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General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: Crow on June 07, 2018, 04:11:36 PM
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Albums so bad a band's discography would be better off if they never existed :hat
I'm gonna start with my obvious and eternal gripe, DT12 :corn
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I'll be the first one to say Metallica's St. Anger.
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All Queensryche albums after Promised Land.
INB4 TAC changes "Promised Land" to "Empire." :P
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It's kinda hard because in general with bands i like (and care about) - even the lesser albums have good things about them (like standout songs).
Obvious meme picks like St. Anger or Lulu i can understand, though I think something like St. Anger is very easy to just ignore at this point since the band doesn't play anything from it live and fans hate it.
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Metallica - Death Magnetic.
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Albums so bad a band's discography would be better off if they never existed :hat
I'm gonna start with my obvious and eternal gripe, DT12 :corn
No Illumination Theory? God that would suck.
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It's kinda hard because in general with bands i like (and care about) - even the lesser albums have good things about them (like standout songs).
This.
And also in some cases the album turned out to be a turning point in style, that would be impossible to replace with something else. Or the songs would fare better in a live setting than on the studio recording.
My first thought was Pain of Salvation's 'Scarsick', which I seriously dislike, but then again, that album spawned some amazing live renditions on the live DVD 'Ending Themes' and not every song on that album is bad. To me it's just a shame (for lack of a better word) that their otherwise excellent discography is marred by that abomination.
In general, it's hard to say though, as I tend to ignore music I don't like and I generally don't care about the existence of music I won't listen to anyway. So 'wishing an album hadn't existed' isn't really applicable to me I suppose.
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It's kinda hard because in general with bands i like (and care about) - even the lesser albums have good things about them (like standout songs).
This.
And also in some cases the album turned out to be a turning point in style, that would be impossible to replace with something else. Or the songs would fare better in a live setting than on the studio recording.
My first thought was Pain of Salvation's 'Scarsick', which I seriously dislike, but then again, that album spawned some amazing live renditions on the live DVD 'Ending Themes' and not every song on that album is bad. To me it's just a shame (for lack of a better word) that their otherwise excellent discography is marred by that abomination.
In general, it's hard to say though, as I tend to ignore music I don't like and I generally don't care about the existence of music I won't listen to anyway. So 'wishing an album hadn't existed' isn't really applicable to me I suppose.
Scarsick is an interesting pick and I agree on a lot of it. I kinda got into the band through that live album so I have a soft spot for some of the songs, though as much as I dislike the album and parts of it are rough it still has songs like Enter Rain and Flame to the Moth that I would consider great.
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Queen 'Hot Space' and Styx 'Kilroy Was Here'. Other bands have had one or more clunkers, but these two go on the Mt. Rushmore of 'WTW were they thinking'.
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Albums so bad a band's discography would be better off if they never existed :hat
I'm gonna start with my obvious and eternal gripe, DT12 :corn
No Illumination Theory? God that would suck.
Also, The Bigger Picture, Behind The Veil, and The Looking Glass wouldn't exist. That would really suck too!
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Falling into Infinity.
Aside from a couple stand-out songs, it has the band's weakest overall output
It's a weird period in their lineup history as they had a keyboardist playing on this one album, who contributing nothing of note, because the one they wanted wasn't ready to commit to them.
The band had differing visions of the album and its direction, resulting in conflicts that didn't enhance the final product any
They had a bad experience with an outside producer leading them to self-produce every subsequent album.
And selfishly, it resulted in a big dip in my DT fandom, only saved by SFaM
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BOSTON - Corporate America. :facepalm:
YES - Tormato
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All Queensryche albums after Promised Land.
INB4 TAC changes "Promised Land" to "Empire." :P
:lol
Definitely.
In a vacuum, I have no problem with Promised Land. I mean, I feel it's very weak, but Queensryche had been so good up to that point, and enough people hold it in high regard, that as a single entry in their discography to date, then fine. The problem is that everything that came after it sucked, and therefore, it is, to me, associated with what followed than with what came before.
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Albums so bad a band's discography would be better off if they never existed :hat
I'm gonna start with my obvious and eternal gripe, DT12 :corn
No Illumination Theory? God that would suck.
Also, The Bigger Picture, Behind The Veil, and The Looking Glass wouldn't exist. That would really suck too!
The bigger picture is the only slightly salvageable song from the album and I'd be fine living in a world without it
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I tried to stay away from just "oooh, direction I don't like!" and go for something different. I'm also that guy that if I like a band, I like a lot of their stuff; I LIKE Slaves and Masters (though the lyrics are worse than bad. "Breakfast In Bed"? Get out of my house!).
But I would list Slaves and Masters because it shows someone being overly stubborn. Should've buried the hatchet with Big Ian and been done with it.
Also, and hear me out, Bark At The Moon. I love that record - except for the ballad - but honestly? If given the choice between "BATM" or having Randy still alive and producing great music, I think I'm okay saying "Randy".
I might put VHIII here; they should have tried harder with Dave in the wake of what I think is an excellent song, "Me Wise Magic".
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Also, and hear me out, Bark At The Moon. I love that record - except for the ballad - but honestly? If given the choice between "BATM" or having Randy still alive and producing great music, I think I'm okay saying "Randy".
Not sure I agree. I mean, I'd certainly trade it if it meant another album with Randy, but Ozzy never released anything that sniffed BATM's jock. BATM is fantastic.
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Every Queen album after Innuendo. Their career ending with The Show Must Go On would have been perfect.
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Also, and hear me out, Bark At The Moon. I love that record - except for the ballad - but honestly? If given the choice between "BATM" or having Randy still alive and producing great music, I think I'm okay saying "Randy".
Not sure I agree. I mean, I'd certainly trade it if it meant another album with Randy, but Ozzy never released anything that sniffed BATM's jock. BATM is fantastic.
No, no, I'm with you; it was just the circumstances. I really like that record a lot. I was big into Randy, though, and it was like seeing your dad with a new woman. I guess. I've never experienced that. But you get my point.
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Anything by Limp Bizkit.
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Temple of the Dog. I really, really cannot stand TOTD.
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If I had to pick a DT album to go here, it would be Systematic Chaos without question. I like TDEN, but I pretty much drop a dookie on the rest of it.
How about Cold Lake by Celtic Frost. That might be one of the biggest WTF's in metal history.
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Temple of the Dog. I really, really cannot stand TOTD.
Dude.
Bro.
Homie.
Mi compadre.
Comrade.
EDIT: But you remind me: Vitalogy. The first two Pearl Jam records were Gossard/Ament's babies, and around Vitalogy is when the band started to feel the conflict that later led them to - consciously - cede control of the band to Vedder and take a step back. They haven't been the same band since (to me).
EDIT2: Does the entire Nirvana catalogue count?
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EDIT2: Does the entire Nirvana catalogue count?
Unplugged In New York is awesome.
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EDIT2: Does the entire Nirvana catalogue count?
Unplugged In New York is awesome.
Fair point. I agree with you.
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Yeah, there's something about it. I'm am most definitely not a Nirvana guy, but that album hit me at a certain point in my life where it really resonated.
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Temple of the Dog. I really, really cannot stand TOTD.
Dude.
Bro.
Homie.
Mi compadre.
Comrade.
Dawg. Did I give you palpitations? :lol
I just can't do it, man. I do not like Chris Cornell's music at all, but especially that album.
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Temple of the Dog. I really, really cannot stand TOTD.
Dude.
Bro.
Homie.
Mi compadre.
Comrade.
Dawg. Did I give you palpitations? :lol
I just can't do it, man. I do not like Chris Cornell's music at all, but especially that album.
It's like you two are made to eventually clash on opposing opinions on an online forum. REALLY? You can't dig anything from Chris Cornell at all? I mean I understand if you don't like either one of Soundgarden or Audioslave or any of his solo stuff or TOTD, but nothing?
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I like the album pretty well, but I'll admit that in this case I like the popular choice. Hunger Strike is a fantastic song.
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It's like you two are made to eventually clash on opposing opinions on an online forum. REALLY? You can't dig anything from Chris Cornell at all? I mean I understand if you don't like either one of Soundgarden or Audioslave or any of his solo stuff or TOTD, but nothing?
Stadler's my bro. :biggrin: Nope. All of his songs just annoy me when I hear them, and unfortunately I hear them all the time. His voice is to me what Axl Rose is to others.
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Everything Queensryche did after Promised Land until they finally got rid of Tate, but especially Mindcrime 2. A couple of good songs apart, this should never have happened
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Why does this thread even exist? Every album ever made has its rightful place in the world, and deserves to exist.
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tell that to brokencyde
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Why does this thread even exist? Every album ever made has its rightful place in the world, and deserves to exist.
But sometimes the only rightful place is the dustbin. :biggrin:
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In a sense I also wish that Savatage's A Handful of Rain hadn't existed - beautiful album, but it was Jon Oliva's way of coping with the loss of his brother Criss. Had Criss Oliva not died in his 30s in a car accident, Savatage's course would have been different and maybe they'd still be around.
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Coheed's The Color Before The Sun is the only one that comes to mind.
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Why does this thread even exist? Every album ever made has its rightful place in the world, and deserves to exist.
Because it's fun to discuss. Nobody here is on a crusade to eliminate anything from this world, it's just conservation
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Queensryche - Dedicated To Chaos.
Oof.
I guess it was one of the contributing factors to them finally excising the Tate tumour so there's that going for it, but Wot We Do is feasibly one of the worst songs I've ever heard and between that song, particularly the video for it, and certain woeful pictures from the cabaret tour I think Geoff Tate's impact on my life is now a net negative!
Oh dear... I've just thought about that video again... ugh... ew... just no. :-[
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I'm voting for Yes' Heaven & Earth. Especially because this was Chris Squires last album with Yes. This album is just... terrible.
Open You Eyes is not good either, but at least it has the beautiful From The Balcony.
I have nothing against Tormato, sure it doesn't have the class of the other 70s albums, but it still has that 70s vibe to it and Alan White doesn't play like a drum machine.
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It's like you two are made to eventually clash on opposing opinions on an online forum. REALLY? You can't dig anything from Chris Cornell at all? I mean I understand if you don't like either one of Soundgarden or Audioslave or any of his solo stuff or TOTD, but nothing?
Stadler's my bro. :biggrin: Nope. All of his songs just annoy me when I hear them, and unfortunately I hear them all the time. His voice is to me what Axl Rose is to others.
And that will ruin Temple, since it's really Chris' show. I saw the NY show on the tour, and it was KILLER (their version of "Achilles Last Stand" was the second best Zeppelin cover I've ever heard; you can guess the first). But I get it; if you don't like Cornell, you're not going to like it.
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It's kinda hard because in general with bands i like (and care about) - even the lesser albums have good things about them (like standout songs).
Obvious meme picks like St. Anger or Lulu i can understand, though I think something like St. Anger is very easy to just ignore at this point since the band doesn't play anything from it live and fans hate it.
I've gotten enjoyment out of St. Anger from time to time. I'm not arguing it's at the top of their discography by any means but I'm ok with it being there. As for Lulu, I argue that's part of Lou Reed's discography not Metallica's.
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It's like you two are made to eventually clash on opposing opinions on an online forum. REALLY? You can't dig anything from Chris Cornell at all? I mean I understand if you don't like either one of Soundgarden or Audioslave or any of his solo stuff or TOTD, but nothing?
Stadler's my bro. :biggrin: Nope. All of his songs just annoy me when I hear them, and unfortunately I hear them all the time. His voice is to me what Axl Rose is to others.
And that will ruin Temple, since it's really Chris' show. I saw the NY show on the tour, and it was KILLER (their version of "Achilles Last Stand" was the second best Zeppelin cover I've ever heard; you can guess the first). But I get it; if you don't like Cornell, you're not going to like it.
I'm goin' hungray... goin' hungraaaaYAAAAAYEEEEYAAAA!!! UGH. >:( :lol
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It's like you two are made to eventually clash on opposing opinions on an online forum. REALLY? You can't dig anything from Chris Cornell at all? I mean I understand if you don't like either one of Soundgarden or Audioslave or any of his solo stuff or TOTD, but nothing?
Stadler's my bro. :biggrin: Nope. All of his songs just annoy me when I hear them, and unfortunately I hear them all the time. His voice is to me what Axl Rose is to others.
And that will ruin Temple, since it's really Chris' show. I saw the NY show on the tour, and it was KILLER (their version of "Achilles Last Stand" was the second best Zeppelin cover I've ever heard; you can guess the first). But I get it; if you don't like Cornell, you're not going to like it.
I'm goin' hungray... goin' hungraaaaYAAAAAYEEEEYAAAA!!! UGH. >:( :lol
See, and I don't mind stealing bread from the mouth of decadence, so we're at an impasse. :) :) :)
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The Velvet Underground - Squeeze
Queensryche - Frequency unknown
Pink Floyd - The Endless river
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Even as far as albums I don't care for, I guess when it comes right down to it, I would only include albums that affirmatively tarnish a band's legacy. To take Queensryche as an example, since they have been mentioned several times:
Everything Queensryche did after Promised Land until they finally got rid of Tate, but especially Mindcrime 2. A couple of good songs apart, this should never have happened
I don't agree with the more general point. But I do think there are a couple of albums in particular that rightly fit the bill. Like them or hate them, I have to go with Mindcrime II and Dedicated to Chaos. Say what you will about the other albums the band did, but I wouldn't say they tarnished the image or legacy of the band.
I put Mindcrime II up there for a few reasons. First off, the execution of it was just so subpar compared with the first that it doesn't really "deserve" to have the Mindcrime name attached to it. The original is so revered in the musical community that it should not have had a sequel to begin with. And it if must have a sequel, the sequel had to been a lot closer to flawless. This wasn't. Second, it was clearly a cash grab. The musical integrity wasn't there. The desire to financially capitalize on the Mindcrime name clearly was. Third, and this is related to the second point, Tate flat out lied and tried to revise history in saying the band contemplated a sequel when they did the original. Unfortunately, he and the band are on record during that time period as saying the exact opposite. This album not only tarnished the band's legacy, but also somewhat tainted the original by association.
D2C and the Cabaret debacle: Do I even need to spell out why this tarnished the band's image and legacy?
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I'm gonna go with Octavarium. I know, this means the song Octavarium would not exist and it is a great one, but the rest of the album I really can't stand.
Queen 'Hot Space'
So much this. Every other album up to Made in Heaven (whatever was released later doesn't count in my book) I either like or love, but hot space is such a mess. However, without hot space there is no Under Pressure so that's a hard trade.
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Can't believe I'm the first one choosing this album, but...
Adrenaline Mob - Omertá
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Can't believe I'm the first one choosing this album, but...
Adrenaline Mob - Omertá
Thought of it before scrolling down all the way.
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Can't believe I'm the first one choosing this album, but...
Adrenaline Mob - Omertá
This is hard to top. Personal taste aside, eliminating this album actually saves lives.
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Can't believe I'm the first one choosing this album, but...
Adrenaline Mob - Omertá
This is hard to top. Personal taste aside, eliminating this album actually saves lives.
Damn...
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Can't believe I'm the first one choosing this album, but...
Adrenaline Mob - Omertá
This is hard to top. Personal taste aside, eliminating this album actually saves lives.
w o w :lol
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Well, if we want to go down that way, wishing Iced Earth's The Glorious Burden with Ripper hadn't existed means wishing 9/11 hadn't happened, since that was the deciding factor for Matt Barlow to change his life.
So, if you ever get a time machine, screw the old "Kill Hitler" trope - prevent 9/11 and you get countless people not dying, two landmarks still standing, and one of the best vocalists of all time in the band that made each other bigger!!!
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Can't believe I'm the first one choosing this album, but...
Adrenaline Mob - Omertá
This is hard to top. Personal taste aside, eliminating this album actually saves lives.
w o w :lol
Can't believe I'm the first one choosing this album, but...
Adrenaline Mob - Omertá
This is hard to top. Personal taste aside, eliminating this album actually saves lives.
holy shit !
So, if you ever get a time machine, screw the old "Kill Hitler" trope - prevent 9/11 and you get countless people not dying, two landmarks still standing, and one of the best vocalists of all time in the band that made each other bigger!!!
Okay, but 'Kill Hitler' is quite simple and demarkated. 'Prevent 9/11' is much more difficult to realise.
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Well, if we want to go down that way, wishing Iced Earth's The Glorious Burden with Ripper hadn't existed means wishing 9/11 hadn't happened, since that was the deciding factor for Matt Barlow to change his life.
So, if you ever get a time machine, screw the old "Kill Hitler" trope - prevent 9/11 and you get countless people not dying, two landmarks still standing, and one of the best vocalists of all time in the band that made each other bigger!!!
That’s really not the same at all.
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Though a lot are available for this, Styx-Kylroy Was Here would probably top my list. I love the Behind The Music where Tommy Shaw is talking about it, and he reflects on a reviewer who called it a 'parking lot full of whale vomit'...
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Though a lot are available for this, Styx-Kylroy Was Here would probably top my list. I love the Behind The Music where Tommy Shaw is talking about it, and he reflects on a reviewer who called it a 'parking lot full of whale vomit'...
And yet Tommy and JY have now shown themselves to be flaming hypocrites by playing Mr. Roboto live this summer.
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That's doesn't seem totally fair. I am not a Styx expert, but I thought it was more an issue of the not liking the musical direction Dennis waanted to go, and how he thought the Kilroy tour should be performed.
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Can't believe I'm the first one choosing this album, but...
Adrenaline Mob - Omertá
This is hard to top. Personal taste aside, eliminating this album actually saves lives.
Damn...
:eek
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That's doesn't seem totally fair. I am not a Styx expert, but I thought it was more an issue of the not liking the musical direction Dennis waanted to go, and how he thought the Kilroy tour should be performed.
a youtuber i follow did a good vid about this album actually https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvZPaH7QIVI
from my understanding basically nobody but the frontman cared about the album or the stage show thing they did & the band basically went on hiatus because the audience didn't like the album either, except the single
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Though a lot are available for this, Styx-Kylroy Was Here would probably top my list. I love the Behind The Music where Tommy Shaw is talking about it, and he reflects on a reviewer who called it a 'parking lot full of whale vomit'...
And yet Tommy and JY have now shown themselves to be flaming hypocrites by playing Mr. Roboto live this summer.
:lol
I would prefer that Styx would play "The Mission" in its entirety, instead of the standard classic hits type of tours. I would actually go if this was the case..
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Lo! - Vestigial
Absu - Absu
:yeahright
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Though a lot are available for this, Styx-Kylroy Was Here would probably top my list. I love the Behind The Music where Tommy Shaw is talking about it, and he reflects on a reviewer who called it a 'parking lot full of whale vomit'...
And yet Tommy and JY have now shown themselves to be flaming hypocrites by playing Mr. Roboto live this summer.
Anything for a payday, eh?
I actually take that one back though, without Kilroy, we would've never had this...
https://youtu.be/D692JJPPUe4 (https://youtu.be/D692JJPPUe4)
I'll cast my vote for Yes - Heaven and Earth... I remember getting the promo for that one, excited to review it. I made it through three songs and shut it off. I actually asked another of our other writers to review it cause I couldn't slam money time heroes.
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Just about everything by G'nR. I just could never get into their music. There are a couple of songs that are okay to me; the majority when I hear it I think, " It'll be over soon"; and the rest are downright awful. Sorry, I just don't get it.
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the Wildhearts - Fishing For Luckies. Not to be confused with the Wildhearts - Fishing For Luckies, or the Wildhearts - Fishing For More Luckies...
Basically, the original was a fan club release only, as the record company didn't want to put it out officially or do a double album for PHUQ. I was a poor student at the time and couldn't afford it but a friend could and taped it for me... and it's awesomely good.
At some point along the line the record company intended to re-release it with a couple more throwaway demo tracks tacked on the end as Fishing For More Luckies but although it did get pressed it didn't get a proper release, I believe, as the band disowned it.
Then the band later did a proper release with the name back to Fishing For Luckies with the two songs released as a double sided single removed and a bunch of additional songs that, whilst solid, weren't as good and didn't fit in properly with the original fan club release. It's this version I wish hadn't existed and they'd just re-pressed the original fan club release for those of us who didn't got hold of it at the time.
Also, the band sanctioned re-release had about 20 minutes of a looped bit of laughter that was something of a baffling (probably drug addled) addition.
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I'll cast my vote for Yes - Heaven and Earth... I remember getting the promo for that one, excited to review it. I made it through three songs and shut it off. I actually asked another of our other writers to review it cause I couldn't slam money time heroes.
I totally get it. It's a truly terrible album. And the worst of it all is that this was Chris Squire's last album with Yes. They've done such tremendous things and then Chris left this world with... this.
Steve Howe keeps saying that Yes should write symphonies and huge pieces. He has been saying that for the last 20 years. I don't know why they never do though. Jon Anderson wants to do the same- at least after befriending Roine Stolt, he did that - or contributed.
Just about everything by G'nR. I just could never get into their music. There are a couple of songs that are okay to me; the majority when I hear it I think, " It'll be over soon"; and the rest are downright awful. Sorry, I just don't get it.
I find that a very strange thing to say. You don't like a band, okay. But I don't think that's the point of this thread, is it?
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someone start a "bands you wish hadn't existed" thread w/e
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Can I nominate "A Whole New World" by Peter Andre and Katie Price? :censored :censored :censored
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someone start a "bands you wish hadn't existed" thread w/e
Slayer.
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Lo! - Vestigial
Absu - Absu
:yeahright
:lol
Just about everything by G'nR. I just could never get into their music. There are a couple of songs that are okay to me; the majority when I hear it I think, " It'll be over soon"; and the rest are downright awful. Sorry, I just don't get it.
HEAR HEAR.
I thought I was the only one. I can't stand Paradise City, Sweet Child O' Mine or Paradise City. I absolutely don't get how this band ever got any further than pub gigs, let one sell millions of records and even be revered through a freaking 15 year break in between albums with only the most egotistical swine of a frontman remaining in the band as an original member. What a lot of bollocks.
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I thought I was the only one. I can't stand Paradise City, Sweet Child O' Mine or Paradise City.
You dislike Paradise City so much, that you can't stand it twice in the same sentence? :lol
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someone start a "bands you wish hadn't existed" thread w/e
Slayer.
same
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Oh, I meant to say Welcome to the Jungle There instead, but yeah. Paradise City is definitely the worst of the three anyway :lol
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Hot takes on GnR :tdwn :tdwn :tdwn
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Just about everything by G'nR. I just could never get into their music. There are a couple of songs that are okay to me; the majority when I hear it I think, " It'll be over soon"; and the rest are downright awful. Sorry, I just don't get it.
HEAR HEAR.
I thought I was the only one. I can't stand Paradise City, Sweet Child O' Mine or Paradise City. I absolutely don't get how this band ever got any further than pub gigs, let one sell millions of records and even be revered through a freaking 15 year break in between albums with only the most egotistical swine of a frontman remaining in the band as an original member. What a lot of bollocks.
Not my favorite band ever, but having seen the original GnR, the "Axl" GnR, and Slash solo, look, it might not be your thing, but they're legit. The first incarnation was by far the most "dangerous" band I've ever seen, in the sense that literally you felt like anything could happen, and the music had an energy to it that was palpable. The second incarnation was just as impressive in a different way. Yeah, I could have done without a shirtless DJ Ashba with the top hat and leather pants, but it was over three hours, Axl sang the whole show except for about 15 minutes in the middle, and it was every song you wanted to hear done right. Plus, I can remember living in a dorm complex called "The Jungle" at UConn and coming back to school and hearing that song blaring from just about every building in the area. It was a huge record at that time.
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someone start a "bands you wish hadn't existed" thread w/e
Slayer.
The Doors
Guns n Roses
Nirvana
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I thought I was the only one. I can't stand Paradise City, Sweet Child O' Mine or Paradise City. I absolutely don't get how this band ever got any further than pub gigs, let one sell millions of records and even be revered through a freaking 15 year break in between albums with only the most egotistical swine of a frontman remaining in the band as an original member. What a lot of bollocks.
Paradise City is awesome musically, but Rose's voice really pulls it down. Rose's voice is very hit or miss for me (more miss), and in that one it is a total miss.
As for why they are so revered, I hate to use the "you had to be there" line, but you had to be there. ;)
I was never much of a fan outside of a handful of songs or so, but it seemed like everyone I hung out with in high school (1987-1991) and at my first job (1989-1992) was a diehard fan of theirs and I was the odd one who wasn't. :lol There was just something about their sound, look and attitude that sucked almost everybody in. If your were around the age of 15-25 in the late 80's, it is a pretty safe bet that you were a fan.
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I thought I was the only one. I can't stand Paradise City, Sweet Child O' Mine or Paradise City. I absolutely don't get how this band ever got any further than pub gigs, let one sell millions of records and even be revered through a freaking 15 year break in between albums with only the most egotistical swine of a frontman remaining in the band as an original member. What a lot of bollocks.
Paradise City is awesome musically, but Rose's voice really pulls it down. Rose's voice is very hit or miss for me (more miss), and in that one it is a total miss.
As for why they are so revered, I hate to use the "you had to be there" line, but you had to be there. ;)
I was never much of a fan outside of a handful of songs or so, but it seemed like everyone I hung out with in high school (1987-1991) and at my first job (1989-1992) was a diehard fan of theirs and I was the odd one who wasn't. :lol There was just something about their sound, look and attitude that sucked almost everybody in. If your were around the age of 15-25 in the late 80's, it is a pretty safe bet that you were a fan.
If we had a poll: "Bands where you just had to be there", Guns'n'Roses would be number one on my list. Don't get me wrong, I still like them, but it's almost hard to describe that three or so year period. I can't tell you I ever felt quite that same way about a band. Kiss is close - when you are a 12-year-old boy and seeing those four maniacs, who you've never seen without makeup and never really heard talk like "humans", well, they were rock gods in every way, shape or form - but there was something about GnR that Van Halen didn't have, that Motley Crue wanted but didn't have, Ozzy didn't have... yeah, they were all crazy, but not like Axl Rose. He was that kid in school that you never knew if he was going to just flip his desk, pee on the floor and walk out of the room.
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...yeah, they were all crazy, but not like Axl Rose. He was that kid in school that you never knew if he was going to just flip his desk, pee on the floor and walk out of the room.
The problem is that is cool up until you are about 15, then it is just obnoxious.
I remember my mom liking Paradise City though. If she heard it on the radio she would turn it up and hum along. And her interest in rock music maxes out at the Beach Boys.
But as I recall she also liked Toto's Africa. So there's no accounting for taste.
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Chris, you are not taking into account that we are not the norm. Most people have children, work and things like music and sports take a backseat. They don't follow bands. Their life is too busy.
They hear "Africa" on the radio and that's their extent of Toto.
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That should be the extent of Toto.
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That should be the extent of Toto.
:|
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That should be the extent of Toto.
*backhands*
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That should be the extent of Toto.
:rollin
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Tim only likes pizza with pepperoni. I've never tried any other pizza.
Tim has horse blinders on.
Don't be Tim.
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That should be the extent of Toto.
(https://78.media.tumblr.com/c29d0f1bd3cf96e28837fbff47a8711f/tumblr_nxjvhp2l4G1rfd7lko1_500.gif)
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I'm still clutching my pearls from that sentence.
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I'm still clutching my pearls from that sentence.
I hope there was a payoff.
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...yeah, they were all crazy, but not like Axl Rose. He was that kid in school that you never knew if he was going to just flip his desk, pee on the floor and walk out of the room.
The problem is that is cool up until you are about 15, then it is just obnoxious.
I'm not doing a good job of explaining this. It wasn't a "15 year old" thing. That's Ozzy and Slayer and Kiss. It was something else. I don't have the words.
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...yeah, they were all crazy, but not like Axl Rose. He was that kid in school that you never knew if he was going to just flip his desk, pee on the floor and walk out of the room.
The problem is that is cool up until you are about 15, then it is just obnoxious.
I'm not doing a good job of explaining this. It wasn't a "15 year old" thing. That's Ozzy and Slayer and Kiss. It was something else. I don't have the words.
I've got the words. "You had to have been there."
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There's no 'you had to be there' about it, you just either like it or don't. I've never seen GnR, I didn't even get into them until I was 10 (2001) but they're the epitome of rock music to me and to this day I still love them to death - it does not get better than Guns N' Roses. Just like I despise Chris Cornell but give him all the props in the world for all the fans he made in his career and what he's contributed to rock, I would hope people would do the same with GnR and Axl, or Nirvana and Kurt Cobain, or KISS and Gene Simmons, etc.
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If we had a poll: "Bands where you just had to be there", Guns'n'Roses would be number one on my list. Don't get me wrong, I still like them, but it's almost hard to describe that three or so year period. I can't tell you I ever felt quite that same way about a band. Kiss is close - when you are a 12-year-old boy and seeing those four maniacs, who you've never seen without makeup and never really heard talk like "humans", well, they were rock gods in every way, shape or form - but there was something about GnR that Van Halen didn't have, that Motley Crue wanted but didn't have, Ozzy didn't have... yeah, they were all crazy, but not like Axl Rose. He was that kid in school that you never knew if he was going to just flip his desk, pee on the floor and walk out of the room.
...yeah, they were all crazy, but not like Axl Rose. He was that kid in school that you never knew if he was going to just flip his desk, pee on the floor and walk out of the room.
The problem is that is cool up until you are about 15, then it is just obnoxious.
I'm not doing a good job of explaining this. It wasn't a "15 year old" thing. That's Ozzy and Slayer and Kiss. It was something else. I don't have the words.
Well...I was there (as were you and a lot of others in this forum). I've posted before about how my first exposure to GnR was when KNAC (metal station in SoCal from the mid-80s to mid-90s) played "Mr. Brownstone." I assume that was sometime in mid-1987, when Appetite came out. I was a few months shy of turning 20 and thought the song was shit from the get go and that Axl's voice was a joke. The subsequent songs were a little better, but I couldn't believe how the band took off.
Chris is right that all of the random shit that was part of the package with Axl is stuff that's amusing to juveniles (and immature adults). Since I was neither of those things, I always thought it was obnoxious. I also agree with Kattoelox that "being there" doesn't really matter; you either like it or you don't, and I didn't. Maybe it's that I never knew any "kid in school that you never knew if he was going to just flip his desk, pee on the floor and walk out of the room."
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I don't get the accusations of it only being appealing to kids or immature adults. WTF? Rock used to be dangerous. GnR embodied that and then some. It has nothing to do with immaturity - when Axl comes out and screams "DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE FUCK YOU ARE?! WAKE UP! TIME TO DIE!!" it honest to god gives me chills. It's the embodiment of the legendary rock mentality - get out there, give high energy performances, and say 'fuck the world, for the next few hours, you're getting an exciting show' and that's it! Could he run around the stage less? Sure. But that's part of what makes (or made) GnR so exciting.
The end of the UYI2 DVD is the best example of this, when Paradise City hits the fast solo spots. The strobe lights are going fucking wild, Slash jumps off the stage - at the Tokyo Dome - and runs everywhere around the floor in front of the fans with security frantically running left and right trying to keep up with his unpredictable movements, while he's shredding for 2 or 3 minutes straight, and at the same time Axl is screaming from up on the stage. That's a damn good rock show!
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Just to clarify, I'm not talking about craziness in a stage show, I'm talking about all the other crap (most of which I only know about third-hand because I'm not a fan of the music).
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Just to clarify, I'm not talking about craziness in a stage show, I'm talking about all the other crap (most of which I only know about third-hand because I'm not a fan of the music).
Indeed. When people complain about Axl's attitude, they have in mind stuff like shows beginning late and cities being skipped because of the horoscope, not his stage persona which is just fine and more than appropriated for the music they were playing.
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If we had a poll: "Bands where you just had to be there", Guns'n'Roses would be number one on my list. Don't get me wrong, I still like them, but it's almost hard to describe that three or so year period. I can't tell you I ever felt quite that same way about a band. Kiss is close - when you are a 12-year-old boy and seeing those four maniacs, who you've never seen without makeup and never really heard talk like "humans", well, they were rock gods in every way, shape or form - but there was something about GnR that Van Halen didn't have, that Motley Crue wanted but didn't have, Ozzy didn't have... yeah, they were all crazy, but not like Axl Rose. He was that kid in school that you never knew if he was going to just flip his desk, pee on the floor and walk out of the room.
...yeah, they were all crazy, but not like Axl Rose. He was that kid in school that you never knew if he was going to just flip his desk, pee on the floor and walk out of the room.
The problem is that is cool up until you are about 15, then it is just obnoxious.
I'm not doing a good job of explaining this. It wasn't a "15 year old" thing. That's Ozzy and Slayer and Kiss. It was something else. I don't have the words.
Well...I was there (as were you and a lot of others in this forum). I've posted before about how my first exposure to GnR was when KNAC (metal station in SoCal from the mid-80s to mid-90s) played "Mr. Brownstone." I assume that was sometime in mid-1987, when Appetite came out. I was a few months shy of turning 20 and thought the song was shit from the get go and that Axl's voice was a joke. The subsequent songs were a little better, but I couldn't believe how the band took off.
Chris is right that all of the random shit that was part of the package with Axl is stuff that's amusing to juveniles (and immature adults). Since I was neither of those things, I always thought it was obnoxious. I also agree with Kattoelox that "being there" doesn't really matter; you either like it or you don't, and I didn't. Maybe it's that I never knew any "kid in school that you never knew if he was going to just flip his desk, pee on the floor and walk out of the room."
Look, I get it. It's not your thing and you didn't "feel it". I did (and am continuing to do) a poor job of communicating what I felt, but you need not be an ass about it. I was neither immature or a juvenile when I saw them in Hartford on the UYI tour. I had well over 50 shows at that point and knew what I was looking at. It was different. It wasn't about the off-stage stuff (which I generally ignore) or "cartoon buffoonery" on stage. It WAS dangerous, in a visceral way. I don't mean "I was scared" or "OOOOhhh, Axl almost threw a TANTRUM!" It was different. It was an energy and an urgency in the songs. It was the way the music was presented. It was punkier than hard rock. It was proggier - for lack of a better word - than punk. It was bluesier and harder edged than prog... They didn't high five each other on stage like Poison, they pushed each other. The leather and the bandannas... it wasn't a costume like Motley. It was like an unhinged James Hetfield. Axl sold that idea of "I REALLY don't have anything to lose, and I'd walk away from this in a fucking HEARTBEAT, motherfucker!" in a way that Ozzy never could, and which was really genuine at that point (and proved true, given the 10 year gap before Chinese Democracy.
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Just to clarify, I'm not talking about craziness in a stage show, I'm talking about all the other crap (most of which I only know about third-hand because I'm not a fan of the music).
Indeed. When people complain about Axl's attitude, they have in mind stuff like shows beginning late and cities being skipped because of the horoscope, not his stage persona which is just fine and more than appropriated for the music they were playing.
I'm not talking about any of that. This was back when they were still hungry. It was the same sort of "emotion" that ultimately led to that, but it wasn't that. They went on ON TIME when I saw them, and played for two plus hours, done before the union curfew. No "AIDS KILLS FAGS DEAD" t-shirts or whatever the hell it was, none of that. This was about the BAND and the aura coming off the stage.
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Stadler - I don't think the peeing on the floor analogy helped with what you're trying to express. :) Sounds like a great show though, which is the important part. And the experience that you had is just another reason why I wouldn't wish an album or band not to exist. I may not be a fan of GnR (don't hate them either), but I can relate to having concert experiences that will stay with me for the rest of my life, and would never want to take that from anyone.
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Stadler - I don't think the peeing on the floor analogy helped with what you're trying to express. :) Sounds like a great show though, which is the important part. And the experience that you had is just another reason why I wouldn't wish an album or band not to exist. I may not be a fan of GnR (don't hate them either), but I can relate to having concert experiences that will stay with me for the rest of my life, and would never want to take that from anyone.
Perhaps not. :).
But you nailed it in the second half; I'm well over 300 shows at this point and while it wasn't the "BEST", I literally have never experienced anything like that show to this day.
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So, here's my thoughts on GnR. It's not even a "you had to be there" because they have at least one (Welcome To The Jungle) of the most iconic hard rock songs of the 80's.
They came on in 1987 just as Hair Metal was taking off. They provided a great alternative to young hard rock fans that were not into Hair Metal. Hair metal very quickly became fraught with rip off bands and a lack of seeming integrity. When GnR showed up, they at least appeared to be the real deal. A sleaze style band born of the 70's Aerosmith mode with a little Hanoi Rocks. It was what you see is what you get. It actually felt like there was an honesty about them.
The band themselves provided some great imagery by themselves. Slash's look was instantly recognizable, as was Axl's style and voice, and Duff was the tall blond bass player who seemed really cool. A modern day, more outgoing Tom Hamilton.
Appetite For Destruction is an amazing album. It has all sorts of great LA imagery that just felt real. Plus as old friend Cozmo has always said, it's one of the great air drumming albums of all time. It's very exciting and easy to get into. I was lucky enough to catch them on October of '87 on their first East Coast club tour. They opened for both Aerosmith and Iron Maiden through most of 1988.
In 1991, they released the Illusion albums, which are both incredible. Musically, they matured and killed it. Very quickly they were headlining arenas for a couple of years. Saw them probably a half dozen times. The shows were fantastic. They were long shows with great setlists.
The stories started getting out that Axl was a douche. yes the shows started late. the opening band would come out and then like 2/2.5 hours later, GnR would come on, as if it were a club show.
Now should they be a RnR HOF band? Hell f'n no. Way too short of a career. But we have all these threads about bands and groups of albums, and you'd be hard pressed to find a band that had a better three album run during that time period.
I totally understand someone not like Axl's voice (which to my old ears has not aged well) or his douchiness. Maybe they're sick of Sweet Child, but those albums are filled with some amazing hard rock, and is deserving of most accolades they get.
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this entire thread has devolved into the "Do you wish GnR never existed?" thread :lol
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November Rain is their best song and I'd be fine if they were a one hit wonder band. Although, I do like You Could Be Mine and Sweet Child O Mine as well.
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Igh, don’t get me started on Sweet Child o’ Mine...
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I never cared for Sweet Child o' Mine.
Some of the deep cuts on that album are pretty great, though, like Rocket Queen, Mr. Brownstone and Think About You.