Comments on: The Top 5 Albums from 2007 That Should Have Been Really Good, But Weren’t

By: Chris DeLine

Chris DeLine — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:37:22 +0000

I didn’t like the Leo album at all, but for the most part I really enjoyed the Bloc Party release…it did fade slightly, but I wouldn’t call it disappointing by any means.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:05:48 +0000

I will nominate a couple more for the list…Bloc Party and Ted Leo.

Both albums start pretty strong…but just slowly die throughout the rest of the album.

Leo especially was one of the biggest disappointments of the year for me – especially after the addition of a second guitarist made me excited for the potential of a more “Tyranny Of Distance” type album. .

By: Chris DeLine

Chris DeLine — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 23:36:07 +0000

Matt: Ahhh, see: we can agree. Though we disagree too…

I actually think the Talib album is fairly alright…not even in my top 5 hip hop releases for the year, but I don’t know that there was near as much of a let down in terms of that album compared to…say…Common’s record. Kaiser Chiefs was a let down, certainly…as was Bjork, but I can’t say that I thought I’d care for Interpol’s record going into it. I like a track here and there, but the band is fairly blah…

Chucko: Can’t say that I agree with your take that having airplay makes an album successful, but I enjoy your sentiments aside from that.

By: chucko

chucko — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:58:31 +0000

I actually got what I expected from the Pumpkins album – just wished also that it contained “Gossamer” but also “Stellar.” That one could’ve made the Adore album it’s so impressive. Too bad it’s only available on one of the million iTunes or Target or whatever pressings on the Zeitgeist disc.

In all, I found only a couple tracks on that album to be almost unlistenable after the first listen: “For God And Country” and “United States.” But that’s only because the live versions are so much better than the album versions.

Other than that, there’s probably another boring or generic number or two on Zeitgest, but the rest of it is really good, especially “That’s The Way,” “Tarantula,” “Doomsday Clock,” “Bring The Light,” “Pomp & Circumstances,” and “Bleeding The Orchid.”

I think everybody had too high expectations from the Pumpkins version 2.0. You weren’t going to get Siamese Dream II or MCIS reduxe from Billy & Jimmy at this state in their careers, let’s face it.

Sure, Zeitgeist could have been a bit more dynamic, as it rocks a bit too hard at times. But including some of those good b-sides and bonus tracks on the regular track list could have taken care of that issue.

The album’s had three songs played on modern rock radio already (in less than 6 months!), so it can’t be that bad. And some hardcore Pumpkins friends of mine argue that “Bring The Light” should be a single. I agree. “Stars” was meant for radio as well (even if the lyrics aren’t so great).

Sure, Billy’s lyrics on Zeitgeist as a whole aren’t the strongest of his career, but he’s had a pretty prolific songwriting career. Not everybody can be Springsteen or Dylan.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:12:19 +0000

ok in retrospect, i change my mind about the pumpkins, they are list worthy. but for sake of argument i will leave them off my list.
5. Talib Kweli
4. Kaiser Chiefs
3. Interpol
2. Foo Fighters
1. Chemical Brothers
Other notable disappointments:
Bjork, The Stooges, The Pumpkins, Common

By: Chris DeLine

Chris DeLine — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 02:35:54 +0000

Charlie – Bjork was one I should have really put in…probably shoulda swapped Bjork with Arctic Monkeys, but such is life…what’s done is done

Matt – which albums should be on the list?

By: Charlie

Charlie — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:13:30 +0000

I like this list, but I think my year’s biggest disappointments were Modest Mouse, Interpol and Bjork.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:21:07 +0000

This list is terrible. can’t argue with the chemical brothers, but the rest of list is awful.
Arctic Monkeys album is a worthy sophomore effort.
A Beastie Boys album without lyrics can’t be expected to be more then a side project.
I don’t think anyone thought the new pumpkins album would ever live up to there previous good material.
And everyone and there mother saw curtis being terrible a mile away.
no disrepect, just don’t agree.

By: Chris DeLine

Chris DeLine — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:09:36 +0000

Chris – A lady I was seeing a while back stood by her stance that there was no real reason to check out their new material because it’ll never be as good as Gish. If only I had listened…if only…

By: Chris DeLine

Chris DeLine — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:06:19 +0000

Y’know Joe – I agree…I hadn’t heard Voxtrot’s EPs and whatnot before diving into this album, and I found it…well…bland. It wasn’t horrible, but nothing really stood out. Then there was a bit of fall out because of some words the singer had for some blogger types and for whatever reason that left a bad taste in my mouth. Don’t think I’d ever care to revisit it…and that’s something I can’t say about the Pumpkins album, which is weird of me to say…I think it’s because I’ve been a fan for such a long time and it’s my hope that I’ll find something new with each listen (unfortunately though, this hasn’t been the case).