Ok, allow me to explain...
I've been thinking about this for a while and talking to a number of friends, family and random bar patrons about this topic.
There are certain albums that at some point (typically during an albums initial release) are amazing, innovative, groundbreaking etc. whether personally or publicly. At some point these albums become unlistenable due to a number of very important factors. For example, being over played on the radio or having the band be associated with a certain product or group of people ie. douche-bags. Sometimes, it hits a little closer to home, maybe your girlfriend or boyfriend broke up with you while your favorite song was playing on the radio therefore ruining said song forever. There are countless examples and all of them are factored into this list.
The selections featured here are albums that were once GREAT and now for better or worse have been ruined by douche-bags.
10. Led Zeppelin - IV
One of the most important records in history by one of the most influential bands, but thanks to all those radio DJ's who insist on "getting the Led out" on a daily basis, it makes classic songs like Black Dog, Rock and Roll and of course Stairway to Heaven really hard to get amped up about. Wayne's World was right too, if you walk into any guitar store in the world at some point you're going to hear some kid (or adult) fumbling through the "easy" parts of Stairway and every employee cringing and/or holding their hands over their ears. Sorry Zep IV but you're dead to me.
9. Rage Against the Machine - Self-Titled
In '92 when a 14 year old comes home with a Rage shirt on and says to his father, "Fuck You, I won't do what you tell me", I imagine it's followed by that child being grounded at best. Now you hear that song sung in bars by a bunch of drunk assholes watching football. I guess some protest songs don't age that well.
8. The Pixies - Doolittle
This breaks my heart. I still want to love this record so bad but it's unfortunately ruined. The major problem here is that every Pixies record is great, but for some reason people only remember this one. Even the Pixies! They have been on the Doolittle tour for 3 years now since its 20th anniversary in 2009. Enough! Play some Trompe La Monde, Surfer Rosa, Bossa Nova. Hey here's an idea...MAKE A NEW RECORD!!
7. Bob Marley - Legend
This is kind of unfair because it's a greatest hits record. However, 1, no one seems to realize this and 2, no one seems to realize that Bob Marley wrote more than these 14 songs. We forget that this music was written in protest, it was written to rouse and inspire, NOT to just smoke weed to. Go buy a real Marley record chances are one of these songs are on it anyway. It's ok to expand, go on, don't be scared.
6. Beastie Boys - License to Ill
It's hard to believe that this is where the Beastie Boys originated. Or is it?! You've Gotta Fight for your Right to Party?? Come on, you hang out with the Dali Llama, that's gotta be a little embarrassing.
5. Metallica - The Black Album
Here's a great example of the band becoming the douche-bag. This is an unfortunate situation where most people think that this is Metallica's first record therefore excusing and even validating all of the crap that followed this. Let me be the first to inform those people, Metallica used to have real long hair, sing about real evil shit and used to play really really fast! Again, this record was great when it first came out but they never went back to the true heavy metal of Kill Em All, Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets. Metallica, you sold out and you are all douche-bags.
4. Prince - Purple Rain
Here's a note to all douche-bags. When you walk into a bar and feel the need to annoy the rest of the world with your shitty taste in music...wait until they call "last call" before you play Purple Rain. Purple Rain is so incredibly epic and wonderful that it can only be played as the last song of the night. Nothing can top it. Putting it anywhere else is sacrilege and completely ineffective. Also, never ever do this song at karaoke unless you are or are instructed by Prince himself.
3. Violent Femmes - Violent Femmes
This record was ruined by female douche-bags. Girls love singing the wrong words to Kiss Off and they love clapping out of time to Blister in the Sun. It sounds good when Gordan Gano sings out of tune, not when 30 "besties" are doing it after too many lemon drops.
2. Guns and Roses - Appetite for Destruction
At one point this was my favorite album. Unfortunately this record has been played out to the point of absurdity. As soon as i hear that opening riff of Sweet Child I have to change the station or leave the room. Paradise City makes me cringe. Rocket Queen and Welcome to the Jungle might as well be Lady Gaga. You people have destroyed something that once was so great. I hope you're happy.
1. Weezer - The Blue Album
This is a combination of the band becoming douche-bags and douche-bags doing what douche-bags do best. Weezer only made 2 great records. This was one of them. I'm afraid to tell you the other out of fear that they'll ruin that one too. The Sweater Song isn't witty or cute after the 14 billionth listen. Buddy Holly isn't associated with that awesome video anymore. You still haven't learned the correct lyrics to Say It Ain't So. He lied about his name being Jonah and I nobody surfs to work. Weezer has become everything they set out to defy. (See also Metallica and Rage Against the Machine) They were once the anti-hero and now they are the typical run of the mill mainstream mediocrity that douche-bags flock to.
Well that's it. I hope i didn't offend you. If I did you're probably a douche. Please feel free to argue, agree or add to this list. Remember, everything in moderation (especially in music) and these are only opinions to be taken very lightly.
Thanks for reading,
Willy