Continuing in Rolling Stone's tradition of providing lists as fodder for obsessive music fanboys to rant about on blogs (see last week's "best comeback albums" list), now the venerable music mag has compiled a list of the 15 worst albums by great bands. Can't argue with most of the below, though I'll say I'm sorta fond of One Hot Minute, and Presence has some great tunes on it. I would add The Beach Boys' Stack-O-Tracks, Captain Beefheart's Bluejeans and Moonbeams, and Metallica's Reload. Or really anything they released after the black album. Any additions? 1. Bob Dylan, ''"Down In the Groove''" 2. Rolling Stones, ''"Dirty Work''" 3. David Bowie, ''"Tonight 4. Van Morrison, ''"Beautiful Vision''" 5. The Clash, ''"Cut the Crap''" 6. Neil Young, ''"Old Ways''" 7. Van Halen, ''"Diver Down''" 8. The Who, ''"Face Dances''" 9. Elvis Costello, ''"Mighty Like A Rose''" 10. Red Hot Chili Peppers, ''"One Hot Minute''" 11. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, ''"American Dream''" 12. Aerosmith, ''"Rock in a Hard Place''" 13. Lou Reed, ''"Mistrial''" 14. Morrissey, ''"Kill Uncle''" 15. Led Zeppelin, ''"Presence''" [Rolling Stone'''s 15 Worst Albums By Great Bands (Rolling Stone)]
That last R.E.M. album was pretty horrible. And I'd add Spiritualized's "Let it Come Down," although they're nowhere near as well known as the other bands on this list.
John Zeiss
DJ Shadow - The Outsider
bradford
one hot minute is the only chili peppers album I like.Also, even though it doesnt really count as a velvet underground record, squeeze is horrible.
bza
I wouldn't actually call Squeeze horrible. I wouldn't call it great either. HOWEVER, if I think of it as a Doug Yule solo album, then I think it's an OK album.
bradford
Down in the Groove is an odd choice. Knocked Out Loaded is worse. And there are 3 or 4 songs on Down in the Groove that are actually pretty good. And adding Presence to this list is a joke ... the first song alone makes that album essential.
Mike
Agree with Mike on both counts.
bradford
Presence shouldn't be on this list, however Metal Machine Music should.
Brian from NH
How could this list have overlooked "Sometime in NYC" by John and Yoko with the unforgettable Elephants Memory as house band. This album is one of the true train wrecks of rock, with truly appaling lyrics from both Mr. and Mrs. Lennon and, of course, the unmistakeable fingers-on-a-chalkboard vocals from Yoko. This is a masterpiece of crap. And a double album no less ! Move it to the top of the list.
k.c. from reading
Nick Cave first release, Door Door (1979) by his early band the Boys Next Door, is, while not completely terrible, certainly not in line with the rest of his nearly-perfect discography. I've heard him speak poorly of it in interviews.
That last R.E.M. album was pretty horrible. And I'd add Spiritualized's "Let it Come Down," although they're nowhere near as well known as the other bands on this list.
John Zeiss
DJ Shadow - The Outsider
bradford
one hot minute is the only chili peppers album I like.Also, even though it doesnt really count as a velvet underground record, squeeze is horrible.
bza
I wouldn't actually call Squeeze horrible. I wouldn't call it great either. HOWEVER, if I think of it as a Doug Yule solo album, then I think it's an OK album.
bradford
Down in the Groove is an odd choice. Knocked Out Loaded is worse. And there are 3 or 4 songs on Down in the Groove that are actually pretty good. And adding Presence to this list is a joke ... the first song alone makes that album essential.
Mike
Agree with Mike on both counts.
bradford
Presence shouldn't be on this list, however Metal Machine Music should.
Brian from NH
How could this list have overlooked "Sometime in NYC" by John and Yoko with the unforgettable Elephants Memory as house band. This album is one of the true train wrecks of rock, with truly appaling lyrics from both Mr. and Mrs. Lennon and, of course, the unmistakeable fingers-on-a-chalkboard vocals from Yoko. This is a masterpiece of crap. And a double album no less ! Move it to the top of the list.
k.c. from reading
Nick Cave first release, Door Door (1979) by his early band the Boys Next Door, is, while not completely terrible, certainly not in line with the rest of his nearly-perfect discography. I've heard him speak poorly of it in interviews.
Jason