A Tournament of the Worst Albums Ever

Welcome to March Badness, where 32 albums face off in our tournament to determine the worst album ever. These records were selected based on reputation, fan suggestions, and our own nomination process.
For round 1 each of us gets to vote on each matchup. Whichever albums gets 2 votes moves on. Pretty simple.
Round 2 will incorporate the audience poll. Whoever wins the poll (meaning the album that people think is worse) will get 2 points. That means only one of us needs to side with the audience to push it through to the elite 8.
You can vote here: listographymus...
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/ listographymusic
/ therecordranker
/ listographymzk

[@evelyneverettgreen]

My theory is that, in order to maintain balance in the universe, if Pet Sounds exists Corey Feldman’s Angelic 2 the Core must exist also. Like good and bad, like order and chaos. So really we must actually thank Corey for averting total cosmic meltdown.

[@lionelraoul]

I subscribe to this notion. We even see it many times on this channel. Every time Kramzer goes off the rails (Billy Joel, Yellow Submarine) we need Joe to balance him.

[@themediumcheese]

Genius

[@evelyneverettgreen]

@@themediumcheese I try

[@Torthrodhel]

I can't subscribe to the notion. I've not heard either album, I'm just going off of the total cosmic meltdown that's happening.

[@johnbosco3371]

I had to hit pause at about the 20 minute mark after Kramzer quoted Lou Reed: "... like a girl, like a girl". I lost it. Joe and Jason reacted with a split second of amused befuddlement and everyone just moved on. Comedy gold.

[@wendelladams8060]

Love this topic! You guys have quickly become one of my must watch YT channels. And this is One of the best video topics I’ve heard of. Heading over to vote now. 👏👏👏

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Let us know if you have any issue voting. It’s being a bit finicky. -Jason

[@NaughtyVampireGod]

Great channel, hosts, and community as well.

[@stantonthezag1109]

I personally would keep Ummagumma off this list for two reasons: 1. It’s got the definitive version of “Careful With That Axe, Eugene” (though the Pompeii version rivals it); 2. One time when I was way too high on some edibles a friend of mine put Ummagumma on and it (paradoxically?) chilled me out. So that album has some worth. 3 stars!

[@atlasking6110]

I actually like Rick Wright and David Gilmour's solo bits, and "Grantchester Meadows" (though they really should have included the full-band version from The Man/The Journey shows.

[@Dkatanasoul0]

This is excellent, guys! I am not a sports fan, and it always frustrates me when people get so excited for MARCH MADNESS, which I have absolutely no interest in. Thanks for giving us non-sports music fans something equally fun to take part in!

[@pulsar861]

Great vid guys! The upcoming AJR vs Liz Phair match-up is a tough one. Hadn't heard either one before so gave them a skim thru on YT. Both are absolutely terrible, though in very different ways.

[@keithmarus8554]

You guys had me rolling. I was in tears at one point. Great stuff! 😂

[@margaretfogler1848]

Todd in the Shadows has covered a lot of these albums. They really deserve to be a part of this contest.

[@simonvaughan6017]

I think the Shaggs' album belongs in its own category. Though bad by any conventional standard, it's worth infinitely more than any number of duds put out by professional musicians.

[@179rich]

It's certainly worth a lot if you have a copy of the original pressing.

[@jamesbaxterfromax]

Its terrible. But I'll be damned if philosophy of the world, what are parents and sweet thing don't make me feel immensely sad. Espeically sweet thing haha

[@simonvaughan6017]

@@jamesbaxterfromax The songs wouldn't be so moving if they were merely bad.

[@curly_wyn]

Um, no. I’ll listen to Taylor Swift any day of the week over The Shagg’s unlistenable horse manure.

[@curly_wyn]

@@simonvaughan6017 They’re not moving, they are grating tho.

[@komoleeray687]

Guys , first time watching this and the other March badness videos. Friggin hilarious and very entertaining . Please find a way to recycle this tournament / concept at some stage. One thing that’s always constant every year ..shit albums particularly from self important “artists” .Bon Jovi ‘s 20/20 was a wonderful discovery ( I wasn’t even aware of its release) . Thank you Kramz ..and Joe’s reaction was gold “...he so wanted it to be good which made it even worse”😂

[@179rich]

OK, I can't resist, I'm going to listen to some of these and vote. A very clever way to run the tournament!

[@ykmgeedee]

Great idea as there's some compelling matchups to be sure! Perhaps a topic for future shows could be What makes this song / album wretched.

[@catsofsherman1316]

Like the flipside of Rick Beato video series what makes this song great.

[@kate-os5ww]

this is a great concept, i stole it for some of my friends and were doing our own bracket with different picks. only two albums a week though

[@TastesLikeMusic]

THIEF!

[@kenzoby8300]

Great show!! I knew this would be awesome. I guess I’ll vote , but there’s no way I’m gonna do my homework and listen to these albums after listening to your descriptions. Lol...just like I fill out my basketball bracket.

[@rupertx_x1613]

Great video. Awesome contest. Couldn’t spot St Anger or King Of Limbs though. Ummagumma being nominated is incredible - the live disc, the other way, the cool droste album art?

[@TastesLikeMusic]

The cover is great. That’s as nice as I can be. - Joe

[@paulsontag9233]

Chris Gaines vs Nickelback That’s a pretty special matchup!

[@alanboas810]

Great idea for Listography. Enjoying the tournament. I usually agree with Joe on just about everything he says but I couldn't like Chinese Democracy even though I tried real hard. I noticed Jason is smiling more lately. Kramzer said," Thank you very much."

[@threestringsomg]

Don't tell Joe but I don't actually mind it but I thought it was awful compared to my high expectations....cmon it's Axel rose...legend....its mainly due to the production issues...there are some howlers on the album...rubbish gaps and over compressions that ruin what should've been good songs apart from 3 or 4.....

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Lemme stop you right there Zeitghoul, there’s actually no compression on that album. Absolutely none. Now you can see there’s too many bleeps and bloops and weird synths and sound effects. Maybe he was listening to too much In Rainbows. - Joe

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Not no compression- just no extra compression for the sake of loudness. At least says mastering engineer Bob Ludwig. -Jason

[@threestringsomg]

@@TastesLikeMusic there are facts which you guys rightly point out...but then there are your ears...if I hear music that's been flattened so much it might as well be a pancake, then that is serious over compression...Google is not god...but then neither am I lol...😅

[@threestringsomg]

If I was god I'd make Axel release earlier versions of the songs

[@jukeboxcowboy]

Elton John...too much cocaine Eagles...not enough cocaine

[@kiwiian8051]

Hey that was fun, thanks guys. Fortunately i don't own any of these though there are one or two in my collection that would be strong contenders. Yes I'm looking at you Sinead O'Connor's Am I not your Girl? A Guide in how to destroy classic songs and your own career at the same time.

[@lewiswood6117]

A quick dishonourable mention of Hot Space by Queen. I know it has Under Pressure, but everything else...

[@179rich]

I don't even like Under Pressure. I'd rather hear Vanilla Ice do it.

[@curly_wyn]

@@179rich oooooo, you cannot be serious about that..

[@ThePhysicalillusion]

That was fun to watch. I will definitely give fresh listens to the albums I don’t know from the ones left, specifically all of them except The Weirdness (probably 2 stars from me), Lulu (1-1/2) and Ummagumma (3). I can definitely believe Bon Jovi’s 2020 response album is horrifying in particular. I’m “excited” for that one. 😂

[@roxannewalsh]

I honestly think that The Weirdness is a pretty good hard rock album - the mistake was to sell it as a Stooges album. Ron Asheton was still a unique guitarist and worth it alone. Iggy had made worse solo albums.

[@realCaptainSanta]

If you never heard the Shaggs before... brace yourself.

[@179rich]

That was fun as shit to watch. But I'll have to pass on evaluating 16 albums considered terrible in less than a week. I will instead focus on Pearl Jam and King Crimson. Cheers mates! Looking forward to the next one.

[@Sir_Eyeball]

I love how spectacularly bad this Corey Feldman album is. He's actually trying to make a monumental album for the ages, that's what makes it so funny to listen to.

[@edgustafson]

I love that it's a double album, too. He felt he had so much good material, a single disc wouldn't do it justice.

[@kylelooper2156]

I kind of have the idea that it's all a parity, like if Andy Kaufman put out an album. I don't think you can be that spectacularly bad (especially with some real musicians on board) without actually trying. Duh? Lickety splickety? These songs are straight out of Spinal Tap and some even sound like Spinal Tap songs. And the videos also seem almost suspiciously bad - the goofy Michael Jackson impression, the over-the- top objectification of women, the cutaway of the arena where the fans are facing the wrong direction. It seems like he set out to make the worst record he could, and he's garnered a good bit of attention from it. As a parity, I think this album should be removed from contention and let the real stinkers like Liz Phair battle it out. Liz's abortion of a record is like Kate Bush from hell. Here's what happens when you use synthesizers and sampling without any trace of taste or art.

[@steveramsey6562]

I don't say this very often but excellent idea and video, enjoyed the crap out of it, and I do mean crap, my only slight negative is I wish we could have stuck to serious artists, eagles, van halen, ccr, zz top, I don't consider Federline or Corey Feldman serious artists, I mean if your going that route, there's Paris Hilton, Shatner, and I'm sure the guy who gave us the no 1 hit Disco Duck put an album out way back when. Thanks though for the enjoyable video guys.

[@179rich]

Appreciate that nuance about rap music while rating the Kevin Federline album Kramzer.

[@mrp4242]

Same

[@curly_wyn]

Dude that album is absolute garbage.

[@tillwesenberg1178]

We Can't Dance by Genesis. And any record by Kid Rock, i just never found the courage to check them out.

[@rickjensen74]

Jason -- You didn't disclose your feelings about Chinese Democracy in this video. I'm curious about your thoughts on it. (Great video, guys. Loved it)

[@scottalic4067]

In Defence of The Shaggs, and Outsider Art: Trout Mask Replica sounds, note for note, exactly as it was conceived by Don Van Vliet: an ugly, difficult, tortuous record. The Shaggs are straining against an obvious lack of talent to produce what is, yes, not an easy listen, but there's a certain charm to the chasm between the youthful, energetic stab at a catchy pop record about the things they love (parents, rabbits), and the gibbering, arhythmic bastard child that that energy produced. You have to respect that they gave it a shot. (There's a whole wild back story about their father receiving a fortune teller's premonition that he would have daughters who would become pop stars, and he sunk all kinds of money into making this come true... worth searching up.) This is outsider art in its purest form, and it's not equitable to throw it up against bands with actual skill who should have known that they were dropping deuces. There are a zillion private press records like this one, but noted contrarian Frank Zappa plucked it from obscurity and elevated its status. If your metric is technical competency and recording quality, then sure, this is the worst album ever, hands down. But there's value in heartfelt lo-fi music (think early Elliott Smith), early Guided By Voices albums were recorded on a Walkman, Neil Young's voice is reedy and terrible, Leonard Cohen has a one-note range... It's the gestalt of the thing that wins -- an organized whole that is perceived as being greater than the sum of its parts.

[@179rich]

How do you record on a Walkman?

[@scottalic4067]

@@179rich Sony came out with several recordable Walkman models (WM-D6/C, WM-D3), largely meant for journalists, but they provided musicians with a cheap means of recording, if hi-fi wasn't a concern...

[@NaughtyVampireGod]

but it still sounds like crap

[@scottalic4067]

@@NaughtyVampireGod I'll take those early GBV albums and EPs over the studio polish that Ric Ocasek brought to Isolation Drills (also, he banned beer from the studio, which was the fuel for their hot rawk licks, so, no good).

[@curly_wyn]

Hahaha, no. I’ll pass, thank you.

[@chrisdelisle3954]

I really loved this video, guys. A great idea well executed. Given what you said about the Live album, a "Most Disappointing Albums" video (based on prior expectations) would be a really interesting idea for you guys to explore. I'm with Jason on the Kiss album - it may have been the wrong band to do it, may have been the wrong time for them to do it...but it's pretty good, and a lot more interesting than a lot of their records. We're talking KISS, here. Are any of their other records post-KISS Alive 2 any good? I love the participation angle of the remainder of the tournament. The only problem with the participation angle is that we have to listen to crappy records - I don't know how you guys did it. As poor as Ummagumma's studio tracks are...that live record is great! Plus, Roger Waters' tracks aren't SO bad...

[@roxannewalsh]

My understanding here always was that we count only the studio Ummagumma. The live record is very good and is in most case the reason that people own it. If at all, it is what the business called a shit sandwich when they sold a crap album tied to a winner.

[@chrisdelisle3954]

@@roxannewalsh Yes. That is my understanding as well. However, I would hate for Ummagumma to be in "the Finals" since a good half of it...in real life...is pretty awesome.

[@murdockreviews]

Constantly laughing through this. Well done, guys.

[@neesi1570]

1) I hate to sound like common rabble, but Trout Mask Replica needs to be an option. I get that it's very sophisticated and that it's designed to sound the way it does, but man, is it a chore to actually sit down and listen to. As objectively awful as Philosophy of the World is, it has an entertaining charm and I get why it has a following. TMR is just boring, and that's much worse. 2) Lulu isn't remotely for everyone and I get it being seen as an experiment that didn't quite come off, but it's nowhere near as bad as most people say. It mostly sounds like a typical late period Lou Reed album with a heavier backing band. If he had recorded it with anonymous session musicians instead of Metallica, I honestly don't think it would have the reputation it does.

[@179rich]

It's true, a big chunk of the hate for Lulu comes from disappointed Metallica fans.

[@tylersquanto8938]

Idk, I think TMR is one of the funniest albums I’ve heard. Part of me doesn’t get the controversy, yeah it’s a grating album to listen to. However, it’s always just felt like some dude making fun of blues music tbh

[@roberthardin2133]

last night I was curious to hear how bad Angelic 2 the Core was. it would have been entertainingly bad had it not been a double album. Feldman's attempts to sound like MJ actually more closely resemble Yosemite Sam. I can't unhear this. you GUYYYYS?!

[@edgustafson]

As Joe said, it's almost hard to believe it's real. Part of me wants to believe it's some elaborate commentary on the sad state of popular music or something, but sadly, I don't think that's the case.

[@179rich]

OK, I started checking out all these bad albums and I can't stop! lol...I think I will be able to give them all a fair enough shake so I can vote on them. Side note - I can't believe how bad the drums on that Boston album are. A truly appalling record.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Still might be the worst of all of them. -Jason

[@jimmyhawke]

I have gained respect from you guys for actually listening to all these pieces of crap.

[@faddy24]

Thank you for introducing me to some truely appalling albums 😄 Although, that Kiss album isn't quite as bad as Kramzer makes out. I'm also disturbed by the chilling fact that I have three friends who actually rate Nickelback quite highly. Maybe need to get some new friends.

[@davidbeckman7925]

Being a huge fan/collector of the Worst Movies of All Time, this project beckons like a siren song, a duet between a coke-addled Elton John and Eddie Murphy. I haven't heard 2020 but I have to root against Bon Jovi. Just lovin the tourney. R.E.M. countdown brought me here and now I am Listography 4 Lyfe.

[@usmcfutball]

Am going to vote. First though...a bit of housekeeping: So glad that Live avoided the cut (or 'made' the cut, depending on one's approach). Love that band! In my cynical moments I might contend that Sir Elton would have had a better chance of advancing if Blue Moves was the album on the chopping block. Ugh! 'Sweet Hitchhiker' alone will always salvage Mardi Gras. Nice enthusiasm lads! Fun video. And gentile Joseph...spewing bile on 'Millennials'! My daughter would NOT be pleased. Her devotion to 'Of A Revolution' is fanatical. Cheers!

[@t_albino]

Blue moves is amazing! What!

[@Theslavedrivers]

22:52 'This Is England' from 'Cut The Crap' is outstanding. Whereas ~ The whole of 'Summer In Paradise' could be deleted tomorrow - no loss.

[@rupertx_x1613]

There should be a rematch between The Clash and Beach Boys. Summer In Paradise sounds like a bad record but Cut The Crap sounds like two bad records playing at once!

[@EmoBearRights]

Why is there no Kid Sucks album?

[@wesleyorser4451]

Jason's dog breathed a huge sigh of relief when he saw Raditude eliminated.

[@Sapphire.solstice]

I cant remember if you guys mentioned it in the 60s, but seeing y'alls thoughts on the Shaggs, I'm interested in yalls thoughts on Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica considering it often gets the same response ala "how is this even music"

[@ttmilbr]

That “thing” is SO weird, yet some critics think it’s somehow a masterpiece. So so bad..

[@Sapphire.solstice]

@@ttmilbr I love that album! I know what you mean, but I enjoy it. Cryptic poetry, jankity instrumentals that start to sound more hypnotic as you listen more and more. Im all for it. I cant say the exact same thing for the Shaggs, everything i could say positive about it was accidental, and knowing the story behind it makes me a bit more...sympathetic to it. Trout Mask Replica, however, i stand behind as a great album if youre into what its presenting

[@Sir_Eyeball]

I think you can clearly see the intent on Trout Mask Replica. They convey their ideas really well, no matter how crazy it might sound. I don't really enjoy the album but accept that it is well made. I cannot rank it though because I think it is incomparable to anything else.

[@threestringsomg]

Captain Beefhearts discography is pretty much all fantastic to me. One of my favourite riskier artists

[@roxannewalsh]

Captain Beefheart was a very unique artist and I treasure many of his records. I would not rank Trout Mask Replica among his top albums, but that is my personal taste. It is a great listening experience if you are prepared to embark for the ride. Like Sir Eyeball said it achieves what it sets out to do - if that is what defines a masterwork, then it is. It does not mean that everybody is supposed to like it. As an example and encouragement for musicians to experiment and to follow their vision it has served its purpose since 50 years. I still listen to it from time to time - but I know what I am doing.

[@ChrisNorwood3]

I like Ratitude! The Black Album is the only Weezer album I can't get behind. Also, I'm down for that folk Rush album.

[@tayloroquinn1976]

To Kramzer: I got your back on 'Cut the Crap'. Sure, it pales stacked against their previous albums, but taken on its own terms its still a decent album. I'll listen to it say, over anything released by Limp Bizkit or Nickelback! Not sure if Listography has Lou Reed's 'Metal Machine Music' up on the chopping block yet, but I nominate it! Don't get me wrong, I love Lou (particularly the Velvets), but objectivity rules the day here!

[@catsofsherman1316]

Metal Machine music belongs in any worst of list along with the 3 "experimental" albums John Lennon did with Yoko before starting his solo career for real.

[@tayloroquinn1976]

@@catsofsherman1316 Agreed! And I'm a huge John Lennon fan, to boot.

[@curly_wyn]

@@catsofsherman1316 oh Gawd. Unfinished Music 1 & 2 are absolutely unlistenable.

[@markgatica12]

So, was ELP's Love Beach on probation or something? Don't know how that dog didn't make the field. Anyway, fun video.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I’m not familiar with it. I’ve heard lots of bad things. We’ll have to get it on next year. - Joe

[@usmcfutball]

Love Beach is a double contender as BOTH worst LP of all-time as well as worst album cover of all time. How does one go from Brain Salad Surgery to that?!

[@jblack7159]

I'm not sure whether Lulu is Lou Reed's masterpiece (as I understand David Bowie may have suggested) but it's certainly up there with the Velvet Underground's first three albums, as well as Street Hassle, The Blue Mask, New York and Ecstasy. A complex, confronting and brilliant work. And it surely has to be the best album Metallica ever appeared on.

[@curly_wyn]

Lulu on the same level…no, scratch that…even mentioned in the same sentence as The Velvet Underground? How dare you.

[@jblack7159]

@@curly_wyn How dare I? You must be kidding!

[@DCHurlford1]

Deep Purple's "Slaves and Masters", a brief low point in their career. I've nothing against Joe Lynn Turner, he's a good melodic singer (great on Rainbow tracks like I Surrender), but basically Blackmore took control and turned a hard rock band into an AOR band. The lyrics were pretty corny on this one. Plus points to Jon Lord though (his hammond still sounded great on this debacle).

[@jimmymcinnes4324]

I'm a big Clash fan, but I never bothered to listen to Cut the Crap until last year. I was actually pretty surprised by it given its reputation. It's still likely my least favourite Clash project, if you can even call it that, but it has some great highlights. If they made better production choices it could have been legitimately good beyond just a curiosity.

[@roberthardin2133]

my favorite new genre term: soundcloud pop

[@rowanc88]

You're predicting future episodes of Trainwreckords from Todd In The Shadows

[@NaughtyVampireGod]

stealin the boys' ideas

[@Tonymanero1960]

Don't forget ''Having Fun with Elvis on Stage',.....an entire album of Elvis talking and telling bad jokes......and btw I am a huge Elvis fan.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

We’ll look into that for next years tournament.

[@jukeboxcowboy]

One of the most enjoyable of Elvis' albums, I reckon. Not kidding.

[@stantonthezag1109]

So I had never heard or even heard of this Liz Phair atrocity, Funstyle, until today. So I checked out those first two tracks you mentioned, and all I can say is W. T. F. And: This is the same person who made Exile in Guyville?!?

[@edgustafson]

I hadn't either. I owned her first few albums back in the 90s and enjoyed them. I know she tried to go a more pop route in the 00s, but this is pretty bad.

[@NaughtyVampireGod]

@@edgustafson The one before Funstyle, Somebody's Miracle (2005) is actually an excellent album.

[@bobsmith3217]

XXX by ZZ Top is a great album, with all that grinding boogie spiced with a little techno-pop from their 80s sound. The live material at the end is particularly good.

[@conshea7382]

Living in NY tristate area and being a lukewarm baseball fan Boston sucks is a common refrain but for it works well for this competition too

[@sylvestermatera2719]

The Shaggs album has a place in the universe. The ZZ Top album sounds like later day Tom Waits--I like the crunchiness of the guitars and the Stooges record is actually ok. Needless to say the Pink Floyd album should not be on here. But overall this is a fun endeavor. The Beach Boys album is actually the worst record I have ever heard. Awful.!

[@pruneface90]

Late to the party, but... Joe is absolutely right about Chinese Democracy. The title track, Shackler's Revenge, Better... all great songs. The whole project is so manifestly mental, I can't help but like it.

[@curly_wyn]

Better is the best track on it, for sure. Shackler’s Revenge is terrible; I hate the guitar sound on it, and all of the album’s production, really. Sorry is terrible, etc.

[@179rich]

Giving Cut the Crap another spin after who knows how long....four songs in and the album sounds like a mess. I agree with Joe, on the first track especially the vocals don't mesh well with whatever that musical mess is playing.

[@threestringsomg]

The Cringe Factor.....could be a determining factor me thinks by the end of the process

[@WowThereBuddy1]

As a Weezer fan Raditude is only saved by the first track. And idk, that Shaggs album weirdly works for me as like accidentally avant garde. It’s also kinda just funny.

[@threestringsomg]

Nice idea guys btw....good going

[@northgeorgiahex6663]

Great job guys! I’m with you Kram. Cut the Crap - is it GREAT Clash? Nah. Is it one of the all time worst albums? Hell no!!!!!! It’s different. Considering how stellar a band they were in their run- it’s easy for folks to dismiss Cut as awful. I never understood the absolute disdain for it

[@curly_wyn]

Because it sounds awful.

[@Sir_Eyeball]

Also some Albums that could make it into such a tournament imo: Imagine Dragons - Origins Whitehouse - Quality Time Justin Bieber - Changes Metallica - St. Anger (I think it was mentioned before in another comment) Men at Work - Two Hearts

[@hamupinhere]

Whitehouse doesn't belong among a group of artists who were intentionally trying to put out digestible music for the enjoyment of casual music audiences which either failed commercially or were panned. They make music for niche consumption and holding them to the same standards or not meeting the same criteria as a band like Imagine Dragons is kind of absurd. Having said that, I could see if maybe you were putting together a list of "Worst Noise/Power Electronics Records Of All Time" then ok, but even still.

[@Sir_Eyeball]

@@hamupinhere I agree that Whitehouse and Imagine Dragons do not have the same intent, but both albums fail horribly in what they try to achieve. 'Origins' is a collection of formulaic and predictable songs of low quality, while 'Quality Time' is just boring as hell. Whitehouse did some great albums that achieved what they wanted (Bird Seed, Cruise to name the best), but 'Quality Time' fails for me, that's why I recommended it. That said, I know that this pick is probably misplaced on this channel because it has nothing to do with Rock/Pop music, but I wanted to make that statement.

[@hamupinhere]

@@Sir_Eyeball I see where you're coming from now.

[@threestringsomg]

😃or the shorter bad record Joe....I like that as a determining factor...

[@tibbies]

Kevin Federline or Corey Feldman - flip a coin - I'll go with Federline!

[@AnotherBadSpeech]

I don't like Ummagumma that much, but... worst album ever? Oh come on...

[@TastesLikeMusic]

It’s my least favorite so far doing this channel. - Joe

[@lightningstrikes7314]

Highlighting a bad Nickleback album implies they had some average or good ones

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Their first two are pretty average post-grunge. It’s not good but they’re not like cringe like the couple they made after they got famous. - Joe

[@lightningstrikes7314]

@@TastesLikeMusic They were like the Starbucks of grunge, not fit to even be Soundgarden's roadies

[@mnpv7812]

Best vid yet fella's

[@danh9764]

Great job guys.

[@matthewspaltro7142]

Oh shit that vh record. Bleeeeeep.

[@fourseasons4105]

Some of these albums really aren't that bad like you said, I think Unmasked should've been the Kiss album instead of music from the elder and St. Anger should've been there instead of Lulu for Metallica.

[@jameshunter7303]

Umagumma is an interesting pick. Granted, the studio album is some of the worst shit I’ve ever heard, easily the worst stuff Floyd ever put out. But the album itself is more than saved by the live disc. Love Beach by ELP should have made an appearance for sure. For old 70’s classic rock fans that will always go down as the most ridiculous album release of that era by a beloved band. I think there’s a good chance it would have won this tournament

[@usmcfutball]

My thoughts also went to Love Beach right away. Ugh!

[@Sir_Eyeball]

When will the polls close btw?

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Probably sometime on Thursday

[@Sir_Eyeball]

@@TastesLikeMusic okay thanks. Have to listen to some of these sweet pieces of art.

[@kayfimt7769]

What the heck is ummagumma doing here? That’s not even close to Pink Floyd’s worst album. That’s gotta be The Endless River.

[@Dave-mb7kb]

I'll have to pass on voting in round 2 because I'm familiar with only 1 of the albums, Ummagumma. On the strength of the live disc I think it doesn't belong in this tournament. But then I think The Wall is a much worse album than Ummagumma - probably an unpopular opinion...

[@burmajones803]

A fun watch. I was skeptical, but it was worth the time. Not sure listening to some of these albums is worth my time, but if there is one match up you find most intriguing, which is it? Anyone can answer and I'll give it a shot.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

AJR vs. Liz Phair -Jason

[@edgustafson]

If you haven't heard the Corey Feldman album, I suggest it, just because it's so bad that it's entertaining.

[@burmajones803]

@@TastesLikeMusic I will give that one a go. If I can fit the Feldman album in, maybe I will, but I lived through License to Drive and Dream a Little Dream in real time so I have given that Corey a good chunk of time already. I must say, I am intrigued by the Dee Dee King rap album. Might listen to that matchup too. If you had fun listening to it and still voted it forward, it must be bad in a special way.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

The Dee Dee King is one of the most enjoyable terrible albums ever. But still terrible. -Jason

[@edgustafson]

Both the Dee Dee and Shaggs albums are sort of charming, despite being conventionally bad. That's a tough vote.

[@tayloroquinn1976]

A novel game for us to sink our teeth into! One difficulty here lies in what band/artists have set expectations by fans/listening public and those albums/artists that had nothing to lose. Take The Shaggs and the Van Halen III record. The former surfaced without any familiarity or history. The latter already had a devoted fan base -- they already had an existing discography from which Van Halen III could be combated to. Yes, this album sucks compared to their other releases, but they're are some who view it as a decent, even good rock album (disclaimer: Not me!). The Shaggs album sucks on its own terms by any standards, BUT it does have some indescribable endearing quality that speaks to some listeners, hence the cult following it's acquired over the years. It's bad music almost any standard, but it carries some kinda merit of artistic value -- much like Jackson Pollock's drip paintings, for instance. We feel like it doesn't require any talent to produce such works of art, so therefore we dismiss them. But they were original, at least. The Shaggs were original, however novel, shitty and absurd it was. Van Halen III just sounds like bad, rehashed rock/post-hair metal that's very embarrassing and cringeworthy. It's not even art.

[@catsofsherman1316]

Not sure which one you chose as the worst of the two

[@tayloroquinn1976]

@@catsofsherman1316 I choose Van Halen III as the worst of the 2. The Shaggs = Bad music with some novel, artistic merit. Van Halen III = Embarrassing music with minuscule redeeming qualities.

[@curly_wyn]

I don’t really care about how “endearing” The Shaggs are. My criteria is: Sounds good? Keep playing. Sounds bad? Turn it off. The Shaggs are the latter.

[@Sir_Eyeball]

Did you guys listen to the new 'Tones and I' album? It would definitely qualify for a tournament like this!

[@TastesLikeMusic]

No idea what that is. -Jason

[@Sir_Eyeball]

@@TastesLikeMusic No worries, it is not worth your time.

[@islandhorizonvideos8230]

I like the Liz Phair album.

[@BazStrickland]

I luuuuurrrrve you guys....disagreeing over Garth brooks..I could never have imagined that exchange.....I was nodding along with kramzers critique of Nickleback and then the hating on Garth brooks....and then joe bats it right back....like wtf? In the old days I’d have said that’s worth the licence fee alone....it’s a fucking great concept and I’ve never heard most of them either...I’m gonna be all over the Corey Feldman effort (I had to google him)

[@claymccoy]

No Metal Machine Music by Lou Reed?

[@ThatFaceMelter94]

Music fans and college basketball fans in the same place?? This is where I belong.

[@TisTheDamnStickSeason]

"I hate millennials" - A Millennial

[@worldpeace8299]

Whatever my confused thoughts about The Shaggs maybe - a band who boasted Frank Zappa among its fans - my soul rebels at the very sound of Van Halen. There I have said it. And I feel better for it.

[@179rich]

The problem with Ummagumma is that no matter how bad the studio album may be, the live album is good and that comes with the package.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

It’s not good enough to make up for a single of the studio tracks in my mind. - Joe

[@Dave-mb7kb]

@@TastesLikeMusic The live disc is very good, and overall Ummagumma is WAY better than The Wall. Neither of those belong in this tournament

[@davidpalmer9014]

Why does Bon Jovi's hand look so small on the album cover?

[@alanboas810]

Because he's a good looking guy with small hands. Bad cover, bad album.

[@NaughtyVampireGod]

normal hand, big head

[@JohannesYtterstrom]

Fun to see albums by huge bands like Guns N' Roses, Pink Floyd, The Beach Boys, Bon Jovi and others amongst these lists. I think some bands, like Pink Floyd, can get such a high praise that everything is considered fantastic when the reality is that their catalog is quite hit or miss. I think you should praise what is good obviously but bands with big catalogs do often have their fair share of mediocre or even band stuff at times. I think the fan-boyish can get too big sometimes in some crowds. I am pretty certain that most musicians are well aware which songs are great, good, mediocre and bad... It's the fans and critics that sometimes can't admit it. I like Pink Floyd plenty. Have most their albums. Several live-albums. Even solo work from some of them. With that said there are some albums I rarely return to, if ever. I do consider selling some just to save space for better albums by others!

[@pauljohnson5925]

Loved this. Hadn’t heard of some of them, but I have now. Corey Feldman...Wow! I had to listen twice. Not sure I can manage a third time. Some great choices. There are others I could think of, but then again, who couldn’t. My only disagreement is The Shaggs v Van Halen. Yes, The Shaggs is an abomination of an album, but this was a one off, from a group of sisters, with zero musical ability and a somewhat whack job of a father. They knew not what they were doing. Van Halen on the other hand, have no such excuse. After 20 years in the business you think they’d know better??? I think this will be true for other artists matching up against the Wiggin sisters in future rounds. So come on, let’s cut The Shaggs some slack 👍 PS My money’s on Jovi 🤞

[@grantmeadows7728]

I think The Shaggs sound like Captain Beefheart. You can definitely see their influence in female alt-rock vocal harmonies.

[@jasperburchfield2028]

Best album ever by a band with no musical knowledge.

[@Sir_Eyeball]

There's a method behind Beefheart's music. Not so much with The Shaggs...

[@curly_wyn]

Hahahahah No. Absolutely not. Captain Beefheart’s band were classically-trained and knew how music actually works. The Shaggs have always been and will always be terrible.

[@179rich]

I will predict Philosophy of the World takes top prize. It is practically the essence of badness. So bad some people think it's good.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I think that will hurt it in the end. It’s almost too bad. I’m of the mind that something has to take itself so seriously, and fall so short of goodness for it to be truly the worst. - Joe

[@179rich]

@@TastesLikeMusic Well the Wiggins sisters took it seriously and did the best they were capable of.

[@179rich]

But maybe the love it gets and its status as a cult record should count for something.

[@curly_wyn]

@@179rich No.

[@Benesat]

Cut The Crap is so bad that Dee Dee Ramone listened to it for inspiration on his hip hop album.

[@ronrubicon1593]

Weezer is just an awful band. That Bob Seger album isn't bad. It's just not what we want from Bob.

[@davidlether4917]

If I play every butthole surfer album at once I hear BOSTON

[@mmoses5272]

No album is worse than 'Metal Machine Music' by Lou Reed

[@elirutherford3589]

It’s not supposed to be enjoyable music it’s an experiment by Lou which actually is a very early example of noise music.

[@jukeboxcowboy]

Metal Machine Music rocks.

[@stevemcgill355]

It seems every ranking of Pink Floyd albums dumps on Ummagumma. I'll attempt to defend it. First off, the record was never intended to be a commercial smash. The live half is fine. It's always the studio cuts that ruffle feathers. Trippy & experimental at a time when many people were tripping and experimenting. Grantchester Meadows is atmospheric & mesmerizing. I like Gilmour's Narrow Way. Sysphus & The Grand Vizier's Garden Party meander a bit but no more so than some of King Crimson's early stuff. The album cover by Hipgnosis is superb. This record established Pink Floyd as a horse of a different color. Mysterious and cerebral.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

It would make a good soundtrack to a nature documentary on the biomes of England. - Joe

[@stevemcgill355]

@@TastesLikeMusic I see you remain unconvinced. That's cool. It's not a top tier Floyd album but I like it. I like it better than Atom Heart Mother. Take "If" & "Fat Old Sun" away and it's a bunch of failed experimentation.

[@VoiceofHarold1]

Joe: "I hate millennials." Um... Isn't that your generation? I don't think you guy make the Gen-X cut off, not that Gen Xer's would care or anything. lol Fun video. The negativity makes all the sense in the world to me now. You guys were clearly getting into a mindset. I get it now.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

It is my generation but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. - Joe

[@VoiceofHarold1]

@@TastesLikeMusic Fair enough

[@calliopivogiatzis2235]

Omg!the beach boys and ccr on in this tournament???. Their music is usually spot on!!!

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Everybody has a couple stinkers. - Joe

[@Sir_Eyeball]

The Beach Boys have probably the widest range of any artist when it comes to quality.

[@179rich]

Ghosts of Download isn't even accompanied by the Greatest Hits. It's actually inferior re-recordings of their hits.

[@edgustafson]

I don't like Nickelback, but I am surprised it's getting more votes than that Blondie album, which is truly horrible. I guess Blondie is getting a pass for being good 40 years ago.

[@NaughtyVampireGod]

@@edgustafson big blondie fan but not happy with the reunion phase - no exit was okay and polinator a good album but not liking all the outside writers

[@briancox8518]

Love beach ELP Most beach boys albums from the 80s onwards

[@anthonysablan8650]

I can’t believe you guys listened to an entire AJR album. I couldn’t get through half a song. It felt like I was being poisoned

[@TastesLikeMusic]

And yet I liked it more than Greta Van Fleet. -Jason

[@andreijurca5546]

​@@TastesLikeMusic there is worse music than greta van fleet...the greta van fleet record is great

[@xyu9173]

The worst song contest sounds like an awesome idea!

[@TastesLikeMusic]

We did it!

[@xyu9173]

@@TastesLikeMusic i know! I found it and am already watching it! Keep it up, boys! I Love your work