# Critically-Acclaimed Albums that are Unlistenable

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critically-acclaimed-albums-that-are-unlistenable/584202>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [June 3, 2011, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critically-acclaimed-albums-that-are-unlistenable/584202 "2011-06-03T15:20:39Z")\
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**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critically-acclaimed-albums-that-are-unlistenable/584202/1 "2011-06-03T15:20:39Z")

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I suppose _Metal Machine Music_ by Lou Reed might take top prize for the most “unlistenable album.” But I’d like opinions on such albums that have at least a semblance of serious musicianship, and are deemed “critically-acclaimed” by the powers-to-be.

_Trout Mask Replica_ by Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band was ranked #58 in Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. I’m a big Zappa fan, so I bought TMR (CD format) in the early 1990s. About once a year I play it in its entirety, hoping I will finally “get it” this time. But I \*always \*shake my head when listening to it. I’ve \*tried \*to like it. I’ve \*tried \*to appreciate it. But I **just don’t get it**. And don’t get me wrong, I enjoy weird/avant-garde music. (In addition to Zappa, I love The Residents and The Velvet Underground.) But I find TMR to be utterly unlistenable. ☹

What critically-acclaimed albums do you deem unlistenable?

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