The most obvious overrated album, I think, has got to be Sgt. Pepper. I'm a Beatle fan, but I'd rank that album as only above Magical Mystery Tour in their catalogue. Most of the songs are utter trifles in the "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" range. There are more great songs on the "Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields" single than all of Sgt. Pepper. ("A Day In The Life" being the only great one, I think.)
Of recent vintage, I don't really know where I'm at odds with the consensus. I like most of the much lauded records of the last 10 years or so. I should check Pitchfork.
Lately, I've been revisiting the Cashout Go Away effect wherein a band you dislike makes a bundle on one record and then effectively quits because they're rich. Live and Bush seem to have done this.
Good Lord -- Picaresque got a five-star review in the Guardian.
That utterly surprises me. I wouldn't think they'd get it.
The most obvious overrated album, I think, has got to be Sgt. Pepper.
I don't think it's an overrated album, musically. It's pretty close to timeless. But I think its "influence" on rock is waaaay overstated. If anything, it's a musical spur. There is no rock album like it because it's not rock, it's British music hall. Attempts to copy it have been financial, if not musical, disasters.
So, in that sense, it's overrated. But it still holds together quite well after nearly 40 years.
I love it, but have always privately preferred "Rubber Soul"
I don't love it at all and have vocally preferred both Rubber Soul and Revolver.
(Actually, I really like "A Day In the Life," but was going for the symmetry, y'know.)
Smartass. Well, pot. kettle, so...
Maybe it wasn't ever the music, more like the ambition of it?
Or maybe people have a special, fond, place for the music they get high to.
Besides college.
For the British people (person? Jim?) on the thread, from mountain-goats.com:
And now the news: we're coming to London! It's part of 4AD's birthday bash: tickets are available here and also at a site so flash-heavy that it kept freezing my browser, so I ain't wanna link it directly, but it's called Eat Your Own Ears and is visually quite pleasing. Regarding the show itself: I know who the special guests are, and it's totally exciting, but rabid KGB agents could not make me squeal, so haters are advised to step right off. Should anyone need during my offhours in London, you need probably look no further than your nearest Indian takeaway. I cannot get enough of the Indian takeaway.
Who would be the special guests at a 4AD birthday bash? Hmmm...
Who would be the special guests at a 4AD birthday bash? Hmmm...
Pixies! Throwing Muses! Cocteau Twins! This Mortal Coil alumni! Dead Can Dance!
Oh, it's gots to be the Pixies. Have they played the UK on this tour?
ETA: Actually, it could easily be more than one of the above, given the occasion...!