Musical disapointment of 2014?

[Jonny Come Lately]

U2 - Songs of Innocence

Musically its basically average at best. All the other garbage and arrogance that came along it just makes it disappointingly bad.

I can't consider it a major disappointment, though I agree that it was musically average and could not agree more about the promotion and release, which has left a bad taste in my mouth.

Coldplay's Ghost Stories I considered to be personally disappointing as it confirmed that the band is a spent force. The main problems being Chris Martin's failure to express anything beyond banal clichés in the light of his breakup, the utterly mediocre music with very few guitars and no real drums that dominated the album and the desperate attempt to pander to the EDM movement with the awful A Sky Full Of Stars, which is ridiculously out of place on the album, all of which combined to give a poor album. I had hoped that Mylo Xyloto was a blip but have now lost any hope of the band producing good, organic music like their early work (especially Parachutes, which I remain very fond of). I do not think the album would have been anywhere near as successful had a less famous band produced it (in truth I think the same could be argued for every Coldplay album since X&Y, but particularly so here for its lack of tunes). I probably won't even listen to their next album.

Pink Floyd's The Endless River by contrast I am satisfied with, I wasn't expecting another Dark Side Of The Moon but there was definitely still plenty of evidence of the old magic from Gilmour and Wright (RIP). Of course I am a major fan and really like Atom Heart Mother and The Division Bell, which to my ears are probably the two most similar albums they have to this one.

 

[Sharp Dressed Man]

No disappointments for me. Just happiness that established acts like Springsteen, Judas Priest and AC/DC, along with pretenders Blackberry Smoke, Rival Sons and The Cadillac Three are putting their stuff out there. With regard to the Floyd album I would say it is strictly for Floyd fanatics (of which I am one). They are the only ones who would 'get it'.

Agree with all that. Concerning Pink Floyd, I can understand people who do not like it, either you are into the ambient stuff or you are not, but calling it a disappointment based on it being ambient music is a bit odd, since the band made it clear from the first official statement that it was going to be mainly just that.

I cannot really think of any real disappointments either. I had a couple of albums that were initially so and so, but grew on me. I've bought a lot of music in 2014 and I can honestly say that I do not regret any of it and that includes the new Bob Seger, which may not be a classic, but it's a good record!

Biggest musical disappointment of the year for me was a live performance: The Temperance Movement.

Their album was excellent but live they were really poor. No subtlety, no substance, just a Mick Jagger impression that was so bad even Bobby Davro would disown it & dreary rawk n rawl posturing. Utter rubbish, sadly.

I saw them open for The Stones in the summer and although the sound didn’t do them any justice, they were OK! Not quite up there with the record, but I'd be willing to give them another chance on a smaller stage.

U2 - Songs of Innocence

Musically its basically average at best. All the other garbage and arrogance that came along it just makes it disappointingly bad.

I’ve seen some very mixed reviews for this one. Surprisingly even some long-term fans claiming it’s one of their best albums. I’ve only heard some of it, all of which sounded OK to me, but difficult to judge from one listen. For some reason the fact that Lykke Li does some guest vocals on one track has completely passed me by until just recently. I feel encouraged to give the whole album a chance.

What about the AC/DC - Rock or Burst Album?
To be honest I was expecting a more explosive album.

Honestly, I can see what you mean, but I just don’t feel the same way. I love the album.

 

[Riff Raff]

Rock or Bust is awesome. Better than Black Ice for sure.

 

[That 70s Guy]

The problem with "Rock Or Bust" is it's only 30 mins long. I bet there with be a "deluxe" edition when the tour starts.

Great songs tho.

 

[Vehicle]

3-4 decent tracks. The rest? Flat, uninspired, downright vanilla.

I have a theory as to why. For the first time in her career, her life was calm while recording.

Married, nearing thirty, her life settled some. Who's the same person at 27 they were at 17?

A bunch of cuts sound like her first two albums. I hope it's because she's having a flat period, creatively.

She was going through a tough relationship failure while recording Lullaby, and that album is easily her richest and most textured self examination.

Where her first three, Let Go, Under My Skin, and The Best Damn Thing, were, for the most part, about on the surface, youthful anger, Lullaby dug way deeper.

She unashamedly pointed the finger at herself, held herself accountable for her part in the relationship.

Anyhow, I understand she's not with that Chad guy any longer. Her next album will tell the tale.

 

[mrJim]

I’ve seen some very mixed reviews for this one. Surprisingly even some long-term fans claiming it’s one of their best albums. I’ve only heard some of it, all of which sounded OK to me, but difficult to judge from one listen. For some reason the fact that Lykke Li does some guest vocals on one track has completely passed me by until just recently. I feel encouraged to give the whole album a chance.

I honestly suggest giving it a chance. But I am a long time U2 fan and after giving it many listens, there wasn't anything really was compelling me to go back to it nor can I honestly say any songs even stick with me much.

I had a feeling when I posted that as my disappointment it would draw some attention but it's just how I feel after waiting for another U2 album that album and all that nonsense. By nonsense I don't so much mean pushing it to people's iTunes or devices, I mean what ultimately lead them to do it.

Jim

 

[Riff Raff]

The problem with "Rock Or Bust" is it's only 30 mins long. I bet there with be a "deluxe" edition when the tour starts.

Great songs tho.

Not a problem to me though. No filler like Black Ice had with 15 songs. Wouldn't mind a deluxe edition that had a few bonus ones but I think they deliberately went the shorter album for the no filler and mostly quality.

 

[Johnny-Too-Good]

Not a problem to me though. No filler like Black Ice had with 15 songs. Wouldn't mind a deluxe edition that had a few bonus ones but I think they deliberately went the shorter album for the no filler and mostly quality.

Brendan O'Brien wanted short punchy songs for the album. I recently listened to an interview with Brian Johnson and he compared it with the type of stuff that was being released in the '60s. ie 3 minute songs, and he said he was excited with that format.

 

[Riff Raff]

Brendan O'Brien wanted short punchy songs for the album. I recently listened to an interview with Brian Johnson and he compared it with the type of stuff that was being released in the '60s. ie 3 minute songs, and he said he was excited with that format.

And I agree with that format. Was like the Flick of the Switch length too. I prefer shorter albums that are more quality.

 

[Jet]