominations for Turkey of the Year (in no particular order):
Guns & Roses, Chinese Democracy - yeah, I know Rolling Stone and Chuck Klosterman loved this shit but I didn't. I really, truly, tried to give it a chance. I wanted to like it but it's not going to happen. I barely make it through the whole thing. At times it reminded me of a Broadway musical and other times it sounded like Korn. Either way, the listener is the loser. Sorry Axl, thumbs down from me. Thanks for the free Dr. Pepper though. 
Islands, Arm's Way - I guess I'm as much to blame as the band. I hoped they could produce something as quirky and innovative as what Nick Thorburn created while in The Unicorns. This album is scattered, inconsistent, and most of all, annoying.
Cold War Kids, Loyalty To Loyalty - Somehow I had convinced myself that their first album was an underrated gem. Then I went back and realized I only really liked two of the songs. Granted, I like them quite a lot but the rest of the tunes are middle of the road at best. On their second album, there's only one song I like (and not even that much). Then I saw them put on a half-ass performance at Waterloo Records and that sealed their fate as one of my 2008 Turkeys of the Year. Congratulations, Cold War Kids.
Thoughts? Are their bands that released worse albums this year?
Yahoo
4 comments:
I agree about The Islands. I was really excited to hear a follow up to " Return to the Sea", but "Arm's Way" is one of the worst records I've heard in a long time. I also thought that Wolf Parade's new Album was atrocious as well.
Wolf Parade didn't wow me either. I listened once and forgot about it. A number of bands released albums that were downgrades from their previous work. I'd lump Tapes-n-Tapes and The Raconteurs along w/ Islands, Cold War Kids, and Wolf Parade.
Then there are the bands that once made great albums but have produced a series of flops (R.E.M., Weezer). I was surprised that I liked Death Cab For Cutie and Beck as much as I did. I figured they were headed for this category but they managed to put out some good stuff.
Re Islands, I liked that song "The Arm." Sad to hear the rest of the album sucked.
I would also like to note that I will be ignoring your opinion on GnR due to the fact you are a huge puss and are uniquely unqualified to pass judgment on any metal album. I believe I am also speaking for Sacklunch here as well.
You can listen to all of Chinese Democracy at his MySpace page. Be sure to listen to "This Is Love" and then tell me who is the bigger wuss, me or Axl.
There are a few decent tracks (not great) but overall the album really disappoints, especially when you consider they were once the greatest rock band on the planet.
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