Movies

5 horrible solo albums by members of extremely great bands

BBG News

Leaving a successful band to create a solo album can certainly be a challenging endeavor. The fans are accustomed to the group’s sound, yet the artist may yearn for a fresh, diverse direction. It’s like taking a gamble, as it’s uncertain whether the new music will resonate with the audience or not.

Numerous musicians have managed this feat, and Genesis, led by Peter Gabriel, is one example. However, it can also be argued that Gabriel shone equally, if not more brightly, on his own solo journey, much like Paul Simon post-Simon & Garfunkel.

However, the following albums don’t showcase the potential greatness that some solo albums can achieve. Regrettably, they are all practically impossible to listen to. Truly a pity.

These solo albums by members of great bands should have never been made

George Harrison – Dark Horse (1974)

This album is equally dismal and poor in quality. Amidst the turmoil of divorcing his wife and appearing physically drained, Harrison’s voice either sounds terrible or the recording process itself was flawed. The quality issue added to the problem, as well. Harrison aimed to imitate Phil Spector’s style, which resulted in an overwhelmingly grand sound.

In a different take on this record, it could have benefited if George Harrison had approached it with a similar style to Bruce Springsteen’s work on Nebraska. Although it wouldn’t reach the same level of quality as Springsteen’s album, a more minimalist production might have resonated better with the songs Harrison wrote about his separation. Additionally, his voice would have seemed more fitting in this style.

Chris Cornell – Scream (2009)

Cornell initially envisioned taking this album in an entirely new path, yet the destination remained ambiguous. Abandoning Soundgarden’s metal-punk genre, he opted to work with Timbaland on a pop record that struggled to find its footing. Despite his exceptional vocal abilities and versatility, Cornell was advised to lean more towards his familiar style for better results.

Rock music wasn’t his style. He possessed the vocal prowess of a rock deity, and he could convey deep emotions. Every aspect of him suggested he was neither a pop artist nor someone who should be pigeonholed as such.

Peter Criss – Let Me Rock You (1982)

Among Criss’s solo albums, it’s a challenging task to single out one as the least impressive. He indeed produced several throughout his career. In essence, Criss could be compared to Ringo Starr of Kiss, but unlike Starr who possessed some charm, Criss lacked it in his own music endeavors. While he maintained the rhythm and donned the makeup, Kiss could have been equally successful without him.

As a gamer, I’ve gotta admit, his performance just didn’t cut it. His style wasn’t engaging enough to win fans over. There was no rockin’ glam-metal vibe, just a bunch of lackluster ballads and pop tunes that fell flat. It was a disappointing mess, much like if Starchild himself had tried to pull off an album. The vocals might have been better, but the overall quality was still awful.

Dee Dee Ramone – Standing in the Spotlight (1989)

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but express my disappointment in not getting to hear Dee Dee King rap on his latest record. Ideally, no one should be yearning for that. His transformation into Dee Dee King seems to indicate a lack of understanding and respect for hip-hop culture. Unfortunately, his performance feels more like a caricature of the genre rather than a genuine contribution, potentially tarnishing his former reputation.

As a devoted admirer, I couldn’t help but hope his album would be fantastic given how genuinely charming he appeared. Yet, despite my best efforts, the reality was stark: the album was an unfortunate investment of time that no one should risk listening to.

Keith Moon – Two Sides of the Moon (1975)

This piece isn’t meant to undermine drummers who ventured into solo work after leaving famous groups, including Phil Collins who deserves his acclaim. However, even a phenomenal drummer like Keith Moon, renowned for his drumming skills, had certain limitations when it came to his solo work.

This album includes several covers that Moon either barely altered or transformed them so drastically they became dreadful renditions. Given Moon’s struggles with mental health, listeners should consider this context before listening to the album. Alternatively, it might be best to avoid it altogether.

Read More

2025-02-24 14:00

Previous post Selena Gomez Reveals Shocking Truth Behind Her Dramatic Weight Loss at SAG Awards!
Next post Ben Fogle Reveals Mental Health Breakdown, Now ‘Stronger and Happier’