Top 8 Overrated Albums of the Decade
By Father Guido Sarducci IV • Oct 16th, 2009 • Category: DonnyblurbsOver the next few weeks I will be reminiscing about the greatest albums released in the aughts. I expect there will be a fair amount of dissent among readers but that’s OK because when the dust settles we all know that no one knows better about these types of things than the beau monde of Donnybrook.
As a preface to those forthcoming posts I would like to take this moment to showcase those albums that definitely won’t be making it onto my list of Best Albums of the Decade. You might ask, “why is this necessary?” Well, it’s necessary because there are a lot of lesser publications that (for inexplicable reasons) will be including these albums on their Best-Of lists and I feel I have a responsibility to the public.
See, a lot of great music came out this decade and as with any thing their will always be many flashes in the pan. That is to be expected. However, sometimes their are albums put out by mediocre (or even good/great) bands that get everyone excited but aren’t really all that good, and rather than fading away they stick around like a bad stench.
In no specific order, here are the Top 8 albums I guess I just don’t understand:
1. Clipse – Lord Willin’ (released 2002) – Aside from being produced by the Neptunes (back when they were relevant) this is some of the worst hip-hop I’ve ever heard, this or any decade.
2. The Libertines – Up The Bracket (released 2002) – I’m not including this because of anything that happened after the release (I’m sure everyone knows what I’m talking about). I include it because it’s a boring album.
3. LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem (released 2005) – Ironically (you’ll get it in a minute, or you can skip to #8) I do like the song “Daft Punk Is Playing At My House” but otherwise I have tried (and failed) to enjoy the rest of James Murphy’s debut. I don’t diss Mr. Murphy as a producer or label owner. I love DFA’s roster, especially The Jaun Maclean, Hot Chip and YACHT. In fact, Hot Chip and Hercules and Love Affair made records that could (hint, hint, wink, wink) make it on a Best-Of list.
4. Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (released 2007) – Another one of those bands that all my friends love but I just don’t get it. I will get down to “I Turn My Camera On” but that’s not even on this album. Please explain to me why this album is so good.
5. Interpol – Turn on the Bright Lights (released 2002) – Wow! Really Pitchfork? The 20th best album made this year? Yes, they channeled Joy Division. And yes, they were part of the first wave of bands (that got media exposure, anyway) that revived the post-punk sound that has influenced so much of this decades music. But nine years later, who’s listening to this album?
6. LCD Soundsystem – Sound Of Silver (reeased 2007) – All I can say is “North American Scum” is OK but it’s no “Daft Punk Is Playing At My House”.
7. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (released 2005) – Another great example of a mediocre band getting a huge boost from the blogosphere only to be revealed as contrived. Now that I mention it I realize that 2005 was the year when the blogosphere really harnessed it’s ability to prematurely glamourize certain bands.
8. Daft Punk – Discovery (released 2001) – I don’t know. Maybe I’m just a hater.
Father Guido Sarducci IV is master of the Snobcast, Olympic parasailer, and uber-model.
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I love lists like this. To me they are more relevant than “Best Of” lists. In response:
#1. Never heard of it. Hope I never do.
#2. It’s okay, you can say it. Scientology just isn’t hot anymore.
#3. I think the name of this band/album was the cause of half the hype. LCD Soundsystem is really fun to say. Like “Miami Sound Machine.” And I rest my case.
#4. I would explain, but I can’t. Spoon in general is pretty overrated in my estimation. Unless you’re talking about the eating utensil. In that case, totally underrated.
#5. I am listening to this album. Like, a lot. Gotta disagree with you on this one. Not sure if I would like this album so much if it came out now, but I think it was different enough when it came out to merit it’s accolades. Also, for some reason, it makes me wish I could move back to New York City, even though I’ve never lived there.
#6. THIS IS A SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST LCD SOUNDSYSTEM!!!
#7. Totally agree. This album is completely average twee-rock.
#8. I don’t think I really like ANY Daft Punk albums, but they’ve got some songs that are très dope. I think “Alive 2007″ is pretty awesome.
agreed on LCD soundsystem and CYHSY. Discovery, however, is a great album. not top ten of the decade or anything, but not overrated in my book. haven’t heard the others, pre-hated on them
I would just like to take this moment to say that I have been underwhelmed by Phoenix, both their albums and live. Go ahead, start throwing rocks at me. Thank you for this opportunity.
i just bought the new phoenix! even after i was bored by their set at monolith!
AND
it’s a boring album. BUT that Liztomania song makes up for it, almost. what a great song.
AHP, let us be stoned together (no weed)!
I totally forgot to throw an overrated album of my own up there… ummm… anything by Andrew Bird… how about that one with the weird sheep or whatever on the cover? Yeah that one.
I LOVE THAT INTERPOL ALBUM, DAMMIT.
Also, i love CYHSY, but I agree that it’s maybe not one of THE BEST of the decade. And how can you hate on Spoon? Really, how? I heart them.
And, Angora, I’m so with you on Phoenix. If i want to hear their only good song I’ll just turn on my TV during baseball playoffs and listen to the car commercial.
Oh this is fun!!
Sound of Silver has some great songs on it, but “North American Scum” isn’t one of them. Because he wrote “Losing My Edge” James Murphy get a pass from me for the rest of the decade (all two and a half months of it).
I think even CYHSY’s mothers are now disappointed in them. I loved the first record but that second record was abysmal.
Want to talk overrated? Animal Collective. Grizzly Bear. Fleet Foxes.