Ten Albums Somewhat Overrated In My Opinion

[@jorgesuarez7073]

AC/DC albums shouldn't be overrated or underrated because they all sound exactly the same.

[@Fingerlix]

A "music critic" once accused AC/DC of making 16 albums of the same song. Angus said "it's a lie. We made 17 albums."

[@SirManfly]

@@Fingerlix actually from Back In Black onward they all sounded the same because the band decided to keep the sound from that album moving forward, and BIB was their most successful by a mile!

[@andrewganley9016]

As is(was) every Status Quo album!

[@johnharrison9685]

One thing for sure, AC/DC can never be accused of developing, progressing, growing, and moving forward with their music . I’m sure that ADCD will never release a concept album.

[@DUMPSTERDIVINGADELAIDE123]

@@johnharrison9685 - Right on buster, you said it... Cheers from Australia 🙂🇦🇺

[@richardhammond9652]

I didn't realise ummagumma was overated. I always thought it was crap

[@MrSpankee02]

Richard Hammond I like ummagumma from the first time I heard it. It’s more Avant guard that progressive.

[@nicolacambi9671]

@@MrSpankee02 overrated doesn't means not good. I' ve got all Floyd's albums, in vynyl and cd's too. Im' a fan. Ummagumma is full of demo completed from the Syd period, the second part of the double album is live with tracks from the Syd Barrett's era. Il like Ummagumma , but i feel the transition of the Band, some uncertainty, some confusion. Scusa per il mio Inglese.

[@MrSpankee02]

I never thought of it as over or underrated, I know Floyd fans who have never heard it. It’s pretty deep down the rabbit hole.

[@hatujemeletsplayeryheskyce6460]

Everyone thinks it's bad this guy just discovered America or something

[@albertstadt9853]

I love the first disc: the live portion. Beautiful psychedelia which is often better than the original studio versions. I don't think much of the "avant garde" second disc.

[@davidgena2667]

“Madman” was and is magnificent!!! The title track is absolutely stunning with any number of strong tracks to go with it. A glorious work of musical art by Mr. John!!

[@sealisa1398]

David Gena Likewise, Madman got a lot of air play in my life. I loved it.

[@joeguzman9316]

Madman is one of Elton's best albums !

[@claudec2588]

I think if you're going to have an Elton John album on your overrated list I'd list. Yellow Brick Road."

[@moondawg3693]

@@claudec2588 Ya, all those classics on 2 albums, how terrible ! Funeral for a Friend

[@fredjones9750]

I'm not an Elton john fan at all but madman across the water was great.

[@TonyMaronie]

‘Ummagumma’ from Pink Floyd may have been critically overrated at the time but these days it’s a pretty niche record that’s largely been forgotten. I think the band are pretty embarrassed about it now because it is very self indulgent and experimental. The best thing that could be said about the album is that it has a great surreal album cover utilising the Droste effect very well.

[@pegasus5547]

I still do enjoy cloud nine a lot. I think it’s still one of the better george harrison albums, definitely one of the more consistent ones in quality.

[@garyolshan4177]

I agree Cloud Nine. Pretty strong record.

[@taster321]

Why is Cloud Nine so good ? It’s because of Jeff Lynne / producer. Jeff also made Travelling Wilburys sound so good.

[@pegasus5547]

taster321 george also had much better material than from gone troppo

[@hacksformusicians2574]

George sounded like he was having fun for a change.

[@pegasus5547]

Hacks For Musicians i think he sounded like he was on thirty three and 1/3 and the self titled one, but the rest after material world up until cloud nine i would agree with

[@NotMarkKnopfler]

Guys: perspective. He's not saying these are crap, he's simply saying they're overrated in his opinion.

[@Primus-ue4th]

NotMarkKnopfler yes. And he Clearly explained that in the beginning of the video.

[@fredjones9750]

A lot of what he says is bang on tho.

[@pegasus5547]

roxq it’s not meaningless. it is a word. it has a meaning.

[@garyolshan4177]

Anything the Stones did after Some Girls is overrated and not worth a second listen. No comparison to the early period of Sticky Fingers, Let It Bleed etc.

[@johnwalters5410]

Gary Olshan Tattoo You is OK, IMO

[@sealisa1398]

Best years I enjoyed were with Mick Taylor.

[@christopher9152]

Yes, that was their best period, but Tattoo You has a few strong songs on it. Id put it as their last essential album.

[@ziggypop79]

Some Girls is crap.

[@russellthechemist8291]

Some Girls is on my list of top ten overrated albums. Exile too.

[@jtmichaelson]

Well, I agree with everything in this video with only one exception - Madman Across The Water. No, it's not up to par to his bigger moments, but after a few listens it grows on you. And the title track is, for me at least, is in my EJ Top 10.

[@garypowell1540]

I disagree with Ummagumma, simply because it was not highly rated in the first place. Many Floyd fans even at the the time judged it to be a bit of a stinker, and never bought this record, even if they did all previous, and subsequent ones. I considered it to be the best one of all up to Dark Side of The Moon, and therefore to be vastly underrated.

[@rocknrallsoul94rockero4]

I disagree I love Pink Floyd especially from 67-70 but the studio album part of Ummagumma was just noise for me

[@chrischessman7464]

One of their albums I've never bothered listening to

[@jlobiafra]

rocknrallsoul94 Rockero I think his point is most fans always felt that the studio part wasn’t very good, so hows it “overrated” when most didn’t like it to begin with?

[@keriford54]

I agree Ummagumma isn't highly rated, often is placed last or near last in Floyd catalogue. I quite like it.

[@bobbybrooks4826]

YES, i Said as MUCH

[@garyolshan4177]

Start Me UP is classic Stones, but the rest of Tattoo You is nothing special. Mick Taylor's records were all "A" albums.

[@Twotontessie]

Gary Olshan side 2 for me is up there with their very best

[@ARIZJOE]

@Julian Borges Yes. There's all kinds of good music on that album.

[@kitano0]

Have to disagree with you...Tattoo You is a great listen with headphones. You really get to hear what Keff calls "guitar weaving"

[@angus7278]

Goats Head Soup and the following album IORR were both considered weak when compared to the Stones previous work and both had Mick Taylor on them. Sorry, they weren’t all “A” albums. And don’t forget, Taylor’s playing is on “nothing special” bits of Tattoo You as well.

[@fredjones9750]

Start me up is the worst song on the album IMO. big dumb rocker. I fucking hate it and I'm a huge stones fan.

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

It is amazing how subjective any topic like this turns out to be.

[@sealisa1398]

Rudolph Guarnacci Completely!

[@Rekko82]

I agree with him. Except with Ummagumma who is probably praised by only five Pink Floyd fans. The Wall would have been a better choice for the video. Or Animals.

[@kevinscheuller8656]

Hi John, I like your videos...1 constructive tip. Please say the title of each of the albums next time. I had to look up that you were referring to Bowie’s album, “Heroes.” Anyway, while I may not agree with all your choices, I thank you for sharing your point of view.

[@taster321]

About Bowies Heroes...the song Heroes is the weakest song on the Heroes Album.

[@stratocasterguy]

He also doesn’t mention all of the band names either. Ummagumma was by Pink Floyd, although he never says it.

[@lindazee]

Yes, please state titles and artists clearly or at least show the album cover a little better. It was not easy following along with you. Thanks.

[@NewFalconerRecords]

The best way to hear 'Tommy' is on the 'Live at Leeds' deluxe edition where they put together the band's condensed Tommy set onto one disc . The whole thing goes for less than an hour, it's all killer and no filler and the band are in absolutely blistering form. I agree that the original double album is a bit flabby at times, but the good stuff is mighty.

[@kevinindublin]

Funny, there's a 'small', 'medium' & 'large' of Live At Leeds now. Have the short, original 6-song album and the expanded 1995 version, but not the further expanded 2-disc 'deluxe' one. Will chase a copy.

[@KillerBill1953]

@@kevinindublin I have all three, and the original vinyl. I think the deluxe version is probably worth getting but it does not include most of the banter between tracks. Perhaps we'll actually get a complete recording one day.

[@NewFalconerRecords]

​@@kevinindublin The Tommy disc really is a bonus. But listening to the other disc, with the extra 8 songs (including 'Fortune Teller', 'Heaven and Hell', 'Happy Jack', 'I'm A Boy' etc) it's all good stuff, but you end up realising just how spot-on that original 6-track album was in the first place.

[@Olliemets]

Agree. Live at Leeds is really the Who at their best. Blistering indeed. I sort of blew the gasket for the Who (sort of like the Doors- Endless Classic Radio Airplay of the same songs) But L@L stacks up with any live album.

[@KillerBill1953]

@@Olliemets Thanks for the comment. I still kick myself for not going to that concert, unfortunately I was working that evening, I was an apprentice press photographer and not being available would have meant being sacked from a job I loved.

[@outtour2525]

Any Led Zeppelin for me, I understand how talented they are but man I have tried and tried and tried and tried again but it never does it for me

[@fredwright987]

Outtour...try again. The greatest rock band ever, in my,opinion.

[@outtour2525]

Den CH I love immigrant song and that's pretty much it, it's very strange I just cant seem to like them

[@outtour2525]

Fred Wright believe me I have tried and tried just doesn't do it for me, I myself find it odd because absolutely love rock

[@outtour2525]

Den CH haha yeah, it's like when people kept telling me about stairway to heaven and how great it is and hundreds of people speak highly of it...when I first listened to it I was like "wait, is that it?" Just shows you how different people have different tastes !

[@Twotontessie]

It helps if you grew up on it and don’t remember being aware of it. It was just part of the atmosphere for me when I was a little guy. Midway through side two I would drift off at nap time and kind of come to briefly at the end of Levee because the needle would hit the runoff groove. Ahhh. Total serenity.

[@danceswithcritters]

Rating albums is irrelevant. What you like is all that matters .

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

Absolutely

[@aveytare2185]

It’s just fun and can evoke conversations

[@danceswithcritters]

@@aveytare2185 I like your comment . It's smart .

[@Bertie22222]

I don't know how many times he says it's his opinion, that equates to 'What you like is all that matters'.

[@danceswithcritters]

@@Bertie22222 it depends on what drugs and how stoned you are .

[@DukGef]

I didn't even listen to this, just saw the image. Where is Ummagumma overrated? Literally every listmaker I saw placed it as the worst or next to worst Floyd album. And they're all idiots 'cause Ummagumma is one of the greatest, most anarchic albums of all time.

[@7karlheinz]

My favorite Floyd LP!!!

[@Kingcarparpeggio]

Nothing else Matters !! ( Another banger !! )

[@nowheremannnap6976]

the live part is amazing i wish pink floyd made more albums like that

[@jlobiafra]

The live part is my favorite Floyd era ever. I agree how can it be overrated when the majority of so called fans don’t even know anything prior to DSOM. I’d say the Wall is overrated

[@michaelgreene582]

Hilarious. You chide him for saying it is overrated because it isnt really. Then act like it is one of Floyd's greatest. Bit of a dichotomy to say the least. I suspect the only fans that really like Umma are at this moment inhaling a little sweet leaf or ingesting a line or two.

[@halloweenjack95]

Madman across the water and heroes overrated?! 2 amazing albums.

[@doyoumind9356]

Heroes ? Over-rated ? 👎

[@PaulJonesy]

Well, it is his opinion.

[@jimanders6666]

Madman is the greatest album of all time.

[@moondawg3693]

Name 5 songs from each album ?! Sing all of Madman, just saying. I tried my buddy's Heroes album and played just Heroes a bunch and gave it back

[@pacard33]

Agree.

[@ashbowen6551]

Madman could be Elton's best album!

[@vikasbahuguna7590]

John can you make a review of "Pink Moon" album by Nick Drake ??

[@MikeGgeetar]

I liked some of the stuff on Synchronicity that a lot of people say wasnt that good, but for the most part you hit the nail on the head. The Stones album "Let It Bleed" was superb but the rest are hit and miss. Nobody knows anything from "Tommy." Knopfler hit pay dirt with the first album and spent the rest of his career sucessfully avoiding it. "Heroes" was a one track album. "Ummagumma" is a practice work.

[@seanevans7137]

I was expecting you to include Graceland here, surprised you didn't. I'd be curious to see you do a 'revisiting' video on that album, if you haven't heard it in a while.

[@jtoms3]

Back in Black, Synchronicity, and Steel Wheels are all excellent, in my opinion.

[@KenNickels]

Of course they are. This whole exercise is rather silly.

[@jtoms3]

@@KenNickels That's just my opinion. John Heaton has a different opinion and that's okay.

[@gemini2012100]

I like the Ummagumma live album. I didn't care much about the studio album.

[@elliotwalton6159]

Exactly.

[@stratocasterguy]

Same here. They were just fiddling around in the studio trying to find themselves after Syd was gone. Live album was the one I always went to.

[@ruebencristobal7790]

Live album great. Studio album is not listenable. For the exception for grantchester meadows and the narrow way

[@gemini2012100]

@@ruebencristobal7790 Those are are the only two on that album that I like too. Grantchester Meadows and The Narrow Way Part Two.

[@waynesworld7804]

Well John, I agree with 9/10. Tommy is in my Top 10 albums. This is one which has to be viewed a little differently from most others. A genuine concept album with a couple of misses but a brilliant piece of work. All the others have some great tracks and you’re spot on. Music is subjective. Cheers!

[@shoh1149]

If you don’t want these albums! Can you give them to me?

[@schubertuk]

Overrated does not equal not liked/loved/unplayed...;-)

[@bimbettocavallo]

I don't know if I would call Madman Across The Water "overrated". In order for something to be overrated, first it should be considerably popular both inside and outside the core fan group. Madman is in fact only a fan favorite, not a commercial success. Most tracks are obscure to the average listener. Tiny Dancer was never on any greatest hits album until it reached worldwide popularity thanks to Almost Famous. I can understand you don't like it, and I can understand why. It's a dark album. But it doesn't meet the definition of "overrated", in my opinion

[@franksaldana6570]

Hey John, could you do some police album reviews? Would love to hear your views on them. Thanks and cheers from Dallas, Texas

[@stephenwalsh2242]

Although I notice in the Uncut music guide the text of the review of Bridge Over Troubled Water states that the Boxer is the best song on the album, and then the trackmarks only gives it three stars out of five...

[@hiphopdylan]

Please could you tell me what the second album you reviewed is... I couldn't understand the name of the album or hear you say the artist's name..

[@Jeff__Taylor]

Ummagumma - Pink Floyd

[@ronaldjames6067]

I agree with most of the albums you mention, that it, from the ones I know. I've never listened to Elton John albums. But about AC/DC's Back In Black, like you say, it's got quite a few great songs on it. And also some lesser tunes, not really awful, just not that great. Now, for me, it is very, very hard to find a studio album with only great songs on it. Possibly Absolutely from Madness, the self titled Stray Cats album and, obviously not everyone's cup of tea, but Reign In Blood by Slayer. Albums that are great from the beginning to the end are very rare, I find.

[@jamesbyersmusic]

Great video! I certainly agree with Thriller. It was essentially an album of singles and I also agree that 'The Girl Is Mine' is terrible, though Human Nature is a wonderful song. Off The Wall is MJ's masterpiece for me. I can't really fault Cloud Nine however. Yes, 30 years on the production is somewhat of it's time, but anytime you have Jeff Lynne on the desk you pretty much know what sound you're going to get. I quite enjoy Ummagumma on the rather rare occasions I play it, largely because of how 'out there' it is, but it's never been my 'go to' choice for Floyd and I probably haven't listened to any of it in at least 2 or 3 years. But that's the beauty of having all this music easily available, there are a million songs to choose from!

[@Aris-wi9ze]

I would agree with you on all of them, except for Brothers in Arms. I think it is very consistent, has some huge hits in it and the rest of the tracks are of a good quality. Album can be listened easily in its entirety.

[@johnbellamy3406]

Hi John, this was a brave video to make. I'm sure you've shown some favorite records of most people in this one. I would have included Led Zep IV somewhere on this list and anything from John Lennon's solo career.

[@moonbeamskies3346]

Led Zeppelin IV is deserving of the praise it gets. But every album Lennon ever released (aside from Plastic Ono Band which was deliberately sparse and succeeded in that way) showed how much he needed a partner. He needed someone who could write songs, arrange and produce, and to elevate his own songs.

[@johnbellamy3406]

Hi Moonbeamskies, in 2017 I made a video about Led Zep IV for a thread called 'Love This Band But Hate This Album'. I start by defending Houses Of The Holy and go on to diss Led Zep IV. Go take a look at it and tell me what you think. Cheers

[@jakenull7971]

John Bellamy Led Zeppelin IV is a classic fucko

[@johnbellamy3406]

Hi Jake, I agree.... I think. At least I would if I knew what a 'classic fucko' was.

[@elvisleeboy]

In general, Lennon albums are not that highly regarded. I think most people think his solo career is patchy, punctuated with someone wonderful moments.

[@ErnestIII83]

Always thought Madman was UNDERrated, actually. And Levon is possibly my favorite song of Elton's.

[@stephenbalderson8459]

Loved levon as well. A great album.

[@eltatoyo9211]

Agreed, never on any great album list, but its a gem.

[@johnmavroudis2054]

Levon, Tiny Dancer, and especially the title track, make Madman Across The Water one of his greatest. I'd rank it just behind Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy, and Yellow Brick Road.

[@jmcc2275]

Seemed good at the time but when you listen to it again now,maybe not.

[@nedd.8479]

I always thought Ummagumma was kinda underrated.

[@Meddled]

Ned D. I never hear people singing the praises of it. I prefer the raw creativity of the studio side to Meddle. The live stuff is amazing as well.

[@cognitivedissident2881]

It's junk, they were all trying to come up with new idea's and concepts, valiant effort it just didn't pan out IMO.

[@misterschubert3242]

Usually when these kinds of videos are posted, the presenter appears to be engaging somewhere along a spectrum between irreverent or even jealous takedown and bitter acrimony. This presenter has clear affection and appreciation for the musicians involved, and comments that the albums presented are simply not up to par. Whereas it's hard to say that Brothers in Arms and Synchronicity are not good albums, it's easy to consider that they are not nearly as powerful and consistent as Making Movies and Zenyatta Mondatta, respectively. He nailed it with Cloud 9-understanding immediately that it would be a controversial choice, but, indeed, Got My Mind Set on You is underwhelming when considering that this is the guy who wrote 5 of the best Beatles songs in the 68-69 period. Thriller, unfortunately, has always been overrated. While it features one of the best bass/synth hooks of all time in Jones' production of Billie Jean, and the Lukather/Van Halen guitar combo on Beat It is worthy of a time capsule, the album tracks are mostly forgettable and other than the guitar work on Beat It, that song is just as ridiculous for Jackson acting tough as The Girl is Mine for having him fighting over the same girl with an aging pop star. Fair list that invites discussion rather than controversy. Excellent to start a conversation.

[@steverogers2635]

Cool video John. I agree with all your choices except Tommy which may be my second favorite album of all time. My choice for most overrated album ever will always be Pet Sounds.

[@fredjones9750]

Fully agree on pet sounds. Dont know what the fuss is there. its shit.

[@Twotontessie]

Synchronicity - side 2 in particular, never heard songs, production and singing/playing like that before or since - I thought it was their apex and enough to put it #1 in their catalog.

[@dumcasta9327]

... yeah, like the one about the loch ness monster! people say PF is pretentious but Sting reads Carl Jung on the lavatory and thinks he knows it all

[@TomCwimpRock]

Those are my exact feelings John, regarding Harrison’s “Cloud Nine” and also on “Thriller”.....I’ve angered some people on KZbin by saying that I struggle to get into much of “Exile On Main Street” - I have a book called “The Best Rock n’ Roll Records Of All Time”, by Jimmy Guterman, which has “Exile” at #2... I will admit that it has its moments, but if I were to rank my favorite Rolling Stones albums - for me, it would be outside of my top personal ten picks..maybe some day I’ll get it.. “Captain Fantastic” by Elton John, and “Songs In The Key Of Life” by Stevie Wonder are often cited as career-best albums, but speaking for myself, both of those albums are among my least favorite of theirs in the seventies - “Key Of Life” in particular, I find to be very uneven, and in need of editing, and compared to his previous four albums, a bit of a let down... But don’t get me wrong, all three of the records I’ve mentioned, I consider to be worthwhile efforts by great artists - I just don’t like them as much as the rest of their catalog.. Enjoyed the video John, as always..

[@Trifixion22]

For Exile, I suggest making a playlist of the songs you like from it, making it into a single album. That should solve most of your problems with it. Took me a long time to get into! It was my first Stones album and I remember thinking "Wow. Anybody who likes this must have brain damage."

[@moonbeamskies3346]

Exile is way overrated. They didn't let Mick Taylor solo like he did on Sticky Fingers. Weak songs throughout.

[@Trifixion22]

@@moonbeamskies3346 Weak songs throughout? What about Rocks Off, Tumbling Dice, Sweet Virginia, Happy, Loving Cup, Torn and Frayed, All Down the Line, Ventilator Blues, Let It Loose, Shine A Light, and Soul Survivor?

[@Trifixion22]

@@moonbeamskies3346 Weak songs throughout? What about Rocks Off, Tumbling Dice, Sweet Virginia, Happy, Loving Cup, Torn and Frayed, All Down the Line, Ventilator Blues, Let It Loose, Shine A Light, and Soul Survivor?

[@TomCwimpRock]

@@Trifixion22 That’s exactly what I did many years ago - I still have a cassette tape somewhere with about (roughly half) of the songs along with other miscellaneous Stones tracks - I really should go back to “Exile” again and give it one more chance.. thanks for the reply..

[@martinwatson6806]

Ummagumma isn’t just a double album of course, it’s two records. The studio one is so self-indulgent I don’t bother playing it. The other one is recordings of brilliant live performances of Floyd songs from the Barrett/Columbia era and imo is one of the most essential things Pink Floyd ever released.

[@KillerBill1953]

Perhaps it's me but I've always considered the live recordings to be dull compared to a lot of other recordings made at the time. When it was first released I felt a bit done by both albums, especially as Saucerful of Secrets is still my favourite PF album. Thanks to KZbin I have recently heard a lot of recordings of the same tracks but which sound much better. Have a good day.

[@Mr05Chuck]

I love both Madman and Hero’s cannot see they are overrated.

[@Meatcity-sf8fm]

Mr05chuck the song madman alone is worth the price of the album but it’s a good record. And hero’s is great he’s . Coo. coo

[@andrewbell2712]

Joe, the lion, made of iron, checking in. Two new pence to have a go. Heroes is one fine record. I like the Eno contributions, the Fripp guitar work, the inspired lyrics, the prophecy, Sons of the Silent Age, the lean, clean, drug free Germanic Bowie, and even the koto bit, played by DB as well. Bowie and his lover might get shot in an alley by the Stasi in Heroes, but their souls swim like dolphins all the way to the moon!

[@markrichards2]

Agree with most of those John. Very brave of you!

[@mangstadt1]

I like the fact that you present things chronologically. That's basically how I have my records and books sorted out on my shelves: according to the year of birth of the authors or composers, whether classical, jazz and blues or rock. As far as books go, I classify English-language authors together by year of birth, Spanish-language authors together in the same way, and translations from languages other than my two mother tongues likewise chronologically. One bookcase is devoted entirely to philosohy. With this approach, you get everyone from the same era near each other on the shelves. As far as birth years are concerned, the 1940s was by far the greatest decade in my opinion, with music from the 60s and 70s being the greatest in the history of rock. The 80s weren't bad either, and then the 90s caught me with a mortgage and welcoming my daughters into the world, so my priorities shifted. As far as the 21st centrury goes, there's the autotune plague (I used to call it the autotune pandemic, but that word has since been overused, understandably). Popular music in the 21st century tends to be crappy to say the least, always in my opinion.

[@jaapjandeback5809]

Thriller is overrated. Thriller itself, beat it ( except the guitar solo). Billy Jean all not so much my cup of tea. Wanna be starting something , PYT Bay be mine are great and even teh Mcartney song i like. Off the wall is my album!

[@gamleskalle1]

Back in black is pure perfection as is Thriller. 2 of the biggest selling albums. Tons better than crappy 90s rock. Puke like Oasis, Radiohead ans Coldplay.

[@atranfanatic]

Radiohead is really the only band I like in your puke list. Yeah Coldplay and Oasis are very whiny and annoying. lol

[@demonsbutterfly]

“Mixed Emotions” is a great Stones Track. Up loud on Headphones

[@sixbladeknife44]

It’s all so subjective, no right or wrong...tastes are just that, tastes. As far as Elton, Madman is a very good album if a bit uneven...Tumbleweed Connection is the truly underrated masterpiece, with the original Madman Across The Water track (with Mick Ronson on guitar instead of the orchestration) as a bonus on the later release. Totally agree re: the first three Dire Straits albums, all gems...Brothers In Arms, not so much.

[@robwalkerletthemusicplay]

Hi john great video I agree with you on the police I prefer the first 4 albums .. Tommy is a bit overblown for sure ... all the other albums I don’t have but I’ll take your word for it ... cheers rob

[@robwalkerletthemusicplay]

Oh I f have heroes that’s a 8/10 album for me ..

[@jedikiah1541]

Must admit he was spot on with all of those!

[@billratekin81]

Lost me on back in black... We really don't agree...

[@davidknoll5544]

fifthof 25# platinum, who’s the airhead??? You better stick to classical

[@lgalan40]

@fifthof definitely do not agree on Synchronicity

[@blacksabbath1022]

I think every song on Back in Black is good to great

[@garmit61]

IMO It’s the last and weakest of 4 consecutive studio albums. There are no bad songs on Let There Be Rock and Powerage. There are a couple of weak ones on Highway To Hell and about half of Back In Black is poor by AC/DC standards prior to this album. After that you could put all the decent material onto one vinyl album and none of it would have got onto the first two in the series. I was mad about AC/DC in my youth but having seen them perform before and after Back In Black, they were much weaker from BIB onwards in my opinion.

[@fredjones9750]

I agree on bnb. I grew up on the early ac/DC and I found it a bit of a let down. I mean it's ok but if I'm in the mood for ac/DC I go for the older stuff everytime.

[@beatlejames5745]

Q Magazine always used to put that year's biggest selling album in the number one slot of greatest albums of all time. I stopped buying the magazine after a while. My vote for over-rated album goes to Night at the Opera by Queen as I prefer all three of the albums that preceded it, and at least two of the ones that came after it, yet everyone always claims it's their best because it's got Bohemian Rhapsody on it. Good topic John!

[@Ft.Gagiano]

Q magazine love Radiohead abit too much

[@beatlejames5745]

@@Ft.Gagiano I think everyone loved Radiohead a bit too much.

[@Trifixion22]

I'm more of a Prophet's Song guy. I saw it performed during a Classic Albums Live and it was very energetic. Certainly the hype around it can detract from the enjoyment.

[@PaulMappud]

AC/DC have always been known for their deep meaningful lyrics, their next album is mooted to be a concept double + You really don't know what RARANP means... ?

[@BillyHell01]

I Love Bowie (I Have over 200 Bowie CD's, Multiple copies of several albums) I also like Eno's Vocal Stuff But I Can't Stand "Heroes" I've tried to listen with an open mind - It's Utter Shit

[@catjudo1]

I like Motorhead's cover of "Heroes" a lot more than Bowie's version. Probably heresy to be fair, but my opinion.

[@johnpbh]

Always good to hear your opinion. About the only disagreement we have is over "Madman Across the Water" but even as I am typing this I am wondering to myself, do I like it so much just because I think the title track is stunning.? I haven't actually listened to it in about 15 years. I think I would agree with you about the rest of them. Each album is a bit like the curates egg.

[@jayspeijer614]

johnpbh Each time I play this album I am reminded of the high quality of the deep cuts in particular.

[@JonnyRollin]

Could he sound more monotone or indifferent?

[@stratocasterguy]

His presenting skills are what’s overrated.

[@MeanMrMayo]

Yes the production on Cloud Nine was slick... and that's precisely what George's dull albums had been needing before then! :)

[@TheVidkid67]

Fancy seeing you here :)

[@ericgerber4099]

The ONLY not good (or better) song on the whole record is I Got My Mind... and it’s listenable.

[@jamesfair4315]

So many you could have added, and I'm sure you would agree. But glad you mentioned these because those albums are overrated. I never liked Thriller album as a whole. Only 3 songs on it. Michael just didn't change much. He could have been in the later incarnation of the Stones. I agreed with all you added in here. Do a Vol 2, 3, etc because Clapton wasn't in here! It seemed that a lot of albums were one song used to sell it. But thank God the Beatles stayed from that mostly.

[@catsofsherman1316]

Agree with much of that. Tommy however is epic. I really like Cloud Nine too. It may be an average George album, but that speaks to the strength of his catalog more than weakness of the album. Thriller was always overrated. Several filler tracks on that one.

[@robertrobertsakarogerslemer]

Great vid. I agreed 100% exception to Madman

[@gustaaf1892]

Thank you for not stretching this out to a 20-30 minute monologue like some KZbinrs are fond of doing. Straight to the point is always appreciated at my end. I agree with a number that have been mentioned, but I do like Synchronicity. I'm surprised you didn't include either Sgt Pepper's or the White Album for the Beatles. Always praised to the high heavens, but I find them just ordinary albums.

[@ianagar68]

Is ‘Ummagumma’ actually highly rated? By anyone? Strange choice. .

[@wangdangdoodie]

That's what I thought. I never hear anyone even mention it, never mind rate it!

[@jayro3931]

It's my favorite floyd album

[@MarkKlass]

I'm with Jay Ro. I really liked the album. I particularly liked "Several Species...", "Careful With That Axe Eugene" and "Grantchester Meadows." I still pull it up and listen to it. I also really liked "Tommy" by the Who. I've been a big Who fan for years but I understand that everybody can't have amazing taste like me...LOL!

[@jewfroDZak]

Universally regarded as one of the Floyd's worst outings. It's still a good album, just in comparison to the four or five complete masterpieces they produced, it cant hold that weight. The live album is amazing thougu. But the studio album, it has gotta be the worst of the pre-The Final Cut albums, no? Either that or Atom Heart Mother, for me personally...All this being said, my personally favorite, for years now, is, Obscured by Clouds, which is not quite a masterpiece, but is another forgotten Floyd complete gem. Then it's a toss up between Saucerful, Animals and the Wall, three wall to wall masterpieces. Not a single bad song on any of those albums (Bring the Boys Back Home, maybe, but it is thematically important)...And I'm Rambling to strangers about Pink Floyd...Again.

[@shaynewest8757]

It's a mess of an album

[@jeremydraper733]

I actually happen to listen to Tommy today while I was working, and it’s never blown me away but it’s fine, I could agree it’s a bit over rated, but I still think it’s a good album. I like to speculate on the meaning of the story and that’s really what keeps me listening to it

[@Frisbieinstein]

An artist works for today, not tomorrow. Some of the most original and influential stuff, works of genius, don't sound that great today because so many people absorbed it and did it better later. That's a sign of success, if you ask me.

[@richardstokes1290]

Hang on, John. Saucerful of Secrets is one of the great rock anthems - up there with Stairway to Heaven. That track in itself surely rescues the album. (You can see the strength of this song in the later Live at Pompei recording.) It almost eclipses Lennon & McCartney's Day in the Life climax to Sergeant Pepper.And the Umma Gumma LP cover is beautifully designed.

[@schubertuk]

And the theme from Eastenders has one of the all time great drum intros.... doesn't mean I have to like it.

[@stephensimpson1613]

Yes yes yes! Great idea. I do agree with Tommy and Ummagumma. Not sure I totally agree with you on Back in Black - that was a real event when it came out and I think it stands up well. Suggestion: what about Yes Close to the Edge? It really depends on just two or three themes. Led Zeppelin Presence - is there a song in there? And the one you won't like, Abbey Road - is it really only me who doesn't like the medley and finds it just way too clever?

[@nomehdrider]

Do you have another online presence to follow?

[@Codex7777]

I'd add Animals, by Pink Floyd, to the list. I'm not denying that it's a good album but the fact that so many Floyd fans claim it's far superior to Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall has always baffled me. It has moments of genius but overall falls far short of those 3 masterpieces. Perhaps it's partly down to over familiarity with those 3 albums? Perhaps it's down to their inner hipsters not being able to handle the popularity of the big 3? I don't know... In contrast, Meddle seems to be criminally underrated. For me, it ranks as their 4th best album, ahead of Animals, behind the big 3. It's a truly fantastic album and contains the wonderful 'Echoes' of course. It definitely deserves more recognition. :)

[@shaynewest8757]

Animals and Dark Side are my equal favs, not a bad moment on either. I actually think Obscured By Clouds and Meddle need to be rediscovered both great albums.

[@ChrisPropfeMusicallyObsessed]

Michael Jackson Thriller is great. But I agree with you. Off The Wall is better. Better groove. Pink Floyd Ummagumma. So experimental. I don’t know if that album really falls too high on fan lists. Very out there! I love More and Obscured By Clouds too. Great video😃

[@glenninsouthtexas2514]

While I don’t completely agree with the inclusion of Madman or Back in Black, your arguments are valid and I believe you believe everything you’re saying. Great style man, you earned a subscriber. I look forward to checking out more of your continent.

[@connorrandles8709]

Taste is subjective... quality probably isn’t, even if taste gets in the way of the measure of quality. Certainly there’s such a thing as bad taste.

[@schubertuk]

If quality (when it comes to music) doesn't have a level of subjectivity - there will be some really top quality music that nobody likes. And I don't see how anyone is going to argue that something is "quality" if they don't actually like it. Perhaps I just don't get what you mean by quality?

[@tdunph4250]

@@schubertuk Your level of taste measuring up to what you "think" is quality differs from mine and @Connor Randles. BUT, it seems like when an artist receives high praise from Rolling Stone or whatever newspaper, magazine or online album review/grading that seemingly represents a standard that many people look up to and base their decision on whether to purchase a artist's album, attempts to influence what you or I perceive as quality. Would that mean that RS (or whom ever) is able to properly seek out quality and influence people's taste?? or are they just perhaps attempting to influence an individual's decision making?

[@KillerBill1953]

Kitsch, perhaps?

[@KillerBill1953]

@@tdunph4250 You can have an excellent quality recording but the music may not be to your taste, the playing may be workmanlike but not exciting. I have seen a lot of live bands over the years, whose studio albums were quite lack lustre. You can have a poor recording of an excellent performance and it will shine through. My personal take: popular is not necessarily good, and good is not necessarily popular. Good is a matter of opinion, but popular is always popular.

[@thorstenbachmann2165]

"Given the dog a bone" is brilliant

[@cgvapors963]

I agree. I think Back In Black was actually one of the few near-perfect hard rock records ever made. All but one song are very memorable and catchy. Wasn't until GNR Appetite For Destruction did I hear an album since Back In Black with as many great songs all the way through.

[@moonspell6759]

so is shake a leg and have a drink...

[@fredwright987]

@@cgvapors963 one of those rare albums where every song on it is killer

[@toofusnook]

The “whatever that’s supposed to mean” reaction to “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” makes me think he missed the whole 80s televangelist trope to the song. Personally I always pick High Voltage as my fav AC/DC - It has a certain “hear the amp being turned on” air in the recording. Everyone is in peak form and still hungry. Kinda compares to some Dead Boys snark and wink.

[@PS987654321PS]

Synchronicity is NOT over-rated. No way. Can agree on almost all of the others.

[@markfernandes9715]

The Police never made an overrated album

[@roberttelford745]

I remember buying Thriller and being disappointed. Off the Wall is far superior. A prime example of marketing over substance. I never bought another Jackson record unless you count the second copy of Off the Wall.

[@julianfieldwick2416]

Very interesting. Can't agree with Heroes and Tommy. Both right up there in my top 20 all time albums. I'd love to hear your thoughts on Roxy Music and Genesis. Any chance you could do some discussions on those two bands? Would love to hear what you'd have to say about Duke or Stranded for example.

[@1963catman]

Thank you ! I thought I was the only person who doesn't care for Tommy . I agree with all the others except Back in Black. But, please don't apologize for not liking something. We all interpret music differently, that helps spark debate. Cheers.

[@christopher9152]

Couldn't agree with you more about the Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson, and Who selections.

[@frommetoyou1981]

Thriller, every song is brilliant. A perfect album. Having said that my brother prefers 'Off the wall' both 5 star albums for me.

[@bobg6638]

“The Girl is Mine” is BRUTAL and “Got My Mind Set On You” is just not very good.

[@wanderer1955]

It's clearly you that's not very good.

[@cgvapors963]

Was "Back When We Were Fab" on that LP? I liked that song better than Got My Mind Set On You. Honestly, I was never a big solo Harrison fan. Much prefer Lennon or McCartney's solo projects.

[@rubygreta1]

@@cgvapors963 You don't like All Things Must Pass?

[@johnnyrocker7495]

@@cgvapors963 And they weren't great either!

[@lindakelly9552]

I did like Say Say Say by McCartney and Michael Jackson, that was pretty good, I agree about Girl is mine ugh.

[@vladdrakul7851]

Well said John. Perfect choices btw. Both Tommy and Ummagumma are my pet overrated bugs and have been since the 70's. Unlistenable to me while The Who's 'Live at Leeds' is a stand out classic and is their best LP and has the best songs from that done 100 times better. StilI I know you would consider me a heretic for saying the same for 'Abbey Road' and 'The Wall' which are many's favorites but mostly finished my interest in both bands. I'm with John when he said in 1969 that 'Abbey Road is the sound of a band dying'. I remember feeling disappointed and depressed after first buying it after the excitement and wonder of the explosive White Album. It felt nostalgic and pretty and modern but commercial at the same time with only 3 great songs (George's two and Come Together with maybe 'Because' as a fourth) while 'Let is Be' was mediocre with only one truly great song IMHO (Across the Universe) and frankly often fatuous. Weirdly enough the best tunes from those end times that did not end up on Let it Be but should have like 'Don't let me Down', 'The Ballad of John and Yoko' and 'Old Brown Shoe' would have made Let it Be a great (removing the shitty ditties instead for those great ones). An organic Neil Young 70's style LP that I would have loved instead of despised- Anyway your choices were very good here! (From someone slightly older). I really hated 'Got my life set on you'.A truly HORRIBLE tuneless song! (BTW ''With the Beatles' is the most underrated Beatles' LP and their best 'early' one. Perfection. No weak tunes! Way better than either 'Shabby Road' OR 'Let it Rot'. To top off the top six, Sgt Peppers, Magical Mystery Tour, Rubber Soul, Revolver and The White Album.)

[@jamesduggan7200]

Yep, at the end of the day it's all subjective. There was one album in that group that was desert island album for me.

[@Rodeo1202]

You forgot Joshua Tree by U2 and Animals by Pink Floyd

[@jeffmurray1681]

Love Animals :)

[@russellthechemist8291]

The only one I disagreed with was Cloud 9, which I believe is Harrisons best solo album. The production doesn't bother me.

[@glassslide]

Could not possibly AGREE more with your assessment of both The Police and Dire Straits!! I understand the inclusion of Steel Wheels but the thing with that record is that I at the time thought the Stones were done and to have them back with a tour was a very big deal for me and the record got elevated as a result of that---at that time. The point its a rare listen now, supports your critique. Excellent video, enjoyed hearing the views.

[@markukeley2924]

Pretty balanced assessment, John. Re Madman, I love "Levon," but certainly grant that you hit the nail on the head about the rest of it. No hard feelings. Cheers!

[@Meatcity-sf8fm]

Bought umagumma in 1970 listened to it once never listened to it again. Never liked Pink Floyd after that. Since then I got into their early 60s. Stuff thanks to Bowie’s pin up album .

[@Tmuk2]

It's by far their worst - unlistenable garbage apart from Granchester Meadows which is OK

[@georgemantzik3941]

Maybe it's not the best album of Pink Floyd, for my opinion Wish you were here, is the best!!! But have some diamonds songs inside!!

[@anthonydeville5976]

The Narrow Way, which I like a lot sounds like it was mixed by a deaf man. Couldn’t believe the crappy production on that especially on the choruses

[@wanderer1955]

The real test of a great album is if it can stand the test of time. If it's still rated as a great album 40 years after its initial high praise then it truely is a great album. Time can do cruel things to music albums, sometimes.

[@noodlehat3250]

It seems a lot of these albums were never highly rated to begin with.

[@johnwalters5410]

Completely agree with Back In Black when you say half is great, other half not so much. I even prefer Ballbreaker & Stiff Upper Lip!

[@hastingsboy0413]

Agree on Tommy but Quadrophenia is The Who's greatest album and in my top 5 of all time. Fantastic album.

[@holmes31100]

I agree Tommy is just o.k., I love Madman, Back in Black is also just o.k.,Thriller is a great album, as is Brothers In Arms, I can agree on Cloud 9, and Steel Wheels sucks.

[@truebeatlepeople]

much enjoyed your ten overated albums and i have to agree 100% with you on all the above. Jacksons off the wall was way better as was Floyds Meddle and Moon ect.... Just seems that people latch onto chritiqes opinions of the day and radio top 10 of the day ( which is usually fleeting anyway...) and they(we) forget it is the DARKHORSE album that usually has the strongest songs and especially the first 2-3 albums of any artist since the most time has gone into those songs before the labels screamed for new material pronto.... Again, thank you John for another fantastic video and much enjoy all the others especially the Beatles and Beatles solo projects. Being a huge fan,collector and songwriter myself i always gravitate towards well though out reviews like yours. Plus, haveing a kinship with the Beatles and such and being around the same age ( i am a bit older....) but from the same period in music pretty much. cheers

[@nickskyrme7128]

Yep- a pretty fair assessment. As you say it’s subjective. I’d venture Tommy, despite a shaky concept (as was Quadrophenia) still had some really innovative stuff. Re AC/DC, John name checks several of the bands all time great songs yet disparages the album for the filler. Secondly, John, please state the names of the artist or album much more clearly as it ain’t always clear on an IPhone! And finally, don’t ever take much heed of how Rolling Stone rates stuff, especially if it’s British.

[@jayro3931]

Ummagumma is an experimental masterpiece

[@petejp1]

How about anything by ELO

[@lizzietheheretic7831]

Dang yeah I personally hated that album..brothers in arms...though the title track is my favourite dire straits song...all time

[@lib556]

As a Who fan, I am disappointed with #1. Tommy invented the rock opera! It was the first. That said...pretentious...I suppose so. I agree with the rest of the list. Umma Gumma ...what the hell was that all about? Man, I hate Elton John's Levon and Tiny Dancer! Thriller? Rather poke my eyes out. I think much of the problem with these is the overplay phenomenon. Edit: I forgot to mention Dire Straights. I'm a fan. Saw them live twice. I was a big fan before Brothers and really love their live album Alchemy. They were a secret pleasure for me. Then came Brothers and everything changed. I still love the album, but, they were no longer my secret after that. First DS concert I attended was immediately after Brothers. Imagine my disappointment, standing in line, and seeing 12 yr old kids running about in freshly-purchased concert tees yelling "I want my MTV". Enough to make you cry.

[@fenwayify]

I agree with you that Brothers in Arms is overly commercial, at least regarding the hit song, "Money for Nothing," one of my least favorite Dire Straits tracks. However, the rest of the album is quite strong and the title track is an absolute masterpiece, a tune I believe is Knopfler's most powerful song. I'm not sure how or why he opted to include anything as insipid as that MTV track (though it's really meant as a mockery), but I have a hard time degrading something that features such a wondrous song. The album cover is also pretty damn cool and points out what's found within: a maestro on the guitar.

[@noersang]

Hello. I agree with you on Brothers In Arms. I enjoy the first Four albums and On Every Street much more than Brothers In Arms. It’s their least Good album. I’ve always thought, that if they released side 2 as an EP, it should have sold just as much as The whole album did. I enjoyed Your Latest Trick on On The Night, though. I saw them In Copenhagen july ‘92. Great concert. No disturbing phones around.

[@1nelsondj]

Interesting, I'd agree with most of that except the Police album. I saw the "Tommy" film long before I heard the studio album which seemed to pale by comparison. There was too much acoustic guitar on it. I bought the film soundtrack and then made a cassette of the best versions from each. Personally the most overrated album of all time is "Nevermind" by Nirvana. 1 decent single and the rest forgettable. I also don't care for U2's music after "Rattle and Hum" since they seemed to have gotten very full of themselves. Lastly Zep's "Physical Graffiti" would have made a good single album, too much filler, especially 'In My Time of Dying' which everyone but me seems to love, just an old blues tune that makes time stop.

[@Twotontessie]

Yog-Sothoth huge Zep fan- PG has not stood up that well over the years. “In The Light” is the best thing in there for me.

[@NowhereMan7]

Physical Graffiti is one of the few double albums in rock that _i'snt _ overblown and full of filler. I love all of it. Sure you have to be in a particular mood to rock out to long songs like Trampled underfoot, Kashmir and In My Time of Dying but thats just the nature of the beast. John Bonhams drumming in IMTOD is incredible. It's mind blowing. Its easily LZs best album for me and Im so glad LZ fans are largely in agreement about it.

[@1nelsondj]

@@NowhereMan7 I like about half their music, album IV and "Houses of the Holy" are my favorites. I was never impressed with Bonham's drumming, I don't care how big his sticks were or how hard he could hit. We're each entitled to our opinion.

Boiler Room Drums Easily their most BORING album! Dunno why the Zepheads love it so much! It's a perfect cure for insomnia.

[@nealkriesterer]

This video is awesome. Just sits down and gives his opinion, doesn't care who disagrees. I love it. I also agree with almost everything you said. Elton, AC/DC, Harrison, Jackson and Bowie are all legendary when it comes to writing SINGLES. They are all fantastic songwriters. But the album career for all of these artists is a JOKE. Don't even get me started on Dire Straits. Sultans of Swing is one of my favorite songs but their albums are not good!

[@Codex7777]

They also also all produced some legendary ALBUMS. Bowie and Elton, in particular, have at least half a dozen each. Arguably more. Jackson had some huge selling albums but they don't hold up as well, over time.

[@viktorvasilev6955]

There's something wrong with u cuh

[@viktorvasilev6955]

Oh no youre right bon jovi made great albums, do you hear yourself brah?

[@tonylaughlin6663]

i agree with Tommy, AC DC and Thriller, not sure about a couple of them (haven't listened enough), don't agree with Dire Straits, Cloud Nine and Police albums. Enjoy those till this day. Thanks for posting.