Artists you've disowned

[murlough23]

I thought this might be a fun thread. List the artists (and reasons, if you wish) that you used to really enjoy, but who you haven't really been into lately, either because their current stuff isn't as good, or because your tastes have changed and you don't even like the stuff of their that you used to like any more.

Here's my list. I'm usually fairly loyal in terms of giving artists a chance to recover from bad albums, so you have to put out something really horrible, or do something else rather unpleasant, for me to lose all interest in hearing anything from you in the future. These are generally artists who have out two or more bad albums in a row, or otherwise shown that they don't have the promise that they once had, and aren't likely to get the magic back any time soon. In msot cases, I still like the old stuff that I used to like, but there are a few where I question why I ever got into the artist in the first place.

Al Denson - One word: ALCATRAZ. I used to love that song.  

All Star United - First two albums were great. Third was a letdown. I'm not really curious to hear anything else from Ian Eskelin in any form past that.

Audio Adrenaline - They've been blah since Lift.

Avalon - They were a guilty pleasure up until Oxygen. Now, they're not even a pleasure.

Bleach - I'm not sure how I ever got into them in the first place. They only really had a few songs that ever held my interest. Space is their only album that I own, and I didn't listen to it much even when it was their current album.

Cake - I found them to be mildly amusing, but they're rapidly moving towards "irrelevant".

Carman - I probably don't even need to explain this one.

Ceili Rain - I enjoyed their Celtic influenced pop/rock for a while, but Erasers on Penciles had enough cheesy songs that I wasn't interested enough to check out any albums after that.

Christine Glass - Most everything she's done since she met Marc Byrd has been extremely bland.

Code of Ethics - Synthpop worship album... um, no thank you!

Crystal Lewis - She's done little other than make me yawn after Beauty for Ashes.

Dave Matthews Band - OK, I'll probably still check their next album out, but they seriously needed their heads checked after the catastrophe that was Stand Up.

Dido - She was at a crossroads - interesting, trip-hop-inflected pop, or bland pop. Guess which one she chose?

Erin O'Donnell - Couldn't get into anything of hers after her first album (which I still think is an excellent disc).

4Him - They were my favorite group for a short while, before Jars of Clay came along, and I still liked them for a few years after that. At some point after Obvious, I stopped caring.

Jaci Velasquez - She was fine doing the youthful pop thing, and I admired her forays into Latin music even if that wasn't really my thing. But her latest attempts to "grow up" on record have been largely unlistenable.

Jeremy Camp - He seemed promising at first. Then I realized his music had very little personality.

Lifehouse - They're pretty boring now. Their sound was never super-exciting, but I thought their first two albums were strong despite that.

Lisa Bevill - She was like, one of my favorites in high school. Once she dropped the urban influence, she was boring.

Michael W. Smith - I haven't gotten into an album of his since Freedom.

Newsboys - Now that they're a dull worship band, I'm no longer interested.

NewSong - I liked an album or two. Then their radio singles started to really irritate me, somewhere around Love Revolution.

Nine Days - They're a dime-a-dozen catchy pop-rock band. I liked 'em when they were on a label. But there was a reason why the stuff they worked on after that first album didn't ever get released.

Pam Thum - Got too mushy and girly for me. I still kinda like her first album.

Point of Grace - What was I thinking?

Scott Stapp/Alter Bridge - Despite all the bashing, I enjoyed Creed a reasonable amount. But all of the band's members have been notably less enjoyable on their post-Creed projects.

Smalltown Poets - I was never anything beyond marginally interested in their stuff, anyway, but I did buy an album or two at one point. Now, I just don't really care.

SonicFlood - Rick Heil continues to push various fake incarnations of the band upon us, but the Jeff Deyo version was the only one remotely worth listening to. Oh yeah, and Jeff Deyo's solo stuff ain't so hot either.

Supertones - Loud and Clear was their last worthwhile album.

Tait - Lose This Life was pretty dismal, and his stint opening for Building 429 doesn't seem promising. I'd be clamoring for a dc Talk reunion if I didn't think Toby and Kevin were doing fairly well on their own.

Tamplin - His self-titled kicked boo-tay. He kind of backed off after that. I never heard any of his stuff from before that, truth be told.

Tree63 - Another band I lost interest in a while back. We'll see if John Ellis's comments on the state of "worship music" cause anything to change next time around.

Vertical Horizon - Everything You Want was simple but solid. Go sucked. A band could really do a much better job after a four-year absence.

Artists formerly on this list who have made a comeback:

Caedmon's Call - Because Back Home and their worship album were dull, but Share the Well was amazing.

The Corrs - My interested has slowly been rekindled due to some decent songs on Borrowed Heaven and a return to their Irish roots on Home.

[Aaron]

Vertical Horizon - Everything You Want was simple but solid. Go sucked. A band could really do a much better job after a four-year absence.

 

Their first three albums were great.  Everything You Want was ok...everything since has sucked.

[Aaron]

Artists that I have blacklisted (sounds more fierce than disowned):


Newsboys
Third Day
Carman
Collective Soul
Vertical Horizon
Paul Wright
KJ-52
GRITS
Switchfoot
Creed
Rebecca St. James
P.O.D.



more to come

[Wildcatblue7]

Sheez, I could list just about everybody I listened to the first two and a half years of high school.

[Josh]

Hmmm... I wonder if there's anyone here who used to be really into FFH? Anybody?

[NinjaRob17]

I've pretty much given up on All Star United and Ian Eskelin. I'll give him/them one more chance...

Haven't bought anything by Audio Adrenaline after Lift, and I even regret buying that album.

ApologetiX. Enough said.

Dead Poetic's music, now that I look back at it, isn't that great.

Demon Hunter has disappointed me since their debut.

Everyday Sunday, because they weren't that great to begin with.

Five Iron Frenzy. Haha, just kidding.

Grits. Dichotomy A and B suck.

Even though (I think) they broke up, Justifide.

Same with Lucerin Blue.

KJ52. Sucked after Collaborations

I'm going to wait and see with the new Newsboys "rock" album, but their worship stuff = very no.

I don't like the new Norma Jean lead vocalist. He annoys the crap out of me.

I agree with Murlough about the Supertones.

I stopped caring about Paul Wright shortly after I got his E.P.

Staple is getting there reeeally quickly.

Switchfoot is also getting there, albeit in a slower fashion than Staple.

World Wide Message Tribe. Just....just no.

[worldofcm]

Hmmm... I wonder if there's anyone here who used to be really into FFH? Anybody?

I was wondering the exact same thing...

My list would include:

Crystal Lewis
Point of Grace
FFH
Third Day
Newsboys
Audio Adrenaline
Smalltown Poets
BeBe Winans

[murlough23]

Artists that I have blacklisted (sounds more fierce than disowned):


Newsboys
Third Day
Carman
Collective Soul
Vertical Horizon
Paul Wright
KJ-52
GRITS
Switchfoot
Creed
Rebecca St. James
P.O.D.



more to come

This implies that you liked all of those at some point.

[Brenden]

Hmmm... I wonder if there's anyone here who used to be really into FFH? Anybody?

*raises hand* I listened to them knowing that they really weren't anything special, that was before crappy music really got on my nerves.

I used to be really into Carman, I was young and foolish.

I once liked Newsboys, and still enjoy some songs, but not interested now.

Vanessa Carlton's first album was a nice pop album to relax to, nothing terribly deep, but it was mostly enjoyable, I never bothered to check out her second album, since I haven't listened to the one I have in months and she has apparently dropped off the radar entirely.

I used to really like Thousand Foot Krutch, I still enjoy a few songs as a bit of guilty pleasure, but as a whole, no.

There's a lot of youth group bands I used to love, but now I don't enjoy much at all (TobyMac, Audio A, 38th Parallel), same with some AC pop artists (SCC, MWS, RJS, Nicole C Mullen)

[AldaForPresident]

Hmmm... I wonder if there's anyone here who used to be really into FFH? Anybody?

Oh, why don't you (and Chris) go listen to some WoW CDs? That was two years. It was just two years.

I think it seemed longer to everyone who came in contact with me.

[plvarona]

Here are the ones I can remember off the top of my head.

Jeremy Camp: I liked his first album, but all his others have been major disappointments.

Third Day: The two bland worship albums, and the MercyMe album they put out last year were enough for my opinion on them to really sour.

Avalon: I'm with murlough in that they used to be a guilty pleasure of mine too.  However, everything after Oxygen has been unlistenable to me.

FFH: Okay, so I used to think their music was catchy.  That was before I listened closely to the lyrics and realized how stupid a lot of them were.

Jaci Velasquez: Really the only album of hers that I liked was Crystal Clear.

Newsboys: I never was a huge fan of theirs although I liked a few of their albums in the '90's.  However, the last album of theirs that I liked was Step Up to the Microphone.

Paul Colman (both trio and solo): I can enjoy his music...if I don't pay attention to the lyrics.

Out of Eden: I couldn't take them seriously after they put out that embarassment of a song known as "Soldiers."

Tree63: I liked The Life and Times of Absolute Truth but not much else.

Tait: Lose This Life.  'Nuff said.

Watermark: I'll admit to liking a few of theirs songs when they first started.  However, everything they've put out lately has bored me.

Cutting It Close (Artists That I am Very Close to Disowning - one more subpar album will do it.)
Michael W. Smith
Steven Curtis Chapman
Lifehouse
Smalltown Poets

[murlough23]

Out of Eden! Now there's one that I forgot about. Everything after No Turning Back, I haven't been able to warm up to.

Third Day and Steven Curtis Chapman are on notice. They haven't been disowned yet, but they're cutting it close.

[Aaron]

Artists that I have blacklisted (sounds more fierce than disowned):


Newsboys
Third Day
Carman
Collective Soul
Vertical Horizon
Paul Wright
KJ-52
GRITS
Switchfoot
Creed
Rebecca St. James
P.O.D.



more to come

This implies that you liked all of those at some point.

I disowned Carman once I turned 13.


KJ-52's first album (the one they re-released was good).  Then he sold out.


I still enjoy the Vertical Horizon pre-Everything You Want but they creatively suck now and will forever until they prove us wrong.  




 

[dgp11776]

Listed ones I agree with (i.e.; I used to like them but don't now).  However, that's not to say I've disowned their earlier albums:

Avalon - the last album I enjoyed was In a Different Light.
4HIM - the last album I enjoyed was Obvious, although (for obvious [heh] reasons, I like the Encore album).
Jeremy Camp - one and done.
Michael W. Smith - post-Freedom world has been rubbish.
Newsboys - I liked them up to, and including, Thrive.
Point of Grace - now I don't even like what I used to like...except for their Christmas albums.
Sonicflood - do they even count?
Tait - one and done.
FFH -  :embarass:  I still like part of their debut.   :embarass:
Paul Colman Trio - good live band, but pretty sappy on record.
Audio Adrenaline - great live band, but not that great after Lift.

Listed ones I disagree with:

Newsong - their live worship album was really, really nice.
Tree63 - I like all of their albums on some level.
Third Day - They haven't dipped into full-blown wretchedness yet.
GRITS - I guess I agree with Andree that the Dichotomy albums were actually pretty good.  "We Don't Play" was awesome.
Switchfoot - come on, now.
POD - I'm a big fan of Testify.
TobyMac - he's fun, but has pretty dumb lyrics.  Doesn't stop me from having a good time.
Paul Colman (soloist) - I thought his album was pretty decent.  "My Brother Jack" was shockingly good.
Jaci Velasquez - I haven't given up on her yet.  I thought her last album was a step in the right direction.

New ones to add:

Among Thorns - they had a good soph. album and then died.
Casting Crowns - my apologies to humanity itself for loving them at one point.
97.945% of Southern Gospel music, most notably Gold City - I used to be a massive Southern Gospel fan.  Now, I might enjoy three groups (Gaither Vocal Band, Signature Sound Quartet, and The Crabb Family) or so.
Jars of Clay - their debut album was their best, and I haven't liked them since.  CALM DOWN, I'm just joking!
Yellowcard - I liked them for awhile, but now I'm just not interested.

Close:

By the Tree - they've been 50/50 so far (first was good, second was bad, third was good, fourth was bad).
Coldplay - I'm not entirely sure why, but X&Y was quickly faded from my memory and playlist.

[Josh Powell]

Good thing you were joking about Jars.. that would've earned you a slap

I agree X&Y isn't Coldplay's stongest album.. but its no reason to dump them. Just listen to AROBTTH and Parachutes.

Josh

[Josh]

Good thing you were joking about Jars.. that would've earned you a slap

I agree X&Y isn't Coldplay's stongest album.. but its no reason to dump them. Just listen to AROBTTH and Parachutes.

Josh

...or listen to Arcade Fire's last album, or Elbow's, and discover that Coldplay really just isn't all that exciting.    

[dgp11776]

I agree X&Y isn't Coldplay's stongest album.. but its no reason to dump them. Just listen to AROBTTH and Parachutes.
 

Yeah, I still like AROBTTH...Parachutes is just okay to me, though.  But, I don't know...they're (the band, that is) kind of starting to annoy me.  They aren't as good as they think they are.

[murlough23]

Paul Colman Trio - good live band, but pretty sappy on record.

I thought they were pretty sappy live. Any band that is so desperate for crowd participation that they have to get everybody to do stupid hand motions like they're in Sunday School, and tries to intimidate non-enthused crowd members into participating by making fun of them from stage, is immediately going to end up on my blacklist.

That said, "Turn" was kinda catchy.

Newsong - their live worship album was really, really nice.

I haven't heard anything of theirs in a great long time, so my listing them was more due to my having grown out of my "try everything on the Benson records sampler my youth pastor gave me" than anything bad on their part. They seem good at what they do; it just isn't my thing.

Incidentally, I still own, and enjoy portions of, Michael O'Brien's two solo albums from before he joined NewSong.

Jaci Velasquez - I haven't given up on her yet. I thought her last album was a step in the right direction.

Theoretically it was, but just because you scrape off the gloss and sing like you just woke up doesn't make you an indie pop sensation. That album screamed "wannabe". At least when she was doing glossy pop, she was really good at it. (Unspoken notwithstanding.)

Jars of Clay - their debut album was their best, and I haven't liked them since. CALM DOWN, I'm just joking!

I knew some wise-ass was gonna say that sooner or later.

Coldplay - I'm not entirely sure why, but X&Y was quickly faded from my memory and playlist.

They have yet to come up with a consistently captivating album, but their highlights tend to usually be really good songs, so for the time being, I'm still a fan. They're gonna have one hell of a greatest hits collection, that's for sure.

Incidentally, I find it funny that Chris Martin's newborn son is named "Moses".

[Josh]

Incidentally, am I the only one here who thinks that Parachutes is far and away Coldplay's best record? Just wondering.

[ajyouthguy]

Incidentally, I still own, and enjoy portions of, Michael O'Brien's two solo albums from before he joined NewSong.



 

did you know he's no longer with them?  they said at the Little Rock Winter Jam date, the last of that tour, that it was his last show with them after 6 years i think or something like that.

[murlough23]

Incidentally, am I the only one here who thinks that Parachutes is far and away Coldplay's best record? Just wondering.

I would say it's barely their best record. For me they're all about the same level. I enjoy the sound of Parachutes the most, though. I miss the acoustic guitars on their later outings.

did you know he's no longer with them?

Nope, but in case you couldn't tell, I haven't exactly been keeping tabs on NewSong. (Or a lot of the old guard in CCM, truth be told, ever since I left CMC.)

[AldaForPresident]

Incidentally, am I the only one here who thinks that Parachutes is far and away Coldplay's best record? Just wondering.

No. I love that album. Rush of Blood is 50/50 for me; X&Y just sucks.

[dgp11776]

Incidentally, I still own, and enjoy portions of, Michael O'Brien's two solo albums from before he joined NewSong.



 

did you know he's no longer with them?  they said at the Little Rock Winter Jam date, the last of that tour, that it was his last show with them after 6 years i think or something like that.

'Tis news to me.  Shame - he was a good fit with them.  Even though they seem a little weak on record, they are something special in a live setting.  Their musicians are top-notch.  

I still like some of MO'B's solo work as well.

[Wildcatblue7]

Even though I could list about a hundred bands, I'll just talk about the biggies.

P.O.D.: I still don't know why, looking back, I loved these guys.  I'm so glad I'm not the stupid 14-year-old fangirl anymore.

Just about every band that was, is, or was in some way related to Solid State Records.  I can't believe how, frankly, retarded I was about the music I listened to just a few years ago.  What a jerky elitist about crappy music.  Most stuff with screaming just bores the heck out of me now.

Hmm.  There were a lot of bands, actually, that I haven't really disowned, but that I've drifted away from.  there's so many I wouldn't be able to remember all the names, actually.  That's kind of sad.

[murlough23]

Even though I could list about a hundred bands, I'll just talk about the biggies.

P.O.D.: I still don't know why, looking back, I loved these guys.  I'm so glad I'm not the stupid 14-year-old fangirl anymore.

Just about every band that was, is, or was in some way related to Solid State Records.  I can't believe how, frankly, retarded I was about the music I listened to just a few years ago.  What a jerky elitist about crappy music.  Most stuff with screaming just bores the heck out of me now.

Hmm.  There were a lot of bands, actually, that I haven't really disowned, but that I've drifted away from.  there's so many I wouldn't be able to remember all the names, actually.  That's kind of sad.

You better still like He Is Legend. Or else I'm gonna have to send my gardener to hunt you down and kill you.

[Wildcatblue7]

You better still like He Is Legend. Or else I'm gonna have to send my gardener to hunt you down and kill you.

Yeah, I still enjoy I Am Hollywood quite a bit.  They are, thankfully, the exception.  So quirky.  Do you know if they're working on a new album?  I haven't kept up with Solid State or Tooth and Nail news for quite some time now . . .

[Josh Powell]

Incidentally, am I the only one here who thinks that Parachutes is far and away Coldplay's best record? Just wondering.

I actually like all of their stuff, but I do beleive Parachutes is my favorite... the overall sound is good, and there are a bunch of strong songs. I would love for them to go back to a Parchutes-ish sound with any future records. X&Y was decent, but too synthy for me. They also seem a little less spoiled by the fame in Parachutes

Josh

[murlough23]

I actually like all of their stuff, but I do beleive Parachutes is my favorite... the overall sound is good, and there are a bunch of strong songs. I would love for them to go back to a Parchutes-ish sound with any future records. X&Y was decent, but too synthy for me. They also seem a little less spoiled by the fame in Parachutes

I don't want them to return to any one sound. Parachutes had the acoustic thing going for it, as well as the subtle electric guitar atmospherics; keep those. Rush made good use of repeated piano/guitar riffs on several songs, building them into something really dynamic; keep that. X&Y added a little bit of Brian Eno synthesizer sensibility; keep that. They need to stick to the more dynamic stuff that combines their more memorable instrumental attempts, and minimize the whole "we're trying to be deep by being simple" approach of the mostly boring latter half of X&Y (and some of Rush as well).

[murlough23]

Oh, and while we're on the Coldplay subject, here's something I read on Wikipedia today:

In an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Chris Martin hinted that Coldplay's next album may be a "fast, dark and heavy" affair "with no pianos."

That'd be awesome. I'd be interested to hear what happens when they abandon what to some is their sonic trademark, their standby method of jerking heartstrings.

There are speculations that the band will get to the studio soon to record new material. "We just love being creative," bassist Guy Berryman said. "When we're out on the road, it's amazing to play live but we're really missing what we do best, which is creating. We've been together for almost ten years now and we've only made three albums." Speaking to BBC 6 Music, he added: "When you look at people like The Beatles who knocked out a couple a year, it sort of makes us start to panic a little bit. So we're just desperate to get back into the studio."

Sounds good to me, with the caveat that sometimes more creative albums take more time and care.

Recently, Chris Martin has stated that "I think next time we'll be everyone's band. Our next album is going to be the greatest piece of music ever made...It is going to be really good." The band already has songs for the album written. "I just feel so motivated and I just see life as being so short and I still don't think we've written the best song ever, so every night, in the middle of the night, I wake up and I'll just try and write it."

All together now... SHUT UP, CHRIS. Dude, seriously, maybe you'll write your best song when you stop trying to write the best song ever. Every time you try to do that, and announce that you're going to do that, the results can't help but be disappointing.

NP: "Low", Coldplay

[Josh Powell]

Wow.. a darker Coldplay. That would be interesting. Any ETA for the album?


Josh

[murlough23]

Wow.. a darker Coldplay. That would be interesting. Any ETA for the album?

Considering their usual pace, I'd guess 2007.

[Vortex]

Regarding Solid State, have you heard Becoming the Archetype's album?  They are amazing musicians.  They play some of the most melodically intricate metal I've ever come across.  They are pure metal - not a hint of anything "core" about them.  Plus, they put one hell of an amazing live show.

[AldaForPresident]

I hate to say it, but personally I would probably list Nichole Nordeman as an artist I've disowned. Still love Wide Eyed with all my heart, still enjoy about half the tracks on This Mystery, but Woven & Spun has not aged well. Brave has a few tracks I enjoy - I love "Someday" - but overall it is, ironically, pretty safe.  

[Wildcatblue7]

Regarding Solid State, have you heard Becoming the Archetype's album?  They are amazing musicians.  They play some of the most melodically intricate metal I've ever come across.  They are pure metal - not a hint of anything "core" about them.  Plus, they put one hell of an amazing live show.

Yeah, if I were to listen to metal, I'd listen to BTA.  I have their album and pull it out every once in a while.  Elegy is still great, particularly the instrumental session.

[murlough23]

Yeah, if I were to listen to metal, I'd listen to BTA.  I have their album and pull it out every once in a while.  Elegy is still great, particularly the instrumental session.

Dream Theater is metal, aren't they?

NP: "Fly", Sanctus Real

[Wildcatblue7]

Dream Theater is metal, aren't they?

NP: "Fly", Sanctus Real

well, yes, but they're based in prog rock rather than "hey let's scream until our throats bleed" metal.  There is a difference.    

[Josh]

Though I haven't disowned his earlier, good albums, Rod Stewart definitely jumped the shark about, oh, three decades ago.

Yeah, I know... Rod Stewart. The man doesn't exactly reek of rock and roll coolness. But just give a listen to his masterworks, Every Picture Tells a Story and Never a Dull Moment-- two of the most powerful, innovative, and memorable albums of the 1970s. There's never been anything else like 'em, and even today they're as bright and bold as ever. Don't believe me? Just give 'em a spin.

And Elton John is pretty much the same story. You'd never know if by the sappy stuff he does today, but once upon a time he made some artful, sophisticated, highly enjoyable pop music. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy is a prime example.

[Aaron]

Though I haven't disowned his earlier, good albums, Rod Stewart definitely jumped the shark about, oh, three decades ago.

Yeah, I know... Rod Stewart. The man doesn't exactly reek of rock and roll coolness. But just give a listen to his masterworks, Every Picture Tells a Story and Never a Dull Moment-- two of the most powerful, innovative, and memorable albums of the 1970s. There's never been anything else like 'em, and even today they're as bright and bold as ever. Don't believe me? Just give 'em a spin.

And Elton John is pretty much the same story. You'd never know if by the sappy stuff he does today, but once upon a time he made some artful, sophisticated, highly enjoyable pop music. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy is a prime example.

just look at Follow The Yellow Brick Road.  What an amazing album!

[murlough23]

well, yes, but they're based in prog rock rather than "hey let's scream until our throats bleed" metal.  There is a difference.  

I definitely agree that screaming needs to be used as a means to an end, rather than an end unto itself.

That said, you still haven't responded to my He Is Legend remark.  

And of course there's also Thrice. They scream a bit.

NP: "Atlantic", Thrice

[Wildcatblue7]

Yeah, I still enjoy I Am Hollywood quite a bit.  They are, thankfully, the exception.  So quirky.  Do you know if they're working on a new album?  I haven't kept up with Solid State or Tooth and Nail news for quite some time now . . .

Wrong, yes I did.  haha.  I thought my computer freaked out or something when you said that.