finding somebody doin old album reviews and the such has taken forever, thanks for existing

The 80s were a terrible decade for artists who were great in the 60s and 70s.

I wouldn't have touched half of these albums with a barge pole. How the hell anyone walked out a shop holding that Ringo Starr thing is beyond me.

I totally disagree with rhythm of the saints. It has some wonderful grooves.

Another great discussion John! It's interesting how many albums which we initially disliked we later come to like or even love! I think many people had that experience with Exile on Main Street, Led Zeppelin III, Let It Be, Get Your Wings and many of Dylan's 70s albums. In the same vein, many albums which we love we later get tired of.

For those about to Rock ? Great album!

Roger Waters wrote two albums and presented them to his Pink Floyd band-mates telling them that whichever one they didn't pick he was going to do as a solo album. The chose 'The Wall' so Waters did 'Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking'.

As a big fan of Blondie, I was so disappointed with Automamerican that I did not buy The Hunter when it was released. Bought The Hunter years later, and now I like both of those albums! I see them both as eclectic with some fun songs.

Personally I thought Clapton's 'Behind the Sun' was a return to form and particularly liked 'She's Waiting' and that album was the first (and last?) time that Clapton played a guitar synth on one track which was interesting. Agree with you on Dylan's 'Knocked Out and Loaded' it's pretty grim and was not a good period for him until 'Oh Mercy' came out. The 80's was not a good time for music - particularly those who came to fame in the 60's.

Yeah, what the f*** happened in the 80’s?! Always regarded it as my ‘lost decade’ - not sure I missed that much...

Good topic John. Pros and Cons was written before the Final Cut actually; Roger offered it to the band as a Floyd record in '79, but they chose to do The Wall instead. I actually think Balance of Power is an underrated album! I prefer Rhythm of the Saints to Graceland. Cheers.

Pros and Cons was a great album.

For most of the albums I'd have been disappointed with myself just thinking about purchasing them.

Agree about The Hunter. It sounds like the band are bored. On the other hand I love Autoamerican. It embodies the eclecticism which was Blondie’s speciality. Where else would you find rap, reggae, a tribute to surf music and a Cole Porter cover on one album?

Good review John, I was a bit Disappointed at the time with George's Dark Horse album, and so to Extra tex- I still think they could of been produced , engineered better or George put a bit more time into them. Still cherish them thou. I thought Ringo's Good night vienna was a bit of a let down to his Ringo album, but loved the title song written by J. L.

For those about to rock ? That album blew me away on its first release, i love that album. I have to disagree with you there dude 100%. But everyone has their own opinions, especially in music. Anyway, i enjoyed this video i am giving it a thumbs up : )

Great picks (by that I mean I agree with your picks, lol). Best wishes from Australia, great channel.

"Victim Of Love" is a bad album, but it isn't really as you say a covers album. Only one of the songs wasn't written for it, that being the cover of Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode." Elton just handed over all composing duties to Pete Bellotte, a Donna Summer collaborator, and said he wanted a disco album. It's a victim of time as much as of bad thinking, but "Warm Love In A Cold World" is an okay song in isolation that just goes on too long. The big problem is the depressing monotony of the beat that thumps continually from half-baked song to song, as if reminding you to have another snort and dance.

Everyone including Elton claim "Leather Jackets" is his worst album. But "Victim Of Love" makes it look like "Tumbleweed Connection" by comparison. The songs were already written and recorded before he even entered the studio. He flew in and did the vocals in one day and not he nor his band are on it. Another strike against it was the fact that disco was already on its way out by 1979, long after Rod, McCartney, or the Stones had done one. AC/DCs FTATR was a major disappoint compared to "Back In Black" The only tracks I remember on it are the title track and "COD". I was disappointed again with the followup "Flick Of The Switch" In fact every album after BIB got increasingly worse barring "The Razors Edge" I've grown to like "Hitchhiking" through the years. (The covers not too bad either, LOL) With "In Square Circle" the well ran dry and he never recovered. After "Characters", the followup, I gave up. I liked "Behind The Sun" but like you said it, has that 80s sound. "August" wasn't an improvement and it was too long Dylan went off the rails in the 80s, the worst was "Under The Red Sky" "Wiggle Wiggle" anyone? Jeff Lynne had lost interest in the band and the strings by the time of "Balance Of Power". "Secret Messages" was pretty weak as well and he had two solo tracks on a soundtrack between them both. So he was already thinking breaking up the band by then. Julian was rushed into the studio fairly quickly by Ahmet Ertegen. He had just come off his first tour and said later he hadn't had a chance to come up with any good material because of it. I agree with you on "Rhythm Of The Saints". He tried copying the success of "Graceland" but fell far short. He should have done a normal Paul Simon record. Don't even get me started on "The Capeman"! LOL How can you not like Ringo's Christmas album? I found it charming except for "Come On Christmas" His real embarrassment was "Ringo The 4th". A few of my disappointments were McCartneys "Press To Play", Queen's "Hot Space", Aerosmith's "Draw The Line", The Cars "Door To Door", Boston's "Walk On", and Foreigner's "Agent Provocateur"

Julian's "Photograph Smile" is quite nice IMO

Rhythm of the Saints is unfairly compared to Graceland. I think it’s beautiful from start to finish. My favorites would be The Coast, The Obvious Child and Born at the Right Time. I’ve turned a lot of friends on this album and they’ve thanked me. Sadly this album will never be appreciated by mainstream PS fans.

I thought it was going to be: "Albums I was dissapointed by on release but have grown to love".

I've always wondered what do you think of The Alan Parsons Project records, since you talked about Pink Floyd?

"Behind the Sun" is a good album. I don't like the reverbed drums but most of the songs are good. I really like Side 2, "It all depends" "Tangled in love" "Just like a prisoner" "Never make you cry" "Behind the sun"

Thanks again John !

I didn't think much of - The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking on release. However, I've grown to love it.

For once, I have to totally agree with you on all your picks!

This is a good concept for a video, and it’s a good video!

How about some of Rory Gallagher's fantastic albums from 68 to 90. I personally don't think he ever made a bad album and he stayed pure to the bone... Ok, confession time. I think he was the greatest and truest rock/blues man there was . Even better live which is rare. Shameless plug for the G-Man.

26MAR2020 - Miss the big album art. Don't miss any of those artists, and many more. The best stuff I liked overall remained the garage bands, one-offers, college stations, promos.

The bright side to this is you can train for the Olympics discus throw.

Elton John's forgotten disco album 'Victim of Love'. Best completely forgotten. After buying it in my early teens, I was so appalled that I sold it as soon as possible, along with all my other Elton John albums! A mistake in hindsight, as the late 1960s and early 1970s albums are real classics I subsequently bought most of them again on vinyl and on CD. As for 'Victim of Love', I think Reginald should give a refund to anyone who bought it, as it was sold under false pretences (as an Elton John album), without a warning sticker saying 'Content May Disappoint'!

Thanks John please keep em coming. You are so right about behind the sun. Interesting idea How about most disappointing solo beatles albums? Love to hear your thoughts

Great episode, John. Got me thinking of all those that I feel similarly about. Personally, I agree with you that Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking doesn't have much in the way of memorable or "stand-out" tracks - but I think that's actually its success. The album concept is the drift in and out of a dream sequence, so the fact the tracks all seem to blur into a single long piece is the whole point. Clapton's incredible guitar work and the tapestry of background voices and sounds over the repetitive (but beautifully melodic) riffs, it's like a space to drift into rather than a sequence of songs to listen to. The structure is more like a piece of classical music. I rate it as one of Roger Waters' best.

Nicely done! I was a huge Elton John fan through the 70's and I remember bringing Victim Of Love home, putting it on the turntable and thinking, "Elton, what have you done?" Never bought another album of his after that. That AC/DC was a huge let down as well...thought it was over for them. What do I know? Lol!

Bought Secret Value of Daydreaming and Rhythm of the Saints and wholeheartedly agree with you, John. None of the tracks are fully realised on Julian's album. The best thing on the whole album is the Billy Joel cameo at the start of song #2. 'Born at the Right Time' on ROTS is semi-decent.

Pros and Cons of Hitchiking is one of my favorite albums in the car....on a solo road trip.....played loud. I never listen to it under any other scenario.

I agree with all of your choices. For me, 'Scary Monsters' was disappointing after 'Lodger' and 'Lodger' itself was disappointing after 'Heroes'. So was 'A Trick of the Tail' after 'The Lamb'. Top marks for another original video idea. Cheers John.

As always John, you have triggered my inner list maker! A couple on mine are Paul's R'n'R covers fest "Run Devil Run" and, perhaps too obviously, Bob's "Under the Red Sky". I understand and partially subscribe to your views on "Graceland II" but would say that it has grown on me over the years. Finally, for now, Harry Nilsson's "Flash Harry" was a sad coda to a once brilliant career.

After, "Graceland," where do you go from there? It would be nearly impossible to top or even match that album.

Can’t remember what the album Behind the Sun sounded like so will have to have another listen .

Elton just wanted to do something different, so I give him props for it. Plus 'Thunder in the Night' and the title track were solid. People look too critically at things. Artists stretching their boundaries are always a good thing. Great video, John. Keep up the amazing work.

LOL!!!! When "For Those About To Rock" shows up. Wasn't expecting that. But totally agree. Even the Mighty Mutt Lange couldn't save that one. Also laughed hard at "very few redeeming features" re: the Dylan. Man that dude was erratic.

I like the band Yello. They consistently made great music in the 80s...and still are.

most of those acts there best work was ancient history when those records came out. When it doesn't happen is more of a surprise. I find its rarely a good idea to buy new music from old groups.

For those about to rock is great I think. Great video. If I could suggest a way you could have improved it, it would have been for you to destroy each record cover and record

Very interesting video. I hope you'll do a review of Clapton's Money and Cigarettes in the future Mr.Heaton!

I remember getting the Julian Lennon album on cassette, having liked the lead single "If You Go Away" (video featuring Michael J, Fox) and I also remember liking "Want Your Body" as it had a nice melody, but ultimately not loving it. I listened to the album a lot and enjoyed it, because I was a kid and was a fan, but never went back to it.

This an interesting list. I think 'Let's Dance' is the only one purchased at release. I didn't love it, but I thought it was ok. Looking back it was his last run at being a commercial success. Remember all the cool MTV video's from this album.

I’m not sure if you bought those albums when they came out or not, but all your sleeves are mint. You took good care of your albums over the years

When Elvis Costello went from Imperial Bedroom to Punch The Clock I was very disappointed

Victim of Love was a low point for Elton, personally and artistically.

The only Roger Waters album I relisten to is Amused to Death. His latest album was basically just him talking. I really like She's Waiting and Forever Man myself. /shrug

John, have you got any Albums by Little Angels? They are awesome. They only had 4 Albums.

Wow, The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking is a masterpiece! Great concept. Beautiful melodies from start to finish and 5:06 (Every Strangers Eyes) is probably Roger Waters’ most beautiful song. Guitar solos equal to anything that Pink Floyd made in the seventies. Radio Kaos was pedestrian but this is one the best albums of the eighties although the competition was getting poorer by the day. A terrible decade in music and it has gotten even worse since. It not only is the best post Pink Floyd album of any former member but probably the best solo album of anybody who left a previously successful band. It deserves to be re-appraised but sadly will not be. Would like to hear it in concert played from start to finish. Big injustice done to this beautiful piece of work again, John.

Well, Roger Waters is still playing The Wall anyway. For the last 40 years.

All 10 artists/bands are in my CD collection and I own 5 of the albums on your list (AC/DC, Clapton, ELO, Simon & Waters) The only one I bought when it was released is ELO's Balance of Power, but I was more disappointed with Secret Messages (compared to Time). I've tried to remember my own "disappointment albums" but the only one that comes to mind is Foreigner's Agent Provocateur (compared to 4). But just now I came to think about the album I had the hardest time listening to by an artist I love: Todd Rundgren's No World Order (1993).

I remember hearing about criticism about Abbey Road... No posters, no lyrics to songs. But the music is great!

For some reason whenever I see a list like this I expect to see Face Dances by the Who. It's the album that people use as the standard of disappointment, as in "Load is Metallica's Face Dances" for example.

There are a number of albums which I bought, on release., which were very disappointing. It may have been the result of heightened expectations, but, back in the day you never really got the chance to hear many of the tracks beforehand. They were often sophomore efforts where most of the better songs were on the debut, usually due to pressure for a follow up.Nowadays, not something you do when it’s so much easier to hear them. Some would grow on me, of course. Classic example was OK computer which on first listen I wanted Bends Mark 2 but two months later was on constant repeat. There was a time when every Dylan album was bought on arrival, but by the 80’s I stopped as it was so intermittent.

Albums that disappointed me... Let It Bleed, Exile On Main St., Van Halen 1, Led Zeppelin 1 & 4, Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti, CSNY, Good By Yellow Brick Road, Simon Garfunkel's Greatest Hits, Chet Baker's As Time Goes By, Peter Frampton' 1975 Live album, The White Album... who am I kidding? Goodness, I'm terrible at trolling.

Totally agree on Let's Dance. The only plus on that album was Cat People stood out like a sore thumb.

As far as waiting for years and years only to be savagely disappointed, I can't top David Gilmour's On an Island. I was in bad mood for about a week.

In the 80's there was a lot of one-hit-wonders

What did you think of the first Tin Machine album when it came out? I totally loved it but was very very disappointed with the follow up, Tin Machine II.

thanks for the video, very intersting topic.The only question I have: what do you think about lets dance now? in retrospective compared to his later albums or tin machine? dont get me wrong, i am not a big Bowie fan, but it always makes me wondering why nobody likes what is easily his best selling album...

Flavor Flavs 4th solo album was a bit of a letdown, I'm sure you'll agree.

I loved Balance of Power. One of my favorites.

Phil Collins couldn't get away from those gated drums.... but neither could the whole decade. Collins aproached the Clapton project like a solo effort with a different singer. My opinion anyway.

It would be easy to dismiss Rhythm of the Saints after Graceland. In fact my expectations were lower, assuming Simon would never live up to the glory of his previous album. Therefore I was, and still am, thoroughly impressed. It's one of my Desert Island Discs. Listen to it on its own - trying to forget what came before - and you'll find it is, in fact, a magnificent work of art.

Elton John's "Blue Moves" is the album that made me pull the E.J. ejection handle

Greatly enjoy your videos John and your thoughts on classic albums. We all hear things differently and I have to disagree with you on Dylan's Down in the Groove, which I've always liked. A lot of 80s albums had that awful production that often ruined otherwise decent material. Some of Eric's releases suffered at the time, but usually the songs were good (Although they don't hold up so well as his 70s work). The Phil Collins drum sound worked well early in the decade; on his own Face Value and John Martyn's Glorious Fool, but it soon irked. Great as Paul Simon's early solo albums were, they still weren't as good as the Simon and Garfunkel years. How could they be ? Keep the videos coming John - fascinating stuff.

Totally agree with EJ’s victim of love, I bought this at the time after a run of great albums in the 70s this was absolute crap, I only played it the once. This album has been sitting in my Elton collection for 40 years now I played it recently for the 2nd time and it’s not got better with age.

Poor Ringo!! But seriously, I’ve never understood those who think commercial = bad. Often an album can be commercial for the right reasons and artistically strong.

Not sure how ANY Ringo album can appear on a “worst of” list because it’s not like you’re expecting his 3 much more talented band mates going in. He gives you what he’s given you since day one after the split. If you’re expecting Imagine or All Things Must Pass or Band On The Run, of course it’s wanting.

Great video mate

In Square Circle gets unfairly slagged IMO. I enjoyed cuts beyond the decent hits (Part Time Lover, Go Home, Overjoyed), including Never in Your Sun, Stranger on the Shore of Love and Whereabouts. There was some filler but this is the last album where Stevie had significant hits on the top 40 charts and is way better than 1987's Characters. He's recorded sporadically since but this was his last major hit album.

Let's Dance has got some very good songs on it. Criminal World and Cat People (Putting Out Fire) are the stars on the album. Helped by the best guitar work Stevie Ray Vaughan has ever put on an album (his own albums being very dull and boring), and some excellent singing by David, those songs are master pieces. And, lots of people hate Nile Rodgers, but his funk sure is funky. Personally, I find this album underrated because so many people call it crap.

Yes so saw Clapton between the money and cigarettes and the behind the sun albums . Yes Donald Duck Dunn was there on bass at Wembley, Eric was playing great . Donald then appeared at live aid with Eric and Phil Collins . A classic era of music for me .

I knew you were going to bring up "For Those About to Rock"....I saw that tour.....but it rocked. They played a lot of the older stuff and material from Back in Black...so it was a great show. Wow, I thought the "Behind the Sun" album was really good...I saw Clapton on that tour too (Had 5th row!)..and it was incredible. He played a lot of Cream stuff that night too....besides a lot of other Clapton classics (Layla, Let it Rain, etc.). Still a good video...and yeah...it was fun! (Side note: Always go see Ringo when he tours with his All-Stars...it's like seeing 3 great bands all at once! He usually really only focuses on his biggest hits - seen him twice and a great show EVERY time!...he's also A LOT cheaper to see than McCartney too!)

Excellent as always.

House of the Blue Light by Deep Purple was a huge disappointment to me after the phenomenal Perfect Strangers.

If you think “The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking” was bad, wait until you have to review “Radio KAOS” or “Amused to Death”.

Stone Roses - Second Coming. Absolutely abysmal. I felt well and truly shafted after somehow managing to sit through it for the first time. I know nothing about the music industry, but surely somebody listens to the stuff as it is being recorded and says 'Look lads, this is shite. Have you got any other material'?

Never heard of any of these albums before.

The Rolling Stones Some Girls was my bigest disapointment when it came out.

Most every album reviewed here is by artists who had their best years in the 70's. How could you expect that they had anything good left by the 80's? I mean Blondie? Elton John? ELO? Clapton? All of these at least, were finished by the 80's!

An overly produced drum sound from Phil Collins!!?? Hard to believe.

I think For Those About To Rock is a good album. Sure it's a letdown compared to Back In Black, but what wouldn't be? Back In Black is a near-perfect hard rock album with a handful of hits that still hold up today, unlike many bands of that era. I would agree with most of the other selections, except many of the albums you mention are follow-ups to timeless, all-time classics. So those would need to get a pass just because it's almost impossible to follow up brilliance with even more brilliance. Ringo's "I wanna Be Santa Claus" is probably THE most disappointing thing on the list, I would agree.

SNOB! Lets Dance with 3 CLASSIC tunes.....you are talking BOLLOCKS!!!!

Bashing Ringo’s LP was a bit of an easy cheap shot. Who else bought it besides you John?

After an amazing run of good to great albums morrisseys low in high school was not to good for me.

How many albums do you own, John?

Interesting topic. First album that came to mind for me was Supertramp's "Famous Last Words" with "Breakfast in America" being so good. Younger with a limited budget , in those days, made a bad album even more disappointing.

For those was great. And waters needs David Gilmour to succeed so your right on that one

Agree with the 'I Wanna Be Santa Claus' choice. Love Ringo and what he was doing with the Roundheads was excellent, but that Christmas album just didnt work.

I tend to agree with you John, on “Rhythm Of The Saints” for the reasons that you gave, although your reaction to Stevie’ Wonder’s “I Just Called..”, and the accompanying “Woman In Red” soundtrack album, did lower my expectations enough for “In Square Circle” to cause me to be pleasantly surprised - a far cry from “Innervisions”, but a catchy, guilty pleasure for me...I agree completely with you on “Knocked Out Loaded”, although I like most of “Down In The Groove” enough that I consider it to be one of Dylan’s underrated efforts...And this will be a blasphemy to some, and maybe insensitive - but “Double Fantasy” was quite disappointing to me upon release, and except for “Beautiful Boy”, I’ve never really warmed up to it, unfortunately, despite me trying for all these years since...Interesting video John..

Dylans albums are a different category. He's usually somewhere you should be but don't realize it yet.

Zep..In Thru The Out Door..major dissapoint for me when it came out..

Thx. This is a lot of fun.