Albums Where the Wheels Fell Off! (w/Martin Popoff)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ม.ค. 2025
- Join Pete Pardo & Martin Popoff for a discussion of bands who were on the verge of showing major cracks, and the albums where those wheels started to fall off!
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Martin saying that Maiden never changed their sound after Piece of Mind made my head explode.
Yes, they sound like a completely different band.
Is Popoff for real? Maiden not changing their sound since Piece of Mind. Does he actually listen to Maiden? What's he on?
Martin's books are full of inexplicable opinions like that. I think he stuffed his head silly with so much music, good and bad, he broke something and it malfunctions now and then! I was completely disgusted by their change of sound on Somewhere in Time and it took me 25 years to get used to it. It still is sh*te compared to Piece of Mind.
I guess he never heard Somewhere in time or Seventh Son lol...
Lmao the album right after piece of mind was a different maiden.
There is no way the Iron Maiden wheels came off with Powerslave ! The first big crack has to be No Pray For The Dying.
Nope
Powerslave is boring record.
Well I suppose Martin justified it earlier in the video when he said “the ideas are running out and things are starting to get very samey” or whatever he said there in the beginning. I don’t know how that means the wheels are coming off but whatever, I guess it’s a matter of opinion if people agree with that or not but certainly Powerslave is generally well regarded being apart of the classic period. And then he said Maiden didn’t change their sound after that which is kinda crazy. Or maybe my ears just don’t work correctly.
Completely agree, No Prayer is garbage, yet Seventh Son is great. Fear of the Dark was redemption for No Prayer and not a bad album. Iron maiden made a dud but still remains one of the best bands ever.
This is a top three Maiden album. Totally disagree with Martin here.
Martin I love LA Woman, the blues on this record is Amazing
You have to take Martin with a heavy pinch of salt, remember he called Sonic Temple by the Cult a "perfect album".
I was incredibly bored by it except for the 2 people tend to mention.
Could someone please tell me how this one ended? I blacked out when Martin said “Powerslave” and regained consciousness well after it was over.
I'm a simple man, I see Sea of Tranquility drops a new video I watch and like 👍
Makes my drives to work way more entertaining!
I often agree with Martin, but criticizing Powerslave, an absolute metal classic, is a bridge too far. Here's where the wheels fall off the Popoff bandwagon.
If anything it took the sound of it’s predecessor, perfected it, and then used it to make longer and epic tracks
L.A. Woman's original release is one of the classic die cut sleeves. I think this album and Morrison Hotel show that the Doors had plenty of fuel still in the tank with shifting sounds
Yeah I have to disagree with Martin on this one - every Doors album had Morrison problems after the first one or two - but even those had seriously problematic issues going on in the band during recording. LA Woman to me is one of their best. I like the slow blues stuff, it's a nice relief from the other material.
It's one of the great L.A. albums and captures the disillusion and cultural doubt of the post-hippy era. The Doors never made a bad album.
L. A. Woman is a desert island record for me. Jim was running on fumes when it was finished. But he would have recharged had he survived Paris, Robbie and Ray were emerging as creative forces, too. The next record would have been mighty interesting.
I get that Jim Morrison was in a bad state and the recording of "L.A. Woman" wasn't 100 % for the band. I think the material is very solid though. I would say that L.A. Woman is one of the better The Doors albums. So behind the scenes Martin is correct but the music is still very good.
Really enjoy you and Popoff together. The amount of insights & knowledge are not to be missed. Thank you
The real record when the wheels fell off for Maiden wa No Prayer for the Dying. Before that, they were just a band trying to stay original. Of course, Powerslave is similar to Piece of Mind, but when they tried a different sound with Somewhere in Time, a lot of people (critics included) didn't like it cause it didn't sound like the previous records, so...
I thought NPFTD was a very slight return to form....7th Son sucked righteously. Younger people dig it for whatever reason.
Yeah no prayer sucks
RJenson I completely jumped off the Maiden train after 7th son and the keyboards and Can I play with madness and all that. I stopped listening to them for like 15 years. Then I went on the forums in the early 2,000’s and was shocked to hear so many of the younger fans say it was their favorite album and the greatest thing they’ve ever done. That said I have come to appreciate the album years later but on my list of favorites of the band I’d rank it #7
@aquabot Judas!! No Prayer For The Dying was (still is) fkn awesome! So many great songs - Bring Your Daughter (to the slaughter), Holy Smoke, Tailgunner, Run Silent Run Deep, Mother Russia… the list goes on. Fk man, the whole album is an absolute gem. Janick Gers brought the fire on this one and Bruce’s vocals are top notch too.
@@augmentedhat16 I bought the cassette when it came out, I really liked the album then, still really like lots of stuff on it now, for sure! It doesn't deserve the hate it gets.
Powerslave? No way, José! Still a really solid album from a band firing on all cylinders, IMO. Even more solid than Piece of Mind, I'd say. While it does have its less-than-classic moments, I've always felt it stands above POM by the merit of lacking any serious duds (e.g. Quest for Fire... ugh).
For me, the album where Maiden's output started to dip in quality in a really noticable manner is No Prayer For The Dying. Adrian's gone, Bruce has already released his solo debut and doesn't seem 100% into Maiden anymore, the production's significantly rougher (albeit intentionally, and can't fault the band for wanting to get back to their roots after a couple of more slicker produced albums), and the songwriting's nowhere near as consistent as before.
Agree, the first seven IM albums are stellar. I was rather disappointed in NPTHD when I bought it in 1990. Liked the two beginning tracks, but then it dives from there. Did make a comeback with Brave New World.
Quest For Fire, and Gangland are my favorite Iron Maiden songs. Invaders is a close third. Love the Vocals on both Invaders and Quest For Fire. I think Iron Maiden should have included those 3 songs in every live set . They blow away goofy singalong songs like Run To the Hills ( what garbage) , and the boring Trooper
Agreed. Powerslave is fantastic! So many great songs on it.
Agree, and even if it does settle into a sound (which is very debatable because Somewhere in Time and Seventh Son sound very different) that doesn't mean the wheels have fallen off the band. It's a classic!
For me it's 7th Son: guitar synths, more twee long-winded story telling songs.
Pete and Martin work so well together, they produce so much video I sometimes take for granted what we have here with these two. God bless all 🙏 (Except Poweslave, thats top tier)
I mostly agree but gotta say I love Powerslave
We all love Powerslave!
Yeah, Powerslave was an odd one to include here. To me it TOPS what they were doing on Piece of Mind...
Yes, nothing whatsoever came off by Powerslave. Also prefer the production to Piece of Mind.
Stuff did happen by No Prayer tho...
@Fritha71 It could be the pinnacle of that era (89-85) actually.
Wheels falling off with Powerslave?! Dead wrong there, Martin. Who cares if they found "their" sound and stuck with it? It's a winning formula.
And somewhere in time , seventh son don’t sound like Powerslave
@@megaduck7965 exactly!
Martin says some stuff that’s pretty whack sometimes.
Martin, you’re out of your fucking tree on Iron Maiden Powerslave! That’s a great fucking album
Pete, I have never stopped listening to WIN LOSE OR DRAW since it came out. It probably hasn't got the appeal of earlier Allmans albums, but I still love. The playing is great. The instrumental, 'High Falls' is one of my favourite instrumentals of all time.
I love Revolution By Night and Club Ninja!
Powerslave is their finest hour, Its beyond nonsensical to claim it fits into this category even if its not someone's personal favourite.
Strangely enough I absolutely love "Muscle of Love"! Surprised no mention of either Stormbringer or Battle Rages On by Deep Purple
Deep Purple were my favorite band until Stormbringer. I stopped listening to them for 40 years.
I like Muscle of Love better than Schools Out, it's really a good album not sure why people don't regard it higher. But, yes the wheels were falling off in terms of the band itself
When it comes to Alice Cooper, I tend to prefer all his/their underrated albums to the bigger hit albums i.e. loving Muscle of Love and the 'blackout' albums, disliking Trash, etc.
Both of the Purple albums you mentioned were the result of an unhappy Blackmore . Personally I liked a lot of Stormbringer but i agree it’s a weak follow up to Burn
I'm a huge DP fan, and maybe weird because I much prefer Stormbringer over Burn. Then Bolin comes in to replace Ritchie on CTTB, also very strong imo. For Purple the wheels literally came off on that ill-fated Asian tour ('76?), then of course Bolin OD's and that's that.
Respectfully, I can't disagree more with Martin about Powerslave. If anything it's Iron Maiden at their peak; firing on all cylinders. No Prayer For The Dying is where the wheels start to fall off.
I resemble that remark😁
Kansas-Audio Visions
Relentless, Hold On, Loner, Curtain of Iron, Got to Rock On, No One Together, Don't Open Your Eyes and Back Door are all strong songs.
BOC - either Mirrors (1979! - when they made a pop album) or Revolution by Night (when Albert Bouchard and Sandy Pearlman were gone)
Genesis - And Then There Were Three
Black Sabbath - Technical Ecstasy
Mirrors is an absolutely stunning album, it is my pick for BOC’s most well-aged release-immediate, rocking, tuneful, and the title track I’d drop-dead excellent!
This episode is where the wheels fell off of the Funhouse! Powerslave is equated with Revolution by Night and Kilroy was Here? What?! Powerslave is the best Iron Maiden album, in my opinion, and I think a lot of people agree. You guys weren't very consistent with your topic and I think that is the problem here. Sometimes you talk about "cracks" and other times you talk about the "wheels coming off". I think consistency would have help - more pre-planning. On another note, Martin continues say "everybody hates" songs that I love. I think Got the Time is a great song by Anthrax. I love Point of Entry by Priest and think the poppy songs on Turbo are good.
Point of entry was not well liked by most so you have to understand that perspective. (Turbo was a hard split where a lot of die hards like myself weren’t happy with it)
Really in agreement with you on Anthrax and Maiden. Anyway you cut it, good music that’s liked by most.
I mirror all that you said with one huge exception,that Turbo album really lagged, with watered down, rudimentary riffs and boring chord changes, it was obviously geared for mass audience and sales. The song Parental Guidance caused me to feel great embarrassment for the band, the mighty Priest playing music for eighth graders. Priest sure as hell recovered, though, with Redeemer Of Souls and Firepower kicking all kinds of ass! Their new tune also sounds amazeballs! Can't wait for new album.
I agree, this was a confusing episode. Especially the Maiden pick. I guess he said that because “the ideas are running thin” or something. If you read right in the notes on the album it says right there that Powerslave was basically the record that made them famous around the world. The LA Woman pick I can understand more because that was the last of the classic period where it really did break apart after that, still a great album though.
My daughter just asked me if I was watching those crazy videos again where old men show each other CDs. Yep, I do, dear.
😆
L.A. Woman is a masterpiece.
100% Start to finish.
I disagree with Martin’s assessment of L A Woman. Yes, the wheels were coming off with internal band friction and the downward spiral of Jim’s demons, but the songs described as “very boring” are very good as far as I can tell. I rank it just behind the debut which is my favorite.
My favorite Doors song is Riders on the Storm from that album.
Yes, it's a great album, also there's nothing wrong with playing the blues!
Great bands with albatross members would be a good topic for discussion.
Yes!!!
That's a badass jam by Corrosion Of Conformity. Fly on...
"albatross members" - literally Fleetwood Mac (Kirwan/Spencer/Green)😎
@@wolf1977 Albatross is probably the last great instrumentals of the 60s. But, I meant bands that had some weak links either lacking musicianship.or a personality that caused problems in the band.
@@scottmcgregor4829 I know, I was being funny...😎
Could not disagree more with Popoff about Doors/LA Woman. Excellent album, all the way through. Not a weak song on it. And nothing wrong with the cover. I still have my original pressing, with the rounded corners. Plus, the recording quality is excellent. Riders on the Storm has become an audiophile demo favorite.
Yup. Cool topic. Bad selections!
Kiss - Dynasty. I personally like the album, but they tried to regroup after the solo projects, Peter Criss only plays on one song (signaling that he may be on his way out), their attempt at touching on disco a bit and their tours under selling in the States. Peter leaves soon after and Ace two albums later.
Love Dynasty!! And Unmasked.
ALIVE 2 side 4 only 1 Ace appearance and a worst remake, too.
As much as I like Dynasy, the wheels came off for sure here there's like a vast universe between Love Gun and this album.
Agree with most but I have to say Wishbone 4 is one of my favorites from that band! It has my favorite Wishbone Ash song " No Easy Road" , I love all their albums and finally got to see them right after the 'Elegant Stealth" album, but I love Wishbone 4.
Also love " Who Do We Think We Are" ,
Wow, starts with my fav Alice Cooper album as a wheels fall off album. Just shows we all have different tastes.
Hmm i wonder if my fav Yes album Tormato will be coming, lets see ha ha.
No chance, even though Anderson and Wakeman both left. Martin likes Tormato, and Pete is a huge Yes fan. Another wheels-off moment was Yes' Union, a disastrous hodgepodge hybrid of ABWH with Yes West. As for ELP's Works 1 and 2, it was a marketing decision, IMO. Yes' solo efforts in the mid 70s following Relayer were not really commercial successes, and I imagine the suits at Atlantic believed that if they released it all under the ELP banner, it would sell more records. Like Martin said, though, it really was an Ummagumma-type deal where none of the pieces fit. If they did both Works with just the band material (along with Lake's C'est la Vie), it might have been considered a stronger effort. The albums still sold well, but the quality suffered, and then the wheels came off with Love Beach, which was clearly a contractual obligation...
Martin, were you worried when "Master of Puppets" came out? That's way more of a copy of "Ride the Lightning" than "Powerslave" is of "Piece of Mind."
Exactly what I though. "They're repeating themselves," and when Somwhere in Time came out, it was all "ho, they don't sound the same, I don't understand why they do something different!".
Well said buddy👌👌😊
Humble Pie - Thunderbox. You could make a case for the previous album (Eat It) but the rock star excesses have taken their toll by T-box. A bunch of cover tunes which shows Steve didn't have much inspiration for writing new material. But I'm a huge Pie fan so I still listen to it along with the even further "wheels off" album that followed, Street Rats....
Powerslave? Classic album. The wheels started to come off quite a few albums later.
Love this one! Although I am not sure I would put Powerslaveon there though. I think there are so many of these you could do Part 2 at least. I actually thought of a bunch more::
Aerosmith: Draw the Line
Bad Company: Rough Diamonds
Metallica: Metallica (Black Album)
AC/DC: Fly on the Wall
Black Sabbath: Technical Ecstasy
Led Zeppelin: Presence
Ratt: Dancing Undercover
Alice In Chains: Self Titled (Tripod)
ZZ Top: Eliminator
Deep Purple: stormbringer
Def Leppard:Adrenalize
The Eagles: The Long Run
I think they said that Powerslave is more of a 'the band hits on a formula and goes with it'
Agree with most of your picks, now don't get me wrong I listen to Metallica's 80's thrash albums a lot and albums 2, 3 +4 are my faves, but as a 90s kid I feel like the wheels come off after S&M.
Some may disagree and that's fair enough but I want to see the band make 3Load for the next album!))
@@nickvickers3486 that’s a pretty bold statement because those albums have really historically divided the fan base. However I completely understand how people jump in at one phase of a band’s career, and have a particular affinity for that era. I’m the same with someone like Judas Priest. I came in around SFV, so that will always rank high for me, but now I prefer the albums from SFV backwards.
Kansas: Drastic Measures 1983
Violinist Robby Steinhardt had left the band(after singer/keyboardist Steve Walsh had left the band an album earlier), and primary songwriter Kerry Livgren only wrote three of the nine songs, leaving the bulk of the songwriting to John Elefante(who had replaced Walsh). The album sounds more like Foreigner-lite than Kansas, the band broke up afterwards. Livgren and bassist Dave Hope went on to form the Christian rock band AD, which Livgren had wrote a bunch of songs for instead of Kansas(see Livgren's autobiography Seeds Of Change for details) Kansas did reform, but without Livgren(save the 2000 album Somewhere To Elsewhere), and were never the same. Thanks to Pete for citing Audio-Visions
Supertramp: Free As A Bird, 1987
Instead of building on the success of the Brother Where You Bound album(a mix of prog, jazz-rock, prog-pop), this album is a mishmash of dance music/synth pop/Kenny G smooth jazz. utter crap, and Supertramp didn't release an album until the mid 1990s, but, they never matched their 1970-mid1980s success. The same could be said for Supertramp member Roger Hodgson, his solo career stalled after his successful debut album
I love Drastic Measures
Me too, I'd say their wheels had fallen off long before this came out it's almost a pop album compared to their earlier releases.
I agree for Alice and Styx notably. But I strongly disagree with the Maiden take, even with the fomula argument. The album when they really derail for the 1st time and in a bad way is No Prayer for the Dying. To me that's where the formula aspect really started and the song quality took a drop for a few albums after
I second your opinion about Powerslave. Is it sonically similar to Piece of Mind? Yes. But it's also better than POM, in my opinion. Further, their sound made a large shift again with Somewhere in Time, and AGAIN with Seventh Son. The dumbing down of No Prayer is indeed the big dropoff.
I concur
Fellows, L A Woman is a magnificent recording. Please give it another listen.
I love Muscle Of Love, much underrated.
Powerslave? Really? You're still too focused on your autographs Martin. Try listening to the record instead of the puppy love.
POWERSLAVE?!?!?!?! That isn't even a difference of opinion, it's simple ignorance. Powerslave is not only Maiden's zenith, it's one of the very best metal albums ever made. A masterpiece. No Prayer is clearly where the wheels fell off. Martin really doesn't know what he's talking about.
I kind of get it, the long songs really took off here and I'm not a fan of those I only like two songs here anyway, the first two so personally I think it's a bit overrated I've always been surprised it did so well in the US at the time, considering the now longer song material.
@@LarryFleetwood8675 Except for Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the songs are shorter than those on Piece of Mind , so I'm not sure of your point here.
@@NelsonMontana1234 It's twice as long as most songs, their thing for really long tunes took shape here...
@@LarryFleetwood8675 It's ONE song that goes through many changes. It's not like they're jamming for five minutes. Every other song is not longer than their past work.
Yeah. Not personally liking an album is one thing. That's on the listener. But saying that the album is showing cracks in the band or that the wheels are starting to come off is a somewhat objective statement and it just isn't true about Powerslave. I just watched an old interview with Bruce from 1985 where he stated himself that Powerslave was the result of a band that worked really well together, the line-up was settled, Nicko had become a well-fitted member by then and that's why the album was so great. In no way, shape or form was even a screw from any wheel missing at that point... It's the band at the height of their powers when all things are considered. This album probably figures in most fans' top five and for many it's in the top three.
Good show, Pete & Martin. 🤘🏼🎶
I think Martin is trolling Pete by mentioning London Calling
Really enjoyed the show 👏🥂. If u ever get stuck for topics “bands that should have retired sooner” might work…..
We pretty much just did that on the UK Connection.
My first concert was Heart on their Private Audition tour. John Cougar opened up promoting his first album.
Saw that tour at the Concord Pavillion in northern California😎👍
The Replacements and Wishbone Ash two of my all time favourite bands. To the fair all the bands discussed I like a lot of of their material. Sailing To America is a brilliant track by Saxon
Watching this for the first time. Persistence of time is my favourite Joey era Anthrax album.
I've listend to the whole Works double album just yesterday :-))) I really love it. To me was the right decision not to repeat themselves. I love the concerto, the 5 Lake songs are sublime, much more orchestrated and better written than the great From the beginning, Lucky man or Still you turn me on. More mature. Palmer side is fun. And the last side is perfection. Orchestral ELP, right.
Was kinda shocked by "Powerslave". That was a solid effort.
What about bands who had their record companies change the direction of sound of the band? Example , Krokus. Headhunter was their best album, but record company didn't think it was a commercial success and they changed for the worst
Boy did they .😊😊
Powerslave? One thing I really respect about Martin is he isn't afraid to express an unpopular opinion. I may not always agree with him, but he always states his case very well.
Barlow wasn't sacked from Tull, he was planning to leave anyway, being depressed after Glascock's death. John Evan and David Palmer were let go because of the label's demand that "A" be released as a JT album, but it's not like they were "sacked" by Anderson who I understand fully intended to keep them in JT after his solo escapade. As for Glascock, he died during the "Stormwatch" tour, having already been replaced by Dave Pegg.
STORMWATCH is my favorite Jethro Tull lp PERIOD.
Got four.
-Ozzy Osbourne "No More Tears" His last album of any consistent quality, what little I've heard after that doesn't seem inspired or is too experimental.
-Jackson Browne "Hold Out" This is the last in a string of really personal albums with a specific point of view. After that he got much less emotional and a lot more political and while there's nothing wrong with that, the '80's albums and '90's albums aren't auteur material like his '70's output was.
Neil Young "Rust Never Sleeps" This one is the summation of everything great about Crazy Horse and the heavier material. Another one of those artists who has admitted to being restless and not sure what he wanted to do in the '80's like Pete mentions a lot and also a lot like my previous entry. Neil didn't return to form until "Freedom" IMHO.
Black Crowes "Lions" (Anyone who's never read Steve Gorman's book totally should, BTW.) This is the band's final album before a long hiatus after which point it's essentially the brothers and their sidemen. It's like they crashed after the high of spending a year with Jimmy Page; they put this together hastily and to be honest, it shows.
L.A.Woman was an awesome album wtf?
I agree, an odd choice there.
No is saying the album isn't good...but the wheels did indeed fall off right after that album. Jim was distracted, strung out, there's less synergy with the writing, and then Jim is dead. Wheels have come off. Really good album though.
Honored by the response , I get where you're coming from but I think it's a classic imop,shame it couldn't continue on! RIP Jim he truly was a genius!
Best album from the Doors in my opinion. I guess i m not a die hard doors fan.
@@seaoftranquilityprog Sorry but wheels not in trouble until after Jim dies, this arguably doors' greatest. Even blues trio are interesting while the others are classic. Don't judge it on cover and producer leaving!
1st of 2 comments. Iron Maiden, on a pure music sense (and I realize this is just opinion); it felt like No Prayer for the Dying was wheels falling off the IM wagon. Power Slave was BAU, Somewhere and Seven Son felt like a going with the times transition and I was fully on board with that. But as soon as I heard Tail-gunner … 😬, I did not dig it. It sounded like a poor attempt at Aces High or Where Eagles Dare. The effort was so pedestrian and I only really liked Running Silent from that.
Good call with "Revolution By Night" = felt the same way back in day and sort of kissed BOC goodbye. I would grab "Imaginos" a few years later and was not sure if they were on the improve or not but it was good enough to spin many times and get familiar with songs. Just thankful that they would keep touring for decades after that in smaller venues or wtvr.
BOC + Albert = inspirational greatness
BOC - Albert = generic rock
Persistence of Time is amazing to me, second favorite album from them.
Agreed it's amazing. It's my #1 Anthrax album. Definitely the darkest and most serious album of the Belladonna era. Time, Blood, Keep It In The Family, In My World, Belly Of The Beast... A lot of great songs on that album.
Yes. I also like the first album with Bush, but that is also the only one I like with him.
I was disappointed to hear that Pete hadn’t been listening to or appreciating Worship Music and For All Kings. Good stuff and did well critically
One Man Stands has one of their best choruses in my opinion.
@@gregdavidson4374 Agreed. Both are good albums imo. I was really surprised how good Worship Music was considering the circumstances (changing singers from Dan Nelson to Joey Belladonna after the album was fully recorded and having to redo the album with Joey). Pete should give them a listen sometime.
Lone Justice: first self titled album in 1985 very cowpunk, rockabilly, roots rock then some band member changes and their 1986 album "Shelter" much more synth pop/rock and then band disbanded and Maria McKee went solo.
Yes! Lone Justice was totally BUZZING just before and after that 1 st record!
Its an exceptional album with nothing but promise for the future and the whirling dervish that was Maria McKee!
Shelter is a wonderful song but the record was mediocre and Iovine *destroyed* their sound.
And then it was over.
Maria's first couple solo efforts had some GREAT songs but lacked cohesion and after that they became more 'cohesive' but not in a good way.
All that lilting, joyous beauty became jagged and abrasive.
Goddam shame.
Red Rockers could be e good example.😀❤️🎼
3:17 yes, because the total playing time allowed two albums to fit on one CD, they made these strange combination of bootleg releases. There is also one with the Elf debut album and Dio's "Angry Machines". I think these are both great albums, but they could not be more different in style 🙂
I liked the concept of this episode. It was cool! Here are my three picks that come to mind:
1. AC/DC's 'For Those About to Rock We Salute You' (1981) - First of all, it was hard to top 'Back in Black' (1980). As much as I love 'For Those About to Rock,' the whole album really does sound like a copycat of 'Back in Black.' The band was also getting fed up with Mutt Lange because he was a perfectionist. The production for this album is too slick The U.S. version of 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap' (1976) was also released the same year, which killed the momentum for 'For Those About to Rock.' Then, it just went downhill from there.
2. The Black Crowes' 'Three Snakes and One Charm' (1996) - Steve Gorman mentioned in his book that Johnny Colt hardly played on the album, which wasn't Colt's fault. Rich Robinson did most of the bass parts. Marc Ford was a mess going forward and the songs, as great as they are, don't have the same effect as the previous album, 'Amorica.'
3. Queen's 'Hot Space' (1982) - A similar argument can be made for 'The Game' (1980), as well. After the success of "Another One Bites the Dust," the band incorporated more disco and funk elements into their music, which Roger Taylor and Brian May hated. There was a slight rift in the band because Taylor and May didn't like Paul Prenter's influence on Freddie Mercury. 'Hot Space' is one of those albums where people absolutely hate it or absolutely love it.
@lateramae Agree on Hot Space. I do like The Game a lot. Dragon Attack and Rock It are hidden gems. The Hot Space album started a lot of bad habits. Too many drum machines. Songs sound like solo songs from each member. Not enough guitar. Too synthetic overall. The Hot Space songs sound much better live, way more organic. Really like both Roger Taylor songs, though.
@@docsamson198 Oh yeah, the 'Hot Space' songs sound way better live! The album itself, you can tell that Roger and Brian were not having it. Like you, I enjoy 'The Game,' especially the tracks you mentioned. 'Hot Space' not as much.
Yes for those about to rock has no songs equal to back in black except the title song. It is better though than the rest of their 80’s albums.
Powerslave was the pinnacle of the Bruce Dickinson years.
I really love the way Martin brings in newer stuff like the Clash,, I have to say Sandanista is my fav most expansive Clash album.. Then again I love Lee Scratch Perry!.. (and Motorhead! )
"newer stuff:" LOL Sandinista was released in the same year as Back In Black, Ace of Spades, British Steel, Permanent Waves and the debut albums from Def Leppard and Iron Maiden.
That's so funny! Only "newer" in response to late 60s and early 70s.. 1980.. my formative rock year! And yes I still own the albums you mention too! @@Charles-qn1bt
You can add in Montrose the second album. Journey last Steve Perry Album. Aerosmith album before Joe Perry left.
I would say Voivod's Angel Rat, Blacky would leave the band after recording that was the end of the classic line up, although I like the album quite a bit!
Powerslave is my all time favorite Maiden album.
❤Powerslave!!!
In regard to the Doors, I think that its more a case of the wheels falling off with the benefit of hindsight rather than at the time. Morrison was in emotional free-fall (possibly due to the Florida trial and guilty verdict) but the album is still a classic in my opinion. Works Volume One was a very disappointing listen back then. It became evident fairly quickly that ELP had lost their mojo after 'Brain Salad Surgery'. They appropriated a histrionic "showman" style and forgot their earlier progressive incarnation completely. A great show, gents.
A couple of mentions for wheels falling off. Firstly, Celtic Frost with Cold Lake. An album so bad they never rereleased it. Saw them on that tour as well awful. What a shame. Quite surprised you didn't mention Black Sabbath Technical Ecstacy, an example of where the wheels start to come off which they properly do on Never Say Die! Good show guys.
Hey man, I hear ya, but if you are unfamiliar with Martin, HE LOVES TECHNICAL ECSTASY! LOL Calls it the best produced Sabbath album. If it wasn't so hilarious it would almost enrage me. Cheers.
I love the Clash and I completely agree about Sandanista!. Should have been another double album.
I love LA Woman :)
And so do I….not the point of the episode.
i know, of all the albums you talked about in this video , that was the one I lked the best, even though we know Jim was going downhill. cheers Pete .@@seaoftranquilityprog
BTO - Freeways (slick album cover). The Flower Kings - Rainmaker (tired). Beatles - White Album (great album with little cohesion). Yes - Tormato (some good material but an absence of weightiness).
I love 🍅!
Always nice to see the Replacements get some coverage, even though it's about their decline. I never thought Don't Tell A Soul was a bad album, but it always sounded way over produced and yes, the earlier albums were definitely better. Martin, have you heard the remix on the Dead Man's Pop box set? It's a huge improvement over the original.
Paul Westerberg is a musical genius. No bad albums from The Replacements! Paul and Tommys solo albums kick ass, as well!
I love Return to fantasy a lot. Actually it was their best seller in UK by far (#7), it did not sell that much in USA but better than the inconsistent Wonderworld. Reaturn to fantasy, Beautiful Dream, A year or a day are absolute classics to me.
Supertramp's Famous Last Words.......not a bad album, but not as great as previous. Roger and Rick were bumping heads and having a rough time, wanting different things. Roger left after. It did garner the hit "It's Raining again".
❤it's 🌧 again
It's not often I gasp at one of your picks, but I did gasp when you selected one of the greatest albums of all time as something of a catastrophe. 'L.A.Woman'?
I cannot speak for the universe here, but, at the time, everybody I knew regarded this album as making The Doors almost unreachable, as 'Sgt. Pepper' did for The Beatles.
Every single song on the album is a classic, as The Doors songs tended to be, then the prog classics 'L.A.Woman' and 'Riders on the storm' on top!
Guys, re-edit the show, pretend you never even thought such a crazy thing, deny, deny, deny, sue anybody who even suggests that you thought this album was anything other than unadulterated genius.
OK, I have now erased this hideous lapse from my memory and I'll carry on watching your shows as if nothing ever happened.
It’s a masterpiece. This was a head scratcher.
I think folks are getting hung up on an idea that we think these are all bad albums…if you listen carefully, we are talking about lots of scenarios and factors happening with these bands at the time of these albums…it’s not that we necessarily think these albums suck, but that changes happened here and the wheels fell off.
Well, the steering wheel did indeed fall off this mortal coil shortly afterward, but there is nothing indicative of this on the album.
And I do remember taking shots at several of the songs on it, calling them boring blues etc. Can't agree with any of that; but, there again, we can't agree on everything. I must have watched about 50 of your shows by now and routinely watch every new one. They are great fun, even for someone like me who isn't much into heavy metal.
It's stupid to say the wheels fall off on a great album@@seaoftranquilityprog
JP, I agree with that. I was tempted to say Turbo, but no, they were psyched about that.
But after Turbo, the next thing I heard was the awful Jonny be good. So two albums after my favorite(Defenders) I didn't even check out Ram it Down. Then i was away at college, getting a tattoo, when I heard Painkiller and was blown away. That made me go back to check out Ram. It's better than I expected, but has a kind of robotic, sterile feel.
Priest has so many ebbs and flows that maybe it's hard to call a point of the wheels falling off. Point of entry and Ram some low points followed by great ones.
I ❤️ Powerslave
If "wheels falling off" means making your best album and becoming the biggest metal band on the planet then I agree about powerslave 😂
Martin Popoff is going senile, I think... Laughable that he said "Powerslave". The World Slavery Tour and the "Live After Death" album in 1985 was Iron Maiden's absolute PEAK as a band. Popoff even mentioned AC/DC's "Fly On The Wall"... A platinum album, which was followed by "Blow Up Your Video", another platinum album... which was followed by "The Razor's Edge", a 5 x Platinum album.... On what planet is that a case of the "wheels falling off" a band ??? AC/DC is a rock and roll train... They may have slowed down, but the wheels have never fallen off... Not even when Malcolm Young died, nor when Brian Johnston opted out of a tour because of hearing loss.
@@Charles-qn1bt I don’t know enough about Maiden but even I know Powerslave is highly regarded. It does seem an odd choice to say “the wheels are falling off.” Seems like he chose it to just get his idea across of them settling into a sound and not really changing it. That’s most bands, they settle into their chosen preferred sound and style and then they do reiterations of it. Wasn’t Fear of the dark when the whole thing started going bad with the first Dickenson era? That would seem the more logical argument to me.
@@AndI0td763 I was a Maiden fanatic after hearing "Run to the Hills" when I was 12 years old. I wore out my copy of "Number of the Beast". Classic album. I bought all their back catalog: the first 2 albums with Paul Di'anno on vocals, plus the live EP Maiden Japan and the Sanctuary 12" single.
I also loved "Piece Of Mind" when that came out in 1983 with the amazing cover art. Maiden was my favourite metal band.
I was completely blown away when I first heard "Powerslave". That album was the culmination of everything they had been striving for to that point. Awesome album.
The live shows were perfectly captured by "Live After Death"... fantastic live recordings...Then they released "Somewhere In Time" with all the guitar-synth effects.... and I was HUGELY disappointed.
They had changed. They had lost their edge. If I listen to it now, it isn't that bad, I suppose... But at the time, they lost me with that album. They lost me and so many others. That's when the Maiden wheels fell off, I think. They forgot they were a metal band. They softened their sound and lost their vitality.
I quickly turned my attention to thrash metal bands like Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax/SOD, Celtic Frost, Destruction, Kreator, Bathory, Possessed, Dark Angel, etc... Maiden became irrelevant to me - a cartoonish nostalgia band from my childhood, like KISS, Dio, Motley Crue, Ozzy and Van Halen.
I still like their old stuff, but I've haven't really liked anything they've done since 1986. I can never be bothered immersing myself in any of their albums they've released since then. I get bored after one or two songs.
Revisit Anthrax, Pete!! Benante's drumming alone is worth the price of admission, LOL.
The first one to come to mind is Aerosmith - "Draw The Line". It`s not a bad album and it`s got a couple really great songs on it, but not up to the quality of what came before. After this one it was a downhill slide.
@@davidmitchell6873 With "Night In The Ruts" they still had some gas in the tank.
After Night in the Ruts Aerosmith brought in outside writers and we had SHITE like..Crying,Amazing,
Love in an Elevator,Don't wanna miss a Thing...That NOT Aerosmith, That's Aerosmith playing A.M radio friendly hits for the masses written by record company outside writers...RIP Aerosmith 1987
@@perrysar5954 Exactly, they sold out to mass appeal.
@jeffreyrobinson9120 How can you go from 'Back in the Saddle'to 'I don't wanna miss a Thing'???... it so blatantly obvious that it was written by a record company outside writer.
Good choice, though if we knew what was coming from them in the 90s and beyond, we would've embraced that album tightly as the last one that really had that raw sleaziness that defined the band.
I probably wouldn’t have selected Doors / LA Woman but would’ve picked something from one of Cheap Trick’s dry spells.
I have always loved Kiss Alive III awesome live album.
Somewhere in Time is definitely where I started to lose interest in Maiden
Anthrax's Worship Music album is phenomenal!!!
Absolutely
Loved this episode, and controversial picks are fun to see. I definitely disagree with Iron Maiden. Powerslave and Somewhere in Time sound totally different to me. I really don’t think they started to repeat themselves until the 90s
Unbelievably i mentioned "Win Lose or Draw" to a friend and Pete pick's it,and "Love Beach" mentions it too..😮😊
I agree with all of these picks, even if I do enjoy many of them. Another great video, guys. Thanks!
Interesting pick in Powerslave, saying they settled on a sound. It is the first lp where the lineup is the same as on the previous lp.
I think a great example of this - to mirror Saxon's situation - on the opposite side of the pond - Y&T, love the two Seventies albums and the first 3 A&M LPs - 'In Rock We Trust', again not a terrible album but having them fully embrace hair metal, really did them no big favors
Love early Y&T, as for all those watered down, MTV ready later albums......love early Y&T! Meniketti is major talent - cranked Earthshaker album a few days ago - sported a big, shit eating grin for the length of the album, so good!
LA Woman is a return to form, that's crazy to think otherwise.
Great topic enjoyed the video
Queen: Hot Space. Nuff’ said.
2nd of 2 comments. Uriah Heep, Return to Fantasy (again IMO) was a really different album which I agree; however, I think it was a fantastic sample of their music and talents. Pete, you did not mention the final tune from that album Year and a Day which is my second favorite over Devils Daughter. I believe Wonderworld is the wheels wobbling, somewhat righted with Fantasy (IDK, maybe Wetton’s addition helped and full
Disclosure, I’m a huge Wetton fan) and falling off with High and Mighty. But as usual, a great discussion from from team “Fun House”
🤘😆🤘
Speaking of an album where the wheels fell off -- and you even mention it -- Cheap Trick's "All Shook Up" is near the top of my list. I'd also argue that the wheels were already off B.O.C. by Revolution by Night -- they started coming off in Fire of Unknown Origin (despite it being a great album). Albert Bouchard's alcoholism had become a problem so much so that he didn't make it through the subsequent tour, and the live album from that tour makes it plain there were a lot of problems.
Eagles' "The Long Run", I feel the band wasn't really the same after Randy Meisner left on their previous tour, I also feel Don Henley and Glenn Frey's greed was getting the better of them by that time period.
I agree about your ELO comments! Still good songs but I miss the heavy strings
Littles Creatures by Talking Heads, clear drop in terms of quality when compared with the first five albums.
i agree but at the same time i love the lp.
Speaking in Tongues was where the wheels started coming off, Little Creatures is when they came off completely.
@@neuroisis85 " naked " doesn't even count
@@neuroisis85 I love Speaking in Tongues but I see your point. Making Flippy Floppy is one of my favorite TH songs, but overall it definitely is way less experimental than Fear Of Music and Remain in light.
"Nothing But Flowers" is still a great song that just happens to be on a terrible album.
Jethro Tull was running on fumes in the eighties. Mind you I was in their corner. Here is my edit ... The Stones were running on fumes too. Everybody from Elton to Paul were running on fumes. So Tull was in good company.
I am so crazed that Pete picks Wishbone Four cuz thatz the first album that came to my mind when I heard this topic! I do love that album but it certainly was different from my fav at the time Argus... Shorter songs, less improv-awesome jamming... But today 40 years later I have come to appreciate what a fine album it really is! I really do love this album today ... but in 1981 I was so disappointed compared to their earlier efforts. I guess I was more into jams than well written songs. Now I'm getting old!~
Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s Live On.
Persistence of Time is amazing, probably their second best record. It’s definitely not the “jokey side of thrash”. Pete, you should really revisit that record. It’s dark and heavy as hell.
Sometimes the wheels fall of a music critic as well😝 But all in all, interesting discussion and cool topic. Some of these you got 100% right in my opinion, some I understand but respectfully disagree with and some choices show that these guys have been doing too much acid😜 But it is always fun to talk about music and great bands.👍🏻
The two Blaze albums from Iron Maiden
Have to disagree with the Maiden pick Powerslave was a lot different to Piece. You said yourselves it's looser faster harder than Piece it is basically a prototype for the classic metal sound wheras Piece felt like what it was a stepping stone between the Beast and Powerslave sounds. Next was Somewhere which was completely different if you cant tell the songwriting is worlds apart from Powerslave sound you need your ears checked. Seventh was similar to Somewhere in style but took the lighter synth approach and dialled it back a lot making it quite different. lastly you don't need to be a guitarist (although admittedly i am one) to tell Adrian and Dave apart their solos are massively different.
Piece of mind again......yes...and it's great!