Top 10 Disappointing Albums

Lupe Fiasco impressed critics and audiences with Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor because of its socially conscious, relatable lyrics and slick, memorable beats. Therefore, it’s strange that he would make the mistake of doing just the opposite just two albums later. His third album Lasers had beats that were too conventional and uninteresting. To make matters worse, the album’s lyrics did not have the same intelligence and wit as his past releases. Fans were so unimpressed that Fiasco offered to destroy any disliked copies of the album with a real laser.

With their self titled Blue Album and Pinkerton, Weezer established themselves as an important rock band that inspired nerds and guitar fans alike. So, can anyone explain why this album was so lackluster in comparison? While the hooks are catchy, The Green Album feels heavy on filler and doesn’t quite have the nerdy, angst-filled lyrics of past albums. The Green Album received fairly positive reviews, but fans didn’t feel the same sentiment. The masses might like it but Weezer fans didn't exactly flock to this “Island in the Sun” in droves.

U2 have made some less than settler albums in their career, but who can even remember No Line on the Horizon? While their previous albums benefited from their experimentation with different genres of music, this album felt too much like their previous albums only packed with duds instead of songs you secretly think are awesome. While critics were divided, fans weren’t impressed, and as a result the album’s sales were far less than their previous albums. But, hey, at least this album wasn’t forced on you by iTunes.

One of the most successful bands of the new millennium, Coldplay became known for their safe but melodic alt-rock sound. And after the critically successful fan favourite album Viva la Vida, it felt like Coldplay was at the top of their game. Unfortunately, 2011’s Mylo Xyloto veered toward a more pop-influenced sound, leaving many fans scratching their heads. The album has been criticized for being too grandiose and trying too hard to please the mainstream audience. Mylo Xyloto was a commercial success and generally liked by critics, but fans couldn't help but to be disappointed by such a drastic change in sound.

By 1970, Bob Dylan had created some of the most popular and influential albums ever made and was a living icon. So, what a nosedive Self Portrait was. Critics panned the album for its poor production and for Dylan’s country-inspired singing that didn’t mesh with the music at all. On top of that, the album lacked focus and contained too many covers. Why is Bob Dylan covering Paul Simon songs? Dylan later stated that he didn’t take the album very seriously and that he wanted to shake off the shackles of his stellar reputation. It nearly worked.

Quite possibly the most famous heavy metal band in history, Metallica made its reputation for its heavy, fast-paced and angry but melodic music. Arriving six years after ReLoad, St. Anger just felt like noise. Uninspired melodies, fuzzed out guitars, a complete lack of Kirk Hammett guitar solos, and a snare drum that sounds like it came from a Fisher Price kit all combine to leave Metallica sounding like nu-metal. Producer Bob Rock said that he wanted the album to sound like garage rock, but that's what the Hives were for, not Metallica!

Following an acclaimed album like Blood Sugar Sex Magik is no easy task for any band, but when guitarist John Frusicante departed mid-tour, Red Hot Chili Peppers were destined for trouble. Their follow-album, One Hot Minute, had deeper, meaningful lyrics but musically it was lacking as replacement guitarist Dave Navarro's metal edge didn’t exactly fit in with the band's funky sound. As a songwriter Navarro and vocalist Anthony Kiedis never quite meshed either, resulting a pack of songs that sound un-sexy, un-funky, and distinctly un-Chili.

Chinese Democracy took a notoriously long time to create, with production costs totaled 13 million dollars, the most ever spent on a rock album. You would think these facts would mean that this would be one of the bestalbums ever made, right? Wrong. While some critics found something to like about it most others weren’t as nice, calling it overproduced and too ambitious for its own good. Fans weren’t happy, either, and it fell far short of sales expectations. Add in that only Axl Rose remained from the band's original classic line up and you sir have yourself a dud.

With their album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory, Oasis earned worldwide success with one of the most iconic rock albums of the 90s and were destined to be the new Beatles. However, the songs on Be Here Now were too overblown and didn’t have the same heart as their previous albums. Fans were used to hearing relatable working class lyrics, but this was not true for Be Here Now. By now, the Gallagher brothers were rivaling the Davies brothers in the getting along department, hard drugs had entered the picture, and Noel faced bouts of writers block- resulting in this massive misfire.

Before we reveal our top pick, here are some honorable, or in this case dishonorable, mentions:

“Encore” (2009)
Eminem

“Forever” (2000)
Spice Girls

“Cut the Crap” (1985)
The Clash

“VHIII” (1998)
Van Halen

“Tha Carter IV” (2011)
Lil Wayne

Leading up to this album, Dr. Dre had parted ways with Death Row Records while Snoop was charged for the murder of a rival gang member. Though cleared of the charges Snoop Dogg found himself without Dre, leading to Tha Doggfather lacking the same production values that made Doggystyle such a hit. Fans meanwhile were turned off by Snoop’s references to drugs, sex and violence. Their disappointment showed when this album sold significantly less albums than Doggystyle, with first week sales hitting a little more than half of those for his debut.

Do you agree with our list? What album did you find the most disappointing? For more engaging top 10s posted daily, make sure to subscribe to Watchmojo.com