best album on Rolling Stone's list of 50 genuinely horrible albums by brilliant artists

Willie's <I>Countryman</I> is too obvious a choice for him. Yes, it's terrible and misguided that he put out a reggae album, but it's a joke of an album wherein he was fully in on the joke.

For his worst, I'd either go for <I>Songbird</I> (produced by Ryan Adams, includes one of the worst covers of fucking "Hallelujah" this side of Pentatonix's inexplicable Christmas version) or 1989's <I>A Horse Called Music</I> (produced like albums by Air Supply or Eric Carmen, and just completely wrong for Nelson).

Best on this list? Prince, for sure, but I'd also go to bat for Madonna and a few others. The album Phair released as a sort-of half-assed apology for the self-titled record (<I>Somebody's Miracle</I>) is actually a bad album.

Willie's Countryman is too obvious a choice for him. Yes, it's terrible and misguided that he put out a reggae album, but it's a joke of an album wherein he was fully in on the joke.

For his worst, I'd either go for Songbird (produced by Ryan Adams, includes one of the worst covers of fucking "Hallelujah" this side of Pentatonix's inexplicable Christmas version) or 1989's A Horse Called Music (produced like albums by Air Supply or Eric Carmen, and just completely wrong for Nelson).

Best on this list? Prince, for sure, but I'd also go to bat for Madonna and a few others. The album Phair released as a sort-of half-assed apology for the self-titled record (Somebody's Miracle) is actually a bad album.

Willie's Countryman is too obvious a choice for him. Yes, it's terrible and misguided that he put out a reggae album, but it's a joke of an album wherein he was fully in on the joke.

For his worst, I'd either go for Songbird (produced by Ryan Adams, includes one of the worst covers of "Hallelujah" this side of Pentatonix's inexplicable Christmas version) or 1989's A Horse Called Music (produced like albums by Air Supply or Eric Carmen, and just completely wrong for Nelson).

Best on this list? Prince, for sure, but I'd also go to bat for Madonna and a few others. The album Phair released as a sort-of half-assed apology for the self-titled record (Somebody's Miracle) is actually a bad album.

yes

Jesus. Sorry for the triple-post. WiFi hiccuped.

Is Phair’s new one even any good? The songs I heard sure weren’t…

I recall not liking the lead single at all, so I honestly never listened to the album...

FWIW, by the time I got into the Who, they were purely a nostalgia act, albeit an amazingly good one (this was circa 2000/2001 when Zak Starkey had settled into the drum seat and breathed new life into the band, just as Townshend had said many times). None of their "new" songs did anything for me and they really seemed to fade over time, especially after Entwistle died, but I was surprised that Who turned out to be a good record. Not a towering masterpiece or anything, but fitting for a very old pair of men and much better than what I could ever hope for when it seemed like the well had completely dried up.

2000 was arguably the last-best time to see the Who live. They were really on fire, and longtime fans said those shows were as good as their ‘75-‘76 tours. But I say “arguably” because the 2006 show I saw was really stunning. At least 1/3rd of the show was new material, and the Endless Wire songs sounded so much better live (apart from, weirdly enough, the album’s best song, “Mike Post Theme”). (There was also a weird irony in the Who doing more new songs on that tour than the Pixies and Sonic Youth had been doing on their tours around that time.) I actually think Endless Wire is more consistent than WHO, but suffers from indifferent production. And while you can count on Pete delivering a few arena-ready anthems he seems to write in his sleep, those two records have some stone classics (“Mike Post Theme,” “Tea & Theater,” “Rockin’ In Rage,” “She Rocked My World”). Frustratingly, though, the most recent Who tours have no recent material — I dunno if it’s because of Townshend’s unwillingness to rehearse it with the band/orchestra, or the fact that audiences stream for the exits when something unfamiliar is played (as happened when I saw them do “A Quick One, While He’s Away” in 2015).

as happened when I saw them do “A Quick One, While He’s Away” in 2015

disgusting savages

I saw the Who first in 1989 with some free tickets from my uncle (rip) who was working the tour. Got to use his hotel room as they moved on that night. We got to go to the stage that afternoon at old Busch Stadium as they were setting up. Amazing day but the concert was really like a Vegas road show as it was like a 20 piece band. Eh…

Second time I saw them was when they did the Quadrophenia reunion tour and they had a smaller group and Pete was again playing electric. Zak Starkey and Entwistle were both amazing. The Ox had a couple features in that show and he was ridiculously good. It was quite good.

TIL The Who have a song called "Mike Post Theme"(!)

Behind NYPD Blue Eyes

Long Live Rockford

Law & Odorono

The closest thing to a definitive release of the 2000 shows is probably the DVD of the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit at Royal Albert Hall: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Who_%26_Special_Guests:_Live_at_the_Royal_Albert_Hall

I wish they dropped one or two of the guest stars, but to be fair, it's a benefit show and was expected. Otherwise, the four-song set at the 9/11 benefit is great too - IIRC Entwistle said they were very aware how dismal their performances were at past televised benefits like Live Aid, so they really made the effort to step up. (One big reason why I put off going to see the Who was how underwhelming they sounded at the Super Bowl and the Hurricane Sandy benefit.)

I liked that Peter Skellern song upthread, but the melody line reminded me of "I've Written a Letter to Daddy" from Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNwzfjNkz-0

I've seen the Who twice: once in 1982, on a triple bill with John Mellencamp and Jehtro Tull (!). They were . . . OK. Uninspired but competent. Not nearly as good as the Stones, who had played the same venue a year earlier. Clearly, something vital had been lost when Keith died.

The second time was about 10 years ago when they were touring Quadrophenia. It was purely a nostalgia act, and not a particularly good one. Tellingly, the highlights were the appearances by Keith and John via video footage.

Uuuuhg God bless Johnny boy but I saw him get boed off stage 1982 Boulder Colorado the buffs football field cougar Jethro Tull The who it was brutal and although I'm no fan I did not boo it was boulder half the people were three sheets to the wind

— SoopNova (@SoopNova) April 12, 2021

Yes, that was the show LOL

Clearly, something vital had been lost when Keith died.

No question, but their 1979 tour -- their first with Kenney Jones -- was met with universal praise. It wasn't until 1981 or so that "they shouldn't have gone on without Moon" became a mantra among fans.

Opening acts had a rough go of it on the '82 tour. Townshend asked the B-52s to open in Orlando but sadly, and not surprisingly, Who fans of that era weren't into it. The Clash got booed at the Shea Stadium gig (which you can faintly hear in the original "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" video), and other acts didn't last more than 25 minutes (I think T-Bone Burnett was one of these).

The second time was about 10 years ago when they were touring Quadrophenia. It was purely a nostalgia act, and not a particularly good one. Tellingly, the highlights were the appearances by Keith and John via video footage.

I saw that tour at Madison Square Garden, and it was the first time seeing them where I thought to myself, "Hm...they seem...old."

Last year's show was enjoyable because they embraced their age and were really comfortable with it. When Pete missed a note he even feigned some hilarious confusion for a moment.

They probably had the material for a good album in 1982, but the problem was splitting it between the Who and Pete's solo career. Otherwise, "The Sea Refuses No River," "Slit Skirts," "Athena" (or "Teresa"), "Eminence Front," "Cry If You Want," "Face Dances, Pt.2" and the B-side "Dance It Away" were all released in 1982 and were all solid cuts, IMHO. I'd add "Somebody Saved Me" but I much prefer the Who outtake from Face Dances (it should've been included on that album IMHO).

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

RS still pushing Allman bros as brilliant artists lol

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

Lol what

the Allman Brothers were amazing fyi

otm

Agreed. Even decades later, long after their last enduring hits, the line-up with Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks was on-stage arguably every bit as great as the original.

Brothers of the Road is not that hot. It is their worst studio album.

Check that Live at the Warner Theater for a taste of what late model ABB sounded like on a good night.

Feel like should have included a Snoop album, like there's no way that one he did for No Limit could be any good.

xp That first reunion (1978-1982?) should never have happened, but I'm glad they gave it another shot many years later.

Feel like should have included a Snoop album, like there's no way that one he did for No Limit could be any good.

― an icon of a worried-looking, long-haired, bespectacled man (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, March 16, 2023 9:06 PM

oh friend, which one???

(terrible results btw, pantera sux)

Lol what

― hootenanny-soundtracking clusterfucks about milking cows (Neanderthal), Friday, 17 March 2023 00:27 (nine hours ago) bookmarkflaglink

You weren't one of the Pantera voters?

Hell no, I voted "Idlewild"

is that Pantera album before Phil Anselmo or was he on it?

also why are they picking on a random Stephanie Mills album lol

lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GKHEVHPLZI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZY3RPaSCkc

also why are they picking on a random Stephanie Mills album lol

― Blues Guitar Solo Heatmap (Free Download) (upper mississippi sh@kedown),

srsly

who voted Union. show yourself

they certainly wouldn't include her on any best of lists xpost

That is pre-Anselmo Pantera.

Most Pantera fans will only ride for Power Metal cos he's on that one and it's more Priesty.

This is Pantera doing Foreigner rock

I wonder what that Paul McCarthy album sounds like.

the Metal Magic stuff just posted reminds me of UFO

also why are they picking on a random Stephanie Mills album lol

You know they misspelled Stephen Stills, right?

I know the thread authors are not responsible, since they are usually copying and pasting from another source, but why do 'worst ever' lists always have so many odd misspellings? Is it an intentional way to avoid getting swarmed by superfans? The Q - The Worst 50 Albums Ever poll featured nonexistent artists like "Mariah Cary", "Tim Machine", "Ace of Bass", "Fishspooner", and (still cannot believe this one) "Terence Trent Diabolical"; not to mention an imaginary album from Kula Shaker called "Peanuts, Pigs & Astronauts".

Halfway there but for you at 9:46 17 Mar 23

also why are they picking on a random Stephanie Mills album lol
You know they misspelled Stephen Stills, right?

no

Didn’t even notice that! Copied the list from Reddit I think.

If they ever make a Velvet Goldmine type film about 80s electro-pop Tim Machine would be a good name for the main character.