# Bands that Jumped the Shark **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 29, 2004, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143 "2004-03-29T19:51:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/81 "2014-02-09T18:41:39Z")
> [@Psychophobia](#): > > In Flames - the album after Clayman - I don’t want to look the name up, it makes me sad. The hell you say! _Reroute to Remain_ was a brilliant album, almost perfect. However, it’s certainly a shame that they got mired in that sound, and from _Come Clarity_ onward it was shark-jumping time. **Dark Tranquility** achieved perfection with _Projector_ and _The Mind’s Eye_, but as with In Flames, became generic SMDM with _Damage Done_, _Character_, and onward. **Carcass** possibly jumped the shark before _Heartwork_, most certainly after. **Opeth** , despite the mixed reception of _Heritage_, IMO ain’t even near the waterskis. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![SuperNelson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@SuperNelson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuperNelson)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/82 "2014-02-09T18:45:38Z")
> [@Kneepants\_Erasmus\_the\_Humanist](#): > > Thanks **Spiff**. I discovered that website recently…and I shall partake. > > My problem with Cut the Crap was not just the fact that it was a…um…crappy record. If they would have called themselves _anything_ but The Clash I would have bought the record…just for my collection if nothing else. “The Clash” should not exist without Mick Jones. To amend my analogy from earlier: If McCartney kicked Lennon out **and continued calling the band The Beatles.** That is just wrongwrongwrong. Especially since it was released within weeks of This Is Big Audio Dynamite. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/83 "2014-02-09T19:24:01Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > **Fairport Convention** - When Sandy Dennis left Sandy Dennis starred in _Up the Down Staircase_; Sandy **Denny** was the Fairport Convention singer who died falling down a staircase. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/84 "2014-02-09T21:56:28Z")
> [@Shakester](#): > > For me, Pink Floyd jumped the shark with Dark Side. > > They started out with brilliant psychedelic whimsy, developed (post-Syd) into cool spack-rock, and then devolved into self-obsessed self-indulgent twaddle. > [@Enter\_the\_Flagon](#): > > This is a totally valid POV, IMO, but since I’d still say that DSoTM and WYWH were good albums, you could also say that some of their self-obsessed self-indulgent twaddle was of a higher quality. > > Specifically, the change occurred with Animals, when Roger Waters began to marginalize David Gilmour’s contribution. The results stink for themselves. Clearly, the Zombies jumped the shark after _Time Of The Season_! I cannot agree with anyone that deems post-Syd Barret Floyd to be inferior to when Syd was in the band. That psychedelic “whimsy” was utter trash, IMO. I have tried and tried to get into that music and for whatever reason I just can’t stand it. Dreck like “See Emily Play” and “Arnold Layne” make me think of this: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyWo6Y-i-U0](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyWo6Y-i-U0) I also disagree that _Animals_ was the last great album the Floyd recorded…_The Wall_, for all it’s self-loathing faults, is still one of the best concept albums ever and has some excellent, if depressing, tracks on it that stand up still today. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/85 "2014-02-09T22:24:03Z")
Guess I missed this ten years ago. Otherwise I would have been sure to mention the great white of the jumping sharks - The Bee Gees. The were once a very progressive band with a unique sound ([almost all the albums up to Trafalgar were terrific](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_Gees#Studio_albums)). Then something happened. It was 1974. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/86 "2014-02-09T22:25:42Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I also disagree that _Animals_ was the last great album the Floyd recorded…_The Wall_, for all it’s self-loathing faults, is still one of the best concept albums ever and has some excellent, if depressing, tracks on it that stand up still today. I don’t understand how Meddle, Dark Side, Animals, WYWH and the Wall aren’t all pantheonic. Personal preferences are one thing; strong penchants for Syd or loving Rodger’s solo work to the point where Final Cut is in someone’s favourites list certainly make sense. But to say they \*jumped the shark \*before any of those Floyd-defining albums is simply mind-boggling. In the meantime, [have a listen to demo recordings for Animals](http://www.neptunepinkfloyd.co.uk/listen-to-rare-animals-album-demo-recordings?utm_source=emailcampaign298&utm_medium=phpList&utm_content=HTMLemail&utm_campaign=Listen+to+Rare+Animals+Album+Pink+Floyd+Demos). ETA: **KarlGauss** , have you ever listened to Journey before Steve Perry joined? Completely different animals (heh): from a great session band to lobotomy rock. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2014, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/87 "2014-02-09T22:35:38Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > **KarlGauss** , have you ever listened to Journey before Steve Perry joined? Completely different animals (heh): from a great session band to lobotomy rock. I’m not sure you really meant to ask me but, just in case, can’t say I have (but not much after, either). ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2014, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/88 "2014-02-10T00:44:04Z")
For those of you from 2004 who were panning Metallica, how did you like _Death Magnetic_ from 2008? My wife and son like that very much. (Best not to mention the L-word.) ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2014, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/89 "2014-02-10T01:07:46Z")
Ok, I know this was posted ten years ago but LOL at U2 jumping the shark **with** “The Joshua Tree.” Just…LOL, I say. It’s only their magnum opus! Other ten-years-late comments on Depeche Mode: IMO, Violator is their apex, Songs of Faith and Devotion was a very close second, and then it was all downhill after that. I could still listen to subsequent albums and not want to rip my ears off, but there’s just no soul there any more. Radiohead…King of Limbs…what the hell happened?! ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2014, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/90 "2014-02-10T01:15:53Z")
> [@gallows\_fodder](#): > > Ok, I know this was posted ten years ago but LOL at U2 jumping the shark **with** “The Joshua Tree.” Just…LOL, I say. It’s only their magnum opus! Yeah, and Pink Floyd with DSotM? :dubious: Some people don’t understand what “Jumped the Shark” means. (Hint: It doesn’t mean ‘reached their peak and then started to decline’) ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2014, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/91 "2014-02-10T01:49:03Z")
> [@Accidental\_Martyr](#): > > _The Joshua Tree_ received almost unanimous critical acclaim, as well as huge sales. About the only place I’ve seen hate for it is on here, for some reason. I was already a big U2 fan, and I still remember the day I went to the music store and bought it. IMO, it’s a nearly flawless album but sometimes I enjoy _Achtung Baby_ more. Similar opinion here. I think the problem with _Joshua Tree_ is that the first three tracks all share a sort of “sameness” that gets old when listening to the album straight through. These days, I often bypass some/all of them and listen to the rest of the album much more. _Achtung Baby_ is a killer album, and I think has a much more raw, energized, and personal feel than _Joshua Tree_. If I were going to pick one to keep in my collection and one to throw away, it’d be close, but I think I’d ditch _Joshua Tree_. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2014, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/92 "2014-02-10T02:30:40Z")
> [@Torgo](#): > > Beatles: **Magical Mystery Tour** ; a quasi-rebound with the _White Album_, then sinking further with \*Abbey Road \* and _Let It Be._ Yes, yes, I know there are living, breathing creatures on this planet who think Abbey Road is the pinnacle of their recording career but come on! Maxwell’s Silver Hammer? I Want You (She’s So Heavy)? Sun King? Something? And this measures up some way with Rubber Soul, Revolver and Please Please Me? Are you people on angel dust? Must I continue typing tiny, incredulous sentences? No, the Beatles jumped the shark when they ditched the leather in favor of tailored suits 😉 ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2014, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/93 "2014-02-10T02:40:51Z")
Jefferson Airplane when they became Jefferson Starship. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2014, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/94 "2014-02-10T02:45:20Z")
> [@Nutty\_Bunny](#): > > I’ll add mine from the above referenced thread: > > **U2** - “The Joshua Tree” Really? They jumped the shark **before** _Achtung Baby_? ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2014, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/95 "2014-02-10T05:39:05Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > Similar opinion here. > > I think the problem with _Joshua Tree_ is that the first three tracks all share a sort of “sameness” that gets old when listening to the album straight through. These days, I often bypass some/all of them and listen to the rest of the album much more. I definitely understand that. Over the years, I have probably listened to side two more than side one. (Back when albums and tapes had sides. :)) ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2014, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/96 "2014-02-10T05:58:25Z")
> [@SuperNelson](#): > > When this thread was fresh, I would have agreed with you. It took a few years, but Bob’s back. I think “Silver Age” is his best solo work, rivaling his work with Sugar or even Husker Du. Heck, I wouldn’t even say that it took him a few years. _Body of Song_ came out the year after that post, and even though Bob felt the need to toss a couple of annoying techno-influenced songs into the mix, I thought it was pretty much a strong return to form. I’ve really enjoyed all of the albums that he has put out since then (helped in no small part, I’d say, by the fact that he has recruited the drummer from Superchunk, one of my other all-time faves, as a regular musical collaborator). God willing, he’ll stick to his guitar and just keep knocking them out of the park. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2014, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/97 "2014-02-10T06:16:25Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Some people don’t understand what “Jumped the Shark” means. (Hint: It doesn’t mean ‘reached their peak and then started to decline’) For what it’s worth, I believe the phrase itself has jumped the shark. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2014, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/98 "2014-02-10T06:22:38Z")
I love how the phrase developed from a Happy Days episode where Arthur Fonzarelli literally jumped a shark on his motorcycle. It makes it even more bizarre. What if the shark had lasers on it’s frikkin’ head? What then? ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2014, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/99 "2014-02-10T07:54:08Z")
As soon as Billion Dollar Babies was wrapped,\*\* Alice Cooper\*\* started sucking penii. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2014, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143/100 "2014-02-10T08:29:03Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I love how the phrase developed from a Happy Days episode where Arthur Fonzarelli literally jumped a shark on his motorcycle. It makes it even more bizarre. What if the shark had lasers on it’s frikkin’ head? What then? Actually, he was on water skis. https://www.youtube.com/embed/t4ZGKI8vpcg?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-jumped-the-shark/237143.md?page=6)