When a talented artist releases a quality album, listening to it can be like sipping fine wine. However, well-known and loved artists can sometimes release a less-than-good or disappointing album. Singers, no matter if they have the voice of an angel, are human, so they may not meet expectations now and then. That is why some of the most talented performers have released these rather disappointing albums.
8. Chaos and Disorder by Prince
Known for chart-topping songs like Kiss, Purple Rain, and When Doves Cry, the artist who temporarily gave up his name in a recording dispute is one of the most loved artists of all time. But despite his success, Prince did produce an album that doesn’t speak to his musical genius.
The album Chaos and Disorder was so bad that Ernest Hardy, a writer for Rolling Stone, wrote that he questioned whether Prince actually produced the album. Many people found Prince’s 18th studio album off-putting and very different from Prince’s usual sound. Filled with 11 tracks with a heavy rock influence consisting of mashed-together songs with no coherent flow, the album only reached number 26 in the U.S. Some fans suspected he only put out this album to complete his record contract.
7. Jesus Is King by Kanye West
Is it a church album or Kanye West’s cry for redemption? In Jesus Is King, there is, without a doubt, a strong religious focus. The album has song titles such as Follow God, On God, and Closed On Sunday and many tracks including a choir in the background. Additionally, West doesn’t seem to play to his strengths of providing listeners with clever, hard-hitting lyrics. Instead, many lines seem overly simple and lackluster.
This album was more of an emotional purge or an experimental work of art than an entry to West’s impressive discography.
6. Pilgrim by Eric Clapton
The rock and blues artist Eric Clapton, also known as “Slowhand,” has had a long and influential career in the music industry. As someone who has played in various bands and is a three-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, it’s not unreal for him to fall short sometimes. With his album Pilgrim, Clapton didn’t seem to be trying to create a great album. Instead, the 14 tracks seem to be a way for the guitarist to deal with the loss and sadness in his life at the time. Many critics say that the album, which features a mixture of R&B, blues, and reggae, seems lackluster and not up to par with his previous works.
Despite negative reviews, the album sold over 4 million copies worldwide and was nominated for several awards.
5. Leather Jackets by Elton John
The legendary Elton John, who gave the world Rocket Man and Tiny Dancer, also flopped an album. Many critics will agree that Leather Jackets is a contractual obligation rather than a passionate piece of art. Some say this poor-quality album resulted from John’s life’s turmoil and adverse events during the production. The lack of creativity and direction could be why this album ranked so low amongst fans and critics.
4. Idlewild by Outkast
If you look far and wide, you’re guaranteed to find an Outkast fan in almost every part of the United States, possibly the world. The dynamic duo was the perfect example of what happens when two artists combine their creativity to make music that makes you want to dance, sing, and rejoice. However, like every artist, they aren’t perfect, which means they, too, have put out a less desirable album.
Idlewild, an album that was the soundtrack for the movie with the same name, isn’t all bad, and there are some stand-out tracks. There is also a great list of contributors like Snoop Dog and Janelle Monae. Yet some critics say that although a mixture of blues, rap, and drumlines is creative, the album lacks cohesiveness. This lack of fluidity may be because so many of the tracks were produced separately by each member of the Atlanta Duo. In some ways, the albums show that artists were tired of working together.
3. Crown Royal by Run DMC
Run DMC is one of the most iconic rap groups ever. Yet something happened in the ’90s when Crown Royal was put out, showing that the group was off their game. The album has guest artists on almost every track, which perhaps watered down Run DMC’s signature sound and style. The album had top-notch artists like Method Man, Fat Joe, Sugar Ray, and Fred Durst, but they didn’t mix well in the end.
2. Rebirth by Lil Wayne
I appreciate it when artists mix genres and expand their creative capabilities. However, Lil Wayne may have gone way past his skillset with the album Rebirth. An album with a rock and roll sound, Wayne seems extremely out of his element as many tracks consist of unmatched flows over rocks, drums, and guitar.
Many critics would agree that it was a nice try. Yet, the album is nothing compared to the lyrical masterpieces of his other hip-hop albums.
1. Michael by Michael Jackson
It’s hard to believe that the King of Pop is on this list, but the article is titled Worst Albums by Great Artists. As significant, impressive, and talented as Michael Jackson was, he has produced less-than-lauded work. The self-titled album seemed to be a collection of half-finished songs, pasted together with haste.
Yet one of the biggest critics of the album was the vocals. Many claimed that not all of the tracks contained Jackson’s actual voice, a claim that the record company didn’t completely deny.
Whether you agree or disagree with this list, the bottom line is that album quality is subjective. While reading opinions and reviews, I always came across those who thought highly of these “worst “albums. All in all, this list is a reminder that not everyone gets it right every time and to always approach an album with an open mind.
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