After reading this thread, I realised that although there were some albums that I’ve really liked this year, there have been some things that just didn’t live up to expectation.
It happens to all of us - we buy a CD, and find to our dismay that against all necessary precautions, it just doesn’t come up to scratch. Sometimes it’s a case of a good hit surrounded by lots of filler. Other times, a good band will trip up and release something that just isn’t as vital as their other work.
This year I’ve been disappointed by:
Placebo - Sleeping With Ghosts.
It’s not that it’s a bad album. It’s just that they’ve lost so much edge from Black Market Music. Sure, I understand that people can’t live their hedonistic lifestyles forever, but what may be a positive lifestyle choice didn’t necessarily make for a positive musical choice. There are a few good moments, but the vast majority of this is too same-y and reserved.
The Ataris - So Long, Astoria
I loved End is Forever, but this had a lead single that didn’t live up to that albums worst moments, and included a cover of Boys Of Summer. Sure, their cover wasn’t as awful as the original, but I’m still filing this in the weak basket. In truth, I haven’t heard the whole album yet; maybe when I get round to downloading a bit more I’ll find some hidden gems, but I’m not holding out much hope.
Black Eyed Peas - Elephunk
It wasn’t the Justin Timberlake cameo on Where Is The Love - after all he did only sing the chorus, and really, JT isn’t that awful, particularly when he’s got some good production behind him. And it wasn’t the vague We-Are-The-World vibe to Where Is The Love - what they say in that song mght be trite, but at least it’s being said.
No, it’s the Papa Roach cameo. Why, oh who did BEP have to put a rap-metal track on their album?
Even this would be bearable if the rest of the album lived up to BEP’s potential. But their party jams just aren’t as wild as they used to be, and the Peas just sound a little restrained at times.
Not to mention that hideous rap-metal dreck.
So, here’s your chance to bitch. What music has disappointed you in '03?