Turn It Down
Even legends miss sometimes. For every Abbey Road or Thriller, there’s that one weird, misguided, or downright bad album that only die-hard fans still admit exists. Sometimes it was a label cash grab, sometimes a mid-career experiment, sometimes… well, we still don’t know what they were thinking.
Let’s dive into the albums that hardcore fans know about, even though their creators would probably want us all to forget about them.
“Metal Machine Music” Lou Reed (1975)
Lou Reed once said this hour-long noise experiment was “a joke,” though he later defended it. Critics called it unlistenable; fans called it… brave? If you’ve ever wanted four sides of guitar feedback, this is your Everest—one that only the most stubborn completists attempt to climb.
Adam itchie/Redferns via Getty Images
“Van Halen III” Van Halen (1998)
Van Halen tried to reinvent themselves with Gary Cherone on vocals. Fans didn’t just shrug—they ran. Even Eddie later admitted it “wasn’t a good record.” True believers still defend one or two tracks, but it’s the black sheep of their discography, sitting unloved in the corner.
“Self Portrait” Bob Dylan (1970)
Dylan baffled fans with covers, odd arrangements, and a general sense of “why?” Critic Greil Marcus famously opened his review with: “What is this sh*t?” Even Dylan later admitted he was trying to get people off his back. Only hardcore Dylanologists argue for its merit.
Thoughts | Bob Dylan - Self Portrait (1970), Vinyl In The Wild
“Summer in Paradise” The Beach Boys (1992)
A band known for timeless harmonies made an album drenched in early-’90s synths and awkward production. It sold fewer than 10,000 copies in the U.S. Mike Love called it “underrated,” but fans know it’s a true loyalty test—more punishment than paradise for anyone who tries to defend it.
The Pros of The Beach Boys' Summer in Paradise (1992): {It's Not That Bad!}, Betamax Blocker
“Standing in the Spotlight” Dee Dee King (1989)
Dee Dee Ramone rapped. Yes, rapped. The Ramones bassist reinvented himself as “Dee Dee King” and dropped a hip-hop record no one asked for. Even he admitted later: “I was hopelessly lost.” Fans treat it like a dare—you only listen if you really, really love Dee Dee.
Michael Markos, Wikimedia Commons
“Music from ‘The Elder’” Kiss (1981)
Kiss tried to go prog rock with a concept album about a mystical warrior. Fans were confused, critics rolled their eyes, and the band rarely mentions it. Gene Simmons later said: “It was a huge mistake.” At least it gave fans a trivia-night stumper.
“Chinese Democracy” Guns N’ Roses (2008)
After 15 years and millions of dollars, Axl finally delivered. Was it bad? Not terrible, but nowhere near worth the wait. The Onion joked: “New Guns N’ Roses Album to Provide Affordable Housing.” Fans still debate if it’s misunderstood genius—or just a bloated monument to Axl’s ego.
Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy (Live), Guns N' Roses
“Press to Play” Paul McCartney (1986)
Macca’s ’80s misstep. Glossy production, weak songs, and confused critics. Even Paul admitted later it “didn’t work out very well.” Fans mostly keep this one in the attic with Give My Regards to Broad Street, bringing it out only when the completist urge gets too strong.
UNBOXING LP Paul McCartney Press to play 1986, LOCADORA DO VHS II
“The Final Cut” Pink Floyd (1983)
Technically a Roger Waters solo album under the Pink Floyd name. It’s moody, political, and largely forgotten outside hardcore Floyd heads. David Gilmour later called it “cheap.” Still, completists spin it, if only to connect the dots between The Wall and Waters’ solo rants.
Pink Floyd - The Final Cut, Pink Floyd
“Dirty Work” The Rolling Stones (1986)
Recorded during peak band infighting, it’s more grudge match than groove. Mick and Keith were barely in the same room. Critics panned it as “unfocused.” Even die-hard Stones fans rarely bring it up—it’s that awkward cousin in the family photo everyone politely avoids mentioning.
“G.I. Blues” Elvis Presley (1960)
The King made some iffy soundtracks, but G.I. Blues stands out as particularly disposable. Filled with corny tunes, it sold well but left critics cold. Elvis himself called his movie albums “silly.” Only the most loyal Presley collectors give it more than a pity spin today.
“Around the Sun” R.E.M. (2004)
Even R.E.M. fans admit this was the low point. Michael Stipe later said: “It wasn’t our finest hour.” Too slow, too polished, too forgettable. Only completists keep it in rotation. Everyone else skips from Automatic for the People straight to Accelerate and pretends nothing happened.
REM - Around The Sun @ Orlando, FL U.S. - 8 Oct 2004, heidigretel
“Universal James” James Brown (1993)
The Godfather of Soul tried to go new jack swing. The results? Rough. Critics called it “embarrassing.” Brown’s voice was still there, but the production buried him in outdated beats. Fans bought it, listened once, and quietly slid it to the back of the shelf forever.
Heinrich Klaffs, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
“Squeeze” The Velvet Underground (1973)
By the time this “Velvet Underground” record came out, Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Moe Tucker were all gone. It’s Doug Yule solo with session players. Fans disown it completely, treating it more like a knockoff bootleg than a true Velvet record.
Verve Records, Wikimedia Commons
“Forbidden” Black Sabbath (1995)
Produced by Ice-T’s Body Count guitarist, with a cameo rap intro. Fans hated it. Tony Iommi later admitted it “shouldn’t have happened.” Sabbath completists whisper about it like a family scandal—still part of the family, but never, ever discussed in polite company.
Gijsbert Hanekroot, Getty Images
“Time Fades Away” Neil Young (1973)
Recorded live with new material, Neil called it “the worst record I ever made.” Fans argue it’s secretly brilliant, but for decades he refused to reissue it. Only the hardcore stuck by it, wearing its weirdness as a badge of honor.
UNBOXING Neil Young – Time Fades Away, Rock Album Unboxing
“Pipes of Peace” Paul McCartney (1983)
Another Macca dud. Yes, it had “Say Say Say” with Michael Jackson, but the rest? Forgettable. Paul later admitted it was patchy. Only the most loyal keep it close, usually filed under “curiosity” rather than “classic.”
“Knocked Out Loaded” Bob Dylan (1986)
Even Dylan fans struggled here. Patchy songs, odd collaborations, and a general “what is this?” vibe. One critic called it “his most unlistenable album.” Hardcore fans? They’ll defend “Brownsville Girl” until the end, but the rest is usually skipped without hesitation.
“Big Generator” Yes (1987)
After the slick success of 90125, Yes doubled down. The result was clunky, overproduced, and mostly forgotten. Even Trevor Rabin later admitted: “It wasn’t our strongest.” For prog fans, it’s that one album you own just to prove you’re really into the band.
Yes - Big Generator (1987) Album Review, darcyska
“The Spaghetti Incident?” Guns N’ Roses (1993)
A covers album no one really wanted. Punk classics reimagined by GN’R didn’t land. The hidden Charles Manson cover? Yeah, that didn’t help. Fans usually file it under “why?” and spin it once every decade just to confirm it’s as weird as they remembered.
“Dog Eat Dog” Joni Mitchell (1985)
Synth-heavy Joni? Fans weren’t buying it. Critics called it “overproduced.” Joni herself later admitted she got lost in the production trends of the time. It’s one of those albums where even loyalists say, “Maybe just skip straight to Hejira again.”
“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Soundtrack)” Various Artists (1978)
Not the Beatles classic, but the Bee Gees/Peter Frampton soundtrack. Universally mocked, a box-office flop, and even George Harrison hated it. True fans still wince whenever it’s mentioned, proof that sometimes star power just isn’t enough to rescue a bad idea.
It Was 50 Years Ago Today - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Liverpool Philharmonic
“Lulu” Lou Reed & Metallica (2011)
Metal gods plus art-rock legend—what could go wrong? A lot, apparently. Critics savaged it; fans begged for mercy. Still, James Hetfield said: “It was a gift to be with Lou.” True fans defend one track—before quickly changing the subject.
“Earthling in the City” David Bowie (1997)
Not a full album, but a weird promo disc of remixes bundled with Pepsi cans. Bowie completists have it, but most fans never knew it existed. It’s as odd as it sounds—half marketing gimmick, half curiosity, and 100% for the hardcore only.
Review of David Bowie Earthling, Top 5 Records
“Ringo the 4th” Ringo Starr (1977)
Disco Ringo. Yep, this happened. It sold poorly, critics panned it, and Ringo himself later shrugged: “It’s not the best.” His disco phase might have been short-lived, but true fans keep it alive—usually for laughs, or as proof that Beatle power had its limits.
Ringo Starr - Drowning In The Sea Of Love (Remastered Music Video), Kitsu Beatles
“Sometime in New York City” John Lennon & Yoko Ono (1972)
Political sloganeering set to rock jams. Critics called it “awkward.” Lennon later admitted it was “not a very good record.” Still, true fans argue it’s at least sincere—even if it’s more soapbox than songcraft.
Eric Koch / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
“Cyberpunk” Billy Idol (1993)
Billy went cyber before it was cool. The result? A cringe-fest with spoken word, techno beats, and internet hype. Idol later said: “Maybe we overdid it.” Fans? Only the most loyal admit they own it, usually while laughing about the floppy disk bundle.
The album that NEARLY KILLED Billy Idol's career | Cyberpunk - 12 black vinyl, SQH VinylVentures
“The Endless River” Pink Floyd (2014)
Technically their last album, but really outtakes and instrumentals. Critics called it “pleasant wallpaper.” Only completists celebrate it. For everyone else, Wish You Were Here is still the closer, and The Endless River feels more like a gentle sigh than a finale.
“Guitar Heaven” Santana (2010)
Carlos covering rock classics with guest singers should have been magic. Instead, it was bland and corporate. One critic called it “karaoke Santana.” Loyalists might keep it, but for most fans it’s filed under “forgettable,” right next to the dustiest corner of the CD rack.
Heinrich Klaffs, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
“Knights in White Satin” Giorgio Moroder (1976)
Yes, disco producer Giorgio made a cheesy symphonic prog-disco record. It vanished quickly. Moroder later laughed about it: “I was experimenting.” Fans of Scarface and Top Gun skip it, proving not every experiment needs to see the light of day.
Casablanca Records, Wikimedia Commons
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